Another week, another roundtable - this time hosted by the Tide Druid.
1) Complete this sentence: Alabama’s biggest improvement from the 2007 season will be __________.
Quarterback play. We've heard a lot about McElwain's more "quarterback friendly" system, and how it'll change the game for John Parker Wilson. Count me among those who believe. Wilson is working harder than ever before, he's more experienced, and he clearly has all the tools to be a better than adequate college quarterback. This is the season he puts it all together.
At least he damn well better.
2) Who will be the unsung hero of the 2008 Crimson Tide? This is a player that hasn’t received any pre-season attention, nor will he receive any post-season attention from the media. Yet without his presence, the Tide would be lost. Nick Walker. The tight end position will be especially important in the new offense - McElwain likes to use 2 and move them around in the formation. Walker will need to be a presence in the offense, especially early on as Julio Jones and Burton Scott learn the ropes.
Walker has the size and skills to be an NFL caliber TE. The new offense will give him the chance he needs to prove that this year.
3) This is a rather vague question considering we haven’t even started fall practice, but what bowl game should we expect for this Alabama team?
Seven or eight wins is a very reasonable regular season goal. Assuming that (and assuming one of the losses is Clemson), we're staring a third place SEC West finish right in the eye. I'm of the opinion that the SEC will have 2 teams in the BCS again this year. That means Alabama stares the Cotton, Peach and Outback Bowls right in the eye. The Cotton gets first grab from the West... a cold New Year's in Dallas is probably in store for us.
4) This next one has to do with the recent hub-bub over the sabbatical Kenny Stabler is taking from the radio broadcast. I would like you to pick your ultimate Alabama football radio broadcast team. Pick an announcer, color analyst, a sideline reporter or two, and anything else you’d like to add.
Well, given the hand the folks at CTSM have been dealt, they are doing really the best they can with the parts they've got. There's no way to replace Kenny for one season with any "big name" from Joe Namath to Jay Barker or anywhere any between.
That being said, let's dream big.
Play by play: Larry Munson, University of Georgia.
If his hobnail boot was working for us, it'd be the best thing ever. You can pretend all you like, but you know it's true.
Color Commentary: Troy Aikman, Fox
If you've watched the NFL lately, I don't think you'll have any gripes here. Aikman is one of the most knowledgable commentators going. He's clearly played the game at its highest level, and his insights are better than any color commentator I've heard doing football in years.
Even though some don't care for 'em, we'll trot out two sideline reporters.
Sideline Reporter #1: Erin Andrews
Even though " target="_blank">she's a Gator, I don't think I need to explain this.
Sideline Reporter #2: Dr. Jerry Punch
While best known for his NASCAR acumen, Dr. Jerry Punch is one of the real pros in sideline reporting. These days, the best have been replaced mostly by eye candy (not that I'm complaining). The best thing about Dr. Jerry Punch is he's an actual medical doctor, and having a sideline reporter who can actually save lives can't be a bad thing. In addition to that, he played for Lou Holtz and has been a sideline reporter for football in the past. The man knows his stuff.
May as well dream big if we're dreaming on a broadcast team.
Good questions from the Tide Druid.
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