Written by Ell
| 18 June 2008
Bobby Greenwood - #93 - DE - 6-5 - 267 lbs. - Prattville, AL - Prattville - 3 Varsity Letters
In Bobby's 2005 freshman season Bama fans got a glimpse of what many thought would be the next great Bama DE. While only logging 157 total snaps, he amassed 3 sacks, 5 tackles for a loss & 5 QB Hurries. Coming into school as Alabama's 6A lineman of the year, those totals seemed right on target for Bobby to become a star.
It hasn't happened. In 35 games since, he's totaled just 5.5 sacks, 9.5 tackles for a loss & 4 QB hurries.
It retrospect we can see that a lot of that success in 2005 came when teams were double-teaming the DE on the other side, now-NFL star Mark Anderson. In 2006 he was moved to the opposite side, to replace Anderson. Add in that Wallace Gilberry struggled, meaning no double teams, and Bobby struggled.
In 2007 there was another change, this time to a 3-4 scheme. Wallace Gilberry earned the outside end spot, which helped him have a fantastic Senior season. That meant, however, that Bobby was moved inside the offensive tackle, and the speed burst that helped him in 2005 became neutralized. He split time at that spot with Brandon Deaderick, and never really looked comfortable.
2008 Prospectus: In the spring Bobby was moved back to the outside end spot, meaning he'll be back outside the tackle. That should give him the opportunity to take advantage of his speed once again.
It'll be necessary. Behind Bobby on the depth chart are redshirt freshman
Nick Gentry, sophomore
Luther Davis, who briefly left the team in the spring, and possibly incoming freshman
Michael Williams, though he might start out at tight end.
Wallace Gilberry demonstrated what is possible from the outside end in 2007. It is probably a bit much to expect Bobby to duplicate Wallace's tremendous season, but an improvement from the last 2 seasons should be expected.
A considerable gain in strength from 2006 until now should benefit him greatly. It's his last opportunity to demonstrate the considerable potential that he showed in 2005. My guess is that we'll see Bobby top the numbers he put up as a freshman by the mid way point in 2008.
That's it for the Senior class of 2008. The Junior class will start tomorrow.
