subject: What Is Going To Happen To Alabama? [print this page] Earlier this year, Alabama fans were concerned about a plethora of issues. Although it is still rather early, these issues can be addressed here and put to rest until they at least begin the majority of the SEC schedule.
Regarding Special Teams
Having unfortunately lost your kicker, long snapper and punter all at once left many worrying how special teams would be affected.
Alabama comes in at second in punting just behind Tennessee, so fear no more. As for long snappers, Alabama's had been O in bad snaps and so far his replacement is perfect.
With two kickers and one doing better than the other on kickoffs and them being two for three in field goal percentages, that is better than the previous kicker's start.
Replacing Defensive Starters
Alabama is in the lead when it comes to scoring defense and so far, there are no signs of that ending. With the pass rush looking better than last years, the run defense is in pretty solid shape as well. There is truly life after Dareus and Damion Square proves that.
Losing Their Edge After Winning
Many fans believed that after Alabama won it all last year that they could run the risk of losing their edge. However, so far they appear to be operating with a mechanical, workman like approach to every game and practice. No egos are getting in the way and each player appears to be putting forth all of their energy and concentration onto the field.
Is Greg McElroy Okay?
It's true that he wasn't looking good in the national championship game, but that is how cracked ribs will take their toll. This year he is healed and engineering scoring drives one after another. He is looking and playing like not only a born leader, but a true national championship winning quarterback.
Not Working Out Yet
Of course not everything is perfect with these guys though. As of yet, nobody has come close to replacing Javier Arenas' returning kicks from last season. At the same time, there hasn't necessarily been and fumbles, miscues or bad plays either.
The suspension of Marcell Dareus was rather distracting but it may also keep the other players on their toes throughout the rest of this season. In fact, this could practically be considered one of the better things to happen to the team since Alabama did rather well with Dareus' replacement with the defense still throwing shut outs.
