[JRL]

Starting end Greenwood among those who suffered injuries

BY CREG STEPHENSON - Special to the Ledger-Enquirer --


TUSCALOOSA, Ala. --

A three-game stretch of games against power programs Arkansas, Georgia and Florida State has left the Alabama football team not only fatigued emotionally, but battered physically.

The Crimson Tide (3-2) suffered a rash of injuries to key personnel in Saturday's 21-14 loss to the Seminoles, many at positions along the already thin defensive front seven. The most serious was to starting end Bobby Greenwood, who suffered a sprained ankle in the first quarter and is questionable for Saturday's home game against Houston (2-2).
"We've done an MRI and an X-ray," coach Nick Saban said of Greenwood. "There doesn't seem to be any (structural) problem there, but it's a pretty good sprain; a pretty good bruise."
With Greenwood likely out Saturday, sophomore Brandon Deaderick becomes the starter at right end. Deaderick recorded a career-best four tackles against Florida State.

Ledger-Enquirer.com | 10/02/2007 | Tough stretch leaves Tide players battered

[Stoney]

Everybody struggles with the injury bug.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Everybody struggles with the injury bug.

Yeah but the teams with less depth get hammered. If Saban stays - a big if IMHO - in 3 - 4 years injuries will not hurt the team as much.

[Stoney]

He needs to patchwork his players into a unit that it doesn't matter these guys must pull together as a team.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

He needs to patchwork his players into a unit that it doesn't matter these guys must pull together as a team.

Pulling together is one thing - turning a pigs ear into a silk purse something different. I don't care how well you prepare - coach - scheme - etc. you can't win week in week out in the upper levels of football. Saban needs more good players - simple really.

Look at Georgia - # 1 RB goes down - plug in #2 - he goes down plug in # 3 they didn't lose a step - same thing with the WR's and LB's. Ga lost a starter on the OL prior to the Bama game - it hurt - but they had enough depth to plug the hole and move on. Right now Bama doesn't have quality depth at key positions.

[Stoney]

Call it a hangover from probation but these guys still should play better than they have. They need to play like they did in the first quarter against Arkansas.

[JRL]

Originally Posted by Stoney

Call it a hangover from probation but these guys still should play better than they have. They need to play like they did in the first quarter against Arkansas.

That is the key to the problem. Also the Arkansas game was not a true indicator. They are apparently not as good as advertised plus Bama was at its best - new season - new coach - new expectations - then reality set in. The kids know they are outnumbered by most top 25 teams look at the results. I'm not trashing Bama just looking from afar - they don't have the players to do what you want done - period.

Old Miss played Ga tough for 2 1/2 quarters then poof - depth took over and the Dawgs ran away. When players get tired they can sustain play for a while on guts but if a call or play goes south they fold.

Better times are ahead but not next week or the week after - this season is going to be filled with more downers than uppers for the Bama faithful. From a distant prespective I can see several games Bama is likely to lose. Just like I saw Ga losing to SC this year - and beating Fla and winning the East and playing LSU for the ring.

[Stoney]

Don't count us out just yet.

[JRL]

Stoney you have got to stop watching those pigs fly they are making your crazy

[Stoney]

I have seen teams that weren't supposed to win come out and dominate a superior opponent like Auburn just did to Florida. Alabama is one of those teams you don't know if you're going to get Dr.Jeckell or Mr. Hyde.