SEC Spring Football: Who Returns?
2006-04-10
Posted by: badanov
We learned from last year, spring football and polls mean nothing if they don't address graduation. We also learned to wait until the two deep rosters are out before we can have a serious analytical look at any one conference.
Last year, as an example, we correctly predicted that Alabama would be a strong contender on the basis of their defense alone, primarily their linebackers.
We published that contention on the sole basis of the number of seniors, nine of them in the early rosters, returning to the Tide defense. Pontentially that could have turned out poorly, but we were lucky. And we came away with one basic lesson, espcially after the Alabama, Texas tech game:
Defense especially at linebacker, will define a team's success, even when the so called skill players cannot.
However, we want to note that Florida's Chris Leak is returning, albeit to problems in the offensive line, as the article states. What the writer doesn't point out is that after the Tennessee game, Gator coach Urban Meyer had a hurt offensive line, but they still managed second in the SEC East behind the Georgia BoolDawgs.
Our view is that Florida and Auburn, both with dynamite and returning quarterbacks, will be strong contenders as long as they can work around offensive line problems.
There is so much more to comment on, but it really is too early.
Not until, as we say, see the two deeps are released.
If you have something to add, Fire Away!
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