Anyway, I was able to make the trip out to A-Day this year after taking a break last year for the first time since 1990. It was great being back there in the Springtime. Not too hot, not too cold, and it was great to see all of the Bamafans there in Bryant-Denny Stadium just snake thru each added section as the game went on. Never before has BD been so full of Bamafans - not even during the regular season. Remember, the visiting fans are in attendance too. The only thing that would have made the game better for those unfortunate Bamafans on the East side upper deck are concession stands. I guess Bama didn't count on that section being open so those guys were gone by the end of the 3rd quarter. I guess they'll know for next year, right? Also, get there prior to kickoff and that might help. Why you showing up in the 2nd quarter anyway??

So A-Day got started, and it honestly looked like any other A-Day we have all witnessed in years past. Nothing new on offense other than we probably had more discipline - something Saban has been harping on all during spring drills. JP and Greg McElroy both looked pretty good, and with more practice under their belts come Fall, we should be in good hands. With no significant loss on offense other than McClain, Bama will hopefully light up the scoreboard, and that includes the red zone. We have a record-setting QB (also more records to be broken by JPW), a record-setting WR in DJ Hall, and an offensive line that is gelling little by little, anchored by Caldwell and Smith. And with Darby and his zig-zag ways having departed, it opens the gates for a running game Bama could have had last year in Jimmy Johns and company. With 3 completed surgeries, Bama has 3 more RBs in the mix and that should bode well for Alabama. Upchurch, Coffee and Grant all have different styles and all will hopefully be able to contribute. Grant could be the most versitle with his pass-cathing ability and speed. I'm not sure how much the FB will be utilized this year, but from what I can tell, we might not need it much.

As for the rest of the offensive package, Saban wasn't going to show anything to hint at what the Fall will be about. Applewhite and the guys know what they will do, but for A-Day, it was just a show for the fans. I liked what I saw from DJ and Caddell. I liked the flashes I saw from Terry Grant. And Jimmy Johns just continues his bulldozing ways getting tough yards we couldn't seem to muster out last season. The offensive line blocked extremely well, and the running holes were quite evident all during the game though it seemed like Saban wanted JP and McElroy to get as much passing as possible. I liked what I saw.

On the flip side, the defense looked a little slow and rattled at times. We lost 6 more guys off a defense that played the 3-3-5 last season and couldn't really stop anybody. Now we have even more inexperienced guys in there playing a totally different defense in the 3-4/4-3 scheme, and it showed. They'll learn over time, but they're definitely not there yet. The DBs will have their hands full in coverage and tackling... but good thing for Bama that these guys are the most experienced of the bunch. We have a stable of CBs, so if one falls, we'll have 1-2 backups to help out. I'm definitely not worried there as Castille is the rock of that bunch. He could easily win the Thorpe Award at the end of 2007 if he plays his cards right. At DL/LB, we are obviously thin, and Saban is probably not done experimenting at least a couple more guys at those positions come fall. Rolondo McClain (incoming true Freshman) will likely play a good bit come fall if his body can handle it. He's a true stud and Bama needs that in the middle. Whether or not he's ready for SEC play is another story.

So for Bama to win a lot of games in 2007, we're going to have to score a LOT - because our defense is likely going to give up a lot - at least more than we're accustomed to. No more averaging 17 points allowed per game... now it's going to be more like 20-24 ppg on defense, which means the offense is going to have to do a little more in order to pull out the wins. So more points given up means more chances of losing. Now things could change easily. They'll still have a month to prepare before the season starts, but so will everybody else. And with Bama's numbers so thin up front, winning 8-9 games is about what Bamafans should realistically be looking for at best. Things could gel and Bama could win 10 games possibly... but not likely. Anything over 10 games won, and Saban will truly be worth his weight in gold - wait, that's what we ARE paying him, right - or is it his weight in Platinum? Diamonds? Anyway, we should have a better season than last year easily. Plus the home schedule is actually worth attending. Auburn was the only good home game last year. Now we get UT, LSU, and Georgia at home. Sweet.

So look for some kinks in the A-Day offense - some changes here and there. We'll see how much like the Indy Colts this offense actually becomes. It's all speculation at this point - and I for one just want Bama to win - I don't care how... but just win.