Joel Klatt needs to change his perception of Alabama. On a recent episode of The Joel Klatt Show, he outlined several teams he is buying and selling stock in. One of those teams was Alabama. While it is not the least bit surprising to see Klatt down on the Crimson Tide, he seems to be forgetting a few key pieces on this year's team: EJ Crowell, Kane Wommack, and the high-upside quarterbacks room.
Klatt praised how great Ty Simpson was at quarterback a season ago. He was... Klatt also mentioned that the team has to replace Kadyn Proctor at offensive tackle and Germie Bernard at wide receiver. Proctor was a mega talent, but he was so inconsistent. Bernard was incredibly productive, but Ryan Coleman-Williams has always been the more talented wideout. Klatt has forgotten who is still around.
His biggest criticism of Alabama was DeBoer's lack of a running game. This should be improved.
"I like Kalen DeBoer," Klatt said. "I think he's a wonderful football coach. The one thing he's struggled with throughout his career is finding a reliable running game to complement what has consistently been an elite passing attack. Last year, Alabama couldn't run the football. It's actually shocking to watch Alabama line up and not be able to run the football."
Not only is Crowell every bit the five-star coming in, but Simpson was a statue in the backfield last year. Austin Mack and Keelon Russell did not win the starting job a year ago, but both candidates for it this season have a little wiggle to them. Their ability to contribute in the RPO game could be huge for the Crimson Tide's rushing ventures this fall. Of course, they will need to spin it like Simpson just did.
Klatt finished up his thoughts on Alabama by overvaluing inexperience at the quarterback position.
"This is going to be a young team," he said. "They're going to be inexperienced, particularly at quarterback. In my estimation, experience at the quarterback position is the most important ingredient for any team in the country, and it's very difficult to have top-end success with an inexperienced quarterback."
Once again, Klatt conveniently forgets that for as great as Simpson was at times, he was only a one-year starter at Alabama. Jalen Milroe was the last quarterback to start for Nick Saban at Alabama, and the first to play for DeBoer in Tuscaloosa. Over the years, DeBoer has been able to pick the right quarterback to lead his teams. From Simpson, to Milroe, to Michael Penix Jr., he shall be right again.
Add in Wommack's prowess as a defensive coordinator, and this may alleviate any offensive issues.
Here is everything Klatt said about Alabama and several other Power Four programs on his show.
Klatt has enough time to come around on the idea of this year's Crimson Tide, but do not count on it.
Joel Klatt keeps seeing the Alabama Crimson Tide through a warped lens
Whether it be overlooking a five-star running back's talent in Crowell, Mack or Russell's dual-threat playmaking abilities, DeBoer's eye for evaluating the quarterback position, or even Wommack being an exceptional defensive coordinator, Klatt does not know where it is at with this team... Yes, there are concerns about the offensive line, but maybe William Sanders can offset losing Proctor to the NFL?
For Alabama to navigate its manageable schedule, it does need the quarterback play to shine bright. Whoever wins the starting job between Mack or Russell can elevate this team's ceiling. However, the floor might be defined by the play of the Alabama offensive line. Klatt is right to question that, but he may need to come to grips with the reality that last year's team is in the past, and this year's team is now.
Frankly, Alabama is coming off a playoff year, one where it won a road game over a team that beat it during the regular season in Oklahoma. While some of that team may be gone, others still remain. More importantly, key pieces on the coaching staff are back. That would include Wommack, offensive coordinator Ryan Grubb, and of course, DeBoer at head coach. Do not sleep on this coaching trio.
Read more: Kalen DeBoer's first SEC battle with Lane Kiffin may include a huge Alabama hurdle
Overall, Klatt has his reasons to be down on the Crimson Tide. The last half decade has come and gone without Alabama winning a national title. We are another year removed from Saban at the helm of this team. Now that DeBoer has had enough time to recruit his kind of guys, we must put our trust and faith into him and his staff to deliver. Nobody puts more pressure on DeBoer than himself.
Alabama's roster has some variance, but its upside, and the team's schedule, shall make things easier.
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