What’s next for Alabama football? 2008 season raised bar high

What’s next for Alabama’s football team, beyond Friday’s Allstate Sugar Bowl against undefeated Utah?

Certainly, the 2008 season raised the bar on expectations. A combination of great leadership, remarkable health, skilled newcomers and a tremendous offensive line certainly moved the program’s timetable dramatically in Nick Saban’s second season.

The momentum generated with a 12-1 season paired with the smallest senior class in the nation will have Crimson Tide fans clamoring for the start of the 2009 season.

There will be changes, however. The offensive line will have to replace at least two seniors – first-team All-American center Antoine Caldwell and right guard Marlon Davis. And Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith, another first-team All-American, is eligible to enter the NFL Draft.

A couple players who will be back, right tackle Drew Davis and left guard Mike Johnson, seem to realize how special this season has been.

“It’s been really fun,” said Drew Davis, who was a first-year starter. “They just make everything a lot easier. With me coming into the line, they really calmed me down, they calmed everybody down. We jelled together as a line, and I think the next line coming in will jell together just as good.”

“Next season, a lot of things are going to change,” said Johnson, who said he has thrived playing between Smith and Caldwell this year. “But it’s something we’re going to have to deal with when it gets here.”

Davis said two young players are talented enough to step up at center.

“William Vlachos is a really good player. Evan Cardwell started six games for us at the center position last year and we did fine,” he said.

Davis said the players returning may change positions. He said he’ll play wherever line coach Joe Pendry puts him.

“I don’t think it will be guard, but one of the tackles,” he said. “I’m open to anything. … A lot of other people have a chance to step up. Like Evan, he’ll be a senior this year. He’s a good player.”

“We’ve got a lot of young guys who have shown a lot of ability,” Mike Johnson said. “John Michael Boswell looks pretty good and Tyler Love’s come a long way.“

Next year’s line will be protecting a new quarterback. Three-year starter John Parker Wilson departs with every major passing record in school history. But this year, his statistics went down as his game management skills soared.

Greg McElroy is the Tide’s backup quarterback this season. He isn’t guaranteed the starting job next season, however.

“We will have competition for the position next year,” Saban said. “He has the most experience right now, but we are certainly going to let everybody compete for it and make a decision about who can do the best job in helping us win. Right now, he has done a good job all year long and we are pleased with the progress that he has made.”

McElroy, Star Jackson, Thomas Darrah will all battle for the spot, possibly along with incoming freshman A.J. McCarron.

Wilson said McElroy has done a good job all season. But whoever the quarterback is, he needs to avoid putting pressure on himself.

“You can make things bigger than they really are,” Wilson said. “There’s a lot of expectations around here, but that’s just part of it. I think it’s exciting for people to be looking forward to the season and having big expectations.”

On the other side of the ball, Alabama loses just two starters, end Bobby Greenwood and second-team All-American free safety Rashad Johnson.

Brandon Deaderick and Lorenzo Washington are both back at defensive end. Saban said Alabama had three starting ends, although Washington rotated in from the sideline most games. Mike Johnson also noted that interior defensive lineman Damion Square will have a much bigger role next year.

“He’s a great D-lineman,” Johnson said. “We look at him kind of like we looked at (Josh) Chapman last year.”

Replacing Rashad Johnson, who makes all the secondary calls and coordinates coverages with linebacker Rolando McClain, will be crucial. Johnson himself will be curious.

“It’s going to be a fun battle,” said the former walk-on. “I’ll probably be calling coach (Kirby) Smart to see how it’s going. It’s definitely going to be interesting, because of all those guys have the physical tools to go out and play that position.

“But at the same time, it’s definitely a position where you have to be mentally tough and mentally strong, because you’ve got so much responsibility of getting everybody lined up and making those checks. But it’s going to come down to the guy who understands, the guy who puts the time in, maybe in the film room more than in the weight room.”

Ali Sharrief and Tyrone King back up Johnson. Mark Barron, who backs up Justin Woodall at strong safety, could also be a candidate. Chris Jackson has spent bowl season working at safety.

“He’s looking real good,” cornerback Kareem Jackson said. “But it’s going to be hard learning that defense, especially at the safety spot.”

Saban consistently says backups can’t be satisfied with their positions, even if starters are underclassmen.

Linebacker Cory Reamer said freshman linebacker Courtney Upshaw of Eufaula, who has been a force on coverage teams, keeps improving.

“Courtney Upshaw is an amazing player. He’s so strong and so violent,” Reamer said. “He does a great job on kickoff team and special teams, and when he gets in there on third down, he’s got the ability to be a great pass rusher. He’s so strong and it’s amazing to see the things that he’s going to be able to do in the future.”