Originally posted by strickac:
Go back and check out Bama's 2010 depth chart. Looking at the starters and the the backups (then), it's loaded with early round NFL talent. The players currently on the roster are no different. Guys like Lacy and Yeldon are just as talented as the Ingrams and Richardsons, they're just not as we'll known yet. Bama is as deep as any team in the nation. They scoop up a handful of the best players in the country every year.
I understand the argument that NFL players are the best draftable players in the country and better than standard college kids; however, your average NFL team may only have about 5 first round picks on the roster. Alabama is pumping out 3-5 1st-2nd round picks every year. The talent is there.
Personally I think the huge difference is professional preparation and Bama is unique in that they are basically an NFL training school. Lets face it, an 8th grader has the smarts to get a degree in Alabama. They are the closest thing to a professional team in the NCAA. Saban has them ready every week and out smarts opponents every week. It's rare that they have a competitive game. If Alabama kept they're players (rather than sending them to the NFL), they'd have a Pro Bowl team caliber team in a few short years.
Look at an older roster as a snapshot of how many current/projected NFL players you see. It's pretty remarkable how well Saban has recruited. His team is loaded with NFL-caliber talent. Most of his starters go pro. On any pro roster there's a few guys that are just there for lack of a better player. Thankfully, we've purged the roster of our Snyders and Rachals. Plus, while the general perception is that NFL players were star college players, that's far from the truth. After the 2nd round, the vast majority of players selected were good, not great college players.
As talented as Alabama is, they have been that way for a while. But look at their recent College STARS that went to the NFL.
Heisman Trophy winner Mark Ingram: Back up running back in the NFL
Shut down Corner, 1st Round Draft Pick Dre Kirkpatrick: Barely even dressed on Sundays for the Bengals
Dominant Marcel Dareus: Still hasn't done anything significant in THREE years for the Bills who we just rushed for 300 yards against
Highly Proficient Greg Mcelroy: Sits behind two of the WORST NFL QB's in Sanchez and Tebow
Explosive Julio Jones JUST had a great SECOND season. Did he dominant coming straight out of college though? Absolutely not!
And this is just talking about Alabama. Look at the other dominant college players like the Reggie Bush's, the Tim Tebow's, the Rashaun Woods . Dominating in College is just that, COLLEGE.. whole different ball game IF you can get to the pro level, mentally and physically. Ask Rolando McClain, another talented Alabama player who is a head case and really isn't that good
Point being, the game is so much faster and an NFL defense would destroy a college offense. If a college O-Lineman gives up a sack or gets blown up by a college D-lineman, even if it's just a couple times a game, what makes you think they wouldn't get DOMINATED by an NFL defensive lineman?? An NFL defense would close Alabama's pocket so quick, it wouldn't be funny. The SEC produces the best defense in the nation but those teams, who end up sending about 5 players off of that defense to the league in the following season, would not be able to be enough vs 11 pro players who made the team. The numbers just won't add up and it would be a slaughter house.
[ Edited by Sims84 on Jan 9, 2013 at 4:26 AM ]