Saban Talks Tide Draft Shutout
Associated Press
2008-04-30 16:34:45.0
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MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) - Those ubiquitous recruiting rankings are
fun to talk about but hardly scientific. The won-loss record? Well,
plenty of factors can go into that.
For more concrete evidence that Alabama's talent level hasn't
been on par with other Southeastern Conference powers lately, check
out the number of Crimson Tide players drafted by the NFL last
weekend.
Zero. That NFL draft shutout was the first for Alabama since
1970 and only the second in the draft's 72 years.
In fact, the Tide hasn't produced a first-rounder since Shaun
Alexander and Chris Samuels eight years ago, a period when the
program has endured NCAA probation and a number of coaching
changes. That's the bad news for 'Bama fans.
The good news: Those recruiting rankings, while not fool-proof,
had Nick Saban's second class ranked as the nation's best.
Validation of that lofty ranking will have to wait until, say, the
2012 NFL draft.
"We certainly don't have the talent level that we will have in
a year or two," said Lee Roy Jordan, a former Alabama and NFL
star, in a phone interview Wednesday. "I think we'll have a much
higher level between last year's class and the one that we've
signed this year. By the time they get to be seniors and juniors,
you'll see a lot different results as far as the NFL draft goes."
It might not take quite that long, with junior left tackle Andre
Smith projected as a high future pick.
The players Saban left behind at LSU contributed heavily to the
Tigers' national championship last season. Former recruits JaMarcus
Russell and Glenn Dorsey have been Top-5 picks the past two
seasons.
In fact, LSU has had a first-rounder in the last five NFL
drafts. The Southeastern Conference has produced a whopping 46
since Alabama's last No. 1 picks.
Saban said a heavy presence in the draft could have been a plus
for a program, but it's also motivation for the guys left behind.
"It sends a message to the guys that are there right now that
the guys that get drafted in the first round not only have a
tremendous amount of talent, but they also do things right," Saban
told reporters Tuesday in Talladega during a stop on his seven-city
Crimson Caravan tour.
"Everything you do - on the field and off the field - is part
of your resume," he added.
At least five Tide players have signed free agent contracts,
including defensive end Wallace Gilberry, cornerback Simeon
Castille and receiver DJ Hall. Castille and Hall both had
off-the-field problems last year.
Jordan said he believes the draft goose egg was due to more than
just talent, including seniors underperforming in their final year.
"I certainly think our talent level has gone down," Jordan
said. "We've had some guys that are undersized or not quite fast
enough. Any one of those things can make a guy not draftable."
Adding insult, schools like Appalachian State, Richmond,
Northern Iowa and even Division III Mount Union produced draft
picks.
Recruiting services like Rivals.com can pat themselves on the
back. Alabama signed five top, 5-star recruits this year, but only
three in the previous six recruiting classes.
Saban thinks bigger than former coach Mike Shula in targeting
prospects, Jordan said.
"Coach Saban and his staff think they can recruit a good player
from anywhere in the country and they've kind of proved that they
can," he said.
Alabama fans can take heart. Bear Bryant's Tide team rebounded
mightily after that 1970 draft. They won five consecutive SEC
championships from 1971-75. 'Bama went 7-6 last season and lost
four of its final five games.
Former Tide coach Gene Stallings points out that the team was
competitive against Tennessee, LSU and Arkansas whatever happened
in the draft.
"I don't think they have enough talent to win a national
championship," Stallings said, "but I don't think they're just
talentless.
"You've got to have a little luck, you've got to stay healthy
and do things of that nature to win games."
He cautions against judging prospects by the ratings of
recruiting services. Then again, he feels pretty good about the
Tide's recent classes.
"All I can see is Alabama getting just better and better,"
Stallings said.
(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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