Life after you-know-who

From yesterday’s Mandel Mailbag ($$):

… We just assume at this point Alabama will reload at receiver, where it has produced six first- or second-rounders in the past three years. But Jameson Williams arguably saved the Tide’s season last year when he transferred in from Ohio State. We think Jermaine Burton (Georgia) and/or Tyler Harrell (Louisville) will fill that void this fall, but neither is a given.

Young is a potential No. 1 pick, but you saw what happened in Indianapolis when he was suddenly without both Williams and John Metchie. He still needs some help.

I’d like to think Stewart misspelled “when he was suddenly facing a Georgia defense that elected to show up and play like it had for almost the entire season” there, but even if he didn’t, it’s a point to consider — if indeed Metchie and Williams were all that, what are we supposed to think about ‘Bama this season if it turns out Burton and Harrell aren’t?

33 Comments

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33 responses to “Life after you-know-who

  1. PTC DAWG

    Burton saw our depth up close..and Bama’s lack of for that matter.

    Liked by 6 people

    • Russ

      This 100%. I expect Burton to have a much better season statistically because Bama locks onto 1-2 receivers and they get all the numbers. I’m fine with our approach of spreading the ball among 4 TEs, 4 WRs, and a couple of RBs. Makes it so much easier to overcome the loss of an elite receiver like George Pickens.

      BTW, Pickens deserves major kudos in my book for sticking it out and coming back late to contribute some key catches. Some people liked to crap on the guy because he gave Swilling a brick swirlie and he sprayed the Tenneessee QB with his water bottle. I thought both were hilarious. The guy was a great receiver and I think the Steelers are about to find that out.

      Liked by 18 people

      • originaluglydawg

        The same drive that makes GP a great football player also drives his extra-curricular antics. I love the guy! He’s got a huge, competitive heart and his big catch against ‘Bama was the exclamation point on the end of “I never quit ! “.

        Liked by 5 people

    • ugafidelis

      And the fact that they’re throwing it 70 times a game.

      Liked by 3 people

  2. Derek

    Burton is pretty damn good. Not Jameson good, but pretty damn good.

    He was our most polished receiver last year. Not the biggest or the fastest, but he had the highest football iq of the group.

    Liked by 4 people

  3. Ran A

    I think Burton going to Bama was a $$$ deal and was in the works before the Natty – pure and simple. In fact, I think he had already taken some of the money was locked in. Somebody convinced him that he would be the ‘next guy’ over there and he bought it, hook line and sinker.

    He’s a very good receiver. We’ll miss him. But he’s not that ‘x’ factor. Does Georgia have ‘x’ factor receivers this year. Doesn’t look like it, unless Smith stays healthy. But at Tight End… That is a different story. I think Georgia is going to throw some stuff at defenses this fall that will make them just about unstoppable. How do you defend, if Bowers, Washington and Gilbert are on the field at the same time. And if you really want to screw with them, throw the freshman Delp out there at the same time.

    Liked by 7 people

    • Brock Bowers was the X factor last year. There may not be a 1st round superstar at wideout, but AD, Ladd, and Kearis all return to combine with Bowers, Gilbert, and Washington.

      The Natty showed having multiple targets with experience is better for the team than having one or two superstars in a game where everyone gets hurt eventually.

      Liked by 8 people

    • Derek

      But Nick said they didn’t buy anyone! Only Jimbo and Miami and the those other guys did! But not Alabama, like Nick said!

      Quite frankly, if you’re a receiver thinking this is this your last year of eligibility, you have no program loyalty, and you can be Bryce Young’s No. 1 target or Stetson’s, it ain’t a tough call. He’ll be able to put up a lot more stats and film for his positioning next spring. When you’re not going to be putting up eye popping combine numbers, showing an ability to just do your job well could mean a lot for him.

      Don’t like it. Can’t blame him.

      Liked by 6 people

      • RangerRuss

        I had some things to say comparing Mr Mememe to SBIV, school loyalty and character being important. But you know what?
        Fuck that guy.

        Liked by 1 person

      • Ran A

        I’m with you. I’m a ‘you do you’ person. If he feels it’s the better move, then more power to him. Honestly do not understand it; not convinced that the Bama move was best for him; but do get the thinking. He’s young – $$$ over loyalty at that age isn’t even in the scale. You learn that with time – just make sure the loyalty is a two way street.

        Liked by 1 person

      • boz864

        Pretty sure I read that JB played at 3 different high schools, has an LSU tattoo (because he committed there and changed his mind), and now at his second college.

        Liked by 1 person

    • Down Island Way

      Knowing UGA football has one of the best minds, if not THE best in the rehab room, #19’s shoulder recovery/rehab could make his return to the practice field longer than anticipated, given what UGA football has in the press box and the tight end room, CKS will yield to a safe return vs a hurried return…GO DAWGS!

      Like

  4. Is Burton durable enough to be the Bama go to guy? Don’t know, but staying healthy throughout the season, especially when you’re targeted a lot is a big ask.

    Liked by 6 people

    • Dawg in Austin

      This. Burton’s never made it through a season healthy. Will he make it to Atlanta at 100%? And Harrell ain’t Williams. They’ve got enough talent to win the west, but there’s no guarantee on that and the young Dawgs defense will be battle tested by the time they get to Atlanta. Should be a good game.

      Liked by 6 people

  5. Burton will fit in great in Tuscaloosa – only concerned about his stats.

    As Marcellus would say, “Something is rotten in the state of Alabama.” I don’t know if it’s all of the roadkill on I-20 or the culture of the Alabama football program. They are a soft, finesse program now as opposed to the wrecking ball of size, speed and athleticism.

    Liked by 5 people

  6. RangerRuss

    What are we supposed to think? I think the Dawgs are going to spank that Tide ass.
    Again.
    Sans Bama privilege Kirby has the plan to turn the Tide into a field goal specializing squad. Field goals ain’t gon beat Monken’s TD scoring O. SBIV is going to light ‘em the fuck up. Manball for the win.

    Liked by 6 people

  7. NotMyCrossToBear

    Should we even have a 2022 season since Metchie and Williams aren’t playing? They are indispensable.

    Liked by 12 people

  8. jcdawg83

    Young may not look like a Heisman winning superstar without two generational wideout threats on the field at the same time.

    Liked by 3 people

  9. ASEF

    Burton. Harrell. Brooks. Some very good running backs. And probably a sizable upgrade at OL coach.

    That offense should be hell on wheels. Burton will probably reprise the Metchie role more than the Williams role. High target chain mover, with some home runs thrown in when he gets a safety in man.

    Liked by 2 people

  10. Corch Irvin Meyers, Former Jags Corch (2021)

    Metchie and Williams ain’t walking through that door, Gumps!

    Roll Tears, Roll!

    Liked by 3 people

  11. 69Dawg

    Burton is a good wide out but he will not scare good DB’s. He is a possession receiver not a game breaker.

    Liked by 3 people

  12. Castleberry

    The national media likes to drink Metchie & Williams flavor Jameson. That Bennett Outdueled the Heisman version is just too hard to swallow.

    Burton is a stud. He’ll need to stay healthy, though. In two years, how many times did we have him at 100%? Burton torched some future pro’s including a couple in the playoffs for easy scores or huge PIs. He’ll be a problem.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. I try and remain as pragmatic as possible when discussing Burton, and I also try and remove as many sour grapes as possible. I want kids to do what they think they need to do to get to the league and get paid millions.

    I think Burton will have better numbers with Bryce throwing to him than Stetson. But, if Bama is putting their money down on him being a game-changing, take-the-top-off, Heisman-level wideout like they’ve had in recent years I have a feeling they’re going to be sorely disappointed.

    Liked by 1 person

  14. Darin Cochran

    I may be in the minority here, but I wouldn’t trade Burton for Mitchell or McConkey. Ladd is the most underrated player on the team right behind Bennett. He only got 3 stars coming out of HS because he played every freakun position on the team and killed 3 Taliban terrorists in the process. He was the most overlooked and underrated recruit in the country if you ask me. And when it was crunch time in the NC game when someone needed to step up, it was Mitchell that showed up and showed out, not Burton. The only thing that’s going to keep these two kids from probably BOTH getting 1000 yds receiving is our out-of-this-world TE group. So, it might sound like sour grapes, but I say to Burton, if you happen to read this; See ya. Have a good career, if you can stay healthy long enough. Oh and uh, when we take down the Tide again this season, you’ll be scratching your head as to why you left a team and went and joined a team that your current team just mopped the floor with. I’m still scratching my head about that.

    Liked by 2 people

  15. Comin' Down The Track

    Who?

    Liked by 2 people

  16. Nil Butron is a Pud

    For those wondering (and no said they were), my handle originates from something written on several bathroom walls at The Odyssey, Allen’s, Flying Buffalo, Sugar Bowl and other finer establishments in early 90’s Athens. We had no idea who Nil Butron was, except that he/she was well documented to be a “pud.”

    Seriously wondering if I should update my handle to “N.I.L. Burton is a Pud”…

    Liked by 4 people

    • RangerRuss

      I’ll admit to being curious enough to Google your handle a couple years ago as it seemed familiar. I also haunted those establishments during that time period. Won’t say I saw your handle on the walls. But I damn sure never saw the JH Warts Deviant Art that pops up on the search.
      I wish I would’ve spent more of that $$$ on WW2 rifles at Roses than tequila shots.

      Liked by 1 person

    • Comin' Down The Track

      That makes us contemporaries, my good Dawg, for I knew exactly whence came your soubriquet.

      Liked by 1 person