The University of Alabama football team at one time was considered the cream of the crop in the Southeastern Conference.
But over the past few years, instead of talking about national championships or SEC titles, discussions have been focused around embarrassment and probation.
Last season, first-year head coach Mike Shula guided the Tide to a 4-9 record and a fifth-place finish in the SEC West.
Shula took over the job as the Tide’s coach during the 2003 offseason when ex-coach Mike Price was fired because of behavior associated with a night at a topless bar.
Now a year removed from the Price controversy, the Tide hope to have the problem behind them, allowing them to focus on the 2004 season.
The Tide return 13 starters from a year ago. Among the most recognized names on the Alabama roster is junior quarterback Brodie Croyle.
Croyle, who threw 16 touchdowns and 2,303 yards in 2003, did not participate much in spring practice because he was recovering from offseason shoulder surgery.
Miami transfer Marc Guillon took the majority of the snaps during the spring. In the team’s spring game, Guillon completed 22-of-47 passes for 180 yards and one touchdown.
Shula said despite the fact that Croyle is the returning starter, Guillon will receive a chance to take over the reigns as quarterback.
“It’s hard to make any changes when guys are hurt,” Shula said. “But there is going to be competition at that position.”
Besides Croyle, the Tide have no returning skill position players on offense. With their top four wide receivers and standout running back Shaud Williams moving on, Shula will look to freshmen and sophomores to fill the skill positions.
Among the sophomores making an impact in the spring was running back Tim Castille. Castille played sparingly his freshman season as a wide receiver, but with Williams leaving for the NFL has made the switch to tailback.
“During the Christmas break, I knew I wanted to play tailback, and I knew I had to come out and prove that I could play it,” Castille said.
In the spring game, Castille led all Alabama rushers with 65 yards on nine carries, including a 39-yard touchdown run.
“Tim Castille continues to get better and better,” Shula said. “He’s going to play both positions [wide receiver and running back]. I still don’t think we know how good he can be. There’s no ceiling on that.”
Offensive tackle Wesley Britt anchors the Tide offensive line that last year paved the way for an average of 159 yards rushing per contest. Britt, who was a 2003 All-SEC selection, broke his leg just six plays into the Tennessee game last season. The injury forced him out of the final four games and has limited his action in spring drills.
Defensively the Tide return seven starters, including their top two tacklers — DeMeco Ryans and Roman Harper.
Ryans, a junior linebacker, led the Tide last season with 126 tackles, while recording six tackles for losses and 1 1/2 sacks. Harper, a junior safety, recorded 111 tackles and one interception.
A weak point for the Tide last season was their defensive backfield. Opposing teams averaged 227 yards per game through the air against the Tide, which was 10th among SEC teams.
Alabama returns to the traditional 11-game schedule this season. Its home schedule is highlighted by visits from Ole Miss, South Carolina, Southern Mississippi, Mississippi State and Auburn, while they will travel to Arkansas, Kentucky, Tennessee and LSU.