This will be the last blog post until at least halftime for two reasons:
Number 1: Live blogging is not allowed.
Number 2: Anyone who would read this is probably busy watching the game.
Sunday, December 30, 2007
The game is on
This will be the last blog post until at least halftime for two reasons:
Number 1: Live blogging is not allowed.
Number 2: Anyone who would read this is probably busy watching the game.
Oh give me a home ...
Colorado has one of the cooler mascots around Ralphie IV is a live 1,200-pound female buffalo. According to the media guide, the current mascot was donated to CU by Ted Turner. That's kind of surprising because Turner runs Ted's Montana Grill which includes bison burgers on its menu.
Two local groups
Cecil Garrison and Anthony Pate brought their families from Lincoln. Pate had planned to come for a while, but Garrison decide to come on Thursday. He and his crew left around 5:30 Saturday, drove until midnight and then got up and came the rest of the way this morning.
Pate (who was quoted in my print story this morning) and his family say they like the bowl because of the increased access to the team and the field. Pate's son Colton was able to get on the field yesterday and said he ran around and did a Reggie Bush-style flip across the goal line.
"It was awesome being in there," he said.
LSU fans are out in force
The surprise of the night so far is the number of purple-clad LSU fans. Some of the more impressive tailgating setups are from the Tiger supporters. Walking through the tailgate area, there were about three Alabama fans and two LSU fans for every Colorado fan.
I guess if you are an LSU fan in Shreveport you could come to the game just like I'm sure there were a few Bama fans at the PapaJohns.com Bowl in Birmingham.
Lincoln resident and Bama fan Cecil Garrison had another theory.
"They're here to boo Saban," he said. "They said we love your fans but we hate your coach."
I'll be interested to see what kind of reception he gets at the game.
A better picture of the Monroe billboard
I found a better picture of the La. Monroe billboard here at the War Eagle Reader. I saw the board on the way in but in my post I was only able to get a blurry-bigfoot-in-the-woods style shot out the car window. The rest of the site is full of anti-Bama stuff, but I thought I'd include the picture.All right, now it's time for tailgating. -aj
Warming up to Shreveport
I know that I've made a few posts talking bad about Shreveport, but it's really a pretty nice place. We had lunch at the Louisiana Boardwalk which is right on the Red River and is right up there with cities like Chattanooga when it comes to a nice place to walk around and eat or shop. Here are a few more pictures of the boardwalk (which is actually all concrete). Next I'm headed out to the tailgating area.
Winning record the only prize
Here is Creg's print story. -aj
SHREVEPORT, La. — Finishing the season with a winning record will be the reward for the winner of tonight's Independence Bowl, but just getting here was a near-epic struggle for both Alabama and Colorado.
Considering how it played the final month of the regular season, Alabama (6-6) is lucky just to be back in Shreveport for a second consecutive year. The Crimson Tide returns to the Independence Bowl after losing its last four regular-season games under first-year coach Nick Saban, to finish with a .500 record for the second consecutive year.
On Oct. 20, Alabama sat at 6-2 and ranked No. 17 in the country after blasting Tennessee 41-17. But consecutive losses to LSU, Mississippi State, Louisiana-Monroe and Auburn knocked the Crimson Tide from its perhaps prematurely lofty perch and had the team holding its breath when bowl matchups were announced earlier this month.
"It's not like we intentionally wanted to lose our last four games so that we could wind up in Shreveport again," Alabama defensive end Wallace Gilberry said. "Unfortunately, we fell off at the end, but there's nothing we can do now to change that. The only thing we can do is focus on what we need to do to improve and go out and get a win."
Judging by where it was a year ago, Colorado (6-6) is ecstatic to be playing in a bowl again, any bowl game. The Buffaloes went 2-10 in 2006 under first-year coach Dan Hawkins, but rebounded for victories against the likes of Oklahoma, Texas Tech and Nebraska this season.
Bama fans show spirit at Independence Bowl
SHREVEPORT, La. — One night earlier this week, Edna Daniels couldn't stand the wait any longer. She was ready to go at midnight, too excited to sleep. She forced herself to sleep a few more hours before getting up at 3 a.m.
She wasn't waiting for St. Nick. She was waiting for Coach Nick.
"We started to leave at midnight but we made ourselves sleep," said Daniels, a Munford resident who left for the Independence Bowl in the wee hours Friday morning. "We were so excited."
It was raining in Munford when they left at 5:20 a.m., and it rained on them all the way to Meridian, Miss. But she had faith that there was a bowl of gold at the end of the rainbow.
"We knew it would be sunny here, because Nick is here," she said Friday. "We're all Nick Chicks."
Full storySaturday, December 29, 2007
Take 1 tsp. salt, add to wound
For
In Cajun Country ... well not really
We’ve crossed over the
While we’re stuck I’ll post some pictures from
"Moving on to Mississippi" or "Chugging past Chunky"
We’ve crossed over to
One of the tags was from
Anyway they are from Sylacauga and I gave them my cell number (256-310-3222) and they said they would call me once they got set up to tailgate.
So far 
Shortly after, we saw this sign:
On the road
Star photographer Kevin Qualls and I left Anniston about 9:30 this morning. We're through Birmingham and in Tuscaloosa now.
Mapquest said the route is around 500 miles and will take almost 8 hours. We're hoping to get to Shreveport in time for the Pep Rally on the Louisiana Boardwalk tonight at 6.
From here we stay on I-20 through Mississippi until just before Texas. The map I looked at said Shreveport was 18 minutes from the Texas line and 40 minutes from the Arkansas line.
I talked to a group yesterday who left Anniston at 5:30 a.m. bound for Shreveport. More on them later.
-aj
Friday, December 28, 2007
Backwoods Smoker
If you're going to the Independence Bowl and want to drop some serious change into your tailgating, help will only be about 15 miles away.
I saw an ad for Backwoods Smoker in a barbecue newsletter I get through the Kansas City Barbecue Society. The ad said the smokers run from $785 to $7,434 and are built in Shreveport.
When I called Mike McGowan, who runs the operation, and he said he's been building the smokers for 20 years about 14 miles north of downtown Shreveport in the backwoods. That's truth in advertising. He said most of his smokers are sold to caterers and professional barbecue teams, but there are plenty of normal residential folks who buy them. He said people stop by to see his handiwork from time to time.
He said he's never been to the Independence Bowl, but it's entirely possible some of his smokers have been. I'm hoping I can catch one in action in one of the tailgating areas. Anyone serious enough to drop that kind of money into a smoker, probably knows a thing or two about ribs.
-aj
Heading for Shreveport? The Star wants to talk with you
Star staff writer and certified barbecue judge Andy Johns will be heading to Shreveport, La., Saturday to see Alabama and Colorado square off in the Independence Bowl. He’s looking for tailgaters and fans from northeast Alabama who are making the 500-mile trip.
If you are bowl-bound, call him at (256) 310-3222 or e-mail him at ajohns@annistonstar.com.
This beat blog will be updates before and after the game.
Saban cutting a rug
Here's some helpful hints on watching this video.
1. Cut the audio completely off. It's still funny wihout it. Plus, the sound quality is very, very bad, and probably of greater importance there's a couple of words (ones that wouldn't end up in the Anniston Star, but are commonly heard on a football field) used -- I think it's twice.
2. Either bear through the first part of it, or either jump ahead about midway through to the 0:58 mark. Otherwise you could get motion sickness from the poor camera work.
1. Cut the audio completely off. It's still funny wihout it. Plus, the sound quality is very, very bad, and probably of greater importance there's a couple of words (ones that wouldn't end up in the Anniston Star, but are commonly heard on a football field) used -- I think it's twice.
2. Either bear through the first part of it, or either jump ahead about midway through to the 0:58 mark. Otherwise you could get motion sickness from the poor camera work.
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Independence Bowl poll
The Bama Beat blog now has a poll running about the Independence Bowl. It's over on the right side of the screen a few inches below Creg's lovely mug.
Be sure to vote.
Be sure to vote.
Saturday, November 17, 2007
Suspended five reinstated for Iron Bowl
Just released by the UA Media Relations office:
The University of Alabama was informed this morning by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that five football student-athletes who have been serving suspensions imposed by the University have had their eligibility reinstated effective at the conclusion of today’s game against the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
The five student-athletes – Marlon Davis, Antoine Caldwell, Chris Rogers, Glen Coffee and Marquis Johnson – were suspended by the University on October 20 due to improper receipt of textbooks. Earlier this week, the University submitted to the NCAA a report on an ongoing inquiry by the school regarding this situation. Today’s ruling was the NCAA’s response to that report.
Don't know much other than that right now ...
The University of Alabama was informed this morning by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) that five football student-athletes who have been serving suspensions imposed by the University have had their eligibility reinstated effective at the conclusion of today’s game against the University of Louisiana-Monroe.
The five student-athletes – Marlon Davis, Antoine Caldwell, Chris Rogers, Glen Coffee and Marquis Johnson – were suspended by the University on October 20 due to improper receipt of textbooks. Earlier this week, the University submitted to the NCAA a report on an ongoing inquiry by the school regarding this situation. Today’s ruling was the NCAA’s response to that report.
Don't know much other than that right now ...
Thursday, November 1, 2007
Bowling Tide
It’s been overlooked given how much the Crimson Tide still has to play for, but the 41-17 victory over Tennessee on Oct. 20 made Alabama bowl-eligible for the fourth consecutive year.
Alabama hasn’t played in a bowl game four straight years since 1991-94, the tail end of a 10-year postseason streak for the team. NCAA sanctions kept the Crimson Tide out of the postseason in 1995 and 2002, while losing seasons kept Alabama home in 1997, 2000 and 2003.
“Bowl games are exciting times,” said guard Justin Britt, part of a senior class that will play in four straight bowl games. “It’s always a good thing to go to a bowl game. It means you’ve had a positive year. We want to go out there and whatever bowl game we go to at the end the year, end on a good note. That’s what we’re looking forward to right now.”
Various sports Web sites have been releasing bowl projections of late, but the Crimson Tide’s forecast is currently all over the board. Collegefootballnews.com has Alabama playing Kansas in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Jan. 1, as does ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach. ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel has the Crimson Tide facing Clemson in the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A bowl in Atlanta, while Sportsline.com pits Alabama against East Carolina in the Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.
All of the above projections are probably assuming an Alabama loss to LSU on Saturday. But a Crimson Tide win could push Alabama into a bigger (perhaps a BCS) bowl, not to mention the SEC championship game.
Alabama hasn’t played in a bowl game four straight years since 1991-94, the tail end of a 10-year postseason streak for the team. NCAA sanctions kept the Crimson Tide out of the postseason in 1995 and 2002, while losing seasons kept Alabama home in 1997, 2000 and 2003.
“Bowl games are exciting times,” said guard Justin Britt, part of a senior class that will play in four straight bowl games. “It’s always a good thing to go to a bowl game. It means you’ve had a positive year. We want to go out there and whatever bowl game we go to at the end the year, end on a good note. That’s what we’re looking forward to right now.”
Various sports Web sites have been releasing bowl projections of late, but the Crimson Tide’s forecast is currently all over the board. Collegefootballnews.com has Alabama playing Kansas in the Cotton Bowl in Dallas Jan. 1, as does ESPN.com’s Mark Schlabach. ESPN.com’s Ivan Maisel has the Crimson Tide facing Clemson in the Dec. 31 Chick-fil-A bowl in Atlanta, while Sportsline.com pits Alabama against East Carolina in the Dec. 29 Liberty Bowl in Memphis, Tenn.
All of the above projections are probably assuming an Alabama loss to LSU on Saturday. But a Crimson Tide win could push Alabama into a bigger (perhaps a BCS) bowl, not to mention the SEC championship game.
Monday, October 22, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Caldwell, Coffee, 3 others suspended
TUSCALOOSA --- Five Alabama football players, including All-SEC offensive lineman Antoine Caldwell and starting tailback Glen Coffee, were suspended for today’s game with Tennessee due to what has been termed “violation of institutional policy involving impermissable receipt of textbooks.”
Also suspended were starting offensive guard Marlon Davis and reserve defensive backs Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers.
Doug Walker, Alabama’s associate athletic director for media relations said the infraction was discovered on Thursday, and that an inquiry into the matter is ongoing. The suspensions were announced in a news release issued approximately 30 minutes before Saturday’s kickoff with Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“We’re going strictly with what we know right now,” Walker said.
Walker said he was unsure if any other players were involved in the infraction, and did not specify exactly what the violation was, though it is believed the players received more books than they are entitled to under the terms of their athletic scholarships. The suspensions are for today’s game at least, and are considered indefinite until the matter is resolved.
“This is a situation that developed late this week and we are actively investigating,” Alabama athletics Mal Moore said in the statement issued by the school. “These suspensions are a measure aimed at dealing with the facts as we know them at this time. While I cannot discuss the situation in great detail, I can assure you we will address it fully when we have completed this inquiry.”
Caldwell, a fourth-year junior, had started 32 consecutive games at three different offensive line positions, and is considered one of the team’s senior leaders. He graduated with a diploma in human environmental sciences in August, the first player in recent school history to finish his degree in three academic years.
Coffee, a redshirt sophomore, is second on the Crimson Tide in rushing with 413 yards and four touchdowns. He has rotated with redshirt freshman Terry Grant at the position all season, but has seen his playing time increase each week.
Davis has started five of six games at right guard this season, and has 10 starts in his career. Johnson and Rogers are two of the team’s most-valuable special teams players.
Also suspended were starting offensive guard Marlon Davis and reserve defensive backs Marquis Johnson and Chris Rogers.
Doug Walker, Alabama’s associate athletic director for media relations said the infraction was discovered on Thursday, and that an inquiry into the matter is ongoing. The suspensions were announced in a news release issued approximately 30 minutes before Saturday’s kickoff with Tennessee at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“We’re going strictly with what we know right now,” Walker said.
Walker said he was unsure if any other players were involved in the infraction, and did not specify exactly what the violation was, though it is believed the players received more books than they are entitled to under the terms of their athletic scholarships. The suspensions are for today’s game at least, and are considered indefinite until the matter is resolved.
“This is a situation that developed late this week and we are actively investigating,” Alabama athletics Mal Moore said in the statement issued by the school. “These suspensions are a measure aimed at dealing with the facts as we know them at this time. While I cannot discuss the situation in great detail, I can assure you we will address it fully when we have completed this inquiry.”
Caldwell, a fourth-year junior, had started 32 consecutive games at three different offensive line positions, and is considered one of the team’s senior leaders. He graduated with a diploma in human environmental sciences in August, the first player in recent school history to finish his degree in three academic years.
Coffee, a redshirt sophomore, is second on the Crimson Tide in rushing with 413 yards and four touchdowns. He has rotated with redshirt freshman Terry Grant at the position all season, but has seen his playing time increase each week.
Davis has started five of six games at right guard this season, and has 10 starts in his career. Johnson and Rogers are two of the team’s most-valuable special teams players.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
Javy making history
Did a little historical stat research for my Javier Arenas story that ran in Thursday's paper, and I uncovered a stat that bears watching the rest of the year ...
At his current pace, Arenas' 16.06-yard punt return average would be the fourth highest in school history among players with 15 or more punt returns in a season. He would also be one of 10 players in school history to average 12-plus yards on at least 10 punt returns. The others ...
10 or more returns
Player, year--------------------------Att.-----Yards-----TD-----Avg.
Gordon Pettus, 1948------------------10-------200---------1-----20.00
Harry Gilmer, 1947-------------------21-------381---------2-----18.14
Cotton Clark, 1962-------------------15-------243---------0------16.20
David Palmer, 1991-------------------24------386---------3------16.08
Javier Arenas, 2007------------------16------257----------0------16.06
Bobby McKinney, 1971-----------------25------326----------1-----13.04
Willie Shelby, 1973-------------------15------191----------1------12.73
Deshea Townsend, 1994-----------------12------151---------0-------12.58
Tony Nathan, 1977--------------------18-------223--------0-------12.388
Harry Gilmer, 1944--------------------13-------161--------0--------12.384
15 or more returns
Player, year----------------------------Att.-----Yards-----TD-----Avg.
Harry Gilmer, 1947-------------------21-------381---------2-----18.14
Cotton Clark, 1962-------------------15-------243---------0------16.20
David Palmer, 1991-------------------24------386---------3------16.08
Javier Arenas, 2007------------------16------257----------0------16.06
Bobby McKinney, 1971------------------25------326----------1-----13.04
Willie Shelby, 1973-------------------15------191----------1------12.73
Tony Nathan, 1977--------------------18-------223--------0-------12.38
Obviously, the season's only half over, so Arenas has plenty of work to do to maintain his current pace. But based on what he's done so far this year --- and last year, when he averaged "only" 9.9 yards per return, but had two touchdowns --- I think it's safe to say that he's probably Alabama's best return man since Palmer, and could wind up one of the Tide's best ever.
And that's high praise indeed.
P.S. --- Sorry if those columns don't line up perfectly.
At his current pace, Arenas' 16.06-yard punt return average would be the fourth highest in school history among players with 15 or more punt returns in a season. He would also be one of 10 players in school history to average 12-plus yards on at least 10 punt returns. The others ...
10 or more returns
Player, year--------------------------Att.-----Yards-----TD-----Avg.
Gordon Pettus, 1948------------------10-------200---------1-----20.00
Harry Gilmer, 1947-------------------21-------381---------2-----18.14
Cotton Clark, 1962-------------------15-------243---------0------16.20
David Palmer, 1991-------------------24------386---------3------16.08
Javier Arenas, 2007------------------16------257----------0------16.06
Bobby McKinney, 1971-----------------25------326----------1-----13.04
Willie Shelby, 1973-------------------15------191----------1------12.73
Deshea Townsend, 1994-----------------12------151---------0-------12.58
Tony Nathan, 1977--------------------18-------223--------0-------12.388
Harry Gilmer, 1944--------------------13-------161--------0--------12.384
15 or more returns
Player, year----------------------------Att.-----Yards-----TD-----Avg.
Harry Gilmer, 1947-------------------21-------381---------2-----18.14
Cotton Clark, 1962-------------------15-------243---------0------16.20
David Palmer, 1991-------------------24------386---------3------16.08
Javier Arenas, 2007------------------16------257----------0------16.06
Bobby McKinney, 1971------------------25------326----------1-----13.04
Willie Shelby, 1973-------------------15------191----------1------12.73
Tony Nathan, 1977--------------------18-------223--------0-------12.38
Obviously, the season's only half over, so Arenas has plenty of work to do to maintain his current pace. But based on what he's done so far this year --- and last year, when he averaged "only" 9.9 yards per return, but had two touchdowns --- I think it's safe to say that he's probably Alabama's best return man since Palmer, and could wind up one of the Tide's best ever.
And that's high praise indeed.
P.S. --- Sorry if those columns don't line up perfectly.
Saturday, October 13, 2007
Britt stays home
One quick update some 20 minutes before kickoff of Alabama vs. Ole Miss:
Senior left guard Justin Britt did not make the trip on Saturday, instead staying with his family in Birmingham, where his mother Vera continues to recover from a serious head injury suffered in the hours after the Crimson Tide's game with Houston last Saturday.
For those of you who haven't heard the story, Britt's hometown paper, The Cullman Times, provided the most detailed account of the accident and Vera Britt's condition. Read that here
Vera Britt's condition has apparently improved in the last few days, though she remains in intensive care.
With Justin Britt absent, junior Antoine Caldwell will start at left guard today, with Evan Cardwell at center and Marlon Davis at right guard.
Senior left guard Justin Britt did not make the trip on Saturday, instead staying with his family in Birmingham, where his mother Vera continues to recover from a serious head injury suffered in the hours after the Crimson Tide's game with Houston last Saturday.
For those of you who haven't heard the story, Britt's hometown paper, The Cullman Times, provided the most detailed account of the accident and Vera Britt's condition. Read that here
Vera Britt's condition has apparently improved in the last few days, though she remains in intensive care.
With Justin Britt absent, junior Antoine Caldwell will start at left guard today, with Evan Cardwell at center and Marlon Davis at right guard.
The Hoover report
The long-awaited Hoover High School Board of Education report on alleged academic fraud in the Hoover football program was released on Saturday by The Birmingham News, but did not implicate Alabama in any wrongdoing.
Alabama freshman defensive tackle Josh Chapman --- identified as “Student No. 1” in the report, had his Algebra II grade changed from an 89 to 90 over the summer, thus making his qualified to play for the Crimson Tide this fall (he has appeared in three games this season). But the board concluded that Chapman’s grade change came as the result of a “rounding error” and not at the behest of Hoover or Crimson Tide coaches.
“The incident that has attracted the most media attention --- that involving a change of (Chapman’s) Algebra II grade --- is also perhaps the least egregious,” the 71-page report read. “As we have noted, this grade change was simply the result of innocent human error, and was not a devious effort to inflate an athlete’s grade.”
The report also acknowledges a telephone call from Alabama assistant coach Kevin Steele to Terri Borie, the Hoover’s Peer Helping Coordinator. According to the report, however, Steele’s call was only to point out that Chapman had unexpectedly fallen “ seven 1,000ths” of a point shy of qualifying, and not to request that his Algebra II grade be changed.
There are also several pages in the report regarding the academic record of former Hoover defensive tackle Kerry Murphy, who signed with Alabama in February. Murphy was several points short of qualifying to play with the Crimson Tide, however, and enrolled at a Virginia prep school (Alabama was never accused of any wrongdoing in Murphy’s case).
Read the entire report here.
Alabama freshman defensive tackle Josh Chapman --- identified as “Student No. 1” in the report, had his Algebra II grade changed from an 89 to 90 over the summer, thus making his qualified to play for the Crimson Tide this fall (he has appeared in three games this season). But the board concluded that Chapman’s grade change came as the result of a “rounding error” and not at the behest of Hoover or Crimson Tide coaches.
“The incident that has attracted the most media attention --- that involving a change of (Chapman’s) Algebra II grade --- is also perhaps the least egregious,” the 71-page report read. “As we have noted, this grade change was simply the result of innocent human error, and was not a devious effort to inflate an athlete’s grade.”
The report also acknowledges a telephone call from Alabama assistant coach Kevin Steele to Terri Borie, the Hoover’s Peer Helping Coordinator. According to the report, however, Steele’s call was only to point out that Chapman had unexpectedly fallen “ seven 1,000ths” of a point shy of qualifying, and not to request that his Algebra II grade be changed.
There are also several pages in the report regarding the academic record of former Hoover defensive tackle Kerry Murphy, who signed with Alabama in February. Murphy was several points short of qualifying to play with the Crimson Tide, however, and enrolled at a Virginia prep school (Alabama was never accused of any wrongdoing in Murphy’s case).
Read the entire report here.
Saturday, October 6, 2007
Line-up changes for Houston
A few notable changes to Alabama's starting lineup for today's game with Houston, at least according to the pre-game notes and player introductions on the Jumbotron:
* Antoine Caldwell will shift from center to right guard, with Evan Cardwell sliding in at center. Regular right guard Marlon Davis missed two days of practice this week due to a death in the family, but Caldwell has also has had problems with shotgun snaps the last few weeks (at least partially due to a bad right thumb). Shotgun formations might be a major part of the Crimson TIde's game plan today.
* Glen Coffee was announced as the starting tailback ahead of Terry Grant. Not a big deal since those two guys have rotated all year, but Grant has started all five games before today. Coffee has been a bit more consistent this year.
* Bobby Greenwood was still announced as the starting right defensive end, but Brandon Deaderick was listed as the starter in the pre-game notes. Greenwood sprained his ankle pretty badly last week against Florida State, and is not expected to play much today, if at all.
* Darren Mustin will once again start at weak inside linebacker, and looked to be working at full speed in pre-game warm-ups. Prince Hall was working alongside him at sam linebacker, and is expected to make his first start of the season.
* Kareem Jackson was working as the No. 1 right cornerback opposite Simeon Castille. Alabama will likely work a lot out of the nickel and dime today, so look for a lot of Marquis Johnson at corner (with Castille at nickel) and Ali Sharrief at dime back.
* Every scholarship seems to be dressed out other than freshman running back Demetrius Goode, who is out for the season after knee surgery.
* Antoine Caldwell will shift from center to right guard, with Evan Cardwell sliding in at center. Regular right guard Marlon Davis missed two days of practice this week due to a death in the family, but Caldwell has also has had problems with shotgun snaps the last few weeks (at least partially due to a bad right thumb). Shotgun formations might be a major part of the Crimson TIde's game plan today.
* Glen Coffee was announced as the starting tailback ahead of Terry Grant. Not a big deal since those two guys have rotated all year, but Grant has started all five games before today. Coffee has been a bit more consistent this year.
* Bobby Greenwood was still announced as the starting right defensive end, but Brandon Deaderick was listed as the starter in the pre-game notes. Greenwood sprained his ankle pretty badly last week against Florida State, and is not expected to play much today, if at all.
* Darren Mustin will once again start at weak inside linebacker, and looked to be working at full speed in pre-game warm-ups. Prince Hall was working alongside him at sam linebacker, and is expected to make his first start of the season.
* Kareem Jackson was working as the No. 1 right cornerback opposite Simeon Castille. Alabama will likely work a lot out of the nickel and dime today, so look for a lot of Marquis Johnson at corner (with Castille at nickel) and Ali Sharrief at dime back.
* Every scholarship seems to be dressed out other than freshman running back Demetrius Goode, who is out for the season after knee surgery.
Tuesday, October 2, 2007
Saban had reason for his shot at USF
A somewhat innocuous question to Alabama coach Nick Saban in his Monday press conference has set off a war of words regarding one of college football's most contentious issues.
Saban singled out South Florida, undefeated and ranked No. 6 in the country this week, as one example of schools who are able to take advantage of looser admissions policies within their conferences. The Bulls' starting tailback is Mike Ford, who signed with Alabama twice but did not qualify, then enrolled at South Florida in January after spending one semester at a Mississippi junior college.
Saban argued that the admission requirements should be uniform for all NCAA Division I schools:
“I think that the distribution of players is not the same for everyone. We can’t take Props (partial qualifiers) in the SEC. They can’t take them in the ACC. And there’s a significant amount of players who don’t qualify. And they end up being pretty good players at some of these schools. I think there are six guys starting on South Florida’s defense who probably could have gone to Florida or Florida State but Florida and Florida State couldn’t take them. And if you do a good job of recruiting that way—now the Big East has passed a rule that they aren’t going to take Props at some time in the future. I don’t know if it’s next year or the year after or whenever. Now, will that affect their league? It shrinks the pool of players that they can recruit from. I’m not saying it’s not a good rule by the NCAA that we have NCAA eligibility requirements. I think that’s a good rule. I’m not saying that. But it’s not the same for everyone and it does create a lot of parity when you’re playing those schools, you’re playing against guys you couldn’t recruit.”
South Florida coach Leavitt fired back today in this story published on the Tampa Tribune's Web site, saying:
"It's not right [what Saban said], we've done what we've done because we've worked extremely hard. ... Of 110 players, we have two nonqualifiers, one starts, one doesn't," Leavitt said. "The Big East doesn't allow nonqualifiers. For a guy to make a mistake like that is not right."
Leavitt has every right to defend his players and his program, but he's clearly talking out of both sides of his mouth on this issue. Does the Big East allow non-qualifiers or doesn't it? If it doesn't, how does he have two on his team, including one (Ford) who starts?
It's pretty obvious that certain programs, and not just South Florida, are able to take advantage of lower admissions standards. The Big East seems to be among the biggest beneficiaries in recent years.
Remember Deantwan "Peanut" Whitehead, the defensive end out of Birmingham two years ago who is now at Louisville? He'd have been at Alabama or Auburn if he had been able to get in either school.
Running back Noel Devine, a five-star Florida prospect in 2006, seemed ticketed for either Florida or Florida State until he stunned the nation by signing with West Virginia. The reason? He couldn't qualify for his home-state schools.
Saban, who always chooses his words carefully, might have been better served by not mentioning South Florida by name, or at least by citing other examples like those listed above. But he rarely says anything without a purpose, and he's probably trying to send a message to the NCAA that something needs to be done about the academic disparity between programs that are supposed to be playing by the same rules.
Saban singled out South Florida, undefeated and ranked No. 6 in the country this week, as one example of schools who are able to take advantage of looser admissions policies within their conferences. The Bulls' starting tailback is Mike Ford, who signed with Alabama twice but did not qualify, then enrolled at South Florida in January after spending one semester at a Mississippi junior college.
Saban argued that the admission requirements should be uniform for all NCAA Division I schools:
“I think that the distribution of players is not the same for everyone. We can’t take Props (partial qualifiers) in the SEC. They can’t take them in the ACC. And there’s a significant amount of players who don’t qualify. And they end up being pretty good players at some of these schools. I think there are six guys starting on South Florida’s defense who probably could have gone to Florida or Florida State but Florida and Florida State couldn’t take them. And if you do a good job of recruiting that way—now the Big East has passed a rule that they aren’t going to take Props at some time in the future. I don’t know if it’s next year or the year after or whenever. Now, will that affect their league? It shrinks the pool of players that they can recruit from. I’m not saying it’s not a good rule by the NCAA that we have NCAA eligibility requirements. I think that’s a good rule. I’m not saying that. But it’s not the same for everyone and it does create a lot of parity when you’re playing those schools, you’re playing against guys you couldn’t recruit.”
South Florida coach Leavitt fired back today in this story published on the Tampa Tribune's Web site, saying:
"It's not right [what Saban said], we've done what we've done because we've worked extremely hard. ... Of 110 players, we have two nonqualifiers, one starts, one doesn't," Leavitt said. "The Big East doesn't allow nonqualifiers. For a guy to make a mistake like that is not right."
Leavitt has every right to defend his players and his program, but he's clearly talking out of both sides of his mouth on this issue. Does the Big East allow non-qualifiers or doesn't it? If it doesn't, how does he have two on his team, including one (Ford) who starts?
It's pretty obvious that certain programs, and not just South Florida, are able to take advantage of lower admissions standards. The Big East seems to be among the biggest beneficiaries in recent years.
Remember Deantwan "Peanut" Whitehead, the defensive end out of Birmingham two years ago who is now at Louisville? He'd have been at Alabama or Auburn if he had been able to get in either school.
Running back Noel Devine, a five-star Florida prospect in 2006, seemed ticketed for either Florida or Florida State until he stunned the nation by signing with West Virginia. The reason? He couldn't qualify for his home-state schools.
Saban, who always chooses his words carefully, might have been better served by not mentioning South Florida by name, or at least by citing other examples like those listed above. But he rarely says anything without a purpose, and he's probably trying to send a message to the NCAA that something needs to be done about the academic disparity between programs that are supposed to be playing by the same rules.
Saturday, September 29, 2007
Some pre-game observations
Two quick notes some 20 minutes before kickoff of Alabama-FSU:
* Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is in the heart of an area called the Jacksonville Sports Complex, which also houses the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (home of the Southern League's Suns, the L.A. Dodgers' Double-A affiliate) and Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum (which currently has no pro sports tenant since the ECHL's Lizard Kings folded). It's not a bad area, but you can tell it's not used to hosting events of this nature.
There just aren't an abundance of restaurants and bars within walking distance. That's kind of suprising, given that the Super Bowl was here a few years ago.
The NFL's Jaguars play 10 home games a year (eight regular season, two pre-season), then there is the annual Florida-Georgia game and the Gator Bowl. But it's a decent venue, certainly more festive than some I've visited in recent years (I'm looking at you, Georgia Dome).
* Three key injured players for the Crimson Tide --- linebacker Darren Mustin (neck stinger), defensive tackle Brian Motley (ankle) and wide receiver DJ Hall (quad) --- are all dressed out and participating at full speed.
Motley and Mustin in particular would be huge additions for Alabama's defense, which has been soft against the run the last two weeks. Motley, a redshirt freshman, has yet to play in a game in his Alabama career, missing the first four weeks after breaking an ankle on the Tuesday before the season-opener with Western Carolina.
* Jacksonville Municipal Stadium is in the heart of an area called the Jacksonville Sports Complex, which also houses the Baseball Grounds of Jacksonville (home of the Southern League's Suns, the L.A. Dodgers' Double-A affiliate) and Jacksonville Memorial Coliseum (which currently has no pro sports tenant since the ECHL's Lizard Kings folded). It's not a bad area, but you can tell it's not used to hosting events of this nature.
There just aren't an abundance of restaurants and bars within walking distance. That's kind of suprising, given that the Super Bowl was here a few years ago.
The NFL's Jaguars play 10 home games a year (eight regular season, two pre-season), then there is the annual Florida-Georgia game and the Gator Bowl. But it's a decent venue, certainly more festive than some I've visited in recent years (I'm looking at you, Georgia Dome).
* Three key injured players for the Crimson Tide --- linebacker Darren Mustin (neck stinger), defensive tackle Brian Motley (ankle) and wide receiver DJ Hall (quad) --- are all dressed out and participating at full speed.
Motley and Mustin in particular would be huge additions for Alabama's defense, which has been soft against the run the last two weeks. Motley, a redshirt freshman, has yet to play in a game in his Alabama career, missing the first four weeks after breaking an ankle on the Tuesday before the season-opener with Western Carolina.
Of Tides, Red and Crimson
It's such an easy observation to make, that it's barely worth noting. But because it's such an easy observation to make, I'd be derelict in my duty as a reporter if I didn't make not of it.
What exactly am I talking about? The city of Jacksonville is being visited by not only the Crimson Tide this weekend, but by a red tide.
Those of you who didn't grow up in coastal communities have probably never heard of a red tide. Heck, I grew up in south Mississippi and I'd never heard of it until yesterday.
But here's the deal: the red tide is a periodic ecological phenomenon that occurs when red algae blooms near the coastline. According to this Florida Times-Union story, it hasn't happened in Jacksonville since 2002.
The red tide can be terrible for fishermen and fish in general, given that it secretes a toxin that can kill marine life in abundance. It also releases toxic gas into the air that causes throat and skin irritation along the beach area.
We got a lung full of the red tide's effects when we ventured down to Jacksonville Beach Friday night to check out the Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird Cafe (which is run by Ronnie Van Zandt's widow and daughter incidentally). As soon as we got out of the car, we started coughing and wheezing as if someone had released a tear gas canister.
Just about everyone along the beach boardwalk was having similar problems. Since the Freebird Cafe had a live band Friday night and wasn't serving food, we ventured down to the Bleachers sports bar to watch West Virginia-South Florida.
It was there that we encountered the Crimson Tide in full force. There were at least two Alabama fans for every FSU supporter, an impressive showing considering that Tuscaloosa is 500-odd miles from Jacksonville, while Tallahassee is just 170.
Since the place was packed, we had to sit outside, exposing us to the red tide's effects once again. But it wasn't anything a cold Budweiser couldn't cure.
What exactly am I talking about? The city of Jacksonville is being visited by not only the Crimson Tide this weekend, but by a red tide.
Those of you who didn't grow up in coastal communities have probably never heard of a red tide. Heck, I grew up in south Mississippi and I'd never heard of it until yesterday.
But here's the deal: the red tide is a periodic ecological phenomenon that occurs when red algae blooms near the coastline. According to this Florida Times-Union story, it hasn't happened in Jacksonville since 2002.
The red tide can be terrible for fishermen and fish in general, given that it secretes a toxin that can kill marine life in abundance. It also releases toxic gas into the air that causes throat and skin irritation along the beach area.
We got a lung full of the red tide's effects when we ventured down to Jacksonville Beach Friday night to check out the Lynyrd Skynyrd Freebird Cafe (which is run by Ronnie Van Zandt's widow and daughter incidentally). As soon as we got out of the car, we started coughing and wheezing as if someone had released a tear gas canister.
Just about everyone along the beach boardwalk was having similar problems. Since the Freebird Cafe had a live band Friday night and wasn't serving food, we ventured down to the Bleachers sports bar to watch West Virginia-South Florida.
It was there that we encountered the Crimson Tide in full force. There were at least two Alabama fans for every FSU supporter, an impressive showing considering that Tuscaloosa is 500-odd miles from Jacksonville, while Tallahassee is just 170.
Since the place was packed, we had to sit outside, exposing us to the red tide's effects once again. But it wasn't anything a cold Budweiser couldn't cure.
Friday, September 21, 2007
6-for-6
Alabama fans have embraced the power of the Internet once again, with Matt Caddell's game-winning touchdown catch earning the "Pontiac Game-Changing Performance of the Week" through voting on ESPN.com.
Winning the weekly award earns Alabama $5,000 for its general scholarship fund and makes the school eligible for the $100,000 Pontiac Game-Changing Performance of the Year award at the end of the season. Alabama is now 6-for-6 all-time in Pontiac Game-Changer voting, telling us perhaps that whatever you might say about Crimson Tide fans, they certainly know their way around the Internet.
Alabama won four weekly awards in 2005, as well as the yearly grand prize. That honor went to Tyrone Prothro's memorable acrobatic catch against Southern Miss that season.
Winning the weekly award earns Alabama $5,000 for its general scholarship fund and makes the school eligible for the $100,000 Pontiac Game-Changing Performance of the Year award at the end of the season. Alabama is now 6-for-6 all-time in Pontiac Game-Changer voting, telling us perhaps that whatever you might say about Crimson Tide fans, they certainly know their way around the Internet.
Alabama won four weekly awards in 2005, as well as the yearly grand prize. That honor went to Tyrone Prothro's memorable acrobatic catch against Southern Miss that season.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Video-gate, Tuscaloosa style
Things got a little chippy during Nick Saban's Monday press conference when an Atlanta reporter asked a question about the recent NFL videotaping scandal involving Patriots coach (and Saban mentor) Bill Belichick. The reporter mentioned that Saban had been accused of something similar while head coach of the Miami Dolphins last season.
Saban didn't take too kindly to that. The following is an unedited transcript of Saban's response:
“Where did you get the information that I was ever accused of that? We were never accused of that and we never did it. We were never accused of that, that I’m aware of, and we never did it. We didn’t have any video cameras that were taping. We never got anybody’s signals. We had somebody watch their signals to see if they could figure them out, which we were never smart enough to do, either. I don’t know where that information came from.”
When the reporter acknowledged that "an editor" tipped him off about the allegations regarding Saban, the Alabama coach continued.
“First of all, I have all the respect and admiration in the world for Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick’s a good friend of mine. I think he’s a great coach. I think he’s done a great job for a long time. I hear people say in the business world sometimes, that we’re always trying to create a winning edge. We’re always trying to gain an edge that’s going to give us a competitive advantage. I think that, in sports, we all like to try to do that, but we have to be careful that we always have total respect to the rules, aight, in terms of how we go about it. Because creating an unfair advantage for yourself by breaking the rules is not something I think, that anybody wants to do or anybody should do.
“And maybe creating an unfair advantage for yourself is technically how you’ll get ahead in business, because there may not be any ethical rules about that. We have them in sports. We have the NCAA; we respect the NCAA rules. Do you make mistakes sometimes? Absolutely. Every school probably does. Are they intentional? Probably not. I don’t think anybody can respect anybody trying to gain an unfair advantage by breaking the rules.
“But Bill Belichick is a good friend of mine; I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I worked with him a long time. I learned a lot from him. And we didn’t do those kinds of things when I worked with him and that’s really all I can comment about.”
The reporter then asked if there were rules against such practices in college football. Saban's response:
“We have rules against using photography and all kinds of stuff, and we try to abide by the rules that we have. We don’t use anything, any technology, from the press box during the game, taking pictures or videotaping.”
Though Saban was not exactly accused of using videotape to learn New England's snap counts before a December 2006 victory, two of his own players admitted that the team tried to do it. Press here for a 2006 blog entry on the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Web site, in which Saban responds to the allegations. (The original Palm Beach Post story quoting two unnamed players about the practice has apparently been removed from the Internet).
I'm not sure what to think about the way Saban reacted Monday. Judge for yourself ...
Saban didn't take too kindly to that. The following is an unedited transcript of Saban's response:
“Where did you get the information that I was ever accused of that? We were never accused of that and we never did it. We were never accused of that, that I’m aware of, and we never did it. We didn’t have any video cameras that were taping. We never got anybody’s signals. We had somebody watch their signals to see if they could figure them out, which we were never smart enough to do, either. I don’t know where that information came from.”
When the reporter acknowledged that "an editor" tipped him off about the allegations regarding Saban, the Alabama coach continued.
“First of all, I have all the respect and admiration in the world for Bill Belichick. Bill Belichick’s a good friend of mine. I think he’s a great coach. I think he’s done a great job for a long time. I hear people say in the business world sometimes, that we’re always trying to create a winning edge. We’re always trying to gain an edge that’s going to give us a competitive advantage. I think that, in sports, we all like to try to do that, but we have to be careful that we always have total respect to the rules, aight, in terms of how we go about it. Because creating an unfair advantage for yourself by breaking the rules is not something I think, that anybody wants to do or anybody should do.
“And maybe creating an unfair advantage for yourself is technically how you’ll get ahead in business, because there may not be any ethical rules about that. We have them in sports. We have the NCAA; we respect the NCAA rules. Do you make mistakes sometimes? Absolutely. Every school probably does. Are they intentional? Probably not. I don’t think anybody can respect anybody trying to gain an unfair advantage by breaking the rules.
“But Bill Belichick is a good friend of mine; I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I worked with him a long time. I learned a lot from him. And we didn’t do those kinds of things when I worked with him and that’s really all I can comment about.”
The reporter then asked if there were rules against such practices in college football. Saban's response:
“We have rules against using photography and all kinds of stuff, and we try to abide by the rules that we have. We don’t use anything, any technology, from the press box during the game, taking pictures or videotaping.”
Though Saban was not exactly accused of using videotape to learn New England's snap counts before a December 2006 victory, two of his own players admitted that the team tried to do it. Press here for a 2006 blog entry on the South Florida Sun-Sentinel's Web site, in which Saban responds to the allegations. (The original Palm Beach Post story quoting two unnamed players about the practice has apparently been removed from the Internet).
I'm not sure what to think about the way Saban reacted Monday. Judge for yourself ...
Closing the book on McFadden and the Hogs
A few more notes about Alabama's 41-38 win over Arkansas before we move on to talking about Georgia ...
* How good was Darren McFadden's 195-yard performance against the Crimson Tide on Saturday? It was the best individual yardage total for an Alabama opponent since Auburn's Carnell Williams rushed for 204 yards in the 2003 Iron Bowl in Auburn.
Arkansas' Cedric Cobbs also rushed for 198 yards against the Crimson Tide in 2003. The only other back in the last 10 years to total that many yards against Alabama was Mississippi State's J.J. Johnson, who torched the Tide for 237 yards in Starkville in 1998 and 198 yards in Tuscaloosa in 1997.
Arkansas also rushed for 301 yards as a team (with Felix Jones rushing for 96) Saturday, the first team to rush for 300 or better against the Crimson Tide since the Johnson-led Bulldogs piled up 371 yards in a 32-20 win in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 15, 1997.
The biggest difference between Saturday and those other four games, the ones involving Williams, Cobbs and Johnson? Alabama won.
* Surely you noticed a few low snaps from Antoine Caldwell to John Parker Wilson during the Crimson Tide's game-winning drive Saturday night.
The reason? Caldwell was playing with an injured right thumb, which got worse as the game went along.
"I kinda tweaked my thumb early in the game, you know, it bothered me a little bit, but everything was fine," Caldwell said. "Toward the end of the game, I could hardly feel it, so I was just snapping with these four fingers (the ones other than his thumb) right here, trying to get it back there to him. I feel better now, I'm fine. But winning cures a lot of it."
* Many were surprised to learn that Matt Caddell had no receptions this season before his 9-catch, 91-yard showing against Arkansas, which included the game-winning touchdown. Wilson said Caddell is different from most other receivers in that he doesn't complain when he doesn't get the ball thrown his way:
"Most receivers do that," Wilson said. "Receivers are open on every play. Every time they go out there, they're wide open. It doesn't matter if they've got three guys on them. He' doesn't do that, really. He'll go out there and he'll tell me what he's seeing, but he's not like, 'You have to throw me the ball. I'm open,' which most guys do."
* The thrilling finish to Saturday's game created an air of excitement at Bryant-Denny Stadium not seen in quite some time. Running back Terry Grant said that head coach Nick Saban encouraged the Alabama players after the game to enjoy the victory, but only for the prescribed 24 hours.
"He told us 'go celebrate hard and get it over with," Grant said. "Because when we come in here (Monday), we come back and focus on the next opponent."
And how did Grant celebrate at the end of a long, hard day?
"Going to bed," he said.
Speaking of Grant, he needs just one more rushing touchdown to tie Shaun Alexander's Alabama freshman record of six, set in 1996.
The Alabama freshman rushing yards record is 693 by Kerry Goode in 1983. Grant already has 403, good for fifth in Alabama freshman history.
* Alabama linebacker Darren Mustin was in rare comedic form on Monday, two days after he had missed the second half of Alabama's win due to a shoulder stinger suffered when a teammate collided with him as he was trying to tackle McFadden.
Among Mustin's highlights:
On fellow linebacker (and roommate) Keith Saunders also suffering a shoulder stinger in the second half: "I’m like, ‘Keith, man, do not come out. They won’t let you back in.’"
On why he missed the second half while Saunders was able to return to the game with a similar injury: "(The trainers) stole my helmet. They took my pads off. They took my helmet. All I had was my jersey — and I can’t go in there with a jersey. I wasn’t friends with the doctors and trainers. Still not, but they’re doing their job, so I can’t complain."
On tackling McFadden: "It’s an experience you’ll never forget. I mean, he’s a solid boy. It says he’s 6-2, 220, but he’s really solid. I don’t think I’ve hit anybody that solid lately. Feels good when you hit him in the hole and you go down with him. It gives you some confidence, like, ‘OK, he’s a Heisman candidate, but I can play with him; I can play with the best in the country.’"
On true freshman linebacker Rolando McClain: "I’m proud of him. True freshman. He’s just turned 18 years old. I have a little brother that just turned 18 years old. I would not trust him at all out there."
On a dropped interception by Zeke Knight late in the game, and his own interception in the first quarter: "The former wide receiver can’t catch. But he knocked it down. I’m proud of Zeke. Mine was a lot easier. Wallace (Gilberry, who tipped the ball) just said, ‘Here.’"
On Nick Saban's speech to the defense before Arkansas' final possession: "There were words said, and they weren’t pretty words said, but they were words that needed to be said. The words that were said were said."
Couldn't have said it better myself ...
* How good was Darren McFadden's 195-yard performance against the Crimson Tide on Saturday? It was the best individual yardage total for an Alabama opponent since Auburn's Carnell Williams rushed for 204 yards in the 2003 Iron Bowl in Auburn.
Arkansas' Cedric Cobbs also rushed for 198 yards against the Crimson Tide in 2003. The only other back in the last 10 years to total that many yards against Alabama was Mississippi State's J.J. Johnson, who torched the Tide for 237 yards in Starkville in 1998 and 198 yards in Tuscaloosa in 1997.
Arkansas also rushed for 301 yards as a team (with Felix Jones rushing for 96) Saturday, the first team to rush for 300 or better against the Crimson Tide since the Johnson-led Bulldogs piled up 371 yards in a 32-20 win in Tuscaloosa on Nov. 15, 1997.
The biggest difference between Saturday and those other four games, the ones involving Williams, Cobbs and Johnson? Alabama won.
* Surely you noticed a few low snaps from Antoine Caldwell to John Parker Wilson during the Crimson Tide's game-winning drive Saturday night.
The reason? Caldwell was playing with an injured right thumb, which got worse as the game went along.
"I kinda tweaked my thumb early in the game, you know, it bothered me a little bit, but everything was fine," Caldwell said. "Toward the end of the game, I could hardly feel it, so I was just snapping with these four fingers (the ones other than his thumb) right here, trying to get it back there to him. I feel better now, I'm fine. But winning cures a lot of it."
* Many were surprised to learn that Matt Caddell had no receptions this season before his 9-catch, 91-yard showing against Arkansas, which included the game-winning touchdown. Wilson said Caddell is different from most other receivers in that he doesn't complain when he doesn't get the ball thrown his way:
"Most receivers do that," Wilson said. "Receivers are open on every play. Every time they go out there, they're wide open. It doesn't matter if they've got three guys on them. He' doesn't do that, really. He'll go out there and he'll tell me what he's seeing, but he's not like, 'You have to throw me the ball. I'm open,' which most guys do."
* The thrilling finish to Saturday's game created an air of excitement at Bryant-Denny Stadium not seen in quite some time. Running back Terry Grant said that head coach Nick Saban encouraged the Alabama players after the game to enjoy the victory, but only for the prescribed 24 hours.
"He told us 'go celebrate hard and get it over with," Grant said. "Because when we come in here (Monday), we come back and focus on the next opponent."
And how did Grant celebrate at the end of a long, hard day?
"Going to bed," he said.
Speaking of Grant, he needs just one more rushing touchdown to tie Shaun Alexander's Alabama freshman record of six, set in 1996.
The Alabama freshman rushing yards record is 693 by Kerry Goode in 1983. Grant already has 403, good for fifth in Alabama freshman history.
* Alabama linebacker Darren Mustin was in rare comedic form on Monday, two days after he had missed the second half of Alabama's win due to a shoulder stinger suffered when a teammate collided with him as he was trying to tackle McFadden.
Among Mustin's highlights:
On fellow linebacker (and roommate) Keith Saunders also suffering a shoulder stinger in the second half: "I’m like, ‘Keith, man, do not come out. They won’t let you back in.’"
On why he missed the second half while Saunders was able to return to the game with a similar injury: "(The trainers) stole my helmet. They took my pads off. They took my helmet. All I had was my jersey — and I can’t go in there with a jersey. I wasn’t friends with the doctors and trainers. Still not, but they’re doing their job, so I can’t complain."
On tackling McFadden: "It’s an experience you’ll never forget. I mean, he’s a solid boy. It says he’s 6-2, 220, but he’s really solid. I don’t think I’ve hit anybody that solid lately. Feels good when you hit him in the hole and you go down with him. It gives you some confidence, like, ‘OK, he’s a Heisman candidate, but I can play with him; I can play with the best in the country.’"
On true freshman linebacker Rolando McClain: "I’m proud of him. True freshman. He’s just turned 18 years old. I have a little brother that just turned 18 years old. I would not trust him at all out there."
On a dropped interception by Zeke Knight late in the game, and his own interception in the first quarter: "The former wide receiver can’t catch. But he knocked it down. I’m proud of Zeke. Mine was a lot easier. Wallace (Gilberry, who tipped the ball) just said, ‘Here.’"
On Nick Saban's speech to the defense before Arkansas' final possession: "There were words said, and they weren’t pretty words said, but they were words that needed to be said. The words that were said were said."
Couldn't have said it better myself ...
Monday, September 17, 2007
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Nick Saban, master of preparation
In his Monday press conference, Alabama football coach Nick Saban was asked about how the fact that Arkansas is coming off a bye week might affect Saturday's game between the Crimson Tide and Razorbacks. Saban pointed out (as several others, including myself have also done) that Arkansas is in fact one of five teams that will be coming off bye weeks when it faces the Crimson Tide this season (Florida State, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn are the others).
Saban noted that it "might make an interesting research project for someone" to look up how his teams had done through the years when coming off bye weeks. Done.
As a college coach, Saban and his teams are 8-5 when coming off bye weeks. Incidentally, Arkansas' Houston Nutt is 8-7 as Razorbacks head coach when coming off bye weeks.
But I thought it was far more interesting (and relevant for this week) to research how Saban's teams had done against teams coming off bye weeks. The results were startling.
In 11 seasons as a college head coach, Saban is 11-3-1 against teams that had a bye week the week before they faced his team (not counting season-openers and bowl games). In only two of those cases did Saban's team have a bye week as well the previous week.
The complete list:
at Michigan State
9/23/95 --- at Purdue --- T, 35-35
9/30/95 --- Boston College --- W, 25-21
11/11/95 --- at Indiana --- W, 31-13
10/5/96 --- at Iowa --- L, 37-30
11/9/96 --- Indiana --- W, 38-15
11/21/98 --- Illinois --- W, 41-9
10/2/99 --- Iowa --- W, 49-3
at LSU
10/21/00 --- Mississippi State --- W, 45-38 (OT)
9/29/01 --- at Tennessee --- L, 26-18*
11/3/01 --- at Alabama --- W, 35-21
12/1/01 --- Auburn --- W, 27-14*
10/5/02 --- La-Lafayette --- W, 48-0
11/23/02 --- Ole Miss --- W, 14-13
11/22/03 --- at Ole Miss --- W, 17-14
10/2/04 --- at Georgia --- L, 45-16
* --- Saban's team also had bye the previous week
You'll note that all three losses and the tie came on the road. Kind of bodes well for the Crimson Tide against Arkansas this weekend, wouldn't you think?
Saban noted that it "might make an interesting research project for someone" to look up how his teams had done through the years when coming off bye weeks. Done.
As a college coach, Saban and his teams are 8-5 when coming off bye weeks. Incidentally, Arkansas' Houston Nutt is 8-7 as Razorbacks head coach when coming off bye weeks.
But I thought it was far more interesting (and relevant for this week) to research how Saban's teams had done against teams coming off bye weeks. The results were startling.
In 11 seasons as a college head coach, Saban is 11-3-1 against teams that had a bye week the week before they faced his team (not counting season-openers and bowl games). In only two of those cases did Saban's team have a bye week as well the previous week.
The complete list:
at Michigan State
9/23/95 --- at Purdue --- T, 35-35
9/30/95 --- Boston College --- W, 25-21
11/11/95 --- at Indiana --- W, 31-13
10/5/96 --- at Iowa --- L, 37-30
11/9/96 --- Indiana --- W, 38-15
11/21/98 --- Illinois --- W, 41-9
10/2/99 --- Iowa --- W, 49-3
at LSU
10/21/00 --- Mississippi State --- W, 45-38 (OT)
9/29/01 --- at Tennessee --- L, 26-18*
11/3/01 --- at Alabama --- W, 35-21
12/1/01 --- Auburn --- W, 27-14*
10/5/02 --- La-Lafayette --- W, 48-0
11/23/02 --- Ole Miss --- W, 14-13
11/22/03 --- at Ole Miss --- W, 17-14
10/2/04 --- at Georgia --- L, 45-16
* --- Saban's team also had bye the previous week
You'll note that all three losses and the tie came on the road. Kind of bodes well for the Crimson Tide against Arkansas this weekend, wouldn't you think?
Alabama-Georgia --- 2:30 or 6:45 p.m.?
CBS has decided to take the dreaded six-day selection exemption before deciding which game it will broadcast on Sept. 22. The two games under consideration are Alabama-Georgia and LSU-South Carolina, with the announcement to be made Sunday.
It seems that CBS is waiting to see if Alabama beats Arkansas before it decides to show Alabama-Georgia. If the Crimson Tide loses, then CBS would probably show a match-up of unbeatens in LSU-South Carolina.
There's no other reason they would be waiting, given that Georgia, LSU and South Carolina are all facing non-conference teams they should beat easily on Saturday. Georgia hosts Western Carolina, LSU hosts Middle Tennessee State and South Carolina hosts South Carolina State.
Whichever game CBS decides not to show will be broadcast at 6:45 p.m. on ESPN. Other SEC games to be televised on Sept. 22 are Florida-Ole Miss at 11:30 a.m. on Lincoln-Financial Sports and Kentucky-Arkansas at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
It seems that CBS is waiting to see if Alabama beats Arkansas before it decides to show Alabama-Georgia. If the Crimson Tide loses, then CBS would probably show a match-up of unbeatens in LSU-South Carolina.
There's no other reason they would be waiting, given that Georgia, LSU and South Carolina are all facing non-conference teams they should beat easily on Saturday. Georgia hosts Western Carolina, LSU hosts Middle Tennessee State and South Carolina hosts South Carolina State.
Whichever game CBS decides not to show will be broadcast at 6:45 p.m. on ESPN. Other SEC games to be televised on Sept. 22 are Florida-Ole Miss at 11:30 a.m. on Lincoln-Financial Sports and Kentucky-Arkansas at 5 p.m. on ESPN2.
Saturday, September 8, 2007
Greetings from Nashville
A few quick things as I sit here some 35 minutes before kickoff of Alabama-Vanderbilt ...
* For those of you who haven't been here, Vanderbilt Stadium has a very small-college feel, similar to Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile or Independence Stadium in Shreveport. The stadium is starting to fill in and it's a literal sea of red and white, though there is some black and gold sprinkled throughout. Alabama fans are everywhere, including congregated outside the Vanderbilt student entrance. Not sure what that says, but it says something.
* Tried to go out see what was happening on Broadway last night, but traffic was a mess. We happened to hit the downtown area just as a massive Christian youth convention was letting out at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Literally sat still on Demonbreun Blvd. for 20 minutes at one stretch. Not good times. Hope to head back downtown after the game, first to find a spot to watch Auburn-South Florida or LSU-Va. Tech, and then maybe for some honky-tonkin' at Tootsie's or Robert's Western World.
* Alabama is wearing crimson jerseys and Vanderbilt white for today's game. No one here seems to know exactly why.
* Alabama had to cut its travel roster to 70 for its first SEC road game, leading to a few tough decisions as to whom would travel and whom would sit home. Among the eye-openers:
-- Injured kicker Jamie Christensen did not make the trip, as he continues to recover from a strained quad muscle. Leigh Tiffin is the starting kicker for today, with Andrew Friedman the back-up. We'll see if that becomes an issue in the game.
-- I counted 18 scholarship players who did not travel, including Christensen. Most of those were true freshmen, including Marquis Maze, Brandon Gibson, Jeramie Griffin, Jeremy Elder and Patrick Crump. That could be a good indication those guys are likely to redshirt.
-- Matt Collins did not make the trip, a year after beginning the season as Alabama's starting middle linebacker. He moved to defensive end in the spring, but has had trouble cracking the depth chart. It's a shame for him because he's one of the nicer kids on the team, but it seems he just doesn't have the speed to play in Alabama's new defense.
-- Complete list of scholarship players who did not travel: WR Brandon Gibson, WR Marquis Maze, DB Tarence Farmer, FB Jeramie Griffin, LB Jennings Hester, DL Jeremy Elder, OL Patrick Crump, TE Chris Underwood, DL Alex Watkins, DB Tremayne Coger, LB Charlie Kirschman, WR Travis Sikes, DL Brian Motley (injured), OL Drew Davis, OL Alex Stadler, OL Cody Davis (injured), DL Matt Collins, PK Jamie Christensen (injured)
-- Wide receiver Keith Brown and Prince Hall are still not listed on the depth chart, although both are here and participated in pre-game warmups. Neither was in uniform or even on the sideline for last week's game.
-- Speaking of linebacker depth charts, true freshman Chavis Williams has moved up to second-team strongside linebacker behind Zeke Knight after the departure of Zach Schreiber. Hall's presence may affect that some, however, as perhaps one of the reserve inside linebackers --- perhaps Demarcus Waldrop or Marcel Stamps --- may work behind Knight at SAM.
-- In pre-game quarterback drills, Antoine Caldwell was snapping to John Parker Wilson, Evan Cardwell to Greg McElroy and David Ross to Nick Fanuzzi. Freshman William Vlachos did made the trip, but has been working at guard in pre-game.
* For those of you who haven't been here, Vanderbilt Stadium has a very small-college feel, similar to Ladd-Peebles Stadium in Mobile or Independence Stadium in Shreveport. The stadium is starting to fill in and it's a literal sea of red and white, though there is some black and gold sprinkled throughout. Alabama fans are everywhere, including congregated outside the Vanderbilt student entrance. Not sure what that says, but it says something.
* Tried to go out see what was happening on Broadway last night, but traffic was a mess. We happened to hit the downtown area just as a massive Christian youth convention was letting out at the Gaylord Entertainment Center. Literally sat still on Demonbreun Blvd. for 20 minutes at one stretch. Not good times. Hope to head back downtown after the game, first to find a spot to watch Auburn-South Florida or LSU-Va. Tech, and then maybe for some honky-tonkin' at Tootsie's or Robert's Western World.
* Alabama is wearing crimson jerseys and Vanderbilt white for today's game. No one here seems to know exactly why.
* Alabama had to cut its travel roster to 70 for its first SEC road game, leading to a few tough decisions as to whom would travel and whom would sit home. Among the eye-openers:
-- Injured kicker Jamie Christensen did not make the trip, as he continues to recover from a strained quad muscle. Leigh Tiffin is the starting kicker for today, with Andrew Friedman the back-up. We'll see if that becomes an issue in the game.
-- I counted 18 scholarship players who did not travel, including Christensen. Most of those were true freshmen, including Marquis Maze, Brandon Gibson, Jeramie Griffin, Jeremy Elder and Patrick Crump. That could be a good indication those guys are likely to redshirt.
-- Matt Collins did not make the trip, a year after beginning the season as Alabama's starting middle linebacker. He moved to defensive end in the spring, but has had trouble cracking the depth chart. It's a shame for him because he's one of the nicer kids on the team, but it seems he just doesn't have the speed to play in Alabama's new defense.
-- Complete list of scholarship players who did not travel: WR Brandon Gibson, WR Marquis Maze, DB Tarence Farmer, FB Jeramie Griffin, LB Jennings Hester, DL Jeremy Elder, OL Patrick Crump, TE Chris Underwood, DL Alex Watkins, DB Tremayne Coger, LB Charlie Kirschman, WR Travis Sikes, DL Brian Motley (injured), OL Drew Davis, OL Alex Stadler, OL Cody Davis (injured), DL Matt Collins, PK Jamie Christensen (injured)
-- Wide receiver Keith Brown and Prince Hall are still not listed on the depth chart, although both are here and participated in pre-game warmups. Neither was in uniform or even on the sideline for last week's game.
-- Speaking of linebacker depth charts, true freshman Chavis Williams has moved up to second-team strongside linebacker behind Zeke Knight after the departure of Zach Schreiber. Hall's presence may affect that some, however, as perhaps one of the reserve inside linebackers --- perhaps Demarcus Waldrop or Marcel Stamps --- may work behind Knight at SAM.
-- In pre-game quarterback drills, Antoine Caldwell was snapping to John Parker Wilson, Evan Cardwell to Greg McElroy and David Ross to Nick Fanuzzi. Freshman William Vlachos did made the trip, but has been working at guard in pre-game.
Tuesday, September 4, 2007
Schreiber leaving Tide
By Creg Stephenson
Star Sports Writer
TUSCALOOSA --- Alabama linebacker Zach Schreiber has left the team with intentions to transfer, coach Nick Saban announced Tuesday.
Schreiber, a sophomore from Shreveport, La., played briefly in Saturday’s season-opener against Western Carolina on Saturday, but did not record a tackle. He was listed as the back-up to junior Zeke Knight at outside linebacker.
“Zach is a fine young man who worked extremely hard,” Saban said in a release issued by the school. “He wanted to go to school closer to home so we granted him his release.”
Schreiber played extensively as a redshirt freshman in 2006, compiling 13 tackles and a sack as a reserve defensive end and linebacker. He moved to linebacker exclusively in the spring.
It was not immediately known to where Schreiber will transfer, though speculation is that he is headed to Louisiana Tech. He would have to sit out the remainder of the season under NCAA transfer rules, but would have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2008 season.
Star Sports Writer
TUSCALOOSA --- Alabama linebacker Zach Schreiber has left the team with intentions to transfer, coach Nick Saban announced Tuesday.
Schreiber, a sophomore from Shreveport, La., played briefly in Saturday’s season-opener against Western Carolina on Saturday, but did not record a tackle. He was listed as the back-up to junior Zeke Knight at outside linebacker.
“Zach is a fine young man who worked extremely hard,” Saban said in a release issued by the school. “He wanted to go to school closer to home so we granted him his release.”
Schreiber played extensively as a redshirt freshman in 2006, compiling 13 tackles and a sack as a reserve defensive end and linebacker. He moved to linebacker exclusively in the spring.
It was not immediately known to where Schreiber will transfer, though speculation is that he is headed to Louisiana Tech. He would have to sit out the remainder of the season under NCAA transfer rules, but would have two years of eligibility beginning with the 2008 season.
Tide to face Clemson in Georgia Dome in 08?
According to the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, it's being discussed for next season's opener ... Alabama has an open date for 2008 because it called off a game with UTEP in order to avoid any Mike Price storylines ...
Monday, September 3, 2007
My notebook runneth over
A few quick notes from Monday's Alabama football press conference that didn't make the print edition due to space considerations ...
SIX RECOGNIZED: Alabama’s coaching staff honored six players for their performances against Western Carolina on Saturday.
Center Antoine Caldwell and running back Terry Grant were named offensive players of the week after the Crimson Tide rang up 575 total yards and a school-record 35 first downs. Linebackers Zeke Knight and Darren Mustin shared the award on defense, while kick returner Javier Arenas and coverage specialist Rashad Johnson were recognized on special teams.
Knight had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in his first career game at outside linebacker. The Wedowee native moved to linebacker in the spring after spending two years at wide receiver and a year at defensive end.
"It feels great," Knight said. "But I feel like I’ve got a lot to improve on. I had a couple of big plays, but I think I can do a whole lot better."
Knight played in only four games last year before a season-ending injury. He totaled three tackles and forced a fumble as a back-up defensive end.
GRANT HONORED: Grant was also named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week on Monday for his performance against Western Carolina.
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound redshirt freshman rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns, including a 47-yard score on the Crimson Tide’s first play from scrimmage. He also became the first Alabama freshman to rush for 100-plus yards in his first career start since Kenneth Darby had 197 against Southern Miss in 2004.
"It felt pretty good," Grant said. "I have worked real hard and it has paid off. It is an honor. This is a great league."
Other SEC Player of the Week selections released by the conference office Monday: Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett (offense), Ole Miss defensive back Dustin Mouzon (defense), Arkansas kick returner Felix Jones (special teams), Georgia center Fernando Velasco (offensive line) and Auburn end Quentin Groves (defensive line).
SELLOUT: Vanderbilt football sports information director Larry Leathers reported Monday that Saturday’s game is a hard sellout, with all 39,773 tickets for the game at Vanderbilt Stadium having been bought.
--- Creg Stephenson
SIX RECOGNIZED: Alabama’s coaching staff honored six players for their performances against Western Carolina on Saturday.
Center Antoine Caldwell and running back Terry Grant were named offensive players of the week after the Crimson Tide rang up 575 total yards and a school-record 35 first downs. Linebackers Zeke Knight and Darren Mustin shared the award on defense, while kick returner Javier Arenas and coverage specialist Rashad Johnson were recognized on special teams.
Knight had four tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in his first career game at outside linebacker. The Wedowee native moved to linebacker in the spring after spending two years at wide receiver and a year at defensive end.
"It feels great," Knight said. "But I feel like I’ve got a lot to improve on. I had a couple of big plays, but I think I can do a whole lot better."
Knight played in only four games last year before a season-ending injury. He totaled three tackles and forced a fumble as a back-up defensive end.
GRANT HONORED: Grant was also named the Southeastern Conference’s Freshman of the Week on Monday for his performance against Western Carolina.
The 5-foot-10, 188-pound redshirt freshman rushed for 134 yards and three touchdowns, including a 47-yard score on the Crimson Tide’s first play from scrimmage. He also became the first Alabama freshman to rush for 100-plus yards in his first career start since Kenneth Darby had 197 against Southern Miss in 2004.
"It felt pretty good," Grant said. "I have worked real hard and it has paid off. It is an honor. This is a great league."
Other SEC Player of the Week selections released by the conference office Monday: Vanderbilt wide receiver Earl Bennett (offense), Ole Miss defensive back Dustin Mouzon (defense), Arkansas kick returner Felix Jones (special teams), Georgia center Fernando Velasco (offensive line) and Auburn end Quentin Groves (defensive line).
SELLOUT: Vanderbilt football sports information director Larry Leathers reported Monday that Saturday’s game is a hard sellout, with all 39,773 tickets for the game at Vanderbilt Stadium having been bought.
--- Creg Stephenson
This and That from T'town
TUSCALOOSA --- Word of Appalachian State’s stunning upset victory at Michigan spread quickly throughout the college football world on Saturday, and the Alabama locker-room was no exception.
The Mountaineers’ victory over the Wolverines might have carried special poignancy for the Crimson Tide heading into its season opener against Western Carolina, given that Appalachian State and WCU both play in the Southern Conference of the NCAA’s Football Championship Sub-division. But Alabama’s players were intent on focusing on their own performance, not that of the Wolverines.
“No, we were concerned about what we had to do,” cornerback Simeon Castille said. “We weren’t really worried about who we were playing. If we take care of our end, after 60 minutes, we’ll see what the scoreboard says.”
It’s worth noting that not all FCS teams are created equal, particularly in this case. While Appalachian State has won back-to-back Division I-AA national championships, the Catamounts went 2-9 last year and have now lost 10 consecutive games after Saturday’s 52-6 loss to the Crimson Tide.
KNIGHT’S NIGHT: Since Alabama opened the game in five-defensive-back alignment, linebacker Zeke Knight technically did not make his first career start for the Crimson Tide Saturday night.
But the Wedowee native did make his mark in the game. He had four tackles on the night, including a sack of Western Carolina quarterback Todd Spitzer that resulted in a 16-yard loss and a fumble. Freshman defensive tackle Alfred McCullough fell on the ball for Alabama’s first turnover of the game.
“We just ran a little blitz and they messed up on their blocks,” said Knight, a Wedowee native. “I came free and I was just trying to make something happen.”
Knight played in just four games as a defensive end in 2006 before his season ended due to complications from a previously undiagnosed heart murmur. He had corrective surgery in February and earned a starting job at outside linebacker in spring practice.
GIANT BLOCK: Alabama offensive tackle Andre Smith turned in a rare highlight-reel play for a player at his position Saturday night, driving a Western Carolina defender nearly 30 yards down the field ahead of a 20-yard swing pass to running back Jimmy Johns.
Smith, one of the most celebrated offensive line recruits in college football history, earned a starting job as a true freshman in 2006. He had several memorable moments, including a crushing crack-back block against Arkansas defensive end Antwain Robinson last September.
His teammates are getting used to seeing that kind of thing from the 6-foot-4, 348-pound sophomore.
“That’s just Andre, he’s the most awesome offensive lineman I’ve seen since I’ve been playing football,” center Antoine Caldwell said. “I can’t say enough about him. He’s amazing. He does everything great players do.”
Smith, a Birmingham native, earned Freshman All-America and Freshman All-Southeastern Conference honors in 2006. He was a first-team preseason All-SEC pick this season.
--- Creg StephensonSunday, September 2, 2007
Check the Star's photo gallery
We got 63 photos into the Alabama photo gallery click the image above or click here to check out the gallery.We also have galleries for JSU, Auburn and high school.
Saturday, September 1, 2007
Game time
The game has started and I'm not allowed to give posts during the game. Stay tuned to Anniston Star.com for more coverage. I'll try to get something up here as soon as the game is over. We'll also have a photo gallery on the web late tonight or early tomorrow.
-Andy
-Andy
A couple of shirts I saw
I saw plenty of Saban-related shirts today. One of them said "Saban's here. Grab a beer." There was also one that said "Got Nick?" like the "Got Milk?" shirts. Here are a couple of others.
Saban sighting
Inside the stadium now.
At 4:05 the student section began cheering. I wasn't sure what they were cheering about until Creg pointed out the gray suited figure walking down the field.
Nick Saban was escorted by two Alabama State Troopers as he walked around the turf. I don't know why or what he was doing, but the crowd liked it. They cheered until he went back into the tunnel.
His wife walked onto the field about 10 minutes later and they cheered her too. This is going to be a wild one.
-Andy
App State wins ... in HD
When Appalachian State blocked Michigan's field goal the mass of people that had gathered 'round the tailgaters' televisions erupted.
The reaction made me realize just how many televisions and satellites there were in the quad.
And these are nice TVs too.
These people have televisions in this field that are nicer than the one in my living room.
I can remember when it was cool to tailgate with a tiny TV and bunny ear antennas. Here it is all flat screen HDTVs.
A few people even have projectors and screens.
When I walked around the quad just before 3 p.m. I saw about five games on, mostly Georgia Tech and Notre Dame.
Michael Huffman, of Trussville, told me he planned on watched the Michigan--I mean Appalachian State--game first, then Tech and ND, and would watch the Cal-Tennessee game after Alabama.
He bought a 32-inch Vizio HD flat screen last night for the game today.
"There's not a place in the living room for it yet," he said.
Here are some more pictures of the TVs at the game. The biggest one was set up by the Game Day Operations staff, who had a giant screen out in the quad showing the Tech-ND game.
A groan
Michigan just scored a touchdown to pull ahead and all of the tailgaters here groaned. I don't think many people care about Appalachian State, but they probably all want Michigan to lose to help Alabama's chances of moving into the top 25.
-Andy
-Andy
Bad news for scalpers
Creg and I got to Tuscaloosa about 45 minutes ago. We've already seen plenty to blog about.
Here's a picture of one of the nicest tailgate tents I've ever seen.
Mostly everyone seems to be throwing football and watching the Michigan--App State Game, hoping that Michigan loses. Appalachian State is leading with 12 minutes to go.
We've seen a dog in a jersey and the Bear twins, but I couldn't get to the camera before we past them.
But back to the title of this post, I just talked to someone trying to sell tickets for today's game. He had two on the lower level on the north end zone side for $100 for both. I expected much higher prices. The tickets retail for $32 each, so that's not as big of a mark up as I expected.
I did see one scalper trying to sell an entire sheet of season tickets. I'll catch up with him later and try to see how much he is asking.
I'll also try to get a picture of the Bear twins-- two twin blonde students with houndstooth hats and short houndstooth skirts. That should increase traffic on this blog for sure.
Plenty of Saban-style wide brim straw hats. More on that later.
-Andy
Here's a picture of one of the nicest tailgate tents I've ever seen.
Mostly everyone seems to be throwing football and watching the Michigan--App State Game, hoping that Michigan loses. Appalachian State is leading with 12 minutes to go.
We've seen a dog in a jersey and the Bear twins, but I couldn't get to the camera before we past them.
But back to the title of this post, I just talked to someone trying to sell tickets for today's game. He had two on the lower level on the north end zone side for $100 for both. I expected much higher prices. The tickets retail for $32 each, so that's not as big of a mark up as I expected.
I did see one scalper trying to sell an entire sheet of season tickets. I'll catch up with him later and try to see how much he is asking.
I'll also try to get a picture of the Bear twins-- two twin blonde students with houndstooth hats and short houndstooth skirts. That should increase traffic on this blog for sure.
Plenty of Saban-style wide brim straw hats. More on that later.
-Andy
Bama fans, prepare to be ... 'Sabanized'
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| Alabama freshman Garner Mills of Mobile looks at the week-old Nick Saban exhibit at the Paul W. Bryant Museum in Tuscaloosa. Photo: Andy Johns/The Anniston Star |
TUSCALOOSA — Rib smokers at Dreamland Bar-B-Que have been through their share of football games, but even the veterans admitted Friday to not knowing what to expect from the throng of fans, "now that they've been Sabanized."
Dreamland employee Jeannette Bishop-Hall said she expected the normally wild crowd to be "crazy" today, as Tide fans welcome the start of football season and new head coach Nick Saban.
Tailgaters began arriving in RVs as soon as the lots opened around 11 a.m. Friday. Rani Christie of Millbrook, sitting in a crimson folding chair in the shade of his RV's canopy, said this year seems different than most openers because of the new coach. "There seems to be more excitement," he said. "It's going to be interesting to see how different it is inside (the stadium)."
Fellow tailgater Tom Sanford said he planned to save his ticket stub and snapshots of the coach's first game and display them in a montage. "I think it's the start of a new era," he said.
But Christie said the fans' fervor is not unconditional. He hopes for eight wins this season, he said, and expects at least seven. "Anything less than 7 and 5, and he'll be in trouble from the get-go," he said of Saban.
If fans' expectations aren't enough pressure, Saban shouldn't have to look far to remember whose shoes he's stepping into. The Paul W. Bryant Museum put up a Saban exhibit about a week and a half ago. Assistant Curator Brad Green said fans had been asking for a Saban exhibit all summer.
Standing at the exhibit around lunchtime Friday was Nick Mazza, who drove more than 14 hours with is wife and sons from Carbondale, Pa., to be at Saban's debut.
"For the boys, they definitely had to be part of history," said Mazza, who also drove down for the spring game.
Another museum visitor, Carla Breedlove of Salisbury, N.C., noted that the exhibit, which features a video, photo, and short biography of Saban, has plenty of room for trophies.
"And we want plenty of them," she said.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Motley's injury hurts
A fractured ankle suffered by Alabama nose tackle Brian Motley in Tuesday afternoon's practice is not only a bad break --- literally --- for the redshirt freshman, but could also have major repercussions for the Crimson Tide defense this season.
Motley is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with the injury, which will basically sideline him for the season. Even if he returns on the front end of that projection, he's still out half the year.
Thanks to the new rotating game week interview schedule at Alabama, head coach Nick Saban did not meet with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. He first addressed Motley's injury in Wednesday morning's SEC coaches teleconference.
"Brian Motley did fracture his ankle in practice yesterday," Saban said. "It's unfortunate for him. He had a broken hand about 10 days ago and a fractured ankle now. He just came back to practice for a few days. He'll be out for probably six to eight weeks."
In Motley's absence, sophomore Lorenzo Washington gets a chance to start for the first time in his career. Washington has been something of a disappointment at Alabama thus far, a highly touted high school player who has never shown much on the college level for one reason or another.
After Washington, true freshman Alfred McCullough of Athens is apparently the back-up. Saban has had good things to say about true freshman Josh Chapman of Hoover throughout fall camp, but said Wednesday that McCullough is now the No. 2 nose tackle.
"We're obviously going to have to use some of our freshmen players," Saban said. "We'll see who are the guys we feel are most ready to play right now. We really don't want to move someone this late in the week that plays a different position to that position. We'll probably do it with McCullough or some of the freshmen players we have that play that position."
The loss of Motley's isn't likely to mean much this week against Western Carolina. Alabama could probably play without its entire starting lineup and beat the Catamounts handily (WCU went 2-9 last season and was outscored 114-9 in its last three games).
But beyond Saturday, Motley's loss really hurts. Alabama plays power-running Arkansas in two weeks and will need all the run-stuffers it can get, particularly with the status of sophomore inside linebacker Prince Hall still up in the air.
Alabama had been fortunate with injuries this fall up until Tuesday, but that has certainly changed now.
Motley is expected to miss 6-8 weeks with the injury, which will basically sideline him for the season. Even if he returns on the front end of that projection, he's still out half the year.
Thanks to the new rotating game week interview schedule at Alabama, head coach Nick Saban did not meet with reporters on Tuesday afternoon. He first addressed Motley's injury in Wednesday morning's SEC coaches teleconference.
"Brian Motley did fracture his ankle in practice yesterday," Saban said. "It's unfortunate for him. He had a broken hand about 10 days ago and a fractured ankle now. He just came back to practice for a few days. He'll be out for probably six to eight weeks."
In Motley's absence, sophomore Lorenzo Washington gets a chance to start for the first time in his career. Washington has been something of a disappointment at Alabama thus far, a highly touted high school player who has never shown much on the college level for one reason or another.
After Washington, true freshman Alfred McCullough of Athens is apparently the back-up. Saban has had good things to say about true freshman Josh Chapman of Hoover throughout fall camp, but said Wednesday that McCullough is now the No. 2 nose tackle.
"We're obviously going to have to use some of our freshmen players," Saban said. "We'll see who are the guys we feel are most ready to play right now. We really don't want to move someone this late in the week that plays a different position to that position. We'll probably do it with McCullough or some of the freshmen players we have that play that position."
The loss of Motley's isn't likely to mean much this week against Western Carolina. Alabama could probably play without its entire starting lineup and beat the Catamounts handily (WCU went 2-9 last season and was outscored 114-9 in its last three games).
But beyond Saturday, Motley's loss really hurts. Alabama plays power-running Arkansas in two weeks and will need all the run-stuffers it can get, particularly with the status of sophomore inside linebacker Prince Hall still up in the air.
Alabama had been fortunate with injuries this fall up until Tuesday, but that has certainly changed now.
Redshirt freshman Grant turning heads in Tuscaloosa
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| Terry Grant, right, is drawing raves from his teammates and coaches alike this fall. Photo: Trent Penny/The Anniston Star/file |
TUSCALOOSA — When Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson retreats to hand off against Western Carolina on Saturday, it's likely he'll be stuffing the ball into the gut of a former Mississippi Mr. Football.
Redshirt freshman Terry Grant and junior Jimmy Johns — both winners of the award — have emerged from a four-way derby to share Alabama's running-back duties this fall. The 6-foot-2, 233-pound Johns has been noted for his play-making ability throughout his first two seasons in crimson, but it's the speedy, 5-10, 188-pound Grant who's been turning heads this fall.
"Speed kills in this game, and he's probably one of the fastest guys we've got on this team," center Antoine Caldwell said. "He's a workhorse, hardly ever gets tired. That's the kind of guy we're going to need out there on Saturday."
Like Johns before him, Grant was a superstar in the Mississippi prep ranks. He led Lumberton to that state's Class 2A championship in 2005, rushing for 36 touchdowns and 2,720 yards as a senior.
Grant scored 115 touchdowns in his prep career, three off the Mississippi high school record set by Weir's Dicenzo Miller, who would go on to play at Mississippi State in the late 1990s. He signed with Alabama the following February, but looked likely to redshirt given the Crimson Tide's depth in the backfield.
College football notebook: Tide adds long list of walk-on players
TUSCALOOSA — Alabama finally released its final football roster on Saturday, a list that includes 20 players who joined the team for practice on Wednesday.
Among those listed are several holdover walk-ons, including defensive back Trent Dean (who doubled as the scout-team quarterback in 2006), kicker Andrew Friedman and punter Heath Thomas. Also back with the squad is running back/kick returner Jonathan Lowe, who was expected to make an impact on special teams this season but missed fall camp due to academic troubles.
New to the team are a pair of prominent Division I transfers, one of which is linebacker Tucker Callahan, a Fairhope native who signed with Oregon out of high school but never played for the Ducks. Defensive tackle Juan Garnier, a well-traveled player most recently at Ohio State, has also joined the team.
Garnier, a 6-foot-4, 315-pound junior who is 25 years old, began his career as a walk-on at Auburn in 2002, then sat out a year before enrolling at Shelton State Community College in an attempt to eventually play at Alabama. The Massachusetts native later wound up at Ohio State, where he played the last two seasons.
While at Ohio State, Garnier met Todd Alles, now the director of football operations at Alabama. Garnier, who was awarded two extra years of eligibility by the NCAA due to extreme financial and physical hardship, was named 2006 college football walk-on of the year by CBSSportsline.com.
Alabama has also added two walk-on quarterbacks to its roster. True freshmen Patrick Bryant of Pensacola, Fla., and Robert Ezell of Athens have joined scholarship quarterbacks John Parker Wilson, Greg McElroy and Nick Fanuzzi, and walk-ons Ross Applegate and Thomas Darrah.
Alabama conducted its final pre-season practice on Saturday, working for more than two hours in the indoor facility due to rainy conditions. The Crimson Tide opens the season next Saturday at home against Western Carolina.
• ON THE LIST: Alabama center Antoine Caldwell has been named to the watch list for the Rimington Award, given to the top center in college football.
Caldwell, a junior from Montgomery, has started the last two years on the offensive line at Alabama, at left guard in 2005 and at center in 2006. He was a second-team All-Southeastern Conference performer last season.
Caldwell is one of eight SEC centers on the 54-player watch list, joining Auburn's Jason Bosley, Ole Miss' Corey Actis, Mississippi State's Royce Blackledge, LSU's Brett Helms, Arkansas' Jonathan Luigs, Tennessee's Josh McNeil and Florida's Drew Miller. West Virginia's Dan Mozes won the award in 2006.
The 2007 Rimington Award will be presented Jan. 12 in Lincoln, Neb.
— Creg Stephenson
Tide's Tiffin putting past behind him
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| Leigh Tiffin (31) bounced back from a nightmarish game against Arkansas last season to win the starting kicking job at Alabama this fall. Photo: Kevin Qualls/The Anniston Star/file |
TUSCALOOSA — Every player on the Alabama football roster has been promised a clean slate under first-year head coach Nick Saban, and there might not be any Crimson Tide player who needs that more than sophomore kicker Leigh Tiffin.
Tiffin's personal meltdown during the latter stages of the Crimson Tide's 24-23 overtime loss at Arkansas last September was in many ways emblematic of an Alabama team that never quite seized on its opportunities in 2006. Then a true freshman, Tiffin had three separate chances to kick the Crimson Tide to victory on that day, but failed each time.
The way things played out was downright painful:
• Tiffin missed a 30-yard field goal with 3:06 left in regulation, which would have given Alabama a 20-17 lead.
• After Alabama's Lionel Mitchell intercepted a pass on Arkansas' first possession of overtime, Tiffin could have won the game with a 37-yard field goal. He missed wide right.
• After Alabama scored a touchdown to take a 23-17 lead in the second overtime, Tiffin missed the extra point. Arkansas followed with a touchdown of its own and made its extra point to win the game.
But for Tiffin, the worst part wasn't the missed kicks. It's that he never really got the chance to redeem himself. He lost his job to junior Jamie Christensen — who had sat out the Arkansas game with a groin injury — the following week, and attempted just one kick in a game the rest of the year.
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