Tide Tidbits – January 25, 2009

Fans get as much loyalty from coaches as they give
This is not a profession for the weak of heart. They scrap, they often struggle and they’re most often scared to death that some 18-year-old will fumble and lose a game that leaves them unemployed and unable to pro­vide for their families. Of course, fans don’t think of any of that. They see guys like Willis and Thompson hop to bet­ter jobs and they use terms like “disloyal” and “greedy.” I particularly like the “dis­loyal” charge. As if school admi­nistrators, fans and boosters are the most understanding, patient and fair people around. Auburn just fired a guy who won nearly 70 percent of his games. Alaba­ma booted a guy a couple of years ago who was a beloved alum and won 10 games the year before.

Wilson gets it started, White finishes
Alabama’s John Parker Wilson also played well, completing 7 of 13 passes for 56 yards and scoring on a four-yard scamper in the first quarter. Wilson was named offensive player of the game, while Robert Ayers of Tennessee was named the game’s outstanding defensive player. The South was coached by Jacksonville Jaguars head coach Jack Del Rio and his staff. Del Rio said he was impressed by his squad.

Dog-Eat-Dog World
Since the college football season ended a few weeks ago, an alarming amount of turnover has taken place in the Southeastern Conference — and not just with the head coaches. Close to a dozen assistant coaches have bolted from one SEC school to another school. Some of the assistants left to improve their chances of becoming a head coach. Some wanted more money. And others took new jobs for questionable reasons.

RECRUITING: Carver’s Moore visits Tide
Brandon Moore’s initial plan to announce his college decision last Thursday fell through. Feeling like he was rushing himself, the G.W. Carver line­man and Class 5A Lineman of the Year finalist decided to take a visit to the University of Ala­bama this weekend before mak­ing a decision. “I decided I wanted to slow down and take a few more days,” Moore said. “I want to take my trip to Alabama and look at my options. This decision is going to affect the rest of my life.”

…And Another One: My 2009 Pre-Season College Football Top 25
It is way too early for a Top 25 and I had not planned to write an article until closer to the spring when all the recruits have signed and I can get a better picture of how teams will fill spots left from graduation and early entry. But, here’s the list I currently have in my head: … 11. Alabama – They lost Coffee and Smith to the draft. Both losses are key. They need a new quarterback to take the place of John Parker Wilson, but I find that to be less of a task than replacing Smith. Wilson did what he needed to do to get the wins, but he was hardly a showstopper at his position. I suspect his replacement won’t have much trouble filling his shoes, especially since he will still have Julio Jones to throw to downfield. I expect Saban to have his troops ready to play.

Roll Tide!

~ _____________________________________



Have BamaFootball4Life eMailed to You for Free


_____________________________________


Enter your email address:

Other subscription options.

~

______________________________________


Quick Links

______________________________________


FREE Magazines!

Recruiting
mybama.com
Polls/Rankings
Links and More Links...