Tide Tidbits – April 13, 2009

Tide offense faces steep learning curve
Let’s review: Alabama rushed 43 times for fewer than 70 yards in Friday’s scrimmage. The Crimson Tide defense ran up nine sacks, 13 tackles for loss and three interceptions, including Tyrone King’s 24-yard return for a touchdown. Somebody hide the sharp objects around offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. “Going against what our defense does and what those guys do in that defensive meeting room makes you realize maybe you don’t know that much ball, know what I’m saying? These guys are really good. Other than really getting depressed after a couple spring practices … The great thing is what you see against them is cutting edge,” McElwain said.

Offense struggles in second scrimmage
Terry Grant and the rest of the Alabama Crimson Tide offense struggled mightily in the second scrimmage of spring practice Friday at Bryant-Denny Stadium. With the top two returning running backs from the 2008 season, Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch, sidelined from contact by hamstring and neck injuries respectively, Grant received the bulk of carries Friday, compiling a paltry two yards on 16 carries. As a unit, the Alabama running backs managed only 66 total rushing yards for the scrimmage. “Terry Grant did not have the opportunities today,” head coach Nick Saban said. “We didn’t run the ball very well today. It would help us if we had our backs, but I think it’s a combination of limited experience at running back … as well as some inconsistencies in the offensive line and a pretty good run defense for the most part.”

SI: Now trimmer, Alabama’s Cody works on conditioning, pass rush
Terrence Cody wants to be a slightly smaller force on Alabama’s defensive line next season. The space-hogging nose guard has dropped a few pounds, worked on his conditioning and hopes to keep himself in the game on third-down passing situations — and improve his NFL draft stock in the process. The 6-foot-5 Cody said he has shed about 10 pounds down to 354 since the season. “That’s helped me out bigtime,” Cody said. “I’m able to do a lot more things that I wasn’t able to do when I was a little heavier. I’m quicker off the ball and I’m using my hips more and just using my hands more. I’m getting my footwork better.

Georgia spring game crowd makes Tide look good
Since attendance at spring football games has become a sort of exercise in chest-thumping, we’re talking about Georgia and its crowd at Saturday’s spring game. The Bulldogs had an announced attendance of 42,458 at Sanford Stadium — a game televised by ESPN and tickets were free.

Roll Tide!

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