Tide Tidbits – April 20, 2009

Saban has high expectations for team, fans
Most of the Sunday talk about Saturday’s A-Day Game was about just that — the game and the performers in it. But while A-Day is a game, sort of, it also marks the end of spring. In between questions about the quarterback position, or the tight ends, Saban made a couple of statements that haven’t been discussed as much, but were intriguing.The first one, short and simple, was about the real reason for college football in the first place. It deserves a prominent mention “I think we have 15 out of 20 of our upcoming seniors who are going to graduate by December,” Saban said. “There’s a lot of positive things that go on here in the program as well as the team improving in terms of their performance on the field.” The second Saban statement to be analyzed here was neither short nor simple.

Alabama spring review: 5 points for the Tide
Saturday’s A-Day Game capped spring practice for Alabama’s football team, which is expected to be a preseason top-10 team. So is Virginia Tech, the Tide’s first opponent Sept. 5 in Atlanta. So what did Nick Saban and his coaching staff learn during the spring’s 15 practices? A look back at some of the questions and the answers discovered in the past month:

Alabama reels in first commitment for 2011
Alabama football coach Nick Saban landed the first commitment for the class of 2011 Saturday after the Tide’s A-Day Game. Marvin Shinn, wide receiver from Vigor High School in Prichard, received a scholarship offer from Alabama almost two weeks ago and expected to make an early decision. “There was no need to wait,” Shinn explained. “Alabama is the only place I have ever wanted to play. There is no need for me to wait around at all. I don’t care if I get any other offers. Alabama is the only place I want to go. I don’t plan on visiting any other schools when the time comes.”

Thompson: UT held better opportunity
The question lingers for Lance Thompson. Why did you leave Alabama to become the linebackers coach at Tennessee? Thompson heard that one a dozen times while visiting Lake Tuscaloosa on Easter weekend. “I know I’m probably Public Enemy No. 1,” Thompson said with a laugh in his new office at the Neyland-Thompson Center. At least among Crimson Tide fans, that label probably fits – especially after Thompson told a group of Vols boosters that Nick Saban “ain’t getting any more of my (recruits).”

Best of the rest:

• TIDE’S MISSION ACCOMLISHED? Alabama has frontrunner at QB, but other questions still remain after spring
• UA quarterback, left tackle pictures now in focus
• A-Day brings clarity, concerns for Tide
• Autaugaville’s Brian Motley finishes Crimson Tide spring practice on high note
• Five answers to recap Alabama spring football …
• Coach for a day was a great experience

Roll Tide!

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