Tide Tidbits – June 27, 2009

Krauss talks glory days with UA alumni club
Barry Krauss ain’t never been nothing but a winner. The former two-time All-American linebacker at Alabama and 13-year NFL veteran talked about his time at the Capstone on Thursday at the DeKalb County University of Alabama Alumni Association’s annual banquet. He also plugged his book, “Ain’t Nothin’ but a Winner.” And though Krauss’ stint with the Baltimore Colts stands out as a highlight in his career, most in Alabama know him best from his hit in the famed goal line stand in Alabama’s 1979 Sugar Bowl victory over Penn State.

Extension makes sense for Alabama, Saban
The reports out of Alabama on Thursday that preliminary discussions are under way to extend Nick Saban’s contract shouldn’t come as a surprise to anyone. It’s another telltale sign that Saban means it when he says there are no other horizons for him in coaching. Granted, he’s been a coaching nomad for much of his career, but those closest to him insist that he wants to finish his career at Alabama. He’s equally eager to get the word out to recruits in the face of this latest NCAA probation for the Crimson Tide that he’s as committed as he ever was to bringing a championship trophy back to Tuscaloosa.

Scarbinsky: Raise your hand if you think Alabama’s Nick Saban has earned a new deal
Does Nick Saban deserve a raise? It’s an easy answer. If Alabama thinks so, he does, and people close to the university say preliminary discussions have begun on the subject of extending Saban’s contract. There are still six years left on the original deal, but hey, it’s never too early to fire a pre-emptive strike. That’s what contracts have become these days, at least at the top of the food chain. They’re targets for other schools. Set that target high enough, and you scare away potential suitors whose ambitions outstrip their budgets.

Analyzing Alabama Part Two: The Defense
Alabama is coming into 2009 with a strong and experienced defense from last year, returning nine starters, anchored by big man, Terrence “Mount” Cody, and led by the fiery young, outstanding, corner back and kick returner Javier Arenas, who’s play on specials teams is sometimes so dazzling that we forget he plays on defense as well. Defense is a unit that Alabama has depended on year-after-year, decade-after-decade, to get them through the tough times, and this upcoming season will be no different. It is a unit that was in the top ten last year and looks to challenge as the best in the land this upcoming season. Alabama currently uses a 3-4 defense.

Incoming Freshmen Face Difficult Road To Early Playing Time
For the second year in a row this past February, Alabama signed a star-studded recruiting class that many thought to be the top recruiting class in the country. And just as was the case last summer, many are expecting several of these incoming freshmen to step onto the field this Autumn and have a major impact. Nevertheless, despite the expectations of some, the incoming freshmen will face a very difficult road in their attempt to secure early playing time. No one needing to be convinced of that contention should have to look any further than this past year with the 2008 recruiting class. If you recall, it was widely expected by nearly everyone that the incoming freshmen then would immediately snag multiple starting jobs, and many projections even had the Tide starting as many as 10 true freshmen.

Roll Tide!

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