Tide Tidbits – July 4, 2009

Saban building early future
If there is one guy who understands the importance of preparation, it’s Nick Saban. From methodical practice plans, to explicit team-oriented goals, to the defining word of his tenure as head coach at the University of Alabama, Saban has always put the idea of the “process” first and foremost in the rebuilding of the Tide program. In his first two years, Tide fans have seen the fruits of this careful labor already beginning to bloom — a perfect 2008 regular season on the gridiron bolstered by several key members of Saban’s first complete recruiting class including Julio Jones, Mark Ingram and Terrence “Mount” Cody.

Red-hot rivalries to provide ‘09 fireworks
Sportsmanship is all well and good, but let’s be honest: The games are more fun when there’s a little hate involved. It’s what makes rivalries simmer, and rivalries are woven tightly into the fabric of competition. And nowhere in sports do rivalries run as deep and spirited as in college sports. 5. LSU Tigers-Alabama Crimson Tide Why It’s Hot Now: Last year, roughly 90,000 LSU fans spent a tense and emotionally charged afternoon coating former-savior-turned-Alabama-savior Nick Saban in boos — arguably the largest concentration of ill will upon a single individual in sporting history. (Go ahead, name me one greater.) Crimson Tide fans took it personally because they’re Crimson Tide fans — they take everything football-related personally. Thus, LSU coaches, players and fans should expect similar hostility in Bryant-Denny Stadium this year. In a league that never turns the other cheek, it’s all about the payback.

Where’s the beef? Alabama’s Nick Saban has a valid point
Jamie Newberg thinks Nick Saban may be on to something. Newberg has been a recruiting analyst for more than a decade and was one of the first in the South to combine the obsession of college football fans with a new toy called the Internet. “If people are just covering recruiting with honesty and integrity, (there’s no problem),” Saban said. “But all those guys that work out there for (recruiting sites) are for the school. Everybody roots for a team. And they get information for a team.” Illinois coach Ron Zook went a step further last April, when he predicted the next great recruiting scandal would involve recruiting services.

OL Evan Cardwell not expected back with Alabama’s football team
Alabama senior center Evan Cardwell is not expected back with the Crimson Tide’s football team this season, the Press-Register has learned. Cardwell has dealt with a recurring back injury during much of his collegiate career, though it’s not clear if he will go on medical scholarship. He has already obtained his undergraduate degree from UA and is currently enrolled in graduate school with a sports management specialty.

Billups stands out on offense, defense
For the third straight year, the Aliceville Yellow Jackets start a season with a new head coach. The only constant for the Yellow Jackets in those years has been the play of offensive/defensive lineman Derrick Billups, the No. 50 player in The Tuscaloosa News’ annual Alabama’s Most Wanted ranking of the state’s top 50 football prospects. “It’s been kind of hard getting different coaches every year,” Billups said. “There are new plays coming in every year. It gets kind of difficult.” Billups has played on the varsity since seventh grade, playing for Patrick Plott, James Rush and, this season, Robin Tyra.

Roll Tide!

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