Tide Tidbits – August 31, 2009
Will the Tide be tough enough?
A year ago in Atlanta, the University of Alabama began to forge an identity of physicality and toughness that carried through an undefeated regular season. With rugged Glen Coffee running behind a bullying line anchored by Outland Trophy winner Andre Smith and brutish Antoine Caldwell, the Crimson Tide’s offense became [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 30, 2009
CECIL HURT: Alabama got a big win on Saturday
Did the University of Alabama football program have its best Saturday of the season a week before the season officially began? That’s one way to look at the news that UA head coach Nick Saban has signed a three-year contract extension, stretching his on-paper relationship with UA [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 29, 2009
Injuries won’t keep Tide off the practice field
It may be common on Alabama’s team, but that doesn’t mean junior cornerback Kareem Jackson is any less proud. No, he has never missed one practice during his collegiate career. Yes, he hurt his left wrist so badly last season it required surgery. “I don’t plan on missing [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 28, 2009
Flu outbreak quarantines a few UA football players
Up to 10 University of Alabama football players have come down with flu-like symptoms and a few have been quarantined to contain the outbreak and protect their teammates. Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban said Thursday that four or five players have developed the flu and a like [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 27, 2009
Alabama’s Bowman make good impression
His last name isn’t Richardson, Fluker or Kirkpatrick. No, Michael Bowman didn’t have the full spotlight that his freshmen teammates had when arriving at Alabama. And, no, he has yet to line up for a college game, but he is showing signs of his potential in the first month with the [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 26, 2009
Five SEC freshmen who’ll make an impact in 2009
There won’t likely be another Julio, but here are five freshmen who should become household names in 2009: Trent Richardson, RB, Alabama: A compact 5-11, 220 pounds, Richardson is just the type of back Nick Saban likes — a physical downhill runner. Saban likes to play more [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 25, 2009
Tide players take break from practice
Alabama players took a much-needed day off from practice Monday as the Crimson Tide now turns its attention to seventh-ranked Virginia Tech. Since fall practice opened on Aug. 6, the Crimson Tide has had just three days off: the two Sundays following fall scrimmages on Aug. 16 and Aug. 23 [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 24, 2009
Backup quarterback battle still unsettled
It’s hard to tell who’s running second team at quarterback for Alabama. Head coach Nick Saban has typically used redshirt freshman Star Jackson, sophomore walk-on Thomas Darrah and true freshman AJ McCarron all with the second team, letting their talents and not their teammates dictate their success. McCarron, at least at [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 23, 2009
Ingram, Grant highlight Tide scrimmage; Jones, Richardson suffer non-serious injuries
Although coaches and invited boosters had a couple of big scares while watching the University of Alabama football team go through its final scrimmage prior to the start of the 2009-10 season, they were overshadowed by numerous big plays Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Sophomore running [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 22, 2009
Tide has options galore in backfield
Even now, tailback Mark Ingram’s debut season at Alabama shouts about the promise of his future. But so does this season’s preseason award lists, last week’s scrimmage statistics, Ingram’s number of reps with the first team and all those recurring practice drill lines, where he typically goes first. Even Crimson [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 21, 2009
Tide’s Hanks could give Jones help
Nick Saban offered a crystal view of the Alabama offense when he opened fall practice on Aug. 6. “If we had another go-to guy at receiver,” he said, “that would make us a better team.” That guy has been in the system for a couple of years now, at least [...]
Tide Tidbits – August 20, 2009
Maze becomes more a fixture in UA offense
It’s the speed, you see? If you’re a University of Alabama football fan, think back for a moment to the first time Marquis Maze turned your head. Maybe it was sometime last season when he hauled in Greg McElroy’s touchdown pass with 2:49 remaining to cap the 36-0 [...]
