Tide Tidbits – August 1, 2009

Tide reports to practice next week
The University of Alabama football team has finalized its practice schedule for fall training camp, which will get under way next week. The Crimson Tide will report Wednesday with the first practices scheduled for the following day. Similar to what Coach Nick Saban has done in the past returning players will hold their first workout during a morning session at the Sewell-Thomas Practice Fields, with newcomers taking the field that night. Alabama will practice at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Aug. 9, 15 and 22, the first being the annual Fan Day workout. Per usual, all practices except for Fan Day are closed to the public.

THE SILENT TYPE: Alabama linebacker Rolando McClain doesn’t have much to say; instead, all the noise he makes can be heard on the field
he table was circled with hungry reporters, lined up at least two deep, waving recorders and spraying questions. What in the world was Rolando McClain doing in the center of all this? A star middle linebacker, third-team All-American, All-SEC recipient and high NFL draft pick in waiting, McClain also has a reputation of being one of the most reluctant stars on Alabama’s team when it comes to interviews. “I don’t like to be in the eye of the media or the limelight,” McClain said. “I don’t really care for it.”

Alabama Crimson Tide 2010 BCS Odds – Alabama 20-1
The Alabama Crimson Tide heads into the 2009 season with extremely high expectations. The Tide went 12-2 last season so improving upon that record in sports odds will be difficult but that is what is expected. College football odds have the Tide at 17-1 to win the national title. Their chances will rise or fall based on their season opening game against Virginia Tech in Atlanta.

Wait continues for Tide signee Eddie Lacy
But as of earlier this afternoon [7/31], Louisiana running back and UA signee Eddie Lacy had still not heard from the NCAA Clearinghouse regarding his academic eligibility for the 2009 season. “We’re still waiting for the Clearinghouse. So we still don’t know yet,” Lacy said. “It was supposed to be today.” Though the Clearinghouse has seemed to slightly accelerate its process in recent years to certify arriving athletes, it remains infamous for the fact that it progresses only on its own timetable.

A Look into The Future For Alabama’s Season
There are sites on the Internet that quote the fictional character Yoda from Star Wars as “One Minute Wisdom” Though to me Yoda sounds suspiciously like Kermit the frog, the future is in motion and the predictions are haphazard at best. None the less I will take a stab at 2009. “More diverse the offense will be.” From observation I think its safe to say Greg McElroy is a more skilled passer and has a better mind for the game than last years starter John Parker Wilson. McElroy will spread the ball around more in the short and intermediate routes though I don’t expect him to go deep very often. His deep balls have more accuracy so when he does I expect a higher success rate on the deeper throws.

Roll Tide!

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