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 according to those who watch practice. Sophomore receiver Darius Hanks has never failed to grab every pass, make every cut and display amazing ability after the catch. It’s just that no one ever seems to see it on Saturday afternoons. “It’s coming,” he promised. “I really haven’t gotten the chance that I really need to be able to prove that I can go out there on the field. When I was called upon last year, I felt like I did a good job but this year I’m going to be called on more and you’re going to see a lot more.”

Tide’s Upchurch continues to battle injuries
Roy Upchurch was missing from the running backs drills in Thursday’s practice, but he made an appearance in the media room after the Tide’s workout. Alabama coach Nick Saban disclosed Upchurch’s injury as a “pulled muscle.” Upchurch said he tweaked a groin. “It’s nothing major. They told me to just chill out for a while,” said the 6-foot, 205-pound senior from Tallahassee, Fla. “He’s missed a couple days of practice, but nothing serious,” Saban said. “He’ll be back. He’s day-to-day.” Minor or not, the oft-injured Upchurch clearly is aching to get back to 100 percent.

Tide hurt by nagging injuries
Alabama sophomore defensive lineman Marcell Dareus went home Thursday night with a large bandage covering the index finger of his right hand. It was the painful result of a sandwich hit between two helmets. And though his face winced a little, his words shrugged it off like a man still fighting for playing time. “My finger is just fine,” Dareus said. Though no news appears to be serious, the Crimson Tide is beginning to show a little wear and tear heading in these dog days of preseason practice. Freshman cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick has missed the past two practices with what coach Nick Saban called a “pulled muscle.” Sophomore receiver Marquis Maze missed a recent practice before returning Thursday. Star sophomore Julio Jones didn’t miss time even though he “sprained his ankle a little bit,” according to Saban.

Tide’s Upshaw arrested
With one of his linebackers in Tuscaloosa County Jail, Alabama coach Nick Saban arrived to work Thursday morning to find a phone message from Dave Grzyb, helping explain how Courtney Upshaw wound up there. “A simple lovers’ quarrel,” Grzyb said. Upshaw, 19, was arrested around 9:22 p.m. Wednesday and charged with misdemeanor domestic violence/harassment after an officer from the Alabama Police Department said he witnessed an altercation Upshaw had with Grzyb’s daughter in the parking lot of the Student Recreation Center on campus.

Is Spurrier Calling Out Kiffin…Again?
As fortune would have it I found myself in need of food early in the evening Thursday as I was leaving Columbia, South Carolina. And as luck would have it, or maybe not, the one only only “Ol’ Ball Coach” was in attendance sharing a few jewels here and there about his Gamecocks and their outlook for the 2009 season. You might recall this story. Just a few days ago Tennessee’s football coach, Lane Kiffin, seemed to brag about the physical contact his players were experiencing this fall. But, it was as evident as your nose on your face that Spurrier had someone in mind with his closing comment on injuries on football teams. “Some coaches out there actually brag about their injury and in my opinion those are stupid coaches.”

Don’t dismiss Alabama
It’s been quickly forgotten after what happened last year, but this was supposed to be the season that Alabama was going to become a national power. That the program was quarter away from playing for the national title in a surprise, breakthrough 2008 campaign, should only set the hype machine on 11. Instead, ‘Bama is being put on the “pay-no-mind” list. Alabama, which should be even better and more talented this year, but few are talking about national championship potential, and that’s wrong. ‘Bama has the rare chance to be able to use the “no one believes in us” cliché when it actually applies.

Roll Tide!

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