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 than one back and Richardson will likely team with Mark Ingram, who ran for 728 yards as a freshman last year, to give the Tide a powerful 1-2 punch. He may have to find a new nickname, though. Richardson broke the 400-yard mark twice in high school, earning the title of “Mr. 407,” but not even Herschel Walker could do that in the SEC.

Saban won’t bite on fishing questions
Alabama coach Nick Saban didn’t have much to say about the Julio Jones/Mark Ingram situation when asked Tuesday, except to confirm that a final resolution has not been reached. “I really can’t comment on that,” Saban said. “I think the institution has shown great integrity in the way they’ve handled the situation. It’s in someone else’s hands, and until it gets decided, I have no comment.” UA’s compliance office has self-imposed no penalties regarding a four-month investigation into a Gulf Coast fishing trip earlier this year involving Jones, Ingram and Curtis Anderson, a 56-year-old Athens man who claims to be friends with both players. Anderson reportedly paid for the outing. The results of UA’s investigation are subject to approval by the SEC and possibly the NCAA.

2009 Crimson Tide looking to break consistent inconsistency
Since 1996, Alabama has followed the last 10+ win seasons each year with a losing season, followed by a season with only 6 or 7 victories. Four straight 3-year cycles with identical outcomes: consistently inconsistent. Will 2009 be the season that the Tide turns on an alarming trend? What factors will contribute to a different outcome? Is head coach Nick Saban the difference maker? Is the tumultuous probation period with slashed scholarships finally in the rear view mirror?

Competition, depth strong along Tide’s defensive line
Big nose tackle Terrence Cody wants to be in more games, so Alabama coach Nick Saban made him a promise. If Cody’s weight dropped to 348 pounds, he could stay on the field this season on third-down pass rushing situations. “He hasn’t got there yet,” Saban said Tuesday. A proverbial carrot to lead Cody from the temptations of junk food to grueling summer workouts is also a sign of something much larger taking place with the Crimson Tide’s football team. How deep is a defensive line when a senior All-American is having to ask for more playing time and may not receive it?

Bama players participate despite injuries
The handful of nagging injuries did not keep any Alabama football players off the practice field Tuesday afternoon. In their first workout since Saturday’s scrimmage, everyone made it out to the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields. Freshman Trent Richardson, who suffered a sprained shoulder Saturday, worked out in a black non-contact jersey but still ran drills at full speed. Another freshman, defensive back Dre Kirkpatrick had missed some time last week but was on the field Tuesday. Often injured running back Roy Upchurch also made it “all the way through” practice, coach Nick Saban said, after the senior sat out a few days last week with a groin-pull.

Two-day rest proves beneficial for Tide
Some of Alabama’s most recognizable names were held out of Saturday’s scrimmage due to injuries. Having Sunday and Monday off apparently helped. A lot. Having a two-day break might have been much-needed for the players, but the coaches were definitely ready to get back to work. Even before the media was let in for the viewing period, strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran could be heard yelling “Let’s go to work!” and “Do it right, do it right, do it right!” And “do it right” seemed to be the theme of Tuesday’s full-pad workout.

Roll Tide!

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