Tide Tidbits – September 28, 2009

Hightower likely out for season
Alabama’s hopes for the remainder of the season suffered a major blow Sunday with news that starting inside linebacker Dont’a Hightower likely won’t be a part of it. An MRI confirmed that Hightower suffered ligament damage in his left knee during Saturday’s 35-7 victory over Arkansas. He will require surgery in the coming days. Alabama coach Nick Saban confirmed Hightower’s injury with a statement Sunday night. “Dont’a is a fine young man,” Saban said, “has been an outstanding player for us, and we are confident he will make a full recovery.” Saban didn’t outline specifics other than to say it was “ligament damage.” Sources said the injury was related to Hightower’s anterior cruciate ligament.

No. 3 Alabama spreading offensive wealth around
Alabama didn’t have a 100-yard rusher or receiver. Mark Ingram didn’t produce the No. 3 Crimson Tide’s biggest run nor Julio Jones its longest pass play. The Tide continued to spread the wealth in Saturday’s 35-7 win over Arkansas, with even its biggest offensive stars content without super-sized numbers. Quarterback Greg McElroy sees it as the ‘Bama way. “We’re a team offense,” McElroy said. “Alabama has 12 national championships and no Heisman Trophy winners. That’s the mindset coming in here. This is a team game, and we’re going to win as a team.” No reason to alter that formula now.

McElroy is the one player Tide can’t afford to lose
Don’t confuse the best player on a team with the most valuable player. There’s a difference between being the most talented player and the most indispensable player. Wide receiver Julio Jones might be the most talented player on Alabama’s offense. Dont’a Hightower might rival fellow linebacker Rolando McClain as the best player on the entire team. But quarterback Greg McElroy is the player the third-ranked Crimson Tide least can afford to suffer a serious injury. “He’s been crazy accurate,” Ingram said. “He never gets rattled. If he throws an interception, he doesn’t get rattled. If he gets sacked, he doesn’t get rattled. If he makes a bad throw, he doesn’t get rattled. He keeps his composure.”

Brooks hopes ‘Cats can rebound
Kentucky coach Rich Brooks began scouting Alabama’s football team Sunday morning and was offering this description by Sunday afternoon: “It’s scary. They destroyed Arkansas,” Brooks said. Brooks’ Wildcats (2-1, 0-1 SEC) welcome the third-ranked Crimson Tide (4-0, 1-0) to Commonwealth Stadium at 11:21 a.m. Saturday in what is Alabama’s first true road game of the season. Asked about the Crimson Tide, Brooks compared Nick Saban’s team to the Gators, saying “Defensively, you don’t see much difference between the Florida defense and the Alabama defense. Offensively, they have a lot of real good weapons. It’s very important that we play a competitive game against Alabama,” Brooks said, “and hopefully have a chance to win the game.”

Roll Tide!

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