Tide Tidbits – January 24, 2010

RECRUITING: Players remaining on Crimson Tide’s wish list somewhat of a mystery
What’s left on Alabama’s wish list to fill out the 2010 recruiting class? Unlike previous years, when a Jerrell Harris or a Julio Jones planned to announce on signing day, there are no obvious candidates remaining. In fact, one of the visitors to Tuscaloosa this weekend is a 2011 recruit who may sign with the Tide out of junior college in December, a sure sign the coaching staff is putting the finishing touches on this class. Counting 11 players who enrolled in January, Alabama has approximately 77 players on scholarship. Three of the 11 are grayshirts who signed in 2009. Some of the remaining eight may count toward the 2009 scholarship total or the 2010 class, depending on the tricky math generated by Nick Saban’s recruiting classes. In any case, there are 16 players — those among the 24 commitments that have not enrolled but plan to sign in February — with just eight vacancies. It’s a math equation that can make your head spin and a major reason why no one is sure who Alabama has remaining on its list of desirable unsigned candidates. [More]

What team faces the most interesting spring?
Alabama’s chances for a repeat national title depend on how well coaches can rebuild the defense, which lost eight starters. I’ll be keeping a close eye on what goes on in Tuscaloosa. The talent is on hand, but there’s a reason those guys were backups this past season: They weren’t as good as the guys who left. (Ask Oklahoma coaches about how easy it was to replace four starting offensive linemen this season, even if the replacements were highly touted guys.) Tide coach Nick Saban and his staff have done a great job in recruiting the past three years, and a lot of defenders from those recruiting classes will be afforded chances to step up this season. It all starts this spring. [More]

Linebacker unit reloads for 2010
As the new guy on the University of Alabama’s coaching staff, Jeremy Pruitt should feel right at home with the Crimson Tide’s linebackers in March when the Crimson Tide’s spring practice sessions commence. After all, they’ll be new to the lineup themselves. The linebacker position faces heavy turnover for Alabama without 2009 starters Rolando McClain, Cory Reamer and Eryk Anders. A fourth starter, Dont’a Hightower, expects to participate in spring drills on some level, but will be withheld from full contact while completing a lengthy rehabilitation from knee ligament surgery. A cast of reserves, mostly lacking experience, will vie to be among those chosen to defend UA’s national championship as 2010 starters. Courtney Upshaw and Nico Johnson, who filled in for Hightower over the second half of the regular season, figure to be among the leading candidates. [More]

Discipline separates Alabama from its rivals
I just watched a replay of the Iron Bowl. It’s pretty obvious that when Auburn would have a penalty, their coach would criticize the referees. When Alabama had a penalty, their coach would criticize the player. That’s probably the difference between the national championship team and all the others. It’s called discipline. I still see where the Auburn people — and they will let you know that they are from Auburn — are still trying to be comical about where Alabama displayed their national championship trophy, which was at the Walmart in Tuscaloosa. I’d love someone to call in and tell me where Auburn displayed its last national championship trophy from 52 years ago. [More]

2009 Alabama Seniors: A Class to Be Remembered
The 2009 Alabama senior class wont go down as the winningest class in Alabama history. Nor will they have the most SEC or National Championships. They aren’t all going to go on to great professional careers. Most weren’t the heralded, sought after five star recruits. But if one thing is true, there time at the University of Alabama will forever be, in my mind at least, on of the most important. [More]

Roll Tide!

~ _____________________________________



Have BamaFootball4Life eMailed to You for Free


_____________________________________


Enter your email address:

Other subscription options.

~

______________________________________


Quick Links

______________________________________


FREE Magazines!

Recruiting
mybama.com
Polls/Rankings
Links and More Links...