Tide Tidbits – January 27, 2010

Not much suspense left for the Tide
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. The Crimson Tide’s class will be finalized on Feb. 3, the national signing day. 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 who have not enrolled but plan to sign in February — with just eight vacancies. [More]

Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody’s weight remains heavy issue with NFL teams
During two seasons at Alabama, nose tackle Terrence “Mount” Cody became a state landmark and a big-name attraction in the world of college football. He also became an All-America and the anchor of the Crimson Tide’s national championship defense in 2009. But these days, Cody’s size doesn’t create quite the fascination it did in college. Instead, his weight — 370 pounds spread not so impressively on a 6-foot-4 frame — worries NFL decision-makers preparing for the draft. Cody, 21, immediately raised concerns when he stepped onto the scale for the weigh-in preceding Saturday’s Senior Bowl. “At 370, he’s a little sloppy,” said NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock. Even so, Cody has been effective during practices with the South squad, coached by Tony Sparano and his Dolphins staff. [More]

Performance the best way to judge a player
Did Terrence Cody’s girth cost him some money this week? If we learned anything from the saga of another former Alabama All-American, Andre Smith, we can say with all certainty: Maybe, maybe not. Smith made headlines with his less-than-flattering physique on pro day in Tuscaloosa last spring, but Cincinnati still thought enough of him to take him with the sixth overall pick. Why? Because they’d seen him mowing down defensive linemen for three years at Alabama. Cody isn’t the only in-state player with something to prove. Javier Arenas is trying to show he can be an everyday cornerback in the NFL, and Mayock likes his chances. Though he described UA offensive lineman Mike Johnson as “very solid,” Mayock said Monday he sees Arenas as the Crimson Tide’s top senior draft prospect. Both are potential second-rounders. “I like what Arenas gives you in the return game,” Mayock said. “I don’t think he’s a starting corner, day one, but he could start at nickel for somebody. And I like his toughness. There aren’t a whole lot of corner, nickel-type guys who are as physically tough as he is.” [More]

Recruiting: Alabama making a play for Auburn commit Shon Coleman?
There’s some interesting news being passed along tonight by recruiting guru Shane Youngblood of BamaOnline.com. With an understandable warning that such things can change at a moment’s notice (this is recruiting, after all), Youngblood has confirmed that blue-chip Auburn offensive tackle commit Shon Coleman is expected to take a mid-week visit beginning tomorrow to … Alabama. The brief report said Nick Saban is expected to visit Coleman in Olive Branch (Miss.) and the prospect will then head to Tuscaloosa later in the day, staying through Friday. This comes with reports popping up that Coleman may be rethinking his commitment to the Tigers. [More]

A-Day set for April 17
The University of Alabama has set its annual A-Day Game for Saturday, April 17, at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Admission to the spring football game, tentatively set for 2 p.m., will be free. Further details on television coverage and other events associated with A-Day will be released by UA at a later date. The first day of spring football practice has been set for Friday, March 12, with Crimson Tide players expected to have one practice before a week-long hiatus for spring break. Practice is scheduled to resume on Monday, March 22, and run up to A-Day, with a total of 14 total practices before the spring game. Other than the A-Day Game, spring practices are not open to the public. Alabama drew 84,050 fans to last year’s A-Day Game, which was televised nationally by ESPN [More]

~ _____________________________________



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...