Tide Tidbits – March 1, 2010

Recruiting: Plenty of options at running back
The University of Alabama is quickly becoming known as Running Back U. The national championship garnered the attention of recruits from across the country, but the Heisman Trophy winner in Tuscaloosa became a huge drawing card as well. Six of the nation’s top 10 ball carriers have Alabama as one of their early favorites which includes Malcolm Brown, No. 2 running back in the country by Scout.com from Steele High School in Cibolo, Texas; Isaiah Crowell (No. 4) from Carver High School in Columbus, Ga.; Rodney Coe (No. 6) from Edwardsville High School in Ill.; Savon Huggins (No. 7), from St. Peters Prep in Jersey City, N.J.; Aaron Green (No. 8), from Madison High School in San Antonio, Texas and Mike Bellamy (No. 9) from Charlotte High School in Punta Gorda, Fla. Crowell named Alabama his favorite last week. “I like Alabama because I’m real comfortable with the coaches there and like the players too,” Crowell informed Scout.com. “I’ve got a good relationship with them. I love how they run the ball. They really showcase the back. I also like coach Nick Saban and his whole staff.” [More]

A Championship Draft: How ‘Bama’s Best Will do in The Combines
The Alabama Crimson Tide put on an impressive show of athleticism during the 2009 championship season. Now some of the athletes that helped make Alabama’s dream season come true, are leaving to pursue their own dreams of playing in the NFL. We will take a look at all 10 athletes, and what they must do to improve their own stock in the combines. [More]

Jackson’s draft status could go up
Nick Saban is regarded as one of the best college football coaches in the nation, but what a lot of people seem to forget is how talented of a defensive backs coach he is and the impact he has on players in the secondary. A perfect example of that impact is the work Saban has done with cornerback Kareem Jackson over the last three years. In his first year, Jackson started 12 of 13 games and finished with 66 tackles, three interceptions and four pass break-ups, making people forget that it was only his second year playing cornerback. “(Saban) helped a whole lot,” Jackson said. “He worked on my technique. He was big on that especially at the line of scrimmage with us playing the press technique that we play. We spent about 15 or 20 minutes on it every day, so it helped me out as far as being patient at the line of scrimmage and getting my hands on the receiver.” [More]

Javier Arenas or Kareem Jackson: Which Alabama CB would you draft?
Defensive backs get a day all to themselves at the NFL Scouting Combine. The day they will work out before watchful NFL eyes will be Tuesday at Lucas Oil Stadium. In that group of 58 defensive backs, of which 35 are cornerbacks, will be two Alabama teammates: Javier Arenas and Kareem Jackson. Together they helped the Crimson Tide to an undefeated 2009 season that ended with a 37-21 victory over Texas in the national championship game. Arenas was one of a record six Alabama players who were first-team Associated Press All-America selections. And yet Jackson is rated higher as an NFL draft prospect. At 5-foot-9, Arenas is 1 inch shorter than Jackson. Arenas’ pre-Combine 40-yard dash time is listed at 4.6 seconds. Jackson’s time is listed at 4.55 seconds. That isn’t much of a difference, except in the eyes of NFL coaches, executives and scouts. The top prospects — Florida’s Joe Haden and Boise State’s Kyle Wilson — have 4.4 speed. So what is the lowdown on Arenas and Jackson? [More]

Q&A with Alabama’s Rolando McClain at the NFL Scouting Combine
Alabama All-American middle linebacker Rolando McClain met with some teams Friday at the NFL Scouting Combine. He will meet with many today. On Saturday, it was meet the press for the leader of the 2009 national championship team who has decided to skip his senior season. Here are the questions and answers. Q. What has Nick Saban done to prepare his players for the NFL? A. He’s an NFL coach. He coached in the NFL. He knows what it takes to be in the NFL. I think me playing under Coach Saban kind of gave me an advantage, especially playing in his 3-4. His 3-4 is so complicated. He’s Coach Saban. He’s one of the best defensive minds ever. I was lucky enough to play under him, and I learned so many things that he told me. [More]

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