Tide Tidbits – March 21, 2010

Four areas Bama seeks to find answers
There aren’t as many questions facing Alabama’s football program as there were a year ago in spring practice. But finding the answers are just as crucial if the Crimson Tide plans to add more hardware to its trophy case this fall. Spring drills resumes Monday in Tuscaloosa. Actually, they begin in earnest. The Tide’s “wild-card” workout — as coach Nick Saban called it — on March 12 gave coaches “a starting point” before spring break. Alabama will work on Monday, Wednesday and Friday this week before scrimmaging on Saturday. While answers don’t need to come until Sept. 4, here are four key areas that will be scrutinized over the next 14 practice sessions, which ends with the April 17 A-Day Game on ESPN: 1. Special teams, 2. Secondary, 3. Linebackers and 4. Offensive line. [More]

Nick plus Jonas equal a can’t-miss
Last year’s “Dinner With Nick” was a huge success as a fund-raiser for Mike Gottfried’s Team Focus organization. Now just think what a hit it would have been if the event had attracted the really popular Nick. Gottfried has figured out a way to include the best of both worlds this year. Alabama coach Nick Saban and wife Terry will be the guests of honor at the “Night of Champions” dinner April 6 at 6 p.m. at the Mitchell Center. Saban hasn’t lost a game since last year’s banquet and he’s added another national championship to the Alabama trophy case and his own résumé since then, so there’s no reason to think this year’s event won’t be an even hotter ticket. Gottfried couldn’t pass up the opportunity to add some teen gold to the auction list. “I was in Washington walking along (through the Capitol) when I saw this guy I knew,” Gottfried said. “He’s the manager for the Jonas Brothers. I told him I needed a signed guitar for our auction. But he said, ‘No, what you need are some concert passes and meet-and-greets with the band.” A signed Jonas Brothers guitar goes for about $900 on the Internet. By contrast, two tickets and meet-and-greet passes went for $5,000 a couple of years ago. [More]

Daily NFL Draft Prospect Profile: Kareem Jackson, CB, Alabama
Showcases good closing speed in coverage once he gets his feet under him and consistently is able to make plays on the ball. He possesses impressive awareness in both man/zone coverage and has the ability to quickly get his head around and find the ball. He’s a coordinated athlete who possesses the body control to quickly adjust to throws. Jackson isn’t consistently technically sound but finds a way to break on the pass. He displays a willingness to help out in the run game, reads his run/pass keys quickly and takes good angles in pursuit. He isn’t overly physical on contact but is a solid wrap-up guy who can tackle in space. Overall, Jackson is a raw corner and needs to improve his footwork. But he’s a coordinated athlete who does a nice job locating/adjusting to the ball and has the closing speed in space to make plays in man/zone coverage. He needs some time but is a guy who should be able to start for an NFL team. [More]

Alabama football: Stadium construction ahead of schedule
The quiet of spring break on the University of Alabama campus was broken only by the sound of a few swinging cranes and the movement of construction workers Friday afternoon. Nearly a year after construction hit full stride, progress on the south end zone expansion at Bryant-Denny Stadium is ahead of schedule as the frame for the upper seating bowl takes shape. Heavy construction should be complete by July, giving crews several weeks to work on cosmetics before the final deadline in mid-August. That’s well ahead of the Crimson Tide’s Sept. 4 home opener with San Jose State. Thad Turnipseed, director of athletic facilities, called the expansion “one of the smoothest projects we’ve ever had. There have been very few issues,” he said. “I couldn’t be any more pleased with the progress of the project.” [More]

Roll Tide!

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