Tide Tidbits – March 26, 2010

‘There’s always room to improve’
His mind racing just moments after winning the Heisman Trophy last December, Mark Ingram faced three thought provoking questions from Nick Saban. Life will most certainly change, Saban promised on the walk from the theater to a news conference across the New York City street. “Is this going to change you?” “How are you going to respond to the people and how they respond to you?” “How are you going to do something to affect others because of the status you gained by winning this award?” Recalling the conversation Wednesday afternoon, Saban said Ingram looked at him funny after the second question. It took a few weeks, but the light bulb went on after Ingram’s status grew larger than he ever expected. Now, three months after winning football’s most prized individual honor, Ingram is still adjusting to his life in the spotlight – one that never dims no matter where he goes. “I’m learning how to deal with it on the go and I get advice from people along the way,” he said. [More]

Barron taking control in secondary
After leading the Southeastern Conference in interceptions in his first year as a starter, Mark Barron’s ability to play his own position is beyond question. A year ago, the University of Alabama safety was the new kid in a veteran secondary loaded with experience and leadership. He responded by playing as well as any of them, amassing seven interceptions and finishing second only to star linebacker Rolando McClain on the team in tackles (76). But the junior’s challenge now, as the Crimson Tide navigates the remainder of spring practice over the next three weeks, has as much to do with those around him as his own play. Barron is now the secondary’s undisputed veteran as the UA coaching staff seeks new starters at both cornerback positions, one safety position, and personnel for its nickel and dime packages as well. Barron said he is practicing more this spring at the ‘star’ position, a fifth defensive back that has essentially become a starting role. [More]

Veteran players say Crimson Tide’s defense could be more talented in 2010
Alabama also loses nine starters off that defense, including three All-Americans and potential high NFL draft picks in Butkus Award-winning linebacker Rolando McClain, cornerback Kareem Jackson and nose tackle Terrence Cody. So it stands to reason that most would anticipate a drop-off in 2010. But three practices into spring, a few veterans on Alabama’s team are cautioning to not bet on that happening. The consensus seems to be that the Crimson Tide’s 2010 defense — while not there yet, especially in the finer points of the Nick Saban’s system — has an upside greater than the 2009 edition. “We lost a lot of seniors and a lot of veterans,” linebacker Dont’a Hightower said. “but I think with the young guys we have in this year, if we can teach them the techniques and the way to do things right, I feel like we have a little bit more talent this year than we did last year.” [More]

Recruiting: Alabama Offers Centennial QB Cody Kessler
Centennial (Bakersfield, CA) quarterback Cody Kessler already has several scholarship offers on the table with his senior season still in front of him. Arizona State, Fresno State, and Pitt have all offered Kessler….now you can add defending national champion Alabama to that list. Following a six hour unofficial visit with the National Champions Thursday in Tuscaloosa, Tide Head Coach Nick Saban made Kessler an offer according to Scout.com. Per his meeting with Saban, Kessler says he’s one of four quarterbacks to receive an offer from Alabama. While he’s not ready to make a decision until this summer, Alabama is certainly a front-runner considering Kessler’s grandmother lives just about an hour away from the school. [More]

Oklahoma takes a page from Alabama’s football practice plan
Per this Oklahoma practice report from the Oklahoman’s Jake Trotter, the Sooners have started structuring their spring practices like what Saban does at Alabama … In the words of running back Mossis Madu: “The two teams are on different sides of the field. The coaches have said they don’t want to see guys standing around. So instead of the second team watching the first team, now we have both teams going all out the whole practice. I think today we got in 120 plays a couple of weeks ago. “This spring has been based on speed. Right now with the way practices are going, the people do look a lot faster and swifter. We’re also doing the A Team and B Team type of stuff, so guys are out there getting a whole lot of reps.” That kind of practice plan has done well in developing depth at Alabama. There’s a reason why Bama, even after losing key players off its national championship team, will be ranked No. 1 preseason. [More]

Five questions with RB Mark Ingram, Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner
Q. So is the Ford going to be a Cadillac now?
A. Yeah, I guess we can upgrade as a unit. Obviously, we’ve got to improve on a lot of things. Third down, scoring in the red area, just every aspect of the game. We do have to upgrade to a Cadillac, or a Ferrari. … We can be as good as we want to be. We’ve just got to put all of our minds to it. We’ve all got to focus, get in the film room, work hard. The sky’s the limit for us. [More]

Roll Tide!

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