New stadium renovations may help young kickers

When the University of Alabama Athletic Department first began the early planning stages of the Bryant-Denny Stadium expansion project in 2007, none could have known for certain the Crimson Tide would be breaking in a new kicker in 2010. Or even be sure, for that matter, that 2010 would be the debut season for the venue’s swell to 101,821 seats. But the timing for both could be ideal, if the newly-built South end zone project reduces winds in the stadium as both veteran kickers and science itself suggest. The new project essentially bowls in the entire stadium, which will block winds that may have previously blown unabated from the south. And for inexperienced kickers Cade Foster and Jeremy Shelley, that means one less element to adversely affect a field goal attempt. “I think it will help those guys and make a difference for them,” said Leigh Tiffin, UA’s former three-year starter who knows as well as anyone what kicking at Bryant-Denny pre-expansion was like. [More]

Dareus not missing a beat

His status remains up in the air. When Nick Saban is asked about defensive lineman Marcell Dareus, he nearly always says there’s nothing new to report. Less than two weeks before the opening kickoff, Dareus is working just as hard as any player in Alabama’s training camp. And even while he may or may not play against San Jose State on Sept. 4, Dareus hasn’t let up — in practice or in the locker room. The 6-3, 306-pound Dareus was one of the leaders in last Monday’s players-only, clear-the-air meeting after the morning practice. And even in the Fan Day workout, the only session open to media, Dareus looked dominant. After Dareus routinely blew through tackle D.J. Fluker, center William Vlachos had to practically tackle him just so the quarterbacks could get a play off. “He’s a beast,” tight end Michael Williams said this spring. “I think Marcell is one of a kind,” linebacker Dont’a Hightower said. “I don’t think you’re going to see too many people to ever play the game like he can with the engine and the speed and the velocity he has. He’s truly probably one of the best players I’ve ever seen.” [More]

Ingram or Richardson?

Comparing Ingram and Richardson isn’t necessarily comparing apples and oranges, but it is pretty close to comparing oranges and tangerines. I think the biggest reason people are saying Richardson is better is because he seems to have better top end speed once he gets into the open field than Ingram, which is undeniably true. However, Ingram has Richardson beat as far as his vision goes; watch the two run similar plays and you’ll see Richardson trying to bull his way through defenders while Ingram (who has no qualms about lowering his shoulder to create holes, either) shows a little more patience in setting up his blocks and letting the guys in front of him create running lanes. So if you’re asking me who is the better back right now, I have to go with Ingram for the simple fact that he has the experience advantage over Richardson and is more of “complete” back. However, if Richardson shows the same level of improvement from his freshman to his sophomore year that Ingram did, by the end of the season I could very easily have a different answer for you. To put it another way, Richardson has the potential to be a better running back than Ingram, but he just isn’t there yet. [More]

Roll Tide!

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