Winston and Dudley Team Up Again
August 2, 2008
TUSCALOOSA As teammates at the University of Alabama in 2003, forwards Kennedy Winston and Erwin Dudley helped lead Alabama to NCAA postseason play.
Tags: NCAAAlabama Crimson Tide Sports the Cause of My Three-Week Stalemate
July 27, 2008
Until now, I haven't posted any article on Bleacher Report in three weeks.
Why, you may wonder (or, most likely, probably not)?
I haven't been lazy. I Haven't lost interest. I Haven't had any tragedies occur, thank God.
I've just been busy. That's all.
During the summer, I work out in the heat for nearly 50 hours per week. Then, when I get home, I write for this site, as well as a couple others.
And that's where the plot of this story goes.
I used to blog pretty regularly at this site about mostly Alabama football and basketball. Good experience, and I did use quotes from press releases and pressers to make it more professional. I currently write a weekly column here, titled "Mouth of the South," in which I cover anything and everything sports.
I write like a typical Southerner talks, which makes for a good 'ol time. See what I mean?
I also keep in touch with one specific Journalism professor at The University of Alabama, who taught my Intro to Journalism course. He's already written a recommendation letter for me and talks to me regularly, and I greatly appreciated an e-mail I received from him a few weeks ago.
It was a forwarded e-mail from a guy that runs Crimson Confidential, an affiliate of ESPN. He was looking for a student writer to help with football practices and press conferences in the fall.
Well, now I'm that student writer. I'll be going to those practices and pressers, and hopefully basketball practices, games and pressers later in the fall. Writing four or five stories a week after going to class and these events will take up most of my time, so my production here will probably be about what it has been the last month or so - not much.
You can find the link to all the ESPN-affiliated sites here. Scroll down a bit on the right side, and you'll see the links to the current sites.
This is just another step in my sports writing direction that I wanted and needed to take. It's more involved with the actual profession, and I can't wait to start.
I just hope the man in the picture doesn't go off on me.
Tags: alabama football, crimson tide, NCAAAlabama Cimson Tide Sports the Cause of My Three-Week Stalemate
July 27, 2008
Until now, I haven't posted any article on Bleacher Report in three weeks.
Why, you may wonder (or, most likely, probably not)?
I haven't been lazy. I Haven't lost interest. I Haven't had any tragedies occur, thank God.
I've just been busy. That's all.
During the summer, I work out in the heat for nearly 50 hours per week. Then, when I get home, I write for this site, as well as a couple others.
And that's where the plot of this story goes.
I used to blog pretty regularly at this site about mostly Alabama football and basketball. Good experience, and I did use quotes from press releases and pressers to make it more professional. I currently write a weekly column here, titled "Mouth of the South," in which I cover anything and everything sports.
I write like a typical Southerner talks, which makes for a good 'ol time. See what I mean?
I also keep in touch with one specific Journalism professor at The University of Alabama, who taught my Intro to Journalism course. He's already written a recommendation letter for me and talks to me regularly, and I greatly appreciated an e-mail I received from him a few weeks ago.
It was a forwarded e-mail from a guy that runs Crimson Confidential, an affiliate of ESPN. He was looking for a student writer to help with football practices and press conferences in the fall.
Well, now I'm that student writer. I'll be going to those practices and pressers, and hopefully basketball practices, games and pressers later in the fall. Writing four or five stories a week after going to class and these events will take up most of my time, so my production here will probably be about what it has been the last month or so - not much.
You can find the link to all the ESPN-affiliated sites here. Scroll down a bit on the right side, and you'll see the links to the current sites.
This is just another step in my sports writing direction that I wanted and needed to take. It's more involved with the actual profession, and I can't wait to start.
I just hope the man in the picture doesn't go off on me.
Tags: alabama football, NCAACrimson & White Roundtable: Mid-July Edition
July 15, 2008
What record would you consider “sufficient progress” in the coming season?
Fans point to wins as a measure of progress. While winning is obviously the name of the game, other areas are more critical in the rebuilding of this Alabama team. The Tide has been sloughing off dead weight, part-time players and miscreants for the last year, and we seem to be nearing the end of it. Progress has been measured by the number of players willing to sacrifice and to strive for excellence. Win that number increases, so will the wins.
With a brutal road schedule, we don't expect miracles. Seven wins seems about right, but wouldn't be surprised with eight.
Does college football need a playoff? Why?
A playoff would be exciting in spots, boring in others, but would produce an undisputed national champion; unless of course, a bubble team with a strong schedule was left out.
Setting aside the money that stands to be won or lost by the conferences or NCAA, we at AlabamaGameday aren't all that crazy about the idea of a playoff. Part of what makes college football fun is the controversy. The rivalries, bickering and what-ifs are part of the game. Take that away by assuring a true champion, and you don't get to fight about which is the best conference, or who is the rightful champion.
Plus, with a playoff, Auburn wouldn't have gone 13-0 and be shut out of the dance.
If you’re an Alabama fan and a native Alabamian, you likely became a fan sometime between conception and the cutting of the cord, but what moment do you remember best as being “the moment” that you became an active participant in your fandom?
We were in our bedroom at about the age of 9, when little brother came charging through the door screaming "Alabama won!" We both jumped up and down and sang as much of the fight song as we knew, celebrating the win. Until about that time, Dad had been dressing us in the odd Auburn hat or shirt. He soon gave up, seeing the writing on the wall. Writ in Crimson flame, as it were.
What rule change would you most like see implemented?
In overtime, the ball is spotted at about the 40, instead of the 25.
SEC Football 2008 Preview
July 14, 2008
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LSU’s Matt Flynn – 2007 BCS National Championship Offensive Player of the Game |
The SEC has garnered much respect after winning the past two NCAA National Championships (Florida 2006, LSU 2007). The conference is once again expected to produce some of the top teams in the country and be right in the thick of the race for the National Championship in 2008.
The SEC will be headlined by Georgia, who is a preseason favorite for the BCS Title game, and Heisman winner Tim Tebow from the University of Florida.
Other notable story lines for the SEC in 2008 include LSU’s quest to defend their National Title, Bobby Petrino’s hasty return to the college game as the coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks and former Razorbacks coach Houston Nutt’s move to coach divisional opponent Ole Miss.
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2007 Heisman Winner Tim Tebow
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Expectation is high in several cities; first Tuscaloosa, where Nick Saban appears to be amassing a wealth of talent geared towards returning Alabama to national prominence.
The expectation in Gainesville is slightly different as Gator fans are gearing up for another National Championship run behind their bruising Heisman winner.
In Columbia, Gamecock fans hope that Steve Spurrier can finally push the Gamecocks to the next level. Things are a little bit tenser in Knoxville, where Phillip Fulmer is still feeling pressure to win another SEC Title, after falling just short during the 2007 campaign.
Expectations have been tempered somewhat at Vanderbilt and Kentucky as both programs lost some talented players and will have to try and find new players to fill the gaps.
Auburn hopes to make use of
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Georgia Sophomore and Heisman hopeful Knowshon Moreno |
In any case, the SEC promises plenty of excitement along the way, with some absolute thrillers almost guaranteed. While we may not see any 4th overtime heroics to propel a team to the SEC Championship, or a stunning 3rd overtime defeat of the National Champions, we will no doubt be treated to another great season of college football that none will soon forget.
Stay tuned for my official 2008 SEC Football Preview, which will feature an in-depth breakdown of each SEC team, by position (140 pages of top notch, detailed information).
Tags: NCAA, nick saban, SECCrimson & White Roundtable: Our Belated Roundup
July 10, 2008
Which non-conference home-and-home series would you most like to see?
Third Saturday in Blogtober: To me this is a no brainer. I’m going with Texas. Alabama has never beaten Texas and I would like to see that end. There aren’t many teams out there that can say that, and I think it’s time we change it for them. Add in the Applewhite offensive coordinator stuff with both UA and Texas, and the Saban/Muschamp reunion of sorts, I think it has promise for a great series. I would definitely love to go to Austin and check out what Texas has to offer and I would imagine the same would go for Texas fans and Alabama. Two storied programs matching up like that with all the story lines from the connections the two programs have with each other…Yeah, Texas is my choice.
Picture Me Rollin: I’ve spoken before of my love for the Oklahoma game; that was my favorite OOC that I’ve ever been to. There are several games that fit the bill for me and I would be happy with any of, say, Notre Dame, Penn State, Nebraska, USC, Georgia Tech, or Texas. If you had to have one single team though, I’d have to pick Oklahoma.
Uncle Rico's Time Machine: I'm going to pick a couple. First of all, only a couple of conferences qualify... the ACC, the Big 12, and the PAC 10. Sorry Big 10, but you do nothing to excite me. Well an easy answer for the ACC is Clemson. I've always thought/heard that they have a fairly SEC-ish atmosphere over there (the real death valley...what?). For the Big 12, give me the 'horns. I live amongst them, they are routinely good, and they are one of very few teams that have a winning record against the Tide all time. And finally, give me USC from the PAC 10. anytime I can get increased Pete Carroll it's a good thing.
Which of the following is the most likely win for Alabama this year: LSU, Tennessee or Auburn?
Roll Bama Roll: Tough call on this one since they are all rivalry games and there's no telling what might happen between now and then. Personally, I think we can win them all, but we'll need a lot of luck and some miraculous coaching to do it, and there's the very real possibility that we could lose all three of those. But since you asked, the most likely would probably be Auburn. They'll have a ridiculously good defense and offensive line returning, sure, but I'm not buying the Kodi Burns hype just yet (seriously, he couldn't lock down the starting job in the spring despite a new offense that he's supposedly made for?) and I couldn't name you a single wide receiver on the team off the top of my head (wait, Tim Hawthorne, but only because he played for Homewood. Has he even seen the field for Auburn yet?), so until we see how the season starts shaking out, I'm pretty confident the streak ends this season and we'll finally get some blessed peace from our wayward neighbors.
Third Saturday in Blogtober: To be completely honest with everyone I really want to say Auburn. It’s the only home game out of the three and it’s time to end the streak right now. However, as far as most likely win, I’m going to go with Tennessee. Alabama has really played Tennessee the best over the past few years. Heck, let’s be honest here, Tennessee is the only team we have beaten out of the three mentioned in the past 5 or 6 years. We always play Tennessee tough in Knoxville and I think this will be the best shot at a win. I think our offense will play better than UT’s offense against our young defense. We have a slight edge in the special teams game as well, so I could really see this as a potential win.
Who will be the #2 quarterback coming out of Fall practice?
Roll Bama Roll: There's no question that McElroy is the #2 guy and will be the rest of the season. Saban is a program builder, and he's not going to waist a redshirt year on Star Jackson just to have him out there running some gimmick option plays three or four times a game. That's what Burton Scott is for (oh, snap!). Anyway, I know everyone has had their "how sucky must McElroy be if he couldn't overtake Wilson for the start last year?" say, but I honsetly have some faith in the kid and believe the staff does, too. Texas Tech wanted him to run their Air Raid offense, so you know he can throw, this staff let him switch to the #12 jersey (though I'm perfectly willing to bet that the significance of an Alabama QB wearing #12 probably doesn't really register with them), he was never in any danger from Fanuzzi or Darrah during the spring, and Saban himself singled out McElroy as the guy most able to step in and fill Wilson's shoes immediately should he, God forbid, go out with an injury during a game. So yeah, Star Jackson and all that, but McElroy is the guy, and I wouldn't be one bit surprised if he locks down the start next spring after Wilson has graduated.
Third Saturday in Blogtober: The answer to the question is actually in the question. #2 Star Jackson. I know, I know - McElroy has been in the system longer, and Darrah was impressive in the A-day game. People, he played against the rest of the walk-ons! Give me a break. Star Jackson will be the number 2 quarterback coming out of fall practice. I think he will see meaningful snaps this year in order to prepare him to take the job over next season full time. This guy is the real deal for those of you still unsure of him. He just has that “it” factor. He has the measurables, the talent, the smarts, and a bit of a swagger to him that Alabama has been waiting for. He’s my pick for #2 QB out of fall practice.
If you could swap any two SEC schools for any other schools in the Southeast, which would they be?
Uncle Rico's Time Machine: Great question. First of all, who would I dump? I can't imagine anyone not voting to dump Vandy unless they're trying to keep the conference GPA up or something. I think the second choice is a little tougher, but for me it's gotta be the 'cocks. they are one of the last 2 teams to join the conference, so they don't have the history or long term ties. Obviously Arkansas joined the same year as the 'cocks ('91), but the Hogs have a much more storied program, so they're staying.
Now, who to add? Go ahead and give me both Papa Bowden (the 'noles) and Baby Bowden (Clemson). Why? Here are just a few reasons: geography, style of play (see SEC speed), and they already have some loose ties in terms of recruiting battles and coaching staff incest. There is just one little problem with this scenario...with no 'cocks there's no Spurrier. Don't worry, in this little dream scenario Kentucky hires Spurrier so we can keep his entertainment value.
Picture Me Rollin: I’d get rid of the Arkansas (it’s just too far away) in the West and swap them for Southern Miss and I’d get rid of Vanderbilt and swap them for Florida State because that would make their rivalry with Florida mean more than bragging rights plus it would be coll to play them more often.
Third Saturday in Blogtober: I would most definitely drop Kentucky and Vandy. Everyone knows why I pick Vandy, and Kentucky is too far North for me. So, with those teams gone, let’s add Florida State and Miami. Both are big time schools in college football and have been to the top on several occasions. They are both programs like Alabama in my honest opinion, that are in a transition or a process of changing. It’s good, it’s healthy, and it’s something that I would like to observe more closely in my own conference. Alabama and Florida St. hasn’t been as big of a match-up in the past, but Alabama and Miami have locked up in some great games and somewhat of a mini rivalry. Of course, if this were to happen, then the SEC Champion should have an automatic berth in the Title game (they should now anyway in most cases), or just leave the NCAA and have our own “Champions League.” I’m only joking NCAA.
Former Bama player faces legal, NCAA troubles.
June 25, 2008
Former Alabama linebacker Jimmy Johns has bonded out of jail. Johns is free on $120-thousand dollars bond.
Tags: NCAATide Eliminated From NCAA Regional, 16-1
June 1, 2008
NCAA Conway Regional Post-Game Quotes
June 1, 2008
Tide Suffers Tough Loss to Coastal Carolina, 13-10
May 31, 2008
