Saban Makes Example of Hall

You do not have to follow the Alabama Crimson Tide closely to know that there is a discipline problem among the players. Hopefully, the three game suspension of Prince Hall is enough proof that the Alabama Athletic program is not going to put up with it anymore.

It is going to hurt losing Hall for those three games, especially Clemson, but this is something that should have been done when Shula was coach.

In other news, all Freshmen report today for Fall practice. All 25 freshmen enrolled in summer school, so they have been on campus for a few weeks now. Preseason starts with two practices tomorrow (August 1st). The returning players will have a 3 pm practice and the freshmen will then have a 7 pm practice. Saturday will mark the first day that they the entire team practices together and that is expected to continue throughout the preseason.

On a surprising note, Sunday's Practice (August 3rd) will be open to the public from 2:30 pm-4:30 pm with an 45 minute autograph session after.

I don't know about the rest of you, but I am excited about there being more to read about on sports websites than baseball.

Fulmer Faces The Music

When news first broke about Philip Fulmer being served a subpoena at SEC Media Days, I initially thought and still do think that the whole thing is obvious grandstanding. It was trashy, distasteful and reflected poorly on the Alabama Fans.

I have had a little bit of time to think about it and two things have changed. I still think that the who scene was grandstanding and was simply done to embarrass Fulmer, but this action is not the fault of just one Alabama Booster. The way in which the SEC hypes Media Days as if it is some kind of circus left Fulmer vonerable to this action. For years, the SEC has been bragging about how much bigger SEC Media Days is compared to other conferences' pre-season media sessions. This is what happens when you taunt the lions at the circus, they bite back.

We are also forgetting one major point. Philip Fulmer, who is acting as the victim in this situation, should have faced this in 2004. Fulmer is obviously hiding something. A person that had nothing to hide would have simply given his testimony and gone on with his life.

Upperclassmen Discuss Freshmen

With the way Antoine Caldwell and Rashad Jonhson talked about this year's incoming freshman class, it is very easy to tell that there is a great deal of respect for these newbies. It did not take Johnson or Caldwell to excite the Alabama fans about this year's highly touted recruiting class, but it is a relief to that there is a great deal of respect for one another on the 2008 team.

It shows a great deal of maturity that the upperclassmen are accepting this incoming class that often overshadows the recruit that came in under Shula. All Alabama fans should give kudos to these Juniors and Seniors that put their pride behind for the sake of the team. They realize these Freshmen are special and are a major piece to the puzzle of getting Alabama back to promenance.

I agree with Caldwell and Johnson in that these players are special. I am not talking about just physical talent; these players have the mentality of winners. In their minds, they expect nothing less than a National Championship over the next four years. This commitment for winning is exemplified by all players qualified to attend the university and training all summer. They are attending the football camps that are designed to attract recruits to The Capstone.

Although I believe that this year will be an 8-5 maybe 9-4 season, I also believe the future of the program is in great hands.

You're Welcome Auburn

With all of the surprises that the media was predicting to occur at SEC Media Days, I don't believe anyone called Philip Fulmer being subpoenaed as one of them. I do not know all of the details because the news just broke on JOX 94.5, but I am going to tell you what I do know.

The case has to do with the Windell Smith case.

Whether Fulmer gives his deposition or disputes it, he will have to make an appearance in a Jackson, Alabama law office that week.

That is the same week they play Auburn.


With Auburn being one of their toughest games, this is going to be a major distraction for the Vols the week of the game. I am assuming they scheduled the deposition for that week in case he did not appear at the deposition. For up to the minute coverage on this, you can listen to it on JOX 94.5.

Alabama Lands Two Big Commits in One Day

Nick Saban had to be feeling very good at about 7:30 pm today (July 22, 2008). That is when Gerald West, a 3 star recruit out of Faith Academy called him to verbally commit to The University of Alabama.

"I told him I was ready to commit to Alabama, and he was very excited. He said he couldn't wait to coach me in college and that I have the footwork and speed to be a great cover corner," said West when asked by Bama On-line about his commitment conversation with Coach Saban.

This is a great pick-up knowing that West's father played running back at SEC foe Mississippi State University. A big loss with the rumors swirling that MSU has been bad mouthing other programs during recruiting.

The commitment of West was just icing on the cake. The cake being William Ming, a 4 star defensive end out of Athens High School. Many knew that Ming, the 9th ranked defensive end in the nation, was going to make a decision before school started on August 7th, but not many knew it was going to be this early.

Ming is the fourth 4 star recruit and West is the sixth 3 star recruit to commit to the 2009 Crimson Tide Class. With the different strategies that Alabama and Auburn having taken in recruiting next year's class, I guess the old question, of is it Quality or Quantity that is more important, will be answered.

Pre-Season All-SEC Team

Alabama, Auburn and South Carolina each had 8 players to make the Pre-season All-SEC Team. LSU (14), Florida (10) and Georgia (9) rounded out the top 3. Looking at the breakdown of this list, I find it difficult to believe that LSU is not getting more recognition as being contenders for this year's National Championship. I know they lost Ryan Perillous, but when you have 14 players make this kind of a list, you are going to have a talented team. Are they not getting the recognition they need because they have Les Miles as a coach?

Another shocker is that Tim Tebow was not a unanimous decision for 1st-Team quarterback. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their own players, so everyone that thinks Mark Richt voted for Stafford over Tebow, think again. I really wonder what coach voted for a player over Tebow.

I am proud to say that Andre Smith is one of seven players to be named to their respective 1st-Teams unanimously. Any player that makes a list like this unanimously when Tebow does not, is obviously respected throughout the conference.

To check out the entire list please visit: Pre-Season All-SEC Team

Scholarship Numbers

I know many are curious about the number of scholarships we have and how many players could be gray shirted. Here is a great article about the possibilities of what could happen: Scholarship Numbers

Alumni Association Recruiting Recap Event

I just returned home from The University of Alabama Alumni Association Recruiting Recap. Rodney Orr, from Tider Insider, was the guest speaker and was excellent. He surprised me and just started by taking questions from the crowd and the crowd had plenty of questions. Here is a summary of the important things I heard. You will have to forgive me, for I did not take notes at the event, so I am having to try to remember everything off the top of my head. You also have to remember that Mr. Orr is very good at what he does, but he will be the first to admit that some of what he hears is hear say.


2009 Highly Regarded Players Who Will Commit to Alabama: William Ming, Nico Johnson, Kendall Kelly, Dre Kirkpatrick, Anthony Steen and Gerald West. Many people are worried about rumors that Muschamp and Texas will get Kirkpatrick over Alabama, but Auburn does not even have a chance at the Gadsden players, how is Texas stand a chance?


Prince Kent's father says he is going to Miami.


Reuben Randle is NOT a LSU guarantee and Alabama has a lot better of a chance than most think.


Trent Richardson's commitment to Alabama is very strong.


Prince Hall will most likely be in an Alabama uniform next year. He has also participated in 7 on 7 drills this summer.


There is a major possibility of getting one more major running back in the 2009 class.


College coaches with commitments that fail to qualify are afraid to enroll their players in JUCO programs within a 75 mile radius of Tuscaloosa.


The Virginia Tech game is highly unlikely. (I know this is common knowledge by now, but just letting everyone know).

Hood Signs With Nationals

Destin Hood has agreed to terms on a contract with the Washington Nationals. For more information in this subject, please log onto Crimson Confidential: Hood signs with Nationals, spurns Alabama football

Georgia Dome = Talented Recruits

News has been released that Alabama and Virginia Tech are in talks of a neutral site game in the Georgia Dome to start the 2009 college football season. As I have spoke in a previous blog, (Saban A Recruiting Mastermind) this is another smart move on behalf of the University of Alabama to gain quality recruits in the high school football hot bed known as Atlanta.

I also personally believe that Alabama is a year away from being a BCS contender. As these young players gain experience and leadership begins to take over the team, Alabama will be in the running for a major bowl. If Alabama was to play Virginia Tech and win, it would automatically put them among the nations elite.

Keep up the good work Tide.

Big Camp Weekend For The Tide

The University of Alabama is set to host its final camp of the summer beginning this Sunday. This camp is not only going to bring into town big time talent with Alabama offers, but one attendee is already an Alabama commit that many wonder if he is fully committed to The Tide.

Trent Richardson will be a spectator at the camp along with fellow commit D.J. Fluker. It has been very well publicized that Richardson's commitment to Alabama could be shaky at best. Richardson, the #3 ranked running back in the nation, commented on his status with Alabama by saying, "There is no doubt that I am strongly committed to Alabama".

There have been many rumors that Richardson was turned off to LSU because of his lack of communication with LSU Coach Les Miles.

"I just felt like Alabama was the place that would suit me best. I had been talking to Coach Miles a lot. I was down there for the spring game then it seemed like we lost touch. We didn't talk at all really. I was talking to Coach Porter but not Coach Miles. I like to get a relationship with the head coach".

I have mixed feelings about the rumors floating around with Richardson. Many probably strongly believe these rumors because of the early announcement of his commitment to Alabama. A player as talented as Richardson usually announces on signing day. Richardson is the #3 ranked running back prospect now, but I believe he will be #1 if he has a healthy season. Richardson could have also had a change of heart when he realized he will not be the feature back after The Tide added Mike Marrow to the 2009 class.

One thing I do know is that it's too early in the recruiting game to know.

Other highly regarded players to be at the camp that currently hold Tide offers, but have not committed anywhere are:
Dre Kirkpatrick
Kendall Kelly
Quinton Washington
De'Antwan Williams
Rueben Randle

Destin Hood Situation

Alabama signee Destin Hood and his family have not been hesitant in expressing their expectation to get first round money from the Washington Nationals after being drafted in the second round of this years MLB Draft. The Nationals have until August 15th to sign the Alabama signee, but the Washington baseball organization is showing some aggravation in still not having signed their top 5 draft picks (which includes Hood).

The baseball draft is a very strange thing with how many picks (over 2000) there are in it, but I believe Hood will still sign with the Nationals.

"Last year, the Nationals signed each of their top 20 choices -- just one of two teams with such a success rate. But even the most uniquely handled selection, McGeary, didn't come to an agreement until less than 30 minutes before the deadline," wrote Chico Harlan in his Washington Post article.

If the Nationals fail to sign Hood, it is assumed that Hood would join the Alabama football team. With preseason football beginning on August 1st, Hood would join the team two weeks late.

Wild Idea

I read an article today, I don't remember where, stating that Terrance Cody could be the biggest player to ever play at Alabama. Then I went on a Bama On-line message board that had a thread talking about how well he was doing in summer practice. One entry talked about how some guys were going to start the Terrance Cody fan club and make Jerseys with his number on it. Well I want to take it a step further. I want to move it in a direction for the ladies (Dim the lights).

I want someone to make Terrance Cody Shack Shirts. If you do not know what a shack shirt is, it's a shirt a girl receives from a guy after an unexpected "sleep over". The shirt is usually much bigger than the girl (or you hope she is skinny enough in stature to have it look big). The T-Shirt will come in Terrance Cody's T-Shirt Size, which I can not even imagine. His number will also be on the back.

Someone please do this. It would be hysterical to see girls walking around in XXXXL shack shirts.

Rising Juniors May be Last to Get Major Pay Day

With NFL owners opting out of the collective bargaining agreement, pressure is being put on both the NFL and team owners to reach a new agreement by Spring of 2009. If an agreement is not reached by this time, there would be no 2010 salary cap therefore changing the free agency game.

It is safe to assume that NFL Commissioner, Roger Goodell, will not allow such a free market. Goodell has been very open in expressing his disapproval on "unproven" NFL rookies receiving high dollar contracts like the ones received by Jake Long (5 years - $30 million guaranteed). This leads many to believe that Goodell is going to lead an effort to restrict the amount of money an rookie can receive.

What this means for college football is that there could be an enormously large amount of juniors entering the 2009 NFL Draft. If these rising juniors were to wait one more year for the 2010 Draft, they could miss out on millions of dollars under a new collective bargaining agreement.

It has been assumed that last years Jacobs Trophy Winner, Andre Smith, will be leaving after this up-coming season. The threat for restrictions to be put on rookie salaries has to do nothing but increase the chances of Smith turning pro. You can't blame him. Smith has well lived to the hype of being a 5 star offensive tackle entering college and many scouts believe he is NFL ready.

The New Big Man On Campus

I added the different version of the pre-game video to excite everyone about the approaching season. With preseason camp less than a month away for the Crimson Tide of Alabama and SEC Media Days just three weeks away, I keep catching myself wondering about the upcoming season. The main thing I cannot quit thinking about is what freshmen are going to make an immediate impact. Bama On-line has not helped my curiosity by posting their opinion on the Top 10 Impact Signees.

I have tried to stay off the bandwagon of this year's excellent recruiting class, but I cannot stop myself from believing that there are going to be at least five freshman standouts due to good play. Amongst Jarrell Harris, Courtney Upshaw and Don'ta Hightower, two out of these three incoming freshman linebackers will see success because of the opportunity to gain a lot of early playing time with the shortage in players at this position.

With the athletes that Mark Barron and Burton Scott are, I find it inconceivable for them not to make an immediate impact on either offense, defense or special teams. I wouldn't be surprised if they made a contribution in all three of those categories.

The wild card I am throwing out in this game of seven card stud is Alonzo Lawrence. He came on very strong at the end of his high school career and really proved himself in, not just holding his own, but stopping elite receivers like Julio Jones while practicing for the Alabama vs. Mississippi All-Star Game.

Then there is the question, WWJD (What Will Julio Do)? This young man is going to find his way into the top three wide receivers at one point throughout the season. But there is also another receiver I feel is going to surprise people and that is Chris Jackson. After enrolling at The Capstone this past December and getting the advantage of a spring under his belt, I wouldn't be surprised to see some playing time for this three star prospect, but then again, he might decide to red-shirt.

What freshman do you think is going to make the biggest difference for The Tide?