Rookie Wages Good for Alabama

Roger Goodell announced that NFL rookie salaries will not change this year. Goodell goes as far as to warn underclassmen not to be misled with the unfounded wage decrease.

"There will be no change in our current [rookie pool] system, at least until 2011," Goodell told ESPN on Saturday. "I've explained that to some college head coaches, athletic directors and league commissioners. Any underclassman who is hearing differently is probably hearing it from an agent or from another source who is misinformed."

This is great news when it comes to Andre Smith and Glen Coffee. Although I believe Coffee would have decided to stay after receiving feedback from the NFL Draft Board, it is rumored that an abnormally large amount of underclassmen would have entered the NFL draft with the rumors of lower rookie salary caps.

being an almost guaranteed top 10 pick, I still believe Smith will declare for the NFL draft, but the news of the wage restrictions be unfounded increases the chance Smith will return for his senior season.

Recruiting

We all know that recruiting is a shady business, but I was surprised to read an article in The New York Times, titled Inside the Red River Recruiting Rivalry, covering the recruitment of Jemarkus McFarland. It is obvious these players are wined and dined, but this report is shocking.

LSU, Oklahoma, Texas and USC were all in final running for McFarland with him committing to Oklahoma. An interesting part of the report is his description of Les Miles:

“He was very dry,” Adams said of Miles.

What A Difference A Year Makes

It's a cliche statement in the sporting world, but I am going to say it one time: No one could have predicted the Alabama Crimson Tide to be 12-0 going into the SEC Championship. Alcohol was often involved when such bold statements were made. I personally thought the Crimson Tide would finish 8-4 at worst and 10-2 at best.

Many 800 lbs. gurillas were lifted off the Alabama programs back including ending Auburn's six game winning streak and Saban beating his former team, LSU. The "process" Saban always mentions is not only taking place, it is a year ahead of schedule.

With all this momentum, I am excited about the Sugar Bowl.

At the moment, the players are on a brief Christmas break and will return to practice in New Orleans on December 27th. That means the players will be in The Big Easy for six nights before the game on January 2nd. This trip to New Orleans is unique for the Crimson Tide because this is the only time each season the team will not travel together to the game. Many players will carpool in order to save their traveling expenses to spend on other things and some will have to fly.

If you have ever been to New Orleans, you know the temptations that are thrown at you. Saban is taking a very relaxed stance when trying to prevent his players from getting into any kind of trouble by saying, "I can't be on Bourbon Street with my whistle like at practice. ... I know if one of our guys messes up, it's going to be my fault. And I'm going to be in bed."

I thought that was a great response, but Saban's approach is not as relaxed as that statement makes it out to be. A curfew will be set and speakers have already talked to the team about what to do and what not to do.

Cody Returning

Terrance Cody is not leaving anything to the average Alabama fan's mind when it comes to him entering the NFL draft after his Junior and only season for the Crimson Tide. Cody will not only forego the draft, he is not even going to apply for feedback from the NFL draft board.

"I felt like I needed another year to get full control, get my weight down and get my knee back to full health and get in better condition and stuff," said Cody when asked about his decision.

To me, this decision shows Cody's maturity for being able to see though all of the hype analysts are building up about him and say to himself that he needs another year. Not many teams in the NFL run the 3-4 defense that Alabama runs and for that reason, Cody's draft position could have been really good or really bad. It is also very difficult to pass up that money.

The Tides Truly Have Turned

I am trying to remain classy while watching the slow motion train wreck known as Auburn football take place, but t is difficult to not enjoy just slightly after the last six years. There are many lessons we can learn from the meltdown Auburn has been experiencing for the past two weeks, but the main lesson I have learned is: What goes around comes around.

Tommy Tubberville made a career off picking on a struggling Alabama program. The years became more frustrating with the more fingers he would hold up. "Year of the Thumb," remember that Auburn. How classless could one coach be. Tubberville's true self shined after losing to Alabama once and quitting. I can not think of something more immature. It reminds me of when I would quit playing checkers with my brother just as I knew I was about to lose.

I will never forget the tough times Alabama has experienced over the past 10 years, and I am sure Auburn fans will not forget the best six years in the programs history which consist of one SEC Championship and ZERO NATIONAL TITLES. As I write this, I feel the urge to laugh like a mad scientist.

While Auburn has had five recruit de-commit with a week, Alabama received notification of their 20th commit in Kevin Norwood. Norwood marks Alabama's 12 commit with at least 4 stars or higher from Rivals. This is a great sign with Saban having hit the road hard within the past few day. That's right, we have a coach that recruits as opposed to hunting in Arkansas.

The Alabama - Mississippi All-Star Classic took place today in Mobile, Ala. Many Alabama commits and potential commits played in today's game. The most interesting teammate combination to me is that of A.J. McCarron (QB) and D.J. Fluker (OT). This marks the first game that Fluker will be protecting McCarron's weakside. Josh Bean of the Mobile Press-Register wrote an article about the relationship between Fluker and McCarron.


The game was not on television, but the statistics have been posted by the AHSAA. A.J. McCarron was named MVP of the Alabama team.

Gene Chizik Wears Nick Saban Pajamas

I woke up Friday morning and began my routine - shower, get dressed, toast an english muffin with peanut butter and jelly, and enjoy it with a glass of milk while watching SportsCenter. I was definitely surprised to hear ESPN announce that Will Muschamp is expected to be named Head Coach of Auburn. I have a great deal of respect for Muschamp and although Saban and his staff are great recruiters, Muschamp would pull some recruits away from Alabama.

The recruit that immediately came to my head was Dre Kirkpatrick, who has a strong relationship with Muschamp, is visiting Texas and has the Longhorns high on his list. I really don't think Kirkpatrick will got to Texas because of the fact he has a child and that would be a long distance from his home and family in Gadsden, Ala.

Instead, the Muschamp rumors became just another pole holding up the tent for the circus known as the Auburn Head Coaching Search. Auburn named former Auburn Defensive Coordinator and current Iowa State Head Coach, Gene Chizik, to be the next Auburn Head Coach. I am not exactly worried anymore. Chizik has a record of 5-19 in two seasons at Iowa State. To call this hire questionable, is an understatement.

Although I am playing down how bad Auburn missed the target, but Brian Harbach is not taking it easy on the Tigers his blog. The Paul Clark, pubisher of Iowa State's Cyclone Report, shows his excitement to get rid of Chizik is this article.

Afterthought of the SEC Championship Game

Ray Melick describes how the Alabama handled the loss with class.


SEC reporter for ESPN.com describes what he learned in the SEC Championship game and how it's unfortunate Alabama should be punished for losing late in the season.


Saban's disappointment is described in this Mobile Register article.


The matchup between Florida and Alabama was hyped as the greatest SEC Championship Game ever. The TV Ratings back up the hype.

Great Reads and Videos

There has been a lot of talk this week about the multiple cheap shots Ryan Pugh took during the Iron Bowl. I tried to find the video that was previously was posted on youtube of exemplifying the chop block Pugh attempted on Luther Davis, but it had been taken down. Instead thought I would post the cheap shots he successfully pulled against Clemson and LSU.



There is no doubt that the attitude of the Alabama Crimson Tide has changed tremendously since last year, but when did this change take place? Many of the Alabama players feel it was the practices just before last year's Independence Bowl.


With this probably being the last year for NFL rookies to get paid high dollars, there are probably going to be a large amount of juniors leaving college early for the pros. Chris Low gives his opinion of who has a chance to leave early in the SEC.


What are the bowl game possibilities for the Alabama Crimson Tide?


Matt Hayes and Dave Curtis answer some important questions being asked around the SEC.

Why The Lack of Faith in Alabama???

I understand why the reporters and journalist believe that Florida is going to win the game, but I do not understand why they feel it's going to be a blow out. Sure Florida has turned their season around since losing to Ole Miss by beating LSU by 30, Georgia by 39 and South Carolina by 50, but non of those teams have the formula that Alabama will use in Atlanta.

A physical and dominating defense plus a running game that dominates possession time equals a possibility of victory. Keeping the high-powered offense led by Tim Tebow on the sideline will not only frustrate the defense, but it will also make it more difficult for Tebow to get in a rhythm - something that is huge in running a successful offense.

Story Line for the SEC Championship Game

Something has got to give. That is the theme for the approaching game with the Florida Gators. The Gators are the #1 overall offense in the SEC and one of the best offenses in the country. Alabama bring with them to Atlanta the #1 overall defense in the SEC and one of the best defense in the country. When these two units go against one another, something has got to give. If Percy Harvin is unable to go on Saturday, many would say the Gators are going to be the one to break, but I beg to differ. I have a feeling Chris Rainey, Jeffery Demps and Tim Tebow would agree with me on this one.


Alabama is health going into the SEC Championship. The Crimson Tide is definitely healthier than the Gators. All major contributors were in practice on Monday and that includes Roy Upchurch who has had to miss playing time since the LSU game due to neck spasms. Upchurch is the speed to the three headed attack which also includes the power running of Mark Ingram and Glen Coffee.



Special Teams... Special Teams... Special Teams... This showdown in Atlanta will feature the two best return men in the SEC with Javier Arenas and Brandon James. P.J. Fitzgerald has improved throughout the season, but had a shanked punt at the end of the Auburn game that did not make Coach Saban happy. Although the bad punt did not make a difference against Auburn other that the reception Fitzgerald received from Saban when returning to the sideline, the Gators' high-powered offense will make any team pay when given a short field. The Gators are also well-known for their kick blocking ability,


The Tide is running right. I don't just mean that the Tide is running the ball well, I mean they are literally running right. Opponents have often been able to predict where the ball is going because of the dominance of Andre Smith. When overloading the left side to counteract Smith's dominance, the Tide has begun running to the right side - behind Mike Johnson. A majority of the 234 yards gained on the ground were run to Johnson's side.