Bama starts Spring Practice

[BAMAPERRY]

Tide Holds First Spring Football Practice - RollTide.com—The Official Web site of University of Alabama Athletics! (http://www.rolltide.com/ViewArticle.dbml?DB_OEM_ID=8000&ATCLID=1411705)

[lacene]

Interesting that they would hold 2 days of practice before spring break. Why not start on Monday, and at least get a whole week's worth out of it? Or wait until after SB?? Seems like whatever is taught the players this week, will be forgotten when they all return.....

[usafbamafan]

Interesting that they would hold 2 days of practice before spring break. Why not start on Monday, and at least get a whole week's worth out of it? Or wait until after SB?? Seems like whatever is taught the players this week, will be forgotten when they all return.....

I think it's in response to all the off-season troubles. He is making sure their mind is on football before they go off and do something stupid during spring break. Probably had a little talk with the whole team. I don't know for sure but that would be my guess, and this quote kinda backs that up:

“The continuity will not be what it has been but at the time this is an opportunity for our players to say, ‘hey we’ve got a little bit of an adverse circumstance here, let’s see how much maturity we have to manage our way through it.’ We are going to take a week off and they will need to go work and do some things to maintain their condition level.”

[Fadeproof]

I think it's in response to all the off-season troubles. He is making sure their mind is on football before they go off and do something stupid during spring break. Probably had a little talk with the whole team. I don't know for sure but that would be my guess, and this quote kinda backs that up:

“The continuity will not be what it has been but at the time this is an opportunity for our players to say, ‘hey we’ve got a little bit of an adverse circumstance here, let’s see how much maturity we have to manage our way through it.’ We are going to take a week off and they will need to go work and do some things to maintain their condition level.”

I can agree with that. I also heard some where (was that here?) that JPW and the seniors had a team meeting to discuss the off field problems.

[sheluvsbama]

Accentuate the positive! Yes! There is much to do and we may as well get our minds on good things NOW. Why wait? :laugh:

[timNem]

I can agree with that. I also heard some where (was that here?) that JPW and the seniors had a team meeting to discuss the off field problems.
I heard something about the players getting together and agreed to stay away from the strip.

[geechee]

I heard something about the players getting together and agreed to stay away from the strip.

I'm sure I already know but what's the strip?

[Bulldogs16]

im guessin strip clubs!

[timNem]

I'm sure I already know but what's the strip?
The row of bars and clubs in T-Town. A smaller version of Broad Ripple.

[sheluvsbama]

They have got to be serious about practice and what it will mean for the coming season. I think they WANT to improve and they will all have to feel the same way to accomplish that.

[Tider27]

Let's just say the strip is crawling with drunks and cops and its right down the road from the stadium. It's University Blvd if you want to be technical.

[timNem]

They have got to be serious about practice and what it will mean for the coming season. I think they WANT to improve and they will all have to feel the same way to accomplish that.
If the players have come together and made a pact that is a great sign because last year we had a little dissension among the players but most of those guys won't be playing anymore.

[sheluvsbama]

If the players have come together and made a pact that is a great sign because last year we had a little dissension among the players but most of those guys won't be playing anymore.

That is just what I was thinking...it is a sign that they are serious and have good expectations for themselves. Also they know it is in their hands to succeed or to fail, and I doubt that anyone likes THAT feeling very much! :laugh:

[geechee]

Let's just say the strip is crawling with drunks and cops and its right down the road from the stadium. It's University Blvd if you want to be technical.
That's what I figured. It happens at all schools especially in Southern college towns where drinking is a rite of passage. Its always been then this way. It was going on in Athens even when Clarke County was a dry county and liquor had to be brought in from Atlanta and Savannah. People act as if this something new. Student athletes are students and this is what students do. It is kind of tough to hold athletes to a higher standard than regular students while forgetting how much of a price they pay. In football especially, its almost like the kids are going through boot camp and school at the same time and who could really do that? These guys are getting up at 4 and 5 AM for workouts and then have to go to classes. It is in fact a very few that get caught but the way the media is today it all gets blown out of proportion.

[Tennessee Ted]

I high fived Bama Perry for posting a post that did not say LSU sucks or Alabama will win the national championship this year. :laugh:

[Fadeproof]

I high fived Bama Perry for posting a post that did not say LSU sucks or Alabama will win the national championship this year. :laugh:

And I high fived you for High fiving him for not saying any of those things.....I must be way to inebriated to be posting. Damn bourbon:chug:

[lacene]

I wish our players would have a players-only meeting. Unfortunately, if they did, they'd probably rent out a bar in 5-Points and have it there.....

[Fadeproof]

I wish our players would have a players-only meeting. Unfortunately, if they did, they'd probably rent out a bar in 5-Points and have it there.....


LOL, I'm sure that Blake Mitchell could give them a couple suggestions.

[BAMAPERRY]

'Leaps and bounds ahead'
Thursday, March 13, 2008
By GENTRY ESTES
Sports Reporter
TUSCALOOSA -- An Alabama offseason marked by assistant coaching turnover and off-the-field issues finally gives way to actual football today.

Tide coach Nick Saban's "process" officially begins its second season when spring football practice begins. Alabama will work again on Friday, take a week off for spring break and return to prepare for the April 12 A-Day Game at Bryant-Denny Stadium.

"I think the attitude and resolve of our team, our staff, our players working together, the leadership, is leaps and bounds ahead of where it was a year ago," Saban said. "We've set a strong pace for our team to improve and most of the players have bought into it and worked very hard."

Saban welcomes two new assistant coaches onto the field. Jim McElwain, formerly of Fresno State, takes over offensive coordinator and quarterback coach duties from the departed Major Applewhite. Bobby Williams is the new special teams coordinator and tight ends coach.

Overall, the second year of Saban's tenure brings stability to a team looking to improve on a 7-6 finish in 2007.

"Last year, everybody had the kind of deer-in-the-headlights look," center Antoine Caldwell said. "We didn't know what was going on, really. I don't even think (coaches) knew much what was going on. Things are going a lot smoother."

While uncertainty has diminished, here are five remaining questions that need to be answered this spring.

-- 1. Who is going to play linebacker?

Starter Zeke Knight hasn't been medically cleared and is hardly reliable for the 2008 season. The same goes for Prince Hall, who has been suspended indefinitely and won't be allowed to participate in spring practice.

Those absences leave Rolando McClain, a true freshman in 2007, as Alabama's most experienced linebacker. Jimmy Johns made the switch from tailback during bowl practice and could be an interesting option. Otherwise, Brandon Fanney, Chavis Williams and Alex Watkins headline a group of untested youngsters vying for playing time before a loaded recruiting class arrives in the fall.

"You'd like to have eight (contributing linebackers) in the 3-4, even though we don't play the 3-4 all the time," Saban said. "But I'd still like to have eight, and then you'd like to have different roles that those guys can play."

-- 2. Who is the next DJ Hall?

Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson doesn't know if there is a DJ Hall in the rising group of Tide receivers, but there are plenty of capable targets.

"I think it will be more spread around," Wilson said. "We have a bunch of guys who can catch balls, it seems like."

Alabama lost Hall, Keith Brown and Matt Caddell, but welcomes back Mike McCoy and Nikita Stover. Emerging redshirt freshmen such as Mobile's Brandon Gibson and Marquis Maze join Earl Alexander and Will Oakley as potential clubhouse leaders after spring.

That could change, of course, when the likes of prep stars Julio Jones, Burton Scott and Devonta Bolden arrive in the fall.

-- 3. How does Wilson respond to coach Mac?

McElwain makes three different coordinators in the past three years for Wilson, who still jokes, "I call plays from three years ago."

Wilson has thus far taken to McElwain, who is much more intense, fiery and seasoned than Applewhite. While Alabama's overall offense won't change much -- Saban estimates new material at about 30 percent -- it's still more to learn as Wilson heads into his senior season.

"John Parker, he's a smart kid," Caldwell said. "I'm sure he's going to put double the time in that he did last year. I know coach McElwain puts a lot on his shoulders."

-- 4. How hard is the backfield pushed?

Other than Glen Coffee (shoulder), Saban said Alabama's top tailbacks are all "full speed ahead." Terry Grant (hernia) and Roy Upchurch (thumb) have responded nicely from offseason surgery and will not be prevented from full-contact drills.

A player to watch is redshirt freshman Demetrius Goode, who is back to 100 percent after tearing a knee ligament early last preseason.

"When guys come off knee injuries, it's normal to be a little apprehensive," Saban said of Goode, "but I think the only way you get through that psychologically is to do what you do, and one day you're going to put your foot in the ground and cut and gain confidence in what you're doing."

-- 5. Is the first rookie contributor a kicker?

Incoming true freshman Corey Smith committed to Alabama because he "really didn't want to go somewhere and sit for a year."

Smith means it.

He was one of two 2008 signees to enroll a semester early and participate in spring practice. After a good 2007, junior Leigh Tiffin appears to have a solid hold on the Tide's place-kicking position. But Smith could potentially push for playing time at punter or as Alabama's kickoff man.

Saban has already acknowledged Smith. "We have a freshman this year that hopefully will be able to compete with the players that we have, and maybe have an opportunity himself to be able to contribute in some way," Saban said.