Bama in the News

December 22 - 31, 2008

• May, Rutledge Named to NCBWA All-American Team • RollTide.com
Alabama junior Brandon May and sophomore Josh Rutledge were named to the 2009 National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Preseason All-American Team. May and Rutledge were second-tea... 

• Tide Continues Work on Talented Utah Squad • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team spent its second straight practice working specifically on a talented Utah team in a two-hour workout Monday inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility. 

• Jenkins scores 16 as Crimson Tide Tops Alabama A&M 76-65 • RollTide.com
The women's basketball team picked up its ninth win of the season Monday when it defeated Alabama A&M 76-65 in Coleman Coliseum.

• Seven Alabama Players Earn All-America Honors from Pro Football Weekly  • RollTide.com
The Alabama football team had seven players earn All-America honors from Pro Football Weekly it was announced on Monday, including two first-team selections.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Nick Saban on the QB situation next year: • al.com
"We are certainly going to let everybody compete for it..."
While I'm scrambling around today, trying to do about 11 things at once, here is something you guys might find interesting...

• Gentry Estes: Alabama will open up QB competition next season • al.com
Wanted to post the lead to tomorrow's notebook before I head out to watch tonight's hoops game at Coleman Coliseum. ...

• Nick Saban Press Conference 12/22/08 • al.com
Nick Saban press conference 12/22/08

• Saban says No. 4 Tide facing a tough challenge • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
If you're one of those Crimson Tide fans expecting a repeat of last year's Sugar Bowl, where Hawaii was dismantled by SEC rep Georgia, Alabama coach Nick Saban has a word of caution. 

• ScoutTV: Jonathan Atchison senior highlights • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Jonathan Atchison, Scout.com three-star strongside linebacker from Atlanta-Douglass, (Ga.), pledged to the University of Alabama after de-committing from Auburn. Scout.com presents Atchison's senior highlights. 

• Offer one is in for 2010 GA OL • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Central Florida is first to offer top Georgia junior OL

• Instant Analysis: Monday  • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
What will be on the line when the Alabama Crimson Tide takes on Utah in the Sugar Bowl? Travis Reier and Chase Goodbread provide their thoughts on a Monday edition of Instant Analysis... 

• Saban press conference highlights • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Nick Saban said freshmen Chris Jackson and Michael Williams have responded well to their position changes. Check the Ultimate Ticket for that and more from Saban's post-practice news conference. 

• Women's Basketball:
Alabama 76, Alabama A&M 65

• Ian R. Rapoport:  Mike DuBose: • al.com
"I knew at some point in time, Nick (Saban) would put them back in the position they were in..."
As I mentioned last week, I'm traveling back in time to revisit some of the plays of Sugar Bowls of yesterday. One of those is the pass by Tom Clements out of his own end zone in 1973 that resulted in a tough Alabama loss in its first game against Notre Dame. Not good times for Crimson Tide fans, but an important play, nonetheless.

• Ian R. Rapoport: Major Applewhite's evaluation, Utah's motivation... and other stuff! • al.com
In between writing my articles and a trip to the BJCC (the Banktress and I saw the show, Avenue Q -- it was pretty outrageous and hilarious), I read this interesting article in the NE Miss. Daily Journal.

• Gentry Estes: The hunt for super recruit Rueben Randle • al.com
Alabama coach Nick Saban sure was in a hurry during his post-practice press conference Saturday.

• Gentry Estes: Monday reading: An upset so big it still won't go away • al.com
Despite everything Alabama's team has accomplished this year, it seems there still is nowhere it can go without being reminded of last year's loss to Louisiana-Monroe ... even Utah.

• This Week In SEC Men's Basketball - 12/22 • SEC Sports
This Week In SEC Men's Basketball - 12/22

• LSU No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball's Preseason Poll • SEC Sports
LSU No. 1 in Collegiate Baseball's Preseason Poll

• Mingo is mum on recruiting • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
Some figured that Bar'Kevious Mingo would be committed to LSU by now. The 6-5, 215-pound linebacker/defensive end from West Monroe, Louisiana insists that he's still open to several schools, but he won't say much about them. 

• "Rah-Rah" takes visit • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Jawara "Rah-Rah" White, 2010 outside linebacker from Troy-Charles Henderson, (Ala.), received an early scholarship offer from Auburn, but hasn’t talked with head coach Gene Chizik as of yet. He took an unofficial visit Sunday to the University of Alabama. 

• In-state SEC schools visit Kirkpatrick • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Five-star has a full plate before signing day.

• Offers keep coming for Jarrick Williams • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
Gators latest in the sweepstakes.

• Officials set • 'BamaMag  (Subscribers Only)
With signing day approaching, Trent Richardson is continuing to explore his options.

• VIDEO: Scenes from Monday's practice • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
With Monday's practice at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility, the Alabama Crimson Tide moved closer to wrapping up on-campus work for its Sugar Bowl matchup against Utah.

• Monday practice report • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama freshman Chris Jackson works out at his new position - defensive back - during Monday's practice. Check the Ultimate Ticket for BamaOnLine.com's practice report. 

• Woodson healing up • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
After his high school football career ended with an injury in the Mississippi high school playoffs, Tide commit Rod Woodson went back to work on two off the field matters - getting healthy and becoming qualified.

• Monday practice notes: No. 4 Tide continues Sugar Bowl preparations indoors • Crimson Confidential
Fourth-ranked Alabama (12-1) continued its preparations for seventh-ranked Utah Monday afternoon, working out at the indoor practice facility. 

• Basketball preview: Alabama vs. Chattanooga • Crimson Confidential
• WHEN: 6 p.m.

• Bama in the NBA - December 21st Game Stats:
Check to see how the former players did

• Stover enjoying the ride in his senior season • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Nikita Stover had no ulterior motive for picking out a shirt from last year’s Independence Bowl to wear after practice on Saturday.

• Tuscaloosa freshman making an impact • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | Freshman Ericka Russell played only nine minutes and didn’t even score in her debut with the University of Alabama women’s basketball team. But she didn’t take long to adjust to the demands of the college game.

• New 3-point line causing change in shooting habits • Tuscaloosa News
TUSCALOOSA | In the offseason, the NCAA men’s basketball rules committee, in an effort to curb the amount of long range shots launched and to open the lane more, decided to extend the 3-point line.

• Ray Melick: Bowl games mean payday for players • The Birmingham News
It began early Saturday, with the EagleBank Bowl, followed by the New Mexico Bowl, the St. Petersburg Bowl and winding up with the Las Vegas Bowl. 

• Tide's defense has seen enough of the spread to be ready for Utah • The Birmingham News
TUSCALOOSA - Alabama doesn't run the spread offense. But if it ever wanted to learn, a group of potential tutors is standing by.

• Sports Soundoff • Press-Register
Monday, December 22, 2008
This is Sports Sound Off, where you can speak your mind on anything you wish. Because of the large number of calls received, not all can be published. 

• Tide frosh Green needs seasoning • Press-Register
TUSCALOOSA - His is a common gripe with an uncommon reason.

• Tide's Green in foul mood • The Huntsville Times
Freshman draws referees' whistles with assertive play

• Jess Nicholas: Sugar Bowl preview: Alabama can’t overlook dangerous Utah team • TideFans
You’ve probably heard it all already: Utah, a Mountain West team, can’t compete with SEC juggernaut Alabama. Utah is just “Florida Lite.” The Utes will be exposed as soon as the ball is kicked off. 

• SUGAR BOWL: Alabama's Greenwood wants to go out strong • Montgomery Advertiser
TUSCALOOSA -- Bobby Greenwood can't complain. 

• McCarron reflects back and looks ahead • Tider Insider (Subscribers Only)
AJ McCarron, the Tide's lone quarterback commitment for the 2009 class, has had his ups and downs over the past two seasons. As a junior in 2007, the 6-4, 190-pounder led St. Paul's to the 5A state championship. This fall his team had a losing record. McCarron believes that this year's disappointing slide will help him just as much as last year's magical run. 

• Atchison visits Tide practice • BamaOnLine (Subscribers Only)
Alabama's initial set of practices for their Sugar Bowl contest against Utah drew several highly regarded prospects over the weekend. One of the attendees was Tide commit Jonathan Atchison who made fast friends with one fellow commit. 

• Bama commits feel out Randle at UA practice • Crimson Confidential (Subscribers Only)
Rueben Randle, the top-rated receiver prospect in America by ESPN Scouts Inc., doesn’t just have the full attention of Alabama coaches and Alabama fans. He also has the attention of at least a couple of high-profile Alabama commitments.