Quarterback Coach Believes Coker Is Ready
Longtime quarterback coach David Morris is singing the praises of Alabama quarterback Jake Coker. Coker has been working with the main who has trained such high-profile quarterbacks as Eli Manning, A.J. McCarron, and Matt Barkley.
Matt Zenitz of AL.com reports that the Tide senior quarterback "looks good" and "looks ready" going into the fall. He also reported Coker appears to the favorite right now to replace Blake Sims as Bama's starting quarterback.
Morris said, "I really feel good about where he is. I'm excited about the way he looks right now. He looks twitchy. It's not really a word, but that's how I would describe it. He's a great athlete. He's got his step back. I think his motion is a little quicker, and I think he's going to be in position to react fast and play fast.
"People don't realize that that doesn't happen overnight. That's a maturation process and an experience thing, and I really think he's in a position to hit his stride right now. I really believe that. I've had him for a long time and have always known his potential, and I'm really excited about where he is right now."
Of course Coker was expected to win the starting QB job last season after transferring from Florida State after serving as the backup to Heisman Trophy winner Jameis Winston. The battle for the starting job continued into last season before Sims got the starting nod.
Morris said consistency is the key, and in order to be a steady leader one must be consistent and balanced.
There are those in the media, bloggers, and armchair QBs who say Jake Coker will never start for the University of Alabama. They may be right. I trust the Alabama coaches. I'm waiting for one of the Tide staff, preferably Lane Kiffen or, of course, Nick Saban, to make the call. I'm good with whatever they decide.
It won't be long now. Nine weeks and counting and we'll see the fruits of his labor.
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Houston Texans Release Ex-Bama DT Brandon Ivory
John McClain of the Houston Chronicle reports that the Houston Texans have released ex-Alabama defensive tackle Brandon Ivory following his arrest Wednesday. McClain and one other person, Nicholas Gerald Gibson III, were arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree burglary.
The 23 year old Ivory signed with the Texans as an undrafted free agent in May after having not been selected in the NFL draft. McClain started at nose tackle for the Crimson Tide.
In an interview with ESPN.com on Wednesday, McClains's agent, Jeff Guerriero, commented, "He is not guilty, and his name will be cleared of all charges.
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Former Bama Linebacker McClain Suspended 4 Games
Former Alabama standout and current Dallas Cowboys middle linebacker Rolando McClain has been suspended without pay for the first four games of the 2015 NFL regular season. The reason giving for the suspension is violation of the league's substance-abuse policy.
This is not the first "substance-abuse problem" for McClain. In February both NFL.com and ESPN reported that McClain would be fined four game checks for violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy. At that point McClain faced a four game suspension if he failed another drug test.
A statement from the NFL Players Association was released in reaction to the suspension on behalf of McClain. The statement read, " I apologize to my family, the Cowboys organization, my teammates, and Cowboy's fans for my mistake. I will not break the rules of my profession in the future, and I regret my error. I look forward to returning to the field on Week 5, when I hope to help my teams beat the Patriots."
McClain retired in 2013 after having spent three years with the Oakland Raiders. He came back in 2014, joining the Dallas Cowboys. He finished second in the voting for the 2014 NFL Comeback Player of the Year Award.
He signed a one-year contract extension in April with the Cowboys to return this season. During the off-season McClain had knee surgery and has been rehabilitating the knee, seeing only limited action in mini-camp last month. The suspension is for the first four regular-season games only, making McClain able to participate in training camp as well as pre-season games.
McClain will miss the games against the New York Giants, Philadelphia Eagles, Atlanta Falcons, and the New Orleans Saints. His first game will be game five when the Cowboys face the New England Patriots on October 11th.
The four-game suspension will cost McClain $551,470.59 factoring in his game checks and bonuses.
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Receiver Trevon Diggs Delays Commitment Date
Originally planning a July 4 announcement, Trevon Diggs has postponed announcing which college football program he plans to join. The Rockville, Maryland receiver had listed both Alabama and Maryland as his top choices.
Diggs paid a visit to the Alabama campus in early April. While Alabama was at the top of his list, many believe Maryland is looking sweeter since his friend and four-star quarterback, Dwayne Haskins, committed to the Terrapins. Besides the Tide and the Terps, Diggs has shown interest in LSU, Tennessee, and Penn State.
As a junior, Diggs caught 78 passes to rack up 1,008 yards and 15 touchdowns. He will be participating in The Opening in about a week.
No new date has yet been given for his commitment announcement.
