Saban Says Mullaney Can Help The Tide
It's so hard to say who the starting quarterback is going to be at the University of Alabama this coming season, which is only barely over a week away by the way. But as I said quite a few weeks ago, I'm not really concerned about the quarterback situation. Between head coach Nick Saban and the quarterback whisperer and offensive coordinator Lane Kiffen, I'm sure we'll have at least one all tuned up and ready to go
Speaking of quarterbacks, word out there now is we have a three-way race for the starting position now. That and the fact that a few of the reporters are saying that senior Jake Coker has appeared to be getting a few more reps than the others, or at least during the time the press is allowed to look on.
So, with that said, others are talking about the graduate transfer out of Oregon State. It appears that Richard Mullaney has been learning the playbook quite well and has been effectively executing said playbook. Of course as a graduate senior, he has quite a bit of experience under his belt, and at 6' 3" , 209 pounds he makes a nice target. And according to Nick Saban he has the skills to help the Crimson Tide this season, and should be a help on special teams.
"He's been doing a really good job," Saban said. "He's got great hands, very smart player, very instinctive, knows how to get open and is especially effective in the slot. He's definitely going to help us this year, and his maturity and experience is something that to a very young, inexperienced group has been very welcomed by us, and, I think, our other players."
During his three seasons at Oregon State, Mullaney had 83 catches for 1,160 yards and five touchdowns. His biggest season came in 2013 with 52 catches, 3 touchdowns and 788 total yards. Incidentally, he missed the majority of last season at OSU with an elbow injury.
Of course he won't be doing it alone. Bama has several that all hope are going to step up and play this season. Former five-star recruits Calvin Ridley and Robert Foster saw most of the action in the spring and will be used during the season heavily. Get Chris Black and Parker Barrineau back up to speed from injuries and we've got a good crew. It's just nice to know the new addition to the team has some skills.
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Tide Women Golfers Compete In LPGA Classic
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Crimson Tide is well-represented today as seven current and former UA women's golfers participate in the Yokohama Tire LPGA Classic in Prattville, Alabama. The tournament is a four-day event teeing off today and lasting through Sunday. Those wishing to enjoy some good golf competition can head over to the Senator Course at the Capitol Hill Golf Club just 95 miles southeast of Tuscaloosa.
Alabama senior players Emma Talley and Janie Jackson, both competing as amateurs, will be participating in the tourney. Talley is the first Alabama golfer to capture medalist honors at the NCAA Championships with a win at The Concession Club this past May.
The five former Bama players participating are Brooke Pancake, Jennifer Kirby, Stephanie Meadow, Jenny Suh and Kathleen Ekey. All are competing as professionals. Pancake, Kirby and Meadow were all members of the NCAA Championship team in 2012.
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Coach Johnson Completes Tide Basketball Staff
Coach Avery Johnson (Photo Credit: RollTide.com)
Special Assistant Kobie Baker
University of Alabama head basketball coach Avery Johnson has now completed his coaching staff with yesterday's hiring of Kobie Baker as special assistant to the head coach and senior director of basketball operations.
Baker graduated from Central High School in Tuscaloosa, and from Talladega College. He served as a graduate assistant for Bama from 1999-2001, director of basketball operations for UA in 2006-07, an assistant coach in 2007-08 and an atheletics development office from 2008-09.
Coach Johnson said, "We are very excited to welcome Kobie Baker back to the Crimson Tide men's basketball program. Kobie has certain areas of expertise that will only strengthen our coaches, players and staff. He will be a great addition for us, and we look forward to him helping us move forward and reach new heights."
Baker has been at the NCAA headquarters since 2012 as an associate director of amateur certification and assistant director of enforcement basketball development.
In his statement Baker said, "I am extremely excited about the opportunity to return to the University of Alabama and work for coach Avery Johnson. I have been impressed with his leadership and commitment to a championship program. My time at the NCAA has provided me the opportunity to grow and learn under exceptional regulatory leadership, and my time spent as an assistant basketball coach has given me the necessary campus experience. There is nothing greater than serving the student-athlete and I am looking forward to being a positive contributor to coach Johnson's program and University of Alabama family."
The remainder of the basketball support staff was also announced. Colton Houston was named director of basketball operations, Clarke Holter is athletic trainer, Alex Fain as video coordinator, Blake Gray named graduate manager and finally David Miller as assistant video coordinator.
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Crimson Tide Wednesday Practice
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
Wednesday afternoon found the University of Alabama football team in full pads for a two-hour practice session yesterday afternoon on the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields. This was Bama's twenty-first session of the twenty-eight scheduled before season 2015 kicks off on September 5th.
The weather cooperated for yesterday's practice with great temperatures and mostly sunny skies.
With the quarterbacks being in the news so much and a tight race we'll start there. Nothing new really to report with all making good throws. However it does appear that Jake Coker might be receiving the majority of the reps. Receivers were working on both sides of the field, a little different from previous practices. A shoulder injury has hampered right tackle Dominick Jackson, but he looked good out there yesterday in that right tackle spot. Cornerback Bradley Sylve is getting in reps despite coming off surgery for a broken hand.
Preparation will continue today and tomorrow with two-hour practice sessions scheduled for both days at 3:30 p.m. CT. The team will practice at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday then have Sunday off.
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Could This Be The Year Of Alec Morris?
He was the University of Alabama's third string quarterback last year. This year he could be the Crimson Tide's starting quarterback when Bama kicks off the season on September 5th. He's Alec Morris, the red shirt junior out of Allen, Texas.
While it's not a foregone conclusion Morris is the man, he's made great strides to move from an after-thought to the forefront of Alabama's five-man quarterback race. Most still agree the race is still underway between him and senior Jake Coker, but he has stepped up and seems to have at least a slight edge.
Alabama head coach Nick Saban said little following the second scrimmage recently, other than Morris did a "nice job." But more recently Saban said, "I think he does a really good job of understanding the offense. He helps the other players play better. And I think that he has probably shown command at the position, which I think is important. We've just got to continue to work on touch, accuracy, efficiency. But I've been really pleased with what Alec has done in this camp."
During his 2011 senior season at Allen High School, the 6' 3", 235-pound Morris threw 35 touchdown passes with only 6 interceptions for 3,242 yards. In addition he rushed for 329 yards and nine touchdowns.
During this year's spring game Morris completed seven of eleven passes for sixty yards.
There is a chance it's Morris. But the race is far from over right now.
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Bear Bryant Quotes
More famous quotes from legendary Alabama coach Paul "Bear" Bryant.
“There is no sin in not liking to play; it’s a mistake for a boy to be there if he doesn’t want to.”
“In a crisis, don’t hide behind anything or anybody. They’re going to find you anyway.”
“Be aware of “yes” men. Generally, they are losers. Surround yourself with winners. Never forget – people win.”
“If there is one thing that has helped me as a coach, it’s my ability to recognize winners, or good people who can become winners by paying the price.”
“You take those little rascals, talk to them good, pat them on the back, let them think they are good, and they will go out and beat the biguns.”
“If you whoop and holler all the time, the players just get used to it.”
“If you want to coach you have three rules to follow to win. One, surround yourself with people who can’t live without football. I’ve had a lot of them. Two, be able to recognize winners. They come in all forms. And, three, have a plan for everything. A plan for practice, a plan for the game. A plan for being ahead, and a plan for being behind 20-0 at half, with your quarterback hurt and the phones dead, with it raining cats and dogs and no rain gear because the equipment man left it at home.”
