Recapping First Day Of Fall Practice
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The first day of fall football practice for Alabama football is in the books. The skies were cloudy, thunder rumbled in the distance, and everyone could smell the 2015 season at the door as one smells that rain approaching. Practice began on the Thomas-Drew Practice field then moved to the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility because of the rain.
Things were a little different for practice this year. Ordinarily the first practice is split into two sessions, but Thursday was a little different. The entire squad worked together in the mid-afternoon, dressed out in helmets and shorts.
Thursday was the first of 28 practices scheduled prior to Bama's season-opener with Wisconsin on September 5th in the AdvoCare Classic at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. The kickoff is scheduled for 7 PM CT and will be aired on ABC.
For those hoping for some sort of indication of the quarterback situation they were out of luck. Both of the main contenders, Jake Coker and David Cornwell were both working on the field at the same time, albeit on opposite sides.
As expected, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake are the two main workhorses for the Bama backfield, but newcomers were present too.
Chris Black and Robert Foster led the first receiver grouping in practice. Second pair was ArDarius Stewart and Parker Barrineau.
First team offensive line Thursday was Cam Robinson in the left tackle position, Ross Pieschbacher in at left guard, Ryan Kelly at center, Bradley Bozeman at right guard and Dominick Jackson was in the right tackle position.
Defensively, first group line was A'Shawn Robinson, Jarran Reed, and Darrin Lake. First team cornerbacks were Cyrus Jones and Tony Brown. Outside linebackers up first were Denzel Devall and Ryan Anderson. Inside linebacker pairing of Dillon Lee and Reggie Ragland were first.
As far as injuries, Cam Sims is still rehabilitating after that torn ACL and LCL in spring practice. He is possibly lost for the entire season, but is a wait-and-see situation. Doctors had told Sims' mother that the rehab would take anywhere from eight to twelve months. Saban's comment was, "He's not ready to go yet."
Saban said that junior wide receiver Raheem Falkins suffered a leg fracture this summer. The injury required surgery and left him in a similar situation as Sims.
One other missed practice. Josh Casher, one of the big linemen, missed out on the first practice due to a torn pectoral muscle. He was injured lifting weights this summer and, according to Saban, be out a few more weeks.
Though running back Bo Scarbrough is progressing ahead of schedule in his rehab from a spring injury, he won't play the first four games of the season due to not only that injury but an NCAA suspension. He is, however, progressing nicely according to Saban.
The Crimson Tide returns 12 starters to the 3rd ranked team, according to the Amway Preseason Coaches Poll. Bama is shooting for an eighth consecutive season with at least 10 wins, and of course an SEC and National Championship title.
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Greatest Names In Bama Football History-Ozzie Newsome
His nickname was "The Wizard of Oz."
Ozzie Newsome, Jr. (born March 16, 1956) played football for the University of Alabama, and helped the Tide to a 42-6 record during his four years there. Newsome caught 102 passes for 2,070 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. His 20.3 yards per catch was a Southeastern Conference record for more than 20 years.
His honors include Alabama Player of the Decade for the 19702, two-time All-SEC player (1976 and 1977) SEC Lineman of the Year in 1977, SEC Lineman of the Year in 1977 by the Birmingham Quarterback Club and the Atlanta Touchdown Club, College Football All-America Team in 1977, and enshrined in the College Football Hall of Fame in 1994. One of his biggest honors came by way of legendary football coach Paul "Bear" Bryant, who called Newsome "the greatest end in Alabama history and that includes Don Hutson. A total team player, fine blocker, outstanding leader, great receiver with concentration, speed, hands."
Newsome was drafted 23rd by the Cleveland Browns in the 1978 NFL Draft. He was named the Browns' Offensive Player of the Year his rookie year, which was the first time in 25 years that a rookie had received that honor. He went to the Pro Bowl in 1981, 1984 and 1985. Newsome set a franchise record for receiving yards in a game (191) which stood 29 years until finally broken in 2013.
Newsome played in 198 consecutive games with Cleveland, with 191 starts in his 13-year NFL career. When all was said and done, he ended his career with 662 receptions for 7,980 yards, both of which were Cleveland franchise records. He ended up fourth all-time in touchdowns with 47. Newsome was inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame in 1999.
Newsome became the first African-American to hold the position of general manager when he was named to that position by the Baltimore Ravens on November 22, 2002. He had previously worked in their front office since 1996, and in the front office for the Browns previously from 1991 to 1995.
His first Super Bowl ring came when the Ravens defeated the New York Giants in 2001 in Super Bowl XXXV, and got his second after they beat the San Francisco 49ers in Super Bowl XLVII 34-13 in 2013.
Newsome received the United States Sports Academy's highest honor, the Eagle Award, in recognition of his significant contributions to international sport. He also is a member of the Cleveland Browns' "Ring of Honor", having become a member of the first class inducted on September 19, 2010.
It's easy to see that Ozzie "The Wizard of Oz" Newsome is indeed one of the greatest names in Bama football history.
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Alabama-Louisville 2018 Meeting Now Official
The match-up between the Alabama Crimson Tide and Louisville Cardinals is now official. The two will meet in the Orlando Citrus Bowl during college football's opening weekend of the 2018 season.
FCSports President Harold Mills said, “This game continues a trend of big-time events landing in the brand-new Orlando Citrus Bowl Stadium. Alabama and Louisville is a great matchup to start the 2018 season and yet another reason to become a season ticket member of our organization -- to get access to premium seats for games like this.”
Senior Vice President of ESPN Events, Pete Derzis said, “We are thrilled to have the Alabama Crimson Tide and the Louisville Cardinals play in the Orlando Citrus Bowl to open the 2018 college football season. This game has all the makings to be not only a quality matchup of two great college football programs, but also serve as a wonderful experience for the student-athletes and fans.”
Alabama and Louisville have previously met on the field only three times, with the most recent game having been played in 1991. Alabama leads the all-time series 2-1.
The Crimson Tide has played twice in Orlando, with this being its first neutral-site regular-season game. Bama won the 1995 CompUSA Florida Citrus Bowl, 24-7, over Ohio State, and was victorious in the 2011 Capital One Bowl 49-7 over Michigan State.
Alabama Athletic Director Bill Battle said, “The 2018 game will mark the seventh consecutive neutral-site season opener for the Crimson Tide. Neutral-site games have been good for Alabama in national exposure as well as financially under Coach Saban’s leadership. Our first regular-season neutral-site game in Orlando will provide another great matchup of national interest against an excellent Louisville program, but is also a new venue that I believe our fans will enjoy.”
This will be the first neutral-site regular-season game for the Cardinals in Orlando as well. Their lone prior contest at the Orlando Citrus Bowl came in the 2013 Russell Athletic Bowl, a 36-9 win over Miami.
