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Preparation Continues For SEC Championship Game
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The Alabama Crimson Tide football team once again practiced inside the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility preparing for this Saturday's matchup with the Florida Gators in the SEC Championship to be played in Atlanta, Georgia. Bama worked for approximately two hours yesterday in full pads.
And, yes, Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart is still in Tuscaloosa doing his job. He was still leading his players through their drills as is the usual fare in weekday prep.
Both linebacker Denzel Devall and running back Kenyan Drake (see accompanying article) were practicing with the team and looking good.
Alabama will be playing for the SEC Championship for the 10th time, while Florida will be there for the 11th. In the overall series between the two teams, Alabama leads with a 24-14 record, yet Florida holds the edge in the SEC Championship Game series with Bama 4-3.
Today's practice will be the last of the week for the Crimson Tide who will be departing for Atalanta on Friday.
The Southeastern Conference Championship Game is this Saturday at the Georgia Dome in Atlanta. Game time is 3 p.m. CT, with CBS broadcasting the game live. Verne Lundquist, Gary Danielson and Allie LaForce will be making the call.
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Saban On Kirby Smart Departure
Alabama head football coach Nick Saban addressed the media on Wednesday as is his habit to do so during the course of the football season. Numerous things were discussed, and among them was the apparent departure of defensive coordinator Kirby Smart as the Bulldogs new head coach at the University of Georgia. Prior to the press conference Saban had remained mum on the subject.
Saban said, "It's not my real position to confirm any of this stuff and I really can't confirm it." And considering no official announcement has come from UGA and won't until possibly Sunday, he would be technically unable to do so. Of course everyone is aware of the rumors, and the fact that Smart and Saban have talked about it.
Saban continued, "I think everybody in this building is very focused on what we're
trying to do for our team because, regardless of what anybody's
opportunities are in the future, all those things get enhanced by us
playing well in this game. So I think that's what
everybody's focus should be and I have no doubt about anybody in our
organization focusing on this."
The head coach did tell everyone that he did speak to the team about the situation in a team meeting on Wednesday. He said the coaches care about the players and the players care about
the coaches. And if you really care about the coaches and
you know a guy's done a great job and he's worked real hard to create
another opportunity for himself, you ought to be happy for him. You
shouldn't be worried about it. You shouldn't be concerned about it."
The coach reminded everyone this isn't a new thing. He said, "And you should also know that we've had this situation in the past and we seem to bring the next best coach in so you'll continue to get good coaching and help you develop as a football player. So I think the players kinda get it."
Saban then told everyone that that would be the end of questions pertaining to Kirby Smart-to-Georgia. He said, "I don't have anything else to say about it," Saban said. "So don't ask. There is no more. I know you would like to some kind of way extract something out of this bottle (holding a Coke bottle) that's not there. It's not there. You all speculate and create things and then you want people to respond to it. You can get this bottle to respond to it because I don't know anything more about it. I told you everything I know so you can ask the bottle but don't ask me."
Alabama and Florida clash on Saturday for the SEC Championship at 3 p.m. CT.
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Still No Word on Drake
Photo Credit: RollTide.com
The decision on whether or not Alabama football's Kenyan Drake will play this Saturday in the Southeastern Conference Championship still has not been decided, and won't be decided until Saturday, according to head football coach Nick Saban. Drake suffered a broken arm in the November 14th with Mississippi State and subsequently underwent surgery to repair the arm. Drake is the Tide's second-leading rusher with 68 carries for 333 yards as well as 21 pass receptions for 234 yards. You might say he's the two in the Alabama offense's one-two punch.
Yesterday Saban said, "He's been practicing every day. So when the game comes we're going to decide whether he can play or not. I can't make that call right now. If he continues to practice well and doesn't have issues and problems, he's day-to-day. So today (Wednesday) he practiced. If he feels good tomorrow (Thursday) he'll practice tomorrow and if feels good on Saturday and he thinks that he's ready to go and he's not apprehensive...."
So seeing where this is going one can surmise a lot of this decision is in the hands of Kenyan Drake himself. Of course his performance in practice determines whether the coaches and trainers feel he's psychologically and fundamentally ready to play.
Saban went on to say, "I always ask the player after he gets medically cleared, 'Do you think you can go in there and do your job with confidence and you don't have any psychological apprehensions?'" We're not having that conversation until Saturday, so I can't answer your question until then."
So for now Alabama fans can be happy knowing that not only is Drake practicing, but he appears to be practicing with more confidence and being a bit more physical. Alabama trainers have been simulating hits to help determine Drake's physical ability to take the hits he would surely experience should be play this Saturday.
Alabama faces Florida this Saturday for the SEC Championship in Atlanta, Georgia. Game time is set for 3 p.m. CT and will be broadcast live by CBS.
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2016 Football Recruiting Class
This is the complete list of 18 prospects committed to the University of Alabama's 2016 football recruiting class as of 12/2/15.
- Raekwon Davis, DT (6'7", 315 lbs), Meridian High, Meridian, Mississippi
- T.J. Simmons, WR (6'2", 185 lbs), Clay-Chalkville High School, Pinson, Alabama*
- Jonah Williams, OL (6'5", 283 lbs), Folsom High, Folsom, California
- Brendan Scales, TE (6'4", 230 lbs), Lafayette, Ballwin, Missouri
- Chris Owens, OL (6'3", 312 lbs), Lamar High, Arlington, Texas
- Deonte Brown, OL (6'3", 330 lbs), Austin High, Decatur, Alabama*
- Joshua Perry, DB (6'3", 190 lbs), Amite High, Amite, Louisiana
- Kendell Jones, DT (6'4", 360 lbs), Shoemaker High, Killeen, Texas
- Charles Baldwin, OL (6'5", 305lbs), ASA College, Brooklyn, New York
- Jalen Hurts, QB (6'2", 208 lbs), Channelview High, Channelview, Texas
- Jaquan Yulee, LB (6'0", 252 lbs), Indian River High, Chesapeake, Virginia
- Eddy Pineiro, K (6'1", 180 lbs), ASA College, Miami, Florida
- Riley Cole, LB (6'3," 210 lbs), Oneonta High Schol, Oneonta, Alabama*
- Miller Forristall, TE (6'5", 220 lbs), Cartersville High School, Cartersville, Georgia
- Quinnen Williams, DL (6'4", 265 lbs), Wenonah High School, Birmingham, Alabama*
- B.J. Emmons, RB (5'11", 230 lbs), Freedom High School, Morganton, North Carolina
- Shawn Jennings, DB (6'2", 218 lbs), Dadeville High School, Dadeville, Alabama*
- Trevon Diggs, ATH (6'0", 186 lbs), Avalon School, Rockville, Maryland
*In-state recruits
