Tuscaloosa Gets Rain As Bama Gets In 5th Practice
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| Alabama Linebacker Tim Williams Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
The NCAA-required acclimation period is officially over, and Alabama practiced in full pads for the first time. It was helmets only for the first two practices, the addition of helmets and shoulder pads for the next two, and now it full gear. The Crimson Tide's main focal point was fundamentals and conditioning.
Add to that two-a-days begin today. Both today and Thursday the Crimson Tide will hold two-a-day practices in preparation for their first scrimmage coming up this Saturday, August 13th as well as that all-important season-opener with the Trojans of USC on September 3rd. The first session today is set for 9:30 a.m. CT.
Cooper Bateman was leadoff with the quarterbacks yesterday, followed by Blake Barnett and Jalen Hurts. David Cornwell was still limited due to his foot injury and was catching passes for one of the drills. This could all change, of course, as one of the guys begins to separate himself from the others.
Tide running back Derrick Gore didn't practice. Alabama head football coach Nick Saban had mentioned in his Sunday press conference that Gore had sustained a sprained knee and will be out for two weeks.
Alabama's first team offensive line has remained the same throughout the first five practice session. Cam Robinson, Lester Cotton, Ross Pierschbacher, Bradley Bozeman and Jonah Williams are lining up across the front.
As is the norm during certain times of college practices, a few NFL scouts were present to view the practice. It won't be the last time.
Alabama's first off-day comes this Sunday, August 14th following Saturday's first intra-squad scrimmage on Saturday. A total of 28 practices are slated before the season officially begins, with 23 remaining after yesterday's workout.
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| Monday was first day of practice in full pads for the Tide. Photo Credit: RollTide.com |
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| Alabama Linebacker Christian Miller Photo Credit: AL.com/Vasha Hunt |
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Now That There's A Snake In The Hall,
The Crimson Tide Boasts 8 In Pro Football Hall Of Fame
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| Alexa Stabler-Adams with a bust of her dad, Ken Stabler Twitter Photo |
With the addition of Ken "Snake" Stabler to the Pro Football Hall of Fame this past weekend, it brings the total number of former Alabama Crimson Tide football players to eight in the hall. Now that there is finally a Snake in the Hall, attention should be turned to others. But, that's another story.
In addition to Snake, Alabama is represented in the Pro Football Hall of Fame by John Hannah, Don
Hutson , Joe Namath , Ozzie Newsome , Bart Starr , Dwight Stephenson and Derrick Thomas. The Tide is tied (with Pittsburg) for the fourth most former players in the Hall.
Leading the list of the college most-represented in the Hall of Fame is USC with 12 members. Following USC, with at least five former players in, is Notre Dame (11), Ohio State (9), Alabama (8), Pittsburg (8), Syracuse (7), Miami (6), Michigan (6), Oregon (6), Penn State(6), Minnesota (6), Nebraska (5) and UCLA with five also.
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4-Star Devonta Smith Again Visits Tuscaloosa
Commit Announcement Set For Monday
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4-Star Devonta Smith Again Visits Tuscaloosa
Commit Announcement Set For Monday
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| 4-Star Bama Prospect Devonta Smith Photo Credit: 247Sports |
Four-star wide receiver prospect Devonta Smith out of Amite (Louisiana) High School payed another visit to the University of Alabama campus this past weekend along with his mentor, Vincent Sanders. This is especially important since generally the rule-of-thumb is the last visit most times picks up the commitment. Smith's three finalists are Alabama, LSU and Miami.
Smith was committed to the Georgia Bulldogs at one point, but then back in January announced he was reopening his recruitment. Since then, the Crimson Tide has been viewed as his favorite. He is friends with Alabama freshman defensive back Shyheim Carter, and has a good relationship with director of player personnel Sam Petitto, the mentor to Smith when he was younger.
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ESPN's Schlaback Picks Bama To Win It All
Another writer, another 2016 college football prediction. Yep, and I'm gonna run 'em. Well, most of 'em. As the college football "itch" grows more intense, various sites are attempting to scratch it with more and more polls, prognostications, photos, and controversy.
Mark Schlaback of ESPN yesterday released some predictions of his own for the upcoming college football season. He has selected the Alabama Crimson Tide to win their second consecutive national championship, making it five in the last eight years.
Schlaback said, "Alabama's season is going to look a lot like the last one --- the Crimson Tide will struggle at quarterback early, might even lose to Ole Miss again, and then they'll figure it out and start rolling. By the end of the regular season, Alabama's running game will be punishing people and its defense will be stuffing everyone."
He also that the College Football playoff this year will be almost identical to last year. Alabama, Clemson and Oklahoma will be be there, but Michigan will replace Michigan State to round out the four playoff teams.
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Jacoby Stevens Spurns Tide For LSU Tigers
Five-star safety prospect Jacoby Stevens started out with the Georgia Bulldogs as his favorite. Next was the Tigers of LSU. Then, after a visit to the Alabama campus, the Crimson Tide took the lead. Yesterday the youngster committed to LSU.
Reportedly the Tide was a close second.
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Famous Celebrity Birthdays
Birthdays for August 9, 2016:
Deion Sanders, 39
Alexa Bliss, 25
Willian, 28
Derek Fisher, 42
Tyson Gay, 34
Jason Heyward, 27
Gillian Anderson, 48
Anna Kendrick, 31
Sam Elliot, 72
Whitney Houston, deceased
Rydel Lynch, 23
Young Thug, 25
Adelaide Kane, 26
Burkely Duffield, 24
Jessica Capshaw, 40
Kevin McKidd, 43
Hoda Kotb, 52
Melanie Griffith, 59
Ashley Johnson, 33
Audrey Tautou, 40
