ESPN Releases Midseason All-SEC Team Selections
ESPN yesterday released their 2016 Preseason All-SEC team. The University of Alabama Crimson Tide is well-represented on that list, with eight players making the team. There are three Tide players on offense, four on defense and one on special teams selected by ESPN.
ESPN All-SEC Team
Offense
Quarterback: Jalen Hurts, Alabama
Running back: Trayveon Williams, Texas A&M
Running back: Rawleigh Williams III, Arkansas
Wide receiver: Josh Reynolds, Texas A&M
Wide reciever: Calvin Ridley, Alabama
Tight end: Evan Engram, Ole Miss
Offensive tackle: Cam Robinson, Alabama
Offensive guard: Braden Smith, Auburn
Center: Ethan Pocic, LSU
Offensive guard: Josh Boutte, LSU
Offensive tackle: Avery Gennesy, Texas A&M
Defense
Defensive line: Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
Defensive line: Derek Barnett, Tennessee
Defensive line: Jonathan Allen, Alabama
Defensive line: Arden Key, LSU
Linebacker: Tim Williams, Alabama
Linebacker: Zach Cunningham, Vanderbilt
Linebacker: Reuben Foster, Alabama
Corner back: Teez Tabor, Florida
Corner back: Minkah Fitzpatrick, Alabama
Safety: Justin Evans, Texas A&M
Safety: Jamal Adams, LSU
Special Teams
Kicker: Daniel Carlson, Auburn
Punter: Johnny Townsend, Florida
Return specialist: Eddie Jackson, Alabama
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Crimson Tide Football
Wednesday Prep For Texas A&M In The Books
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Preparation. It's part of the winning formula at Alabama. Chalkboarding, playbooking, executing...all important factors. Practicing it on the field is necessary, and then moving it onto the field is a must.
The University of Alabama Crimson Tide football team was once again out on that practice field on Wednesday afternoon. Bama put in two more hours of work in full pads in preparation for this Saturday's Top-10 matchup with the No. 6/6 Texas A&M Aggies, at the Hank Crisp Indoor Facility.
The Alabama coaches and team continued to work on and fine tune a game plan that hopefully will slow down, if not stop, the SEC-leading Texas A&M offense that is averaging of 532.8 yards per game, which includes the conference's top rushing attack that averages 274 yards a game. The Aggies boast a perfect 6-0 record, including a 4-0 slate in Southeastern Conference play.
Though Alphonse Taylor was at practice yesterday and working, he didn't participate with either the first or second teams. He continues to recover from the concussion received two weeks ago during the matchup with the Arkansas Razorbacks. Lester Cotton continued to replace him in the workout in the first team.
Game time for the showdown between the top-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide and Texas A&M is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. CT at Bryant-Denny Stadium, and will be broadcast live on CBS. Verne Lundquist will handle the play-by-play, Gary Danielson will provide color analysis and Allie LaForce will again be walking the sidelines.
Alabama leads the series with the Aggies 6-2, with the first meeting coming back in the 1942. The Tide has been victorious in the last three contests between the two squads, outscoring the Aggies 149-65. The last matchup in Tuscaloosa came in 2014 with Bama coming away with a 59-0 victory, the largest win over a ranked opponent in UA history. Last season the Tide defeated the Aggies at College Station41-23.
Also of interest, this Saturday the Nissan Heisman House Tour will be making a stop at Bryant-Denny Stadium for a pre-game experience inviting fans to celebrate college football's most outstanding players. Outland and Rimington Trophy winner, and former Crimson Tider, Barrett Jones will be be present from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT, participating in both a "Chalk Talk" segment with ESPN as well as an autograph session with fans from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. CT. Doak Walker Award recipient, Heisman Trophy finalist, and former Bama running back Trent Richardson will also be on hand from 12:30 to 2 p.m. CT. Richardson will be participating in an autograph session for fans from 1 until 2 p.m. CT.
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What Saban Said To The Press On Wednesday
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
University of Alabama head coach Nick Saban again held his customary Wednesday press briefing with the media yesterday. He spoke of the upcoming game with the sixth-ranked Texas A&M Aggies as well as another "ass chewing."
We'll start first with the "ass chewing." Saban said he spoke to the entire team concerning running back Bo Scarbrough's interaction with a Tennessee football fan this past Saturday after the young man's 85-yard touchdown run. This was one of the places where the "ass chewing" took place, or was at least referenced, and used as an example to the others.
Saban was, however, also complimentary of Scarbrough. The coach said that he believes Scarbrough has continued to get better and is getting more and more confident. He also said that he was happy with Scarbrough's "development."
Turning to Texas A&M, Saban said that the Aggies' defense does a really great job in pressuring the quarterback. He also said that this game would be a great challenge.
Concerning the contest being held at Bryant-Denny Stadium, Saban said it seemed like a long time since the Tide had played at home and that they were looking forward to playing at home again.
Concerning practice, Saban said the team had a better day of practice. He referenced more enthusiam and more energy as factors in that.
The Crimson Tide and Aggies face off this Saturday at 2:30 p.m. CT in Bryant-Denny Stadium in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.
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Alabama Men's Basketball Represented At SEC Media Day
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| Bama Men's Basketball At SEC Media Day Photo Credit: ESPN |
There was a slew of national, regional and local media present, and the the Bama trio spent their time talking with most, if not all. Coach Johnson, Collins and Norris appeared on the SEC Now set with host, Dari Nowkhah, as well as appearing at the two-hour long event for photo shoots and interviews with the likes of ESPN college basketball analysts Andy Katz, Seth Greenberg and Sean Farnham, and severalothers. Of course those who cover Crimson Tide sports in the state of Alabama were there also.
In speaking to reporters, Johnson said that he studied Alabama football head coach Nick Saban at length in preparation for his second season at the helm of Crimson Tide men's basketball. Johnson commented, "It's a huge ally for us. Coach Saban has been great. When I have time, I go to quite a few of their practices. I not only have a great relationship with Coach Saban, but the other coaches on the staff. Coach Burns, our running backs coach, is a St. Aug guy — my high school — and coached at Southern University, my alma mater."
Johnson likes Saban's demeanor and approach to coaching and relationships with players. "Coach Saban laughs all the time and says I've met with him more in the last 16 months than the last two coaches combined," Johnson said. "That's intentional. I like to pick his brain about things. I like to go into their practices and watch him work with the defensive backs every day just like I work with our point guards."
Concerning the Kentucky Wildcats being picked to win the Southeastern Conference again this season, and John Calipari as a coach, Johnson said, "Well, you've got to embrace their success. Yeah, you want to beat them, but Coach Cal has done a great job with his program, and while others are maybe envious or jealous, I'm not. I studying him a lot.
"I like to study what successful people do, and I think it's great for our conference. We have to, the rest of the schools, on a consistent basis, we have to close the gap."
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Bama Baseball Steak & Beans World Series Begins Today
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| Photo Credit: Alabama Athletics |
Thursday and Friday's first and second games of the series will begin at 3 p.m. CT, with the final game on Saturday final set for a 10:30 a.m. CT first pitch. All three games will run a full nine innings, with the winners of the best-of-three series earning themselves a steak dinner.
The Crimson squad will be headed by Bama baseball assistant coach Jake Wells, director of operations Michael Chadwick and manager Garrett Walters, while the White team will be led by associate head coach Terry Rooney, volunteer assistant coach Derek Simmons and strength and conditioning coach Lance Ancar. Alabama head coach Greg Goff will serve as the commissioner of the event and is a neutral party during the series.
Sewell-Thomas Stadium will be open to fans who wish to watch the "Steak and Beans" series. Fans are asked to enter Sewell-Thomas Stadium through the main gate (Gate 3) located directly behind home plate. Once inside, fans are encouraged to stay in the lower bowl seating area, as access to the upper levels of the stadium is restricted.
