Monthly Archives: December 2009

GET VACINATED OR ELSE!

Posted on December 31, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

The distinctively loud and uniquely passionate voice of Alabama strength and conditioning coach Scott Cochran will now be heard by more than just the football team.

As part of an effort to get the state vaccinated for the H1N1 flu virus, Cochran lent his vocal cords to a television ad.

The spot, that can be seen on the Alabama Department of Public Health Web site, features trademarked Cochran phrases like “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” and “Whoom.”

Auburn head coach Gene Chizik appears on a similar television ad, although much less yelling. All the videos can be found at www.adph.org.

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Posted in football

Bryant-Denny Stadium expansion photos

Posted on December 31, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

Here are a few new pictures of the Bryant-Denny Stadium south end zone expansion. It will the last for a little while since I’ll be out west for a week. Enjoy.

Track expansion progress here

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Posted in Bryant-Denny Stadium, football

VIDEO: Tide practices indoors Wednesday

Posted on December 30, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

The rainy weather forced Alabama to practice inside Wednesday afternoon. It has just one practice Thursday before flying to sunny southern California on Friday.

Here is a quick video I recorded from the practice. If you look close, you’ll see one of the state’s more recognizable former high school coaches. Rush Propst, formerly of Hoover High (and MTV’s Two-A-Days) and now a coach in Georgia, was among the prep coaches taking in practice Wednesday.

On a side note, see what Bobby Bowden told the Orlando Sentinel about the Alabama coaching job.

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Posted in BCS, football, practice, Texas, video, YouTube

National championship t-shirts? Already?`

Posted on December 30, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

I hope to write more about this in the coming days, but I was walking through the mall in Decatur yesterday when I came across two separate stores already advertising BCS National Championship t-shirts.

Really? Already?

I guess that’s par for the course when a school in a football-crazed state is playing for the title. The rat race to sell every possible t-shirt begins well before the outcome is decided. Let me know if you’ve seen similar deals where you are.

For this sports writer, it’s one final trip to Tuscaloosa this afternoon before leaving for the west coast bright and early Saturday morning. Have a happy Wednesday and check back for more later on.

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Posted in BCS national championship, football, Texas

Another video from Monday practice

Posted on December 29, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

I forgot to upload this yesterday since things got a little busy. It’s nothing major, but another look at the linebackers practicing for the Jan. 7 BCS National Championship Game with Texas. Enjoy.

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Posted in BCS national championship, football, Rolando McClain, Texas, video, YouTube

UPDATE: Carpenter sick, not injured

Posted on December 28, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

As clarified by Nick Saban after practice, left tackle James Carpenter is not injured, just sick. It is not expected to be a major issue.

He did practice Sunday evening before coming down with something Monday.

So call off the panic alarms. He should be just fine.

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Posted in football, James Carpenter

VIDEO: Where is James Carpenter?

Posted on December 28, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

We just got done watching a Monday afternoon practice, and one key part of the Alabama offensive line was not around. It’s too early to read anything into it yet, but starting left tackle James Carpenter was not there.

In his place with the first team was Athens (Ala.) product Alfred McCullough. See the video below and check back for updates after Nick Saban’s afternoon news conference.

Stay tuned, the video is still loading. It will be up soon.

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Posted in Alfred McCullough, BCS national championship, football, James Carpenter

BREAKING AGAIN: Meyer stays?

Posted on December 27, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

Well, this keeps getting stranger. Now, Urban Meyer is staying at Florida and will take a leave of absence?

That’s the latest in the Florida football saga. Thank goodness I don’t cover the Gators or I would have lost my mind already.

Here’s a link to the latest according to the Gainesville Sun and the Miami Herald and the USA Today.

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Posted in Florida, football, Urban Meyer

Saban comments on Meyer resignation

Posted on December 27, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

Nothing earth shattering, but Nick Saban just released the following statement on the stunning and sudden resignation of Urban Meyer:

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Urban and his family at this time. He is a first class coach and the success he’s had is unmatched in our profession, especially over the last five years at Florida.

We hope he is able to regain his health and have the opportunity to coach again in the future. Urban Meyer is a great person as well as a great coach, and the game of college football is better with him as a part of it.”

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Posted in Florida, football, Nick Saban, Urban Meyer

BREAKING: Urban Meyer resigns

Posted on December 27, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

In case you haven’t heard, here is the first Associated Press story just put out on the breaking news story of the day/year.

GAINESVILLE, Fla. (AP) — Florida coach Urban Meyer, who was admitted to a hospital because of chest pains following the Southeastern Conference championship game, is stepping down because of health concerns.

Meyer resigned Saturday, calling it quits after five seasons in Gainesville and two national titles. He leaves Florida with a 56-10 record that includes a 32-8 mark in league play and a school-record 22-game winning streak snapped early this month against Alabama.

Meyer says he consulted with his family, his doctors, school president Bernie Machen and athletic director Jeremy Foley before deciding it is in his best interest to focus on his health and family.

Meyer will hold a news conference in New Orleans on Sunday afternoon and will coach his final game in the Sugar Bowl against Cincinnati on New Year’s Day.

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Posted in Florida, football, Urban Meyer

A little extra holiday cheer

Posted on December 25, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

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Posted in Uncategorized

Mark Ingram Sr. talks to USA Today

Posted on December 24, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

If you’re done with all the last minute shopping, take a few minutes to read this story from the USA Today. The national paper scored a rare interview with Mark Ingram Sr., who spoke to the reporter from the Queens N.Y., jail he now calls home.

It offers a unique view inside the mind of the Heisman Trophy winner’s father who will spend in the neighborhood of 10 years behind bars.

Enjoy and have a swell holiday.

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Posted in football, Heisman Trophy, Mark Ingram

Something cool for holiday season

Posted on December 23, 2009 by admin | Leave a comment

I know it’s not Alabama related, but I had to pass along a few of these videos that really warm the heart at this time of the year. Sure, I know there aren’t many hockey fans reading this, but those Canadians came up with a cool way to give back.

It’s called the Teddy Toss and it makes for amazing videos along with great charity. The ritual began at junior league hockey games several years ago and it is a huge hit. At the Teddy Toss game, fans bring teddy bears for under-privileged children. And when the home team scores the first goal, the bears rain down on the ice. The record is somewhere north of 22,000 teddies.

Don’t ask me why, but this just fascinates me. Check it out.