Daily Archives: December 21, 2012

Greg McElroy talks to the New York media

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off
New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy (14) had a 24-3 record as a starter at Alabama. (AP photo by Kathy Willens)

New York Jets quarterback Greg McElroy (14) had a 24-3 record as a starter at Alabama. (AP photo by Kathy Willens)

Greg McElroy spoke to reporters Friday after the New York Jets’ practice. McElroy, a second-year quarterback out of Alabama, will make his first NFL start Sunday against San Diego.

Click here to read the transcript of the interview.

Here’s a taste of it:

–On if he’s excited the world didn’t end before he could make his first NFL start: “Everyone’s asked me that several times this week. It’s like, “Are you disappointed that the world could end before your first NFL start?” And I was like, “At that point, does it really matter?” But, yeah, I’m glad that we’re still around, I’m glad that everything’s OK. I wasn’t really all that worried about it.”

–On if other people have asked him if he was happy the world didn’t end before he could make his first NFL start: “I’m dead serious. A couple different people, like high school friends just messing with me and stuff like that. Yeah, it’s pretty funny.”

–On if his preparation has changed this week: “Just continue to do what you’ve been doing and obviously we’ve been doing this for a long time now. We’re late in the season and there’s two games left in the season. You have that routine down, you have that preparation down. It hasn’t really affected the way I’ve prepared. Every week I’ve tried to prepare like I was going to be out there playing in the game and taking the snaps. This week didn’t really change much. I just got more reps in practice. I felt good. I felt comfortable going in.”

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Fluker: Haven’t thought about turning pro

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Crimson Tide offensive tackle D.J. Fluker said tonight he hasn’t given thought to whether he will turn pro after the season.

“Right now, that’s a family decision between us and coach,” Fluker said. “I haven’t thought about it. Right now, the main thing is to focus on my team and helping my teammates out. It really hasn’t been on my mind.”

Fluker is a fourth-year junior who is listed at 6-foot-6 and 335 pounds. After redshirting his freshman season, he has started 35 games. The Associated Press named him second-team All-American this year.

The National Football Post has listed Fluker as the 19th player taken in its mock first round. However, cbssports.com’s draft analysts haven’t included Fluker in their mock first rounds.

Teammates AJ McCarron, the starting quarterback, and linebacker C.J. Mosley have announced they will remain for their senior season. Cornerback Dee Milliner and running back Eddie Lacy have said they’ll decide later.

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Thoughts from Friday’s Alabama football practice

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Even with the sun shining brightly and the air not too chilly, Alabama practiced inside today for the second straight day.

Freshman linebacker Denzel Devall was on the field but only as an observer. Wearing a black non-contact jersey and a brace on his injured left knee, he watched the other linebackers work.

Noseguard Jesse Williams looks fine as he recovers from a sprained knee suffered in the SEC Championship Game.

Defensive back John Fulton, who suffered from a turf toe injury against Texas A&M, was limping a little but went through workouts. Cornerback Dee Milliner sat out one of the two periods reporters were allowed to view today, but it doesn’t appear serious. As Barrett Jones said earlier this week, because Alabama is going through preseason-style workouts, the reserves are getting a little more work than usual in practice.

Although Alabama is working mostly on Alabama, there is a little bit of practice time taken with preparing for Notre Dame. During the period in which the defensive backs and linebackers work on pass coverage, two of the scout-team tight ends had make-shift No. 80 jerseys. That’s the number of Notre Dame senior tight end Tyler Eifert.

Here’s practice video, shot by Brett Hudson:

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Foster commitment puts Tide at top of Rivals.com rankings

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off

Wide receiver prospect Robert Foster of Pennsylvania announced Thursday he has chosen Alabama over homestate favorite Pitt. With him picking the Crimson Tide, Rivals.com moved Alabama from fifth to first in its recruiting rankings.

Scout.com has him as the nation’s No. 3 receiver prospect and a five-star player. ESPN.com has him as the No. 2 receiver. Rivals.com ranks Foster as the 10th best receiver in the country and a four-star prospect.

Foster, who is listed at 6-foot-3 and 190 pounds, attends Central Valley High at Monaca, Pa., which is about 26 miles from Pittsburgh. His announcement came at a news conference at his school.

He is the first five-star receiver to choose Alabama since Julio Jones in 2008. Tide commitments Rivals lists as five-star prospects include defensive end Jonathan Allen of Stone Bridge High in Ashburn, Va., and tight end O.J. Howard of Autauga Academy. Scout.com rates five Tide commitments as five-star players, including Foster, Howard, Salt Lake City quarterback Cooper Bateman, Jacksonville, Fla., defensive lineman Demarcus Walker and Yulee, Fla., running back Derrick Henry.

The Crimson Tide now has 20 commitments for its 2013 class, including junior college transfer Leon Brown, who signed with Alabama earlier this week and will begin classes in January.

Henry offered his congratulations on Twitter (at the top of this post) to Foster and Alabama assistant coach Lance Thompson, who was in charge of recruiting Foster.

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Two Tide players accept Senior Bowl invitations

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off

Alabama safety Robert Lester will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26, 2013, in Mobile. (AP photo by Jeff Roberson)

Alabama safety Robert Lester will play in the Senior Bowl on Jan. 26, 2013, in Mobile. (AP photo by Jeff Roberson)

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — Alabama safety Robert Lester and long-snapper Carson Tinker have accepted invitations to the Senior Bowl, which announced the news today.

They join Crimson Tide linebacker Nico Johnson, who accepted an invitation Wednesday.

A fourth Alabama senior, noseguard Jesse Williams, said Thursday he has received a Senior Bowl invitation but likely will decide after the BCS National Championship Game whether to accept.

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Anthony Grant, Trevor Lacey talk Alabama hoops (video)

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off

TUSCALOOSA, Alabama — The Crimson Tide basketball team will play Saturday at home at 1 p.m., and it marks a quick turnaround from its last game.

Alabama won at Texas Tech 66-62 on Wednesday night, and the team didn’t arrive back home until 2 a.m. because flight delays, including a sand storm, and the plane arriving late to pick up the Tide group.

Head coach Anthony Grant and guard Trevor Lacey took time this afternoon to talk a little about that win over Texas Tech and look ahead to Mercer. Here’s video, shot by Brett Hudson:

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Countdown: 17 days until the BCS National Championship Game

Posted on December 21, 2012 by | Comments Off

Each day until the BCS National Championship Game, Daily Bama Blog contributor Brett Hudson will count down to kickoff, giving us bits and pieces of that day’s significance to Alabama and Notre Dame. Today is 17 days until the game, which means Brett is examining the number “17.”

–Alabama’s Eddie Lacy has scored 17 touchdowns this season, accounting for 102 points to rank in a tie for 32nd in the nation in scoring.

–Defensively, Alabama has seen its opponents go for it on fourth down 17 times, but only succeed seven times for a success rate of 41.18 percent.

–Notre Dame has forced 17 fumbles this season, recovering seven of them.

–Alabama has intercepted 17 passes this season. They have been returned for 221 yards and one touchdown, courtesy of C.J. Mosley against Michigan.

–The Crimson Tide ranks 17th in the nation in rushing first downs with 147 (Army is first with 236). Notre Dame is tied for 33rd with 124.

–AJ McCarron‘s 66.8 completion percentage is tied for 17th in the nation with Shane Carden of East Carolina. Johnny Manziel and Connor Shaw of Texas A&M and South Carolina, respectively, are the only two SEC quarterbacks ahead of him. Notre Dame’s Everett Golson stands at 58.9 percent.

–Alabama has given up 17 red zone scores. Its opponents have visited the red zone 27 times this season.

–Both teams have given up exactly 17 points in a game this season. Purdue hit that number against Notre Dame while LSU scored that many against Alabama.

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