65* Thoughts on March Madness

* Actual number may vary (and by "vary" I mean "be considerably less"- But, since there are technically 65 teams in the tournament, and I'm feeling a little ambitious, what the hell let's give it a shot. )

1. There are actually some folks who have not filled out a bracket. We call these people "Un-American."




2. Brackets this time of year should be as mandatory as taxes. In fact, let's inact a law stating you have to send in a bracket with your return. Winner take all. What do you say?




3. The first Thursday and Friday of the tournament should be a national holiday. I'll gladly give up President's Day and Columbus Day to make this happen. I'm tired of using my vacation time in order to watch the games.




4. It's so great to be able to get out and get stuff done before the games on Thursday and Friday while everybody else is at...Okay, scratch #2.




5. The combination of all day basketball, cold beer, and going to get mediocre bar food served by young ladies in tight tops and ugly orange shorts are all you need to make cousins who haven't visited you since you got married show up. Again, this is a magical time of year.




6. Our Hooters waitress actually had on roller skates, and at one point the entire wait staff jumped up on the bar to do a rousing rendition of AC/DC's "You Shook Me All Night Long." Combined with the skimpy outfits, is there no end the Hooters corporation won't go to denigrate these girls? I mean, at this point the ladies from "Two Girls One Cup" would probably find working at Hooters to be demeaning.




7. Washington D.C. should be ashamed of it's poor turnout during early Thursday games. It can't be due to the parking or lack of valet attendants. The one time I went to D.C., I had no problem finding someone to take my car off of my hands.




"Sir, if you'll just leave the keys in the ignition">>







8. How hard would it have been for CBS to schedule the games so that we could have basketball 12 hours straight? My glorious day of basketball viewing was interrupted after 5 hours by...Maury Povich???. In an act of protest, I passed out in a drunken stupor on my couch. To further express my displeasure, I boycotted the Duke/Belmont game*




9. *Boycott may or may not have been the result of me still being passed out.




10. "Picking the Chalk", meaning "going with all the favorites". Why have I never heard this phrase before the last couple of days?




11. Speaking of "picking the chalk," I'm loving "Siena and Davidson pickin'" Seth Davis and his smug chiding of Clark Kellogg for picking all of the favorites. I can't wait for Clark to get one right. He's taken such a verbal beating at this point that I wouldn't be surprised to see him jump up, spread his arms out wide, and scream "That's right muthaf****r!!! How ya like me now?!?" while Greg Gumbel puts his hand over his mouth, leans back in his chair, and yells "Oh, Snap!!." Hmm. Maybe I've watched "Yo Mama" on MTV too many times.




12. I've seen "Yo Mama" once, and that was way too many times.




13. And on the other end of the passion spectrum we've got Bobby Knight. It's fun to watch him when it isn't his turn to talk. He just sits there with an interest level of a guy in a department store waiting for his wife to try on her 78th outfit of the day.




14. He just looks so disinterested that I wouldn't be shocked if he just walked off set to go to the bathroom while Reese Davis was in mid-sentence. Only, he would still be mic'ed up so we could have a classic Frank Drebin in "The Naked Gun" moment.




15. So, at what point in your life are you esteemed enough that you can just wear a sweater on TV while everyone else has to wear a coat and tie?




16. I guess being the all time winningest men's basketball coach fits the bill, huh?




17. Anybody else surprised that it didn't take ESPN too long to use the sweater as a marketing opportunity? I'm fairly certain all of Coach Knight's sweaters at home didn't have "ESPN" stitched on them before he arrived on set.




18. Great Pitt pick, Coach Knight.




19. I'm pretty sure he did it just to piss Dick Vitale's "UNC loving" self off.




20. Roy Hibbert is looking more and more like the next "Great White Stiff." I didn't even know that was actually possible.




21. You gotta give it to Kevin Love. He's an amazing basketball player. Plus, he looks like he probably smells like stale beer when he sweats.




22. He reminds me of the guy you always see at the rec who dominates, but never wants to run a full court game when the other goal is open.




23. Michael Beasley is a dominating force in the college game, but there's no way he's a legit 6'10." Regardless, he'll still be the #1 pick in the NBA draft.




24. Unless of course it's Derrick Rose. You never pass up on a natural point guard of his calibur. Just ask the New Orleans Hornets or Utah Jazz fans what a great young point guard can do for your team.




25. Given NBA team track records, however, it'll likely be some young foreign player who plays 6 minutes a game in some Euro league against guys who smoke cigarettes on the bench or miss games because they can't find a babysitter.




26. If the commercials shown during the tournament games were a basketball team, it would be one with a very short bench. Your starters would be 1) The "Hey Buddy" spot from AT&T, 2) Chevy driving Howie Long mooching lunch off of his accountant 3) "Dudemadness" from Bud Light, 4) The guy watching TV outside (??) ordering frozen pizza from his wife, 5) The ages old Enterprise commercial. (Can somebody please go rent a car from these folks so they can splurge on a new commercial??). Off the bench would be the "special powers" Bud Light adds, and the "I'm an idiot 'cause I don't have good reception" AT&T adds. Ladies and gentlemen, give it up for your 2008 March Madness commercials!!




27. Oh, and CBS seems to be really hyping these little shows called "CSI." Never heard of them, but I hope they do well.



28. So, how's everybody's Women's bracket looking?



29. Stephon Curry seems to be able to shoot. In other breaking news, Februarys in Chicago are usually cold, and people generally like having lots of friends and lots of money.




30. That scintillating WKU and San Diego matchup in Round 2 is why the NCAA seems to try to pit mid-majors against each other as much as possible.




31. Coming up with 65 different thoughts is hard




32. I mean really hard.




33. Real, real hard.




34. I bet Roy Williams wishes he could bottle up some of that offensive efficiency he's enjoyed the last couple of games. The law of averages dictates that it won't last.




35. Tyler Hansbrough reminds me of over competitive friends I had that I hated to play basketball with because they would always take it too seriously. As I consequence, I would always seem to inadvertently take an elbow to the jaw. I'm looking at you, Nichols!




36. West Virginia's Joe Alexander is an impressive player. He has great all around skills and a wingspan that is surpassed only by his earspan.




37. Stanford will have to win 6 straight national championships and 17 straight Double-Duece level bar brawls before I ever think of them as anything other than too soft to win a title.




38. Throw Kansas in there as well. Not because I think they're soft, but because hanging your hopes on them is like driving your newly "pimped out" ride that still has a 300k mile old engine in it. It may look all nice and slick, but you still don't want to trust it.




39. Texas, you've done nothing to gain my trust either.




40. Wisconsin's style of play sets the game of basketball back 100 years. Is there any truth that the rims in their practice facility have been replaced with actual peach baskets? That's what I heard. I'm just sayin...




41. Who knew that a major American sporting event could be totally disrupted by a curtain being opened a couple of inches? C'mon Joey Dorsey, we played the SEC tournament during a freakin' tornado!




42. So Hubert Davis is picking the Hilltoppers to topple UCLA?? In other picks, he likes the Washington Generals on the road and has advised us to not give up on Betamax just yet.




43. Don't write off Tennessee just yet. They were the best team in the SEC. I know, I know. That's kinda like being the smartest kid in Special Ed, but still...



44. Okay, I must admit that I haven't really seen Washington State play before, but they're an intriguing team. They're defensive numbers are ridiculous. Classic clash of styles agains UNC.


45. Particularly Derrick Lowe, who gets my "Billy Ho" award for "The guy who looks least likely to be able to play a lick, but can actually really ball."


46. So I gotta choose between an AT&T smart phone, or having a big Nordic dude named Sven living in my house? Okay, you've sold me, AT&T. I'll take the phone.


47. Uh oh. Tyler Hansbrough has only two more points than I do at the half, yet UNC still leads by 14. So...when's the next game come on? This baby's already over.


48. Can Clint Black, as a stand-up comedian, make me laugh? Maybe, but probably not for the reason he hopes.


49. "Five dollar foot long" Hmm... Either Subway is having a pretty good sale on sandwiches, or Dirk Diggler is having trouble finding work again.


50. Okay, so the one year I don't pick Xavier to be my darkhorse, they manage to get to at least the Elite 8, knocking out my darkhorse for this year-West Virginia. Thanks guys. Seriously.


51. Has there been a more disgusting scene in a commercial than the guy wiping the bleu cheese dressing off the other guy's beard with his finger in the Sheridan ads? Perhaps the "Scarred" promos on MTV? I don't know. I still think I'd rather watch some guy's tibula pop out of his leg than watch that part of the Sheridan ad again.
52. Okay, I guess it's now officially acceptable to count out UT. Well, Hubert Davis hasn't just yet.
53. Another stellar pick from the ESPN studio crew goes down in flames. They should really just have 4 women that know nothing about basketball but always seem to win the office pool run the show. "Western Kentucky? No way! Have you seen how pretty UCLA's uniforms are? If you look good, you feel good. If you feel good, you play good. I'm going with the Brewers, or whatever they're called."
54. Well, I just lost my first final four team of the two brackets I submitted in our office pool. Wisconsin. What was I thnking? Man, I gotta quit drinking on my lunch break.
55. Okay, Memphis just graduated from "Yeah, they're a good team, but..." to "Holy Hell! They could actually win this whole thing!"
56. The elevated court in Reliant stadium is proudly brought to you by the Texas Personal Injury Attorney's Association. How is that thing even remotely safe?
57. In the words of the great American thespian and philosopher Wesley Snipes, "Always bet on BLACK." I'm assuming BLACK is an acronym for Big-10 Losing Another Classic butt Kicking. I know the "B" doesn't work in there, but for all of the many wonderful talents possessed by Wesley Snipes, coming up with acronyms is not one of them.
58. If anybody says anything to you that sounds something like "Man, I knew Davidson was going to make it this far, but I changed my bracket at the last minute", you have my permission to call them a liar and punch them in the throat.
59. UCLA is the first team through to the Final 4- They make winning ugly look so pretty.
60. UNC is the second. Hansbrough finishes the game with 28 pts, 13 boards, 2 steals, and an awkward marraige proposal from a gushing Jay Bilas.
61. Please become an organ donor. Dick Enberg needs your eyes to be able to see the game he's being paid to call. Sheesh.
62. Memphis looks unstoppable right now. Derrick Rose is probably the best point guard in the country, and is unquestionably the best player in America who's voice has not yet completely changed. Needless to say, his interview kind of shocked me.
63. Slow clap for Davidson, everybody. If they ever have a Pre-pubescent all star team, Curry and Rose are locks for the backcourt.
64. Well, I got all 4 Final 4 teams right on one of my office pool brackets, putting me in first place. Why am I not excited? Because I got UCLA beating Kansas in the championship game. Just don't see that happening right now.
65. Memphis makes UCLA look slow. Kevin Love just cemented himself in history. Well, if by "history" you mean to be on the 2008 Memphis highlight tape as the guy who got viciously dunked on.
66. Kansas starts out on fire. I would be more impressed, but I keep getting distracted with the tune "I feel for You" every time Sasha Kaun's name is mentioned. "Sasha Kaun-Sa-Sa-Sasha Kaun"
67. Okay, so maybe coming up with 65 thoughts was easier than I thought.
68. Great Championship game. It never fails to amaze me that guys that can concentrate enough to complete a 3-point play when fouled by 7' big men can't hit a free throw.
69. There are 50 year old guys in suburbs across the country who are just itching to take Memphis on in a game of HORSE. All free throws, all the time.
    
    
    
    
    

2008 Alabama Spring Football Preview

Alabama opened its 2008 spring practice on Thursday, March 13. They’ll work the following Friday, and then reconvene after spring break. The following is a preview, written by a typical avid fan and “sidewalk alum”, myself. I apparently had nothing better to do, and could think of nothing else to post on my newly created blog. Anyway, this is how I see each position break down.

Quarterbacks

Why I’m stoked-

John Parker Wilson returns as a senior starter with 2 full seasons of starting experience behind him. Despite being one of the most maligned Crimson Tide players in recent memory, all the guy has done is break every major single season Alabama passing record each of the two years he has started. When he’s on, he can be as effective passing the ball as any player in the conference. He’s a tough player with decent mobility. If given the right coaching, he could be the best quarterback in the SEC this year not named Tebow or Stafford.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

.493 is an excellent percentage- If you’re talking about hitting a baseball or shooting from the 3-point line. As a starting QB? Not so much. .493 was Wilson’s total completion percentage in Alabama’s 6 losses last season. In only two of those losses (FSU and Louisiana Monroe) did he pass for over 50%. Clearly, this is an area of Wilson’s game that must be improved upon if the Tide is going to do well this year.

It’s very clear that Wilson took a step back last year when a lot of folks were looking for him to make “the jump” to a big time performer in 2007. The reason why, however was not so clear. If it was coaching, then that problem has hopefully been remedied with the hiring of new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain. Alabama fans are hopeful that he can rekindle the performance in Wilson that ex-Alabama Head Coach Mike Shula, a very underrated QB position coach, was able to sustain.

Also, Wilson must learn his 3rd different offense in as many years without the benefit of his top three receivers from last year. Unless the NCAA inexplicably allows Alabama to dress every offensive skill player in the #22 (which seems unlikely to happen- even though we can all agree the NCAA owes us one), Wilson will be forced to break old habits of locking on to his favorite receiver on most pass plays. That is, of course, until Julio Jones gets to campus. Then all bets are off.

Overall Impression-

Despite the opinion of many moderately uninformed Alabama fans, John Parker Wilson is the best QB on the team. Many of the fans clamoring for McElroy or Fanuzzi couldn’t pick these guys out of a police line-up (I will refrain from making a joke about Alabama’s recent off the field troubles here). For Alabama to be successful, Wilson must be more consistent, make better decisions on the field, and take better care of the football. In other words, he needs to stop being the opposing quarterback on some other team’s “Pontiac Game Changing Play.”

Running backs

Why I’m Stoked-

During the early part of the 2007, there was a freshman running back who was setting the conference on fire. Strangely enough, the back was not Knowshon Moreno, but rather Terry Grant. It’s been said that dynamite comes in small packages, and that was certainly true in Grant’s case. Alabama appeared to be loaded with serviceable running backs of every size and need, whether it is power (Coffee), speed (Grant), or a combination of both (Upchurch). It appears everybody in this group will be back, along with Demetrius Goode, who tore his ACL early in last year’s spring practice.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

While it is true that dynamite comes in small packages, dynamite also explodes and then fades away in a cloud of dust. This, unfortunately, was also the case for Terry Grant. He proved to be too small to handle the rigors of an SEC football season, ultimately losing his starting job and missing the last couple of games with injuries. Beyond Grant, Alabama’s other backs were solid, at best. On the positive side, it’s safe to say we don’t have to worry about the football program getting in trouble due to agents beating down our running back’s door. Of course, negatively, no SEC defensive coordinator is waking up in a cold sweat in the middle of the night screaming “How in the heck are we going to stop Glen Coffee?”

Overall Impression-

Alabama’s stable of running backs is probably best described as average. No better. No less. They proved to be either too brittle or too undependable to really install a lot of confidence in Coach Saban. When he’s giving the majority of carries to a walk-on, converted wide receiver in the form of Jonathan Lowe, against the eventual #1 team in the nation, it says a lot about his RB options last year. It also didn’t help matters that all of the backs had off-season surgeries. Look for freshmen such as Goode in the spring, or incoming freshman Mark Ingram or Chris Jordan to challenge for playing time when they arrive. This is a position battle that will be fun to watch during fall practice.

Wide Receivers

Why I’m Stoked-

Again, this is another position where the fall depth chart (if Coach Saban believed in those) will look a lot different than the one at the end of the spring. The guys Alabama has on campus now is a mixture of seasoned vets (Stover, Oakley, and McCoy), guys who saw their first action last year (Alexander and Hanks), and promising redshirt freshmen (Gibson and Maze). So, the numbers and talent are there for the making of a very competitive spring practice.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

Though the talent is there, there’s not a legitimate 2008 First Team All-Conference candidate among them. The most talented among the receivers are probably the youngest ones. McCoy faded down the stretch last year, and Oakley has grabbed more injured hamstrings than footballs so far in his Alabama career. Does any WR in this group have enough in them to make fans complain that JP Wilson is locking in on him too often? It’s too soon to tell.

Overall Impression-

When you factor in the incoming receiver talent arriving in the fall along with the guys on campus now, the WR position is easily the deepest and most talented position on this team.

Tight End

Why I’m Stoked-

Alabama is stocked at the TE position. McCall, Walker, Dial, Hoke, and Underwood all provide solid depth and at least a fair amount of talent. When you mix that with tons of game experience, it’s a positive thing.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

Alabama has the perfect, prototypical TE on its roster. Unfortunately, that “perfection” is spread out amongst the 5 guys mentioned above. McCall seems to be the better blocker, while Walker is the better receiver. The lack of one really well-rounded TE is about the only concern for this position.

Overall Impression-

Solid group here. If Alabama fans do complain about our TEs not getting the ball enough (not that Alabama fans have ever, ever done that, mind you), the complaints will be valid.

Offensive Line

Why I’m Stoked-

I’m fully confident that this is the year when the experienced offensive line comes together and plays like the dominant unit it has the potential to be. Of course, I’ve probably said that the last 2 years before this season. Alabama has 2 NFL caliber players on the offensive line in LT Andre Smith and Center slash Guard slash Tackle slash textbook hook-up Antoine Caldwell. Alabama also has solid players at the other tackle spot in Mike Johnson, as well as a bevy of experienced players to compete for the right to man the interior of the line (Cardwell, Davis, Ross, and Pharr). When you throw the redshirt and true freshmen linemen into the mix (Crump, Vlachos, Love, Jones, etc), it becomes even more interesting. Alabama fans have their fingers crossed that this is the year the offensive line becomes the force it should be.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

Other than the inability to establish a reliable running game against top flight foes, as well as the propensity to give up sacks at the worst possible time, the offensive line had a great year last year. All sarcasm aside, the consistent inconsistency of the offensive line has been a concern for years.

Also, what at one time looked to be a deep unit has all of the sudden become a little thin. With the defections of Stabler due to weak knees, and Stadler due to a weak will, along with the graduation of Britt and Capps, Alabama may need to rely on an incoming freshman or two to round out the two-deep depth chart.

Overall Impression-

I’m hopeful that with another year of rigorous off-season training under its belt, the offensive line as a unit will finally possess the raw strength and power needed to dominate its foes like its experience and talent levels suggests that it should. Call me the eternal optimist, but I believe this could be the year that it does. Again, I’m sure I’ve said that before.

Defensive Line

Why I’m Stoked-

It appears that Alabama finally has good, solid depth at the Nose Tackle position. Brian Motley and Lorenzo Washington contributed last year, and Josh Chapman and Alfred McCullough are expected to step into the rotation this year. Additional help is on the way with the incoming freshman class. Amongst that group, Kerry Murphy (assuming he’s not moved to the offensive side of the ball) is probably the guy most ready to step in and contribute immediately. For any 3-4 defense to be successful, you must have a good anchor man in the middle. For the first time in a while, Alabama has the potential to be strong there.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

It just wouldn’t be spring practice for Alabama without some concern about the defensive line. Last year, it was the nose tackle position. This year, it’s the defensive ends. After the graduation of Wallace Gilberry, the expulsion of Jeremy Elder, and the (hopefully) temporary absence of Luther Davis, that leaves Alabama with a couple of healthy bodies and/or a couple of hundred pounds short of having a solid 2-deep rotation at the ends spot. Bobby Greenwood returns, along with Brandon Deadrick, and Milton Talbert. Beyond these guys, there may be a couple of “Jack” linebackers who may have to fill out the position in the spring. Brandon Fanney is a name that immediately comes to mind.

Overall Impression-

It seems as if all of Alabama’s defensive lineman should be prepared to be able to play some defensive end. If Greenwood can come close to the potential he flashed as a freshman, and Deadrick can continue to make strides, Alabama has the chance to be solid. Defensive end is yet another position where a hard working freshman could contribute immediately.

Linebackers

Why I’m Stoked-

Two words- Rolando McClain. This kid is a beast, and appears to be the next in a long line of great Alabama linebackers. He has All-American potential. Add a blossoming play making star at LB in Zeke Knight, who has shown better hands as a LB than he ever did as a WR. Potent run stuffer Prince Hall mans the middle. With these three guys manning the LB corps, and either Brandon Fanney, Alex Watkins, Chavis Williams, or an incoming freshman holding down the strong side spot, Alabama has little to be worried about when it comes to the linebacker position.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

I can’t really think of …hold on, I’m getting a call (What?!? No, I didn’t hear. Well, is he coming back?...Well, at least we still got…No way! Him too???) Okay, so maybe I was a little premature with my gaudy praise of our LB corps. Get well soon, Zeke. Get your head on straight, Prince.

Overall Impression-

Well, um, at least we still have Rolando. Hopefully, at least one of our MIA LBs will be back in time for the fall. Alabama has serviceable candidates at best to replace them on campus right now. Though the only people really excited about starting the season with starting LBs like Cory Reamer and Charlie Higgenbotham are Mr. and Mrs. Reamer and Mr. and Mrs. Higgenbotham. If the worst case scenario plays out and Knight and Hall don’t make it back, expect incoming freshmen like Jerrell Harris, Donte Hightower, Cortney Upshaw, and company to help out.

Secondary

Why I’m Stoked-

Alabama returns an all conference caliber player at free safety in Rashad Johnson, and a potential All American corner in Kareem Jackson. Viable candidates are already on campus to challenge for the strong safety spot this spring. Alabama fans are hopeful that Justin Woodall finally steps up and delivers on his potential. His main competition in the spring will be the likes of Sam Burnthall and Chris Rogers. The other corner spot will be up for grabs this spring, with Lionel Mitchell, Marquis Johnson, and Tremayne Coger. On a positive note, there will be good competition for the open spots all spring.

Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

For starters, Rashad Johnson, the captain of our team and the heart and soul of our secondary, did not exactly start off the year in Coach Saban’s good graces. The strong safety position, for what seems like the 42nd year in a row, is still a question mark. Lionel Mitchell couldn’t stay out of the coaching staff’s doghouse last year, while Marquis Johnson could not stay within 10 yards of FSU’s wide receivers last year during his only extensive scrimmage action.

Overall Impression-

The secondary is a real yin-yang type of unit. Half the unit is all conference material, while the other half inspires little confidence in most realistic Alabama fans. Alabama must find a dependable cornerback option opposite of Jackson. Unfortunately, the strong safety position is a place in recent years where 4 star athletes have gone to die (Chris Lett, Chris Keys, hopefully not Woodall), so that remains a concern. With Johnson and Jackson, at least Alabama is half way to having a really good secondary.

Special Teams

Why I’m Stoked-

After a disaster of a day at Arkansas in 2006, Leigh Tiffin has rebounded into a pretty dependable kicker. The return game could be hazardous to an opposing team’s health, as Javier Arenas returns as one of the most dynamic returners in the nation. P.J. Fitzgerald returns at punter.


Why I’m not quite ready to book a hotel room in Atlanta for the 1st weekend in December just yet-

P.J. Fitzgerald returns at punter. Fitzgerald was wildly inconsistent last year. It’s a bad thing to be when you don’t exactly have a cannon for a foot anyway. Also, Alabama was unable to sign a long snapper this year, as Tommy Tuberville beat our brains in when it came to recruiting this position.

Overall Impression-

The special teams unit has a chance to be, well, special. If rising juniors Tiffin, Fitzgerald, and Arenas continue to improve, and incoming freshman Cory Smith can give us another option at either K or P, then Alabama could have one of the best overall special teams units in the conference.

In Conclusion

This is an Alabama squad that has almost as much potential as it does question marks. Assuming that the offense can adjust to new OC McElwain (big assumption, I know), the offense has the potential to be explosive. The defense is thin at DE and LB. Good thing nobody runs the football in the SEC, huh? The secondary is a couple of hungry guys stepping up away from being the solid backbone of its side of the ball. There’s probably not a position on the field that won’t receive a boost in talent when the 2008 recruiting class arrives in the fall. Aside from the tireless work of Nick Saban and his coaching staff, there is a good reason why Alabama emerged from the first week of February with it’s most heralded class ever. These guys see a chance to play early, in most cases because they probably feel they’re already better players than the guys they may have to compete with. So, it’s up to the guys already on the team to make huge strides this spring because they can already hear the footsteps behind them. Who will step up? Who will be forced to “get to steppin’!”? I think this is what makes this 2008 incarnation of Alabama spring practice so interesting.

Is this thing on?!?

First blog. Cool. Now all I gotta do is think of something to say...