Notebook: First practice for newcomers
March, 9, 2012
3/09/12
9:42
PM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- For the eight enrollees at the University of Alabama, Friday marked their first practice wearing a Crimson Tide uniform. It’s a group with high expectations and includes a number of players who could make early contributions for UA this season.
The group may be highlighted by running back T.J. Yeldon, a true freshman from Daphne High School who has the opportunity to get some serious reps with Eddie Lacy expected to miss the entire spring due to injury.
“What we would like for him to do is focus on what he needs to do to be a complete player at his position, so that he has a chance to contribute, understand, develop confidence in the fundamentals that he needs to play his position with,” UA head coach Nick Saban said.
Saban spent time working hands on with newcomers Deion Belue and Travell Dixon. Both players came over from the junior college ranks and could see early playing time in what’s expected to be a revamped secondary.
The group may be highlighted by running back T.J. Yeldon, a true freshman from Daphne High School who has the opportunity to get some serious reps with Eddie Lacy expected to miss the entire spring due to injury.
“What we would like for him to do is focus on what he needs to do to be a complete player at his position, so that he has a chance to contribute, understand, develop confidence in the fundamentals that he needs to play his position with,” UA head coach Nick Saban said.
Saban spent time working hands on with newcomers Deion Belue and Travell Dixon. Both players came over from the junior college ranks and could see early playing time in what’s expected to be a revamped secondary.
Marvin Gentry/US PresswireAlabama coach Nick Saban reminded his players on the first day of srping practice to put 2011 behind them.TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- On Friday, the parade for the University of Alabama officially came to a halt. The 2011 national championship run ended when the Crimson Tide strapped on their helmets for the first time in two months and began spring practice.
The crystal ball has vanished from memory, the partying on Bourbon Street left to those in New Orleans interested in SEC basketball.
Back home in Tuscaloosa, a new drive to the BCS began with an opening whistle on Friday afternoon and a sharp reminder not to let the 2010 season happen again.
Coming off the Tide’s 13th national championship two years ago, a hangover set in. Drunk with success and armed with a preseason No. 1 ranking, UA slipped out of the gates and lost the competitive edge needed to stay on top.
In 2012, history has a chance to repeat itself if the Tide let it.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The University of Alabama opened spring practice Friday afternoon and worked out in cool weather conditions outdoors.
A couple of notes from the viewing period:
Barrett Jones looked comfortable at center, stepping in for the departed William Vlachos. Jones played alongside Cyrus Kouandjio at left tackle. Redshirt sophomore Chad Lindsay took some snaps at center as well.
A couple of notes from the viewing period:
Barrett Jones looked comfortable at center, stepping in for the departed William Vlachos. Jones played alongside Cyrus Kouandjio at left tackle. Redshirt sophomore Chad Lindsay took some snaps at center as well.
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Spring practice preview: DBs 
March, 9, 2012
3/09/12
10:26
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough and
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- When spring practice begins tomorrow, no area on the University of Alabama roster will look more different than the secondary.
The unit that propelled the Tide to the No. 1 total defense in the country, due in large part to having the top-ranked pass defense, is largely gone. Mark Barron, Dre Kirkpatrick and DeQuan Menzie take 75 percent of the unit to the NFL.
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Spring practice: 3 newcomers to watch
March, 9, 2012
3/09/12
10:13
AM ET
By
Greg Ostendorf | ESPN.com
Here are three newcomers to watch when Alabama opens spring practice Friday on the Tuscaloosa campus:
T.J. Yeldon (RB, Fr.) may be the most talented player in the Crimson Tide’s backfield next season, and he hasn’t played a down of college football yet. Eddie Lacy should be the starter and the primary back when Alabama travels to Dallas to play Michigan, but with Lacy out for spring practice due to injury, Yeldon has an opportunity to take advantage and be the change-of-pace back. The Alabama Mr. Football award winner enrolled early at UA just so he could play as a freshman. He’s ready physically. Can he learn the playbook and do what Alabama wants him to do? This spring should tell us a lot.
Travell Dixon (CB, JUCO So.) gets the comparison to former Alabama cornerback DeQuan Menzie often because both players came from the junior college ranks. But with his size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) he actually compares better to Dre Kirkpatrick on the field. He has the length UA likes in their corners, and he has the experience of playing at the college level. That combination makes him an ideal candidate to play early. If he can develop under head coach Nick Saban and impress the coaching staff, he could be playing opposite of Dee Milliner in the Tide’s defense come next fall.
Amari Cooper (WR, Fr.) could be a star in the making. He was off the national radar before last summer when he came to Tuscaloosa and dominated Alabama’s camp. Since then, he enjoyed a solid senior year at Miami Northwestern and proved to be one of the top players at the Under Armour All-America Game in January. With the departure of three senior wide receivers and the suspension of three more, the position is up for grabs. Both Cooper and Chris Black enrolled early and have a leg up on the competition. If one or both has a strong showing this spring, they become of one AJ McCarron’s go-to targets next year.
T.J. Yeldon (RB, Fr.) may be the most talented player in the Crimson Tide’s backfield next season, and he hasn’t played a down of college football yet. Eddie Lacy should be the starter and the primary back when Alabama travels to Dallas to play Michigan, but with Lacy out for spring practice due to injury, Yeldon has an opportunity to take advantage and be the change-of-pace back. The Alabama Mr. Football award winner enrolled early at UA just so he could play as a freshman. He’s ready physically. Can he learn the playbook and do what Alabama wants him to do? This spring should tell us a lot.
Travell Dixon (CB, JUCO So.) gets the comparison to former Alabama cornerback DeQuan Menzie often because both players came from the junior college ranks. But with his size (6-foot-2, 200 pounds) he actually compares better to Dre Kirkpatrick on the field. He has the length UA likes in their corners, and he has the experience of playing at the college level. That combination makes him an ideal candidate to play early. If he can develop under head coach Nick Saban and impress the coaching staff, he could be playing opposite of Dee Milliner in the Tide’s defense come next fall.
Amari Cooper (WR, Fr.) could be a star in the making. He was off the national radar before last summer when he came to Tuscaloosa and dominated Alabama’s camp. Since then, he enjoyed a solid senior year at Miami Northwestern and proved to be one of the top players at the Under Armour All-America Game in January. With the departure of three senior wide receivers and the suspension of three more, the position is up for grabs. Both Cooper and Chris Black enrolled early and have a leg up on the competition. If one or both has a strong showing this spring, they become of one AJ McCarron’s go-to targets next year.
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The University of Alabama moves on to the second round of the SEC tournament Friday and will face Florida at 2:30 p.m. CT.
The Crimson Tide will have their hands full with the Gators, a team they haven't beaten since 2008. For Alabama to get to get over the hump and advance to the SEC semifinals, these three things must happen:
Limit Florida's outside shooting
If Florida is allowed to jack up uncontested three-pointers, the game will be over in the bat of an eye. Limiting the Gators' looks from beyond the arc and forcing the action into the middle of the floor will be key. Simply put, it's up to the Alabama defense to harness UF guards Erving Walker, Bradley Beal and Kenny Boynton. An answer for UA may come in the form of Rodney Cooper. He has the length to harass Beal's shot and is capable of getting hot from 3-point range himself.
The Crimson Tide will have their hands full with the Gators, a team they haven't beaten since 2008. For Alabama to get to get over the hump and advance to the SEC semifinals, these three things must happen:
Limit Florida's outside shooting
If Florida is allowed to jack up uncontested three-pointers, the game will be over in the bat of an eye. Limiting the Gators' looks from beyond the arc and forcing the action into the middle of the floor will be key. Simply put, it's up to the Alabama defense to harness UF guards Erving Walker, Bradley Beal and Kenny Boynton. An answer for UA may come in the form of Rodney Cooper. He has the length to harass Beal's shot and is capable of getting hot from 3-point range himself.
Here are five players to watch when Alabama opens spring practice Friday on the Tuscaloosa campus:
Dee Hart (RB, RS Fr.) stands to benefit tremendously with Eddie Lacy out for spring practice. The redshirt freshman looked to be gaining ground last year before a knee injury sidelined him. Now, he has the opportunity to step up and take part in a wide-open competition. He will have a leg up on T.J. Yeldon with his knowledge of terminology and blocking schemes. Hart also offers a very different look than the other backs -- a smaller scat back who can get to the edge and make defenders miss. If he stays healthy, Hart could make some noise this spring.
C.J. Mosley (LB, Jr.) is fighting a double-edged sword. He’ll have to learn to play without the buffer of Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, as well as battling to come back from a dislocated hip. Nick Saban said he’s back at full speed, but we will have to wait and see how he handles contact. With so much of the experience gone from last year’s defense, how Mosley and fellow junior Nico Johnson step up and lead this unit is vital.
Dee Hart (RB, RS Fr.) stands to benefit tremendously with Eddie Lacy out for spring practice. The redshirt freshman looked to be gaining ground last year before a knee injury sidelined him. Now, he has the opportunity to step up and take part in a wide-open competition. He will have a leg up on T.J. Yeldon with his knowledge of terminology and blocking schemes. Hart also offers a very different look than the other backs -- a smaller scat back who can get to the edge and make defenders miss. If he stays healthy, Hart could make some noise this spring.
C.J. Mosley (LB, Jr.) is fighting a double-edged sword. He’ll have to learn to play without the buffer of Dont’a Hightower and Courtney Upshaw, as well as battling to come back from a dislocated hip. Nick Saban said he’s back at full speed, but we will have to wait and see how he handles contact. With so much of the experience gone from last year’s defense, how Mosley and fellow junior Nico Johnson step up and lead this unit is vital.
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Jaren Sina still has one more year left in high school, but the junior point guard is enjoying a magical season this year for Gill St. Bernard’s, and the team hopes to finish it off on Saturday in the New Jersey state championship game.
On Tuesday, Sina finished with 21 points and 10 assists to lead the Knights to a 71-70 overtime win over Trenton Catholic. Sina hit a clutch 3-point shot late in the fourth quarter to give his team their first lead.
“It’s been a great season for me and especially the team,” Sina said. “I think I’m having a great year. I’m up for all-state and player of the year in the state. Hopefully, we can continue this run, try to win that state championship and keep working hard for the rest of the week.”
On Tuesday, Sina finished with 21 points and 10 assists to lead the Knights to a 71-70 overtime win over Trenton Catholic. Sina hit a clutch 3-point shot late in the fourth quarter to give his team their first lead.
“It’s been a great season for me and especially the team,” Sina said. “I think I’m having a great year. I’m up for all-state and player of the year in the state. Hopefully, we can continue this run, try to win that state championship and keep working hard for the rest of the week.”
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Three Keys: Alabama vs. South Carolina
March, 8, 2012
3/08/12
7:15
AM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- The sour ending to the regular season, losing at Ole Miss with a less than 100 percent effort, is over with. Senior forward JaMychal Green said the team was down and dejected after the loss on the road Saturday, but starting with what he labeled an intense practice on Monday, the team gets a second chance to start over. Against South Carolina on Thursday, Tide coach Anthony Grant will preach the importance of a fresh start, a chance to turn the page on a rocky regular season.
“This time of the year, it’s a new season,” Grant said. “It’s the postseason. It’s a fresh start for everybody.”
Pressure cooker
“This time of the year, it’s a new season,” Grant said. “It’s the postseason. It’s a fresh start for everybody.”
Pressure cooker
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Former Alabama linebacker Dont'a Hightower talks to the media after working out at the Crimson Tide's pro day on Wednesday.
Notebook: UA stars impress at pro day
March, 7, 2012
3/07/12
4:40
PM ET
By
Alex Scarborough | ESPN.com
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- You’ll have to excuse Dont’a Hightower if he doesn’t revel too much in his success at Alabama’s pro day on Wednesday. For the projected first-round selection, there’s still one more workout to go.
Hightower will participate in another pro day with teammates Trent Richardson, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw on March 29, tentatively scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CT. He went through only a few of the drills on Wednesday, focusing on position workouts in front of the assembled crowd of NFL personnel. He turned in a 33-inch vertical jump and 9-foot, 9-inch broad jump.
Hightower said he has lost 10 pounds in an effort to trim down to the prototypical linebacker size. In Tuscaloosa, he said he wanted to show he could do more than put his hand on the ground and rush the quarterback.
Hightower will participate in another pro day with teammates Trent Richardson, Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw on March 29, tentatively scheduled to begin at 9 a.m. CT. He went through only a few of the drills on Wednesday, focusing on position workouts in front of the assembled crowd of NFL personnel. He turned in a 33-inch vertical jump and 9-foot, 9-inch broad jump.
Hightower said he has lost 10 pounds in an effort to trim down to the prototypical linebacker size. In Tuscaloosa, he said he wanted to show he could do more than put his hand on the ground and rush the quarterback.
Former Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick talks to TideNation after working out at the Crimson Tide's pro day on Wednesday.
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- Former University of Alabama defensive back DeQuan Menzie may have slipped a round or two in April’s draft after a poor showing at the NFL combine last month when he ran a disappointing 4.74 in the 40-yard dash.
On Wednesday, he was back in the familiar confines of Tuscaloosa, Ala., looking to improve his draft stock at the Crimson Tide’s pro day. With former teammates, coaches and NFL personnel looking on, Menzie ran a 4.66, shaving close to a full second off his last clocked time.
“I think I did better,” Menzie said. “At the combine, I wasn’t relaxed. I was filled with so much pressure. Here, I just felt like I was at home, and I could just release all of the pressure and run my best 40.”
Although it may not have been what Menzie or the NFL scouts were looking for, his showing was still an improvement from how he ran a couple weeks ago.
On Wednesday, he was back in the familiar confines of Tuscaloosa, Ala., looking to improve his draft stock at the Crimson Tide’s pro day. With former teammates, coaches and NFL personnel looking on, Menzie ran a 4.66, shaving close to a full second off his last clocked time.
“I think I did better,” Menzie said. “At the combine, I wasn’t relaxed. I was filled with so much pressure. Here, I just felt like I was at home, and I could just release all of the pressure and run my best 40.”
Although it may not have been what Menzie or the NFL scouts were looking for, his showing was still an improvement from how he ran a couple weeks ago.
ESPN TideNation writers Alex Scarborough and Greg Ostendorf break down the University of Alabama's pro day on Wednesday.
TideNation's Alex Scarborough and Greg Ostendorf live blogged from Alabama's pro day on Wednesday.
1:53 p.m. - Looks like pro day is wrapping up. Stay tuned to TideNation for player reaction and analysis. And a quick reminder: RB Trent Richardson, SS Mark Barron and LB Courtney Upshaw will hold their pro day on March 29 in Tuscaloosa. ESPN3 will have a live broadcast (time to be determined).
1:31 p.m. - CB Dre Kirkpatrick on pro day meeting his expectations: "It was more up-tempo. I wanted to go out and handle any challenge that they throw your way."
1:24 p.m. - LB Dont'a Hightower's numbers from today: vertical jump (33 inches), broad jump (9 feet, 9 inches); 3-cone drill (4.71); shuttle (7.53).
1:17 p.m. - RB Eddie Lacy is here today and is in a protective boot. Lacy is expected to miss all of spring practice.
1:53 p.m. - Looks like pro day is wrapping up. Stay tuned to TideNation for player reaction and analysis. And a quick reminder: RB Trent Richardson, SS Mark Barron and LB Courtney Upshaw will hold their pro day on March 29 in Tuscaloosa. ESPN3 will have a live broadcast (time to be determined).
1:31 p.m. - CB Dre Kirkpatrick on pro day meeting his expectations: "It was more up-tempo. I wanted to go out and handle any challenge that they throw your way."
1:24 p.m. - LB Dont'a Hightower's numbers from today: vertical jump (33 inches), broad jump (9 feet, 9 inches); 3-cone drill (4.71); shuttle (7.53).
1:17 p.m. - RB Eddie Lacy is here today and is in a protective boot. Lacy is expected to miss all of spring practice.
ABOUT TIDE NATION
Greg Ostendorf
Greg Ostendorf joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama football and basketball recruiting at the Tuscaloosa News and Rivals.com. Ostendorf graduated from the University of Alabama and currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at gsostendorf.espn@gmail.com.
Alex Scarborough
Alex Scarborough joined ESPN.com in 2012 after covering University of Alabama athletics and high school football for The Tuscaloosa News. He currently resides in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Email him at alexscarborough.espn@gmail.com.