Preseason Photos

One of the new scoreboards


Looking toward the new seats on the north


First team offense


Freshman placekicker Leigh Tiffin


Coach Kines and the defense


Plaza on the north side of Bryant-Denny


Matt in houndstooth

Bama Prepares for Opener vs. Hawaii

This week the Crimson Tide is preparing for their opener against Hawaii. Tide coach Mike Shula said that this will be Alabama's toughest opening game in his tenure. Hawaii runs a high octane pass offense that racked up over 400 yards per per game last year. Their defense is not supposed to be anything special.

The boys and I are really looking forward to this game. It should be really cool to experience the new stadium and the atmosphere. Here are some articles.

Alabama's All About Football

Hawaiian cowboy

Haka could have Tide seeing red

Bear in mind, he's beloved

Tide's Smith to join select group of freshman starters

Crimson Tide prepares for Hawaii and its pass-happy offense

ALABAMA REPORT: Bryant-Denny's new face

8/27/06 Articles

Tide feeling slighted after 10-win season

Bama's No. 8 final ranking in 2005 fails to carry over to preseason predictions

Tide's 'Mr. Recruiting'

Tide National Champs?

Cleveland Plain Dealer Staff College Football Predictions One of these guys predicts Bama will win the SEC and National Championships

Book about '66 tam a good read - Paul Finebaum column in which he reviews Keith Dunnavant's new book.

Friday Update

ALABAMA REPORT: Tide plays final scrimmage to virtual draw

Alabama tight ends not just small talk

Tide ready for class and end of two-a-day drills

Tide Updates

Nicked Up

Tide 'D' tops last scrimmage

ALABAMA REPORT: Parker, Tide offense provide solid answers

Tide's Hardest Worker?

With the final scrimmage behind them, it will now be 'all Hawaii' for UA players

CECIL HURT: Players are glad to get through two-a-days

Saturday 8/19/06 Scrimmage

Saturday I drove the boys to Tuscaloosa where we watched Alabama scrimmage. This was the second of two scrimmges open to the public for the Crimson Tide this fall. We took a little time to walk across campus and looked around in the Supe Store at Ferguson Center to stay cool indoors. Joe bought a uniform set, Matt bought an educational CD for the computer, and David bought a book about the Stallings era. I also bought a few gifts for David's birthday. Walking across the quad we saw Van Tiffin, ex Bama star kicker and father of Alabama's new kicker Leigh Tiffin.

We really enjoyed seeing the new exterior and surrounding promenade on the north end of Bryant Denny Stadium. This summer we saw Michigan's stadium and campus, and Alabama puts them to shame.

I saw two people I know. I met Gary, the son of someone I work with who gave me some ideas about how the boys could get autographs. I also talked to Craig, who is the pastor of Chi Alpha Campus Ministry at UA. We talked for a half hour or so at half time about Chi Alpha's events during the fall semester.

The practice was fun to watch. Standouts included John Parker Wilson at QB and freshman kick returner Javier Arenas. It was fun for me to watch the progress of freshman place kicker Leigh Tiffin, son of Van Tiffin who was a star kicker for Alabama in the mid 1980's.

Articles

Some articles about Alabama football:

Polls not kind to UA in preseason

Wilson's a Keeper at QB

Hawaii air show has Alabama searching

UH needs someone to step up

Headed to Practice

Today I am taking the boys to Alabama's second (and final) practice that is open to the public this afternoon in Tuscaloosa at approximately 3:30. David and Joe are really looking forward to it. I don't think Matt is quite as much.

Here are the photos from yesterday's practice from RollTide.com.

In other news, Bama running back Kenneth Darby of Huntsville was named to the "watch list" for The Walter Camp Player of the Year Award.

Here is an article by the ever popular (or ever hated) Shane from Center Point on the Paul Finebaum Radio Network. The Future is Now

John Parker Wilson expecting better offense in today’s scrimmage, By Cecil Hurt, Tuscaloosa News

Decatur practices where Alabama works out - Decatur Daily

Bama 45 TCU 0, 10/25/75, My First Bama Game

On October 25th, 1975, my Dad took me to see my first Alabama game in person. Paul "Bear" Bryant and his Alabama Crimson Tide were facing the Texas Christian University (TCU) Horned Frogs in Birmingham's Legion Field. I was ten years old and I have some special memories of that game.

As we approached Legion field I was amazed at the number of people milling around outside the stadium. Once we entered the stadium and looked through the portal at the field and stands my eyes almost popped out of my head with the brilliant crisp colors of green grass in the middle of a sea of crimson and white clad fans. It was so amazing to see how clear everything looked. It was like putting glasses on for the first time. I guess I was used to only seeing the games on a fuzzy television.

We had seats on the fifty yard line near the top of the stadium if I remember correctly. Halftime was also special because of a special program to honor former TCU player Kent Waldrep. Waldrep sustained a severe spinal cord injury on October 26, 1974 against Alabama. It was not a dirty play, but Waldrep was confined to a wheelchair the rest of his life. He received a great deal of support from the Alabama family, especially head coach Bear Bryant. Needless to say, Alabama won the game 45-0.

Here is a link to an article from the NCAA in 1975

Here is a link to an article from a website about Waldrep's book

Tide's First Scrimmage

Tide's first scrimmage features big plays, mistakes (Sporting News)

QB Wilson strong in Alabama's first fall scrimmage (Tuscaloosa News)

College football notes (Decatur Daily)

RollTide.com

National Anthem

It was announced today that Jim Nabors will sing the national anthem at Bama's game against Hawaii in Tuscaloosa on 9/2/06.

You Go Gomer!

Another Day of Practice

Update from RollTide.com:

Crimson Tide Wraps Another Day of Practice

Alabama Finishes Third Day of Fall Drills

Backs aplenty for Tide Spreading the carries a good problem to have Decatur Daily

Articles

Here are a couple of articles about the Tide today.

Simpson regrets remark - Mobile Press Register

New Boy - BamaMag.com

Practice Continues

Here's an article from today's Crimson White.

Discipline Issues For the Tide

Yesterday I did something I have never done before in my life. I called a sports radio talk show. I called the Paul Finebaum Show. I have listened to Finebaum the last few years and I have found him to be informative, entertaining, and very interesting. Often I disagree but I respect his opinions and I understand his perspective.

The main topic yesterday was Tide linebacker Juwan Simpson's recent brush with the law and statements he made on Monday about that. In a nutshell, Simpson stated that he didn't feel like he did anything bad enough to deserve punishment. He thought he was just in the wrong place at the wrong time. He even stated that he thought his "punishment" should include an ice cream cone.

In my call I made several points. Even though I was disappointed with the initial behavior, his response on top of the behavior adds to the disgrace. It was obvious that he showed no remorse, took no responsibility, and treated the issue as a joke. He didn't even have enough sense to at least say the right things. He seemed to be thumbing his nose at the criminal justice system, Coach Shula, the fans, the media, and the University. This made me feel embarassed as an alumnus and as a fan. I shall reserve judgement on Coach Shula's response. However, it is obvious that no one has gotten through to this young man yet. Perhaps most disturbing was that his prior reputation was so good. To me, his comments call all that into question.

There was an excellent column by Cecil Hurt in today's Tuscaloosa News.

Welcome to the 2006 Alabama Crimson Tide Blog

This will be my personal fan journal of the 2006 Crimson Tide.

Fall practice started today for the Crimson Tide. Here are some photos from RollTide.com. Here is an article about Bama's first day of practice from The Tuscaloosa news.

Roll Tide!