2012 Draft Wrap: ‘Bama selections/free agents

First Round

3-Trent Richardson (Cleveland)
7-Mark Barron (Tampa Bay)
17-Dre Kirkpatrick (Cincinnati)
25-Dont’a Hightower (New England)

Second Round

3 (35 Overall) - Courtney Upshaw (Baltimore)

Fifth Round

1 (136 Overall) – Josh Chapman (Indianapolis)
11 (146 Overall) – DeQuan Menzie (Kansas City)

Seventh Round

40 (247 Overall) – Brad Smelley (Cleveland)

Free Agents (Subject to Change)

Darius Hanks (Washington)
Jerrell Harris (Atlanta)
Phelon Jones (Washington)
Marquis Maze (Pittsburgh)
Alfred McCullough (Baltimore)
William Vlachos (Tennessee)
Alex Watkins (Tennessee)

Alabama quarterback Phillip Sims to transfer

The University of Alabama has officially announced that redshirt sophomore quarterback Phillip Sims will transfer from the program.

Sims, who played the backup role to AJ McCarron last season, participated in eight games.

The Chesapeake, VA native is expected to enroll at a school in his home state.

Sims Quotable

"I want to thank Coach Saban and the coaching staff for being with me and my family at this time. I wouldn't change anything about my decision to come to Alabama and this has been one of the greatest experiences of my life. The reason for me leaving is nothing more than a personal matter. I just need to be closer to home to support my family at this time and that needs to be my priority right now. I would still like to continue my football career, and hopefully I can do that and also be there for my family."

Saban Quotable

"Phillip has been a great representative of our program and did a great job for us in his two years here. We are sorry to see him leave, but we certainly understand the situation, and everyone here wishes him the best of luck. We've talked on numerous occasions about this decision and we just want Phillip to know that we will be here to support him in the future if there is anything we can do to help him and his family."

‘Bama places four in first round, Upshaw left out

As history records, one should learn to “expect the unexpected” when it comes to the NFL Draft, and so was the case Thursday night in New York.

A total of four Alabama players (Richardson, Barron, Kirkpatrick, and Hightower) were selected in the first round of the 2012 Draft, but by all accounts, the number should have been five.

One of the most vital players from the 2011 Alabama team, and “arguably” the best defensive player from that squad, was not selected in the first round.

Courtney Upshaw…please stand up!

Upshaw, who was invited to New York, waited patiently for his name to be called; all the while watching his former Alabama teammates walk through the curtain over the course of two hours.

Most “experts” projected if an Alabama player would ride the “bubble” it would be Dont’a Hightower...not Upshaw. However, on the same hand, most "experts" seemed certain that Alabama would still have five players selected in the first round.

Courtney Upshaw will likely be chosen within the first five picks of the second round, but for a man who dominated the best college football conference in the land, he certainly deserved more for his resume.

‘Bama First Round

3-Trent Richardson (Cleveland)
7-Mark Barron (Tampa Bay)
17-Dre Kirkpatrick (Cincinnati)
25-Dont’a Hightower (New England)

Jim Brown and the “ordinary” Trent Richardson

Hall of Fame running back Jim Brown, who played for Cleveland from 1957 until 1965, was asked by ESPN radio on Thursday what he thought of the possibility of the Browns drafting Richardson in the first round.

"I'm not overwhelmed with it," Brown said. "The problem is that he's ordinary. I think he's ordinary."

When asked what about Richardson he found ordinary, Brown said, "the size, the speed, his moves."

Al.com- NFL legend Jim Brown calls Trent Richardson 'ordinary'

After reading Brown’s unsavory remarks, one can only hope that Mr. Brown will be watching the 2012 NFL Draft.

Word on the street is that “Mr. Ordinary” will be the first running back selected, and his name will inevitably be called within the first five picks.

Oddly enough, what Brown fails to contemplate, is that an “ordinary” Richardson would have been one of the all-time greats…had he played in Brown’s era.

Does Jim Brown actually believe what he said about Richardson? I doubt it. However, bitterness, coupled with old age, can often lead to delusion.

Needless to say, Brown’s comments, regardless of sincerity, are quite comical.

I’m sure Mr. Brown is pleased with the attention he has garnered over his remarks, considering that is probably all he ever wanted in the first place.

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Saban addresses various topics at Crimson Caravan

While in Atlanta last night for a Crimson Caravan event, Nick Saban spoke to the media about a variety of topics.

Those topics included, but were not limited to, T.J. Yeldon’s injury, the latest on DeAndrew White, and the current status and potential future of Duron Carter.



Video courtesy of Al.com

Tinker’s father shares story of broken trophy

Ivan Maisel of ESPN.com has officially reported what many “rumors” had once suggested, Carson Tinker’s father broke the crystal football.

In an interview, conducted by Maisel, Carleton Tinker recounts his “nightmare” which occurred Saturday in Tuscaloosa, and how time seemed to advance in slow motion as he watched the trophy crash to the floor.

Carleton Tinker also revealed that he was willing to “work off” the financial difference it would cost to purchase a new trophy.

LINK: Carleton Tinker talks broken trophy

'Bama title team recognized by President Obama

What better way to “recover” from a broken trophy than to visit the leader of the free world.

Earlier today, members of the 2011 Alabama football team visited the White House to be formally congratulated and recognized by President Barack Obama for winning the BCS National Championship.

Thanks to the modern world of social media, several Crimson Tide players used Twitter to “tweet” the experience as the events took place.

Quarterback AJ McCarron and long snapper Carson Tinker were two of the players in attendance who documented the journey via Twitter, while sharing some rather remarkable pictures from the day.

Arguably the most notable picture was that of President Obama posing with AJ McCarron, while adorning McCarron’s national championship ring.

In addition to members of the 2011 championship team and staff, several dignitaries from the state of Alabama were also in attendance. Those individuals included Birmingham Mayor William Bell, U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Regina Benjamin, and Tuscaloosa Mayor Walt Maddox, to name a few.

As a gift to our nation's leader, Nick Saban and the 2011 Crimson Tide, presented President Obama with a No. 14 jersey, and an Alabama helmet.

Click the link below for a transcript of President Obama’s remarks from the formal ceremony.

>>>Obama Transcript<<<

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Tide garner two verbal commitments for 2013

While the A-Day game showcased a surplus of new and exciting talent, two Alabama prospects established verbal commitments with the Crimson Tide for 2013.

Safety Anthony Averett (Woodbury, NJ) and athlete Deon Johnson (Spanish Fort, AL) pledged to UA during the annual spring game.

Averett selected the University of Alabama over the likes of Penn State and South Carolina, while Johnson chose the Tide over the likes of Auburn and LSU.

A-Day 2012: Young talent steals the show

Just like everyone predicted (sarcasm alert), a young man who should be at his high school prom, stole the show Saturday afternoon.

The “highlight reel” from the annual spring game didn’t come from a player with college "game experience" and a national championship ring; it came from a player not old enough to shave.

What a horrible problem to have, right? Life is rough when a freshman early enrollee wins MVP honors at the annual spring game.

Well, so is the “life” for Nick Saban and early enrollee, and MVP winner, T.J. Yeldon.

Yeldon, who is expected to compete for ample time at the running back position in 2012, garnered 179 yards (88 rushing, 91 receiving) as he led the White squad to a 24-15 victory over the Crimson team in the annual
A-Day scrimmage.

In front of 78,526 Tide fans, the “future” of Alabama football was on display…

A-Day Notes/Highlights

-Freshman WR (yet another early enrollee) Chris Black caught a 44-yard TD pass from backup QB Phillip Sims. Black finished the day with three receptions for 61 yards and the aforementioned touchdown.

-QB Phillip Sims completed 9-of-12 passes for 135 yards and two touchdowns.

-QB AJ McCarron finished the afternoon 29-42 for 304 yards, including three interceptions and two touchdowns.

-WR Kenny Bell caught five passes for 86 yards and one touchdown.

-RB Dee Hart had five carries for 44 yards.

-Cody Mandell punted eight times for the Crimson squad and eight times for the White squad. In total, Mandell averaged 44 yards per punt, including two punts of 60+ yards.

Quotable

“One thing that never happens in college football is no one ever has a bad spring and no one ever has a bad spring game. We didn't have one either," UA head coach Nick Saban said. "We had a lot of guys who made a lot of improvement this spring. We are still focusing on more and more guys knowing what it takes to win and the preparations, ability to adjust, play with poise, execute and do their job.”

Complete A-Day Statistics

>>>White vs Crimson<<<

Crimson Tide “A-Day” set for Saturday afternoon

Following a productive scrimmage last week, the second one of the spring, the Alabama Crimson Tide football team now prepares for
“A-Day”…the annual public scrimmage.

The 2012 edition of “A-Day” will be held this Saturday at Bryant-Denny Stadium, with kickoff set for 2 p.m. local time.

Fans who will not be able to attend the annual event, can view the game on television courtesy of CSS and on the web via ESPN3.com.

Signee Tomlinson sustains severe knee injury

McDONOUGH, Georgia -- Alabama football signee Dalvin Tomlinson will have surgery on his knee after a "significant" knee injury, according to the Henry Daily Herald in McDonough, Georgia.

Al.com>>> Alabama signee Dalvin Tomlinson will have surgery after "significant" knee injury

It goes without saying the “jury is still out” in respect to Tomlinson’s "fall camp" status at Alabama.

On the surface it would appear that Tomlinson is destined to redshirt the 2012 season, but only time will provide a definitive answer.

‘Bama scrimmage filled with passing and big plays

With less than two weeks remaining in spring practice, the Alabama Crimson Tide have one official scrimmage in the books, and two more on the docket.

‘Bama held the first scrimmage of the spring Saturday afternoon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The outing saw quarterback AJ McCarron throw the ball a grand total of 43 times.

--Scrimmage Stats--

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