Road to 15: Alabama begins title game prep

The Alabama football team has returned to the practice field, and preparations for the BCS national championship game are officially underway.

Although the initial practice sessions are dedicated to basic fundamentals as a way to “shake off the rust,” the team is most definitely back in action as the days draw closer to January 7.

As of now, the real story concerning the team is the injury and recovery status regarding a plethora of players. Center Barrett Jones, who suffered a foot injury against Georgia, a setback that was not disclosed until after the game, began the Monday practice session adorning a black non-contact jersey while riding a stationary bike. As for his left foot, it was casted from foot to mid-shin.

In his post-practice press conference Nick Saban said the action, in respect to Jones, was for precautionary measures, but also confirmed that Alabama’s most versatile lineman would be out of action until the Tide resume practice following the Christmas break. In terms of practice time, Jones will miss the first five sessions, yesterday being the initial session.

Other injury news

-Nose guard Jesse Williams wore a white protective wrap over his right knee, but did participate in drills. Williams injured the knee during the second half against Georgia.

-Safety Jarrick Williams, who suffered a torn ACL in August, returned to the field for the first time since the injury. Adorning a black non-contact jersey, Williams was in full-pads and participating in drills.

-Wide receiver Kenny Bell and running back Jalston Fowler rode the stationary bike during the Monday session. Bell continues to progress nicely after suffering a broken tibia against Auburn, and Fowler continues his lengthier road to recovery after sustaining a serious knee injury against Western Kentucky in the initial month of the season.

Additional reading

-Alabama center Barrett Jones shrugs off his foot injury

-A classic matchup: Saban speaks on the epic history of Alabama and Notre Dame

-Alabama football returns to practice: Saban not hot on Cleveland

Crimson Notes 12/16/12

While Alabama football, in terms of on-field action, is in a major lull as fans eagerly await the national championship game, the program did make news this weekend in a variety of ways, for a variety of reasons.

Pruitt to Florida State

Jeremy Pruitt, one of Alabama’s leading recruiters and secondary coach, has agreed to become the new defensive coordinator at Florida State, per several media reports. Pruitt, who played at Alabama under head coach Gene Stallings, has climbed the coaching ladder in grand fashion.

Prior to his arrival at Alabama in 2007, Pruitt worked as an assistant coach under Rush Propst at Hoover High School and was featured prominently in the MTV series “Two-A-Days” which documented Hoover football.

Pruitt’s move to FSU was made possible when Mark Stoops left the program, and his position as defensive coordinator, to accept the head coaching job at Kentucky.

Cook gives verbal to ‘Bama

In recruiting news, Spanish Fort High School defensive back Jonathan Cook has given his verbal to Alabama for 2013. Cook, who had been verbally committed to Nebraska since August, “flipped” to the Tide after receiving a scholarship offer. Describing it as a “dream come true to play for Alabama,” Cook is expected to play a pivotal role in the Crimson Tide secondary during his time at the Capstone.

Del Rio to walk-on in 2013

Luke Del Rio, son of NFL journeyman coach Jack Del Rio, has announced his intentions to join the Alabama football program as a walk-on. Del Rio, a three-star quarterback, recently broke his verbal commitment to Oklahoma State due in large measure to the departure of the OSU offensive coordinator.

One could easily regard Del Rio as a “steal” due to the fact he held, and still holds, various scholarship offers from major Division I programs.

Dial not suspended for controversial hit

Courtesy of an official ruling from the SEC, Alabama learned Friday that defensive lineman Quinton Dial would not be suspended for his controversial hit on Georgia quarterback Aaron Murray. Dial’s “action” will be handled internally, but in respect to a suspension, the conference felt that video footage of the hit in question did not warrant league appointed punishment.

The bow tie lives…McCarron will return in 2013

In an age where early departures for the NFL make headlines, Alabama fans can rejoice in a headline due to the contrary.

AJ McCarron, arguably the most gifted quarterback to play at the Capstone since the likes of Joe Namath and Kenny Stabler, has announced that he will return to the University of Alabama for his senior season.

Coupled with his undeniable skills at the quarterback position, mixed with a charismatic personality, McCarron has become the certifiable “face” of the current Alabama football team. One could easily draw the conclusion, especially in this era of social media, that McCarron is quite possibly the most popular and sought-after player in modern Crimson Tide history.

AJ McCarron adorns his signature bow tie

prior to an Alabama game

As the lone quarterback signed by Alabama in the class of 2009, AJ McCarron, the once heralded four-star prospect and current redshirt junior, will earn his undergraduate degree from the University of Alabama this Saturday.

Lacy and Yeldon hold the “crystal” key for 'Bama

The Alabama Crimson Tide average 224 rushing yards per contest (20^th in the nation) and that average is due in colossal measure to the output of junior Eddie Lacy, and true freshman T.J. Yeldon.

While it never hurts to run behind what is considered the best offensive line in the nation, both Lacy and Yeldon have shown their ability to make yards after contact and seemingly turn minimal gains into explosive plays.

In what has proven to be the ideal complement of talent, the success of Lacy and Yeldon has allowed the Alabama passing attack to flourish, which has given AJ McCarron the platform to showcase his skills. Both McCarron, and true freshman wide receiver Amari Cooper, have played “starring roles” in the Crimson Tide offense which has been “opened up” courtesy of a potent rushing attack.

While the Notre Dame Fighting Irish also possess a nice mix of run and pass, the prevailing consensus suggests that Alabama’s physicality on the ground is in a different “league” than that of the Irish. Couple that assumption with Alabama’s offensive line, and the postulation does form a more than plausible conclusion.

Similar numerical results (stats) don’t always indicate the entire picture, especially when the “picture” is comprised of different levels of competition, and individual talent.

One can easily deduce that if Lacy and Yeldon achieve the team average mark of 224 yards, Notre Dame could find themselves on the wrong side of the scoreboard.

Season superlatives

Eddie Lacy: 184 carries - 1,182 yards - 6.4 yards per carry - 16 TDs
T.J. Yeldon: 154 carries - 1,000 yards - 6.5 yards per carry - 11 TDs

Both Lacy and Yeldon have individually rushed for 100 yards-plus on four different occasions in 2012, and both set career-high rushing marks against Georgia in the SEC championship game. Lacy rushed for 181 yards, while Yeldon earned 153.

Additional reading

-Alabama has four AP All-Americans
-Demand for Alabama tickets to BCS Championship Game far greater than 2009