Crimson Notes 4/12/10

The long wait is finally over, and Tide safety Robby Green has officially found himself on the wrong end of the NCAA guidelines.

Green, whose eligibility for the 2010 season has been in question since the middle portion of February, will be ineligible for the 2010 season due to violation of NCAA guidelines concerning the substance-abuse policy.

Under the rule, Green will not be allowed to redshirt, and must be ineligible an entire calendar year. Green is however allowed to practice for the remainder of the spring and the duration of fall camp.

Green participated in every contest last season, and was the starter in six games. Entering the spring, Robby was expected to compete for the starting spot at safety which was left available by the departure of Justin Woodall. Green will be a senior when he returns for the 2011 season.

As of now, Sophomores Rod Woodson and Robert Lester are the primary options at the safety position.

On Saturday, the ‘Bama football team held another closed scrimmage
at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The “game” was the final “live action scrimmage” prior to the A-Day Game which will be held this Saturday.

The annual spring game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m. and will be televised by ESPN. Rece Davis, Craig James, Mark May, and Wendi Nix will have all the action from Bryant-Denny.

Scrimmage Stats:

PASSING LEADERS
Greg McElroy - 17 for 27, 156 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT
A.J. McCarron - 17 for 30, 215 yards, 3 TDs, 0 INT
Phillip Sims - 15 for 19, 139 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT
Star Jackson - 10 for 17, 91 yards, 0 TD, 0 INT

RECEIVING LEADERS
Brandon Gibson - 10 rec., 74 yards, 1 TD
Julio Jones - 9 rec., 117 yards, 2 TD
Trent Richardson - 8 rec, 39 yards
Preston Dial - 4 rec., 46 yards
Kenny Bell - 4 rec., 33 yards
Demetrius Goode - 3 rec., 79 yards, 1 TD
Hardie Buck - 3 rec., 34 yards
Kevin Norwood - 3 rec., 33 yards

FIELD GOALS
Cade Foster - Made: 27, 32, 24, 33

RUSHING LEADERS
Mark Ingram - 19 rush, 72 yards, 1 TD
Eddie Lacy - 10 rush, 28 yards, 1 TD
Trent Richardson - 7 rush, 18 yards,

DEFENSIVE LEADERS
Marcell Dareus - 10 tackles, 5 sacks, 1 TFL, 2 PBU
Dont'a Hightower - 8 tackles, 2 sacks
John Fulton - 5 tackles, 1 TFL
Tana Patrick - 5 tackles
Will Lowery - 5 tackles
B.J. Scott - 5 tackles, 1 PBU
Chris Jordan - 5 tackles, 1 TFL
Jerrell Harris - 4 tackles
Rod Woodson - 4 tackles
Darrington Sentimore - 4 tackles, 1 TFL, 1 Sack
Ed Stinson - 4 tackles, 1 TFL
Robert Lester - 4 tackles, 1 INT
Courtney Upshaw - 4 tackles, 3 sacks

**Stats Courtesy of ‘Bama Sports Information**

Reloading a Champion: Spring Practice 2010

(AP Photo/Dave Martin)

As expected, the long period of “down” time after the BCS title game can cause some corrosion to form. Not only on the players…but on the writers who cover Alabama football. Speaking from a personal standpoint, this particular blog could not come soon enough!

For the most part, all things considered, it has been a rather calm spring thus far in Tuscaloosa. Notice I said "rather calm"...not calm.

As the team closes in on the annual spring game, to be held April 17
at Bryant-Denny Stadium, let me take this time to “rewind” the game film and fill the gaps from late March…until present day.

When Nick Saban initially met the media to begin spring camp, arguably one of the top stories was the news concerning Tide running back Terry Grant. Even though Grant had fallen in the rotation and was limited last season due to injury, Terry was still a well known name on the team, and at times a vital contributor during Saban’s first season with the Tide. Terry Grant has decided not to compete during the 2010 season, and his time with the Alabama football team is over. Grant has already earned his degree, and simply opted not to use his final year of eligibility.

Another story that continues to make “subtle waves” is the news concerning defensive back Robby Green. While the core news/story concerning Green has yet to be revealed, his eligibility for the 2010 season is in jeopardy. Green has been allowed to practice this spring, but the story regarding Green is still very much up in the air. If I could (as of now) name one story that will still be a “hot topic” come fall practice, it will be the story and or “situation” concerning Robby Green.

Linebacker Dont’a Hightower is BACK! Dont’a has been at full speed during the course of spring practice and has shown no ill effects from his knee injury/surgery sustained last fall. Hightower will likely be the leader of the linebackers in 2010, and will fill the hole left by Rolando McClain. With the return of Hightower it almost feels as though ‘Bama just received a new recruit! Dont’a looks strong and ready to hit someone!

Tide starting center William Vlachos will likely miss the entire spring (full contact) due to foot surgery. However, William is expected to be 100% when fall camp begins in August. The surgery should not impact his performance during the 2010 season.

Tide quarterback Star Jackson has missed time this spring due to academic issues. Jackson is currently active in practice but did miss a total of three days during the latter portion of March.

The rib injury suffered by Tide quarterback Greg McElroy against the Florida Gators is a distant memory. Greg said the injury was only made worse due to the fact he suffers from asthma. Greg looks to be firing on all cylinders, and like Dont’a Hightower, is showing no ill effects from the injury that limited his productivity against Texas.



New signee Dequan Menzie (defensive back) will miss the 2010 season after undergoing surgery to repair a ruptured Achilles tendon. Menzie will receive a medical redshirt. The junior college transfer is expected to be out 4-6 months.

If anyone had to put a “tag” on one question mark surrounding the 2010 season, it would be placed over the ‘Bama secondary. The injury to Menzie comes at a critical time for many reasons.

Due to the “possible” absence of Robby Green for the 2010 season, the question marks only seem to get bigger, and the injury to Menzie will only put a brighter light on the performance and the brand new secondary.

Every spring has a few names and faces who shine a little brighter. So far quarterback AJ McCarron and Tide receiver Julio Jones appear to be the “poster boys” of greatness.

McCarron was stellar during the initial scrimmage of the spring and many think Julio Jones (now 100% healthy) is even better than before. It goes without saying McCarron and Jones will be monitored closely in the next scrimmage and public spring game.

What to Watch?

-The Bama secondary! In the coming days I will give a full report regarding “secondary concerns” and what Tide fans can look for this fall. All I can say is…get ready for new names and new faces. Get to know the names: Dre Kirkpatrick, DeMarcus Milliner, BJ Scott, and Phelon Jones.

-The kicking game. Will new faces equal new success?

-The linebacker shuffle. How ‘Bama will make the most of the linebacking core.

The Presidential Welcome: ‘Bama Visits D.C.

In one final acknowledgment for winning the 2009 national championship, the University of Alabama football team visited Washington D.C. on Monday.

The highlight of the trip was a 15-minute ceremony in the East Room of the White House with none other than President Barack Obama.

President Obama delivered his personal congratulations to the team for the wonderful accomplishments they achieved on and off the field.

“It’s safe to say the Tide is back,” exclaimed Obama during his address.



Once Obama concluded his speech, former Tide cornerback Javier Arenas presented him with a football and a ‘Bama helmet with the No. 13.

However the most "prized" and notable gift came when former Crimson Tide offensive lineman Mike Johnson presented a Tide No. 1 jersey to Obama with his name across the back. Over the years it has been a tradition of athletic teams visiting the White House to present the President with a team jersey.

Among those in attendance for the special day in Washington D.C. were Alabama President Robert Witt, and Tide athletics director Mal Moore.

Spring practice for the 2010 season begins on Friday.

White House Bound

(AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)

The University of Alabama’s 2009 national championship football team will meet with President Barack Obama on Monday.

The Tide will tour the White House; visit the U.S. Capitol, Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and the National Mall.

The national champs will also meet with local youth encouraging them to stay in school, and the importance of making positive life choices.

The visit to D.C. is the culmination of accolades and acknowledgements for the 2009 BCS champs.

Spring practice for the 2010 season is scheduled to begin March 12.