Ramblings

New Tide Blog?

2005-12-09T08:54:00.000-08:00

Well as 2005 comes to a close we reflect on all that was good this year, and look forward to the future. Here at Tide Blog we are looking forward to the new year. We have a lot of great changes coming so please make sure to mark your calanders for the new year. New Tide Blog? Yeap! Stay tuned!!!!

~ Cheap Seats (Sitting in for Mindless Ramblings as he works hard on making the new changes. Keep Working Mindless!!!!!)

SEC Championship Game - Yippee!

2005-12-02T06:50:00.000-08:00

It’s that time again! It’s time for the East champ versus the West champ to see who becomes the overall champion of the mighty SEC. My biggest question about this game is? ……….. So What? We’ll hear the same crap the announcers have been saying all year about a hundred times in this game. You know what they are: Georgia’s QB had to backup another guy for 3 years to get his chance; LSU has gone through so much to reach this game. Bla Bla Bla Bla Bla. Yawn!!!!!!!!!!! I could care less about this game. I really hope it ends in a 0 – 0 tie. They just call it off after 50 overtimes because of lack of interest. Let’s see! My prediction! Ummmm!! Lets say LSU 3 Georgia 2. The score and excitement of an SEC baseball game. The winner gets the privilege of getting the daylights beat out of them by the other team who goes to the Sugar Bowl.

Speaking of bad announcers where did 68 dig up the people who called the high school championship game last night? What a bunch of losers. They had no clue. 68 could have picked anyone out of the crowd and they would have known more about high school football. Thank goodness for the mute button. Now, I believe I’ll get off my soapbox and take some soap out of it and see if I can wash the crap off of me that the 68 announcers were throwing towards the audience. If any of you announcers read this, here is some advice. We don’t like to hear you talk as much as you like to hear yourself, so shut up and find a real job.

Tebow will come to Bama!

2005-11-28T06:41:00.000-08:00

I talked with Tebow this morning and he said he would definitely come to Bama if offererd. Oh! No, not Tim. Jessy Tebow - Third string place-kicker for Oakman Jr. high.

1001 Coaches aka (Maniacs)

2005-11-21T09:15:00.000-08:00

Wow! With all the coaches around, Bama should fire Shula and company and grab some the Geniuses out there. I’ve heard we should have put Jimmy Johns in at Qb and let him roll out and pass. Are you kidding me? Johns (a true freshman) hasn’t thrown a pass all year and someone (maniac) thinks he can come in and lead us to victory. Don’t get me wrong, I think Johns may become a great qb, but he has to practice first. I have also seen the starting lineup for next year. Man, what a relieve it is to know we’re gonna get all those great players to sign with us. And to know who is gonna start next year saves a lot of time. Bama can skip spring practice now. Give me a break! I, Me, You, Them, don’t know crap about coaching football. So let it go, the game is over. I will let you in on a secret. The true reason Bama lost Saturday. Here it is, if you can handle it. Close your eyes if you can’t. The reason Alabama lost Saturday; Auburn is plain and simple the better team. Yes! Auburn is better. They are more than ten points better also. Bama did good to lose by only ten. If Shula is left alone and allowed to recruit his type of players that won’t be the case for long. Shula will bring Bama back, but it will take time. 9-0 and a big win over Florida brought delusions of grandeur. Bama wasn’t as good as most thought and they are not as bad as most think. But what do I know I just one of the Maniacs.

Why all the hoopla?

2005-11-17T12:48:00.000-08:00

Yeah, this is a big game because it’s the next one. I think we have fallen into the media’s hoopla trap. It shouldn’t be a big deal that Bama is playing that cow college. Now maybe it should be big for them. After all they are playing The University of Alabama. Don’t get me wrong, Bama should take this game seriously and prepare like there is no tomorrow. But they should do this with every opponent. Who care’s what team it is. Prepare like it’s the best team ever and then go out and kick their behinds. So what, I say about this so-called rival. Yawn!!! They are as high on my list as Vandy. Yea, I get mad when Bama loses to them. I also get mad when Bama loses to Vandy, LSU, La Tech, ect. I could care less what the team’s name may be. Just beat them. They don’t have Alabama’s tradition and they are lucky we lower ourselves once a year to play them. Are you saying I’m a football snob? Well, I am a fan of football royalty. And the others are fans of football crap. So yea, I’m a football snob. I have a right to be. Bama 21 - whomever 10.

Proud

2005-11-14T07:07:00.000-08:00

I’m very proud of this football team. I hate we lost but this a very special football team. This team is laying the foundation for great teams to come. Even if Bama loses to Auburn (they’re not) I will still be proud of this team. This has been a great season. The LSU game was tough. Bama’s o-line was out-matched, but they still showed signs of coming around. LSU came out in the second half and took away what Bama was doing, and blitzed like man-men. However our coaches made the proper adjustments to give Brodie more time. It was just a lack of execution that kept Bama from moving the ball more. Brodie had time to throw in the fourth quarter but he was a little shell-shocked from the beating he took in the 3rd. The receivers let him down also. But lets face it, this LSU team is a talented bunch and I am proud of how Bama hung in there and sent it to overtime. I can’t wait to see what this offense will do in the future with experienced o-linemen and a seasoned QB. I think the coaches are doing an outstanding job and when the talent and experience catches up with the LSU’s and Auburn’s they had better look out. This team has heart. The coaches have heart. And no matter what happens Saturday this team is made up of winners and I will be proud of them.

Roll Tide

Familiar

2005-11-11T07:18:00.000-08:00

The game this weekend reminds of another time and another team. I keep hearing how bad Bama is and how bad Bama is going to get beat. The nation says Bama can’t win. They don’t have the offense. They don’t belong. They are pretenders not contenders. A blow-out. Bama didn’t listen then. They are not listening now. It’s funny how the more games Alabama wins the more the press tries to down them. Does Bama have problems? Yes. Could this game be a blowout? Yes. I’ve even said I didn’t think they could win. However, the thing is, these all knowing sports geniuses, like me, just don’t know. I see all these former coaches on T.V. telling me how bad this game is gonna be. Well, former coach, why aren’t you out there coaching? The same reason I’m not. The same reason the sports writers are not. We’re all in the same club. The We Don’t Know Crap Club!(WDKCC) It’s easy to talk about football. Play the game and we’ll see what happens. If Bama loses then all the Yahoos can brag about how they knew it. If Bama wins then the rest of the yahoos can brag. What does all this rambling mean? Nothing! Just like my pick. I’ve picked Bama to lose every big game this year and they’ve won. So I'm not gonna stop now. Let’s hope I’m wrong again. LSU 34 Alabama 13. There’s something familiar about that.

Up in Arms

2005-11-07T06:24:00.000-08:00

The Bama nation seems to be up in arms this morning because Miami jump the Crimson Tide in the Polls. Well, what did you expect? Bama looked terrible Saturday against a very bad team. This is my 38th season cheering for Alabama and I have never seen a worse Offensive line. The O-line started out decent and has gotten worse each game. In college football there’s the west coast offense, the power I and ect. Bama has created a new offensive philosophy called the what I feel like at the time offense. Bama’s offense can be running along either passing or running and then it’s the I feel like running a stupid play time. They’ll lose ten yards and punt. Or in the case against Mississippi St. Darby for 18, Darby for 13, then Brodie – I think I’ll throw it to the other team play. Closner was a good player and will be missed, but after he got hurt Bama lost its QB also. Croyle’s mind completely left the game. If Bama plays this way Saturday and I think they will, Well, does the Arizona – UCLA game come to mind. I’m a huge Alabama fan. Have been all my life, but there is no reason to be up in arms about the polls because after LSU we will be out of the running anyway.

A note to Sly Crooms: Your players took cheap shots all day. One of your coaches punched the Bama player who made a legal tackle on the player who intercepted a pass. This is your responsibility. You were taught to win and lose with class but your not doing that. Coach Bryant would be very ashamed of you. You can be a great coach if you remember this.

Mindless Ramblings ?

2005-11-04T11:16:00.000-08:00

Cheap Seats here. Mindless is out this week on a whurl wind adventure. I hear he may have some great ramblings about the LSU game next week so be sure to stop back by. Let me also take this time to tell all of you to be sure to keep checking in often. We are going to be launching what I believe will be another interesting tidbit on Tide Blog. That is coming real soon. On to Miss. St. Talking to mindless this week he seems to think that it might not be as close as I feel it will be. He tends to think the offense may be coming around a little more than I am giving it credit. He says not a dominating performance but enough to win. Mindless says give the nod to Bama. 24-14.

~ Cheap Seats for Mindless Ramblings.

Utah State Week

2005-10-27T09:00:00.000-07:00

First, let me thank the Crimson Tide for proving me wrong on my prediction by beating the Viles. My neighbor across the street has been flying a big ugly yellow-orange flag with a big T on it since he built his house. Now I look across the street and I see no flag. Thank you Bama. Now. On to Utah State. People have been asking me what I think about backups playing this week. My answer: Whatever Coach decides I will not question. For the first time since Stallings I have complete faith and trust in our head coach. Shula loves the University and he puts the team first. His decisions are based on what he feels is best for this team. The coaches between Shula and Stallings were self-serving. They did what they felt best for themselves instead of the team and I didn’t trust them. Bama has the right man for the job. No prediction here, I’ll just say Bama wins easily.

A note about Bama’s season: I know people who are already worrying about the Awbarn game. You know who you are. Yea you! And how about eating a carrot for once. Anyway, my question is why can’t we enjoy the season? It’s been a while since we’ve had a team like this. It takes so long for the season to get here and then some people want it over just as quick. I’m enjoying this season. I hear aubs calling the talk shows shouting mindlessly about how much better they are than us. However, I hear the fear in their voice. That is a great feeling. I haven’t heard one UAB fan say they could beat Bama. They know who is boss. Yesterday someone called a show saying the Bama had the 5th best talent in the SEC. I laughed. We’re 7-0 with the 5th best talent. If this is true just then think how good we’ll be when our talent is the best and folks it’s heading that way. Bama may lose this season but right now they are undefeated and other fans are scared to death. Man! I’m enjoying this season. I don’t want it to end. Bama is back and life is good.

Roll Tide.

Tennessee

2005-10-21T06:41:00.000-07:00

I hate to say it, but Tennessee has more talent than Bama. I think people I have talked to are over looking the Vols a bit because of the 3 and 2 record. Tennessee has a giant offensive line and a big bruising back in Gerald Riggs, Jr. This is the type of team that Alabama does not match up well with. They are Minnesota times three and Arkansas times five. If the Tide is to beat Tennessee Saturday they will have to score early and try to keep more than a touchdown lead to force the Vols to pass more than they would like. I believe the Vols’ game plan is to ram the ball down Bama’s throat. If they keep it close or have the lead, this game will be very frustrating to watch. Tennessee will be content picking up four yards here and five yards there. If the Vols are able to do this, when the fourth quarter comes around it will be twenty yards here and fifty yards there. Bama must force the Vols to pass and they must keep a lead. Alabama’s receivers must not drop balls. The offensive line must not make mistakes and must be able to open up holes for Darby. Bama cannot make mistakes and win this game. The Score: 27 – 10. Tennessee. Please Bama, prove me wrong.

A sign of things to come?

2005-10-17T06:48:00.000-07:00

First, let me say I’m very happy with the win Saturday. Of course the reason may be because I thought Bama was going to lose about mid-way thru the 4th quarter and then they pulled it out. But is this a sign? I saw Ole Miss play three times before Saturday and I must say they are the absolute worst team I’ve seen play this year. So does this mean the Tide is gonna get killed against Tennessee? Nah. The reason Bama didn’t play well was because of a very over-confident offensive line. I heard an interview Saturday morning with Closner, (I think it was Closner) who was talking about how awesome the offensive line was going to be. I knew then that the score was going to be closer than what I had predicted. Over confidence can hurt a team as bad as under confidence. However, I didn’t think the line would get pushed around as bad as they did. Also, mistakes kept Ole Miss in the game. On 4th and 1 Castille ran into another Bama player. If Bama gets the one yard, they go on to score and the game becomes a blow out. Robinson misses an interception that he would have returned for a touchdown. Instead the ball lands into an Ole Miss player’s hands. We do recover a fumble on that play, but an interception for a touchdown would have started the blow out. Bama fumbles the next play and Ole Miss scores a few plays later and we are in a fight. However, we should have handled Ole Miss easier. The offensive line let the Tide down. I hope this game woke the young players up and they now realize that they played well against Florida because of hard work and they will have to work that hard every game. Even against teams as bad as Ole Miss and Utah State. So was this game a sign of thing to come next Saturday? I’ll let you know with my Friday post.

Tide Should Roll

2005-10-14T09:05:00.000-07:00

Ole Miss has a weak offensive line resulting in a poor running and passing game. The rebs will have a tough time scoring. The Bama offense has something to prove with Prothro being out. Unless Bama has a lot of turnovers, the Tide should roll to a big win.

Bama 50 Ole Miss 10

Not Worried

2005-10-11T07:12:00.000-07:00

My two couterparts are worrried about us not being focused enough for Ole Sis. Not to worry guys Bama will be focused and will destroy the Rebs. If we lose to a team that got beat soundly by Wyoming then its time to hang it up. This game worries me less than Utah State. Ole Sis would have trouble with Hueytown High. No one will destroy a progam as bad as this coach will before he is finally fired. My biggest concern is whether or not this maniac they call coach will attack Shula after the game. Bama wins big and moves ole miss one step closer to finding a real coach.

Back in Time

2005-10-04T07:54:00.000-07:00

O.K. I tried to get everyone to enjoy and relax, but I’ve had it with the people who are down on Shula about Prothro. So now we are going back in time to change a few things. Let’s set it up. There’s a little over ten minutes left in the game and Bama gets the ball back. Shula takes all the starters out with a 28 point lead. The ball is snapped to Wilson but the second string line can’t hold and he is crushed and fumbles. Florida picks up the ball and runs it in for the score. 31-10. Still too big of a lead for the starters to be in. Florida pulls off an onside kick. The second and third team players are not aggressive enough and the gators get the ball. Florida offence wakes up against the second and third team defense. Can’t risk the first team with this big of a lead. The gators score on the first play. 31 – 17. There’s still no reason to have the starter in. Florida kicks deep because there’s still 8:55 left in the game. Bama runs Johns twice and Wilson throws an incomplete pass that is dropped by a receiver we’ve never heard of because we can’t play any of the six or seven receivers that rotate in and out through the course of the game. The second team punter kicks the ball for 15 yards. First down gators. They score with 6:21 left on the clock. 31 – 24. Florida kicks off. With the risk of making the media mad, Shula puts in his starters. They are cold now and some actually had to put their pads back on. Brodie hands off to Darby and he takes a hit. Remember he’s cold. The ball flies into air. Prothro goes high to recover it. He lands awkward and breaks his leg in two places. It’s hard to look at. A freak accident. Bama has lost him for the year. Bama punts, but stops the gator a couple more times. Winning 31-24, Bama is battered and bruised because they allowed the gators to get back in the game and they fought hard. Bama is so beat up from it last couple of series with a gator team that believed it could win that it will probably struggle with Ole Miss. Now, let’s jump to Monday afternoon. It’s time for “The (we sure are high on ourselves) Time”. With Erb , Raymond, and Blondie.

Erb: “Welcome to The (we sure are high on ourselves) Time. Raymond can’t join us to today because he doesn’t agree with us so we have a guest. Everyone welcome Kelv from his popular paper (The Opinion).”

Kelv: “Thanks Erb. (coughing: Alabama sucks)”

Blondie: “Braves are in the playoffs!”

Erb: “Can you believe Shula took the starters out that early. I mean. I was in the stands thinking whoa, that’s way to early to take your starters out of the game. It’s Shula’s stupidity that Bama lost Prothro.”

Kelv: “Yea, Shula is the worst coach ever. I just don’t know why they don’t bring back Bear Bryant.”

Blondie: “Brave had injuries. Brave are great. Braves!!”

Erb: (crying) “And the fans always blame the media. They say it’s the media fault. We just report our opinions. I mean! What do they want from us? To report facts? Our opinions are great and all 25 of our listeners should know that.”

Blondie: “Braaaaaaaaaaaaves!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Kelv: “You’re right Erb. I’m going to write and tell both of my readers that.”

Blondie: “braves…..”

Erb: “The media is about opinions and our opinions matter. We are great!!!”

Blondie: “BRAVES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Erb: “Well that all the time we have left. Join us tomorrow. We will discuss how Shula will not be a good coach until he listens to us. Plus Blondie will try to say the word Atlanta.”

Relax and Enjoy

2005-10-03T12:25:00.000-07:00

What a game. What a time. I can’t remember the last time Bama had a win this big and then a week off to enjoy. So fans relax and enjoy. Bama is #7 in the AP poll. We can watch football this weekend and hope someone in front of Bama gets beat so we can move up. Forget about this stuff that the barners and some press are mindlessly saying about Shula doing this and leaving in that. They’re just trying to ruin our week. Don’t let them. Relax and Enjoy. This is almost like winning a championship, but still having football to watch. The Ole Miss game will get here soon enough. Worry about it next Monday. Relax and Enjoy now. Bama is stealing the headlines from another so-called school and they can’t stand it. If you want to make them even more uncomfortable about us being on top ignore them and relax. They can’t stand that. The press loves an irate Bama fan. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Relax and Enjoy. Bama is on it’s way back to the top. The barn and the press know this. Lets show them that we know this too. Rela….… (well you know)

Roll Tide.

Tough One

2005-09-29T07:37:00.000-07:00

If you had read my post last week you would have known exactly what to expect from the Arkansas game. However, this week is different, I can give no insight on what to expect. I know Florida will come in with the modern version of the wishbone and a strong defense. Bama will counter with a strong defense and hopefully a good offensive showing. So that leaves (Gulp!!!!) the special teams. Bama must have a good showing from the special teams to win. Can we make a field goal when it counts? Can we cover the kickoffs and punts better? I simply don’t know how Bama will react. This is the biggest game of the Shula era. Bama must play better on special teams and not drop passes or interceptions. They must protect Brodie. They must play great defense. Can they do this? Can they win? Of course! They are Alabama! Will they do this? I don’t know. I don’t know what to expect. So I will have to go with the higher ranked team. Florida is # 5. Bama is # 15. My prediction Florida 27 Bama 20. Don’t believe that for a minute!

Roll Tide!

Good Story

2005-09-27T05:54:00.000-07:00

This story was on WZZK's web site this morning. I don't think they'll mind me posting it.

I can give you an endless amount of reasons-and you can too-why NOT to root for Notre Dame football. However, let me give one to do just the opposite. Charlie Weis doesn't usually let anyone else call plays on offense. He made an exception for 10-year-old Montana Mazurkiewicz. The Notre Dame coach met last week with Montana, who had been told by doctors weeks earlier that there was nothing more they could do to stop the spread of his inoperable brain tumor. "He was a big Notre Dame fan in general, but football especially," said his mother, Cathy Mazurkiewicz. Weis showed up at the Mazurkiewicz home in Mishawaka, just east of South Bend, and talked with Montana about his tumor and about Weis' 10-year-old daughter, Hannah, who has global development delay, a rare disorder similar to autism.He told Montana about some pranks he played on Joe Montana -- whom Montana was named after -- while they were roommates at Notre Dame. "I gave him a chance to hammer me on the Michigan State loss, which he did very well. He reminded me of my son," said Weis, whose son, Charlie Jr., is 12 years old. Weis said the meeting was touching. "He told me about his love for Notre Dame football and how he just wanted to make it through this game this week," Weis said. "He just wanted to be able to live through this game because he knew he wasn't going to live very much longer." As Weis talked to the boy, Cathy Mazurkiewicz rubbed her son's shoulder trying to ease his pain. Weis said he could tell the boy was trying not to show he was in pain. His mother told Montana, who had just become paralyzed from the waist down a day earlier because of the tumor, to toss her a football Weis had given him. Montana tried to throw the football, put could barely lift it. So Weis climbed into the reclining chair with him and helped him complete the pass to his mother. Before leaving, Weis signed the football. "He wrote, 'Live for today for tomorrow is always another day,"' Mazurkiewicz said. "He told him: 'You can't worry about tomorrow. Just live today for everything it has and everything you can appreciate,'" she said. "He said: 'If you're (in pain) today you might not necessarily be in pain tomorrow, or it might be worse. But there's always another day.'" Weis asked Montana if there was something he could do for him. He agreed to let Montana call the first play against Washington on Saturday. He called "pass right." Montana never got to see the play. He died Friday at his home. Weis heard about the death and called Mazurkiewicz on Friday night to assure her he would still call Montana's play. "He said, 'This game is for Montana, and the play still stands,'" she said. Weis said he told the team about the visit. He said it wasn't a "Win one for the Gipper" speech, because he doesn't believe in using individuals as inspiration. He just wanted the team to know people like Montana are out there. "That they represent a lot of people that they don't even realize they're representing," Weis said. When the Irish started on their own 1-yard-line following a fumble recovery, Mazurkiewicz wasn't sure Notre Dame would be able to throw a pass. Weis was concerned about that, too. So was quarterback Brady Quinn. "He said 'What are we going to do?'" Weis said. "I said 'We have no choice. We're throwing it to the right.'" Weis called a play where most of the Irish went left, Quinn ran right and looked for tight end Anthony Fasano on the right. Mazurkiewicz watched with her family. "I just closed my eyes. I thought, 'There's no way he's going to be able to make that pass. Not from where they're at. He's going to get sacked and Washington's going to get two points,'" she said. Fasano caught the pass and leapt over a defender for a 13-yard gain. "It's almost like Montana was willing him to beat that defender and take it to the house," Weis said. Montana's mom was happy. "It was an amazing play. Montana would have been very pleased. I was very pleased," she said. "I was just so overwhelmed. I couldn't watch much more." Weis called her again after the game, a 36-17 victory by the 13th-ranked Fighting Irish, and said he had a game ball signed by the team that he wanted to bring to the family on Sunday. "He's a very neat man. Very compassionate," she said. "I just thanked him for using that play, no matter the circumstances." So many times players and coaches get such bad press for the things they do on the field. I thought it important this morning to highlight something far more important done off of it.

Aren’t we playing Arkansas this week?

2005-09-23T06:08:00.000-07:00

As I was enjoying the very impressive win last week several people walked up to me and asked: Can we beat Florida? My answer: Aren’t we playing Arkansas this week? Look folks, if you look at some of Nutt’s biggest wins, you’ll find they came after some of his biggest loses. Arkansas is a very dangerous team with a very large offensive line. This team was embarrassed last week. What happens when you’re embarrassed? You become fighting mad. Arkansas has a history of winning big game after big losses and they are fighting mad. If Bama is not prepared for this game, guess who will be embarrassed this week. I think Shula will have Bama prepared, but if you’re expecting a blowout you could be disappointed. Bama wins 24 –17. Roll Tide.

A Note about the Post-Herald:

Take note newspapers. You are called a newspaper because news is printed on paper. News! You are not called an opinion paper. Opinions are for yahoos like me. Reading the Post-Herald was like reading an Internet board. I’m not gonna pay the money they’re asking to read opinions about how bad a team is and what they should do. Many people I know cancelled their subscriptions long ago. The advertisers finally woke up and said hey we’re paying more money for advertising for a smaller audience with the results being not to advertise anymore, hence, newspaper out of business. Folks don’t let anyone fool you. If a paper is making a profit it is not going to be closed down. So take note newspapers: Don’t insult your audience. Report the news. Don’t make it.

Ramble over.

Signature Win

2005-09-16T07:00:00.000-07:00

I am so tired of hearing these two words put together. I just want an Alabama win. I don't care who or where Bama is playing just a win. The press has created the phrase signature win just the way they created the phrase walk-off home run. Where I come from there is no such thing as a walk-off home run. It's plain and simple a game winning home run. What's next walk-off field goals, walk-off touchdowns, signature field goals, signature touchdowns. Come on folks stop falling into this look at me I'm the press stuff. The press is suppose to report the news not make it. Yahoos like me can then discuss it. But let's get back to this signature stuff. Let's see looking at the dictionary signature means:

One's name as written by oneself.
The act of signing one's name.
A distinctive mark, characteristic, or sound indicating identity

One and Two don't apply because I don't see Shula's name signed on the uniforms. Now lets take a look at number three. A distinctive mark, or characterictic indicating identity. Mike Shula could be called the definition of Class. He is a charitable person giving back to the commuity. He is a great representative of the University of Alabama. Now let's look at the team. They helped the hurricane victims by donating time and money. I read were Juwan Simpson donated his time for some kids in Huntsville. (a great story if you haven't read it on mikeshula.com) The players are good citizens, positive role models and represent the University of Alabama with class and dignity. I don't know about signature wins but this is Mike Shula's Signature Team. Shula will get the Tide back on top and it will be done the right way. If Fans want a classless team that brags and takes cheap shots you'll will not find it here. Try looking across the state.

Bama 35 South Carolina 24

Roll Tide

The Truth about Saturday night

2005-09-12T09:04:00.000-07:00

True – The ESPN announcers are idiots. If you sling a QB to the ground at any time it’s a penalty. The play was dead, but it didn’t matter, that was excessive. Hey ESPN, your not gonna buy your way into heaven by taking S Miss’ side on everything.

True – If I’m from Southern Miss, I want to forget about the Hurricane for a few hours and watch some football. However, this couldn’t happen because of the announcers mentioning it after every play. (See the first true above)

True – Southern Miss is the dirtiest team I’ve ever seen.

True – Brodie interception was because of laziness. He did the same thing on 3rd and two, with the ball being knocked down. This team isn’t good enough to relax and take plays off.

True – Brodie was still too greedy. Yea, I know he hit some long passes, however, he missed quite a few where he had receivers open underneath.

True – Brodie lost his confidence after the INT. Prothro’s catch restored it. But the QB I saw in the second quarter had no confidence. This can’t happen after a bad play, he’s got to forget about it. The line looks to him for confidence and if he doesn’t have it they don’t have it.

True – Cody Davis is better than Capps. I saw Capps get destroyed on several plays. Davis is mean and refuses to get beat. If the whole bama line had Davis’ attitude during the game, the Tide would be awesome.

True – If place kicker number one can’t get the ball high enough to have a chance to go over the goal post, its time to put place kicker number two in. Aint too hard figure that one out.

True – The defense played great. They were put in some bad situations. They really only gave up one score.

True – The Coaching staff made some real good adjustments at the half for the second week in a row. I believe they are really maturing.

True – This team is close to being really good. They just need more of a killer instinct. This will come with maturity.

True – If Bama doesn’t play better Saturday, They will Lose.

USM

2005-09-09T07:16:00.000-07:00

What do we know about Southern Miss? Well, They have new coordinators and they always play us tough. What don't we know about Southern Miss? They have new coordinators and we don't know what kind of offense or defense they'll run. Will this help them? Maybe, but I think Bama having played a game has the advantage. Bama knows what it can do and how to adjust. I believe they will have a better start this week and put S Miss out early. Look for Wilson to get plenty of playing time this week. Now back to the first question again. What do we know about Southern Miss? Well, when the clock hits zero, we have the highest score most of the time. This year will be no different. Bama 40 USM 10.

Some ’Bama fans give tickets to evacuees

2005-09-06T09:44:00.000-07:00

I haven't seen this story on any of the local stations or sports stations and I think this is a good story. My apologies if this has been shown on TV, but if not, shame on the local press.

Some ’Bama fans give tickets to evacuees
Even LSU fans grateful for chance to take mind off Katrina woes

The Associated Press
Updated: 11:39 p.m. ET Sept. 3, 2005

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Some Alabama fans stayed home Saturday night to give at least 300 evacuees from Hurricane Katrina a chance to see a Crimson Tide football game.

For the past several days Alabama fans have been dropping off their tickets to Saturday night’s Middle Tennessee-Alabama game at a Red Cross shelter at the university’s recreation center, which has been home to about 500 evacuees.

“This will give them four or five hours to get their minds off what they’ve been doing and keep them from thinking about where their relatives are,” said Pat Plott, a Red Cross volunteer at the shelter who helped organize the ticket drive.

Raydell Hayes, who works at The Court of Two Sisters Restaurant in the French Quarter in New Orleans, said he doesn’t know when he and his family will be able to return home or when he will be able to return to work. Thanks to the free tickets, he was able to take his three stepsons and 11-year-old twin daughters to the game.

“This is monumental. It takes your mind away from what’s going on,” said Hayes, a New Orleans Saints’ fan and former high school and college football player. He said the gift of the football tickets is made even more special because he knows how much Alabama fans love the Crimson Tide.

As the kickoff approached Saturday, some volunteers at the shelter were teaching the refugees, many fans of rival LSU, to say “Roll Tide,” the official rallying cry of the Crimson Tide.

“I know all about ‘Roll Tide,”’ Hayes said. “When Alabama plays LSU, the fans come to the French Quarter and pretty much what you hear is ‘Roll Tide.”’

After getting the tickets, most of the refugees walked the mile or so from the shelter on the outskirts of campus to Bryant-Denny Stadium. During the walk they got a good induction to Alabama football as they mingled with thousands of Crimson Tide fans in the carnival-like atmosphere that takes over the campus for games.

Another organizer of the ticket drive was Robert Smith, who works at AmSouth Bank in Tuscaloosa. He said he went on talk radio shows urging Alabama fans to give their tickets to refugees, after discussing the idea with a boss at the bank.

Smith, who grew up in Tuscaloosa, said he knows how much Tide fans cherish their football tickets. But he said it doesn’t surprise him that some fans would give up their tickets to help others.

“I think it’s something they put into perspective and said ‘I can go to the football game or I can comfort someone going through a tragedy.’ When you put it like that, it’s a pretty easy decision,” Smith said.

Kenya Robinson, who said he’s pretty sure his New Orleans home is under water, normally roots for Michigan or LSU. But for one night he became an Alabama fan.

“We haven’t really had anything to do here this week. I’m going to enjoy myself at this game,” said the 25-year-old Robinson.

First Game Grades

2005-09-06T08:38:00.000-07:00

Offense – Bama didn’t want to show too much in this game, and it didn’t, which is good. We don’t know much about S Miss and they don’t know much about us. The line blocked well, Brodie wasn’t touched all night. The first half would have gone much better had Brodie not got greedy a couple of times. The receivers look good for the most part. The tight ends were not thrown too, however, I believe this was the plan for this game. Shula didn’t want to show the playbook against mid tenn. We’ll see the tight ends soon. Darby looked good, Johns was smooth, and Coffee made a great catch on a screen pass.

Grades:

O-line – First start together – B
Receivers – a few drops, this is an outstanding group and should do better – C -
QB – Brodie should take what the defense gives – C -
RB – Darby and two true freshmen – B

Over all grade C +

Defense – Scored on a safety, hassled a very good QB all night long and completely shut them down in the second half. Folks, Middle Tenn’s offense is very good and this group shut them down.

Overall grade – A

Special Teams – Block in the back on a return, fumbled a kickoff return, juggled many catches on punts, penalty on a field goal. The coverage was good, however. Bama needs to improve here.

Overall grade – D

Coaching – Wanted to win without showing too much offense and made an excellent adjustment at the half. We didn’t see many penalties either. The team started slow but was prepared.

Overall grade – C +

Fans – The fans were quiet all night. They Just sat on their hands. Someone said there were even a few boos. Folk, we had some big recruits at the game and quiet fans do not make a good impression. We must encourage the team with cheers when they’re not doing well.

Overall fan grade – F -

Team Overall Grade C +

Game Week

2005-09-01T13:56:00.000-07:00

It doesn’t feel like there are only just a couple of days until kickoff. Like most of you, I’ve been watching the aftermath of our most recent hurricane. Add a huge workload and football is far from my mind. I’m just not in the mood for football. Maybe I should just think about the thousands of people dressed in Crimson walking toward Bryant Denny. Now maybe I can imagine Brodie throwing a long touchdown to Brown and Hall and Knight. Prothro just returned a kick for a touchdown! What a run by Darby! Oh Man! Ryans just knocked that guys head off. Intercepted! Castille returns it for the touchdown! Bama wins 42 to 10. O.K. now I excited. Roll Tide!

Ramble over.

PRIORITIES

2005-08-26T10:25:00.000-07:00

Most priorities include work being toward the top, things like football being near the bottom. That is unless you live in the great state of Alabama. Then it is reversed. Football, Family, Friends, and somewhere work brings up the rear. Well being a Bama fan usually by September I can’t ever remember what it is I even do at work. Football consumes me! Well this week was different. I must apologize to those waiting on my next column. Work has consumed me. I promise this will never happen again. Next week is Game week. I will be ready!

~ Mindless

My Football Prayer

2005-08-17T07:58:00.000-07:00

My Football Prayer

My Football Prayer is that people will stop taking a PRP (popular radio personality) so seriously because my guess is the only sport that PRP ever played was toss the nerd. Guess what position he played? Oh yeah, sorry about dropping you that one time PRP.

My Football Prayer is that Alabama fans will never call a radio show claiming to be a fan of another team and criticize a player from that team. Remember we are not awbern.

My Football Prayer is that Alabama fans will not criticize our own players. Remember they want to win as bad as we do. There’s a lot of pressure on these young men to perform and sometimes they make mistakes.

My Football Prayer is that no Alabama fan will wish harm on any player from another school. Remember we are not awbern. I am still sick to my stomach when I think about what a church member who is an awbern fan said in church last year when Brodie got hurt. It said, “ Thats what he gets for them making such a big deal about him.” Classless, Just Classless.

My Football Prayer is that UAB fans will wake up and realize that their program will never be close to ours in any way shape or form.

My Football Prayer is that we never create our own poll so we can claim to be a national champion. Quit crying awby.

My Football Prayer is that Alabama fans will never obsess over awbern the way they obsess over Alabama.

My Football Prayer is that all our soldiers, sailors, marines and airmen serving overseas can once again sit down in the football stadium of their favorite team and watch a game. I pray that they will be able to enjoy the freedoms that they are fighting to preserve and may God bless them.

My Football Prayer is that the Tide will strike fear in its opponents once again. I believe that we will regain the respect of the football world.

Roll Tide!

Ramble Over

I injured myself this morning!

2005-08-09T06:54:00.000-07:00

I injured myself this morning! The bama roster was announced. Practice starts today. People are posting pictures of different players and a full Bryant-Denny stadium on different Internet boards. I keep hearing quotes from the bama players. In an USA TODAY article Roman Harper said, "Brodie is Superman to me, and Superman cannot be taken down by anything. He will be good and healthy this year and will have a great season." I got so fired up I tried to run through a wall. Wall won! I injured myself this morning. Roll Tide!

Ramble over.

Ramblings

2005-08-05T11:02:00.000-07:00

Ramblings coming soon.