If these links screw up again, you can find the stories at www.al.com and www.tidesports.com or www.espn.com
http://tinyurl.com/kgzu On the car radio Saturday, the talk-show host was breathlessly informing the public the Associated Press poll had just been released. Finally, the football season can officially begin. Enough of these idiotic sports magazine polls of every ilk promoting a favorite soteam candidate (see Auburn being ranked No. 1 in The Sporting News). I heard the host get down to Auburn at No. 6 and anxiously listened to the inflections as he got down to 22 ... 23 ... 24 ... and finally TCU at No. 25. No Bama. http://tinyurl.com/kh0t TUSCALOOSA -- If Kenny King and Jarret Johnson were like sleek, powerful Hummers a year ago, their replacements on Alabama's defensive front are the equivalent of Mack trucks. Anthony Bryant and Ahmad Childress don't have to aspire to have their faces carved onto mountains one day; they ARE mountains. http://tinyurl.com/kh0w TUSCALOOSA -- Sitting in a dark meeting room while watching tapes of the most recent practice is a breeze. Coming up with the correct answers to questions fired at him by University of Alabama running backs coach Sparky Woods is not that tough. http://tinyurl.com/kh0z TUSCALOOSA -- If college football recruiting could read like a want ad, the top of Alabama's wish list for next season might shape up like this: "Tall, talented pass catchers needed to fill up decimated receiving corps. Great benefits, like catching balls from Brodie Croyle. Positions available immediately." Come to think of it, your average SEC spectator likely is skeptical about the prospects of the current corps of receiv ers trolling the passing lanes at the Capstone. It's a senior-laden group first-year receivers coach Charlie Harbison inherited, but they have their flaws and their limitations. http://tinyurl.com/kh14 TUSCALOOSA - You didn't need Saturday's scrimmage to tell you that Brodie Croyle can throw the ball. Or that Shaud Williams can run with it. Or that Antwan Odom can sack the quarterback. So when Alabama lined up for 117 plays - not counting goal-line work - the coaching staff sought answers to other questions. Among the conclusions: The Crimson Tide has concerns about its receiving corps. And linebacker Derrick Pope could be an emerging star if only he had a position to play. http://tinyurl.com/kh17 TUSCALOOSA - Life has gotten complicated in the last couple of weeks for Alabama defensive coordinator/linebackers coach Joe Kines. It began with losing leading tackler Brooks Daniels at the start of preseason practice, then was compounded by the loss of second-leading tackler Cornelius Wortham to an elbow injury. It's left Kines with Freddie Roach returning as the starter at middle linebacker, sophomore DeMeco Ryans and redshirt freshman Juwan Garth competing to take Daniels' spot and Derrick Pope - who had been battling with Roach - moving to Wortham's spot. http://tinyurl.com/kh19 TUSCALOOSA | Of all the offensive possibilities discussed for this year's University of Alabama football team, yet another one might have emerged from the Crimson Tide's scrimmage on Saturday. Air Shula. http://tinyurl.com/kh1f TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama football team wrapped up its final two-a-day practice of 2003 on Monday and will have its third scrimmage of the preseason this afternoon. http://espn.go.com/ncf/preview03/s/alabama.html ESPN outlook on the Tide. Plus links to other SEC teams. http://tinyurl.com/kh1y TUSCALOOSA - A black woman accepted an offer to join one of the University of Alabama's sororities Monday, marking the first time a black woman has been accepted into a traditionally white sorority at UA. Though she spent the day in seclusion and did not issue a statement, friends and family confirmed that Carla Ferguson, a graduate of Tuscaloosa's Central High School, accepted a bid from Gamma Phi Beta sorority. (Sumbunny call Jesse!!!!!) ______________________________________________________ RollTideFan - The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List "Welcome to RollTideFan! Wear a cup!" To join or leave the list or to make changes to your subscription visit http://listinfo.rolltidefan.net
