oh, that's so sad!!! ----- Original Message ----- From: "M Laborde" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> To: "RollTideFan-The University of Alabama Athletics Discussion List" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Sent: Friday, August 13, 2004 7:32 AM Subject: [RollTideFan] Barner Players Dropping Like Flies
> http://www.ledger-enquirer.com/mld/ledgerenquirer/sports/9387488.htm > > Fri, Aug. 13, 2004 > > Tigers lose two players: Irons tears ACL, Denson asks for release > > BY CHRISTA TURNER > Staff Writer > > > AUBURN, Ala. - Auburn took two major hits in the secondary during practice Thursday morning, losing two of its top cornerbacks. > > David Irons, a junior competing for a starting spot opposite Carlos Rogers, shredded the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) of his left knee late in the practice and likely will miss the entire season. Also, head coach Tommy Tuberville said backup Courtney Denson will leave the team and transfer to a school closer to his Miami home. > > Irons originally signed with the Tigers in 2001, but didn't make qualify and went to Butler Community College in Kansas. A knee injury there forced him to take a redshirt season, meaning he does not have one available for this injury. > > After two years at Butler, Irons re-signed with the Tigers last year, but came up just short of meeting the requirements and went back to Butler for a final semester. He joined the Tigers in January. > > Denson, a redshirt freshman, switched from quarterback to the secondary and it was anticipated he would receive ample playing time this season. > > "He just wants to move back closer to home," Tuberville said. "We're going to release him. He's a good young man. He worked hard. It's just one of those things where he felt like he needed to get closer to his family. We hate to see him go." > > The loss of Denson and Irons means Kevin Hobbs may return to cornerback. Hobbs started seven games at cornerback with 31 tackles and three interceptions but moved to safety in the spring. > > With Rogers nursing a sprained knee, the Tigers will look to former Loachapoka (Ala.) High School standout Montae Pitts to step up. Redshirt freshman Patrick Lee and walk-on redshirt freshman Zach Gilbert should see increased playing time. > > In addition to Irons, several other Tigers missed practice. Running back Ronnie Brown sat out with a bruised knee, while freshman running back Jerald Watson also sat out. Receiver Silas Daniels bumped his head trying to make a catch and missed part of practice. > > Meanwhile, several players worked to get back onto the playing field. > > Rogers, said he was close to being back, as did tight end Cooper Wallace. Wallace re-aggravated a hamstring he pulled during the final summer workout. He sat for two weeks, allowing it to heal, but pulled it again on his first route of the first Auburn practice. > > The Tigers practiced for more than two hours on the intramural fields. Tuberville called it the team's best practice this fall and especially pointed to the offense and the offensive line. > > "(Offense) had been dragging and getting their ears beat off by the defense," Tuberville said. "But they came out with a better attitude than defense. You've just got to buckle down sometimes and make it work." > > The Tigers practice today at 5:30 p.m. and will hold their first scrimmage of the season -- weather permitting -- on Saturday morning at 10:30 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > ______________________________________________________ > 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 > ______________________________________________________ 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
