Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/23
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Alabama associate head coach Burton Burns says Tide ‘work in progress’ but he likes what he sees
"Burns spoke briefly about his background, talked in general about this year’s Alabama team, then took questions from the audience during his 30-minutes behind the podium.Here are some of the highlights from his guest speaking appearance:On this year’s team: “We are off to a good start. I think this team is a work in progress. If you look around the country, I don’t think there’s one dominant team. … We’re just like a lot of teams in the country that we’re working to get better. The thing that gives us a chance is we have a great group of kids, good, quality kids and we have a good team that works really hard to get better every day. That’s something we experienced Saturday (in win over Florida). Who wins games with four turnovers? Usually, if you have four turnovers you don’t win that game. … These guys are really grounded and humble. It’s a long season. … We’re trying to identify who we are and where we’re going.”"
Great stuff from Coach Burns. You can tell from Saban’s comments and the staff’s comments (when we get to hear from them) that they believe in this group. The team believes in each other and that can do big things.
College Football: Alabama Goes Electric
"On Saturday, the Alabama Crimson Tide, the most iconic and revered and successful program in the south, if not in all of America, defeated the Florida Gators 42-21. The victory, in and of itself, was not unexpected; Florida is a team in a perpetual state of angst these days, and Alabama was a two-touchdown favorite on its home field. For more than a half a decade now, the Crimson Tide have been the most domineering football team in America, winning three national championships by adhering to the capital-P “Process,” a term that was coined to capture the militant and fastidious nature of their Weather Channel-obsessed coach, Nick Saban.Under the Process, Alabama won the old-fashioned way, by pounding the football with a cadre of bruising running backs, implementing the sort of impenetrable defense that elevated Paul “Bear” Bryant into sainthood within the state’s borders and employing the same largely unexciting quarterback (under different names) who did not ever make critical mistakes. But on Saturday, none of that really held true."
This a link and it’s an article in Rolling Stone. Pretty cool, huh? I still like the old way of running offenses but I will use this new one to get under my Auburn buddy’s skin. It kinda eats them alive that Kiffin’s offense is producing more than Malzahn’s and that makes it fun.
Updated CFB championship odds: Alabama reclaims top spot
"While the final score read 42-21 at Bryant-Denny Stadium on Saturday afternoon, rest assured that Alabama’s victory over Florida was as thorough a beating as you’ll find within the college football landscape. The Crimson Tide won the total yardage (645 to 200), third down (12/16 to 2/13) and time of possession battles (39:16 to 20:44) en route to reclaiming the top spot on the college football championship odds board at the Westgate Las Vegas SuperBook."
The odds are back in our favor for the big prize. Just keep winning and let’s take care of business.
Hall of Famer Cris Carter compares Alabama’s Amari Cooper to young Randy Moss
"“I don’t know what he’s going to do in the pros, but since Ozzie Newsome, Alabama has the best wide receiver that they have had in the history of their school, and his name is Amari Cooper,” Carter said. “He is a true junior from Miami and he is fabulous. … I met Amari when he was in high school at a football clinic. He’s probably the most advanced wide receiver that I have seen at a young age since Randy Moss. He has unbelievable speed, unbelievable demeanor, route-running, the sky is the limit.”"
That’s some pretty good company. Cooper is special. There is no doubt about that and the sky is the limit. I am anxious to see how he does the rest of the season.
Times and Networks Announced For 2014-15 Men’s Basketball Schedule
"The Southeastern Conference has announced the remaining times and television appearances for the 2014-15 men’s basketball season.In all, 27 of Alabama’s 31 games during the upcoming season will be nationally-televised, while the remaining four contests, as well as the exhibition game, will be made available through WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app"
Former Tide Golfers Justin Thomas and Bud Cauley Earn PGA Tour Cards
"Former Alabama men’s golf standouts Bud Cauley and Justin Thomas officially earned their PGA Tour card for the 2014-15 season following the conclusion of the 2014 Web.com Tour.Cauley (4th) and Thomas (5th) each finished in the top five in the priority points standings, which is based on performance and earnings during the Web.com Tour. In all, 50 players from the Web.com Tour earned their PGA Tour Card."
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