Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 2/19
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Crimson Tide boasts healthy crop of 11 at NFL combine
"When the 300-plus players invade Indianapolis for the 2015 NFL combine, Alabama will be well represented.The combine begins Wednesday and runs through Monday. The NFL Network will air the event.The Crimson Tide will have 11 former players on hand for the sports’ biggest job interview heading into the 2015 NFL Draft. That’s tied with Louisville for second most of any school. Florida State has the most with 12.Over the last four years, either Florida State or Alabama has had the most players invited to the combine (Alabama in 2012 & 2014, Florida State in 2013 & 2015).This year, eight of Alabama’s players are from the offense while linebackers Trey DePriest and Xzavier Dickson along with safety Landon Collins represent the defense."
Built by Bama will be showcased this week once again at the NFL Combine.
Tide Talk with TR and Charlie
"Travis Reier: Where do we begin with Alabama’s win last night at Auburn? Seriously, it’s reached the point where I’m not sure where we’re going to go with these things because of the wild swings this team goes through on almost a game-by-game basis.I’ll say this: after the bad home loss to Vanderbilt last weekend, the table was set for this team to fold-up on the road against a rival. That didn’t happen and regardless of what you think about the long-term prospects for those involved, you’ve got to give the coaching staff and players a lot of credit for that.Charlie Potter: If you would have told me Alabama would walk into Auburn’s arena and win by 10-plus points without Ricky Tarrant, I would have told you you were insane. Especially, like you said, following the letdown of a loss at home to Vanderbilt. But you’ve got to hand it to Anthony Grant and theses players, they’re not throwing in the towel. Not yet, at least. This game, minus the early fouls and turnovers, was an easy-on-the-eyes performance by the Crimson Tide."
Another good edition of Tide Talk with BamaOnline’s Charlie Potter and Travis Reier.
Alabama’s Saban, Crimson Tide golf coach Seawell share love of links, winning championships
"Golf is Jay Seawell’s business and just happens to be one of Nick Saban’s offseason pleasures.It’s high on Saban’s list of favorite escapes from the coaching grind.So it’s no surprise that the two Alabama coaches — Saban, the gridiron leader and Seawell, the Crimson Tide’s men’s golf coach — have built a strong and mutually beneficial friendship.Seawell has given Saban tips on his golf swing — and shared one timely anecdote last season. Saban can offer Seawell counsel on the potentially suffocating pressures of being a two-time defending national champion.He’s been there, done that.“We’re golf and I don’t have the demands that he has, but there still is the pressures of it and the demands, and the extra stuff that goes with winning, which are good,” said Seawell, whose team has won the past two NCAA titles. “They’re not bad but they do wear on you mentally, and the expectations do. After you build it, sometimes what you build can eat you, if you’re not careful."
Great write up on Alabama golf coach Jay Seawell and Coach Saban.
Nick Saban could get highway named after him in native West Virginia
"Politicians in Nick Saban’s native West Virginia are pushing to honor the Alabama football coach by naming a highway after him.Lawmakers have put together a resolution to dub a portion of U.S. Route 19, near the place of Saban’s birth in Fairmont, W.Va., “Nicholas Lou ‘Nick’ Saban, Jr., Expressway”. Saban actually grew up and graduated high school nine miles south of Fairmont in a community known as Monongah."
What do you present a coach that has won almost everything? Name a highway in his honor.
Swimming and Diving Wins Double Gold on Day Two of the 2015 SEC Championships
"Alabama’s men brought home double gold on the second night of the Southeastern Conference Swimming and Diving Championships being held on Auburn’s campus this week while the Crimson Tide women broke three school records.Sophomore Kristian Gkolomeev, the defending NCAA 50 freestyle champion, dominated the competition in the 50 freestyle, winning with a school-record 18.64. It was Alabama’s first SEC 50 freestyle title since 1990 when Olympic Gold Medalist Jon Olsen swept the 50, 100 and 200 freestyles.“It was a really good race, I felt really good,” Gkolomeev said. “It was a close race in the morning, so I was pumped up for tonight and put up a really good time. I was so excited. I’m really glad to get that win. It (last year’s SEC 50 freestyle final) is the only 50 race I’ve lost since coming to Alabama last January. I’m so happy to get that one back.”"
Crimson Tide Women’s Basketball Continues Road Swing at No. 6/6 Tennessee
"The women’s basketball team (13-14, 2-10 SEC) will play its second road game of the week on Thursday when it heads into Knoxville to take on the No. 6/6 Tennessee Lady Volunteers (22-3, 12-0 SEC). The game is slated for a 6 p.m. CT tip on Fox Sports South.BROADCASTThursday’s game will air on Fox Sports South with Bob Kesling (play-by-play) and Brittany Jackson (analyst) on the call. The game can also be heard on the Crimson Tide Sports Network with Roger Hoover announcing the action."