Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 9/25
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
Alabama football: Tide defense works hard to shed ‘soft’ label
"“Soft” isn’t a word defensive players want to be associated with.So when Alabama coach Nick Saban called his defense soft, the Crimson Tide took it personal.Crimson Tide linebacker Reggie Ragland did. He said that after the Tide’s season opening win against West Virginia, Saban said the defense was “too soft striking blocks.”Those words may have been the kick in the backside Alabama’s defense needed. Ragland said that from there, the unit has played with the “mindset to be tough and grind the whole way.”"
You can see their intensity level has picked up since the first game but Saban still mentions it in press conferences. He also mentions that the tenacious play from the new guys will come as the season goes on and they gain a bit of confidence. All of them are doing fine thus far and should be a tough unit to handle before long.
Lane Kiffin reshapes his image in silence
"Lane Kiffin weaved through a crowd of players and coaches at midfield after the game. That familiar visor atop his head, he smiled and shook hands with a few people, barely noticing the cameras that fixed on Nick Saban, Amari Cooper and Blake Sims.Kiffin patted a couple of his offensive linemen on the butt, circled around the media frenzy and made a beeline toward the locker room.No one noticed."
But rival fans told me this wouldn’t work out and that Kiffin would have to be in the spotlight at all times. Non sense. When those fans get a couple of title rings, I might listen to them. Saban wouldn’t jeopardize his career just to give Kiffin another shot. One thing we can agree on is Kiffin wasn’t successful as a head coach but that doesn’t mean he will fail as an offensive coordinator. In fact, he is shining so far. If he keeps quiet and learns as much as he can, you just never know what will happen in a few seasons.
Dominick Jackson finds role in Alabama’s offense that goes beyond – and through – the offensive line
"Dominick Jackson is one play away from assuming a major role on Alabama’s offensive line.The lack of a starting role hasn’t stopped the junior-college transfer from making an impact with the Crimson Tide’s first-team offense. He just didn’t line up on the offensive line when it happened.Jackson, who is listed at 6-foot-7 and 320 pounds, lined up as a fullback during the third quarter of Alabama’s rout of Southern Miss. He charged through the line and helped plow the way for a Kenyan Drake 1-yard touchdown run."
It’s going to be tough to keep Jackson off the field with his physicality that he brings to the table. He was practicing with the first team at right guard during the media viewing period on Wednesday. Keep an eye out for this one.
Countdown to Auburn at Alabama: Tide makes its move
"The 79th Iron Bowl between Auburn and Alabama will be played in Tuscaloosa’s Bryant-Denny Stadium on Nov. 29. Alabama leads the all-time series 42-35-1 with the teams splitting the last 24 meetings exactly 12-12. As the two programs progress toward Rivalry Week, we’ll take a look each Wednesday at current trends — and the current state of hostilities — between the Tigers and Tide."
CBS continues to look in on both Alabama and Auburn as the season goes on as they take a look at the Iron Bowl coming in November. Probably will be another big match-up. What do y’all think?
Volleyball Defeats Georgia, 3-1, in SEC Opener
"Alabama Volleyball impressed in its conference debut on the SEC Network, downing the Georgia Bulldogs in four sets for the Crimson Tide’s eighth-straight victory.Alabama (13-2, 1-0 SEC) and Georgia (8-5, 0-1 SEC) played a very even match, with some late points in the third and fourth sets ultimately making the difference for the Crimson Tide. Krystal Rivers led the offense with 22 kills, adding 10 digs for her fourth double-double of the season. Kat Hutson also earned double-digit kills with 14, while Sierra Wilson paced the offense with 52 assists. Leah Lawrence stuffed a team-leading five blocks at the net and Natalie Murison handled 14 digs in the back row."
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