Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 10/9
By Chris Hale
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All of your Crimson Tide news in one place.
AJ McCarron backtracks on criticism of Alabama, calls out the media
"AJ McCarron raised eyebrows when he criticized Alabama coach Nick Saban and the Crimson Tide offense in the wake of Alabama’s loss to Ole Miss last weekend, but he returned to Tuscaloosa’s Tide 99.1-FM Wednesday night to clarify his comments. McCarron said Tuesday that Alabama’s offense was too predictable and that the team lacks a “true leader,” but he thinks those comments were taken out of context."
I personally didn’t see anything wrong with the comments. The delivery may have been off a little bit but it happens. It reminds me of a text message. Sometimes a joke can be misconstrued by just reading something and not actually hearing the tone of the voice making said comments. If you just read a quote, it can come off wrong. Some of the players seemed to take offense to those comments. I’m not privy to the inner workings of the program so I really don’t know. This is just my opinion and it may differ from yours.
Ole Miss fans pay off fines, damages
"Ole Miss fans were so thrilled to beat Alabama on Saturday that they’re paying for the damage they did and the fine imposed by the SEC.Through a crowdfunding platform, Ole Miss athletic director Ross Bjork asked fans Tuesday afternoon to help pay for the two goalposts torn down (each cost $11,000), the fine from the conference (a maximum $50,000 for rushing the field; it was the third time fans have done so in as many years) and $3,000 in stadium repairs."
This still makes me laugh. We are everyone’s Super Bowl.
Alabama basketball to host ‘Hoops on the Quad’ before Texas A&M football game
"Before Alabama hosts Texas A&M in football on Oct. 18, basketball fans will get to see the Crimson Tide in action at a new place – The Quad.The men’s and women’s basketball teams will be showcased on an outdoor court on The Quad at 11 a.m. The event will last an hour. Alabama hosts Texas A&M in football that day at 2:30 p.m."
Hopefully this will bring some excitement and vibes for the upcoming season and it’s needed after last year’s disappointing season. We must turn things around this year.
CBS’ Gary Danielson says it’s not Alabama, but rest of SEC, that’s different
"But CBS Sports’ Gary Danielson, who called Saturday’s game along with his broadcast partner Verne Lundquist, said he didn’t see an Alabama team that was much different from any of the other Crimson Tide squads under Nick Saban. While acknowledging that Alabama misses departed defensive stalwarts like C.J. Mosley and Ha Ha Clinton-Dix, Danielson said what he saw Saturday was an Ole Miss team that is one of several vastly improved programs in an SEC on the rise.“I don’t think Alabama is playing any differently than they have in the past,” Danielson said Wednesday. “There have always been certain weaknesses on their team that they would manage very well. They had a little bit more veteran (presence at) quarterback with AJ (McCarron) that pulled out some games before. The difference for Alabama now is the bottom of the conference and the middle of the conference are moving up."
Definitely true. You can see it as the usual bottom dwellers or middle of the pack teams are showing signs of improvement this year. The SEC will be a tough out for any team this season and I doubt anyone comes out unscathed.
Women’s Golf Heads to Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational This Weekend
"The Alabama women’s golf team will compete in the Ruth’s Chris Tar Heel Invitational this weekend at the par-72, 6,379-yard UNC Finley Golf Course.The three-day, 54-hole tournament begins Friday, with 18 holes being played daily. It is the Crimson Tide’s fifth trip to the Tar Heel Invitational in the past six years, winning the event in 2010."
Soccer Heads to LSU for First Nationally Televised Game of the Season
"Alabama hits the road for its first Thursday contest of the season when it takes on LSU in Baton Rouge on Oct. 9 at 6 p.m. The game will be televised live on SEC Network from the LSU Soccer Stadium.The Crimson Tide owns the all-time series, 9-7-3, and is 4-3-2 in Baton Rouge. Alabama has not won in the last four outings in the Bayou, going 0-2-2. The Tide and Tigers last met on Oct. 6, 2013, in Tuscaloosa, ending in a 2-1 overtime victory for the Tigers."