Morning Kickoff: Crimson Tide News 1/1
By Chris Hale
Happy New Year and Roll Tide! What do you say we take care of some business later tonight and send some Ohio State fans back to their homes with a loss?
Get your day started with the Morning Kickoff. All your Crimson Tide news in one place.
5-star CB Kendall Sheffield, a major Alabama target, knows which school he’ll pick Friday
"He knows which college he’ll be headed to next year, but wasn’t offering any hints on Wednesday. He wants fans to wait until Friday when he’ll announce his commitment during the 2015 Under Armour All-America Game on ESPN. More from Bama HammerAlabama Football: Gut check time for 11 guys Saturday afternoonAlabama Football: Moving past Crimson Tide quarterback rumorsAlabama Football: How improved is the Ole Miss defense?Alabama Football: Power Ranking the SEC after week threeAlabama’s latest win total projection hints that team is in trouble this seasonThe five-star defensive back says all 37 schools that have offered him a scholarship are still in the running. However, most believe it has come down to Alabama and Texas A&M. Texas A&M is expected to name John Chavis as its new defensive coordinator, but Sheffield said Wednesday that it wouldn’t have much impact on his decision. His potential position coach, Terry Joseph, is still there, and that’s the biggest factor for him."
Some believe this one is too close to call right now. Hopefully he picks the good guys on Friday. We will keep you updated.
The Man Who Transformed Blake Sims from Career Backup to Alabama Folk Hero
"In the spring, all anyone could talk about was super-transfer Jake Coker. Even after Sims beat him out for the Week 1 start, fans and media alike were still waiting for Coker to take the reins.When Sims left the Florida game in the third quarter with a shoulder injury, the fans finally had their wish. Coker was in. But then a funny thing happened, it didn’t seem like they wanted him anymore.A nervous murmur usually reserved for bona fide stars trickled through Bryant-Denny Stadium. Suddenly it became clear, the Tide faithful missed career-backup Blake Sims. Probably because he was in the middle of turning in a performance for the ages against Florida and the fans were starting to accept that he was the man to lead the Crimson Tide in 2014.Lucky for Sims and the Tide, his injury proved minor and when emerged out of the north end-zone tunnel a few minutes later, and the fans rose in a unified roar.They finally approved. He was The Guy."
Great story from Marc Torrence about Blake Sims. Torrence spent some time with the quarterback coach that began working with Sims in early 2014. You can’t help but pull for the guy. I even know a few Auburn fans that want him to succeed. His story is truly a magical one and it’s not ever yet.
10 reasons Alabama will win the Allstate Sugar Bowl
"Here are 10 reasons why No. 1 Alabama will beat No. 4 Ohio State in Thursday night’s Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Mercedes-Benz Superdome:1. It’s Ohio State vs. the SECIn case you might have forgotten, the Buckeyes have officially never defeated an SEC opponent in a bowl game. Ohio State beat Arkansas 31-26 in the 2011 Sugar Bowl, but it later had to vacate the victory because of NCAA sanctions. So the Buckeyes are officially 0-10 against SEC teams in bowl games, including losses to the Crimson Tide in the 1978 Sugar Bowl and the 1995 Citrus Bowl. 2. SEC speedUnder former Florida coach Urban Meyer, the Buckeyes have upgraded their overall team speed, especially on the defensive line and in the linebacker corps. But Meyer isn’t even sure the Buckeyes have completely closed the gap on the SEC’s best teams, especially the Crimson Tide.Ironically, it was Meyer who helped the SEC start its recent domination of the Buckeyes with a 41-14 rout in the BCS National Championship after the 2006 season.“I think the gap’s closing a little bit,” Meyer said. “I believe speed wins. We’re getting faster. Are we SEC speed at certain positions? We certainly are. But that’s all relative. We’ll find out.”"
There is also another “10 reasons” article but I didn’t think any one would want to read that particular one. I got you started with the first two on why the Tide will win tonight.
Alabama benchwarmer has chance at another championship, without ever playing a game
"Remove Alabama receiver Daniel Geddes’ crimson No. 37 jersey, and it would be difficult to distinguish him from any other student on campus.Yet on the Crimson Tide football team he stands out — if you can even find his 5-foot-6, 165-pound frame among the hulking players who comprise the bulk of ‘Bama’s roster.Geddes, who received his masters in sports management earlier this month, is completing his third season on Alabama’s roster and has not played a single down. He has a maximum of two games left, starting with Thursday night’s national semifinal in the Sugar Bowl against Ohio State, followed possibly by the national title game in Dallas.He doesn’t expect to play in those, either, but doesn’t regret a second spent pushing his limits in the weight room or running himself ragged on the practice field."
Not really crazy about the word “benchwarmer” but it is a great story on Daniel Geddes. Geddes is very active on Twitter and is also posting some inspirational things. He is doing what he wants to do and I salute him.