Touchdown Alabama Magazine - BCS Championship Editon

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2011 issue release dates August 24 September 8 September 22 October 6 October 15 October 27 November 10 January 9

Kent State Penn State/North Texas Arkansas/Florida Vanderbilt Ole Miss/Tennessee LSU Miss St./Georgia Southern BCS Chamionship game

MISSION STATEMENT “Touchdown Alabama Magazine was created to bring Alabama football fans the coverage of their team that they crave and expect, as well as to bring them closer to the action on the field. The University of Alabama has a long college football history, rich with tradition and triumph.

Each season has added more dynamic players and colorful stories to the Alabama family. It is only fitting that a program with 13 National Championships should have a weekly magazine dedicated to conveying the excitement of the game to its devoted fans. Touchdown Alabama Magazine strives to be the most up-to-date, relevant and exciting magazine covering University of Alabama football. Furthermore, we guarantee in-depth articles, exclusive interviews and quality content surrounding the Crimson Tide. We will never forget for whom we generate this magazine: You, the fan. God Bless.”

President / Publisher Bennie Bice Editor in Chief Mike Lacy Managing Editor Jennifer Gorham COPY Editor Micah Phillips Photography BDL, Cedric Mason, Matt Gaston, Tim Bailey, Jamie Martin, Alabama Athletic Media Department, Rivals.com, The Bryant Museum, houstontexans.com Creative Director Robert D’Alessandro Graphic Design John Shamblin Chief Information Officer Brian LaShomb Website Designer Carey Landon, Brian Johnson Writers Larry Burton, Kassidy Hill, Johnnie Jackson, Coe Robbins, Stephen M. Smith, Donald Staffo, Thomas Watts Reporters Marilyn Vaughn

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4 TDA January 9, 2012

CONTENTS

Tide Talk

8 Find

out what the team is saying

10 alabama's

elite

Pro

12 Catching

up with Charles Bloom

18 the

essentials

22 ua

player spotlight Brad smelley

Connections 14

20 keys

to victory

24

Closer

Look 28 Larry's

lowdown

38 An

upclose look at alabama

and more...

5 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Letter from the Editor: Dear Touchdown Alabama Readers, This is Touchdown Alabama Magazine and the Tide’s last run for the 2011 season. The Tide is ready to meet the LSU Tigers in their home state this go around. The two powerhouses have more at stake this game. Both are eager to bring home the championship title to their home town after the Allstate BCS Title game.

As most recall, the two duked it out in regular season play at Bryant-Denny Stadium where the Tide lost by a field goal in overtime. This time the Tide travels down to the Bayou, only a little over an hour from LSU’s home turf. While many called the regular-season game boring, this battle is sure to bring excitement to fans alike.

For postgame reviews, scores and news stick to Touchdown Alabama Magazine’s website, www.TouchdownAlabama.net, and follow TDAL on Twitter and Facebook.

Again, thanks for the support during this great season of Alabama football.

ON THE COVER:

trent richardson # 3

On the cover, junior running back Trent Richardson runs the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks. Richardson is Alabama’s second Tide Heisman hopeful.

He has broken numerous records and is up for many awards. To name a few, he is up for the Doak Walker Award, Maxwell Award and Walter Camp Player of the Year along with the Heisman trophy.

Richardson has more than 37 plays of 12-yards or more, ranks first in the SEC and fifth nationally with 18 rushing touchdowns. Those stats rank him first in the SEC and second in UA history.

An in-depth analysis of Richardson’s time spent at UA, Heisman statistics and more can be found in this exclusive issue of Touchdown Alabama Magazine.

Photo by Matt Gaston

Touchdown Alabama Magazine’s staff would also like to thank our supporters during this great season and postseason of Alabama Crimson Tide football.

Enjoy this issue and Roll Tide Roll!

Touchdown Alabama Magazine staff Send letters to: P.O. Box 3251 Tuscaloosa, AL 35403-3251 205. 344. 3312 | publish@tdalabama.com Advertising: ads@tdalabama.com

Dear Subscribers:

Touchdown Alabama Magazine strives to give you excellent service. Our periodical has been shipped from the distributors promptly, but unfortunately some readers have not seen timely results. If this is the case and you have received your issue late or haven't received your issues at all, please contact your local Postal Service. Again, we strive to give you the best service and accurate Alabama football news. Thank you for your interest and concerns for the magazine.

Sincerely, Touchdown Alabama Magazine staff

TDA

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Tide Talk Nick Saban

Jesse Williams

"It is good to get back and start focusing on the game. I think everyone is focused and ready to go. We are looking at this as a onegame season and doing everything we can preparation-wise."

Courtney Upshaw

NOLA

"I am very excited. It will be my second championship game I get to play in, and I'll get to start this one, which is exciting."

8 TDA January 9, 2012

“We need to continue to work and improve not only fundamentally but on how we are going to execute."

Barrett Jones

"I sat down with my family and made a list of pros and cons and decided I love college, I love being at Alabama and I love putting on the crimson jersey. I have a great group of friends, and I am in no hurry to get to the NFL. I do want to play in the NFL one day but I am not in any rush."

Nick Saban

"We have basically had a good couple weeks of work.

We have gone through two cycles of practicing then giving the players a few days off.”

Traveler's Guide >> French Quarter

Bubbling with bars, restaurants, clubs and shops, this is a sure place to hit before traveling back to Alabama.

>> French Market

>> Camelia Grill

With two locations, one in the French Quarter and one closer to Uptown, this is a wallet friendly and atmospheric diner for the hungry at heart.

>> Audubon Zoo If you’re looking for cheap souvenirs and nice locals, visit the French Market right off Situated on Magazine Street, this zoo is the French Quarter for a fun time. home to swamp creatures and animals of all sorts. This location is great for its family>> Café du Monde friendly atmosphere.

Decatur Street’s pride and glory serves Louisiana’s popular beignets and coffee for tourists with a sweet tooth.

Depth Chart

Bama’s Depth Chart

By Position

By Larry Burton

N

o game this season is going to wind up being as important to the Crimson Tide as the next one.

Clearly, these are the best two teams in all of college football, and the game is much more thn just the two best teams settling the argument over which is best.

It comes down to a man-on-man contest in every position and just one failure from just one of those people can be the difference.

Here is the projected lineup and depth chart for this game based on practice reports, the health of each participant and more.

Left Tackle

Barrett Jones - Jr. - 6'5'', 311 pounds, special note: Back, finally healthy again with good ankle Tyler Love - Jr. - 6'6'', 307 pounds

Left Guard

Chance Warmack - Jr. - 6'3'', 320 pounds, special note: Gets better each game.

John Michael Boswell - Sr. - 6'5'', 300 pounds

Center

William Vlachos - Sr. - 6'1'', 295 pounds, special note: Final game in Crimson, stellar career.

Kellen Williams - Soph. - 6'3'', 307 pounds Chad Lindsey - Fr. - 6'2'' , 290 pounds

Right Guard

Alfred McCullough - Sr. - 6'2'', 311 pounds, special note: Great recent play beats out Steen

Anthony Steen - Soph. - 6'3'', 303 pounds, special note: Will see lots of playing time

Right Tackle

D.J. Fluker - Jr. - 6'6'', 340 pounds, special note: Announced he'd come back for Sr. season Austin Shepherd - Fresh. - 6'5'', 325 pounds

This line is missing depth and in the last game, that hurt the Tide as starters got nicked up. In this game, the starters must remain healthy and avoid injuries. This is the weak link in the Tide's armor in this game.

9 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Exclusive

Alabama’s

By Daniel Evans

>> Courtney Upshaw << Upshaw is a versatile pass rushing linebacker that can also play pass coverage. He has totaled 6.5 sacks this season and is a finalist for the Lombardi Award, a semifinalist for the Butkus Award, and a semifinalist for the Chuck Bednarik Award.

Elite

He leads the Crimson Tide in tackles for loss with 14 and in sacks with 6.5. He ran an interception back for a touchdown against the Arkansas Razorbacks. His stock is soaring on draft boards for the NFL. Numerous experts, such as ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, think he may be a first round pick.

DeQuan Menzie

Menzie is one of the best cornerbacks on that nation’s top ranked scoring defense and total defense. The Crimson Tide also lead the nation in pass defense, allowing just over 130 yards per game, and pass efficiency defense.

Menzie’s 32 tackles leads all Alabama cornerbacks. He returned a tipped interception against Arkansas for 25 yards and a touchdown that seemingly put that game away at the end of the first half. He has eight pass breakups and 1.5 sacks. Menzie was named as a first-team midseason All-American by ESPN.com.

>> Dre' Kirkpatrick << Kirkpatrick, like Menzie, is a huge part of one of the nation’s best defenses. Kirkpatrick was named a first-team midseason All-American by CBSSports.com and the Sporting News. He’s a semifinalist for the Thorpe Award.

Although he does not have an interception this season, he did intercept three passes last season. He has 23 total tackles this season and has two tackles for loss.

Kirkpatrick has developed into a lockdown corner during his time in Tuscaloosa. He’s been among the biggest strengths of Alabama’s stout defense over the last two seasons.

>> Mark Barron <<

Barron’s nose for the football is an instinct that can’t be coached. He’s intercepted 12 passes in his career and has deflected 34 passes in his career. The veteran safety is on practically every awards list he can be a part of.

10 TDA January 9, 2012

He’s a semifinalist for the Jim Thorpe and Chuck Bednarik Awards, and made the watch list for the Lott Trophy. Barron was a consensus midseason first team All American. He ranks eighth on Alabama’s career interception list. He also has 226 tackles and 34 passes defended this season. According to most draft experts, the senior is a potential first round pick in the 2012 NFL Draft.

>> Dont'a Hightower << Hightower overcame a knee injury in 2009 to become the Crimson Tide’s defensive leader the last two seasons. He’s totaled 66 tackles and has 8.5 tackles for loss in 2011. He has one interception this season, which he ran back for a touchdown at the end of the first half against the Florida Gators.

The senior is a finalist for the Lombardi Award and a semifinalist for the Butkus, Bednarik, and Lott Awards. He has 215 career tackles. He’s the “quarterback” of the nation’s top ranked scoring and total defense. TDA

Fan Story

Just an Ordinary Alabama Football Fan Story

By Mike Lacy

W

hat came from the 2009 National Championship game where friends and family members came together to create something that they can all enjoy and use in a matter of five weeks has been a wonderful experience,” Brian Brigman.

“The scene the day after the 2009 National Championship game was out of the movie Animal House. There were people laid out all over the house the next morning. I did not have enough coffee.”

Mr. Brigman and his son Jason Brigman decided to look at expanding and moving the location for all the rabid Alabama fans. The idea to build a building to house the fans for all the Alabama football games was a joke at first. Then before they knew it they got out the tape measure and sketched out a location on the property for this project. The two did not have the experience at building such a project, but with the help of friends they figured it nothing was impossible.

Electrical, plumbing, framing, roofing, siding and interior decorating was all that needed to be done and the plan was alive. Most of them had full-time jobs. They would work outside their normal jobs to create a 21’x28’ place they called BJ’s Lounge.

“It is built just for Alabama football games for the most part,” Jason Brigman said. “We went to some of the other restaurants around the area and took some of the layout designs and incor-

porated it into our unique style. A little from here and some from there is where we ended up with our overall look.”

They built it to code as well. Everything from insulation to the electrical was by the books. One thing they did build from scratch was the actual bar seating area. Once the lounge opened the neighbors were all invited with open arms. There was also a local band from the Southeast region called 4th and One featured at the grand opening.

Not to put a damper on things however, the police were called several times opening night. Mr. Brigman’s friend, Joe Pike, had this to say. “This place is the ultimate Bama football game venue, period!” There were an estimated 75-90 people at this soiree that many people parked on their seven-acre pasture.

They do not hold responsibility for the patrons drinking, so it is BYOB.

Some of the amenities include a seven-foot porch adjoining an in-ground pool, 10 42-inch HD flat-screen TVs, which includes a bathroom with a TV as well. The father and son split the cost to some extent. But if it was not for their friends, this Bama wonderland would never have happened. A total of $40,000 was spent for this undertaking. Some of the friends that helped out in the the short five-week period are: Greg Cleveland, Josh Meadows, Joey George, Jacob Corley, Kevin Billingsey, Mark Bailey, Eddie Allen and the band 4th and One. TDA

11 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Catching up with

SEC Commissioner: What’s Important at the Conference Level

By Donald F. Staffo

C

harles Bloom, Associate Commissioner of the Southeastern Conference, informed the Tuscaloosa Quarterback Club of the four things that he “pulls for” from a conference standpoint. Emphasizing that the conference office stays neutral, he said “in the conference office we pull for all our teams in all 20 sports.”

Bloom opened by stating that the SEC has won five straight BCS football championships and since 1995 has won eight national championships. “It’s always fun to be on the winning side of the ledger,” he said.

Bloom listed his No.1 pull that SEC teams “win all of our non-conference games.”

He said that this season in football so far that the conference is 31-4 against teams outside the league, which is the second-highest winning percentage in the nation behind the Big 12. He said that since 1992 the SEC has won 79 percent of its non-conference games and 60 percent of its bowl games. He pointed out that all 12 schools have a winning streak going against non-league foes.

Bloom and his comrades in the conference office then want and expect good officiating. “We try to educate people about the rules of the game,” he stated. “We want our officials to make the right calls. We require perfection in every game, and then want to get better.”

He said that he and several others sit in the “Command Center” in the SEC office where they watch five big screens and monitor conference games, including the officiating. “We are able to respond to officials’ calls almost immediately,” he explained.

fun to be “ It’s always on the winning side

”

of the ledger

Bloom said that, secondly, the conference pulls for competitive games within the conference, hoping the teams are competitive from top to bottom. He said that from 2004 that 47 percent of SEC football games were decided by 10 points or less, and that 28 percent of the games were decided by five points or less, both the third best marks in the country behind the Atlantic Coast Conference and the Sun Belt Conference.

12 TDA January 9, 2012

Since 2005 Bloom said 703 plays have been reviewed on instant replay, with only 203 of the calls made by the officials being overturned.

“That’s three-tenths (.3) of 1 percent of the plays that have been overturned.”

Bloom said that the conference office hopes there are no serious injuries, “and maybe that’s our most important concern,” he stated. “Injury-free games are what we all want. These are student-athletes and no one wants to see a young man seriously injured.”

Bloom then addressed what he called three “hot topics.”

He said the first was Texas A&M, which he said will become the 13th member of the conference full-time in July 2012. He pointed out that Texas A&M is an Association of American Universities school, indicating that it is a strong academic institu-

tion. The only AAU-rated schools currently in the conference are Vanderbilt and Florida. The Aggies are also strong athletically across the board, ranking in the Top 10 in the Learfield All-Sports Trophy competition.

“They are great people, have great tradition and are an outstanding institution,” he said.

Some wounds you can’t see.

Bloom’s second hot topic was the AlabamaLSU game. He said it was the first time ever that an SEC regular season game featured the No. 1 and No. 2 teams in the Associated Press poll. He also said that relative to the BCS standings that the human polls are more important than the computer polls, “so keep an eye on the Harris Poll and the Coaches Poll.” He noted that Alabama and LSU would both get a bump in the rankings, regardless of who won the game, because of strength of schedule.

The last hot topic that Bloom addressed was NCAA reform. He mentioned that in August at the NCAA Presidential Retreat in Indianapolis that the presidents worked on rewriting the NCAA rule book to reduce the number of rules. The presidents charged the enforcement staff with concentrating on the major violations.

Other items on the agenda included improving the academic standards for student-athletes and tying a team’s academic performance to participation in all NCAA championships, revamping the NCAA penalty structure, strengthening the academic requirements for incoming freshmen and studentathletes who transfer from two-year schools and installing new academic standards that will ban Division I teams that do not meet the 930 Academic Progress Rate benchmark from bowl games.

“There you have it. The four things we pull for in the SEC Office,” he concluded. “We’re working at the top conference in college athletics, and making an impact at the highest level. The SEC has been so successful in the past because of the tremendous support of our fans. The passion of our fans, handed down from generation to generation, sets our league apart. It’s a great job.”

TDA

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13 Volume 4 / Issue 8

pro connection

Star On And Off The Field DeMeco Ryans Honored

By Stephen M. Smith

A

s a proud native of Bessemer, Ala., DeMeco Ryans made a name for himself as a prime time linebacker for the Alabama Crimson Tide, when he entered Bryant-Denny Stadium in 2005. Like with most linebackers, the journey to being the best starts with high school play.

Ryans played high school football at Jess Lanier High School. He was coached by Willie Ford, and in his senior season he had over 135 tackles, 11 sacks, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. Considered as a three out of five star recruit by Rivals. com, Ryans was listed as the No. 39 inside linebacker prospect in the nation from the class of 2002. He chose to play football at the University of Alabama.

In his four years in a crimson and white uniform, he did not disappoint his coaching staff, his teammates and most importantly himself. He played outside linebacker for the Tide and started his career by earning a role on special teams and backup linebacker his first season. He made big strides and improvements each season at the Capstone and in 2005 he went on to become the SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

Ryans showed that being a humble person has its benefits. He attributed much of his college success to his defensive coordinator,

14 TDA January 9, 2012

Joe Kines. For his outstanding performance in the 2006 Cotton Bowl Classic, Ryans was named the defensive MVP of the game and the Tide went on to defeat the Texas Tech Red Raiders 13-10. He was also the proud recipient of the 2005 Lott Trophy for his tremendous efforts not only on the field but off the field also. In his career at the University of Alabama, Ryans has worked hard for many awards. In 2005, he won the Lombardi Award, the Bednarik Award, the Lott Trophy and SEC Defensive Player of the Year.

In 2006, DeMeco Ryans entered the NFL Draft and he was the first pick of the second round. He was selected by the Houston Texans. He began his NFL career like any other rookie; he was eager, prepared and ready to make a difference in the program that he joined. The first change that took place in Ryans NFL career was the fact that he had to play a new position, middle linebacker.

Although, he was a great outside linebacker in college, he earned the starting middle linebacker position with the Houston Texans due to his excellent preseason performance. In his first game he recorded a league high of 12 tackles. Ryans, by far, had an overwhelming impact as a rookie linebacker for the Texans. He lead the team in tackles in the first half of the 2006 season. Many Texans fans began nicknaming him “D-Wreck” due to his big hits, toughness and game changing plays. Most fans affectionately refer to him today as “Cap’n Meco” because of his status as team captain and his professional efforts on and off the field.

On January 3, 2007, Ryans was awarded the NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award after finishing second in the league with 155 total tackles. On December 18, 2007, Ryans was selected to the Pro Bowl for the first time. On March 30, 2010, Ryans signed a six-year $48 million extension, including $21.75 million guaranteed.

With all the accolades and accomplishments that he has received in his career, he still chooses to give back to the programs that helped him succeed. On April 14, 2011, Ryans made the leap from being an outstanding athlete to being an extraordinary

philanthropist. He pledged a $300,000 scholarship gift to the University of Alabama. He donated the gift for a deserving student-athlete studying in the Culverhouse College of Commerce and Business Administration. “I have always wanted to do this since the day I left," Ryans said. "The University of Alabama is such a special place to me, and I am honored to have the opportunity to endow a scholarship. I had a great time here and I grew as a person here. This is a great time for me, and I am very excited." Athletic Director Mal Moore was thankful of the generous gesture of Ryans.

"I am so very proud of one of our former players giving back," said Moore. "DeMeco's generosity is the latest example of the support that so many of our former football players have given us throughout the years.” He was honored for this humbled act during the Alabama-Georgia Southern game on November 19, 2011. Ryans was a smart student, a dedicated player and a charitable guy.

TDA

Photos by Houstontexans.com

The award is given annually to college football’s most inspirational player or team. Tinker accepted the award on the Tide’s behalf.

The Tide Honored With

Disney Spirit Award

“This award does not represent me, it represents our team, our University and the Tuscaloosa community,” he said. “Everyone reached out and pulled together as a family in the face of this tragedy.”

As Tinker mentioned he was not the only one who gave back to the community. Former Tide player Preston Dial drove an 18-wheeler full of supplies from his hometown of Mobile, while linebacker Courtney Upshaw, with the help of his hometown of Eufala, raised almost $20,000 for victims of the storm.

he Tide and the entire state of Alabama experienced a tragedy this year. One in particular that hit close to home for Tuscaloosa.

After the April 27 tornado, Tuscaloosa was scarred.

Tide players banded together to get through the storm and so did the community. Being the recipient of the award is an honor, an honor that proves Tuscaloosa is more than a football town. It is a community that bands together and that just so happens to share a love of football.

While Tuscaloosa experienced tragedy, it brought athletes, residents and even rivals together. Because of that, the Tide was awarded the Disney Spirit Award.

As the season comes to a close, this will always be known as a special season. This is the season following a devastating loss that Tuscaloosa residents, Tide fans and supporters will remember as the season that the Tide banded together and left an honorable mark.

TDA

T

By Jennifer Gorham

While the town was torn to pieces, the residents stepped up and stood strong. Neighbors banded together to get through that horrific event. Like many, one athlete in particular lost more than material belongings. Carson Tinker lost his girlfriend in the storm that turned too many people’s world upside down.

“The Crimson Tide and the University of Alabama have shown that sports can have a healing power far beyond the field or court,” Disney Sports executive Faron Kelley confessed.

15 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Exclusive

Toughest Ticket in Town:

Battle on the Bayeaux

S

By Thomas Watts

ports fans want to see their teams play in high profile games. When it was announced that Alabama would play LSU for the national title, it became a hot-ticket item. Part of that stems from the fact that both LSU and Alabama have large, rabid fan bases which will pay a pretty penny for a ticket, and part of it comes from how many large corporate sponsors, such as title sponsor, Allstate, receive as part of their compensation packages.

One of the first issues that arose with tickets was the size of the Superdome. The Rose Bowl, site of Alabama’s last national title victory, seats 94,392. The Superdome has seats for 76,468. Since the pie itself is smaller, the Alabama ticket allotment is smaller. The university got only 17,000 tickets to distribute. LSU got the same allotment, and the remaining 40,000 tickets were sent to corporations or sold as general admission.

The Alabama allotment was broken down by the university into smaller units. It had to cover tickets for the band, faculty, students, lettermen and donors. There were only 10,000 tickets available to donors once everything was broken down. The most eye-popping statistic is that there were only about 1,500 student tickets available to a student body of over 31,000. By comparison, LSU gave its students 2,000 tickets and did not subdivide its allotment past students and band members. The tickets available through either university were sold at face value

16 TDA January 9, 2012

The ticket demand has driven prices sky high. StubHub.com, a major auction site for tickets, has tickets starting at $1,100 for the upper tier of the Superdome up to $185,000 for a suite. The most expensive general admission ticket listed is over $12,000 per ticket for a package of four in the lower tier of seats. StubHub.com lists the BCS title game as the top-selling match-up among the bowl games. The other major games, the Fiesta, Sugar, Orange and Rose, aren’t even close to the BCS Title game’s numbers. A fan can get a ticket to the Orange Bowl in Miami for $30.

High ticket prices before the game will inevitably lead some fans to try to buy tickets at the door of the Superdome. The game is a scalper’s dream. There are reports that the city of New Orleans expects 75,000 fans without tickets to stream into the city just to tailgate and enjoy the atmosphere. Finding a decent ticket on the street will be a tall order with so many fans around the Dome before and during the game itself.

The size of the Superdome, and the opposing fan bases have combined to make the 2012 BCS Title game one of the hardest tickets to come by in the past decade for any college sports event.

Any fan who is lucky enough to land such a prize will be the envy of friends and coworkers and is in for a magical experience down on the bayeaux.

TDA

G A L L E R Y

lots of autographed memorabilia!

N O NAME 1 Demetrius Hart 2 Tana Patrick 2 DeAndrew White 3 Trent Richardson 4 Mark Barron 4 Marquis Maze 5 Jerrell Harris 6 Hasean Clinton-Dix 6 Blake Sime 7 Kenny Bell 8 Duron Carter 8 Jeoffrey Pagan 9 Phelon Jones 10 John Fulton 10 A.J. McCarron 11 Brandon Gibson 12 Phillip Ely 13 Danny Woodson, Jr. 14 Phillip Sims 15 Darius Hanks 16 Bradley Sylve 17 Brad Smelley 18 Morgan Ogilvie 18 Levi Cook 19 Jonathan Atchison 20 Nate Carlson 20 Jarrick Williams 21 Brent Calloway 21 Ben Howell 21 Dre Kirkpatrick 22 Christion Jones 24 Nathan McAlister 24 DeQuan Menzie 25 Caleb Castille 26 Jabriel Washington 26 Nick Tinker 27 Nick Perry 28 DeMarcus Milliner 29 Cody Mandell 29 Will Lowery 30 Dont’a Hightower 31 John Baites 32 C.J. Mosley 33 Trey DePriest 34 Hunter Bush 35 Nico Johnson 36 Chris Jordan 37 Robert Lester 40 DeMarcus DuBose 41 Courtney Upshaw 42 Adrian Hubbard 42 Eddie Lacy 43 Cade Foster 43 Taylor Conant 44 Jay Williams 44 LaMichael Fanning 45 Jalston Fowler 47 Xzavier Dickson 48 Rowdy Harrell

P RB LB WR RB S WR LB DB QB WR WR DE CB CB QB WR QB WR QB WR WR WR QB DB LB TE DB RB RB CB DB WR CB DB DB RB DB CB P DB LB TE LB LB DB LB LB S LB LB LB RB K WR P DE FB LB LB

CLS HT FR 5-9 SO 6-3 FR 6-0 JR 5-11 SR 6-2 SR 5-10 SR 6-3 FR 6-1 FR 6-0 SO 6-1 JR 6-4 FR 6-4 SR 5-11 SO 6-0 SO 6-4 SR 6-2 FR 6-1 FR 6-1 FR 6-2 JR 6-0 FR 5-11 SR 6-3 SO 6-0 JR 5-10 SO 6-3 JR 6-4 SO 6-1 FR 6-1 JR 5-9 JR 6-3 FR 5-11 SO 5-11 SR 6-0 FR 5-11 FR 5-11 SO 5-10 SO 6-1 SO 6-1 SO 6-4 JR 5-10 JR 6-4 SR 6-1 SO 6-2 FR 6-2 JR 5-11 JR 6-3 SR 6-3 JR 6-2 JR 6-1 SR 6-2 FR 6-6 SO 6-0 SO 6-1 JR 6-0 FR 6-3 FR 6-7 SO 6-1 FR 6-3 SR 6-0

WT 187 236 181 224 218 180 242 203 212 175 210 272 194 187 205 194 187 205 212 185 170 229 198 190 240 236 210 217 202 192 175 165 198 170 165 207 205 196 202 180 260 231 234 242 195 245 240 210 240 265 237 220 216 195 221 275 246 240 219

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Orlando, Fla. Dr. Phillips Bridgeport, Ala. North Jackson Houston, Texas North Shore Pensacola, Fla. Escambia Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Birmingham, Ala. Tarrant Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Orlando, Fla. Dr. Phillips Gainesville, Ga. Gainesville Rayville, La. Rayville Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. Aquinas Asheville, NC Asheville Moblie, Ala. LSU Manning, S.C. Manning Mobile, Ala. St. Paul’s Episcopal School Mobile, Ala. UMS-Wright Tampa, Fla. Plant Mobile, Ala. LeFlore Chesapeake, Va. Oscar Smith Norcross, Ga. Norcross Port Sulphur, La. S. Plaquemines Tuscaloosa, Ala. American Christian Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Decatur, Ala. Decatur Atlanta, Ga. Douglass Birmingham, Ala. Air Force Mobile, Ala. Blount Russellville, Ala. Russellville Gordo, Ala. Gordo Gadsden, Ala. Gadsden City Adamsville, Ala. Minor Russellville, Ala. Russellville Columbus, Ga. Copiah-Lincoln CC Birmingham, Ala. Briarwood Christian Jackson, Tn. Trinity Christian Ac. Ralph, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Prattville, Ala. Prattville Millbrook, Ala. Stanhope Elmore Lafayette, La. Acadiana Hoover, Ala. Hoover Lewisburg, Tenn. Marshall County Hendersonville, Tenn. Beech Theodore, Ala. Theodore Springfield, Oh. Springfield Wetumpka, Ala. Wetumpka Andalusia, Ala. Andalusia Brentwood, Tenn. Brentwood Academy Foley, Ala. Foley Montgomery, Ala. Jefferson Davis Eufaula, Ala. Eufaula Lawrenceville, Ga. Norcross Geismar, La. Dutchtown Southlake, Texas Southlake Carroll Tuscaloosa, Ala. Tuscaloosa Academy Thomasville, Ala. Thomasville Hamilton, Ga. Harris County Mobile, Ala. Vigor Griffin, Ga. Griffin Moundville, Ala. Hale County

NO NAME 49 Ed Stinson 49 Ranzell Watkins 51 Wilson Love 51 Carson Tinker 52 Alfred McCullough 53 Anthony Orr 54 Russell Raines 54 Jesse Williams 56 William Ming 57 DJ Pettway 57 Aaron Joiner 58 Nick Gentry 59 Arie Kouandjio 61 Anthony Steen 62 Brandon Ivory 63 Kellen Williams 65 Chance Warmack 67 John Michael Boswell 68 Austin Gray 68 Issac Luatua 70 Ryan Kelly 71 Cyrus Kouandjio 72 Tyler Love 73 William Vlachos 75 Barrett Jones 76 D.J. Fluker 78 Chad Lindsay 79 Austin Shepherd 80 Marvin Shinn 81 William Strickland 81 Hardie Buck 82 Harrison Jones 83 Kevin Norwood 84 Brian Vogler 85 Malcom Faciane 86 Undra Billingsley 87 Chris Underwood 88 Michael Bowman 89 Michael Williams 90 Jeremy Shelley 90 Quinton Dial 91 Alex Watkins 92 Damion Square 93 Chris Bonds 95 Brandon Lewis 99 Josh Chapman

P HT LB/DL FR DB SO DE FR LS JR T SR DL FR OL SO NT JR DL SO DE FR OL JR DL SR OL FR G SO NT FR OL SO G JR OL SR OL SO OL FR OL FR OL FR T JR C SR G JR OL SO OL FR OT FR WR FR WR SR WR JR TE FR WR SO TE FR TE FR DE JR TE SR WR SO TE JR K JR DL JR LB SR DE JR DE SO DL JR NT SR

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WT 6-4 5-9 6-3 6-1 6-2 6-4 6-2 6-4 6-3 6-2 6-2 6-1 6-5 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-3 6-5 6-0 6-2 6-5 6-6 6-6 6-1 6-5 6-6 6-2 6-5 6-3 6-0 5-9 6-4 6-2 6-7 6-5 6-2 6-4 6-4 6-6 5-10 6-6 6-3 6-3 6-4 6-3 6-1

CLS 252 170 276 220 311 258 281 319 283 272 275 284 309 303 308 305 320 300 309 299 281 322 307 294 311 335 287 321 193 191 190 248 193 252 259 288 243 225 269 165 294 234 285 269 288 310

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Homestead, Fla. South Dade Charlotte, N.C. Independence Mountainbrook, Ala. Mountainbrook Murfreesboro, Tenn. Riverdale Athens, Ala. Athens Madison, Ala. Sparkman Satsuma, Ala. Satsuma Brisbane, Australia Cavendish Road Athens, Ala. Athens Pensacola, Fla. Catholic Florence, Ala. Florence Prattville, Ala. Prattville Beltsville, Md. DeMatha Catholic Lambert, Miss.

Lee Academy Memphis, Tenn. East Lawrenceville, Ga. Brookwood Atlanta, Ga. Westlake Northport, Ala. Tuscaloosa County Woodstock, Ga. Pope La Marida, Ca. La Marida West Chester, Oh. Lakota West Woodstock, Ga. Pope Mountain Brook, Ala. Mountain Brook Birmingham, Ala. Mountain Brook Memphis, Tenn.

Evangelical Christian Foley, Ala. Foley The Woodlands, Texas The Woodlands Buford, Ga. North Gwinnett Prichard, Ala. Vigor ********* ******* Birmingham, Ala. Vestavia Hills Memphis, Tn. Evangelical Christian D’Iberville, Miss. D’Iberville Columbus, Ga. Brookstone Picayune, Ms. Memorial Birmingham, Ala. Woodlawn Vestavia Hills, Ala. Vestavia Hills Rossville, Ga. Ridgeland Reform, Ala. Pickens County Raleigh, N.C. Broughton Pinson, Ala. East Mississippi CC Brownsville, Tenn. Haywood Houston, Texas Yates Columbia, S.C. Richland Northeast Pleasant Grove, Ala. Pleasant Grove Hoover, Ala. Hoover

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NO NAME P 1 Barrett Bailey QB 1 Eric Reid DB 2 Rueben Randle WR 3 Jakhari Gore RB 4 Jai Eugene CB 5 Jarrett Fobbs WR 6 Craig Loston S 7 Patrick Peterson CB 8 T.C. McCartney QB 9 Ego Ferguson DL 9 Jordan Jefferson QB 10 Nick Rice LB 10 Russell Shepard WR 11 Kelvin Sheppard LB 12 Jarrett Lee QB 13 Ron Brooks CB 14 Trent Hebert PK 14 Tyrann Mathieu DB 15 Brandon Taylor S 16 Spencer Ware RB 17 Morris Claiborne CB 18 Richard Murphy RB 19 Deangelo Peterson TE 21 Chris Tolliver WR 22 Ryan Baker LB 23 Stefoin Francois LB 24 Alfred Blue RB 25 Drayton Calhoun CB 26 Tharold Simon DB 27 Jarred Joseph WR 28 Ronnie Vinson DB 29 Sam Gibson DB 30 Josh Jasper PK/P 31 D.J. Welter LB 32 Brandon Worle FB 34 Stevan Ridley RB 35 Ryan St. Julien CB 35 James Stampley FB 36 Derrick Bryant S 37 Karnell Hatcher S 38 Drew Alleman PK/P 38 Derek Helton P 38 Brad Wing P 39 Ian Harding WR 39 Josh Johns LB 40 Rockey Duplessis S 41 Travis Dickson TE 42 Michael Ford RB 43 Daniel Graff S 43 Connor Neighbors 44 J.C. Copeland DT 45 Richard Dugas FB 45 Zach Elkins DB 46 Kevin Minter LB 46 Jeremy Peeples TE 47 Tyler Edwards TE 48 Jarrett Hardnett LB 48 Hunter Kinchen SNP 48 Kellen Theriot FB 49 Austin Kinchen SNP 49 Barkevious Mingo DE 50 Joey Crappell SNP

CLS HT WT 6-4 196 Fr. 6-2 207 Fr. 6-4 207 So. 5-9 175 Fr. 5-11 189 Sr. 5-11 185 Fr. 6-2 200 Fr. 6-1 222 Jr. 6-3 216 Jr. 6-3 286 Fr. 6-5 224 Jr. 6-1 219 Fr. 6-1 188 So. 6-3 240 Sr. 6-2 207 Jr. 6-0 179 Jr. 5-9 190 Jr. 5-9 180 Fr. 6-0 195 Jr. 5-11 225 Fr. 6-0 177 So. 6-1 206 Sr. 6-4 243 Jr. 6-1 178 So. 6-0 227 Jr. 6-1 215 Jr. 6-2 207 Fr. 6-0 180 Fr. 6-3 190 Fr. 6-2 216 So. 5-11 187 Fr. 6-1 205 Fr. 5-11 171 Sr. 6-0 226 Fr. 6-2 240 Fr. 6-0 223 Jr. 6-1 185 So. 5-10 230 Jr. 5-11 199 Jr. 6-2 212 Jr. 5-11 182 So. 6-0 178 Sr. 6-3 175 Fr. 6-1 211 Jr. 6-2 206 Fr. 6-1 200 Fr. 6-3 243 Fr. 5-10 202 Fr. 6-0 177 Sr. 5-10 237 Fr. 6-1 275 Fr. 6-1 263 Sr. 5-8 182 Sr. 6-1 225 Fr. 6-4 240 Fr. 6-4 250 So. 6-2 230 So. 6-0 175 Fr. 6-1 234 So. 6-2 208 So. 6-5 237 Fr. 6-2 245 Jr.

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Baton Rouge, La. University HS Geismar, La. Dutchtown HS Bastrop, La. Bastrop HS Christopher Columbus HS Miami, Fla. St. Rose, La. Destrehan HS Shreveport, La. Huntington HS Houston, Texas Eisenhower HS Pompano Beach, Fla. Ely HS Boulder, Colo.

Fairview HS Hargrave Military Academy Frederick, Md. St. Rose, La. Destrehan HS Coppell, Texas Coppell HS Houston, Texas Cypress Ridge HS Stone Mountain, Ga. Stephenson HS Brenham, Texas Brenham HS Irving, Texas MacArthur HS Cecilia, La. Cecilia HS New Orleans, La. St. Augustine HS Franklinton, La. Franklinton HS Cincinnati, Ohio Princeton HS Shreveport, La. Fair Park HS Rayville, La. Rayville HS New Orleans, La. Desire Street Academy Rayville, La. Rayville HS Grand Ridge, Fla. Blountstown HS Reserve, La. East St. John HS Boutte, La. Hahnville HS Clarkston, Ga. Tucker HS Eunice, La. Eunice HS New Orleans, La. Brother Martin HS New Orleans, La. Newman HS Prattville, Ala. Prattville HS Memphis, Tenn. Ridgeway HS Crowley, La. Notre Dame HS LaGrange, Ga. Troup County HS Natchez, Miss.

Trinity Episcopal HS St. Martinville, La. Catholic-New Iberia HS Baker, La. Baker HS Lawrenceville, Ga. Peachtree Ridge HS Delray Beach, Fla. Atlantic Community HS Lafayette, La. Acadiana HS JeffersonWest HS/Fort Scott CC Hoyt, Kan. Melbourne, Australia Parkview Baptist HS New Orleans, La. Country Day HS Baton Rouge, La. Central HS Belle Chasse, La. Belle Chasse HS Ocean Springs, Miss. Ocean Springs HS Leesville, La. Leesville HS Rummel HS/New Orleans Metairie, La. Huntsville, Ala. Huntsville HS LaGrange, Ga. Troup County HS Lincoln, Neb. Pius X HS Bay St. Louis, Miss. St.StanislausCollege/Miss.GulfCoastCC Suwanee, Ga. Peachtree Ridge HS Selma, Ala. Selma HS Monroe, La. Ouachita Parish HS Baton Rouge, La. Woodlawn HS/Northwestern St. Baton Rouge, La. Dunham Houston, Texas Episcopal HS Baton Rouge, La. Parkview Baptist West Monroe, La. West Monroe HS Patterson, La. Patterson HS

NO NAME P CLS HT WT 51 Seth Mannon PK 6-6 215 Fr. 52 Luke Muncie LB 6-3 223 Fr. 53 T-Bob Hebert C 6-3 280 Jr. 54 Justin Maclin LB 6-4 230 Fr. 55 Cameron Fordham OL 6-3 261 Fr. 56 Seth Fruge LB 5-11 200 Fr. 57 Lamin Barrow LB 6-2 221 Fr. 58 Tahj Jones LB 6-2 205 Fr. 59 Jonathan Nixon DE 6-2 259 Sr. 60 Will Blackwell OG 6-4 303 Jr. 61 Ben Domingue C 6-3 276 Fr. 62 Robert Blackmon OL 6-1 220 Fr. 63 Allen Buniger OL 6-3 257 Fr. 64 P.J. Lonergan C 6-4 300 So. 68 Josh Dworaczyk OG 6-6 295 Jr. 70 Evan Washington OT 6-5 315 Fr. 71 Alex Bonnette OT 6-2 271 Fr. 72 Alex Hurst OT 6-6 329 So. 74 Josh Williford OG 6-7 324 Fr. 75 Greg Shaw OT 6-5 295 Jr. 76 Chris Faulk OT 6-6 316 Fr. 77 Josh Downs DT 6-1 278 So. 78 Joseph Barksdale OT 6-6 318 Sr. 79 Matt Branch OG 6-6 287 So. 80 Terrence Toliver WR 6-5 203 Sr. 81 Armand Williams WR 6-3 195 Fr. 82 James Wright WR 6-2 197 Fr. 83 Mitch Joseph TE 6-5 265 Jr. 84 Nic Jacobs TE 6-5 265 Fr. TE/SNP 6-5 240 Jr. 85 Alex Russian 86 Kadron Boone WR 6-0 202 Fr. 87 Chancey Aghayere DE 6-4 268 So. 88 Chase Clement TE 6-5 261 So. 89 Lavar Edwards DE 6-5 265 So. 90 Michael Brockedt 6-6 300 Fr. 91 Chris Davenport DT 6-4 311 Fr. 92 Drake Nevis DT 6-2 285 Sr. 93 Bennie Logan DT 6-3 280 Fr. 94 Kendrick Adams DE 6-5 255 Jr. 95 Lazarius Levingston DT 6-4 280 Sr. 97 Dennis Johnson DT 6-2 287 Jr. 98 Jordan Allen DE 6-6 252 Fr. 99 Sam Montgomery DE 6-4 245 Fr. Dexter Alexander DB 5-9 174 Fr. Michael Casanova FB 6-1 210 Fr. Cleveland Davis RB 6-0 260 Fr. Tayler Debusk DB 5-11 180 So. David Detz DB 6-0 177 So. Paul Felio LB 6-0 212 Sr. Josh Gast TE 6-3 211 So. Brandon Harden WR — Jr. DJ Howard P 6-3 192 Jr. Jordan Lewis WR — Fr. Jordan Newell WR 5-9 170 Sr. Greg Ostrom TE 6-4 217 Fr. Jason Slaydon FB 5-10 215 Fr. Kendric Smith WR — Fr. Alex Walton QB — Fr. Chris Wells DB 5-11 186 Fr. Tabari Williams RB 5-10 173 Fr. B.J. Wilson RB 5-9 184 So.

HOMETOWN LAST SCHOOL Houston, Texas Episcopal HS Klein, Texas Oak HS Greater Atlanta Christian HS Norcross, Ga. Memphis, Tenn. Ridgeway HS Duluth, Ga. Northview HS Welsh, La. Notre Dame HS Marrero, La. John Ehret HS Sulphur, La. Sulphur HS N. Little Rock, Ark. Grambling West Monroe, La. West Monroe HS Lafayette, La. St. Thomas More HS Burkburnett, Texas Burkburnett HS New Orleans, La. West Jefferson HS New Orleans, La. Rummel HS New Iberia, La. Catholic-New Iberia HS DeSoto, Texas DeSoto HS LaPlace, La. Riverside Academy Bartlett, Tenn.

Arlington HS Dothan, Ala. Houston Academy Hialeah, Fla. Edward Pace HS Slidell, La. Northshore HS Bastrop, La. Bastrop HS Detroit, Mich.

Cass Tech HS Monroe, La. Sterlington HS Hempstead, Texas Hempstead HS Slidell, La. Slidell HS Belle Chasse, La. Belle Chasse HS New Iberia, La. Catholic-New Iberia HS Many, La. Many HS Round Rock, Texas Round Rock HS Ocala, Fla. Trinity Catholic HS Garland, Texas Garland HS Thibodaux, La. E.D. White HS Gretna, La. Desire Street Academy Houston, Texas Chavez HS Mansfield, La. Mansfield HS Marrero, La. John Ehret HS Coushatta, La. Red River HS Enterprise HS/Copiah-Lincoln CC Enterprise, Ala. Ruston, La. Ruston HS Amory HS/Itawamba CC Amory, Miss.

West Monroe, La. West Monroe HS Greenwood, S.C. Greenwood HS Baton Rouge, La. Christian Life Academy Crowley, La. Notre Dame HS Baton Rouge, La. McKinley HS Tupelo, Miss.

Tupelo HS Leesville, La. Leesville HS League City, Texas Clear Creek HS St. Paul’s HS/Millsaps College Covington, La. Patterson, La. Patterson HS/SW Assem. of God Baton Rouge, La. West Feliciana HS Prairieville, La. Jesuit HS Claiborne Academy/Louisiana College Homer, La. Baton Rouge, La. Catholic HS Westlake, La. Westlake HS Harker Heights, Texas Harker Heights HS Shreveport, La. C.E. Byrd HS Frierson, La. DeSoto HS Hiram, Ga. The Culver Academies New Orleans, La. Holy Cross HS/Delgado CC

19 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Keys to victory

Alabama’s Keys

to T

Victory

By Coe Robbins

he clichés for the game on Nov. 5 was overwhelming to say the least. The same might be said as to what has been simply called as the “Rematch.” Alabama lost a heartbreaker to LSU in Tuscaloosa that night in overtime. All seemed certain that Alabama would end up playing in the Sugar Bowl against possibly Boise State.

All that changed when Oklahoma State, Stanford and Oklahoma all ended up falling while Alabama surged the rest of the year to set up the showdown in the Superdome on Jan. 9. These keys to victory will be crucial for Alabama to win their second BCS championship in three years.

Offense

>> Control the trenches- Alabama managed 295 total yards, 199 of those yards through the air. On another note, four different receivers averaged more than 10 yards per catch including Darius Hanks (19.0) and Trent Richardson (16.0). Richardson ended the day with 23 carries for 89 yards, his second lowest rushing average during the season at 3.9 yards per carry. >> Decision-making- A.J. McCarron finished the LSU game completing 57 percent of his passes against a very stout LSU defense. Coach Nick Saban got on McCarron’s case a few times for missing guys open in the flat and instead taking risks downfield. He finished the rest of the season completing 69.6 percent of his passing for 537 yards and six touchdowns. In its only overtime possession, McCarron took a critical sack on third and long for five yards that set up a difficult 52-yard field goal that fell short. Saban wants McCarron to be a game manager rather than a hero and make good decisions with the football. >> Limit turnovers- Alabama stayed out of trouble for most of the season averaging more takeaways than giveaways. No two turnovers, however, were more crucial than McCarron’s interception with a little over a minute left in the third quarter that gave LSU the tying score and the Wildcat interception that would have put Alabama at the 1 yard line.

>> Finish drives- The offense managed to move the ball pretty well its first four possessions, but had to end up settling for field goals connecting on only 1-of-4 attempts. The three misses were from 44, 50 and 49 yards out respectively. Four out of its next seven possessions only managed four plays or more, the most being seven plays from scrimmage. Sustaining longer drives is crucial for the defense to keep the LSU offense off the field and to put touchdowns rather than field goals on the board.

20 TDA January 9, 2012

Defense

>> Create turnovers- If the offense is struggling for Alabama, it will be imperative for Alabama to disrupt LSU’s flow on offense by creating turnovers and giving the Alabama offense good field position to start their drives.

Pressuring LSU quarterback Jordan Jefferson has proven to be effective with Jefferson tending to get happy feet when pressure is coming up the middle and is susceptible to making questionable decisions. >> Stout defense- In LSU’s 11 possessions, six were punts while three drives managed only seven plays or more. LSU’s offense had six possessions of drives of 15 yards or fewer and holding LSU to three field goals on three attempts in the red zone including the overtime possession. Alabama must maintain that stronghold to keep Jefferson and company frustrated.

>> Contain running game- LSU has a stable of running backs led by Spencer Ware and Michael Ford. Both average over 100 yards per game combined and account for most of LSU’s rushing statistics. Ware is used more as a power guy whereas Ford mainly is in their option package. The defense must control the push of the line of scrimmage up front to limit Ware up the middle and make Jefferson pitch the ball early to Ford in their option plays to create negative yards.

>> Make Jefferson throw- Jefferson missed the first four ball games due to a suspension and did not return until the Kentucky game.

In his nine games recording stats, Jefferson has only attempted 10 or more passes in four ball games including the one against Alabama with 10 attempts. Jefferson had an abysmal showing in the SEC championship game completing just 5-of-13 for 30 yards. LSU had a strong special teams performance from Tyrann Mathieu to mask the worst quarterback performance in SEC championship game history. Jefferson has had very little explosive plays this year and is able to connect on quick come-back routes to make him manageable.

Taking away those routes from Jefferson will make him make decisions down the field rather than just reacting to what’s on the field.

TDA

21 Volume 4 / Issue 8

UA player spotlight

Hometown Glory Brad Smelley Photo by Cedric Mason

G

By Kassidy Hill

rowing up a resident of Tuscaloosa makes it easier to live and breathe the Crimson Tide. So where better to attend college than The University of Alabama? Luckily for Alabama fans, Brad Smelley thought the same and his love of the Tide carried over to his college decision.

Smelley is a senior tight end for the Tide, and one of the few on the team who was actually born and raised in Tuscaloosa.

He played quarterback for American Christian Academy. His senior year, he led his team to a state semifinal appearance.

This was somewhat following in the footsteps of his older brother Chris Smelley, who played for some time as the quarterback at South Carolina, before transferring to Alabama to play baseball.

He was apart of what some consider to be one of the best recruiting classes to come out of Alabama, along with Julio Jones, Mark Barron and Terrance Cody. He was set to be a redshirt his freshman year, but after seeing a need for him on offense, Coach Saban decided to burn the redshirt and put him in as tight end.

22 TDA January 9, 2012

Now in his senior year, this 6-foot-3, 229 pound tight end has steadily seen his numbers increase all season, with quarterback AJ McCarron successfully spreading the ball around to a number of receivers. Smelley was also able to pull in his first career touchdown against Vanderbilt.

Being a Tuscaloosa native, Smelley is a little more in tune to the traditions than most Alabama football players. After the Tennessee win he commented.

“This is pretty much, besides Auburn, the biggest rival we have, and a lot of people [from Tuscaloosa] would say Tennessee is our biggest rivalry,” Smelley said. “In my four years I’ve won every game against Tennessee and I’ll be able to say that the rest of my life.”

As far as Alabama fans go, you should be pleased with this athlete’s play on the field as he continues to improve each week and show what this hometown boy is capable of.

TDA

Practice for Performance

Protein Importance

By Johnny Jackson

W

orking out with weights will help build muscle and put some mass on you as well. If you would like optimal results you will need the proper protein.

Protein is the building block for muscles by way of amino acids, which build proteins, which are very important when it comes to improving body composition, adding mass and your body performing better as a whole.

There are a couple of types of protein shakes. Whey is a common protein; it’s more of a fast acting protein that is usually low in carbohydrates and fat. Whey protein is also known as a complete protein: this means it contains all the essential amino acids, which makes it a great choice for a sports nutrition supplement. Some research suggests that combining whey protein with a casein protein will be more bang for your buck. The reason being that casein is more of a slow-acting protein that breaks down slower.

After a workout, very important nutrients are lost and it is your job to replace them so that the recovery process takes place and you will begin to add muscle mass and growth. Muscles can’t grow if you don’t feed them. Also, add in your casein before going to sleep at night and your body will be in a natural anabolic state. The reason being, the muscles will recover faster and you will be able to lift harder and longer during your workouts. Casein is perfect at bed time because your muscles will get proper nutrients while you sleep.

In addition to aiding in muscular recovery, protein may help you lose weight when you consume it in conjunction with resistance exercise. Research has proven that increased daily protein intake and exercise resulted in increased fat and weight loss compared to exercise alone. This is another reason why protein should be taken for muscle gain or fat loss. Protein builds muscles and muscles burn fat. Fat can’t burn fat nor can it contract like muscles, so fat should be kept to a healthy level.

Because protein increases muscle protein synthesis after exercise, it can help promote increases in strength. Resis-

tance training causes microscopic trauma to your muscles, so consuming protein after your workouts can help your body repair your muscles and adapt to training by increasing strength.

According to research from the October 2006 issue of the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, consumption of whey protein after exercise significantly improved strength gains.

Now you know why protein is important, don’t forget to pack it in your gym bag and consume it before and after your workouts depending on your goals. Whether it’s getting big muscles, fat loss or increasing mass, protein will be your best friend in reaching those goals. Don’t let your hard work in the gym go to waste.

About the Author

Johnny Jackson graduated from The University of Alabama with a bachelors degree in exercise science and he is no stranger to the Tide. He interned with The University of Alabama football team that won the SEC and BCS National Championship title. Jackson also interned with the baseball and track and field teams while at the Capstone from 2007 until 2010.

As far as strength and conditioning goes, Jackson knows his strengths. He bench presses over 550 pounds and currently caters to serious high school, college and professional athletes that are driven to reach their full athletic potential.

“I’m dedicated to getting athletes brutally strong, lightning fast and mentally tough,” he said.

Jackson has a Strength and Conditioning article featured in each issue of Touchdown Alabama Magazine.

To contact Jackson send your questions and concerns to: trainwithjjsc@yahoo.com.

23 Volume 4 / Issue 8

q & A

Q&A with

Roy upchurch

By Mike Lacy

R

oy Upchurch was a member of the 2009 Crimson Tide team that won the BCS National Championship. He was a running back for the Tide but went undrafted in the 2010 NFL draft. Although entering the NFL for this Tide standout didn’t happen as most anticipated, he still remains hopeful and looks to the future with a positive attitude.

Where were you born?

Miami, FL

What weight did you play at in your senior year in high school and your senior year in college?

I played at 185lbs senior year in high school and 205lbs my senior year in college.

What is your favorite quote?

You get what you give!

Do you have any fears?

Lightening and water. I do not know how to swim.

How many years did you play full contact football?

15 years

What game at Alabama was your first and how did it feel that first play?

It was against Western Kentucky and I was on Kickoff return.

Everything was a blur. People were flying around and you could hear them fly past you with a loud whooshing sound.

That’s when I knew I was in college football.

The hardest hit you took in college football?

Yea, hands down Trey Blackman of Auburn University.

Did you ever suffer a concussion?

No

24 TDA January 9, 2012

What book are you reading right now?

Niccolo Machiavelli

Did coach Saban ever laugh with you and the players?

Yea, when a player had the no contact jersey “Black,” he would call it the “pink one” and kid around with them.

Then who aside was the funniest coach Bobby Williams

What is your favorite movie?

Home Alone and the Scary Movie Series.

Do you ever want to get into coaching, and why?

Yes, I think if you can teach a football player to compete he will take those attributes with him for the rest of his life. That is a winning aspect for their minds. The key is, you have to be coachable to learn the game of football first. There are some players that are not coachable!

Who made an impact on you while playing football?

Coach Burton Burns. I learned way more from listening to him rather than using my talents as a running back. He only made me better on and off the field.

With all your injuries in college (4), what was your mind set?

I set goals on returning and I wanted a National Championship.

Coach Burns kept me going. He kept me motivated and hungry. I was looked at by the younger players as a role model, so I lead by example when it comes to coming back as player that was injured.

Did you ever play hurt?

Yes, I played with a sports hernia for half a season.

What is your degree in at University of Alabama?

Criminal Justice

NFL or College football fan?

Both, I watch to learn.

Funniest player on the team?

Kareem Jackson. We had some characters on that team.

Who are you still in contact with your BCS National Championship Team?

Rolando McClain, Kareem Jackson, Corey Reamer and Leigh Tiffin. We get together when they all come back into town. We pick up where we left off, like it was yesterday!

Most memorable moment at the BCS game?

Just being with the guys and knowing we weren’t going to be together as a group after this game. We all embraced the moment and understood what we had accomplished. We set goals together and as a team. That was very important in my life and I will always be grateful for all the experience as a student athlete from University of Alabama.

Do you think a scholarship student /athlete should be given a stipend in addition?

Yes, most of the athletes’ do not have income at all while in college. We are students first then athletes second. We are in school from 8am-6:30pm, everyday!

When do we have time to work?

Where do you want to be in 5 years?

I want to be involved in assisting people that have been paralyzed with fitting them with the latest technology to help make their lives better. Known as ATP, Assisted Technology Profession.

TDA

BIRMINGHAM, ALABAMA

TO L L F RE E 888-­ 215-­ 9992

info@planeworks.net

25 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Alabama

Crimson Tide

Photos by Cedric Mason

Larry's Lowdown

Being a Student Athlete

with Children

When Tough Gets Even Tougher

I

By Larry Burton

t's really hard for a full-time student to

also be a full-time athlete. The demands on your time, not to mention your body and mind, are sometimes numbing. But what if you're a father also?

Now you really have to juggle your time, your attention, your guilt in sacrificing time at one endeavor for the sake of one of the others.

Take Trent Richardson for example, a father of two girls, a three-year-old and five-year old, who is pulled in many directions and faced with many responsibilities.

One of his biggest responsibilities is being a father, something he's doing out of instinct alone, since there was no father in much of his childhood. There was just an uncle who gave him the resolve to have faith in himself and the resolve to find faith in God. His mother taught him the importance of putting family first. He is the youngest of six kids, three from his mother and the other three adopted from her best friend.

Then came his children, whom his mother also took in.

Often there wasn't much much to go around to feed so many hungry mouths and his mother and grandmother worked numerous jobs to keep things together and food on the table. Even if a lot of times it was just peanut butter and jelly sandwiches.

He tried to help by working at a buffet restaurant in nearby Orange Beach at 16. So juggling school work, sports and working is nothing new to him. He's always been driven, never had time to just relax or enjoy

28 TDA January 9, 2012

being a football star.

Richardson had an older brother who also excelled at football and signed a scholarship to play defensive end with the Ragin' Cajuns of Louisiana–Lafayette in Lafayette, La. His brother left home in 2005 to start his college career and gave Trent the idea that maybe football could give him way to get a college degree and a better life, but in 2005 that seemed a far away dream.

That was his freshman year of high school and injuries kept him from really becoming a star, the same thing happened in his sophomore year. Richardson almost gave up on his dream. He had ankle problems that continually plagued him.

But it didn't affect him in the weight room, where he would go to prove he could still do something well. He was a star on the weight lifting team and running in the sand in Pensacola, Fla., helped him rehab his ankle.

By his junior year, his light finally got a chance to shine and by his senior year he was the No. 1 running back prospect in America. Now every college in the country wanted to offer him a scholarship. His dream of getting that degree was now assured and there was the possibility of so much more.

But no matter if he ever plays a day in the NFL, Richardson wants to earn his degree.

His mother, his brothers and his uncles have told him how important that is. And so has the coach that has come to mean so much to him. He still leans on them all. He calls his uncle each week before a game.

Richardson once said in an interview, “You're just one good lick from not having football anymore, but an education and degree lasts forever. I want to be as good a student as I am an athlete.”

If he does in fact accomplish that, he may be the next Shakespeare, cure cancer or be a Nobel Laureate, because that's just how good he is as an athlete. Richardson said that it's important to him, his mother and his daughters all equally to finish his degree. There is guilt over the time that he can't spend with his daughters, but he knows that life is about priorities now.

Perhaps he is just the kind of man who finishes what he starts, who wants to set the right example to his own children and student athletes everywhere that this is in fact the reason why student comes first in the phrase student athlete.

It's refreshing to see a man who has a clear picture of life and a game plan to get there.

Just as he knew as a young high school student that, to strengthen his legs and ankles, running up a hill of sand over and over would help him get where he wanted to go; as a man, he learned what else he had to do first to make everything else work the way he wanted.

In an interview once, when asked what the accomplishment he was most proud of at this point of his career, without hesitation, Richardson replied, “Becoming a Christian.”

And with his eyes misting just a little and after a pause to catch his breath continued, “After that, everything else just sort of fell into place.”

Maybe that's how Richardson can juggle the toil of being a football star, a media presence, a student, a role model and a father. He has his priorities in order. He made mistakes along the way, but like the football injuries he's endured, he overcame them, learned from them and they made him wiser.

Yes, he's great alright and a pretty fair football player too.

TDA

Photo by MAtt Gaston

29 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Gridiron grub

Editor’s Choice Gridiron Grub Penne with “Arrabbiata” Sauce Photo by dolcevitadiaries.com

then stir in sugar and basil; add salt to taste. Lastly drain pasta and toss with sauce then sprinkle cheese on top. Makes 4 servings

Per serving: 515 calories; 40 grams protein; 63 grams carbohydrates; 10.2 grams fat; 18 percent of calories as fat; 4.5 grams fiber; 95 milligrams cholesterol; 1817 milligrams sodium.

Wherever you go..... cook time: 12 Ingredients:

minutes

1 pound penne pasta 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 medium onion, sliced (2 cups) 5 garlic cloves, crushed 12 ounces lean or low-fat ham, cut in 1-inch cubes (6 cups) 4 cups canned peeled plum tomatoes (including juice) ½ teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes 4 teaspoons sugar 1 1/2 cups coarsely chopped fresh basil leaves Pinch of salt 4 tablespoons grated pecorino Romano cheese

Directions:

Place a large pot filled with water on to boil. Prepare sauce ingredients (slice/cube). When water boils, add pasta and cook 10-12 minutes.

Meanwhile, heat oil in a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat. Sauté onions for 3 minutes then add garlic and sauté 2 minutes. Next add plum tomatoes with their juice and crushed red pepper. Cut tomatoes in half with the edge of a cooking spoon. Cover and simmer for 5 minutes

30 TDA January 9, 2012

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205-469-0083

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205-469-0530

Recruit of the week

In-State Recruit Brings In-State Talent Justin Thomas stays at home to play for Tide

Photo by Insidetheu.com

By Coe Robbins

P

Alabama by Rival’s. Chad Simmons of Scout.com had this to say about Thomas:

“I went to a couple of places, but [Alabama] was the place where I felt like I should feel,” Thomas told The Birmingham News.

“Being an Alabama fan makes it easier, but you still have to base your decision on how you feel about schools.”

Prattville ended the season 8-2 and played Alma Bryant in the first round of the state playoffs. In that game, Thomas helped lead the Lions to an early 28-0 lead in the first quarter including a rushing touchdown on the opening possession.

Thomas also went 6-of-8 for 56 yards in his first two drives.

Thomas said every team is treated equally in these playoffs.

rattville High School seems to be a recruiting pipeline for Alabama and the players that come from that school have not been too shabby: Roman Harper, Travis McCall and Bobby Greenwood all made huge contributions while playing for the Crimson Tide. Justin Thomas looks to add to that list starting in 2012.

Thomas committed to Alabama back in Nov. 2010 and had many other schools wanting him, including Auburn, LSU, Florida and Florida State just to name a few.

“Thomas is a play-maker. He lines up at quarterback now, but will likely move to wide receiver on the next level because of his size. He has a good arm, but he is best when he is using his legs in the open field. He has good acceleration and he can make people miss. He has good wiggle, great top-end speed, and he is a real weapon when the ball is in his hands. He will be best as an inside receiver on next level.”

“We came in here thinking they were the No. 1 ranked team

Thomas is a play-maker. “ He lines up at quarterback now,

but will likely move to wide receiver on the next level because of his size.

Mainly playing quarterback for Prattville this year, Thomas projects to play wide receiver at the next level. The 5-foot-11 prospect boasts a 4.3 40-yard dash and has the quickness and elusiveness to make big plays in the open field. To start the year, Prattville played Florida powerhouse St. Thomas Aquinas on a national stage televised by ESPN. Thomas threw for 92 yards and ran for 139 more but the Lions fell short, losing 34-31.

Thomas is ranked No. 15 on Rival’s list of best athletes for 2012.

Thomas is also ranked as the seventh best prospect in the state of

32 TDA January 9, 2012

”

in the nation," Thomas told the Montgomery Advertiser. "We prepared all week, had good practices and we performed strong.”

Thomas could make a huge impact for the Tide at the

receiver position with his speed alone. One thing that coach Nick Saban has been looking for in his receivers is speed rather than size. Some people might complain about that but Alabama’s top two wide receivers this year are Marquis Maze and Darius Hanks, who are both under 6-foot. Only time will tell on what kind of production Thomas can bring to the table.

TDA

TIDE TRIVIA 1

Which Alabama national title team did NOT finish the season undefeated? a. 1961 b. 1978 c. 1979 d. 1992

2 Alabama, which was selected No. 1 by the AP, actually split the 1978 national championship with what other team, selected No. 1 by UPI? a. USC b. Penn State c. Notre Dame d. Texas

3

Alabamaâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s first national championship was won in . a. 1915 b. 1920 c. 1925 d. 1930

4

Who did Alabama defeat in the Rose Bowl that year to win it? a. Washington State b. Washington c. Michigan d. Oklahoma

5 Which team has Alabama NOT played to win a national championship? a. Washington b. Washington State c. Nebraska d. Oklahoma

Answers: 1. B | 2. A | 3. c | 4. B | 5. d

33 Volume 4 / Issue 8

2009 National Champions

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Marr's Pond

Marr’s Pond Poets

Game Day

By R.D Wiley

The sun is up, but who’s noticed?

Tis fall as the weather attests.

And the faithful are seen on the sidelines and screens While Tuscaloosa is holding its breath.

This week has been long and dreary

With stacks of papers and bills on the desk.

But there’s not a care for the team is prepared And Tuscaloosa is holding its breath.

Businesses add spit and polish.

Tailgaters serve up their very best.

Memorabillia abounds. This is holy ground.

And Tuscaloosa is holding its breath.

Interstates are tangled with traffic.

The “best seat” becomes a state quest.

The data is in and the Tide may not win!

And Tuscaloosa is holding its breath.

The “Walk of Champions” is crowded.

Thousands in crimson are dressed.

With prayers on their lips they stand hip to hip And Tuscaloosa is holding its breath.

So its fight…Fight! Fight to the finish!

Neither team nor the faithful can rest.

Till victory is assured and the stadium is cleared.

Tuscaloosa is holding its breath

Now it is Saturday in the Southland.

Coaches and teams offer their best.

Then the snap fills the air and nothing can compare To Tuscaloosa holding its breath.

36 TDA January 9, 2012

Showing Pride Photos by MAtt Gaston

37 Volume 4 / Issue 8

Closer

Look

General

Nick Saban looks on as the tide stomp Auburn.

Photography by

Cedric Mason

Closer

Look

War Horse Trent Richardson rushes for 203 yds on 23 carries. The tide would roll over Auburn in a

42-14 victory.

Photography by

Cedric Mason

Closer

Look

The Aussie Jesse Williams sacks Auburns QB Kiehl Frazier.

Photography by

Cedric Mason

Closer

Look

Pre Snap The Alabama passed for 184

offense

yds and 3 TD and rushed for 203 yds

against Auburn.

Photography by

Cedric Mason

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