Before we get started on anything football related, our thoughts and prayers go out to the friends and family of Wake Forest basketball coach, Skip Prosser, who passed away suddenly yesterday of a massive heart attack. He was only 56 years old. A reader of the blog, Gary Parrish from CBS Sportsline, relives his last conversation with Coach Prosser from last week. Go check it out.
Days 'til Season Kickoff: 36
Very interesting story yesterday. Last week I sent an e-mail to Doug Walker, Media Relations Director over at the UA, telling him that, while at media days, it might be a good idea to hop on the Chris Vernon show on 730 ESPN because I know Coach Saban wants to build a recruiting base in Memphis. There's not a better show to go on in the city because the football kids, and the "in" crowd listen to Verno's show.
I never got a response back.
But, I came to find out yesterday, that Chris was sitting at his station's table yesterday, eating a chicken sandwich, while his producer, Roser, was asleep up in the hotel room. Saban came down media row and only did like 3 radio interviews. Coach Saban was being interviewed by Kenny Stabler for a little bit, and, while that was going on, 2 SEC media officials came over and told Chris that Coach Saban would be over there with him in about 2 or 3 minutes.
Now, keep in mind that Chris was eating lunch and his producer was upstairs, so he didn't have anything ready because he, like everyone else, thought there was a snowball's chance in hell that Coach Saban would come over to his station. He said they hadn't even put in a request to interview him. Hahahahaha. I'm glad I could do my part, I guess. Who knows how that actually happened.
Anyway, on with the news.
The CRIMSON & WHITE ROUNDTABLE is officially up over at the Capstone Report. This week's question: The University and its football fans have a lot of negative stereotypes associated with the Crimson Tide. What are two things you wish outsiders (non-Alabama fans) knew about the Crimson Tide and its fans? Go check it out.
I'm sure you've already read everything there is to read about Coach Saban's somewhat humble appearance at SEC Media Days. If not, check out more stuff here, here, here, here, and here. He was the rockstar of the event, with his every move being followed by a good 50+ people from area to area. Photographers everywhere. Ron Higgins from the Commercial Appeal stated that Urban Meyer even said something along the lines of "It's great having Saban here...nobody cares about me now." Well said, Coach. Haha.
AP Photo: Rob Carr
Dennis Pillion's blog, over at al.com, lets us know that Saban made nice with the media, rather than acting like they're getting in his way. Because, as we all know...he doesn't have time for this shit.
Brandon Shields, from the Cullman Times, writes a commentary about when expectations and hype grow too large. He detailed the difference between Alabama's appearance at SEC Media Days, and Vanderbilt's appearance, and came to the conclusion that maybe, just maybe, the fact that there are no expectations makes Vanderbilt the easiest job in the SEC, rather than the most difficult.
The early season schedule will test Alabama immediately. Read more about it here.
Simeon Castille gives props to SEC quarterbacks, saying they're top notch this year. Sim's a class act. Read more here.
Josh Moon takes a few more shots at the Alabama nation, basically saying that Alabama fans are too passionate, and Auburn fans actually realize that it's just a game. I guess that's the difference between Alabama and Auburn. We care and they don't.
Cecil is apparently pretty tired of the same old "leaving Miami" and "how can you talk about integrity" questions laid out by the national media. He says that soon the focus will shift to actual football, and it can't get here a moment too soon.
CBS announced on Wednesday that they will DEFINITELY be televising at least three Alabama games: vs Georgia on Sept. 22nd, vs Tennessee on Oct. 20th, and vs LSU on Nov. 3rd. They have options on games vs Florida State on Sept. 29th, at Ole Miss on Oct. 13th, and at Auburn on Nov. 24th. I don't like the fact that the Auburn game will be an 11:30 kickoff, but I guess that's how it works when you've got so many rivalry games in one day.
