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Alabama Weekly
August 2nd, 1998 -- Issue #5 -- Volume
#1
Welcome to Alabama Weekly, a
weekly E-Mail Newsletter about Alabama football. The purpose of this
newsletter is to basically recap the weeks events that has happened in
Alabama Football and any important SEC news. Our goal is to send out a
new Newsletter every one to two weeks. We also hope to have a
"Fan's View" article weekly, if you have any writing skills
and would like to write an article please contact me. The newsletter
will be packed with Alabama Football news, information, previews and
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JP's News and Notes
written by JP
Roll Tide Guys!
Great news out of Miami this week Johnovan Morgan, the stepbrother of
Bama great Derrick Thomas has shocked EVERYBODY and scored high enough
on his SAT to qualify. Morgan is not in yet, he still has to be cleared
by the NCAA Clearing House. Congrats to Johnovan, GREAT JOB!
Bama should have 27 signees eligible since Johnovan Morgan has recently
become eligible. That means two signees would have to walk-on and could
not receive a scholarships until December of this year. Those players
could be Luke Tucker, Sam Collins, Tyler Watts and/or Terry Jones, Jr.
We should know something soon.
There are other named players that will walk-on at Alabama next year
Hunter Williams (linebacker), Brian Barlow (punter), Mark Wisniewski
(place kicker), Patrick Hollingsworth (offensive linemen) JD Thorne
(place kicker) and Stanford Philips (quarterback). Stanford set numerous
passing records at in high school, Greater Atlanta Christian School. The
Bama coaches have asked him to walk on. Sources tell me he will QB the
scout team this fall and compete for position next year. Stanford is aon
the small size he is about six-foot 180lbs.
On a down note, Steven Harris will be academically ineligible for the
1998 season. This is horrible news, Steve started 8 games last year at
linebacker, a position we lack depth in. Coach Mike DuBose was quoted
saying this about Harris Were disappointed for Steven, and we wish
him well. His loss will have an impact on our football team.
Still no more news from UAB or the Birmingham Parks Commitee on the
Legion Field endzone issue, but University of Alabama AD Bob Bockrath
was quoted saying "when we play at Legion Field, the word Alabama
will be in the end zone!" Talk's worth nothing but that is nice to
hear Mr. Bockrath say that.
Ok I'm going to try to clear up the radio Network questions... The new
network is the Crimson Tide Sports Network, not The Alabama Sports
Network (TASN). TASN will be doing the games for UAB this year.
Also I have heard that the Tide Talk the weekly call in show with Eli
Gold and Coach DuBose has been changed to "Hey, Coach."
Rumors from Summer Workouts
Although players don't report until next week. Many players have been
working out and running drills all summer. I have gotten a report from a
friend that knows a friend that lives in T-Town and has watched and
heard about a few workouts so a few details might be off a bit, but
anyway.... Jamie Carter has lost a ton of weight and is in excellent
shape. Also people have been extremely impressed with Canary Knight (a
JUCO signee). John David Phillips has shown great leadership and looks
ready to play. Fernando Bryant has looked like he is on a mission this
season and should finally live up to be an All-American. Every body
knows about Michael Vaughn, Calvin Hall and the other receivers at
Alabama but a receiver to watch out for this year is Jason McAddley. He
is as sure-handed as they come (i.e. Chad Key). More to come next
week....
Tentative List of Numbers for Tide Newcomers
2 Eric Locke, WR
6 Marvin Brown, FB
9 Victor Ellis, LA
10 Miguel Merritt, 88
14 Tyler Watts, QB
15 Freddie Milons, WR
18 Luke Tucker, QB
23 Reggie Myles, CB
27 Sam Collins. WR
29 Ahmaad Galloway, RB
32 Phillip Weeks, FS
33 Shontua Ray, RB
45 Marvin Constant, LB
49 Mark Wisnieski, PK
52 Theo Sanders, LB
54 Kindall Moorehead, LB
58 Kenric Lott; OT
57 Darius Gilbert, LB
58 Canary Knight, DE
62 Mel Waldrep, 0G
64 Kory Small, OT
71 Marico PortIa. OG
76 Lanis Baxley, OT
77 Bart Raulston, OT
79 Ray Marshall, OT
82 Terry Jones, Jr., TE
87 Johnovan Morgan, TE
94 Derek Sanders, DT
97 Cornelius Griffin, DE
Commitment #2 Jarrett Johnson
Jarrett Johnson has committed to
Alabama. Jarrett is one of the BEST defensive linemen in the state of
Florida. He will play DL, Johnson is 6'4, 270lb, from Chiefland,
Florida. Johnson is quick too, has been clocked at 4.6 running the
forty. Jarrett choose Alabama over FSU, North Carolina, Ohio State and
Florida. This is great news!!!
Site of the Week Tide Town
Check this site out from one of our members, Joel Townley. Great Site
Joel!!!
http://members.aol.com/jtownj/index.htm
Recruiting Overview
written by Jess Nicholas
It's about that time again, when we approach the dual seasons of
football
and football recruiting. It seems that the two are so interconnected now
that they can't be separated, and some people actually take more delight
in following the recruiting than the football. The following is a brief
and very premature overview of Alabama's recruiting needs and some of
the
possibilities that might fill those needs. As with anything done this
far
in advance, everything is subject to change.
SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE:
The coaches are expecting 24 open slots for the 1999 recruiting class.
However, a few of those may already be predestined. Walk-ons Arvin
Richard and Marcus Spencer might both get scholarships, as will incoming
placekicker Mark Wisniewski, who has been promised one. Still, I'll go
with the coaches' number.
THE BREAKDOWN:
RECEIVER
With the advent of the three-receiver set, Alabama finds itself needing
33% more players at that position. Following graduation this year,
Alabama will have only six scholarship receivers returning. That number
could fall to five if Michael Vaughn leaves for the NFL. Therefore, Bama
will need to sign either four or five receivers to scholarships. The
most
likely players to fill some of those slots will probably be Eddie
Williams
(6-5 230 4.5 JUCO), Antonio Carter (5-9 180 4.3 Tallahassee,FL), and
Leonard
Fulgham (6-2 180 4.4 Montevallo). Fulgham still has a lot of classroom
work
left to do, however. Other targets include Zac Fletcher (6-2 180 4.5
Moulton), Luke Powell (5-10 170 4.4 Smyrna,TN), Victor Horn (6-1 190 4.5
Huntsville), Corey Sims (6-2 170 4.5 Atlanta-Douglass [which produced
Shamari Buchannan]), and Derrick Woods (5-9 170 4.4 Memphis,TN)
PREDICTION: 4 will be signed (4 scholarships total)
TIGHT END
While Alabama probably won't use a tight end as much as in the past,
there will still be only three on the roster for 1999, and it is a good
bet that the Tide will take at least one. Most likely prospects are
Michael Gaines (6-3 255 4.9 Tallahassee,FL), who still has grade work to
do, or Casey Gilbert (6-3 265 4.9 Pascagoula,MS), who may move to
offensive guard. Others include Gary Godsey (6-8 255 4.8 Tampa,FL),
Derrick Thompson (6-6 260 4.9 Itta Bena,MS), Lenny Day (6-3 225 5.0
Mobile), and maybe even Gorman Thornton (6-3 270 4.8 JUCO), if he can
recover from a slight stroke.
PREDICTION: 1 will be signed (5 scholarships total)
OFFENSIVE LINE
Lineman are always a huge (pun intended) priority, and Alabama is sorely
lacking in depth on the current offensive line. The Tide may go with
four
or five signees here in 1999. Most likely are Alonzo Ephraim (6-3 275
4.7
Wenonah), one of the best center prospects I've seen; Matt Lomax (6-4
295
5.1 Mobile), Troy Ragland (6-4 265 4.9 Huntsville), and Randall Shoultz
(6-8 290 5.2 Jackson). Other possibilities include Dante Ellington (6-6
300 5.3 Leighton), Monreko Crittenden (6-6 310 5.2 Montgomery), Alex
Jackson (6-5 285 5.0 Quincy,FL), Theo Harris (6-4 280 5.0
Chattanooga,TN), Daniel Green (6-4 255 4.9 Verbena), Willie Purifoy (6-4
300 5.1 JUCO), and Donald Tucker (6-6 305 5.1 Tupelo,MS)
PREDICTION: 4 will be signed (9 scholarships total)
QUARTERBACK
Even though Alabama landed two at the position last year, most schools
try to take at least one quarterback in each class. Alabama will
probably
do the same in 1999. Most likely are Bobby Garner,Jr. (6-3 200 4.7
Gulfport,MS), Justin Barnes (6-3 180 4.7 Chattanooga,TN), or Josh Parker
(6-5 210 4.7 Crawfordville,FL). Other possibilities include Willie
Simmons (6-2 190 4.5 Quincy,FL) and Latrez Harrison (6-3 210 4.7
Atlanta,GA).
PREDICTION: 1 will be signed (10 scholarships total)
RUNNING BACK
Alabama is set with a good stable of runningbacks for 1999. Still, the
Tide always seems to load up on running talent each recruiting season.
The Tide already has one commitment, Jeremy Walker. Between one and
three
others could be signed. Most likely are Santonio Beard (6-1 195 4.4
Nashville,TN), Golinsky Smith (5-11 180 4.4), and Antoneyo Williams
(5-11
220 4.5 JUCO). Others include Todd Howard (5-11 200 4.4 Cookeville,TN)
and Thad Ward (5-9 195 4.3 JUCO), who would probably play cornerback.
PREDICTION: 3 will be signed (13 scholarships total)
DEFENSIVE LINE
One of Mike DuBose's tenets is that you can never have too many good
defensive linemen. The Tide loses only one down lineman next year, Chris
Hood. However, Alabama will probably still try to sign between three and
five defensive linemen for 1999. Most likely are David Paine (6-6 255
4.6
Memphis,TN), DeMarco McNeil (6-1 290 4.9 Prichard), Kenny King (6-4 265
4.7 Daphne), Jarrett Johnson (6-4 265 4.8 Chiefland,FL), Mario Monds
(6-8
340 5.0 JUCO), and Ahmad Miller (6-4 275 4.8 JUCO). Others include Larry
Paul (6-3 265 4.7 JUCO), Robert Branch (6-3 300 5.1 Tuscaloosa), and
James Talley (6-3 225 4.6 Verbena).
PREDICTION: 4 will be signed (17 scholarships total)
LINEBACKER
This position will be hit very hard by graduation this year. The Tide
loses two starters and four experienced backups. Fortunately, Alabama
recruited well for this position in 1998. At least three will be signed
in 1999. Most likely are Saleem Rasheed (6-2 225 4.4 Birmingham) and
Anthony Maddux (6-2 255 4.6 JUCO). Others include William Orr (6-2 235
4.6 Albertville) and Damien West (6-2 230 4.6 Sugarland,TX).
PREDICTION: 3 will be signed (20 scholarships total)
DEFENSIVE BACK
The Tide will lose three starters from this solid unit following the
1998
season. In addition, the Tide only signed two DB's in 1998, Thomas Hill
had to quit the team because of injury, and SS John Fielding is
currently
hurt and unable to play. Therefore, the Tide will make this position a
priority in 1999. Look for the Tide to sign between three and five
defensive backs. Most likely are Travis Fisher (5-10 175 4.3 JUCO), Thad
Ward (5-9 195 4.3 JUCO), Tony Milton (5-9 175 4.4 Tallahassee,FL),
Anthony Williams (5-10 185 4.4 Daphne), and Donnie Young (5-10 185 4.4
Quincy,FL). Others include Antoine Hill (5-10 160 4.5 Mobile), Kelly
Schumpert (6-1 190 4.5 Tupelo,MS), and Lito Sheppard (5-11 180 4.3
Jacksonville,FL).
PREDICTION: 4 will be signed (24 scholarships total)
KICKERS
With two placekickers on scholarship, it is unlikely that the Tide would
take a third. However, if a scholarship came open, the possibility is
very good that the Tide would offer kicker Danny Haynes (6-0 190 4.7
Killen) a grant-in-aid. Haynes is the top kicker in this state and a
lifelong Alabama fan. Haynes would bring an interesting aspect of
kicking
back to college football--he's a straight-on, conventional-style kicker.
PREDICTION: 1 **may** be signed (25 scholarships total)
As I said before, this list WILL change several times over before the
end
of the college football season. It is likely that the Tide will take
commitments from around 28-30 players again as they plan for academic
casualties.
-- Jess Nicholas
Alabama Weekly Columnist
Soups Auburn Joke Section
written by Dennis Campbell
It seems this young Alabama fan had a life-long commitment to run into
every
awbum car or bump into any awbum pedestrian he ever saw. He promised
himself to get the biggest car he could whenever saved up the money.
When he had enough money, he bought a big ol' black Cadillac and within
2
weeks had hit 20 or so cars. He was on his way to work one morning when
he
noticed a fellow walking along the highway holding a gas can. So he
stopped
to give the fellow a ride to the fillin' station. It was a preacher from
a
local church.
They hadn't gone but a short distance when he saw this awbum fan come
walkin' toward them with this blue shirt and "A W B U M "
across the front.
The fan says to himself, "Oh My GOD!!! Here's one of 'em. I made
this
promise. I can't do it. The preacher's in the car. I gotta think of
somethin'. What am I gonna do?"
About that time he figures he'd sneeze and pull hard on the steering
wheel
and say he ran into him by accident. So he sneezes, gives a big yank on
the
wheel, and hears this big "WHACK !!!"
He looks into the rear view mirror and sees the awbum fan sprawled out
on
the road behind him. He says, "OH MY GOD!!! Did I hit him? Did I
hit
him?"
The preachers says, "No. But you got close enough I could thump him
with
this gas can!!!"
-- Dennis "BamaSoup" Campbell
Alabama Weekly Columnist
Sound Check from SEC Media Days
Coach DuBose on last season
''I tried to please way too many people last year and didn't coach,''
DuBose said. ''We're going to go back and be us.''
DuBose on Last Season this Season and the Future
''We didn't get here overnight,'' DuBose said. ''We're not going to
get out of it overnight. We're going to do things the right way. If
people give us enough time, we're going to get it right. When it gets
good, it's going to be good for a long time.''
DuBose on Winning
''I agree with winning, but I don't agree with winning at all
costs. Winning is important, but how you win is more important. I told
our football team last year and I'm going to tell them again this year
and I mean this sincerely. Some of our alumni don't like to hear it and
you don't like to hear it, but I told them I'd rather lose every
football game we play and have them leave as better people than win
every game we play and we use them."
DuBose on his job
''There's so much emphasis now just to win, baby, win, that type of
mentality. I don't believe in it. If that's what they expect, they've
got the wrong guy. If I've got to use the lives of young people just to
win football games, I'll do something else.''
DuBose on the coaching staff(s)
''I won't get into who or what, but I thought I could change some
people. I couldn't change them so I had to make some changes. It
bothered me that I thought they put some individual things before the
team. For the first time in a long time, it's a staff that doesn't have
any hidden agendas.''
DuBose on the Arkansas Schedule issue
''I think some people were out to get us, and I think they got
us. They know who they are. They know I know who they are.''
DuBose on his QB's
'' We have everything you want in a quarterback with the
exception of experience.''
DuBose on wearing a head set
''I got a lot of calls about wearing a head set. I may wear a head set
this year and not turn the damn thing on.''
1998 ALABAMA SCHEDULE
09/05 Brigham Young Tuscaloosa (ESPN)
09/12 Vanderbilt Birmingham (JPSPORTS)
09/19 OPEN
09/26 Arkansas Fayetteville, AR
10/03 Florida Tuscaloosa
10/10 Ole Miss Tuscaloosa
10/17 E. Carolina Birmingham
10/24 Tennesse Knoxville, TN (CBS)
10/31 S. Miss Tuscaloosa
11/07 LSU Baton Rouge, LA (CBS)
11/14 Mississippi St. Starkville, MS
11/21 Auburn Birmingham
11/29 OPEN
12/05 SEC Championship
TTBA
TWO-DEEP ROSTER
written by: JP
OFFENSE
SE 7 Quincy Jackson (Sr.); 84
Shamari Buchanan (Jr.)
LT 60 Chris Samuels (Jr.); 78 Michael Barfield (Fr.)
LG 70 Jason McDonald (Jr.); 61 Todd Whitmore (Jr.)
C 74 Paul Hogan (So.); 55 Brooks Brodie (Sr.)
RG 75 Griff Redmill (So.); 69 Michael Moore (Jr.)
RT 72 Will Cuthbert (So.); 63 Sage Spree (Sr.)
TE 38 Shawn Draper (So.); 85 Rhett Crutchfield (Sr.)
FL 83 Calvin Hall (Sr.); Michael Vaughn (Jr.)
QB 12 John David Phillips (Sr.); 5 Andrew Zow (Fr.)
FB 30 Dustin McClintock (So.); 21 Montoya Madden (Sr.)
RB 37 Shaun Alexander (Jr.); 26 Arvin Richards (So.)
K 19 Brian Cunningham (Sr.); 15 AJ Diaz (So.)
DEFENSE
DE 34 Chris Hood (Sr.); 92 Shaun
Williams (Fr.)
DT 88 Kenny Smith (So.); 95 Sam Matthews (Fr.)
DT 90 Jamie Carter (Jr.); 51 Carlos Stennis (So.)
DE 91 Clint Waggoner (Jr.); 98 Reggie Grimes (Jr.)
LB 4 Steve Stanley (Sr.); 11 Chris Horne (So.)
LB 44 Travis Carroll (So.); 59 Chris Edwards (Sr.)
LB 48 Trevis Smith (Sr.); 43 Steve Harris (Sr.)
CB 25 Fernando Bryant (Sr.); 3 Michael
Feagin (Sr.)
CB 39 Antoine Hunter (Sr.); 13 Kecalf Bailey (So.)
SS 24 Tony Dixon (So.); 41 Marcus Spencer (Sr.)
FS 20 Kelviun Sigler (Sr.); 17 Warren Foust (Sr.)
P 40 Daniel Pope (Sr.)
Newsletter by: JP of Alabama Game Day
and Brett Young of BamaNation
Special Article by: none this week
Special Thanks to: Jess Nicholas for his article, and Dennis Campbell
for his joke this week :)
PLEASE VISIT BAMANATION AND ALABAMA GAME DAY.
BamaNation: http://members.aol.com/BamaNation/
Alabama Game Day: http://come.to/ALGameDay.com
Thanks for subscribing; next newsletter August 16th, Roll Tide see ya
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