Post by Bama on Aug 8, 2006 11:50:08 GMT -5
By Christopher Walsh
Sports Writer
August 08. 2006 3:30AM
(advertisement)
University of Alabama football coach Mike Shula talks with reporters during Monday’s media opportunity. Shula’s Crimson Tide takes the field for its first fall practice this afternoon.
STAFF PHOTO | DAN LOPEZ
TUSCALOOSA | Junior wide receiver DJ Hall reported with the rest of the University of Alabama football team Monday, but didn’t make it in time to participate in the Crimson Tide’s annual media day.
Instead of being on campus and training with teammates -- including new starting quarterback John Parker Wilson, a sophomore -- Hall was home in the Florida Panhandle this summer for undisclosed reasons.
“I really can’t tell you, that’s something that him and Coach [Mike] Shula had going on," junior wide receiver Keith Brown said. “Whatever it was, I guess it was in his best interest."
Earlier Monday, Shula said he had not seen Hall yet, but the two had kept in touch via phone calls.
“We expect him to be back just like every other player," Shula said. “If there’s anything he has to do for me personally, or for our football team, those are things that we will handle internally -- or for anyone else in that regard."
After being suspended for the Cotton Bowl for violating team policy, Hall had an outstanding A-Day performance with 136 yards on seven receptions and two touchdowns to win the Dixie Howell Memorial Award as game MVP.
Players, coaches and reporters will all get an idea of how much Hall is behind when Alabama opens fall practice today at the Thomas-Drew Facility.
“I talked with him over the summer," said Brown, who was Hall’s roommate last year. “He worked out a lot. Getting used to John Parker, that’s something he missed out on, getting into a groove and going against our defense. Probably 7-on-7 he missed a lot because we accomplished a lot.
“I know he’s hungry."
Hall led all Tide receivers last season with 48 caches for 676 yards and five touchdowns. Brown was second with 642 yards on 34 receptions.
“Probably John Parker missed him more than he missed John Parker would be my guess," offensive coordinator Dave Rader said. “They hooked up a bunch in the spring and looked pretty good."
Wilson agreed.
“It was tough not having all the receivers, but we’re pretty strong right now," he said.
Roster changes
As expected, high-profile running back recruit Mike Ford did not qualify academically, along with defensive back Marcus Udell and linebacker LaBronski Hutchins.
When asked of the likelihood any of the three could someday play for Alabama, Shula said: “There’s always a possibility. It’s probably not very high, though."
Veterans no long on the roster include running back Theo Townsend, fullback Kyle Bennett and tight end Barrett Earnest.
Injury report
Shula said that sophomore running back Glen Coffee (sports hernia) was “doing great" and that he expected 104 of the 105 players on the roster to practice today.
The one exception, of course, is senior wide receiver Tyrone Prothro (broken leg). Though he’s not expected to play this season, Prothro is listed on the roster and coaches are still leaving the door open for his return.
“Still don’t know," Shula said. “We haven’t ruled anything out."
Shula said he had no cutoff point for this season, but added, “We’re not going to push it."
Alexander the receiver
Incoming freshman Earl Alexander (6-foot-4, 201 pounds) said his switch from quarterback to wide receiver was a mutual decision with coaches.
“I made up my mind that I was going to do whatever it takes to play," Alexander said. “Once I got my mind focused on that, it wasn’t a big deal."
On if he would miss playing quarterback, Alexander said, “You do well and you forget about other things."
With receiving depth a concern, true freshmen Jake Jones and Mike McCoy will also get a look at the position.
“I think they can all contribute this year," Wilson said. “They have some big-play ability."
“Earl is on my side," Brown said. “They’re not that far behind. They’re basically at the same stage I was when I got here. It’s just getting used to the speed if the game. When they do that they’re going to be good. They’re big and aggressive, and I like it."
Tide-bits
-- Alabama’s coaching staff has already put in extra time on Hawaii, which lines up four wide receivers and no tight end in its base formation. “Probably one of the toughest openers defensively that we’ve had in a long time," defensive coordinator Joe Kines said. “June Jones is an excellent, excellent football coach. He’s not a renegade out there, he knows what he’s doing."
-- Former walk-on Rashad Johnson, who was recently given a scholarship along with junior kicker Jamie Christensen, will get more time at strong safety in addition to special teams. The sophomore is listed second on the depth chart behind junior Marcus Carter, but sophomore Corey Reamer and freshman Justin Woodall will also challenge.
-- Converted junior defensive tackle Justin Britt, who missed spring practice following shoulder surgery, will compete with sophomore B.J. Stabler at right guard. Stabler will also get a look at left guard.
-- All practices will be closed to the public except two scrimmages: Monday (2 p.m.) and Saturday, August 19 (3:30 p.m.) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
-- Shula said that junior cornerback Simeon Castille has caught up in the classroom after being ineligible for the Cotton Bowl, noting; “I think he’s learned his lesson."
-- Junior defensive end Ezekial Knight, a converted wide receiver, switched to No. 47. Jones took his previous number, 84. Freshman running back Roy Upchurch has switched to No. 25.
-- Vanderbilt (Sept. 9) and Mississippi State (Nov. 4) have both returned a small number of tickets, which are now on sale. Seats are also available for Louisiana-Monroe (Sept. 16) and Duke (Oct. 7).
-- Senior linebacker Juwan Simpson has still not been told whether he’ll serve a suspension for his May 20 arrest.
Sports Writer
August 08. 2006 3:30AM
(advertisement)
University of Alabama football coach Mike Shula talks with reporters during Monday’s media opportunity. Shula’s Crimson Tide takes the field for its first fall practice this afternoon.
STAFF PHOTO | DAN LOPEZ
TUSCALOOSA | Junior wide receiver DJ Hall reported with the rest of the University of Alabama football team Monday, but didn’t make it in time to participate in the Crimson Tide’s annual media day.
Instead of being on campus and training with teammates -- including new starting quarterback John Parker Wilson, a sophomore -- Hall was home in the Florida Panhandle this summer for undisclosed reasons.
“I really can’t tell you, that’s something that him and Coach [Mike] Shula had going on," junior wide receiver Keith Brown said. “Whatever it was, I guess it was in his best interest."
Earlier Monday, Shula said he had not seen Hall yet, but the two had kept in touch via phone calls.
“We expect him to be back just like every other player," Shula said. “If there’s anything he has to do for me personally, or for our football team, those are things that we will handle internally -- or for anyone else in that regard."
After being suspended for the Cotton Bowl for violating team policy, Hall had an outstanding A-Day performance with 136 yards on seven receptions and two touchdowns to win the Dixie Howell Memorial Award as game MVP.
Players, coaches and reporters will all get an idea of how much Hall is behind when Alabama opens fall practice today at the Thomas-Drew Facility.
“I talked with him over the summer," said Brown, who was Hall’s roommate last year. “He worked out a lot. Getting used to John Parker, that’s something he missed out on, getting into a groove and going against our defense. Probably 7-on-7 he missed a lot because we accomplished a lot.
“I know he’s hungry."
Hall led all Tide receivers last season with 48 caches for 676 yards and five touchdowns. Brown was second with 642 yards on 34 receptions.
“Probably John Parker missed him more than he missed John Parker would be my guess," offensive coordinator Dave Rader said. “They hooked up a bunch in the spring and looked pretty good."
Wilson agreed.
“It was tough not having all the receivers, but we’re pretty strong right now," he said.
Roster changes
As expected, high-profile running back recruit Mike Ford did not qualify academically, along with defensive back Marcus Udell and linebacker LaBronski Hutchins.
When asked of the likelihood any of the three could someday play for Alabama, Shula said: “There’s always a possibility. It’s probably not very high, though."
Veterans no long on the roster include running back Theo Townsend, fullback Kyle Bennett and tight end Barrett Earnest.
Injury report
Shula said that sophomore running back Glen Coffee (sports hernia) was “doing great" and that he expected 104 of the 105 players on the roster to practice today.
The one exception, of course, is senior wide receiver Tyrone Prothro (broken leg). Though he’s not expected to play this season, Prothro is listed on the roster and coaches are still leaving the door open for his return.
“Still don’t know," Shula said. “We haven’t ruled anything out."
Shula said he had no cutoff point for this season, but added, “We’re not going to push it."
Alexander the receiver
Incoming freshman Earl Alexander (6-foot-4, 201 pounds) said his switch from quarterback to wide receiver was a mutual decision with coaches.
“I made up my mind that I was going to do whatever it takes to play," Alexander said. “Once I got my mind focused on that, it wasn’t a big deal."
On if he would miss playing quarterback, Alexander said, “You do well and you forget about other things."
With receiving depth a concern, true freshmen Jake Jones and Mike McCoy will also get a look at the position.
“I think they can all contribute this year," Wilson said. “They have some big-play ability."
“Earl is on my side," Brown said. “They’re not that far behind. They’re basically at the same stage I was when I got here. It’s just getting used to the speed if the game. When they do that they’re going to be good. They’re big and aggressive, and I like it."
Tide-bits
-- Alabama’s coaching staff has already put in extra time on Hawaii, which lines up four wide receivers and no tight end in its base formation. “Probably one of the toughest openers defensively that we’ve had in a long time," defensive coordinator Joe Kines said. “June Jones is an excellent, excellent football coach. He’s not a renegade out there, he knows what he’s doing."
-- Former walk-on Rashad Johnson, who was recently given a scholarship along with junior kicker Jamie Christensen, will get more time at strong safety in addition to special teams. The sophomore is listed second on the depth chart behind junior Marcus Carter, but sophomore Corey Reamer and freshman Justin Woodall will also challenge.
-- Converted junior defensive tackle Justin Britt, who missed spring practice following shoulder surgery, will compete with sophomore B.J. Stabler at right guard. Stabler will also get a look at left guard.
-- All practices will be closed to the public except two scrimmages: Monday (2 p.m.) and Saturday, August 19 (3:30 p.m.) at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
-- Shula said that junior cornerback Simeon Castille has caught up in the classroom after being ineligible for the Cotton Bowl, noting; “I think he’s learned his lesson."
-- Junior defensive end Ezekial Knight, a converted wide receiver, switched to No. 47. Jones took his previous number, 84. Freshman running back Roy Upchurch has switched to No. 25.
-- Vanderbilt (Sept. 9) and Mississippi State (Nov. 4) have both returned a small number of tickets, which are now on sale. Seats are also available for Louisiana-Monroe (Sept. 16) and Duke (Oct. 7).
-- Senior linebacker Juwan Simpson has still not been told whether he’ll serve a suspension for his May 20 arrest.
;D
