Saban rumors continue...

It was pretty cool.

About 20 minutes of the Monday NIght Football commentary was all about The University of Alabama.

People bitch and moan that we're "forgotten" and that we have "lost our place on the national scene" yet here we are, in the midst of an NFL game with significant playoff implications, and Alabama is on everyone's tongue.

Even Don Shula was talking about us!

Not that he had nice things to say (who could blame him though).

Here is what I saw in the Palm Beach Post today:

Saban admits he misses college

By Greg A. Bedard
Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Tuesday, December 26, 2006

MIAMI GARDENS — Despite saying last week "I will not be the Alabama coach," Nick Saban's possible courting by the Crimson Tide was a big topic on the Monday Night Football telecast.

Sideline reporter Michelle Tafoya reported that "sources" said Saban was still at the top of Alabama's wish list. And while Saban feels tremendous loyalty to Dolphins owner Wayne Huizenga, Saban told the MNF crew he misses the teaching that goes on at the college level.

Saban also refused to say he will not listen to any offer Alabama might make at the conclusion of the season.

Former Dolphins coach Don Shula, whose son, Mike, was fired last month by the Crimson Tide, said his feelings about Alabama were "bad" and said he hopes Saban stays.

"Nick is working for the Dolphins and he's committed to this job," Shula said. "I think that coaches always want to keep the door open, but I believe Nick was hired to do a job and he has a lot of respect for Wayne and the organization.

"I think they have a good team here and he'll live up to his contract here and not worry about Alabama."

The rumors wont die.

There sure is a LOT of smoke for there to be no fire...

January 1 we will start to see what is really going on here.

ON a less positive note, the Jets win last night all by shut the Tennessee Titans out of the playoffs.

I don't think they are "mathematically" eliminated yet, but its only a matter of time now. They need too much help, and to beat the New England Patriots Sunday.

Hell of a run though boys, start the season 0-5 and get to 8-7...I'm impressed.

VY is the future of that team.

Is NS the future of Alabama?

Stay Tuned...

Good Riddance, Banana!

Thats right, Bananas are dying of fungus, and because they don't have seeds, they can't evolve!

It happened in the 1950s with one strain, and now the strain that we all know (and hate) is being killed by the same fungus!

Here is a link to the story.

I hate bananas, so, I'm okay with this development.

Its as gross as Furrow and his damned YOGART in class.

Ew.

Don't you know its spoiled dairy?

Ew!

Bananas are gross, and its inconsiderate that you all sit there, eating them with no regard for the rest of us.

They smell awful!

And the texture?

Ew!

Enough said.

Merry Christmas my goyish friends.

Happy Movie/Chinese Food day to my yids.

Stay Tuned...

Office Space: The Drama

Someone with a lot of time on their hands re-cut the trailer for Office Space to be a drama instead of a comedy.

Its worth a check.

"How to save a life" is really appropriate for it I think.



For those on facebook that don't see the video, here is the link

Enjoy.


Stay Tuned...

Why won't this Nick Saban thing die?

From today's South Florida Sun-Sentinel:

As always, here is the link if you want to read it directly from the website.

BRICKER: Saban has self to blame

Dolphins coach badly mishandled Alabama questions.

Published December 13, 2006

Nick Saban is at the end of his rope with reporters buzzing him with questions about the University of Alabama head coaching job.

But, of course, it's a noose that the Dolphins coach himself threw over a 20-foot-high branch.

It's just astounding that a man of his sophistication could have so badly mishandled this situation, and if he's learned anything let's hope that he's figured out it's foolish to play word games and throw out half-truths that chip away at his credibility when there's nothing at stake.

This completely avoidable controversy began with Saban denying he had been contacted by Alabama representatives, which was, in a strict sense, true. They had contacted his agent, Jimmy Sexton.

And so it was on Nov. 27, when asked if he had spoken with Alabama officials, Saban told reporters: "No, I haven't. I don't care to be. I don't want to be. I've got a job to do here."

That's not a lie, but it's not the full truth, either.

There are times when head coaches have good reason to obscure the truth --before a big game, for example, when you don't want an opponent to know the dicey medical condition of your quarterback.

But with the Saban-Alabama situation, there was no good reason to be anything but completely honest. That's what is so inscrutable here. There was nothing to gain by playing this silly word game, unless Saban thought he could end the story right there.

If he did, then he's spent too much time in Baton Rouge, La., and East Lansing, Mich. South Florida is not a small media market and the circle of information about Alabama's interest in him was too wide to conceal.

If he was worried about how this persistent story would affect his players or "distract" them, to employ a badly overused football cliche, then he misjudged there as well.

All Saban had to do when the story first broke was to say, "Fellas, I've just told the team and now I'm telling you that someone from Alabama called my agent and asked if I would be interested in discussing the head coaching job there. I told Jimmy Sexton to tell them I'm not interested, don't want to discuss it, don't want to entertain any offers. I'm staying right here. Period. End of story."

That would have finished it right there. But by parsing words with the media, Saban not only gave the story legs, but left his players dangling as well as they wondered if there was a kernel of truth to it.

Incredibly, a few days later, after the Dec. 3 loss to Jacksonville, Saban hurt himself even more when he bristled: "I'm not going to continue to respond to rumors and innuendo, which this obviously is. I'm committed to a group of guys here and a football team and a football staff, and we're working hard to get this season right. It really challenges your professionalism and integrity to even talk about it. People throw it to the wall, see what sticks."

Saban isn't the only NFL coach who has difficulty being candid with the media. We all recall Bill Parcells romancing the Tampa Bay Buccaneers before leaving them at the altar.

But there also are coaches who are honest and forthcoming. Tony Dungy of the Colts comes to mind. For all his gritty personality, which is not unlike Saban's, Bill Cowher of the Steelers is not a man who plays word games.

That doesn't mean he tells you everything on his mind all the time. But with Cowher and Dungy, Mike Shanahan and Herman Edwards, if they don't want to tell you something, they'll tell you they don't want to tell you.

They won't lie to you. And they won't play word games, especially when there is nothing tangible at stake.

Charles Bricker's NFL column appears Wednesdays and Sundays. He can be reached at cbricker@sun-sentinel.com.

This thing just wont go away. I'd like to think that it could happen, but the truth of the matter is, it will not.

Can't we focus on a more rational option?

Stay Tuned...

Ask the Experts: Do you want the Alabama job?

The staff at "Collegefootballnews.com" was asked as their daily quesiton "Do you want the Alabama head coaching job?"

Here is the link

CollegeFootballNews.com Dec 12, 2006

Tuesday Question ... Do you want the Alabama head coaching job?

Pete Fiutak
Q: Do you want the Alabama job?

A: Bring it on.

I know the expectations are unrealistic and the pressure is unbelievable, but name the big-time head coaching job that's a walk in the park? If you want no pressure at the moment, go take the Idaho gig.

If Auburn can recruit well and win, then so can Alabama. If I get the job, I go back to what Tide fans want and make sure the defense is a rock. The 2005 team won because it stopped everyone, and got every break in the book. Next, I'd make sure the running game is working. Really working. I'll sell the top running back recruits that the star of my team will be a national superstar as the focal point of the offense. In other words, I want the offense to be Arkansas of this year. If all that fails, I'll blame the Shula era and claim I need the full four years to get all "my guys" in.

Then I'll leave and take over at Texas A&M in 2009.

Richard Cirminiello
Q: Do you want the Alabama job?

A: Unless I’m already at a first-rate school, without hesitation. Okay, so maybe ‘Bama thinks it’s Jennifer Garner when it’s really Jennifer Bealls, but this is still a great head coaching opportunity. It’s a chance to coach in the SEC at an institution that has one of the strongest traditions and fan bases in all of college football. Compensation will be more than competitive, as will the facilities in Tuscaloosa. Sure, Auburn has made inroads in recent years, but this is still a red state, particularly when the Tide is rolling. Just because Mike Shula couldn’t produce more than six wins this year does not mean you’d be inheriting a rebuilding job. The current roster has a nice mix of young players, including a returning starter at quarterback and future stars on both sides of the ball in offensive tackle Andre Smith and linebacker Prince Hall. As far as the unreasonable expectations and ghost of the Bear—big freakin’ deal. Those are challenges I’d embrace in order to lead such a storied football program. Anyway, who’d want to work someplace where the expectations are tempered or the boosters and student body canonize you for winning seven games and earning an invitation to the Fly By Night Bowl? The flip side of that immense pressure and enormous expectations is the potential to be that guy that brings the glory back to the ‘Bama program, which is even more intoxicating than the seven-digit salary and lucrative weekly television shows. Look at Pete Carroll at USC or Jim Tressel at Ohio State. They’re gods for raising the bar. How about Charlie Weis at Notre Dame? He’s been pounded by Ohio State, Michigan and USC this calendar year, but even hints of yesteryear have earned him the genius tag in certain circles. I want a chance to be that guy. I want a chance to get Alabama football back to where it belongs.

John Harris
Q: Do you want the Alabama job?

A. Absolutely, I’d love to have the job at Alabama, but I can completely see why certain coaches are turning it down. However, this isn’t a football coaching question, as much as it is a question on risk management, ego and job security.

How many people would take a job, say CEO of a major corporation with a meddling board of directors and unrealistic expectations of performance in the market place, when that individual is currently the CEO of a company that’s performing better, has more opportunity to be successful, where that person is wildly successful right now? Shoot, pick an occupation – teacher, banker or candlestick maker. The answer is still not many. Now, add in the fact that most coaches are risk aversive by nature and it’s a volatile combination that doesn’t seemingly bode well for Alabama.

But, coaches also have egos and if you could convince a coach that he could be a fixture at a university or a legend, well, maybe he’s listening. That would have my attention. Now, at Alabama, the place at the head table reserved for Bear Bryant is locked away forever, but it doesn’t mean he can’t handle a dinner companion. Many thought that USC would never have a head coach on par with John McKay again, but Pete Carroll has carved his own niche in that program’s history. Nebraska was never going to survive with that Osborne character following legendary Bob Devaney in the 1970s, right? Uh, wrong. And, at Penn State, okay, bad example. The point is that greatness can happen at a place where a legend once resided.

If I’m worth my salt at all as a coach, I let ego take over and turn the Tide into the power it can still be. I’m going to get paid. I have great facilities. I have one of the most fertile recruiting areas in the nation. If I can’t win, it’s my own fault. The last thing coaches in the SEC want is someone with a vision and a passion, with a little riverboat gambler in him, to take over that program tomorrow. Who that is and where he is, hard to say, but he’s out there.

Matthew Zemek
Q: Do you want the Alabama job?

A: No way in hell. Who wants a merciless, delusional employer who expects you to be the next Bear Bryant and will fire you if you're not able to live up to the Houndstooth hat?

Another interesting read...more to come, including a South Florida paper turns the heat up on Nick Saban (to coin a phrase from TR).

Stay Tuned...

Paul Finebaum - Crossing the line?

Paul Finebaum may have gone too far...He may be dragged out into the streets of Birmingham for this one:

Breaking bad news to Bear

Tuesday, December 12, 2006

The brisk, icy wind was whipping the barren tree branches as I slowly walked from the car down the narrow, rocky road. In the background, I heard the faint sound of a train slowly making its way down the track. It was near dusk as I arrived at Lot 57, Block 30 in Birmingham's Elmwood Cemetery.

"So, you are back?"

It was the deep, gravely and resonant voice of the Bear.

"There has been a lot happening since my last visit, Coach," I said. "Thought I better get over here and fill you in."

"Get to it, son."

"Alabama's looking for another coach," I said.

"I don't care about all that," he interrupted. "What bowl we going to this year? Sugar? I would like to beat those ... from Notre Dame again."

"Well, Coach, Alabama is playing Oklahoma State in the PetroSun Independence Bowl in Shreveport."

"Shreveport!" said the Bear. "What is that cow pasture doing hosting a bowl game?"

"Coach, Alabama went 6-6 this year and there's trouble on the horizon."

Coach Bryant paused for a moment, then finally, said, "OK, you better start from the beginning. Last time you visited me, Franchione had just left for Texas A&M and we hired Price from Washington State. I guess he finally wore out his welcome after four years, huh. I knew we should have hired Danny Ford."

I informed Coach Bryant that Price never made it to the first game. He was fired in May of 2003 because of an alleged transgression with a stripper.

Suddenly, the ground shook and a crashing noise could be heard. At first, it sounded like an explosion. I soon realized it was laughter. Coach Bryant finally said: "And they fired him for that?"

"Yes, sir, President Robert Witt said that kind of behavior was not acceptable at Alabama."

"So, who took over? No, don't tell me. They brought back Bebes and he wants to head back to the ranch now. Can't say I blame him. He's no spring chicken anymore."

"No coach, they hired Shula."

"Shula, well, I'll be," Bryant said. "I never liked him, but he did win a few Super Bowls. So what happened, the old Mount Rushmore face finally hang it up. Don't blame him. He must be pushing 75."

"Uh, Coach, they hired Mike Shula, his youngest son."

"Mike Shula. You mean, the little kid who played for Perkins and then got run out of the NFL."

"Yes, Coach. They fired him after losing the Auburn game at home."

There was silence for a moment. "He lost to Auburn at home. How embarrassing. How could Alabama ever lose to the cow college at home?"

"Coach, he lost four straight to Auburn. You're not going to believe this, but the school gave him a new contract earlier this year and raised his salary to nearly $2 million a year. This followed a blowout last year at Auburn when the Tide was down 21-0 in the first quarter and the quarterback got sacked 11 times. On top of that, Alabama had to pay Shula an additional $4 million on a buyout."

"What kind of morons do we having running our school?"

"Well, coach ..."

"How many national championships did Shula win?"

"None, Coach."

"Well, I realize it's tough to win it all now with that stupid BCS. I had trouble winning three straight myself. What about SEC championships? How many?"

"None, Coach."

"Let me get this straight. He didn't win any national championships? He didn't win any SEC titles and never beat Auburn and they gave him a raise and a new contract? Do we have The Three Stooges running this school?"

"Coach, let's cut to the chase. Shula was 26-23 after four years. He was 2-14 against Arkansas, Tennessee, LSU and Auburn."

"Is Mal on Auburn's payroll? Is he some kind of secret agent sleeping with the enemy. How does he keep his job? What is going on there?"

"And Coach, Alabama has now lost five straight to Auburn and five out of seven to Tuberville."

"I always liked that boy, Tubby. I knew his kin folk from over in Camden (Ark.) Why don't we just go hire him and end this debate once and for all."

There was quiet for a few minutes and then finally, Coach Bryant said: "OK, enough of this. So where is the search going now? I hope we're going to hire Spurrier. He's the best coach I've seen since I walked the sidelines. Love that guy. I think he might have even given me fits."

"Well, Coach, it looked like they had a shot at him but they dropped the ball and Spurrier ended up getting a contract extension at South Carolina."

"You're kidding me. Who is running this stupid search? There's no way they're letting Mal get anywhere near it, right?"

"Well, Coach, pretty much Mal, Paul Jr. and the president are in charge."

"Oh, my goodness."

"Coach, are you OK?"

"I'm sorry, I just can't believe this. So where are we now?"

"Well, the school supposedly offered Nick Saban a small fortune. Story in the Miami paper said with the bonuses, the number could go as high as $57 million, although Alabama folks denied it."

"He's not bad. A little arrogant. So when does Saban start?"

"Uh, Coach, he said he wasn't interested."

"He turned down $57 million?" said Bryant, his voice raging with anger. Finally, he calmed down and said, "So what's next? Petrino?"

"Said he wasn't interested."

"Beamer?"

"Same."

"What about Butch Davis? Didn't he put Miami back on the map after probation?"

"Coach, he desperately wanted the job but Alabama let him get away to North Carolina first."

A loud groan was heard.

"Then the school offered to double the salary of Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia."

"West Virginia," screamed the Bear. "Why would we hire a coach from that backwoods place? I can't believe we hired the stupid West Virginia coach at Alabama. How embarrassing. He better not put on one of my houndstooth hats."

"Uh, Coach, he turned it down, too. Said he wanted to stay in Morgantown."

Suddenly, the whipping wind stopped cold and there was neither sound nor motion.

A small, faint echo emitted, almost like a small baby crying. It became a little louder and finally, stopped.

"I'm sorry," said Bryant. "I got a little bit emotional for a second. I can't believe after all those years I put in that this has happened to my beloved school. We have become a laughingstock, a national punch line. Tell me, son, is there any hope at all?"

I took a deep breath and began walking toward my car. I looked back for a fleeting moment and slowly shook my head in silence.

Contact Paul Finebaum at:

finebaumnet@yahoo.com

His column appears Tuesdays and Saturdays in the Press-Register.

Not to say he doesn't make some valid points, but my goodness, talk about "taking the lords name in vain"!

Here is the link.

Paul...god help you.

Stay Tuned...

My Take: Alabama Football

I am getting close to jumping on the Steve Kragthorpe band-wagon. I like his style. His offense is potent. He's done a good job turning a joke like Tulsa into an annual bowl team, and there is reason to believe in the right circumstances he could really thrive at UA. Recruiting is always a concern when you bring a guy like that in, because he has limited experience recruiting a conference like the SEC. Then again, Mike Shula had zero experience recruiting on any level, and many would say that was the strong point of his tenure.

I've been saying for days that bringing in a "big name" is not the priority right now. Hiring the right coach is all that matters. Maybe that is Nick Saban. Maybe it is Jimbo Fisher (who has surfaced as a candidate for the UAB job...how embarrassing to be competing with UAB for a coach). Maybe it is Steve Kragthrope. Time will tell, and the success of this hire will not be determined by the media response, or by the teams record next year. It will be determined by the teams W-L record in 2010. It will be determined by what the "talent" on the roster looks like in 5 years. It will be determined by how many years Alabama is a non-factor in the SEC West heading into November.

For Alabama fans looking for a quick fix and long-term solution in the same package...you are what is holding us back! Such things just don't exist. If we hire someone like Nick Saban, you can count on him bolting the minute the USC job becomes available. If it isn't USC, it will be somewhere else. I promise. We will only succeed if we bring in someone who is hungry for an opportunity, respects the history of Alabama Football, accepts the responsibility of having a state hang on your every word/decision, is talented enough to take advantage of what UA provides a coach (pay, facilities, tradition, etc.), and willing to be aggressive in changing the mindset of Alabama Fans. Expectations are a bitch.

This team will be loaded with talent next year. There is no reason we can't win 10 games. There is no reason we can't compete for the SEC championship. There is no reason we can't still be in the BCS talk heading into late-November. There is no reason not to succeed next year. Beyond that we all need to accept the inevitable step back. LSU took one after Saban left. Florida took one after Spurrier left. We will take one too. Lets wait and see if the new coach can figure out how to turn one step backwards into two steps forward before we rush to judgment.

Its not that Alabama Football is a joke. Its not. Alabama FANS have become the joke. Seriously. What do Maggots and Bama fans have in common? They can both live off a dead bear for 25 years. See. A joke. We can appreciate what Coach Bryant did for Alabama (as a state, a university, and a football program), but respecting what he did doesn't mean we have to hold everyone that takes that position to the same standards. Coaches like that don't come around often, and there is reason people say "lightening doesn't strike twice."

Patience is what we need. Faith is what we lack.

If Alabama Fans are serious about returning to national prominence (notice I don't say "returning to the good 'ole days") then we're all going to just have to sit tight and wait for it. People on the message boards called those of us who supported Shula "Sunshine Pumpers" because we were so optimistic about Shula's long-term viability (By the way, I still am convinced he will be an outstanding head football coach) and we couldn't' see "how bad things were". Those people are just as guilty, but what they "can't see" is how much their vehement love for the Crimson Tide has prevented us from moving forward from the disaster that was Mike Dubose, Dennis Franchoine, and to a lesser extent Mike Price.

Its going to take time.

A whole lot of time.

But we still get to watch Alabama Football while we wait. Some weeks will be better than others. Some seasons better than others, but if we wait, good things will happen. The ingredients are in place, but you can't rush the cook.

Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...

Something to calm the 'Bama fans...

Here is a good link to an article by Ben Cook of Lindysports.com.

I will post the text for those of you too lazy to click a link:

Despite common perception, Alabama coaching search still has options

Sunday, December 10, 2006

Ben Cook
LindysSports.com

The college football world had a big laugh at the expense of the University of Alabama last week when Rich Rodriguez decided he would rather spend a couple of million dollars a year in West Virginia than Alabama, so he told Alabama athletic director Mal Moore thanks but no thanks. Or maybe he told Moore to take his job and shove it. We'll probably never know exactly what he did, but he turned down the opportunity to coach the Alabama Crimson Tide. The perception is that Rodriguez was the third big name coach to turn Alabama down. He was not third; he was first. Steve Spurrier did not turn Alabama down. He never got the chance. For some unknown reason, Moore never contacted Spurrier. The odd thing is, Spurrier was ready to listen to Moore. He was interested in what he had to say, but Moore never called. Of course, just because Spurrier was interested in listening to Moore had to say does not by any means say that Spurrier would have taken the Alabama job if it were offered. But South Carolina certainly worried enough about the possibility to kick in another half a million dollars a year on Spurrier's salary to insure he would not leave.

The Nick Saban situation is a little different. There was enough interest there that some figures were tossed out to a Saban representative, but don't believe that $5 million a year fantasy created by The Miami Herald. As for a formal offer, that's cloudy but if I had to bet on it I would bet it never reached that stage. It could have had there been interest from the Saban camp, but whether there was is questionable; not out of the question, just questionable.

So that leaves Alabama without a head coach at the moment. So what? The only game the Tide has coming up is a meaningless bowl game against another average football team in the Independence Bowl, or whatever sponsor name it goes by these days. Back when bowl games really were rewards and you had to be a pretty good football team to be invited, neither of these teams would have been given a second thought.


So what's the big deal about not having a coach? It's recruiting, of course. Every day Alabama doesn't have a coach is a day lost. Oh sure, the remnants of Mike Shula's coaching staff are supposed to be holding the fort down when it comes to recruits, but anybody who believes they are putting their hearts into it is out of touch with reality.

But frankly, Alabama needs to think beyond this recruiting class and not hurry into anything. It would have been easy last week for Mal Moore to panic and start throwing out job offers like buckshot just hoping to hit something. The talking heads at ESPN are talking about how nobody wants the Alabama job and how Alabama has screwed up this search because the courtship of Rodriguez was so public, as was the rejection. But in this day of instant news via the Internet, radio, television and just plan fans who like to track movements of university planes there is just no way to conduct a coaching search in private if you are a big-time football school.

Moore didn't make the search public, the public and the media did. And they will do it again as soon as Moore targets his next candidate. It would be the same if it were Georgia or Auburn or Nebraska or Notre Dame. It's the nature of the beast.

So where is Moore looking now? The rumors are still strong about Saban and Alabama could afford to wait on him now that his Miami Dolphins season appears it will officially end on December 31. Hiring Nick Saban the first week or so of January would energize the Alabama program and it would likely be reflected on signing day.

But there are other coaches out there that could take over the program and flourish. Alabama is not--as some would have you believe--a graveyard for coaches. It is just a graveyard for the wrong coaches and Alabama has made a lot of wrong choices over the past 25 years AB (After Bryant). But now is the time to make a right choice, a choice of a coach who will not wilt under the spotlight that shines on the program or be intimidated by the looming specter of Paul William Bryant. The right coach will embrace the legacy that Bryant left behind and use it to his advantage, which is possible.

Despite what Moore said in the beginning about how he would land a coach who is a proven winner and had been a head coach, there are assistant coaches out there just waiting for someone to hand them the keys to the kingdom. Given the opportunity, there are some capable young assistants who would take the job and start added his legacy to that of the Bear. I'm not saying it is the way to go, but it is a way that should not be overlooked. Somebody is going to make a Jimbo Fisher or a Bo Pellini or a Norm Chow a head coach someday and they are going to be glad they did.

Of course, there are other good head coaches who wouldn't cower in fear at the prospect of coaching at Alabama--Steve Kragthorpe at Tulsa, Chris Peterson at Boise State or Paul Johnson at Navy just to name three. I'm not saying any of these coaches are anxious to leave their current positions, but they are evidence that just because Rich Rodriguez said no, the world has not fallen in on Alabama just yet.

Stay Tuned...

Someone call 9-1-1!!! There are Law Students out there!

Police Sketch based on preliminary reports

So...

Two 1Ls definetly just called 9-1-1 on AJK and I.

We were just standing outside, smoking cigarettes, talking about evidence, or interviewing, or some such non-sense.

Then Aaron saw someone come to the door of the library and then run away.

Then they did it again.

Aaron decided he should go in and check it out.

When they saw him approaching the door they FREAKED OUT, picked up their cell phones and called 9-1-1.

No joke, they were standing at the circulation desk, on their phone. Right before Aaron walked to the door, the auxillary lights turned off, adding to the "freakiness" of the situation. When they saw that Aaron was inside the building, the girl started screaming "No! No! No!" and waving her phone at him as if the glow from the display would vanquish him back to hell. (Actually might work with AJK)

At this point I went over, screamed through the door "Hey, we're students" but they didn't believe us. They insisted we show them ID. I didn't have mine, but Aaron did. Thankfully.

They are 1Ls, what the hell do they know anyways.

Aaron: "It must be the beards"
JMay: "Or they are just so green that they don't realize they aren't alone in the law school at 4am during exams..."

(Aaron's away message after "the incident": "Hello 9-1-1? Yeah you better get down to the law school right away. There are two incredibly dumb 1L's loose in the building. If you don't get here soon they're liable to hurt themselves. . . Oh? You spoke to them already? Brilliant!")



Stay Tuned...

Barack Obama Annoucement

This gives me goose-bumps...



He's so good...charismatic, clever, everything you want in a President.

Its too soon for Barack, but he could be an ideal VP in 2008.

Here is the link for those of you reading on facebook.

I think 2016 is the first time Barack would have a real shot.

Lets go BEARS!

(well, Titans first, but then the Bears)

Stay Tuned...

Pete Carroll at USC? It will never work...

This is a great article for the Alabama Faithful out there wondering what to do next...

I am going to paste the text in for easy reading:

Carroll's hiring is another mistake for troubled USC - University of Southern California football coach Pete Carroll

Tom Dienhart
Dear Mike Garrett:

I 'think you made a mistake hiring Pete Carroll as USC's next coach. As Trojans athletics director, you needed to hit a home run with this hire. This looks more like a scratch single.

I know. Carroll might end up being grand, but the perception in the here and now is what matters for a program that's on the wane. And that perception isn't good.

Some might compare Carroll to Paul Hackett, the coach he replaces. That might not be fair, but you can't blame them. Carroll is an NFL guy. He's a defensive tactician who hasn't coached in college since 1083, when he was an assistant at Pacific. Hackett was an offensive expert who hadn't coached in college since 1092 when he landed the USC job before the 1998 season. At least Hackett's most recent college stint at the time was as head coach at Pittsburgh.

Unlike Hackett, Carroll proved he can be a successful head coach, leading the New England Patriots to a pair of winning seasons and playoff berths. He's also a super-enthusiastic guy. But Carroll doesn't know college football.

Oh, he's saying the fight things. You know, stuff like, "If you can understand the process in the NFL ... in the draft process, it's all about watching players in college, I don't consider myself unfamiliar with the college game at all."

I'm sure Carroll, like Hackett, knows his X's and O's. The problem is the college game Carroll doesn't know. It was the same one Hackett had trouble grasping. I'm talking about things like academic issues, recruiting / and dealing with alumni.

Is Caroll up for whispering sweet nothings into the ears of know-it-all 18-year-olds? Is Carroll up for spending more time speaking at booster events than breaking down film? Is Carroll up for fans demanding to know why USC can't dominate the Pac-10 anymore?

Carroll needs a positive start and would help himself by retaining defensive line coach Ed Orgeron and running backs coach Kennedy Pola, a pair of Hackett assistants who red-line their intensity meters.

I know, Mike. You say, "Average Joe doesn't know football." Believe what you want, but Average Joe has reason to doubt your hiring skills and thinks you are part of the problem. Hackett was 19-18 at USC, and his last team finished last in the Pac-10, the first t/me that ever has happened. He was your man after you mishandled the termination of John Robinson after the 1997 season.

Your job might be riding on Carroll's performance. Your non-communicative ways cause people to make conclusions that might not be tree about you and your program. And you didn't help yourself a few years ago when you gave a "pep talk" in the locker room.

It was hard for you to believe people didn't fall over themselves to coach your beloved USC. But it's not that good of a job because it's not 1975 anymore. The 85-scholarship limit has made college football an equal-opportunity sport in which schools such as Oregon State and Virginia Tech have BCS dreams.

Also working against USC are substandard facilities-all the way from Heritage Hall to the antiquated weight room. And the L.A. lifestyle isn't tot everyone, especially not for assistant coaches. Housing prices are out of sight, To live in a decent area, coaches must drive an hour to and from work. Their days are long enough as it is.

Oregon State's Dennis Erickson and Oregon's Mike Bellotti are the biggest names who sniffed around the USC job but didn't really pursue it. San Diego Chargers coach Mike Riley would have been a good hire. He served as Oregon State's coach from 1997-98 and was USC's offensive coordinator before that, but he couldn't make up his mind. When he continued to drag his feet, you grabbed Carroll, who was out of work last season.

Contrast that to the job search at Alabama. Marquee names such as Virginia Tech's Frank Beamer and Miami's Butch Davis seriously considered taking the job. In the end, the Tide got TCU coach Dermis Franchione, one of the hottest coaches in the college game.

Dennis Franchione, USC Coach. Would've had a nice ring to it.

Sincerely,

Tom

Here is the link for those who want to see the source.

It makes a great point, though by accident.

Hind-sight huh?

Coach Fran, USC Coach.

That will be the day!

Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...

Worst TV President ever...

Charles Logan - Season 4 & 5 of "24"

Stay Tuned...

NBA-Bloggers...

I've been invited to write for a new site that is collecting blogs that address NBA Basketball.

NBA-Bloggers

An interesting development.

Dear blog author:
We recently came across your site, spadream.blogspot.com, while searching for bloggers who blog about the NBA.

A small group of us have started a new site called NBA Bloggers. Our intent is to bring basketball bloggers closer together, and make a positive contribution to the Internet community.

Would you be interested in joining NBA Bloggers? Please take a few minutes to have a look at what we are trying to do, and if you are interested, there is a sign up page to get the ball rolling. We would greatly appreciate your support in this endeavour.

Its nice to know that someone "came across" my blog that isn't on facebook getting bombarded with "news feed" articles about "Jonathan May has posted a new Note".

I haven't written much about my Grizzlies lately, between the Election and Alabama's coaching search I have been preoccupied.

I'll have to change that now.

Good news first - Pau Gasol has been cleared for full contact drills, and may return to the Grizzlies lineup as soon as Wednesday. Also on the positive, Dhantay Jones is finally playing NBA basketball. I don't know how it happened, but he has become a reliable 11-13pt scorer. You've got to have those guys on a roster if you're going to do something special (which we won't this year).

Bad news second - The Griz are now 5-15 after a home loss to the Clippers last night. Even more saddening is that only 14,000 of my fellow Memphians came out to support their boys. Throw in that Lawrence Roberts has been hurting the last few days and the whole mess with Brian Davis trying to buy my team you can see where bringing Gasol back to the court would be a big deal.

Anyhow, AI is on the market, but don't look for him in Memphis. Too much uncertainty to take on that kind of contract. Plus, we'd lose all the cap space we've got coming after Eddie Jones contract comes off the books in May.

Stay Tuned...

SO....now what?

Coaches I do not want at Alabama:

1. Houston Nutt - Head Coach of Arkansas

2. Jim Grobe - Head Coach of Wake Forest

3. Paul Johnson - Head Coach of Navy

4. Chan Gailey - Head Coach of Georgia Tech

5. Slyvester Croom - Head Coach of Miss St. (I know he is one of Bear's boys and such, but he's been a dick at MSU. I don't think that transition would go smoothly. He went into recruits homes to play the race card against UA...hard to forgive and forget, since some of those kids are now on OUR team)

Coaches I am luke warm on:

1. Mike Sherman - Former Packers HC and current OC/Assist. HC for the Houstan Texans

2. Mike Stoops - Head Coach of Univ. of Arizona (I believe his quote was "I would walk on broken glass for the Alabama job." Or something to that effect. That was 4 years ago.)

Coaches I do want at Alabama (and are realistic, in no particular order):

1. Mike Leach - Head Coach of Texas Tech

2. Jim Leavitt - Head Coach of Univ. of S Florida

3. Jimbo Fisher - Off. Coord. for LSU Tigers

4. Joe Kines - Def. Coord for Alabama (probably only has two or three more years of coaching, so they would have time to bring someone in to take over at their own pace...maybe Jimbo as OC under Kines, with an agreement in place for Jimbo to take over after 2 years? Could be interesting.

5. Dabo Swinney - WR Coach for Clemson
(Swinney, 33, received a bachelor of science degree in commerce and business administration at Alabama in 1993 after lettering three times for the Crimson Tide (1990-92). A walk-on who went on to earn a scholarship, Swinney played at wide receiver and was a member of Alabama's 1992 National Championship team under Gene Stallings. His position coach was Bowden in 1989 and former Tiger assistant Woody McCorvey from 1990-92. Swinney was also an All-SEC Academic team and SEC Scholar Athlete Honor Roll member in both 1990 and 1992.)

6. Bobby Petrino - Head Coach of Louisville

Coaches I do want at Alabama (but are long-shots at best)

1. Nick Saban - Some have suggested that CRR turning down 'Bama has allowed UA to wait until after Jan 1. If reports that Saban was actually interested were true, this could be interesting, however the exchange regarding reported contract numbrs the last three days may kill this one before it starts running (again).

2. John Grudden - Rumor has it his days in Tampa could be numbered...

3. Jim Mora Jr - Same thing as Grudden, except replace Tampa with Atlanta

4. Bear Bryant - Hey, wouldn't I disappoint you as a 'Bama fan if I didn't say it?

5. Bob Stoops - some say he wants out of Oklahoma due to possible NCAA infractions...do we need that here?

6. Mike Shula - I was pretty consistent from the start that I wanted him to have another year. The team is primed to break out next season and we could have had a "bama guy" for the next 25 years in CMS. I bet somewhere in South Florida CMS is laughing while spending thousands of dollars that UA owes him. $67k/month until 2012 (less whatever his next job pays him).

Other names out there I can't judge:

1. Rick Neuheisel - QB coach for the Baltimore Ravens. Former HC of University of Washignton and University of Colorado

2. Gene Stallings - Said on Paul Finebaum's radio show that he would be interested in a short term stint, to help buy time to get "the right guy". Bama and our "revisionist history" has forgotten that a big faction of the fan base wanted Stallings out before the 1992 season and that he left under questionable terms.

3. Greg Schiano - Head Coach of Rutgers. was pretty clear he wasn't going to leave Rutgers for U of Miami. I don't see him leaving for UA either.

If the trustee's open the checkbook even wider, and really drop $4M or $5M per year in someones lap, we can still draw a big name. If we can't I'd prefer to draft risky. I have been using the NBA draft analogy. I'd rather take a kid out of HS or with 1 year of college experience who has unlimited potential, and high risk. These are the Jimbo Fishers and Dabo Swinneys, and in some ways even a guy like Mike Stoops who's only been a HC for two seasons. If you go the other route, you can draft a guy who was a 4-year college player. The problem is what you see is what you get. When Spurrier went from Duke to UF, he was nobody. When Stoops went form UF to OU, he was nobody. Look where they ended up. Granted it doesn't always work out (i.e. Larry Coker).

It was nice to see Coach Rodriguez come out and say that his decisoin not to take the job at Alabama had everything to do with staying at WVU, and reasons to stay. It had nothing to do with reasons to take the Alabama job. He handled the whole thing pretty well. Gave Mal Moore a lot of respect, and my tendancy is to believe that they are pretty professional. Just not cut-throat enough. If we put an offer on the table for $2.5M, WVU wouldn't have been able to get close. We got cheap. Its our mistake. One we won't make again I hope.

Of note. I wrote on this blog yesterday at 4pm Eastern:
"My gut says he wont accept the job. if thats the case, we're fucked. majory fucked. "

Being clairvoyant is burden...

I can't make a coach prediction yet, but will soon.

Stay Tuned...

Time to Eat Crow...

As I feared all night, CRR is staying at WVU.

Its hard to be too upset. He played there. He's from the area. He's a god there.

You'd like to see that be a difficult decision for the guy.

If it was easy for him to walk away from, it wouldn't look good for keeping him at UA.

That won't be a problem now.

Some reports are that his wife didn't want to live under a microscope.

Some reports are that he was afraid of the pressure.

I don't know that I belive all that.

But its my turn to eat crow for being so excited the last two days that I let a few of my friends in the Law School know that I was looking forward to seeing CRR in Crimson.

I hate the Birmingham News.

If they hadn't broken this story yesterday evening in an attempt "be first" maybe the pressure doesn't mount on CRR when he gets back to WV last night.

Maybe...

If...

But...

What do we do with Mal Moore?

It doesn't look like there is anyone else on the radar.

Moore has overseen some turbulent times in the football program.

But every other aspect of the Athletic Dept. has grown under his leadership.

The facilities have been renovated and expanded.

Baseball, Basketball (Mens and Womens), Softball, Gymnastics, Tennis, Golf...all made significant improvement under Mal.

The truth of the matter is, it looks like the days of prominence for the University of Alabama are over.

Maybe it is time to wake up and look around.

The SEC isn't want it used to be.

And neither is Alabama.

Don't hate CRR.

He showed the kind of love to his school that we want someone to show to Alabama.

Be upset.

Be hurt.

Don't hate.

I have to sleep. I have been up watching this story and writing my exam for Blaze since 10am yesterday. Thats a solid 29+ hours. Maybe some sleep will help soothe the pain.

I am going to drink tonight that is for damn sure.

Who's in?

Stay Tuned...

Wow...just wow!

Warning: Not office appropriate...

George W. Bush screws the Country:



Here is the link

Thanks Anya (or Adam), for the clip.

Stay Tuned...

So Rich Rodriguez has an offer...Now what?

Soon to become...

Reports out of South Florida are that Nick Saban (former LSU coach) turned down a 10 year, 50 million dollar contract (plus a 7 million signing bonus) that would have made him the highest paid coach in the history of college athletics (Bob Stoops at Oklahoma holds that distinction at $3.1M) [Article]

A UA board of trustee member came out and said that is rediculous, that UA would NEVER have made such an offer, and that its a lie being perpetrated by Jimmy Sexton (Saban's agent) who operates out of Memphis and is a UT grad in an effort (along wiht Don Shula) to make UA look stupid. [Article] (update:Now Sexton and Saban are saying this is a false report too)

It HAS been confirmed that Rich Rodriguez of West Virginia has been offered the job, and we exepect to hear an answer as soon as this afternoon, with a potential press conference tomorrow in T-Town if he accepts. Now here are the issues with CRR... [Article]

1 - CRR is a WVU grad, and he is head coach of his Alama Matter and has already ahd more success than any coach in school history. he owns the place. he is the bear bryant of WVU...needless to say he has some serious "Roots" there

2 - CRR is only getting $1.1 million at WVU, which is NOTHING compared to what he woudl get paid at UA.

3 - Rumors are that he wants to take over Florida State when Bowden retires (1 or 2 years) [this lends itsself to a thought that roots aren't a big deal compared to being coach of a MAJOR program]

4 - WVU just gave him a raise 6 months ago, and says the can't offer more money because they've got a budget to adhere to. His primary complaint with WVU is that the facilities are AWFUL (something that UA leads the country in) and Morgantown is a shit-hole town that is REALLY AHRD to recruit good players to come play there. Tuscaloosa has its faults, but its one of the best college towns in America, and only 45 min from B'ham which suprisingly is a selling point.

5 - His wife doesn't like WV...but i bet she wont like AL much better...

6 - WVU announced yesterday that htey play to renovate ALL the footballf acilities, the problem is that it wont be done for 4-6 years...so, he would have to be patient. [Article]


7 - THe UA job is one of the BEST and WORST jobs in college football. Lots of money, and its agood place to recruit because of the tradition and facilities, and the southeast is rich in HS talent. The SEC is a far superior conference to the Big East, but ont he flip side of that, he can win 9 games every year in the big east without breaking a sweat...This job is THANKLESS, if you don't win 9 or 10 agmes every year, play in 1/3 of the SEC championship games, and compete for a NC year in and year out, the fans will turn on you so fast your head will spin. From an EGO perspective, this is both a good and a bad thing. An egotist will believe he can handle that, and that he is good enough to win...at the same time, an egotist with a reality gras will realize that its almost impossible to escape the shadow of bear Bryant...

My gut says he wont accept the job. if thats the case, we're fucked. majory fucked. more fucked than all those guys your sitting with are in their exams...Fucked with a capital F...

Word is that Face-to-Face negotiations are under way as we speak...between CRR and Mal Moore.

News may be imminent.

If you like to see how crazy people are, here is an article about 'Bama fan's "Tracking Planes".

I'll let you know if I hear anything else news-worthy...

For your entertainment, some of the "better" photoshop jobs done by UA fans this week, in anticipation of different coaches:















Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...

Some people have too much time on their hands...

Truly remarkable work by people with nothing better to do!

"I've got my mind set on you"


If the embedded video isn't working (as it sometimes doesn't in facebook) just click here

New song written by a Bama Fan "Turning the Tide":


If the embedded video isn't working just click here

Warning to the next coach...we are crazy!

But we will love you if you win!


Stay Tuned...

Things I'd rather do than study Legal Profession:

1. Remove the fingernails from my left hand;
2. Retake Judy Cornett's Civ Pro 1 exam;
3. Clean Toilets;
4. Swallow several Legos;
5. Fall from a reasonably high ledge;
6. Re-arrange my sock drawer;
7. Clean the cat's litter box;
8. Have a root canal;
9. Ride "It's a Small World" at Disneyland, from opening until closing of the park;
11. Take a soccer ball to the face;
10. Join the army.

Anyone else have ideas?



Stay Tuned...

Good Idea...Poor Taste...

Leave it to VW to be ethnically insensitive.

Fucking Nazis...

But it is a good idea, just in poor taste.

Stay Tuned...

"If I Did It" by Joe Mitchell

Joe Mitchell may have walked out of the court room a free man, but he was not found "not guilty".

The verdict was 3-to-3 split.

The attorneys for both sides did their best, but the facts in this particular situation (both from the book, and added) just made a conviction impossible.

Maybe Joe Mitchell should write a book about how he would have done it?

We've got excerpts!

"I thought about killing Brooke every time I saw her."

"I had known for sometime that I would ultimately have to kill Brooke. She was practically daring me to. The way she looked at me with contempt. The way she talked about me right in front of my face!"

"I went to the house that night, hoping I'd get a chance to tell Leslie my good news. Maybe if I could get through to her, I wouldn't have to kill that stupid bitch of a step-mother."

"When Brooke told me Leslie wasn't home, I thought my odds of reconciling with her were even better. Brooke might just live to see September 11..."

"The longer I sat at the theater, the more I realized that it wasn't enough that I was going to get paid as a writer. Brooke was more interested in breaking up our marriage because if we made it 4 years, she would lose all the money the Judge had left her."

"I thought about going to the house after I left the theater and shooting Brooke in the head. I wanted to make her beg. I wanted to make her scream for mercy. Then I wanted to watcher her bleed to death. I hated her."

"I didn't have the nerve. I left the theater and was going to the Ravena gun shop to get my gun and kill the bitch, but I was not man enough to do it. So instead, I got drunk."

"Its amazing how much easier it is after 4 beers!"

"I knew, from my extensive writing experience, that I needed an alibi. I stomped up the steps of the boarding house a few minutes before 10, knowing Raleigh would see me. She would make a great witness."

"I snuck out the back, down the fire escape. It only took about 7 minutes from my bedroom to get to the house on Madison. I was going to park, sneak up to the house, break in, kill Brooke, and take a few things to make it look like a robbery. I knew that Leslie couldn't suspect me, or she would never come back to me."

"When I reached the house, I saw Leslie was on the porch with Brooke. It was too late to turn back."

"I missed again. It had happened once before. I was drunk and I missed. What have I done. I lost my wife, and now I am going to be tried for murder..."

"Stupid Jury...what a bunch of suckers. You'd think they were related to my attorneys they way the disregarded the facts to let me off!"

Joe Mitchell got off, but he will never be innocent.

The book should be on shelves by mid-March.

Stay Tuned...





(much love to DCo1 for the photo work)

One Mans Take

These are not my words. It is, however, a good look at the situation as some of the "message board community" is seeing it.

And I quote:

I have a had a few very good contacts that I've spoken with (really more out of luck on this specific search and the candidates involved) , but I'm not one to make a leap and announce anything is a "done deal," or pretend I know something I don't.

I'll just tell you what I know (from ultra-reliable sources) :

- A journalist contact of mine (VERY close personal friend) is a Sports Editor and covers a school with a WVU recruit (with an offer). I've been talking to him for months about how Rich Rodriguez visits the school and calls the HC of the school all the time. This goes back until the start of the college football season.

Of course, when I heard Rodriguez was an actual candidate, I wondered when he would hear something. He called me Tuesday night, right after he had talked directly, in-person with the HC. The HC had just gotten off the phone with RR. The situation RR reported to him was that Spurrier had a deal on the table, and if he didn't take it (RR said he thought he very well might) then Rodriguez himself was (and I quote) "very interested."

- I also found out about the SOS deal and the specific numbers form a great source. A very high-up with UA Football Operations. He told a former UA player. Former UA player told Former UA BOT memeber, who is neighbors with a close family friend. That is a very trusted line of communication from where I sit.

- My last tidbit, also from a very reliable source, is that Saban initiated a feeler to Alabama (not the other way around) after the MSU loss - when the Dolhins were 2-6, or close to it. This comes down the pipeline from a former associate of NS. Can't say any more than that. Again, very reliable - or I wouldn't dream of posting it.


Now for pure speculation, based on what I know:

As far as Saban being the #1 guy, I believe it and have heard it throughout. So that could mean a number of things:

1) Either the SOS ordeal was a Sexton smokescreen (very possible, if seemingly unlikely) ... and Saban is being lined up and kept out of the limelight.

WHY I WOULD DOUBT IT:

Seems too JFK-ish to me. I can understand Sexton's angle to get both clients paid, but let's get real - every TV station and newspaper in the state isn't going to report something until they get it from credible UNIVERSITY sources.


2) Saban was interested early, when the Dolphins were going nowhere, but has rethought things. Now he is backing off the job and has told UA officials the same. This could back his strong public denial, as well as the massive reports of us going on to Spurrier (our #2 guy).

WHY I WOULD DOUBT IT:

Saban is supposedly a tough, my-way-or-the-highway guy. Strong, resolute, kind of an @sshole. Don't see him wish-washing all that much. If we wanted something, my gut would tell me he would go for it. But the SOS talks have been so strong, does this mean he considered and we couldn't pony up quite enough money to sway him? This is where I start to think he could have said 'no' and we moved on.


3) UA is issuing dis-information to keep everyone guessing and to go about the search in secrecy. I can directly trace the source of the 'SOS contract details' to a person involved in the program and search, so if it came out incorrectly... it was on purpose.

WHY I WOULDN'T DOUBT IT:

If UA is after Saban, but has to wait for him. Leaking our Spurrier talk will shift all the attention there, leaving Saban to answer a few questions and go about his day. His Miami Dolphins situation with Hizenga (sp?), is likely sensitive. We don't need to protect RR. WVU knows when a big-time school comes courting, he will go. He is destined for it and they are well aware, as is ANY small school sitting on a goldmine. Another thing to consider is that RR reportedly knew about the Spurrier deal Tuesday, making it unlikey IMO that it was a false report that was leaked. This means Saban would turned down his offer, if indeed he was #1, as is being reported. There is a possibility that the report was leaked so high it got to Rodriguez, but it's far more likely that we actually did pursue to ol' ball coach.


4) We have in fact strongly pursued and been denied by Saban and SOS. Now we are, through intermediaries, working on Rodriguez (#3). We will wait until after the season, Sunday, to officially contact him ourselves. Then we'll enter into official talks with him, hammer out a contract, go see him personally, and bring him back to Tuscaloosa with us.

WHY I WOULDN'T DOUBT IT:

I know from a source that he's interested, and his public comments only strenghten my resolve in reporting it. All signs point to him taking the job. Is he willing? Most certainly. Is money an issue? Not in the least. Are we ALABAMA? The last time I checked.



What I'm looking for in a timeline:

If there's a press conference set for Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday - IMO it's RR.

If it's delayed longer than that, Saban could be in the works. Of course I'm pulling for the Jaguars to knock Miami out of playoff contention, to see if this adds any credence to the 'we are lining up Saban' crowd. Then things could get interesting. I guess he could jump ship early with no possibility of post-season, but I don't know how that works.

But if Saban makes us wait, I would get nervous. I don't want to put RR in a position where he can't come on board. The move needs to be made in the next 2 weeks unless we have Saban LOCKED UP, which we can't do unless it's contractual - and that's impossible until he resigns or is fired. A handshake deal makes me uneasy.

RR would continue to get heat, and would be in a position to hurt WVU's recruiting majorly if we were to leave as late as a month before signing day. It needs to be soon with him. I'd hate to see him sign an extension.


My prediction:

Monday press conference to introduce Rich Rodriguez as Bama's HC.

I have to say, Saban would be cool, but his loyalty bothers me. How long until another school comes and CNS takes off?

I am getting behind Rich Rodriguez at this point. CRR to Bama would make me a happy man!

The talk about CRR to Bama is being fueled by reports like this. It is a good read. Apparently the Governor of WV even thinks CRR is gone. I hope its not to Miami (a.k.a. Thug-U)

Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...

The search is on...

Saban made it pretty clear that he won't be coaching at UA this upcomming football season.

He could have his choice of college coaching jobs.

Even at a school that likes its coach, if Saban showed up with his bags packed, he would be hired.

There are some rumors that he was interested in UA about a month ago.

That his agent, Jimmy Sexton of Memphis, contacted UA to see about a potential opening.

Did this start the administration thinking about Shula's long term viability at the university?

Maybe.

Probably not.

It probably didn't happen.

Then you have Coach Steven Orr Spurrier.

Bama fans on the message boards are amazing.

"My fathers friend's dad is a real estate agent in Tuscaloosa and swears that SOS purchased property in Northport"

"My girlfriend works at North River Yacht Club, and they are closed on Monday. She was called into work this Monday though, because SOS was playing with the Board of Trustee's"

"My urologists cousin's rabbi heard a woman at the grocery say that her father grew up wtih a man who was told by their gardener that SOS had signed a contract, and the press conference will be Thursday"

Is almost impossible to believe that we've bought into this huh?

Don't get me wrong, I get giddy at the notion that SOS would come to Alabama.

But I don't see him leaving USC.

If he wins an SEC Championship at USC, they rename the stadium in his honor.

His ego is forever fullfilled, and he can spend the rest of his life playing Augusta National.

There are some reasons to think he would consider leaving.

He is only being paid $1,200,000/season.

[I can't believe I just refered to that salary as only]

UA is rumored to be paying anywhere between $2,900,000/season and $4,000,000/season which would easily make SOS the highest paid coach in the country.

UA is rumored to offer a $5,000,000 signing bonus.

It is rumored that SOS is not happy about the recruiting situation at USC, that he is not sure he can bring in the kind of talent necessary to win.

UA offers tradition, which despite the last decade, still sells on the trail.

UA offers National Championship dreams, not just SEC Championship dreams.

SOS isn't coming to UA, but UA is sending out an SOS...

One by one, the big names are saying "no" and one by one, the small names are too.

We could be in trouble.

Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...

Things that are wrong with America v. 7

I don't even know if I can type this...

An Ohio woman is in jail with a $1,000,000 bail.

The charge?

Murdering her infant child by microwaving her.

Story.

This might be the most crushing thing I've ever heard.

What is wrong with people?

Stay Tuned...

Now we wait...

Spurrier has reportedly said no.

Saban too.

Petrino has been silent.

Rich Rodriquez is rumored to be interested.

The bottom line is, get comfortable. It will be at least the end of the week, maybe as long as a month before the University of Alabama has a head football coach.

I am sorry to see CMS go. I like him a lot.

This is why we won't score a big time coach:

"Saban says Shula did a good job at Alabama and that he should have been given an opportunity to stay."

Who wants to walk into this cluster-fuck?

The expectations are outrageous.

The fans are crazy.

The administration is inept.

Sometimes its not all about the money.

To Coach Shula, I say this:

CMS, you earned one your year in my mind. I hope you return to the capstone down the line as a seasoned coach, and prove the haters wrong. You're a model human being, and the work you did at UA will live on here. You are not forgotten, you are appreciated, and there are tens of thousands of us that are sorry to see you go. 2007 will be for you CMS! Good luck wherever this thing takes you, and I hope to see you back on the sidelines of BDS one day down the line.

I hope that someone at UA knows something that the rest of us don't, because otherwise Alabama Football will be relegated to nothing but a memory.

If it hasn't already happened.

Stay Tuned...

Keep Coach Shula...UNLESS:

Nick Saban, Steve Spurrier, or Bobby Petrino will take the job.

Here is my rationale:

I believe that CMS (Coach Mike Shula) is going to be a great head football coach. I think that it takes time, but he has shown growth the last two seasons. His recruiting is very good, and he has brought respect back to a position that just three years ago had been through scandal, abandonment, and sanctions. He has returned the program to a "family" feeling, and you can see it from the recruits comments, players comments, and the media reports.

Can CMS win a National Championship with UA? Yes, without a doubt. If you look at the recruiting classes, they have made significant steps forward in talent each year. Even looking at the kids who consider UA but ultimately go to other schools we're moving up. Eventually that tide will turn (no pun intended). Tim Tebow choose Florida over UA. It won't be long before it goes the other way. Alabama fans have been through a lot, and are starting to believe that good things just don't happen to us! That will change, but 'Bama fans will need to find something we haven't had since 1982...PATIENCE.

Changes need to take place, without a doubt. Re-assigning the current assistances is not the answer. CMS has proposed moving Dave Unger from Tight-Ends to coach the Offensive Tackles as well, and taking Special Teams away from Unger and giving them to David Turner. He also is going to hand over "play calling duties" to his Offensive Coordinator, Dave Radar. That is just simply not enough. Changes must be made within the system, and unfortunately and unfairly, the must start with replacing Dave Radar. Maybe he hasn't been calling plays on the field, but the Offensive system was his, and such is the life of a college coach, fair or not, sometimes you take the blame and are shown the door. This offense hasn't scored significant points since the third game of the 2004 season (when Brodie Croyle was lost with a torn ACL).

Dabo Swinney is one possible replacement. The head coach of Hoover High, Rush Prospt could be an interesting option. Look at the success that Arkansas had after bringing in a high school coach with an innovative offense.

I am partial to Swinney because he is one of the best recruiters in the Southeast. One football recruiting site said this about Swinney:

Swinney, 33, received a bachelor of science degree in commerce and business administration at Alabama in 1993 after lettering three times for the Crimson Tide (1990-92). A walk-on who went on to earn a scholarship, Swinney played at wide receiver and was a member of Alabama's 1992 National Championship team under Gene Stallings. His position coach was Bowden in 1989 and former Tiger assistant Woody McCorvey from 1990-92. Swinney was also an All-SEC Academic team and SEC Scholar Athlete Honor Roll member in both 1990 and 1992.

Rumors run rampant around Tuscaloosa, and around the internet. Last night there were multiple unconfirmed rumors that Coach Steve Spurrier had agreed to terms with UA and would bring Brother Bill Oliver back as Defensive Coordinator.

This is the best Spurrier Rumor: (keep in mind this is from someone with less than 10 posts EVER on BOL)

I don't post much but I just got a call from a friend who works at UA. Sounded 100% positive Spurrier to bama. I heard rejoicing in the background. He said former player confirmed it (ex great DB)...don't hold me to it till we see it happen but I can't hold this in.

And our favorite blogger - Memphistider -has this to say:

Ok, here's what all I've been hearing regarding Spurrier possibly coming to Alabama. Some of these could just be rumors, and some of these could actually be truths. I'm just putting everything I've heard down.

The University's (N1UA) and Paul Bryant Jr's (N323P) private jets were both in Augusta, GA on Monday after LSU's win over Bama. Please see N1UA's flight pattern and N323P's flight pattern to see this. I have been told it was for routine maintenance, but I've also been told it was not. Very odd that this just so happens to be where Spurrier enjoys playing golf, and it's only 60 miles outside of Columbia, SC.

"I grew up an rooting for Bama. Heck, how can you not love Coach Bryant? But, my opinion of Bama changed when I was not offered a scholarship to play there." - Steve Spurrier in Sports Illustrated back in 2001.

Supposedly, Spurrier's wife, Jerri, was in Tuscaloosa this weekend for two reasons: 1) To visit her goddaughter, and 2) To look at some real estate here in town.

Alumni friends of my parents and grandparents, who also happen to be close with AD Mal Moore, explained to us yesterday that this has been a done deal since the Bama / Florida game this year.

To throw a little credibility to that, Steve and Jerri Spurrier sat with the Crimson White crew on press row at the Florida game and apparently had a nice long dinner with a few members of the Board of Trustees after the game.

Rumors have been circling about Spurrier being ready to get out of South Carolina already because of the inability to recruit and win there. He apparently wants another national championship and knows that it is extremely possible at Alabama. He was always a fan of Bear Bryant, and the chance to coach at Alabama might be too good an offer.

Also, he is supposedly intrigued at getting to play against Florida State again next year.

Rumor has it that his defensive coordinator would be 'Brother' Bill Oliver, who I would gladly welcome back to Tuscaloosa. He and Spurrier have been reportedly been having meetings for the last couple of months, and everyone thought it was regarding Brother going to South Carolina. Brother would probably not leave the state of Alabama to take another job, so this would work perfectly for him. Brother and Mal coached together under Bear Bryant from '71-'79 and again under Gene Stallings back in '90-'93. Brother stayed around until '95. He and Mal Moore also played together under Bear Bryant on the 1961 National Championship team. Almost seems too perfect.

People really are crazy. The BOL community has been watching the "FlightAware" on this website to see where the UA plane and Paul Bryant Jr's plane goes. You can put in the two tail numbers mentioned above to check the current status of those airplanes.

I don't think Spurrier would leave USC unless it is to become the highest paid coach in the country. UA certainly has the money, but when you add in the $4,000,000 buy out of Shula's contract, the $2,000,000 buyout of Spurrier's contract, the cost of buying out the assistant coaches and then hiring new ones, you're looking at more than $10,000,000 to make this change.

Saban is another possibility, and people close to him say he is unhappy in the NFL. He always identified UA as a place he'd like to coach, and his ties to the Louisiana area (and now south Florida) could be huge for recruiting.

Monday will be the next opportunity for official word from the University, and a failure to put out a statement supporting Coach Shula in the 8 days following the loss to Auburn certainly doesn't speak well for his future with the Crimson Tide.

All this being said, the only way that UA can afford to change coaches (and take another step BACKWARDS in its rebuilding) is if that new coach is a proven winner and solid recruiter. To be dragged through another embarrassing national coaching hunt to settle on a "B list" candidate would do more damage than letting CMS coach the team in 2007.

There you have it, two options make sense:
(1) Hire a big name to replace CMS
(2) Keep CMS and make sure real change takes place on the assistant coaching staff.

Roll Tide!

Stay Tuned...

Wii spent 18 hours at Wal-Mart...

4pm Friday -
On my way home from campus, stop at Wal-Mart to see if the line has begun to form and find out details about the Wii release. Wal-Mart Employee tells me that we will be OUTSIDE for the wait. I tell him that I was told by a manager the day before that we would be inside (which was true). I then talk to management, and they tell me we will be inside. I tell him I'll be back every few hours to check and see if a line is forming. They confirm that 30 units will be sold

10pm Friday -
Before AJK and I go out Friday night, we load the car up. Two blankets, homework, iPods, PSPs, folding chairs, etc. We decide we'll check and see if the line is forming. If it is, we figure we will go grab dinner and then come get in line. If its not, we will come back on our way home at the end of the night and check it out again. No line formed yet. I ask the manager where we will be, and again I'm told we will be inside.

3:30 am Saturday -
AJK and I got some dinner, played a few hours of pool and drank out west, and decided its probably time to get in line. We head back to Wal-Mart and talk to a very nice manger, Seth. He has the unfortunate duty of telling me that "an order came down from corporate," and they will have to keep us outside. He walks out to the lawn and garden section to show us where we have to stay. Its about 31 degrees outside, and no one is in line. AJK and I talk it over, and decide we should go home and get a few hours of sleep and try to get back up here about 7. I get the number to the electronics section so I can call them before I get up and check.

6:00 am Saturday -
I wake up, call Wal-Mart to see if the line is formed. They tell me that it is not. I go back to sleep.

7:30 am Saturday -
Wake up, realize we are late, and jump out of bed. "Aaron, get up!" I yell down the stairs. We gather our shit up, check the weather (a balmy 32 degrees) and head out the door. Two long sleeved t-shirts, jeans, thick socks, my Northface Fleece zipped inside my Northface shell. I'm ready to stay warm.

7:50 am Saturday -
We get to Wal-mart, and we cannot find the line. We ask the manager, they point us to Lawn and Garden. We get there to find about a dozen people there. They have started "the list" and I am number 13, AJK is number 14. We're on the list. We're set. We're going to get a Wii if we can stick it out until midnight. T minus 16 hours, 10 minutes.

8:00 am Saturday -
So, the way "the list" will work is a beautiful thing. We've got an unofficial list forming, with thirty spots on it. As people show up, they can join the list. Once your on the list, you have to stay. This is the nice part though, because there is a list, we don't have to actually "LINE UP" and instead we are able to mill around, get comfortable, play cards, etc. Also, as long as people don't mind, you can leave for a few minutes. I realized about this time that I didn't have my space law reading (which I had to spend the next 12 hours working on) and I get permission to run home. While gone, I call AJK and ask if anyone wants McDonald's breakfast. I get an order for an half-dozen sausage and biscuits, and a pancake breakfast. I grab stuff at home, set the Iron Bowl to DVR, grab some food and get back to Wal-Mart. T minus 16 hours.

9:00 am Saturday -
AJK needs to check his IP assignment. He decides to run back to my place and use his computer. I ask him to get the little white TV while he is there, and I go inside to buy "rabbit ears". For those of you who are too young to remember, those are the little metal things that sit on top of the TV and allow you to pick up the FREE broadcast television channels. CBS is all I care about. I get to work on Space Law, people around us are discussing a "cook out". T minus 15 hours.

10:30 am Saturday -
AJK is back, the TV is running, and I've already given up on homework in order to play "Rook" with a few of the people in line. I meet a guy named Mike Pool. Mike's son started an internet business about a year ago (the kid is in HS) and so the family camps out for all the major debut's in order to sell them on eBay. Yes, he's one of those. Although despite that he was really a great guy. They managed to get 5 Xbox360s last year, and 6 PS3s two days prior. They have 5 of them in line for Wii at different Wal-Marts in East TN. Rook is a good game, its like a weird version of Spades, but not as good as Euchre. T minus 13 hours, 30 minutes.

11:45 am Saturday -
The list is full. Number 30 got in line about 11:30. Also, the cook out is on. One of the guys who thinks he is the leader of our group has gone and gotten permission from management to set up a charcoal grill out front. We're all throwing in $3 for burgers and hot dogs. This was also our first experience with Wal-Mart management's totally disfunctional style. They come out to the Lawn and Garden section to tell us we have to move. Where you might ask? THE FRONT OF THE STORE. No, not inside. The sidewalk in front of the store, between the two enterances. Here we are, in an enclosed area (fenced in) out of the way of all the store business, comfortable and safe, and they decide they want to move us. Why? I ask the manager. The Lawn and Garden center closes at 6pm. I look at my cell phone to check the time. "That is in more than 6 hours. You're telling me we need to move now?" The manager doesn't appreciate my good point. Actually, I think the Manager didn't appreciate my tone. Needless to say, we move. T minus 12 hours, 15 minutes.





12:30 pm Saturday -
We're settled back in, the TV is running (as is UT all over Vandy), and the would be leader is grocery shopping for the group. Things look like they will be okay. Even though we're out front and exposed to everyone we feel pretty secure. The list filled up, and we've only had a few people come up and ask. Once we inform them that the list is full, they generally walk away without issue. We've told them that they are welcome to stick around and if someone leaves, they will be able to get the spot. No one is interested in this. Thats okay wth us. Wii have a Wii already. T minus 11 hours, 30 minutes.

1:30 pm Saturday -
Holly brings us Hot Chocolate. I love Holly. T minus 10 hours, 30 minutes.

2:15 pm Saturday -
The cookout was great. Burgers were tasty, the hot dogs were...hot dogs, and the spirits are high. One guy bailed on line, but he was quickly replaced by a Southern Baptist minister who is 26 years old wearing a nintendo power T-shirt. Could be the first SB Minister I've ever really liked hanging out with. Wal-Mart continues to harass us. The CART BOY just yelled at us for the grill. We told him that we had permission and he could take it up wtih management. He did. They he came back out and appologized. Lindsey stops by to hang out too. T minus 9 hours, 55 minutes.





3:30 pm Saturday -
After two solid hours of Space Law reading, its time for Alabama v. Auburn AND Ohio St. v. Michigan. I've put my work away. I've zipped up my jacket, pulled on a blanket, and I'm 5 feet from the TV. I'm ready for football. I fell like a NORTHERNER! Mike Pool has volunteered to buy a remote for the TV so we can flip back and forth. Its dangerous to be at Wal-mart all day, because anytime you say "Man, I wish I had (blank)" you can just walk inside and buy it. Case and point? I just bought a second pair of socks. T minus 8 hours, 30 minutes.

3:55 pm Saturday -
There must be a shift change, because the manager comes out and tells us that we CANNOT have the grill out there, and that we must get rid of it as soon as possible. We get her blessing to put it in the back of the pickup truck. Thats right. They won't let us leave the grill on the concrete, surrounded by concrete, but placing it in the back of a truck directly above a 20 gallon resevior of gasoline in front of the store is acceptable. Crazy huh? Thats Wal-Mart for you! T minus 8 hours, 5 minutes.

4:15 pm Saturday -
I had to go inside and buy some of those "hand warmers" except i've put them between the two pairs of socks in my shoes. It sncie and toasty. T minus 8 hours, 45 minutes. Every once in a while someone from Wal-mart comes out and tells us to move 10 feet this way, or 5 feet that way. They claim its because we're in front of the "fire doors" but I think they're just fucking with us. T minus 7 hours, 45 minutes.

5:30 pm Saturday -
The sun is starting to set. Its getting colder. I wasn't sure that was possible. Even though we're so close to getting the Wii, it feels like an eternity. T minus 6 hours, 30 minutes.

6:30 pm Saturday -
Alabama lost to Auburn. Fuck Auburn. I hate Tuberville and his thumb. This might cost Shula his job. I hope not. On the lighter side, spirts are high at Wal-Mart as we have begun an hourly "Roll Call" led by yours truly. Somehow I became the defacto leader and spokesman of the group. I think it has a lot to do with the other clown who was trying to take control getting OWNED by management on the grill issue. I'll happily accept the responsibility. It gives me something to do. From this point forward I will be calling Roll every hour at the top of the hour until we feel it is necessary to line up. We dont know when that will be. If people show up and start claiming they are in line we will have to get in order. Until then we will continue to mill around as we please. A lot of people have moved inside to play "Guitar Hero" on PS2. Weak. T minus 5 hours, 30 minutes.

7:00 pm Saturday -
We had a scare. A woman showed up claiming she wanted a Wii. We explained that 30 of us were here, and 30 Wii's were available, and that she'd have to go elsewhere. Then she started to count the number of us out there. She got to 27 and ran out of people. She then insisted that there were only 27 of us, and she was now number 28. We told her the other three were in the bathroom, and that she should leave before all 30 of us get involved. We've all agreed to protect each other here, and we're not about to be bullied around by a soccer mom. Roll Call commences, and all 30 are accounted for. T minus 5 hours.

7:30 pm Saturday -
The good people of Wal-Mart move us into the vision center since it is closed. I am teaching three of my fellow Wii'ers how to play Euchre (the best card game on earth). Its going well. USC v. Cal is on so people are having a good time. Two of the guys in line had a friend bring their TV and their gamecube with Smash Brothers on it, so a big group has gathered in the back to play video games. T minus 4 hours, 30 minutes.

9:00 pm Saturday -
Holly is amazing. She made Funfetti cupcakes with cream cheese frosting and sprinkles. We're instantly heros in line, as many people want a cupcake, but only a few get one. I've just been told by Mike that I'm the "Jack Shepard" of this little family. That was the kindest thing anyone has ever said to me. Playing cards, watching football and its warm inside. Life has gotten better. T minus 3 hours.

10:00 pm Saturday -
Manager comes to me with a list of all the accecories (games, controllers, etc.) that they will have on sell with the Wii, as well as a count of how many of each there are. A crisis arrises, as there are only 24 Zelda, and 30 of us. We quickly do a count, and find that EXACTLY 6 of us Do Not want Zelda. SCORE! There are other shortages though. only 19 extra controllers, 14 copies of Madden, 4 classic controllers, etc. We have a meeting, I call roll, and we decided that the only fair way to do this is to let everyone go in the same order they are for the Wii, first come first serve. This suits everyone well. Crisis averted. T minus 2 hours.

10:15 pm Saturday -
I sneak off to the back to pre-purchase a copy of Madden. Just in case. T minus 1 hour, 45 minutes.

10:45 pm Saturday -
The natives are getting restless. They said at 11 they would line us up, give us tickets and set us free for an hour before pickup. We do a roll call, and I put everyone in line. This is where we get into trouble. Some family shows up at 10:50 thinking they can just jump in and get a Wii. They are number 31. I count the line, call the roll, then explain this to them. The mother, in front of her 11 year old son says "You god damned hardcore gamers, you always ruin these things for the rest of us." Needless to say, she was boo'ed from the building. T minus 1 hour, 15 minutes.

11:00 pm Saturday -
The tickets are distributed and now the wait is in its final stages. We have 1 hour to kill...T minus 1 hour.

11:15 pm Saturday -
AJK, Mike Pool and I go to Taco Bell with our hour. Mike buys us dinner because we're "poor college students" and he's just a hell of a guy. It was really cool of him. We eat our dinner in the car in the back of Wal-Mart. They have devised this system "for our saftey". We are to park in the back of the store, and they open the fire door into the Layaway dept. At 12 they will let us in in two rows of 15 to purchase our system. T minus 45 minutes.

11:30 pm Saturday -
People are getting really antsy. We've stared a game of 5-on-5 Football in the parking lot. I'm running pretty good routes, caught three good balls, and was having a good time, until I cramped up from having just eaten taco bell. Ouch. T minues 30 minutes.





11:55 pm Saturday -
They think it will be 1-15 in one line, 16-30 in the other. They don't know that we have an agreement in place regarding some of the low quantity items, and we are not going to obide by this. T minus 5 minutes.




12:00 am Sunday -
Wii is on sale! The lines are in place, and ready to go. Crisis strikes again. AJK and I are in the left line. They move ALL the lay-away people to our line. Layaway takes a LONG time to process each purchase. The other line is moving at a 4-to-1 rate. I'm livid. I start spouting obscenity. I tell everyone that this is unacceptable, and violates the nature of our agreement. We'd played nice all day, and now this!?!? If I don't get Zelda and a Wii-mote, I'm going to break a nose. I told the woman working there this. She doesn't like me, needless to say. Mike Pool gets the first Wii. We get the "money shot" but only a few people in line got the joke. Gross.







12:20 am Sunday -
AJK and I emerge victories. We have in our possesion: 2 Nintendo Wii's, 2 Extra Wii-motes, 1 copy of Madden '07 and 2 copies of Zelda:Twighlight Princess. We win. Should I say, Wii win!





Summary:
A full review of this AMAZING system is coming in the days that follow, as will pictures of the crazy day at Wal-Mart. Let me assure you, if you're skeptical. Don't buy a PS3...get a Wii, you'll regret the PS3. I'll get into detail later. I hope you've enjoyed reading this. All in all, the people at Wal-Mart were alright. Some of them suck, just like any other aspect of life. We had a good time, and met some cool people. What more can you ask for? Oh yeah! We got a two Wii!


Stay Tuned...