“I think you can kind of throw out everything — record and what happened last week and the first week of the year and all that stuff. This is a big game for both teams.”
Coach Nick Saban commenting on the Tennessee rivalry matchup

"I'm old-fashioned," said Coach Saban, who turns 59 this month. "I know they don't make them like they used to. That's what I tell the players all the time and they hate to hear it. Now, I'm going to say it publicly so they can really get upset about it."

“They don't really, because those guys were slower than we were. That's all I can say to it.”
Receiver/returner Marquis Maze, in response to Saban's saying recently that they don't make players like they once did

"We just need to step up and play more physical, execute more. We just have to play Alabama football." -Heisman Winning Running Back Mark Ingram

“Personally I don't hate Tennessee. I don't hate nobody. But it's a game, a rival game, so we've got to come in as it's going to be a big game and we've got to hate them for that simple fact.” 
Linebacker Courtney Upshaw commenting on the way that the Alabama players perceive the Tennessee game

“I think we just lack the trust in each other right now, and we just need to get that back.”
Quarterback Greg McElroy talking about the offensive problems in the last two weeks

"The goal of this game was for us to get back to playing with the kind of effort, the kind of toughness, and the discipline, execution and intensity that you need to play with to play winning football. We probably hit on the toughness part; I was pleased with that. I thought we tackled better on defense and played on the line of scrimmage better. We did a better job all the way around. I thought we gave a much better effort in this game. Guys really played hard, and I'm really proud of that. The intensity was good. The execution was not what it needs to be, and that's something we can to improve on." - Coach Nick Saban on the efforts by the team against Ole Miss

"I don't know many specifics about his circumstance there, but in my experiences that first year is very, very difficult in terms of your staff, everybody getting on board, getting the players to buy in... "
Saban said on his former LSU assistant (and now head football coach at Tennessee) Derek Dooley's job in his first year at Tennessee

"Back in their day, they played with leather helmets. Didn't have much protection."
Receiver/returner Marquis Maze, in response to Saban comparing player toughness to back in his day

"Back in his day, he'd make it sound like they were robots."
Defensive lineman Marcell Dareus said.

"He said, 'I would have never laid out there on the field,'"  Marcell Dareus said. "He said, 'I broke my leg in three places, and I still got up and ran off the field.' I said, 'OK.'"  
Then Dareus rolled his eyes and quipped.. "If I break my leg in three places, y'all might as well bring a stretcher," Dareus said.

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Are you ready to get this thing started again? That's right! Spring practice starts today! It is a one day introductory practice and then the team will be off a week for spring break and then return for full speed practice before April 17th for the A-Day game that will be televised by ESPN.

If you thought last year was fun, I have a feeling that we are going to have a lot of fun learning about the 2010 edition of the Crimson Tide. The foundation of the 2010 team will be laid in the spring practice, especially with several freshmen reporting early to dissipate in the spring.

New star blue chip players like defensive back DeMarcus Milliner and John Fulton have a chance to step right into starting roles by undergoing early enrollment. The chance to learn the complex defensive playbook early should be very valuable to the team. Kareem Jackson did the very same thing as a young defensive back and started his freshman year. Coming out early this year for the draft in his junior year, his development early is the blueprint for success for young defensive backs trying to make a break into the Alabama defensive backfield. I look forward to see what those five-star players can do, but it has to be earned on the field... and spring practice is the perfect place to find out what they're "made of."

Other players are coming to the forefront that have been waiting in the wings. One of the redshirt players that has been highly anticipated in the Crimson Tide fan base is DJ Fluker. As if the offensive side of the ball wasn't already loaded enough, here comes the big man coming into play offensive tackle where All-American Mike Johnson left off. Granted, he will have to win it, but look at the tools that he has. Standing 6'7" and weighing at 350 pounds, he is a freak of nature physically. He was one of the crowning jewels of the national championship recruiting class of 2009. He sit out one year to redshirt and to prepare for this year. Look for him to make a big impact on offense. Can you imagine Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson (and possibly Eddie Lacy) running behind the offensive line that we have coming up this year?

The biggest question mark on this team is the defense. The defense loses 9 out of 11 starters. The impact will be tremendous; I do believe that the depth is like it has never been at Alabama since the Bear years. This year's recruiting class was heavy on defensive backs, and it couldn't have come at a better time. Also the players that we've already been playing in games will have valuable game experience. Alabama is stacked with fast physical linebackers in the defensive line rotation looks very strong with a powerful Marcell Dareus & Josh Chapman coming on. Be on the lookout for Kerry Murphy, a back flipping nosetackle. One place to look forward to is the return of Dont'a Hightower, the freshman sensation who hurt his knee this year. He will be back in the ball but will work out but not scrimmage with the team in the spring.

There will be invariably surprises this year in the spring just like every year. Last year it was Robbie Green coming out of obscurity to get regular playing time in the defensive backfield rotation. It will be this year's player to make a name for himself in the same fashion? Who knows? We should all know by the A-Day game.

Many people are picking Alabama to defend their national title this year. I say it all depends on the defense gels and the return of Dont'a Hightower. The offense will be fine as long as everybody stays healthy.

I hope you're looking forward to the 2010 edition of the Crimson Tide... I know I am!

Get a taste fof what it is like for the linebackers in Spring practice with Sal Sunseri:

I don't think Coach Saban will keep the stars (even Ingram, who should reel off 100 yards pretty quickly) on the field too long after a three touchdown lead, as the second, third teamers, and possibly the water boys will play against the filler game before taking on the Aubies 6 days later.

It will be a warm-up for Auburn (really for Florida) and the Crimson Tide will roll. It will be hard to keep the water boys from scoring as Bama takes senior day to the house for a 63-7 win over the Choo Choo boys of Chattanooga (I love that city by the way, the downtown area is great!

Roll Tide!