TRips: Norwood, Vogler and Faciane
WR Kevin Norwood (rJr.)
2011 season: Played in 11 games, catching 11 passes for 190 yards. Top performance came in the BCS Championship Game when Norwood came off the bench to catch four passes for 78 yards.
2012 spring practice: Worked with the first-team offense at Z receiver spot. In three scrimmages, Norwood hauled in 12 passes for 157 yards. Ray Perkins Receiver Award recipient.
What he brings to the table: As he showed in New Orleans, Norwood can use his size and athleticism to take advantage of smaller corners in man-to-man situations. And like fellow 2009 signee Kenny Bell, he's been around long enough to understand what's expected on a daily basis. It's attributes like those that Norwood will call on while attempting to hold off Amari Cooper and others in fall camp.
If Lacy is fully recovered from surgery and 100 percent over his turf-toe injury, which is expected, the job of replacing Heisman Trophy contender Trent Richardson is his. But as Alabama fans know from 2008 (Mark Ingram), 2009-10 (Richardson) and 2011 (Lacy), the most exciting thing to watch on a Saturday afternoon is often the backup tailback, who provides a little different look to the opposing defense. Lacy was that guy last season, spinning his way past opponents before giving way at times late in the year to the burly, powerful Fowler, who reportedly had post-practice surgeries this spring, something that will not be addressed by Saban until the start of fall camp in August.
Ranking the SEC's defensive ends - SEC Blog - ESPN
10. Damion Square, Sr., Alabama: Even though Square didn’t have big sack numbers last season, don’t be fooled. He’s a veteran player who played his best football down the stretch. He’ll be even better as a senior.
Mettenberger ready for challenge, pressure of being LSU quarterback - NCAA Football - CBSSports.com
All Mettenberger could do was sit back and watch Alabama eat up Jefferson. Mettenberger said "without a doubt" he was ready to play in the BCS Championship Game had Miles put him on the Superdome turf. "As a competitor, you want to play," Mettenberger said. "But the two guys we had were playing good football. They were efficient quarterbacks all year. And, shoot, we were 13-0 at the time. It's hard to say woulda, coulda, shoulda had I played and it would have been different. But at the time, it was best for the team. ... I was very sure of myself and I thought I was capable of leading the team. But we had two guys who have played plenty of SEC football and won a lot of football games. So we were going to roll with them and we had a great season."
Mark Ingram Talks Past and Future of Alabama Football at Pro Camp
"We had some bad breaks," said Ingram of the 2010 team. "A couple of plays; probably like four plays that could have went either way, and we would have been undefeated and playing for the National Championship again. This team – as long as they buy-in to what Coach Saban is preaching to them, and just focus and gel as a team – will be fine. We have AJ back, good stable of running backs, good receivers back, good line back, and a lot of young guys on the defense that can step in and make stuff happen. I think we’ll be pretty good this year; take another shot at it. Just have to take advantage of opportunities and listen to coach."
300-plus attend Ingram's two-day camp for kids | al.com
For the Michigan native and 28th overall pick of the New Orleans Saints in the 2011 NFL Draft, the two-day camp was more than just a return to his alma mater. "It's always great to come back to Tuscaloosa because it feels like home and I always get so much love," Ingram said during the camp that drew more than 300 boys and girls ages 7-14. "The kids are out here having a great time and their parents are having a great time watching them. ProCamps put on a first class event and I have to thank them for making my camp something I'll remember forever."
FOOTBALL: Deaderick puts on an 'elite' camp (7/15) | TheNewsEnterprise.com
Deaderick, a 2005 Elizabethtown graduate, enjoyed a stellar high school career before going to Alabama where he won a national championship. He was drafted by the New England Patriots and played in Super Bowl XLVI this past season. Despite all his success, Deaderick said he hasn’t forgotten where he came from, a point he drove home to the campers at the end of the clinic. "It’s very important to come back and do it," Deaderick said. "I wanted to show them it’s possible if you have the drive and determination. I wanted to show them how to do it. They can succeed, but you have to work at it."
Alabama 2012 season preview: Texas A&M enters SEC with new everything | al.com
The excitement to join the SEC in College Station is similar to, if not larger, than it is at Missouri simply because the Aggies are joining their new conference with a new coach. While Texas A&M faithful really never despised Sherman, it's clear that a change was welcomed, especially when it appeared -- on the surface -- that the Aggies got one of their first choices. The change at the top with Sumlin has brought upon significant changes on both sides of the ball. The Aggies' offense, led by coordinator Kliff Kingsbury, wil run the "Air Raid" offense that's been used at places such as Texas Tech, West Virginia and, of course, Houston. Under new defensive coordinator Mark Snyder, the Aggies are transitioning back to the 4-3. Heck, even the jerseys will be new in 2012. Change always seems to elicit two kinds of emotions: excitement and anxiety. It's safe to assume that both are fluttering in the hearts of Aggies' fans as the season draws nearer.
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Canada’s Simon Fraser University to Join NCAA as First Non-American School | The Big Lead