Alabama Week in Review: 08.11.13

Practice continues in pads and I guess no news is good news (in other words: no injuries).

AJ McCarron (13-21, 267 yards, 3 TDs, INT) and Amari Cooper (4-182, 3 TDs) had a pretty good scrimmage on Saturday. It was not open to the public, so it is hard to know what went on in Bryant-Denny.

After the scrimmage, Nick Saban commented in his press conference that he was pretty pleased with his first teams on either side of the ball but quickly went on to show some concern with his "younger players". The word "sloppy" came up a lot.

Deion Belue is nursing a strained hamstring and did not participate in the scrimmage.

The LaMichael Fanning at tight end experiment continues and the reports are positive. I have a feeling he sticks.

None other than retired All-Pro Ray Lewis and former NFL coach Herm Edwards were guest speakers to the team this week. On Thursday, it was New York Yankees manager Joe Girardi popping in between a series with the White Sox and the Tigers. Nick Saban never ceases to amaze. Do you think speakers of this calibre are are showing up on other campuses this time of year?

OUCH

• Alabama defensive lineman Dakota Ball underwent an emergency appendectomy.
• After spending the past three seasons as a spot starter and extra tackle on short yardage plays, former Crimson Tide All-American Mike Johnson was set to take over the full-time spot at right tackle for the Atlanta Falcons. An unfortunate a fibula fractured and ankle dislocation will likely keep him out for the season.
• Florida's Andre Debose, one of the top kick returners in the nation, will miss the 2013 season after suffering a torn ACL during Tuesday's practice, the school announced.

Hoops News:

The Tide basketball team picked up two commitments this week: Top-100 recruit Riley Norris of Albertville and Suwanee, GA guard Devin Mitchell became the second and third 2014 commitment for Coach Anthony Grant. The early signing period for college basketball November 13, 2013. (BTW, why doesn't football have an early signing period?)

Recruiting News:

Top shelf 5-star QB Ricky Town verbally commits to play for the Tide in 2015.

Random Thoughts From Around the Country

Proud LSU graduate and Louisiana State District Judge Bonnie Jackson gave LSU starting running back Jeremy Hill a slight tap on the wrist by not sending him back to jail for probation violation. But boy did she give him a good lecturin'! That'll teach him. It's a good thing Hill only knocked the living daylights out of a kid while he wasn't looking instead of teabagging someone who is passed out. That'll get you sentenced to 2 years in prison. Just to recap: pranking a sleeping drunk: prison; sucker-punching people and having sex with 14-year olds: probation... and a stern lecture. LSU coach Les Miles quickly reinstated Hill by way of loophole "team vote." Really, Les? TCU's Gary Patterson had some terse words for the move.

Former Auburn, Arkansas State, and Arkansas Baptist College running back Michael Dyer thinks the fourth time is the charm as he will suit up for Louisville this fall. Coach Charlie Strong says he is all about giving second chances but this is more like Dyer's fifth chance. No word on where he will transfer to next season.

Oh yeah, did you hear this thing about Texas A&M QB Johnny Manziel? IMHO, I see one or more possible outcomes: 1) the NCAA and Mark Emmert will drag the investigation out just long enough for JFF to play; 2) In typical Emmert fashion, the punishment will be extremely lenient like pay the money back and sit out a cupcake game or two; 3) The NCAA screws up the investigation and Manziel gets off the hook. Personally, I WANT him to play on September 14.