According to Blankley, the police ordered the crowd to disperse more than once, but Brown specifically continued to be a problem. Blankley said he was told to back up and leave the area, but Brown would immediately approach the officers again after walking a few steps away. Officers warned Brown that he would be arrested if he continued to disobey them, Blankley said, and Brown responded by yelling threatening profanity at them.
The lawmen there moved to take Brown into custody, but he pulled away from them and resisted arrest. Blankley said officers then hit Brown with pepper spray, forced him to the ground and cuffed him. Brown and Taylor were both taken to the Tuscaloosa County Jail.
Taylor faces charges of disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and booked pending a $1,500 Bond. Brown, an 18-year-old, was charged with failure to obey and resisting arrest. His bond was also set at $1,500.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p>Here is the full story on Tony Brown's arrest, including <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23Alabama&src=hash">#Alabama</a> and Tuscaloosa Police Department response. <a href="http://t.co/NUqA9fx3of">http://t.co/NUqA9fx3of</a></p>— Aaron Suttles (@AaronSuttles) <a href="https://twitter.com/AaronSuttles/statuses/425103513513779200">January 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/rollbamaroll">@rollbamaroll</a> Track team party, cops busted in, pepper sprayed Brown in the face over and over... I think a little over zealous reaction</p>— Roger Patrick Myers (@rogerpatmyers) <a href="https://twitter.com/rogerpatmyers/statuses/425058548393844736">January 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Welp, he's been on campus a few weeks and Tony Brown already gets arrested? Not exactly the start we were wanting to see but hopefully this is just a case of over zealous cops and not evidence of behavioral issues for Brown.
Oh, and sorry to gump but what the frick TPD, you call that crowd control?! Goodness..
There was also singing, as new Crimson Tide offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin reportedly did a karaoke duet of "Sweet Home Alabama" with running back commit Bo Scarbrough's mother, Donetris. "I think if you're new there, you have to do karaoke," Ms. Scarbrough told 247Sports. "It's kind of the theme with the new coaches. Everyone has to do a karaoke night. It was his turn and he kept on hiding. He told me, 'I think I'll go on ahead and do it, if you sing with me.' "It made the night. It was the talk of the night."
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" lang="en"><p><a href="https://twitter.com/rollbamaroll">@rollbamaroll</a> Before the <a href="https://twitter.com/search?q=%23NFCChampionship&src=hash">#NFCChampionship</a> game starts. NICK SABAN DOING THE ELECTRIC SLIDE. <a href="https://t.co/H4Gpr5hU5e">https://t.co/H4Gpr5hU5e</a> (via <a href="https://twitter.com/_AlexxEvans_">@_AlexxEvans_</a>)"</p>— Sanford (@srmcmurphy) <a href="https://twitter.com/srmcmurphy/statuses/425062530592276480">January 20, 2014</a></blockquote>
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Is this where I defend Saban and Kiffin, showing they are not pure evil and Satan reincarnated? Cause I'll do it.
Record number of underclassmen headed for NFL
As of Tuesday, a record 88 underclassmen opted to leave at least one season of NCAA eligibility on the table to chase a spot in the draft, which this year is May 8-10. That total shatters last year's mark of 73, after 65 declared in 2012 and 56 in 2011. Of the 73 underclassmen who entered last year's draft, 21 went unselected.
This number has risen in the last 5 days to 100+. Most "experts" believe this nearly 40% increase from 2013 is due to the new rookie wage scale, where the contract money is now guaranteed. So, if you're a guy who may be taken in the top three rounds, why not leave now or risk it all by returning for you senior year? Though this may be true in theory, the rookie wage scale was in place last year and only 73 decided to jump ship. So why the increase? Are these extra 30 guys all that much more talented? In my opinion, no.
My fear is that this current talent drain will have lasting repercussions on CFB. Are we looking at 120 or 130 leaving early next year? Even programs like Alabama are starting to feel the effects of losing so many talented young players. You can't replace 6-9 players every year, plus seniors who aren't drafted yet played a key role on the team, and stay at the top. You can do it once or twice but eventually you'll feel it.
"That’ll be a really good competition this spring, really, really excited about our young players on the roster at that position," Nussmeier said. "They need to continue to grow. We need to have a really, really good offseason." Junior Blake Sims would seem to have the lead since he’s the only quarterback this past season to receive any meaningful playing time. He completed 18 of 29 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns in eight relief appearances.
He’s also a running threat with 61 yards on 15 attempts. Coach Nick Saban played Sims for nearly the entire second half against Georgia State, and didn’t allow Nussmeier to call any running plays for Sims. He wanted Sims to run the regular offense. Sims responded with 14-of-18 completions for 130 yards and a touchdown. That performance may have earned him a shot at the starting job.
More insight on the upcoming QB competition this Spring. Obviously, the possibility of Jacob Coker joining the team over the Summer would change things up a bit but he'd still have to beat out the talented guys on the roster, which is far from a given. With Bateman and Cornwell likely fighting it out for the #1 spot, Coker will have to play at an extremely high level to just walk in and win the job from day one.
The Crimson White | Leaving a Legacy
"We had a lot of that on our team this year," Norwood said. "It was a hard time getting those guys to focus at times. Then again, it was up to the leadership team to get them focused and get things right. I guess that’s one thing we kind of slacked at going into the end of the season."Saban and company are on the verge of signing another No. 1 recruiting class. He has shifted around his coaching staff after a disappointing season, and while the permanent captains Mosley, McCarron and Norwood are moving on, there are plenty of star players returning, like running back T.J. Yeldon, wide receiver Amari Cooper, linebacker Trey Depriest and safety Landon Collins.
So it’s not like the dynasty is exactly over. In fact, the two losses could be a wake-up call for another historic run. "We hate losing. We hate losing. We have that taste in our mouth now," Collins said.
"We have a point to prove next year.
Pissed off for greatness? I hope so.