The Jumbo Package │04.14.14

Alabama women's tennis wins program's first SEC regular season title | AL.com

The No. 9 Crimson Tide secured its first SEC regular-season title in program history with a 4-0 win at No. 31 Tennessee. Conference play ended with a 12-1 record as Alabama takes a 20-3 overall record into the postseason. It was Alabama's second-straight 20-win season and the fifth for coach Jenny Mainz. Sunday's win was also her 200th victory at Alabama.

Well, ROLL TIDE! Check out the front page of RollTide.com for a view of the team you likely know little about.

5-star running back Kerryon Johnson moves up decision date, will announce next week | AL.com

Johnson, a 6-foot-, 200-pound star rated the nation's No. 2 athlete prospect by the 247Composite rankings, will choose between Alabama, Auburn and Florida State. Johnson visited all three schools this spring and has maintained throughout his recruiting process that all three schools were equal.

Yeldon is likely gone after this year and who knows what Kenyan Drake will do. Henry is around for at least another two years and we still have Tenpenny and Tyren Jones on the roster. So, y'all think this guy will sign with us?

Anniston Star - Alabama football Tide offensive line starting to fall into place

"(Austin) Shepherd is back playing right tackle and Grant Hill is his backup.

During the media’s viewing period, Greene has worked at left tackle with the first group, while Robinson worked with the second or third group.

If Greene or Robinson is able to lock down that spot, the other positions fall into place with three returning starters from a year ago -- left guard Arie Kouandjio, center Ryan Kelly and Shepherd at right tackle.

As for Robinson, he has impressed. Tight end O.J. Howard said Robinson could be one of the breakout guys to watch during the Tide’s A-Day game.

I like the fact that we have options at offensive line especially since we still have a few guys who aren't even on campus yet. Though looking at scrimmage numbers (which I know can be a fool's errand) the running backs don't seem to be getting tons of yards on the ground. The passing game seems to be a well oiled machine but again the running game seems to be a step behind (something we saw this time last year). That's even with Saban being a little down on the defensive line so far this Spring.

So who knows. Maybe the low running numbers are due to how well the linebackers are playing or the defensive line is playing well against the run but struggling to get a pass rush, which could be a reason for the big passing numbers. Of course, the passing game could be a success cause of the injuries at corner this off-season.

#RAAAAAAEEEEEGGGGGG

'He gets it:' Alabama RB Derrick Henry riding Sugar Bowl momentum through 'fabulous' spring | AL.com

"Derrick Henry has had a fabulous spring," said Saban, who carefully doles out praise of that magnitude. "He picked up right where he left off at bowl practice last year. He works really hard. He runs really hard. He plays with a lot of toughness. He gets it. Very conscientious guy.  "He sets a great example. Physical in the way he plays. Very conscientious and pays attention to detail."

I haven't heard Saban give a guy this much praise about his work ethic and overall attitude since maybe Julio or Trent.

Softball Falls in Extra Innings to Mississippi State, 4-3, in Series Finale - ROLLTIDE.COM

Alabama (37-7, 15-3 SEC) was quieted offensively for the second-straight game, as Mississippi State (32-14, 5-10 SEC) starter Alison Owen threw another strong outing following her complete-game win yesterday. She was on the hook for the loss in the top of the 10th, but Alexis Silkwood (9-5) entered to secure the final out and ended up earning the win. Jaclyn Traina threw 9.0 innings in the loss with over 170 pitches but ended up earning a no decision as Sydney Littlejohn (8-1) took the loss in the final inning. Offensively, Alabama was led by Kallie Case, who went 3-4 out of the nine-hole and drove in the first run of the game.

Question of the day:

I've sat back at watched a few situations over the last six months where fans of certain teams have taken to twitter, blogs, written open letters, threatened boycotts, etc after their athletic department made an unpopular decision (kept an unpopular coach, changed a logo, etc) and then have watched the AD completely ignore their complaints.

So, what is the best way for fans to go about expressing their dislike over an athletic department's decision? (Outside of throwing bricks through windows) Furthermore, do we really think AD's care (or at least should care) what the fans think?