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2014 SEC Preseason Football Position Rankings: Linebackers - For Whom the Cowbell Tolls
-- DePriest is good but overhyped. He's not done anything more than Kwon Alexander but cracks pre-season award lists? I'm not even sure he's the best player in this unit, as Denzel Devall could be on the cusp of breaking out. Really it's their insane depth and talent and the fact that their LB play rarely dips from anything other than good, and this unit will be strong once again. (And the Valley Shook)
I stopped voting in these polls because after the top 5 I was guessing and not actually making any accurate prognostications. I mean, deciding who’s 10-14 between Kentucky, Vandy, UT and X team or 6-10 between Ole Miss, MSU, Mizzou, A&M, is just guess work. Just my personal opinion.
As for ATVS' remarks, which seem to be the most negative of all the voters..Here's the comment I made over there regarding the LB group this year...
"I actually agree with you to an extent that Alabama's LB's are a bit overrated...or at least getting a huge benefit of the doubt due to how good Bama’s LB’s have been under Saban. Depriest scares me a little, but he’s not being asked to replace CJ. He’s solid against the run but not great in pass coverage. Reggie Ragland, Denzel Duvall and Foster will will make for a damn good LB group but they’re inexperienced as starters. If I were to put a ranking on this group, 3rd would be about right".
Y'all agree?
Alabama sets date for annual Fan Day at Bryant-Denny Stadium | AL.com
That means the first Sunday of August (Aug. 3) will once again be the day for fans to watch an entire Crimson Tide practice and collect some autographs after the team wraps up for the day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The practice is scheduled to begin at 2:30 p.m. and is expected to run for two hours. It will be the Crimson Tide's third of the preseason and second as a full team.
Most Impactful SEC Newcomers for 2014 - Team Speed Kills
With Alabama's returning stable of running backs including TJ Yeldon, Derrick Henry, and Kenyan Drake, Coker's play should not determine Alabama's success, but if he is as good as the hype, Alabama could be for another very successful season.
No surprise here that Coker tops the list (it wasn't a ranking but he's the first guy mentioned).
And honestly, when was the last time Alabama had a guy coming in that had this amount of expectations placed on him, before he even taking an official snap as a Bama QB?
Alabama QB Jacob Coker draws praise from two Tide receivers - NFL.com
But that hasn't stopped some of his teammates from thinking big. "He definitely has sparks that he brings to the table that's shown that he can be one of the greatest quarterbacks to play here," wide receiver Christion Jones
"He looks great, strong arm," Tide star wide receiver Amari Cooper told the Advertiser. "Takes command in the huddle, which I think is very important. You can tell he's experienced. I'm ready to see how he progresses in fall camp."
Well, not that you'd expect them to say anything negative but if the wide receivers are happy....
How to make a 2014 preseason college football top 25 - SBNation.com
Absolutely, a few death threats are worth the traffic. Unlike FSU, Alabama's situation is one of real concern this year, at least on offense. But the Tide don't rebuild, they reload, often right into your inbox with astonishing speed. The email headers will be in ALL CAPS; the verdict will be that YOU ARE A CLASSLESS PERSON.
Bama comes in at #3, which sounds right to me, but he's got OU at #1. Heh, I can see where people would rank them in the top 5 but FSU, with everything they have returning, has to be the clear #1. I don't even know how someone could argue otherwise.
NCAA settles head injury lawsuit, to create $70 million fund - ESPN
A federal court filing obtained by The Associated Press says the NCAA will create a $70 million fund to test current and former college athletes for brain injuries. Players can use the results later as grounds for suing for damages. The NCAA also agreed to implement a single return-to-play policy spelling out how all teams must treat players who receive blows to the head.
Jim Delany stays the course on media day - Big Ten Blog - ESPN
Delany reiterated that the Big Ten scheduling model going forward will include nine conference games, one nonconference game against a power league opponent, and no games against FCS teams.
Weak B1G schedule or not, you have to admire the 9 game, no FCS schedule..