Jumbo Package: Pitying Paul, a stirrer pining for his pot

Happy Thursday, everyone.

We open with Poor Paul Finebaum, who is sad that he isn’t on TV.

“This has easily been the most challenging crisis I’ve faced as a host,” Finebaum told AL.com on Saturday. “Every day is different. And the uncertainty around the corner is daunting. However, I am encouraged by the resolve of so many who are contributing in every facet of life. It’s scary and unsettling and often during the last two weeks, I have found myself down and disillusioned, disoriented and depressed.”

Quarantines must be especially hard on attention whores.

DraftKings has Alabama right in the thick of the national title race again, as expected.

The program’s national championship odds for the upcoming season are also set by DraftKings at +250, good for second nationally along with Ohio State. Clemson once again led the way in that category at +225. The Georgia Bulldogs came in at No. 4 with +1,200 odds.

With Alabama’s win total set at 10.5 games, other SEC teams of note are Georgia and Florida at 10 wins each, Texas A&M at 9.5 wins and LSU and Auburn at nine wins apiece.

Speaking of DraftKings, don’t forget to participate in their social media campaign for COVID-19 relief. It runs through the 7th.

Matt Zenitz talked to some scouts about Alabama’s draft prospects.

— Outside linebacker Terrell Lewis is one other Alabama player who seems to have a decent chance of going at some point during the first three rounds. “He looks the part and was supposed to be the part but he never really played the part,” an evaluator said. “I think someone will roll the dice on him because of the lack of pass rushers in the draft. I don’t think he’s going in the first round, but he’s probably a second or third rounder. And if not, he’ll be a fourth rounder and people will be talking about what a steal he is.”

— Fellow outside linebacker Anfernee Jennings seems to be a fourth to fifth round type prospect.

If these scouts are to be believed, Justin Herbert is now the QB jewel of the draft class. Who knows?

Saban is trying to pull another out of Red Stick, but this one will be difficult.

“I liked it,” Ryan said. “They introduced us to the new strength and conditioning coaches and then they had a cooking class. I really like how everything was set up over there.”

His main takeaway from meeting David Ballou and Dr. Matt Rhea was the new technology the duo is bringing to the Capstone.

”They have these cameras they put on the bars in the weight room that measure speed,” Ryan said. “So it is not about how much weight you have on there but how fast you are moving the bar which translates to the field.”

Ryan is related to former LSU running back and current assistant coach Kevin Faulk.

Last, speaking of LSU’s backyard, there are some wild happenings in Baton Rouge right now. Ed Orgeron and wife Kelly are getting divorced after 23 years, which is shocking for many who know them. Also, a documentary aired and played Will Wade’s “strong ass offer” comments for all to hear.

Wade is so brash that he obviously does not know the meaning of the word careful. In the following excerpt, he actually talks about his past recruiting business while conducting his present recruiting business, at the time.

”I’ve made deals for as good of players as him that were a f***ing lot simpler than this,” Wade says.

Case closed.

Oh have you now, Will?

Our crack investigative team was able to obtain this photo of LSU’s compliance director on a call with Wade about this matter last year.

That’s about it for now. Have a great day.

Roll Tide.