Jumbo Package: Former Alabama Standout Manhandles Reigning NBA MVP

Alabama was set to pay a combined $3.55 million to Georgia State, Kent State and Tennessee Martin for home football games before the SEC opted for a league-only last week. These payments represent a big chunk of the athletics budget for these smaller conference schools.

A UT Martin spokesperson told AL.com the school “will not receive its contract payment” from Alabama but is in contact with Byrne and hopes to reschedule in the future. The FCS school was set to make $500,000 for a November game in Tuscaloosa.

Georgia State, which was due $1.3 million for the Sept. 12 game, has a different view on how its contract game will be resolved. In a statement to the Tuscaloosa News, GSU athletics director Charlie Cobb said Memphis promptly paid its $1.1 million cancellation fee after a 2017 game was canceled by its conference, the AAC.

I don’t suppose you can blame Georgia State.... Who wouldn’t want a little bit of that Crimson cheddar? Though it does come across as a bit... whiny.

In any case, I’m rather excited about an entire football schedule without any cupcakes. Well, aside from Vanderbilt and Arkansas, that is. If we manage to scrounge anything positive out of 2020, I hope that it’s a more permanent extended SEC schedule and a lack of cupcake games.

One of the players most likely to fill the void at Sam linebacker is Christopher Allen, who played in place of Lewis during the Citrus Bowl when the redshirt junior chose to focus on the next chapter of his football career. Despite missing the 2018 season with a knee injury, Allen is the Crimson Tide’s most experienced outside linebacker and an early favorite to lock down a starting job.

As for Jennings’ spot at Jack ‘backer, there are several players that could fill that role — as well as contribute in a rotation. Redshirt senior Ben Davis has been at the front of the line during recent walk-throughs, so the former 5-star recruit could finally be set to make a real impact in an Alabama uniform.

Chris Allen and Ben Davis will and should get the first shot at winning the jobs at outside linebacker. I fully expect them to be the starters on the inaugural depth chart.

That said, word on the street is that freshmen Will Anderson and Drew Sanders have made quite the impression. Don’t be surprised AT ALL to see those two pushing for playing time as early as game one and making a bid for the starting jobs sooner rather than later.

Alabama is so deep at linebacker and defensive line this year that even yet another year of ridiculous injury luck might not even fully slow them down.

“Nick Saban didn’t give me a hug, so I de-committed. I care about the little things. I committed and I was like, ‘alright, cool.’ I’m thinking in my head, I just committed. This is now my coach. You know what I mean?

“I just committed, I was hoping I could get one. I put my arms out and he went for the handshake. I was like, ’Dawg.‘”

That’s right. A hug kept Saban from locking down a five-star offensive lineman.

Perhaps even more bizarre was Jim Harbaugh’s manners.

“But Harbaugh did something really weird,” Isaiah said. “He did something stupid weird. Remember when (Michigan) first got the deal with Jordan? He just wouldn’t take off his cleats. He came to my in-home visit with cleats on his feet. And I have hardwood floors. And he’s just walking around with cleats, bro.

If you’ve ever seen the video of Saban’s T-Rex dance, I can only imagine how awkward he is giving a handshake when someone else is going for a hug. That social situation is bad enough as it is. But if that’s really what deterred Wilson, then his heart was set elsewhere to begin with.

The real story here is that Jim Harbaugh wore cleats CLEATS to a recruits house and scratched up their hardwood floor. To prove... what... exactly? Does anyone really think this:

Is really doing anything with cleats on?

Andrew Ivins of Inside the U reported that Marshall and his family spoke with the Alabama and Miami football coaching staffs on Saturday. The Crimson Tide staff according to Ivins could be pushing for Marshall to delay his commitment. Miami spoke with Marshall and his parents since Saturday according to Ivins.

Speaking of recruiting, cornerback Jason Mashall has been a topic of conversation for many Bama fans, though I’ve always felt he was a bit of a longshot. If this guy’s info is solid, then it sounds like Marshall has pretty much decided to stick with the home team in Miami and Saban is giving some last ditch efforts.

I don’t expect that to work, and Alabama will move on to focusing on locking down JUCO Kyhree Jackson and in-state 5-star Ga’Quincy Mckinstry to fill out their needs at cornerback for the class.

Finally, Donta Hall only recently got out of the G League and has made an immediate impact in the NBA. After playing quite well in his debut with the Nets, he turned around and manhandled the league’s reigning MVP.

The funniest part is reading the headlines and articles being written about the moment.

Check out this line from Fansided:

Someone who’s played a grand total of six NBA games for two different teams should not be blatantly throwing the league MVP to the ground. While it’s very rare to see Giannis’ massive frame manhandled like that, it definitely wasn’t a regular basketball play either.

Or this one from SportingNews:

The recently signed Nets forward abandoned any ideas of grabbing the ball and shoved the reigning NBA MVP to the ground. Antetokounmpo clearly didn’t appreciate it.

Even better, how about this from The Spun:

Giannis – who stays level-headed most of the time – got right up and had a few choice words for the Brooklyn forward. He had to be held back by refs and teammates as Giannis and Hall continue to exchange words.

Gotta protect the image of the league MVP, right?

Roll Tide, Donta Hall. Roll Tide.