TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Josh Chapman is 6-foot-1, 305 pounds, and regularly wows his Alabama teammates in the weight room. But his lack of size is a hot topic for Tennessee week.
Chapman will replace Terrence Cody in the middle of Alabama’s defense Saturday against UT. Compared to “Mt. Cody,” Chapman is a mere boulder.
Cody is the 6-5, 365-pound junior college transfer who achieved cult status in Alabama just a few weeks into his college football career.
His career will be interrupted this week. Alabama coach Nick Saban said Monday that Cody suffered a strained medial-collateral knee ligament and will be out at least two weeks.
The news must be stunning to Alabama fans, who probably assumed Cody was as indestructible as Tim Tebow after watching him wreak havoc on his diminutive opponents through the first seven games. His teammates appreciated him even more than the fans.
“As you watch from the sideline, you will see two guys get pushed back three or four yards,” cornerback Javier Arenas said. “And there’s really nothing they can do about it. All-American, all-globe — I don’t care what they are.
“It’s fascinating to watch, because they’re huge. But then, this huger guy puts them in the quarterback’s lap.”
The “huger guy” could celebrate as well as dominate.
“That celebration he did,” Arenas said. “When he would jack up his head and stuff.”
Arenas laughed, just thinking about it.
Losing Cody is no laughing matter. He’s the biggest reason why the Tide ranks fourth nationally in rushing defense.
But his loss doesn’t mean the playing field has been leveled for UT’s offense. It still has a huge challenge against an Alabama defense that ranks 16th nationally, has forced 15 turnovers and has allowed only two touchdowns in the first half.
In his second season at Alabama, Saban hasn’t had time to acquire the depth of talent that he had at LSU, where he won a national championship in 2003. Yet he’s clearly headed in that direction. Fast.
Rolando McClain, a 6-foot-4, 250-pound linebacker, made freshman All-American last season. This year, along comes another 6-4, 250-pound freshman linebacker, Dont’a Hightower of Lewisburg. Teammates have been as impressed with his knowledge of the game as his physical prowess.
Not surprisingly, the secondary, which Saban once coached as an assistant, is one of Alabama’s strengths.
Senior safety Rashad Johnson, who made first-team All-SEC last season, is Alabama’s second-leading tackler and ranks third in the conference in passes defended. Junior Justin Woodall, who had never started before this season, is having as good a year as Johnson. Woodall (6-2, 220) ranks second in the SEC with four interceptions and is also second in passes defended.
Alabama’s safeties and linebackers won’t have Cody to occupy blockers at the line of scrimmage this Saturday. But no one is shortchanging Chapman, even though he provides 60 pounds less bulk.
“We’ve got a guy stepping in who is just as capable,” Arenas said. “Josh plays the run just as good. I think he sometimes gets overlooked.”
He’s behind a mountain. Of course, he gets overlooked.
But Chapman hasn’t minded playing a backup role to Cody, who is his roommate on the road.
“It’s fun watching him play, just seeing him jump on a pile at the end of a play,” Chapman said.
Don’t look for Cody’s understudy to top off any piles.
“Not like he did,” Chapman said. “He was like a little frog out there on the pile.”
A little frog?
“Well, a big frog,” Chapman said.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
Vanderbilt 93, Tennessee 79, Feb. 9…
Signing day celebration at Neyland…
Notre Dame beats Tennessee 72-44…
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
Comments » 35
imw8n4u writes:
we better bring it.
VolinCalif writes:
Every little bit helps. Go Vols
dvol writes:
Vols have turned the corner, Fulmer and Vols will dominate Tide again. We can still get 8 wins and a rollover for the Boss. We need to add more seats in Neyland so all fans can get in.
DennisVols writes:
Bama allows 2 TD in the 1st half on average. That would be an improvement for our offense to get 2 TD.s in a half or even a game.
VolinCalif writes:
Saw my last UT vs Ala game in 1955. wish I could be there for this one. I think if the Vols hang in tough the 1st Qt they will win. But I don't think they are ready to play catch-up against Ala.
VolinCalif
Sure need spelling ck
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Error free football. Great special teams play and 3 or less penalties.
Only chance.
ggriggs939#223122 writes:
The sec will not allow the VOLS to win this game because alabama apparently has the clout in the sec office and because of its standing in the bcs circus. The money to be paid for a bcs game is too great to pass up. Should the VOLS become a threat, enough flags will be thrown to throttle the team. Remember Colorado's fifth down and their national 'championship' as a result of the big 12's intervention? The conferences have always protected the top team except in the arkansas games in 1998 and 99 when the VOLS were on top. The sec was brazen enough to use the same inept crew in both games
HeckuvaStandpoint writes:
Summit Mt. Bingo
Map and Trail Guide available at http://www.fulmerbingo.com/
Let CPF be your virtual Sherpa!!
Look out below!
cdldoc#211897 writes:
Boy, I sure like reading about Saban and Alabama football.....CHEATERS!
hotrodvol writes:
Don't you wish Coach Fulmers strength was the offensive line, and we dominated in the trenches.
TheMagician writes:
This year the Tide has only allowed 2 TD's in the first half of all of their games combined...
CPF feasted on them during their off years. They are coming in here looking for blood...perfect time for irony, and CPF to knock them down. It will take error-free football and loads of heart.
FWBVol writes:
When Phillip Fulmer was the offensive line coach it was a strength of the team. I still say that Greg Adkins seems to be a decent guy and an OK coach, but he hasn't consistently motivated the O-Line this year.
I guarantee you that Harry Galbreath could motivate the offensive line and when he was a Vol AA, dominate the defensive line.
GO VOLS!!!
BillsBrother writes:
Agree.
Kick and punt coverage must be solid.
Berry returning punts would help immensely.
Defense can not let this get into the high 20's.
This game can be won.
tenuscvol writes:
If Tennessee is in this game at the half we will win...
No doubt about.
We don't have to have the lead either....
GoVols! Let's make this the game to be remembered for all times....
Also, thanks for the great effort against MSU...
kbart4033#247331 writes:
Dont'a Hightower is an outstanding player and, reportedly a good kid. His recruitment, however, smacks of stories from
Memphis a few years back. Kid says he will visit Vanderbilt,
Alabama, Georgia and Tennessee. Kid visits Alabama first at
"suggestion" of his H.S. coach. Kid returns from Crimson
Cash visit. H.S. coach huddles with kid's mom. Kid's mom
announces "no more visits for my son--me and my baby going
to Alabama!" Why would the H.S. coach "suggest" that the
kid cancel remainder of visits, especially to the 2 in-state
schools? Why did the Memphis coaches "suggest" the same
to their players a few years back? U-m-m-m!
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
I am not scared of you anymore, Mr. John Adams. You can go haunt someone else, you Halloween Ghost you!! Maybe this Big Alamaba lineman has appeared in his dreams!! If half of these Tennessee studs will stay in state we will be untouchable. They go to USC, Alabam, Ole Miss, Kentucky.
ect1983 writes:
Moronic post...again
leedsvol2007 writes:
At this juncture a trip to a bowl would be good enough.
We improved in playing the game with only one penalty and no turnovers last week.
Terrence Cody being out does level the playing field to a degree.
But Stephens is still learning SEC play and the defense is not getting enough 3 and outs.
Alabama has a truly great player on offense, Andre Smith, that elevates their offensive line and a senior QB who given protection makes very good decisions.
Couple that with a gifted young receiver and they are going to be tough.
If Stephens has a good day and we can make another leap forward in execution on both sides of the ball we will have a chance.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
The only "bowl" I am sure of is the one holding the red-eye gravy 3-4 times a week.
We're liable to be sent bowling by this d-line, even without Cody. They have a THIRD stringer who started 12 games!
Stranger things have happened and on a positive note, tickets appear to be plentiful and not expensive.
floridavolsfan writes:
Y-OH-MING where are you? Phillip needs you!
TheVolMan writes:
55Vol - your post is delusional. Weenie...
jasonn1970 writes:
The thousands of Alabama fans showing up looking for tickets are going to appreciate this. Might be the last 100,000+ attendance we see until a change is made.
trace5254 writes:
Some of the people on this site are completely nuts. No Bama player has an Escalade. Just face the facts that Fulmer (ie Fat Bob Phil) got his but kicked in recruiting and that he is at the end of his marginal existence.
Blame UT's fate on poor recruiting and coaching - - that's it pure and simple!
Roll Tide. Bama 28 UT 6
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Great insight. Some refuse to accept that Fulmer is not in the leagues of the Richts, Meyer, Miles and Saban bunch. Struggling with Spurrier and Johnson now. Brooks ever so close last year.
and on we go.
TideIsRollin writes:
Hey WeLove...
Ever wonder why your Tennessee studs leave the state? Maybe they see the future of UT football and don't want to be a part of it.
TideIsRollin writes:
kbart,
You are kidding, right? While Bama may have screwed up years ago, to insinuate that they are doing the same stuff now is ludicris. Got any facts to back up your insane dribble?
TideIsRollin writes:
Indianavol,
So, Hightower and Jones have brand new Caddie's huh? Care to share photos of these sweet rides? Or maybe, just maybe, they are the product of your inflamed imagination. Just can't stand that your "Coach" wasn't able to kill our program. And now, just like Jason...we are back and we are pissed.
Tide_fan writes:
I hope to hear the famous Rammer Jammer cheer inside of Neyland this weekend. Last years in Tuscaloosa was probably the loudest one ever.
Hope PF stays through at least 2012.
I really think Bama has learned their lessons regarding cheating, unless someone has proof I have not heard of.
Waiting on the caddie pics.
Give em hell Alabama
Tide_fan writes:
I feel sorry for you Indiana. I have lived in Knoxville since 1990 and all of my friends are Vol fans and none of them have ever called me a Bastard, scumbag, moron or other terms you have used for me. I have never blamed Fulmer for anything to do with Alabama as you should have noticed in my comment. He won a NC here ya know. Please get a grip on yourself. Pull for your team without getting personal with a person you don't know.
spvol writes:
Hack
TideIsRollin writes:
Wow. Nicely articulated there big guy. Glad that you are able to keep your posts factual.
TideIsRollin writes:
Nice. I am sure that you have some facts to back up your "accusations". So, bring 'em. Unless, of course, your comments are just the ranting of a deranged lunatic.
luvorange writes:
Fan, thanks for the reason, I have lived in Birmingham and my Bama friends have been nothing but nice. I would love for us to win the game but this kind of disrespect going back and forth should be below us. Especially remembering this is a football game.
licknpromise777#651578 writes:
I said it once and I say it again Saban;MilES;Pete C.; Meyers;Stoops are winning because they recruit at least 6 five star top 100 players year in and year out!!! With the players USC puts on the field every year if they don't finish top 5 the coach should be fired for being a total idiot..They aren't extraordinary coaches just great recruiters..When Saban had average players with the Dolphins; He had a below average W-L record. Guys like Julio Jones win games; Guys like Josh Briscoe don't!!!
Ralph_Crampton writes:
Hey Vol buddies easy on the tide...save it for Gators..outside of us few people around the nation could care less who wins. The former "BIG" game with BAMA is over. Bama could be paper tiger and could be stomped in a BCS game...leading to riducle of SEC by critics around the country> I think Bama might be window dressing so far...they are at least a year or two away from being back to National power. They seem to pun ch themselves out in first half...meaning not enough top players.
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