TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - In Alabama's bid for a championship season, coach Nick Saban is putting it all on the field.
For example, take last Saturday's victory over Ole Miss. It marked the college debut of true-freshman tight end Brad Smelley, who appeared headed for a redshirt.
"Smelley has been a guy we went back and forth on all season long on whether we should play him or not," Saban said. "He does give us something athletically as a tight end and pass receiver. And he can block.
"He's also the kind of athlete who can help you on special teams."
Smelley, who is the brother of South Carolina quarterback Chris Smelley, also played quarterback in high school.
Another freshman could see playing time if the Tide has further attrition in the defensive line this week against Tennessee. Alabama lost nose guard Terrence Cody for at least two weeks when he injured his knee against Ole Miss.
Saban said his staff would take a close look at true-freshman defensive lineman Damion Square this week. Square didn't play in the first seven games.
Tennessee can attest to Saban's willingness to burn a redshirt in order to win a game. When LSU cornerback Randall Gay was injured in the 2001 SEC championship game, Saban turned to Travis Daniels, a true freshman who hadn't played.
Daniels broke up two passes, including one in the end zone, in LSU's come-from-behind victory.
Loud Crowd: Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson said Neyland Stadium is the loudest of the opposing venues at which he has played.
"We had a two-minute drive (in 2006), and it was tough to huddle and communicate," he said. "I know a lot better now how to communicate. As a sophomore, I didn't know what to expect."
Wilson said everybody told him how loud Sanford Stadium would be this season.
"It really wasn't (loud), because we were beating them so bad," Wilson said.
Alabama led Georgia 31-0 by halftime.
Best Yet: Saban expects to see UT at its best Saturday. And that's a tribute to UT coach Phillip Fulmer.
"He's got a lot of experience," Saban said. "He's won a lot of games. He's going to get this team playing better and better as the season goes along.
"They have made a significant amount of improvement. They played extremely well last week."
UT improved its record to 3-4 with a 34-3 victory over Mississippi State last Saturday.
Going Long: Alabama running back Glen Coffee has the SEC's two longest runs from scrimmage this season.
He had an 87-yarder against Arkansas, and a 78-yard touchdown run against Kentucky. He also had a 51-yard touchdown run against Western Kentucky.
Coffee, who is averaging 7.0 yards per carry, ranks third in the SEC in rushing with a 108.6-yard-per-game average.
Sports editor John Adams may be reached at 865-342-6284 or adamsj@knoxnews.com.
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Comments » 26
Tide_fan writes:
Nice article and information
TommyJack writes:
You mean someone could get PT before he's a Jr.?
huntined#565710 writes:
Hope we can stay with them
VolinCalif writes:
You can always hear the leather crack in the Ala/UT game. Always was and always will be. It'll be a good game. Win or lose for either team.
Waldorf writes:
The "system" must not be as complicated there.
Or his name isn't Eric Berry. Lord, imagine where we would be if Fulmer wouldn't have played him last year.
hotrodvol writes:
Fulmer loves seniority. It doesn't matter if you can run for 150 yds. a game, just got to pick up the blitz.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Gentlemen - may I remind you that the charts were found right after Moses came down the mountain!
They are untouchable, unchangeable except during berry season. Otherwise, when you sign up to come to Pine U., bring your riding britches.
Favorites and familiars are always in on Fulmer mountain.
How dare that stupid Saban play talented people afore loyal mediocrites? Whats he trying to do, get a BCS bid and Top 5 ranking?
And the pure craziness of thinking football needs D-linemen who bench 480!
I never heard the gall......
MarbleVol48 writes:
Nice Post.. One step further.. Anyone believe that Brandon Warrens is paying the price for choosing FSU originally?? I guarantee it!!
spvol writes:
Does anybody have a crowbar to pry Adams' nose out of Saban's nether regions?
ect1983 writes:
Moronic post
givehim6 writes:
Wow, sounds like Sabans actually worried about playing the Vols. Maybe his nervousness will rub off on the team, and bama will make alot of 1st half penalties that will offset any gains thay make. There not a good 2nd half team. Could this be there downfall? Humm?
WeLoveTennesseeVols writes:
Saban and Adams, which one is the bigger devil?? Don't know. Each has their hip, and who's bite is bigger than their bark. As for the truths in this article, Alabama is behind in their analysis of where the Vols are this week. Saban sees Tn. as a threat. I am not worried about the run, we have to stop the pass.
utvols1 writes:
"Played extreemly well last week"? He must have not seen the first quarter. It looked like the first quarter of the UCLA game. Our defense was on it's heels. Typical Chavis soft zone. Our DB's were 20yds off the receiver. No pass rush. Sabans just being polite....before the kill.
dvols writes:
saban wouldn't hesitate to do a lot of things. so what?
BigVolinCarolina writes:
Granted, I'm not optimistic about our chances this Saturday.
Nonetheless, if there's ever been a time for UT to step up and break Bama's heart, it is now. They've stuck it to us when we've been undefeated at this point in the season, so we certainly owe them.
Some are afraid to cheer for the Vols out of fear it'll mean Fulmer stays. I say hogwash. Winning this game won't likely save Fulmer's job because there's atleast 2 or 3 teams that'll likely beat us.
Regardless of the circumstances, there's never a bad time to beat the Tide. GO VOLS!
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Did I see Dupree go pedaling by about 4 pm yesterday with a case of Busch on his handlebars?
He also had on a Tee that said "Oprah Rules".
txvolsfan writes:
Satan knows its UT vs. AL. and it should be a war, no matter what the records are. This is Fulmers favorite week and lets just hope he lets it all hang out and doesn't coach tight!!! Turn Clawson and Chavis loose and just stay out of it, is my best advice to Coach Fulmer.
pdhuff#552644 writes:
Sound advice, most likely unheeded.
beavbullvol writes:
Why does our offense in no way resemble the one displayed at our spring game? Does anyone else think Big Boy has his thumb on Clawson, keeping him from taking any risks? Talk about job security...it's easy to blame the OC when things go wrong if you're the one stifling productivity. I bet $10 our first play from scrimmage will be over right guard with Arian 'I have the speed of a guard' Foster.
Any takers???
shoalcreekvol writes:
Moronic reply
shoalcreekvol writes:
I see your point, but let me give rare props to the OC and CPF here. The first play of the last two games has made me think that we might have some of the old spark coming back. Both were quick pass plays that went for good yardage and allowed the receiver (in the last case it was Foster) to show some speed in the open field.
Cut always believed that was a good way to start off building confidence in the QB and WR/RB, and it gets the adrenaline flowing and puts the D on their heels right off the bat. I hope they do it again.
I'll never forget sitting in the Alabama student section at Legion Field in 94 when Peyton's first pass play was a quick slant to Joey Kent that went for 80 yards and a TD. This year's team gives me the same feeling by just throwing for a quick 1st down...
etbuc4eva#271956 writes:
I 100 percent agree with you that warren is paying the price for attending ut first and its killing him.
tnpterodactyl writes:
Absolutely a GoVolsXTRA classic!
blitzshoot writes:
Don't know, but hopefully you will be able to tell us soon.
Involitrust writes:
I want a change as much as anyone... but one thing looms heavy this week and weekend, and that's BAMA... The hell with the snide remarks about Coach Fulmer...and company or anything negative and instead ya think we can focus on beating the Tide?
I give a damn about the season so far but a win,a cigar, and a nice sip of scotch would make the pain of this season melt away.
We'll handle what needs to be done at seasons end...but it's Bama week and if you can get fired up about that.. then you're either already dead, soon to be.... or just pain don't give a damn,and if the latter... take a hike from the board and await the outcome so you can BI$$H, piss and moan to anyone who'll listen later.
For me... It's buying a damn good cigar, getting the grill cleaned and ready, getting fat country ribs to BBQ, picking out the friends list to invite over, stocking up on liquid refreshments, and hoping like heck, we send bama off on a long flight HOME.
Go Vols!!! Beat Bama.... Roll Slime Roll, Right down the Toilet Hole..... Ramma jamma yellow hammer, GO TO HELL ALABAMA...!!!!!!!
TommyJack writes:
Sounds like a plan.
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