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Alabama Weekly
September 23rd, 1998 -- Issue #10 --
Volume #1
AW Web Site: http://TideFans.com
Welcome to Alabama Weekly, a
weekly E-Mail Newsletter about Alabama football. The purpose of this
newsletter is to basically recap the weeks events that has happened in
Alabama Football. We are now over 1000 subscribers to
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Next Game: Alabama at Arkansas on ESPN2 @ 5:00 CDT
Arkansas Preview
written by Jess Nicholas
When Alabama travels to Fayetteville on September 26th, it will mark the
Tide's first intra-SEC West contest. The Tide is riding a wave of
offensive success and high emotions. Arkansas counters with new coach
Houston Nutt, their own 2-0 record, and a bright outlook. How do these
two match up?
OFFENSE
Alabama is moving from a run-first offense to a pass-based attack whose
purpose it is to open up running lanes for talented Shaun Alexander.
Arkansas, meanwhile, is committing themselves to the run and the plan is
paying dividends. Halfbacks Chris Chukwuma and Madre Hill have so far
succeeded in taking the pressure of junior quarterback Clint Stoerner.
QUARTERBACK
Alabama's John David Phillips has emerged as a weapon. Once thought to
be
a player who would do well if he didn't lost any games for the Tide,
Phillips now has the potential to win a couple. Against Vanderbilt,
Phillips showed the ability to look off his primary receivers and to
keep
his head about him when scrambling. Arkansas counters with Clint
Stoerner, a junior who passed for 2,347 yards in 1997. Stoerner is a
perfect match for this Razorback offense, going 17-for-33 for 262 yards
against SMU after having thrown for 239 yards against SW Louisiana.
Stoerner recognizes his role and excels at it, and has experience.
Advantage: Arkansas
RUNNING BACKS
This one is closer than you think. Alabama has Shaun Alexander, about
whom no more need be said. Alexander added three touchdowns to his total
against Vandy and will be counted on greatly against the Hogs. Arkansas
has Alabamian Chris Chukwuma, who has rushed 29 times for 273 yards over
his first two games--nearly 10 yards a carry. The Razorbacks also boast
Madre Hill, who has over 120 yards on 20 carries this season. The final
factor may come down to the play of the fullbacks. Alabama's Dustin
McClintock looks to be more capable than Eric Branch, who has received
the lion's share of the work so far for Arkansas. Close...very close.
The
star quality of Alexander prevails. Advantage: Alabama
WIDE RECEIVERS
Both teams have a wealth of talent of which to boast. Alabama's Michael
Vaughn and Quincy Jackson have developed into a frightening tandem.
Double team one, the other beats you for a 25 yard gain. Calvin Hall,
Freddie Milons, and Eric Locke are no slouches, either. Arkansas has one
true star, junior Anthony Lucas. Michael Williams and Hubert Loudermilk
add depth. Another close call. Advantage: Alabama
OFFENSIVE LINE
Alabama's offensive line has improved greatly since last year's. So has
Arkansas. Alabama needed to improve its pass blocking, and has. Arkansas
needed to improve its run blocking, and has. Alabama's line needed to
start playing with oneness and exude leadership, and has. Arkansas' line
needed to start playing with oneness and exude leadership, and has. The
difference? Alabama returns only two starters, while Arkansas returns
all
five, winning the Experience Award. Advantage: Arkansas
DEFENSE
Alabama's defense, long its strong suit, has played well this season.
While BYU put a lot of points on the board, 14 of them came on a fumble
return and against the prevent defense late. Meanwhile, Arkansas defense
has also improved, but still allowed a bunch of points to SMU and SW
Louisiana, who are not exactly powerhouse offensive squads.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Alabama can beat you a number of ways up front, from big, strong run
stuffers (Jamie Carter, Carlos Stennis) to top-flight pass rushers
(Reggie Grimes, Kindall Moorehead). Arkansas counters with seniors
Melvin
Bradley and Ryan Hale, both strong and consistent. However, the depth
factor is in Alabama's favor, as is the ability to be flexible with
formations and roles. Advantage: Alabama
LINEBACKERS
Against Vanderbilt, Alabama recorded nine sacks and two safeties, and
most were directly attributable to the improvement in the linebacking
corps. Linebackers are Alabama's defensive strong suit in 1998, with
Clint Waggoner, Trevis Smith, and Travis Carroll all presenting problems
for opposing offensive coordinators. Arkansas returns four of
their starters and has C.J. McClain coming off the bench. The deciding
factor should be the star quotient of Bama's Travis Carroll. Advantage:
Alabama
DEFENSIVE BACKS
Alabama has gotten good play out of their secondary so far, with the
best
performances coming from cornerback Fernando Bryant and safety Kelvin
Sigler. Cornerback Antoine Hunter has been slowed by injuries, and Bama
had to against Vandy without Tony Dixon, suspended one game for
violation
of team rules (most likely not attending class). Dixon is back for
Arkansas, and Hunter should be healed by now. Arkansas plays a lot with
just three defensive backs, using two corners and a safety. Senior
Zac Painter is all-SEC material, and depth is very good. This is yet
another close comparison. Advantage: Alabama
SPECIAL TEAMS
So far, things have gone as expected for the Tide's special teams.
Punter
Daniel Pope has been superlative, getting distance when needed and
making
great use of the coffin corner kick. Placekicker Ryan Pflugner has had a
decent season, but has yet to hit on any long field goal attempts.
Arkansas boasts Todd LaTourette, one of the conference's better field
goal kickers. The punting has been acceptable. Neither team boasts
earth-shattering return teams, but Alabama holds a slight advantage.
Arkansas covers kicks better. Yet another close call, but LaTourette's
experience is the deciding factor. Advantage: Arkansas
OVERALL
Alabama leads 5-3 in the above analysis, and all categories were very
close. Both teams are improved both on the field and on the sidelines.
Whoever wins this game will be in excellent shape to challenge for the
SEC West division crown and will certainly be ranked next week. It is
good to see a resurgence in Fayetteville; it's good for the SEC and for
the once-proud Razorback program. Ditto Alabama. No other Alabama game
this season will feature two teams so evenly matched in all areas.
So who wins? For the Tide to prevail, Shaun Alexander must continue his
excellent season. John David Phillips must be able to take the pressure
off the running game. The defense must shut down Hill and Chukwuma and
force Stoerner to beat them through the air. The special teams must do
their jobs and do them well.
For Arkansas, the key will be running the football effectively and
forcing the game into the hands of John David Phillips. The Hog
defensive
line will be the main key, as they are thought to be overrated by many.
Considering these factors, Alabama has the best shot to achieve their
requirements. The Tide has had trouble stopping arial attacks, but has
been most impressive shutting down running games. If the Tide is able to
force the game into Stoerner's hands--and it is this writer's humble
opinion that they will--then Alabama will chalk up her third victory of
the season. If nothing else, this game will be exciting and give the
fans
their money's worth.
Alabama 27
Arkansas 20
-- Jess Nicholas
Alabama Weekly Editor
The Tide is back... so far...
written by J P
The irony between this year and last year are remarkable. Many people
look at this years
Crimson Tide team and compare them with the disaster that was last years
team. Although they have the same record and have looked good in their
first two games, as they did last season, that is where the similarities
end.
One of the main differences between this years team and last years team
is coaching. Starting with the firing of the four assistants last
season. Many things happened last year between Mike DuBose and his staff
that just shouldn't happen in any job situation. Instead of working as a
team some of the Tide assistants had their own "hidden
agendas" as DuBose called it. Blame this problem on the assistants
but where I point the finger is at Coach DuBose. Don't get me wrong, I
think that DuBose is the man for the coaching job and has great goals
set for this program, but he made some normal first year mistakes, that
he has learned from. In his first season as a head football coach DuBose
was taken advantage of, because he did not get involved like he should
have. He didn't know what was going on until it was too late. He sat
back and let the assistants coach, which sounds great, but when your
staff is not on the same page this causes a major problem.
This season the Tide coaches are working together to reach a common
goal. One example is the relationship between offensive coordinator Neil
Callaway and quarterback coach Charlie Stubbs. Stubbs and Callaway have
worked together to install this brand new offense that has been
extremely affective in Alabama first two wins. Stubbs has brought
imagination to a predictable Alabama offense. Neil Callaway has turned a
poor offensive line into a line that has gelled together and has become
a plus for the Tide in 1998.
Sure Bama has only played two games, but major changes and improvements
can be seen already, and this team if coached well and stays injury
free, will only get better as this year grows older.
Another reason Bama should continue to improve this season, instead of
declining like last year at this point is leadership. Last season due
partly to the loss of senior leader, and preseason All-American Michael
Myers and the loss of Dwayne Rudd to the NFL, the in the entire SEC.
This year Bama has had great leadership from their seniors that Coach
DuBose has praised all season. Seniors Trevis Smith, Fernando Bryant,
Kelvin Sigler and Steve Stanley all have stepped up big showing the
senior leadership that was needed last season. With a young team,
leadership is crucial.
Travis Carroll, a sophomore has excepted the role of the teams'
defensive and emotional leader. Playing at the middle linebacker
position Travis is forced to be a vocal leader, but one couldn't help
but feel that when Travis steps onto the field everyone else's game and
intensity rises to a new level. Carroll has had to mature quickly and
has accepted that role and has thrived in this system. One sign of that
statement is Travis Carroll's name being mentioned in the Butkus along
with the likes of Ohio State's, Andy Katzenmoyer and Texas A&M's
linebacker Dat Nguyen. Although Travis shouldn't win the award it is an
honor for a sophomore to be mentioned as a candidate.
The final main reason Alabama should not decline this season is
experience.
"Experience is the best teacher."
Most of the players on this years team played last year, DuBose has
learned from his mistakes and has corrected them and I get the feeling
that all the players have too, and will not allow the same things to
happen again this year.
I don't feel, and most fans will agree, that Alabama can compete for the
National Title or even the SEC Championship this season. But, I do
however feel that Alabama can improve on last years season and prepare
for next year, where Alabama should be able to compete for the SEC and
just maybe the National Title.
-- J P
Alabama Weekly Editor
The Arkansas Game
written by John Hinds
Boston-- There comes a time in every season, at least once, when a
football team is asked to stand-up and show what they are made of.
That point has arrived this week for The Alabama Crimson Tide.
With a 2-0 start and impressive wins over Brigham Young and Vanderbilt
the Tide is being called upon to go on the road for the first time this
season against a highly motivated and worthy opponent.
Arkansas not only has motivation in this game, fueled by speculation
that Alabama head coach Mike Dubose reported the Razorbacks to the SEC
office for inviting too many recruits to a recent game at War Memorial
Stadium in Little Rock, but appears to be a contender for the SEC West
title.
Alabama on the other hand has prestige; a newly found national ranking,
a national TV audience and the recent memory of losses to Arkansas in
two of the teams last three meetings.
In 1995 the Razorbacks beat the Tide in Tuscaloosa on a rain soaked
afternoon only after having 12 men on the field during one play in the
drive for the winning touchdown. The 20-19 win was also controversial in
the fact that some say the touchdown catch by J.J. Meadors was in fact a
trapped ball.
Last season the Tide took an unbeaten record into the game only to see
Arkansas score the winning touchdown on a 29-yard pass from Clint
Stoerner to Anthony Eubanks. The NCAA rule book is clear on the fact
that a pick play, that is one where a defensive player is obstructed
from defending a receiver by virtue of the fact that the defender is
blocker by a member of the offensive team in a maneuver similar to a
pick in basketball is not allowed. However on the Stoerner to Eubanks
play the Crimson Tide defense appeared to be clearly picked.
With 9:25 left in last year’s game the Tide scored to take a 15-10
lead but a ensuing delay of game penalty led to Alabama’s kicking the
PAT and thus giving Arkansas the break they needed to go on and take a
17-16 win.
The players and coaches in Tuscaloosa will not talk about revenge this
week, even though you can be certain they are aware of it in their
hearts and minds. Maybe that is a good sign for this team.
Rather than revenge let’s hope Alabama will be concentrating on better
execution on third down especially inside the Red Zone, a better overall
defensive effort where they put pressure on the quarterback and don’t
allow any deep balls to the receivers and better concentration on
special teams.
This isn’t the week to think about next week’s game against Florida
nor about recent performances against Arkansas. This is a week when the
men in Crimson can show the nation they belong back among the
country’s elite.
-- John Hinds
Alabama Weekly Columnist
SEC Preview 9/26
written by Jess Nicholas
It's time to take a look around the SEC at the games not concerning the
Crimson Tide:
KENTUCKY AT FLORIDA
It's hard to say how Florida will react to the tough loss at Tennessee,
but the safe bet is that Spurrier has learned a lot from the Knoxville
experience. Kentucky comes in having won a game against Indiana that was
a whole lot closer than it should have been. Many are picking Kentucky
in
a glamour upset, but I don't see it. Kentucky is talent-deficient on
defense, and for all their offensive explosions, they still play as
expected against better teams. Tim Couch has never beaten a Div-I team
with a winning record.
Florida 34
Kentucky 21
MISSISSIPPI STATE AT SOUTH CAROLINA
The Gamecocks are stinging from a tough loss at the hands of Marshall
last week, and they have no other games on their schedule where they
will
be a clear favorite, Vanderbilt included. Mississippi State opened with
a
convincing win over Vandy, but regressed over the next two weeks, ending
in a big loss to a Oklahoma State team that lost to Tulsa. While State
has a powerful running game, the holes on defense left by graduation
cannot be disguised. USC has the home field advantage in this one, but
they have been worse offensively than Auburn and you kind of get the
feeling that the wheels are coming off in Columbia. The Bulldogs ring
Brad Scott's death knell this week.
Mississippi State 27
South Carolina 16
HOUSTON AT TENNESSEE
Yeah, UT may be overlooking Houston and still living off the high of
beating Florida. No, it won't matter. Houston, thought to be weak on
defense and strong on offense, has actually been the opposite. The
Cougars have yet to win or look as if they are capable of doing so.
Tennessee will just hand it to Jamal Lewis and take the W.
Tennessee 45
Houston 17
IDAHO AT LSU
Why?
LSU 48
Idaho 7
OLE MISS AT SMU
This one should be interesting. SMU looked at least halfway decent
against Arkansas, but still isn't up to SEC competition. What will be
interesting to see is which Ole Miss team will show up. If the same
Rebels play that beat Memphis and Vanderbilt convincingly, SMU doesn't
have a chance. Should the team that lost to Auburn show up, SMU will
kill
them. Romaro Miller is the key for the Rebels, and he must come through.
Mississippi 34
Southern Methodist 17
ALABAMA AT ARKANSAS
Check our extended preview!
Alabama 27
Arkansas 20
IDLE: Georgia, Vanderbilt, Auburn
-- Jess Nicholas
Alabama Weekly Columnist
Arkansas Depth Chart
OFFENSE
SE 83 Calvin Hall 80 Jason McAddley 25 Fernando Bryant
WR 7 Quincy Jackson 15 Freddie Milons 81 Wes Allen
FL 22 Michael Vaughn 8 Tim Bowens 2 Eric Locke
TE 82 Terry Jones,Jr. 85 Rhett Crutchfield 86 Joe Yount
RT 72 Will Cuthbert 63 Sage Spree 56 Kenric Lott
RG 70 Jason McDonald 68 Sam Matthews 71 Marico Portis
C 74 Paul Hogan 55 Brooks Brodie 57 Ty Babcock
LG 75 Griff Redmill 69 Michael Moore 62 Mal Waldrep
LT 60 Chris Samuels 78 Michael Barfield 77 Bart Raulston
QB 12 John David Phillips 5 Andrew Zow 14 Tyler Watts
FB 30 Dustin McClintock 21 Montoya Madden 6 Marvin Brown
RB 37 Shaun Alexander 26 Arvin Richard 33 Shontua Ray
PK 42 Ryan Pflugner 32 Mark Wisniewski 11 A.J. Diaz
---
DEFENSE
RT 88 Kenny Smith 98 Reggie Grimes 38 Shaun Draper
NT 67 Kelvis White 51 Carlos Stennis 50 Rob-E Staten
LT 90 Jamie Carter 97 Cornelius Griffin 54 Kendall Moorehead
END 91 Clint Waggoner 58 Canary Knight 53 Granison Wagstaff
RLB 48 Trevis Smith 1 Chris Horne 47 Eddie Hunter
MLB 44 Travis Carroll 89 Tito Smith 59 Chris Edwards
LLB 4 Steve Stanley 99 Darius Gilbert 10 Miguel Merritt
RCB 39 Antoine Hunter 13 Kecalf Bailey 16 Chris Reier
FS 20 Kelvin Sigler 17 Warren Foust 35 Owen Winston
SS 24 Tony Dixon 41 Marcus Spencer 19 Jason Jones
LCB 25 Fernando Bryant 3 Michael Feagin 23 Reggie Myles
P 40 Daniel Pope 84 Patrick Morgan 11 A.J. Diaz
Newsletter by: JP and Brett Young
Special Article by: None
Special Thanks to: Jess Nicholas, John Hinds for their articles
PLEASE VISIT BAMANATION AND ALABAMA WEEKLY.
BamaNation: http://www.BamaNation.com
Alabama Weekly: http://come.to/ALGameDay.com
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