I also wondered if you have any idea how many “next Champ Bailey’s” or “next Herschel Walker’s” Richt will sign in the 2010 recruiting class ?

And most importantly can you tell us if there any plans for Coach Richt and his assistants to attend any high school coaching clinics so they can perhaps learn how to teach these kids anything once they get there ?

I’ll hang up and listen to your “insight” ….

I will give you a clue… you are barking up the wrong tree…

…but in any case, BAMA had one nice season last year… their fans are kinda excited… they finally beat UGA this century… that let them know that they were back…well, kinda…. they have a coach who has won everywhere he has been…he even won a few games in the pros… Saban has three ten win seasons in his entire career and is 4-6 in Bowl games… remember also that his last season at LSU he was 9-3 and did not win the SEC West… I mean, the way he recruits, how could he have not won the West with all “his” players in place?
but, seriously, disregard what I have said… do not look at the record, Saban “won” one NC at LSU… that means he is the best coach ever and Bama is on the road to eternal greatness as is their destiny…

One more thing, one of the Bama fans was speaking the truth… they only care about winning it all… and they will not let anything get in the way… especially things like rules… they were close to the death penalty just a few years ago… one more slip and…who am I kidding, they will never get the death penalty…too much $$$$ involved…

People hate winners so Alabama has alot of enemies. Hell, this is great! We ‘Bama fans have always known that we are the best! Everyone else knows it too but just won’t admit it.

“Cracker” is out of touch with reality. Get real “Cracker”! The NCAA infraction accusations against Alabama do not include selling books. All student-athlete books were returned to the University Supply Store for proper scholarship credit. I have the complete copy of the NCAA report along with the University’s response. It’s almost 100 pages in length. I will be happy to share it with any of you people that know how to read and have the ability to understand facts. This most certainly leaves Cracker out!

Roll Tide! Alabama’s “A Day” game is going to be nationally televised by ESPN. Can any other school say the same for their pre-season game?

At Alabama we know we are good. Too bad the remainder of you people seem to become experts by purchasing a T-shirt from Wal-Mart without every making a single contribution to “your” school. Put you wallet where your mouth is and do something beneficial for your school. Don’t be a Cracker and go off “half-cocked” without the benefit of facts.

Good luck to the Sims kid. He’ll probably be an All-SEC DB at Bama. That’s football. Allen Bailey was told he’d be a DE at UGA, Miami said they’d let him play LB, and now he’s a DE at Miami. Most of these kids are bedazzled by the whole recruiting experience and get fired up about a particular school and the promises they are made. They’ll make decisions based on emotion and excitement without really thinking the whole decision-making process through (Orson Charles was an exception). I know–my son’s being recruited right now (although for Ivy League and 1-AA schools, not the big boys). These kids generally don’t fully understand that once you get to a school–ANY school–the coaches have the right to use you where the team needs you. That’s what being a teammate is all about. Sims will learn that at Bama (or wherever else he ends up) soon enough. The key thing is that he should take advantage of the free education and make the most of it. Very few people make it to the NFL, but that college degree could be the doorway to a lot of great things for Mr. Sims.

Just the facts, ma’am….Richt is 2-3 vs Saban. No domination there. And I don’t think Bama’s the odds-on favorite to win the SEC this year. That would be the Florida Gators, the defending national champs who return everyone on defense. Two years from now, who knows? Richt has beaten Bama more than Bama has beaten him. Richt has won two SEC titles since he’s been in Athens, which is two more than Bama since he’s been there. And for the Bama fans who use the “our starting left tackle was out in the Sugar Bowl” excuse as the reason you guys got whipped in the Sugar Bowl (and I’ll agree,that was a factor, but not the only factor), try losing TWO starting left tackles in one season. Or try losing 19 players (10 starters) with season-ending injuries in one season. That’s what happened to Georgia last year, and they still went 10-3 and won a bowl game. Had that happened to the Tide, you guys would have had another 6-6 year.

I’d put a check on the ego thing a bit, Tide fans. One 12-2 season doesn’t mean that Bear Bryant’s been resurrected. Last time I checked, he was still dead. Remember, you’re just one year removed from losing to Louisiana-Monroe.

Here is a link directly to the NCAA database list for MAJOR infractions by ALL programs . Please note that the University of Georgia’s tally of major infractions stand at SIX . I’ll let you scroll on down the page to see where Bama is listed but I will readily admit that this is the ONE area Georgia has a record that actually tops Bama on the all time list LOL

https://web1.ncaa.org/LSDBi/exec/PDF/miSearch?miSearchSubmit=Most%20Infractions%20Report

The young man wants a chance to play for a program that can REALLY compete for national championships instead of spending his entire college career and then the rest of his life talking about what could have been but never was …. .

Deep down Dawg fans KNOW the truth on where both programs REALLY stand both historically and in the present . It obviously drives them so nuts they are even willing to turn on young men for a personal decision like a pack of rabid “dawgs” . The only “satisfaction” they can count on is tallied in the comment section of the AJC . It is highly unlikely to EVER come from a National Championship and they know it . Too funny

Welcome to the Crimson Nation Mr. Sims

On the other hand, I have to say “Haney” is a class act. You represent UGA well (I’m being serious…read his comment).

What Sims had to say:
http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2009/04/athlete_blake_sims_becomes_ala.html

The 31 – 0 half time butt whooping was a look at the future. Coach Richt isn’t winning any championship anytime soon. Dawg fans better pray Fatboy at Notre Dame fails next season so Urban will give the Dawgs a chance by leaving for his dream job to the north.

Right now Coach Saban owns Richt. Average may butt. Coach Saban landed the #1 Class for a second year. What did Richt do? Florida, South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, Tennessee. That is the fallout for 2009. Georgia is lucky they are not playing Ala fricking Bama this year. Yellowjackets Sting.

Brush with death

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. (AP) — The NCAA placed Alabama on five years’ probation Friday, jolting the program Bear Bryant built into a power with a two-year bowl ban and heavy scholarship reductions.

The governing body said it considered giving the Crimson Tide the most severe punishment — the death penalty — under the repeat violator rules for a recruiting scandal in which boosters were accused of paying money for high school players.

“They were absolutely staring down the barrel of a gun,” said Thomas Yeager, chairman of the infractions committee.

“These violations are some of the worst, most serious that have ever occurred,” he said.

The university, accused of 11 major violations — one was later withdrawn — and five minor charges under two former coaches, said it would appeal.

President Andrew Sorensen said university officials ‘are firm in our belief that the penalties are inappropriate.’

“We regret that we must prolong this process, but the decision we have been given today is simply unacceptable,” Sorensen said.

SI’s Maisel: Could Have Been Worse
The NCAA committee on infractions considered giving Alabama the death penalty. SI’s Ivan Maisel says the school’s cooperation with the investigation, along with the fact only one athletic employee was named in any of the charges, got the Crimson Tide off the hook.

Barring a successful appeal, the program that leads the nation in bowl appearances (51) and wins (29) will miss the postseason for consecutive years for the first time since 1957 and 1958, the year Bryant arrived in Tuscaloosa.

The Tide contested the two most publicized charges involving claims of boosters making five-figure payments to lure two recruits.

But it admitted some violations and imposed penalties on itself, including a reduction of 15 scholarships over three years and the temporary disassociation of three boosters at the heart of the recruiting scandal.

The university-imposed sanctions did not include a postseason ban.

The NCAA reduced the number of football scholarships the school can award by 21 over three years. It also said the university would face tougher penalties if it did not permanently disassociate the boosters.

The sanctions could cost the university millions. Last year, Alabama received about $1.5 million from its share of the Southeastern Conference’s bowl proceeds and its take from the Independence Bowl.

The violations occurred under former coaches Mike DuBose and Gene Stallings.

Alabama’s NCAA Penalties
Five years on probation.

Barred from going to a bowl or playing in the Southeastern
Conference championship game for two years, which league officials
said could cost the university at least $3 million in bowl
revenues.

Ordered to reduce football scholarships by 21 over the next
three years. Must also reduce the total number of football players
on scholarship from 85 to 80 during each of those years.

Must ban boosters from traveling on team charters, attending
closed practices and attending or donating money to football camps.

Must face additional penalties if it does not permanently ban
three boosters from having anything to do with the athletic
program. Also must disassociate a fourth booster for at least three
years.

None of the accusations involve current coach Dennis Franchione or his staff. Franchione was out of town recruiting on the final weekend before national signing day.

“Although the penalties handed down today are much stiffer than we anticipated, the mystery is cleared up and we know what we are up against,” he said. “The coaches, the players and I must roll up our sleeves and work that much harder to sustain and restore Crimson Tide football.”

DuBose released a statement through a Birmingham law firm.

“I am deeply distressed and surprised by the severity of the sanctions handed down today by the NCAA,” he said. “I am especially disappointed for the players, current coaching staff and all of the fans of our university.”

If Alabama is found guilty of further violations during the probationary period, Yeager suggested the death penalty – the elimination of a sports program – could result.

“God forbid, there’s ever another appearance – ever,” Yeager said. “Should there be one – particularly within the five-year period — I don’t know what’s left.”

Alabama’s Major Violations
Major findings cited by the NCAA Infractions Committee in imposing penalties on the Alabama football program Friday:

A recruit, identified in news reports as Kenny Smith, and his parents were given $20,000 in cash, lodging and entertainment by two Crimson Tide boosters beginning in 1995. The first payment of $10,000 was made in $100 bills delivered in a grocery bag. Smith signed with Alabama but couldn’t meet academic requirements.

An Alabama booster previously identified as Logan Young of Memphis, Tenn., gave cash to a high school coach who was seeking $100,000 cash and two sport-utility vehicles in exchange for directing star recruit Albert Means to Alabama.

An assistant coach, former recruiting coordinator Ronnie Cottrell, received two loans totaling $56,600 from Young in violation of NCAA rules. The loan was not repaid until the case became known.

Two boosters involved in repeated rules violations were known to the Alabama staff, coaches and fans and often were seen at the team hotel during road games.

A recruit, identified previously as Travis Carroll, was given the use of a car in 1999 for agreeing to attend Alabama. The car
was repossessed when Carroll transferred to Florida.

The university contended that accusations of a $20,000 payment to prospect Kenny Smith in the mid-1990s fell outside the governing body’s statute of limitations.

Alabama officials also argued the NCAA couldn’t prove that high school coaches for Memphis prospect Albert Means received money to steer the defensive lineman to Alabama, or that any money was linked to Tide booster Logan Young.

But the NCAA said a booster agreed to give Means’ coach $115,000 to get Means to sign with Alabama and said three payments of $10,000 were made.

Means signed with the Tide, but has since transferred to Memphis. Young, a Memphis businessman, was one of the boosters dissociated from the university. He has denied any wrongdoing in the recruiting of Means.

“Those conclusions are erroneous and unfounded,” said Jim Neal, Young’s attorney in Nashville, Tenn. “As I look more at the NCAA and its procedure, the whole process appears to be basically unfair.”

Alabama’s football program was placed on three years’ probation in 1995. All-America defensive back Antonio Langham admitted signing with a sports agent the morning after the Tide gained the national title with a Sugar Bowl win over Miami but returned to play his senior season.

Alabama would later win an appeal, getting one of the three years of probation lifted and nine of 26 scholarships restored.

Alabama’s basketball program avoided sanctions in 1999 following claims that a former assistant basketball coach, Tyrone Beaman, tried to create a slush fund for recruits. The NCAA praised Alabama’s handling of the matter

So, how many Football games has Bama had “vacated” in the last 25 or so years for cheating?

How many SEC teams have been on probation for offering a recruit or his coach over $200k?

Also note that Bama is 1-3 vs UGA this Century…

http://blog.al.com/bn/2008/03/SECcheatinghall030908.jpg

A booster pays for a player. A stupid booster put the university on probation.

The text book thing so for the players getting their GF text books this help Alabama kick your butt 40-31. Nothing to the Text book think Man you will see.

Oh and if you do not think boosters at your school do not give money and gifts to players then you need to wake up the year is 2009. Every school booster of some type has this happen.

Greg will put up some good numbers this year. He stood out in Texas and will set some records before he leaves Bama

Sims will start out at QB but Sims himself said if it doesn’t work he will move to DB

the over under on them getting their probation is 2 more years… they can not help themselves….they have a tradition of cheating that overshadows anything they have done on the feild… sans the throngs of delusional “fans” who think people around the country respect the program…..

There is currently a textbook scandal going on there that has been kept rather quiet… players were using their AD account at the bookstore to buy and sell books for $$$$… it just continues to happen there… how could something like this go unnoticed at a school that has been on probation for a good part ofthe last 20 years? They just can not help themselves… they will get caught and they will go on probation… it is their tradition… a tradition of cheating…

TOM-good job of looking up stats….bad job of COUNTING… it’s 124-131 in points there buddy plus look at how many didn’t get into Alabama with Saban’s first and second class. Over signing has it’s draw backs.

Sound Reasoning-I don’t like oversigning either. It is a bad practice once the penalties start with APR ratings. The first year I agreed with, and didn’t have a problem getting rid of extra dead weight. We can’t do this every year.

Saban is smart to recruit in Georgia and I think he will continue to do so. His home state does not produce nearly as many D1 football players so he has to look around elsewhere. Might as well come into Ga and look and see if you can grab a few here and there. UGA looks around and signs out of state players as well as do most other programs. Tenn will be heavily involved here as will Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State and SCarolina. Bottom line is, UGA is typically going to get most everyone they really want in state. They will lose some sure but by and large, they get the top talent they want in the state of Georgia.