Jumbo Package: Offseason Gump Day

Proposal would allow players immediate transfer if coach leaves or gets fired

Under this proposal, no student-athlete ever needs to secure the permission of the original institution in order to transfer, and student-athletes are immediately eligible for aid and practice. The proposal also addresses the inequities of head coach versus student-athlete mobility, making all student-athletes immediately eligible for competition upon transfer when a head coach quits or is fired or when sanctions are imposed on the original institution limiting post-season competition.

We’ll start off with a fun topic. This proposal would definitely make things interesting. Most of all, it would affect the athletic directors of the colleges. No longer would they be able to hire and fire coaches so quickly while searching for the next lightning-in-a-bottle. The ramifications wouldn’t just be a buyout anymore; they could include a possible spiraling collapse of a program as all the players transferred out after a coach gets fired.

What are your thoughts? Do you like the proposal? Dislike? What kind of crazy doomsday scenarios can you envision?

Alabama Ranked 10th And 11th In Softball Polls

The Tide opens its 2018 season on the road at South Alabama Thursday, Feb. 8 at 6 p.m. CT before heading to Gulf Shores, Ala., for the Sand Dollar Classic. There, the Crimson Tide will face Central Arkansas, Lamar, Penn State and Virginia Tech over three days beginning Friday, Feb. 9.

Softball season is about to start, which means there is yet another sport that Alabama is great at on TV again.

If you’re tired of cold weather, head south next week to Mobile and watch the softball team play USA. Then you can drive on over to the beach at Gulf Shores to watch some more. Hit me up if you’ll be down here in my neck of the woods, and I’ll recommend some good eating places for you.

Atlanta WR Julio Jones makes wisecrack about Georgia

Jones said that he typically won’t tune in to catch the Crimson Tide on television because they often play well into the night on Saturdays and long past the star receiver’s bedtime.

The five-time Pro Bowler doesn’t want to miss his shut-eye because he’s got work the next day.

”It’s kind of hard to stay up and watch,” he said. “I’ve got to get my proper sleep to go out and perform the way I need to perform. I want to go out and perform for you guys. I can’t go out there and put bad stuff [on film]. I am from Alabama. I can’t go out there and put out some Georgia.”

Some good, old-fashioned trolling from Julio. It’s good to see that Crimson still runs in his veins.

Alabama DL Josh Frazier receives invite to NFL Combine

Alabama defensive lineman Josh Frazier will be in Indianapolis in a little more than a month.

The senior nose guard announced that he received an invitation to and will likely attend the 2018 NFL Scouting Combine, which will take place from March 2-5 inside Lucas Oil Stadium.

“Got invited to the NFL Combine today,” Frazier said in his private Instagram post. “Definitely a dream come true. #The1% another step closer to the ultimate dream.”

The Springdale, Ark., native played in all 14 of Alabama’s games in 2017, recording 15 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, three pass breakups, one quarterback hurry and one forced fumble.

I’m really happy that Frazier gets a chance to make an impression on the scouts. I’ve always thought he could have been a very productive player with his blend of size and short-area quickness, but was unfortunate in his timing to have come in between A’Shawn Robinson and Da’Ron Payne.

Alabama Must Change Focus From Oklahoma To Missouri

Alabama players had Sunday off following the Saturday afternoon win over Oklahoma. They had a little surprise when they arrived for practice Monday. It required what Johnson called “some corrective training.”

“We went a little longer Monday than what they expected, and I was really animated,” Johnson said. He said there was more concentration on their minds than their bodies.

“I was trying to keep their mindset on the main thing and focuse on fundamentals and making the right plays.

“But even in our losses, I’m looking at attitude and focus and competitive spirit. I think it’s a glass half full deal. It is not the end of the world when you lose, even though it may seem like that.”

As for his own 24-hour rule, Johnson said, “I try to stay in the middle. I got probably 105 texts after the Oklahoma game. After the Ole Miss game I got five.”

The Bama coach said that in reviewing video of Saturday’s win that the Tide had “solid execution at both ends of the court 6 or 7 times out of 10.” That compared to what he saw was “zero” in the loss at Georgia and “3 at Ole Miss.”

He said Alabama gave more “consistent effort” and “showed what we are capable of doing” against the Sooners.

I figure Coach Avery Johnson really has his work cut out for him in keeping the team grounded after such an emphatic win over Oklahoma. Here’s to hoping he keeps his team performing at the same level they did this past weekend.

Roll Tide