Bleacher Report - Articles by Ren C.

Springtime Reflections. It's Football In Tuscaloosa!

Ren C. — Tue, 24 Mar 2009 14:45:53 -0400

After a regular season of all wins,and a heart stopping chance in the SEC championship game we congratulate the Florida Gators on the SEC Championship game win. The Crimson Tide of Alabama then went on to play in the Sugar Bowl. In this writer's humble opinion, Alabama played the National Champions in that Sugar Bowl meet. Yes, Utah my pick for National Champions.

Spring 2009. The sun rises up over Bryant-Denny. There is still excitement in the air as the 2009 Tide players take the practice field of dreams to begin another journey on the road that is SEC Football.

Like so many days in early Spring the Coach steps out and orchestrates the dance. It is a new beginning for seasoned players, it is the first day of College Football practice for the true freshman. It is the smell of clover scented grass, the sounds of the Million-Dollar-Band practicing, preparing for the A-Day game. It is the life force of early Spring in Tuscaloosa, Alabama.

Listening to the students chatter as they walk to early classes, a hearty squirrel scampers across the quad and leaps over behind the tall statues of Bryant and Denny, Stallings and Saban. The hint of jasmine fills ones senses as does the bounty bouquet from Dreamland's BBQ pit, makes your mouth water at the hint of that award winning rib slab.

Lifting up eyes towards the stadium, one gets the sense of excitement as the officials prepare for the A-day football dance. It will be one for the history books. Fans line up to meet alumni players and get a chance to see "coach" and the current players. It is the type of grandeur and pomp and circumstance that Alabama fans have come to know for...Oh Lord, just ages!

We do get lost in the moment. We are thankful to the 2008 Crimson Tide Team for their valiant efforts in the undefeated regular season and their efforts in the SEC championship game, as well as the Sugar Bowl. It's called winning or losing with class.

But now here we are; spring 2009. We look upwards again, we smile and we hope. The team is practicing, the coaches working hard and the fans are all preparing for the long Summer. Because we all know that Spring will give way to a long hot Summer and Summer will give way to Fall and all of the glory of the Spring practices and Summer practices will come down to Fall and testing ones skills on the field.

So we prepare, we listen to the newscasts, we read the papers. We wait, some patiently, some not so patiently. If you set goals and work hard every day and you strive to be the best that you can be, then you are already a winner.

In a world of jaded selfishness, it is refreshing to see Crimson Tide Football. It is refreshing to see NCAA Football continue. For the sport of life, for love of the game.

Coach Saban and the entire Coaching staff and to all you Crimson Tide Players in 2009. God speed, much luck and...ROLL TIDE.

Alabama Destroys Auburn in Iron Bowl 2008, 36-0!

Ren C. — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 01:30:04 -0500

It was a rainy-cold day at Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Crimson Tide fans,rolled into Tuscaloosa;preparing for the Iron-clad battle,with cross-state rival,the Auburn Tigers.

Seniors were honored for their exceptional team effort by Coach Nick Saban and the entire University of Alabama family.

Greats honored included: Siran Stacy, Steadman Shealy, the 1978 team that went onto become the national champions with the Legend, Coach Paul William "Bear" Bryant, at the helm.

Bryant-Denny was electrified by the sounds of the fans, Aubie, Big Al, the Million Dollar Band and the Auburn Band.

The Iron bowl began with Alabama deferring to receive the ball in the third quarter.

The kick off, Auburn's turn. They made a valiant effort, but could not get the football into the end-zone.

Alabama didn't get the ball into the end zone either on the first possession. The Iron bowl was officially ON.

The game was deafening in noise levels, the Tide Fans intent on making Coach Saban PROUD!

Alabama goes into the locker room at halftime ahead of Auburn. And the bands played on. It was electric and had all the appearance of a Bowl Game.

Sportsmenship! You know that you are in the South, and at the Auburn/Alabama game when you see Alabama players helping Auburn players up off the field and vice versa; it is a part of Southern Hospitality that sets the South apart from the rest of the world. There is nothing like it anywhere. My hat's off to both teams for being gentlemen warriors rather than mean spirited, UN-sportsmanlike ninnies. Thank you to both Alabama and Auburn for remaining gentlemen. We do love it when you guys make us proud.

As for the game's score. Well,you all will read the play by plays and the stats. Final score Alabama 36 and Auburn 0. Coach Tuberville got his seven answered. He has been holding up seven fingers, since Auburn's last game, counting down to the Iron bowl. But it was not the seven fingers Tuberville wished for. Rather, he got seven losses handed to him.

Coach Nick Saban got the prize that his players kept their eyes on. Twelve wins with zero losses on the regular season for 2008. And they now set their sights on the SEC game with Florida Gators as opponents.

Many, many things rolled through my mind as I watched the Iron bowl. My mind wandered back to Steadman Shealy. With everything on the line in 1978, the Tide punched past Auburn to roll on to the Sugar bowl and and that famous game with Penn State. The goal line stand by the No. 1 defense in the nation to win the national championship.

They kept telling the Alabama Crimson Tide that they couldn't do this. That they did not have what it takes.

The Tide's reply is simple. "Keep your eyes on the prize. Keep your focus on every game. Keep it simple, keep it true. Live each game, play each game like it was your last day on EARTH. Live this like you were dying."

ROLL TIDE ROLL!

Winning isn't everything. But here in Alabama, it comes pretty close.

God bless you and your family, God bless the Crimson Tide, God bless the Tigers. And God bless America.

*On a fashion note, from your BR Fashion Major, my pick for Iron bowl 2008 Cheerleader uniforms goes to: The Alabama Crimson Tide Cheerleaders. They chose, smart, figure-flattering uniforms for the Battle for bragging rights. The Auburn Cheerleaders need to take those unflattering, wrap the body-striped uniforms, and shove them out the nearest airlock. They did nothing for the Auburn Ladies, and made them look double wide.

Ladies, always remember. Stripes that go around the body, makes one look huge. Stripes that go down the body, makes one look slimmer. And on camera, you want stripes going down the body, because cameras add ten pounds to you.

Iron Bowl 2008: Dedicated to John "Johnny" Mark Stallings

Ren C. — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 08:08:57 -0500

The Crimson Tide of Alabama has a missing chair at the round table this football season. A huge fan,took his journey home, Aug. 2.

John Mark Stallings,the son of Coach Gene Stallings and his wife; went on homeward, to that eternal reward laid up for all the good and just and angels like John Mark.

John Mark would help the players in the locker room, and if he saw them in pain, he would "Put Ice on it" to make it all better.

This Alabama and Auburn game is going to be watched over by a angel. John Mark, whose story is as inspirational as one who most certainly, fought the good fight.

Finished the entire course, and went onto that "Crown-of-Life," an eternal life where there is no sickness, no Down's syndrome, no pain, no disease. Healthy, eternally whole and still The University of Alabama's Biggest Fan and our Angel.

John Mark, while we miss you and that inspirational smile of yours, we know one thing. Somewhere, just over that river Jordan stands Alabama's greatest fan and the team's kindest first aid tech. Our beloved John Mark Stallings.

"Go Alabama"; John Mark would say. Let us remember him,and pick up his battle cry. "Go Alabama!" Let's win this one for John Mark.

Alabama Keeps a Firm Grip on the Crystal Slippers: Cinderella season continues.

Ren C. — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 14:57:26 -0500

Yes, Virginia, there is a Santa Claus. And yes, the Crimson Tide of Alabama is 11 and zero after they taught the MSU Bulldogs to behave in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

On a cold night at Bryant-Denny Stadium, the Crimson Tide of Alabama and the Mississippi State Bulldogs met. The Bulldogs came in with two wins against the Crimson Tide, and they did put up a fight to make it three.

But Coach Nick Saban rallied the troops and had other plans, as he got up close and personal in several players' faces during a hard fought gridiron match-up.

Teamwork wins football games. And the Crimson Tide is picking up steam,and like the Iron Horses, the Tide stepped up and steamed on into the history books,tonight at Bryant-Denny.

The glass slipper is in hand as Prince Saban coached his men on to a 32-7 lead over the Bulldogs of Mississippi State.

With seven minutes to go in the fourth quarter;the Crimson Tide of Alabama still working defense and offsense,no letting down the crimson banner. Focused,and determined,as the seconds tick off the play clock.

5:37 on the clock,the fourth quarter winding on down,first and ten Alabama at the 30, with them picking up five yards. Alabama then takes the ball down to the MSU 48.

Bama is letting the clock wind on down, and it's third and four to pick up another first down. Alabama is running the ball on the ground. As they continue to meticuliously control the field. It is First and Ten with 2:17 to go in the ballgame.

The clock is now under two minutes, as Demetrius Goode gets in his first catch of the year.

Second and eight, Bama is now third and seven. Bama looking to make another first down. McElroy throws to Brad Smelley, first down. With 39 seconds to go,Alabama controls destiny as it marches up the field and marches time off the clock.

A Mississppi State Player is down on the field, Jesse Bowman defensive back, No. 94. The Medical Cart comes out to take him off the field. We wish him well, and pray that he is not injured badly.

The game continues with Alabama taking the ball to Griffin up the middle to the 23-yard-line. The clock winds to zero: it's the Crimson Tide of Alabama 32, the Mississippi State Bulldogs 7.

Eleven and Zero Alabama. Coach Saban acknowledges the fans,and the Alabama flag hits the field in Celebration.

The party continues in Bryant-Denny Stadium tonight as the Million Dollar Band strikes up the song.

Yeah, Alabama,Yeah!

Alabama Crimson Tide's Christmas in Dixie

Ren C. — Sun, 09 Nov 2008 02:30:40 -0500

The Crimson Tide of Alabama, commanded by Master Saba Ni'narule, Jedi Legion. Went to Death Valley Saturday, Nov. 8, 2008 after a week of John Parker Wilson's cell phone being bombarded by LSU fans' harassments. In response, after Alabama's first touchdown, Wilson looked at the LSU sideline and asked, "Can you hear me now?"

Hey, John. We will take that penalty. Personally, I have seen other teams' players show boat and be a lot more disrespectful than Wilson was Saturday night. But the refs thought it was unsportsmanlike.

Hum-mm...I wonder if the refs thought the ref's shove of the Alabama player was unsportsmanlike? In my humble opinion, a Ref should never, ever shove a college player. That is not only unsportsmanlike, it is also the worst example a senior man can give to a college student. So, all you refs, remember the public watches your actions, too.

It was a defensive game, with Alabama and LSU taking the lead, tying, taking the lead, and tying, time after time until it went into overtime. You cannot say it was a boring game. This was one of those down-in-the-trenches, bleeding-for-your-team games that will go down in SEC history as a Cinderella story for a Cinderella team that was not supposed to be where it is now—undefeated in November following the 27-21 victory.

Some LSU fans seemed to think that voodoo curses and burning an effigy of Alabama coach Nick Saban at their bonfire would somehow frighten and scare off Alabama fans? And hopefully intimidate the Crimson Tide players? People, please!

Gimmicks don't work, just ask Georgia's coach about his team's "Blackout!" But the Alabama and Georgia Fans had a blast with the blackout. But burning effigies,and disrespecting a Coach like Saban at the LSU pre-game and game? All poor sportsmanship gets you is simple—it makes the entire fan base, your university, and team look bad.

Alabama fought the battle for Death Valley and, in overtime, put it in the win column. All the hype, and all the "Who should be No. 1" by the reporters, sportscasters, etc. mean absolutely nothing to the Tide faithful. Because there is one simple thing: You cannot take away the wins, you cannot steal the "glass slippers." The Prince has come and his name is Saban. Alabama Football is back in the race, winning and being responsible players and coaches. My hat's off to all of you. Gentlemen all.

God bless Saban, his family, and all the coaches and their families. God bless all the Crimson Tide players and their families. And God bless the University of Alabama, the USA, our President-elect, and even the outgoing President. And God bless LSU, and coach Les Miles. You are a credit to your team, coach Miles. Do not let negative people get you down.

Roll Tide, Roll...Merry Christmas from Tuscaloosa, Alabama, where the Crimson Tide rolled home as victors.

Hey Rashad Johnson, you get the Crimson Tea Cakes this week. Roll Tide, Roll.

A Walk Down Alabama's Memory Lane

Ren C. — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 10:25:43 -0400

It is autumn. The leaves are changing colors. The football season is on a roll. And the Crimson Tide of Alabama are nine and zero—and ranked in the top five of the national polls.

As the car pulls up, I get out and pick up the mementos. It is windy as I make my way, slowly walking, following a crimson line on the pavement. I look up as a groundskeeper smiles and says good morning. I reply good morning back and continue my walk.

As I follow the crimson line, my mind wanders back in time. I can hear the Million Dollar Band striking up the fight song. I can smell the tailgate grills' BBQ. I hear the fans cheering and preparing for another day of football.

As I near the end of the Crimson Line, my eyes look up at the grassy hill. In front of me stands a small marker. Not a huge monument, just the small grey marker. No statues of him, no big fanfare of remembrance. Just the plain, simple grave marker for Coach Bryant—the way he would have wanted it.

As I stand there and pay my respects all these years later, I am still, silent, and in reflection. I leave the mementos, just a couple of remembrances: a pack of Golden Flake Potato Chips with a note that reads, "Thanks for the memories. We miss you Coach Bryant." Plus a bottle of Coke—the Real Thing, in a glass bottle.

I listen to the sounds of the wind, and I look at the grave marker, and I remember.

Few people who pass along this Earthly journey are remembered. Coach Bryant, still after all these years, is remembered because he was a winner. More importantly, though, he was a leader.

I close my eyes and remember the day that I got the call saying they'd taken Coach to the hospital, and it did not look good. Then the official announcement came from DCH that he had indeed passed from this realm of mortality.

Coach Bryant went home. He ran an exceptional race. He finished the course, and he did it his way and as a winner.

Thanks for the memories Coach.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2073/2251381365_8f5ac6a520_b.jpg

Ren