Alabama Football: Notes from the Press Box and Interviews with the Tide

Larry Burton (Syndicated Writer) When the team arrived at Bryant-Denny Stadium in the three buses that bring them for this short trip, there seemed little excitement as they walked through thousands of fans on the parade down the Walk of Champions.

Most had their headphones on and did little interaction with the fans. It was almost as if they didn't want to be bothered by the fans.

There was little excitement seen in the first half of play. There were no high fives after a play, no excitement on the sidelines. They seemed like zombies going through the motions.

What happened at halftime is a matter still unclear, seeing as how Saban's version and the players' version differed so greatly.

Saban said it wasn't explosive in the locker room and that he simply explained how they they had 30 minutes to play a game and decide what they wanted, and that everybody had to make a commitment to what you want and who they were, what kind of competitor they were and were they willing to do to get what they want.

But the players I interviewed saw it another way. Darius Hanks said Saban "jumped our butts" and others painted a different view from Saban's.

Saban said that he saw Tennessee putting eight men on the line of scrimmage and overloading the box, and the only way to break this game open was to pass the ball and he was pleased how A.J. McCarron responded to that challenge.

Indeed McCarron responded much in the same way McElroy did in his first year when Arkansas stacked the line and dared the rookie to prove he could beat them. McCarron did the same thing in the second half to Tennessee.

Saban was pleased with how his young quarterback responded.

As for the hype over the LSU game, Saban wanted the team to "Chill Out" and treat it like another game and just rest up and get healed and healthy again.

I guess my ranting over the kickoff coverage has made Saban's desk, because when I complimented him on better kick coverage and kickoffs and asked him how the kickoff coverage improved, I got one of those Saban moments.

He told me that they actually analyze things themselves and I'm not the only one that analyzes what they do. And I could tell he liked switching the tables and now grilling me. I actually got a smile out of him.

But he did explain that they did do much work on that this week and that it came down to staying in lanes and not being blocked out of them.

Player Interview Highlights

Courtney Upshaw—said he and Marquis Maze spoke up at halftime and said the team needed to step up and play Alabama football after Saban spoke.

What he's doing with his days off—going home and getting a lot of rest.

That the offense coming out in the second half and playing so well picked up the defense and got them going too.

Darius Hanks—When asked if he had magnets in his hands, laughed and said no.

Laughed and said after the teasing McCarron got from not running in a touchdown in one game felt he had to tuck it and run in that TD run to save face this time.

He said "Coach jumped our butts" at halftime.

Hanks said that A.J. is making big strides every week and is becoming a real field general, just like McElroy was and went into several check off plays in the second half and never missed one.

Kenny Bell—Said the TD catch was the biggest thrill of his life so far at Alabama.

Bell is going home and spend time with his kids and watch his nephews play their pee wee football games.

Said it was "intense" at halftime, but it got them focused.

Brad Smelley—Is using his days off to do some dove hunting and healing up.

He said the team was really upset at halftime.

Smelley said that A.J. did a wonderful job of checking into great plays in the second half and that he is really a great quarterback.

Barrett Jones—Said he just wants to ice down his body and rest.

He said he really loves playing left tackle. It's clear that he wants to stay there and that he's ready to fight to stay there. He teased me when I asked if he was ready to see a young gun take over so he could go back to guard and he said, "No, things are going pretty well right now aren't they?"

Nico Johnson—Told me he really didn't know any player that just wasn't beat down or nicked up and that the team really needed a rest.

When I asked him if this 2011 team was better or worse than the 2009 team, he said that this team has more and better leaders on it than that team. He said they could be better, but since they haven't finished the season, it's way too early to say they are.

For his time off, he's going to go home and just sleep, lots and lots of sleep.

Alfred McCullough—What was wrong with the team in the first half? He said they "Just didn't have any energy, intensity or focus."

He told me this was a special night for him and his first in the press room after a game.

Al is going to go home and spend time with family, eat home cooking and rest.

Video interviews with the players I interviewed may be seen here.