Tide Tidbits - October 2, 2008

Old-style 'Bama back in title picture
When Steadman Shealy watches Alabama these days, it looks ever so familiar. The punishing offense, the relentless defense, the unflagging consistency. It reminds the former Crimson Tide quarterback of those old Bear Bryant powerhouses from his own playing days 30 years ago. "They just look more like Alabama, what we expect Alabama to look like," said Shealy, who played for Bryant's final national championship teams in 1978 and 1979. "They hit. They're disciplined. They're not making mistakes and they're pretty well finishing it. They're doing well in the fourth quarter, which back in my day that's what we did."

Alabama picking up recruiting in Georgia
The Alabama Crimson Tide may not be through with Georgia. Alabama, a 41-30 winner over the Bulldogs last Saturday night at Sanford Stadium, is developing a stronger recruiting presence in the Peach State. The Crimson Tide already have four commitments from Georgia for their 2009 signing class after signing only five in the five-year stretch from 2002-06.

Focus on special teams this week before facing nation's most special
In a perfect world, Leigh Tiffin would either boom his kickoff into the end zone or watch someone else tackle the ball-carrier for a loss. "Hit a good kick and jog off to the sideline," said Tiffin, the Alabama kicker who has made two tackles. While coach Nick Saban said, "Everybody needs to know how to tackle," Tiffin has been in such a position too often this season.

Mike McCoy (kinda) returns, Saban gets feisty... and other stuff!
It's been a while since Alabama coach Nick Saban got feisty. No, not angry or ticked off. Just a little, ya know, snappy. Hey, it's been a while. He said receiver Mike McCoy, who has a hamstring injury, "did some stuff" in practice, and I wanted to know what he did.

Roll Tide!