Tide Tidbits - October 8, 2008

Bye-week practices focus on basics
Players from the Alabama football team seemed a bit more relaxed than usual when they met with the media Tuesday evening after their first practice of the week. There is no game this Saturday, giving the players a chance to rest, but the players said they will still be hard at work during the last two practices scheduled for this week. Junior defensive lineman Terrence Cody said he felt a little beat up after six weeks of regular season play, but is eager to play even more when the Tide resumes play next week against Ole Miss. “I tell my coaches, you know, on some third down plays I can stay in,” he said. “I like pass rushing … I can affect the quarterback. I feel like I have a lot of energy.”

Anders finally finds role as 'rabbit rusher'
How often did junior linebacker Eryk Anders worry that he wasn't going to be a contributor on Alabama's defense? "Every day," Anders said, "up until this year." Anders has emerged from depth-chart obscurity into a key role for the Crimson Tide's defense. Alabama coach Nick Saban calls it a "rabbit rusher," a linebacker who lines up at defensive end to become an outside pass rusher on third-and-long, when opponents are likely to throw.

Saban stresses intensity
"Intensity has fueled our success. That is something we need to maintain in practice and preparation and improving over this bye week," Saban said. "We don't need to be looking into the rear view mirror here. We need to be looking ... forward to the challenge ahead. Part of that is getting some rest this week and part of it is improving in areas where we have not been consistent. That is something we will focus on in these three days of practice."

CECIL HURT: Giving due credit
There is no question about the hottest stable of all at the moment. One look at The Associated Press poll confirms it, with Alabama at No. 2 and Missouri at No. 3 in the nation — and two old Kent State teammates at the coaching helms. Nick Saban and University of Missouri coach Gary Pinkel played together for three years (1970 through 1972) under Don James, who went on to win a national championship at Washington.

Roll Tide!