Tide Tidbits - October 9, 2008

Tide creating opportunities for themselves
If the Bowl Championship Series decided its two finalists today, there is a good chance the Crimson Tide would be one of them. That's enough to warm even Nick Saban. "I am really proud and pleased of where our team has put themselves in terms of creating opportunities for themselves, and what we have accomplished in the first half of the season," Saban said. "They have played a lot of good football and played with a lot of toughness."

Who is this Eryk Anders guy... and other stuff!
There are very few times when a player will do something on the field, and I'll have to go look up his number. But to be completely honest, I had to figure out who No. 32 was the first time he began contributing on defense. Turns out, it's Eryk Anders, a junior reserve linebacker who has carved out a niche on third downs. Not bad for a player who was only offered a scholarship weeks before camp began as a freshman.

Smith back in black
Left tackle Andre Smith returned to practice but was in a black, non-contact jersey. Smith was excused for Tuesday's practice with an illness. Smith was not on a stationary bike, but also did not participate when the first line went to its group drills. Drew Davis and John Michael Boswell worked at the tackle positions during group drills for the second day in a row.

Reamer: Tide wants to be assignment-sound
Think back to just three or four months ago, and the state of the University of Alabama linebacker corps. Darren Mustin and Keith Saunders had moved on. Ezekial Knight’s career had been cut short. Prince Hall suspended. Backup Jimmy Johns arrested. The lone returning starter, sophomore Rolando McClain, was recovering from a motorcycle accident.

Roll Tide!