Tide Tidbits - November 20, 2008

Coach Saban praises coach, players
"I’ve been a guy that wants our team to work everyday on getting better, and to go from being successful to being significant, but not lose sight of what you have to do to do it." Though the word "Auburn" did not come up during the meeting, coach Saban did talk about how practices have gone so far as his top-ranked team prepares for the Tigers. "Practice has gone pretty well," he said. "Guys who are nicked up are getting a chance to heal up. We’re working against each other to try to improve fundamentally. Hopefully, we’ll play better when the time comes."

More talk about Auburn, Javy on offense
While gaining 153 yards on punt returns against Mississippi State, Javier Arenas presented one more example why he's one of the Tide's most electric players. That begs the question: Has Saban ever considered him on offense? "Not this year," Saban said. "That might be something to think about in the future. But his plate is pretty full right now."Saban is not averse to defenders playing offense. Nose tackle Terrence Cody has taken one snap at fullback, and there are plays installed where he takes a handoff.

Bama's McClain has knack for playing in pain
Rolando McClain seems to have a knack for playing through pain. The top-ranked Crimson Tide’s middle linebacker had a cut on his thumb stitched up at halftime of the Mississippi State game and still racked up 11 tackles and two sacks. He broke a thumb and separated his shoulder in last season’s Independence Bowl. McClain still finished the game. “Ro has a lot of mental toughness, physical toughness and plays that way,” Tide coach Nick Saban said. “He has shown an ability, as a competitor, to play through injuries. Come out for a play and go back in and just keep playing.

Whatever it is isn't enough in Saban's world
Sometimes that sounds like a cop-out, an act of resignation, as if to say, "nothing is going to change, so why talk about it?" It is one of Alabama coach Nick Saban's favorite answers when he is asked one of those hypothetical questions he doesn't like to get drawn into. It's his way of saying he's not going to waste any mental energy trying to figure out something that isn't relative to the situation at hand.

Wilson: No chance of looking past AU
Alabama quarterback John Parker Wilson has no doubt that his team is in a much more positive position heading into the 2008 Iron Bowl than it was in 2007. Not so much for 5-6 Auburn. Wilson said there is no chance the Crimson Tide will overlook a rival with a six-game winning streak. There is too much to play for, a point he makes to the younger players. "You're not going to fool anybody," he said. "We know we're playing Auburn and we haven't beaten them in a long time. But we hadn't beaten Mississippi State or LSU or Tennessee on the road. We've been in big games and big situations and handled it well. We're just going to do the same thing."

Tide’s Greenwood having good year
University of Alabama defensive end Bobby Greenwood has a little bit of a different perspective when it comes to next week’s game against Auburn. While no one on the Crimson Tide has ever been on the winning side of the rivalry during their collegiate careers, Greenwood is one of just nine seniors on scholarship, of which he and Rashad Johnson are the lone defensive starters. “Bobby’s played really well for us,” coach Nick Saban said. “He’s a very consistent player, hard worker, tries to do everything right. He’s very productive in the game and we’re really pleased with the way he’s played for us all year long. He’s done a nice job.”

Alabama notebook: Surgery may have ended Oakley's career
Alabama senior receiver Will Oakley has undergone surgery on his shoulder area that may have ended his collegiate career. "I don't know if he has a chance to come back for the bowl game or not," Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said. Oakley hurt his collarbone falling down stairs, according to Saban. It was the latest in a string of mishaps for Oakley, who broke his foot doing steps in the weight room this past summer.

Fitzgerald, special teams starting to click for No. 1 Tide
Last week against Mississippi State he averaged 43 yards per punt, and was credited with three inside the 20 — of which two were downed inside the 2 by senior Rashad Johnson. “He’s awesome,’ Fitzgerald said about Johnson. “Without him, I wouldn’t have half the numbers I have. He forces all those fair catches, he downs all those punts, he makes those hits when they can’t return it.” Combined with junior Javier Arenas’ stellar returns, including an 80-yard touchdown, sophomore Kareem Jackson’s blocked punt through the end zone for a safety, and junior Leigh Tiffin’s three field goals, special teams clearly carried the No. 1 Tide in its 32-7 victory.

Roll Tide!