Tide Tidbits - December 31, 2008

Sugar Bowl features overachieving defenses
With Andersen's looming departure and Kalani Sitake's elevation to replace him, the Sugar Bowl will feature three defensive coordinators, a head defensive coach and two defensive-minded head coaches. Not surprisingly, it will also boast two pretty good defenses. The success also means some coaching turnover, possibly for both staffs. Both defenses have overachieved this season, thanks largely to the emergence of the front seven defenders. Nose guard Terrence Cody transferred in from junior college and became an All-American and freshman linebacker Don'ta Hightower also became an immediate starter.

Alabama attorney general investigates Smith situation
The suspension of Alabama junior left tackle Andre Smith carried aftershocks Tuesday. The state attorney general’s office is reviewing reports of alleged contact between the Outland Trophy winner and a sports agent, according to the Associated Press. “The attorney general’s office has been active in prosecuting sports agent violations,” office spokesman Chris Bence told the AP. “It’s a felony. That’s a serious law.”

Alabama notes: Tide likes Barron's future
Former St. Paul's standout Mark Barron will be in the competition to replace Alabama's departing All-American free safety Rashad Johnson, Crimson Tide defensive coordinator Kirby Smart said Tuesday. "Mark Barron has done an outstanding job," Smart said. "He's another freshmen who's contributed on special teams. ... He's one of the better overall athletes. He's a guy that can run. He can hit you. He's a good player. He's going to help us."

Smith says return to Tide 'possible'
While Alabama teammates tried to move on before Friday night's Sugar Bowl against Utah, junior left tackle Andre Smith was home Tuesday pondering his future amid what he termed a "disappointing" situation. Smith said "it's possible" he could still opt to return to the Crimson Tide next season despite his Monday suspension from the team. Smith was sent home from the bowl site as school officials continue to hash out details of an improper association between Smith or a person representing his interest and a sports agent.

So what else is going on?
One special treat: Alabama defensive coordinator Kirby Smart met with the media for the first time today. The BCS requires coordinators to be available for scheduled interviews, which means access to Tide assistants that otherwise do not conduct interviews. Offensive coordinator Jim McElwain (who like we told you, is not bound for New Mexico State) stopped by yesterday. Smart, like McElwain, was great to talk with. He was asked plenty of times about Nick Saban's tendency to jokingly call himself a graduate assistant ...

Utah ready to take on Cody
Salt Lake City is surrounded by mountains on three sides, so University of Utah sophomore Zane Taylor has some idea what he's in for Friday night when the seventh-ranked Utes play the Alabama Crimson Tide in the Sugar Bowl. Taylor is Utah's center, so he'll be charged with trying to block Alabama's All-American nose guard Terrence Cody — all 6-foot-5 and 365 pounds of him. 'I've heard the name a few times, seen him on film,' Taylor said. 'He's quite a guy, quite a player, for sure. 'He's a strong player and he's hard to move. A lot of guys, you can move them one way or another. He really is like a mountain. You don't see many guys push him around.'

Roll Tide!