Anders signs with Browns

The day after the draft, the free agent signing news is rolling in. Eryk Anders’ agent John Phillips just confirmed his client signed a deal with the Browns.

Anders also spoke with the Giants and Bears before deciding Cleveland was the right place for him.

There are also reports indicating Cory Reamer signed with the New York Jets and Colin Peek did so with the Atlanta Falcons.

NFL Draft eve reading assignments

As you know, the NFL draft is one of the most over hyped, over analyzed events of any calendar year. Thank you ESPN and interwebs. So, to feed the beast they have created, I provide you with a reading list of stories as I work on a few of my own.

Rolando McClain hopes to mimic careers of other athletes battling Crohn’s Disease (New York Daily News)

The agent selection process has changed at Alabama since Sugar Bowl (Mobile Press-Register)

NFL draft to be loaded with Tide, Gators (Chattanooga Times Free Press)

Tiffin hopes to keep rolling in NFL (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

Tide’s Cory Reamer: I’m going to do everything I can to make it in the NFL (Press-Register)

Will Alabama’s Cody be a mountain of a bust? (Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)

Beat writers mock draft (Atlanta Journal-Constitution)

If Alabama LB McClain slips, he’s a slam dunk for Giants (New York Post)

McClain could be surprise first-round pick for Chiefs (Kansas City Star)

Colin Peek ranked 15th best tight end (Chicago Tribune)

Reamer does it all

Sam, Will, Money.

Cory Reamer is all of these in the wake of Dont’a Hightower’s season-ending knee injury. Read more in Wednesday’s paper, but Reamer said after today’s practice that he split time between Sam (outside) linebacker, Will (inside) linebacker as well as playing “Money” in nickel packages.

Check out Wednesday’s paper to see what he said about the differences between preparing for inside and outside linebacker positions.

Then tune in at 11:21 CDT Saturday to see how the new-look Alabama defense looks against Kentucky

Saban: Bama has yet to hear from NCAA on Jones/Ingram, Deaderick out for Va. Tech

Speaking on the SEC teleconference just a few minutes ago, Alabama coach Nick Saban was asked about the eligibility of Julio Jones and Mark Ingram as it relates to the investigation of their spring fishing trip paid by Athens resident Curtis Anderson.

“That is up to the NCAA,” Saban said. “I don’t think it’s my decision to do anything. But we are hoping for a responses and we are hoping to do things the right way from a program’s standpoint and for the players’ best interest. I think the institution has handled the situation with tremendous professional integrity. We’re hopeful to have some resolution to the situation in the short-term.”

Later, he chose not to speculate on what kind of issues losing the two would create going into Saturday’s game with Virginia Tech.

“I’ve got enough problems with what-is,” Saban said. “So let’s focus on what is for right now.”

On the flu topic, Saban said he hopes to have starting linebacker Cory Reamer back in practice Wednesday after missing two with the flu.

UPDATE: I must have missed the very beginning of Saban’s turn on the teleconference. Several other outlets are reporting Saban said Brandon Deaderick won’t likely play Saturday against Virginia Tech. The coach will be addressing reporters again today following the 3:30 p.m. practice.

Check back later for more.

Practice update and video

Just got back from Monday afternoon’s media viewing period of practice. And now, some updates.

Linebacker Cory Reamer was not practicing, presumably as one of the few new players coach Nick Saban said came down with the flu making the rounds. Receiver Marquis Maze missed Saturday’s practice, but was back on the field Monday. Alfred McCullough of Athens was still missing, however.

Check out the following video of the wide receivers working out starting with Julio Jones.