Who really will be a better pro?

It is the question I posed in the Bama Blog poll and there was a runaway winner. Rolando McClain has the high expectations of the readership by earning 77 percent of the vote. Javier Arenas and Terrence Cody picked up seven percent a piece to tie for second.

Click here for the compete results.

If you’re asking me, I’d have to agree with the 77 percent who went with McClain. He has all the physical and mental tools to succeed at the next level. He seems to be making an impact already in Oakland Raiders mini-camp and I’m fascinated to see how he’ll do this fall.

Arenas is another smart bet considering his versatility. Nick Saban said his NFL experience taught him the importance of having a player who can handle himself at cornerback and punt/kick returner. With smaller rosters, it’s important to find a player who can handle two positions like Arenas.

The only surprising result of the poll was the confidence the readers had in the other Alabama first-round pick. Kareem Jackson got just two percent of the vote.

I’d like to hear more of your views on the topic. Leave a comment by clicking the comment button at the top of the post. And if you haven’t voted yet, do so below.

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And now, the latest from Kige Ramsey.

Kareem Jackson picked

Another Alabama junior just went earlier than expected. The Houston Texans just picked up Kareem Jackson with the 20th pick in the first round.

No time to blog, though. Cranking out print stories. Read them Friday.

Just hours away from the NFL draft

Thank goodness, we are in the final countdown for the first round of the NFL draft. Any number of scenarios could play out when the made-for-TV prime time debut telecast begins at 6:30 p.m. (Central) on ESPN.

We know Rolando McClain will go in the first round, but will Kareem Jackson and/or Terrence Cody join him? Or are they headed for heartbreak?

Stay with the Bama Blog for all the updates as McClain watches the draft from home sweet home in Decatur.

Here are a few final predictions coming in from respectable beat writers.

The Giants remain be fans of McClain (New York Daily News)
Another prediction of McClain to the Giants (Newark Star Ledger)
A draft viewing guide (New York Times)
Giants linebacker a big McClain fan (New York Post)

Check in later for more.

Where will Rolando McClain get drafted?

The consensus of mock drafts still say Rolando McClain will go to the New York Giants who have the 15th pick in the draft.

This Baltimore Sun mock draft has McClain going to the Giants. It also has Kareem Jackson and Terrence Cody going in the first round.


The Sun-Sentinel of South Florida suggests the Miami Dolphins could take McClain off the board before the Giants could take him.

There are countless other resources and Web sites covering the draft, but I encourage you to use caution while surfing. Searches turn up countless mock drafts and predictions from people posing as experts and sports writers on sites like Bleacher Report. I’d advise against reading anything on these unreliable sites.

Finally, check out these pictures of McClain playing pick up basketball in Decatur last weekend.

Alabama players taking over NFL Combine

It’s NFL Scouting Combine time in Indianapolis and the Crimson Tide is well represented. There are 10 players from the championship team — eight seniors and juniors Kareem Jackson and Rolando McClain.

Here are a few links to digest before starting your weekend.

Patriots keep an eye on the Tide (Boston Herald) (by former Birmingham News Alabama beat writer Ian Rapoport)

System, Saban give Alabama players NFL edge (by current Birmingham News beat writer Don Kausler Jr.)

Mike Singletary a big Rolando McClain fan (ESPN.com)

McClain, Jackson in CBS writer’s first round projection

Alabama isn’t the most represented program, LSU is (New Orleans Times-Picayune)

Rolando McClain headed to combine

If you’re surprised, you’re in the dark. But, as expected, Rolando McClain has been invited to the NFL Scouting Combine set for Feb. 27-March 2 in Indianapolis. Kareem Jackson also made the list of underclassmen according to nfldraftinsider.net

It is a big opportunity to impress the scouts or fail miserably.

McClain could cement his status as a top-15 pick at the event.

CB Kareem Jackson leaving for NFL draft

Alabama’s already depleted defense just got a little thinner.

Junior cornerback Kareem Jackson announced his intentions to enter the NFL draft and skip his senior season at Alabama.

It was a decision Jackson said he “thought long and hard” about.

“I set a goal and made a promise to myself and my parents to finish my degree so I definitely plan on doing that,” Jackson said in a news release. “I look forward to coming back to visit everyone because the University of Alabama has become my second home and my second family.”

Read more in Saturday’s paper.