Checking in on ‘Bama NFL rookies

It’s been about a month since the NFL draft and the Crimson Tide players selected are settling into their new surroundings. Here are a few updates courtesy of the beat writers who cover the teams and a few other newspapers.

Leigh Tiffin wasn’t drafted, but he signed on with the Cleveland Browns. The TimesDaily ran this update in today’s paper.

Terrence Cody appears to be doing well with the Baltimore Ravens, according to this story and this story.

Javier Arenas is working at nickel back with the Chiefs, the Kansas City Star reports.

Mike Johnson is working with the Falcons second-team offensive line, so says the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. 

Rolando McClain, the San Francisco Examiner says, is “a stud.”

Kige Ramsey didn’t play at Alabama, but he does like his Tennessee Titans jerseys and makes great videos. Here is your Kige video of the day.

Mike Johnson closes out third round

No, not Mr. Irrelevant, but Mike Johnson was the final pick of the NFL draft’s second day. He’ll be heading to Atlanta as the 98th overall pick, rejoining John Parker Wilson for whom he blocked for two seasons with the Tide.

That’s it for the day.

Stay tuned stating at 9 a.m. Saturday to see if Colin Peek, Brandon Deaderick, Roy Upchurch, Eryk Anders, and/or Cory Reamer land in one of the final three rounds.

VIDEO: Walk of Fame ceremony at A-Day

Take a look at the scene surrounding the Walk of Fame ceremony at A-Day when Rolando McClain, Mike Johnson and Javier Arenas were honored as the 2009 captains.

Before the captains and Nick Saban arrived, three bus loads of special guests arrived.

A few minutes later, McClain, Johnson and Arenas are welcomed by the few hundred fans.

Then comes Saban.

And the players give quick speeches …

Finally, the hands and feet go in the cement while Saban addresses the crowd.

McClain named Bama player of decade

Of the 3,000 or so ballots cast in the BAMA Magazine voting, only three didn’t include Rolando McClain. Despite that, the Decatur product earned enough to be named player of the decade by the publication. He was one of six players from the 2009 title team to make the team of the decade released Wednesday afternoon by BAMA Magazine.

Full coverage can be found in the spring issue of the magazine, but editor Kirk McNair gave us a preview today. McClain, not much for the individual accolades,  wasn’t expecting this one

 “Really, I’m surprised, particularly since we had a Heisman Trophy winner n this decade,” McClain told BAMA Mag. “There have been a lot of great players at Alabama over the past ten years, so this is really an honor that I appreciate. But it’s also a team award. Because we accomplished so much as a
team, we have had a lot of individual honors.”

The other 2009 team members honored include that Heisman winner Mark Ingram, offensive lineman Mike Johnson, nose tackle Terrence Cody, cornerback Javier Arenas, placekicker Leigh Tiffin and wide receiver Julio Jones.

A-Day schedule released

If you’re heading down to Tuscaloosa for Saturday’s A-Day, you’ll might be interested in the schedule released by Alabama this afternoon. A quick check of weather.com reveals a predicted high of 83 with isolated thunderstorms.

11:00 a.m: Gates open at Bryant-Denny Stadium

12:00 p.m: A-Club 7-on-7 Flag Football Game (Bryant-Denny Stadium)

12:15 p.m: Walk of Fame: ’09 Captains (Javier Arenas, Mike Johnson and Rolando McClain) with Coach Saban (Denny Chimes)

2:05 p.m: A-Day Game (Bryant-Denny Stadium)

* Remember all times are Central.

Senior Bowl via links

Since the Bama Blog can’t be in Mobile this week, here’s a look at the other coverage coming out of the scouting week.

• Nick Saban made quite a stir when he showed up at practice Monday. Read this.
• All 370 pounds of Terrence Cody is making plenty of news this week. See this and this.
• Offensive lineman Mike Johnson is impressing in the early practices, so says Sports Illustrated.
• Roy Upchurch is just happy to be invited.
• On a side note, the blog hopes loyal reader Kristi Whitlock has a joyous birthday.

Upchurch heading to Senior Bowl

Roy Upchurch got the call late Sunday that he’d be invited to the Senior Bowl. LSU’s Charles Scott (you might remember him as “Chuck the truck”) is hurt and Upchurch was available.

He’s the sixth Alabama player to make the roster after being the No. 3 running back in the Tide offense this season. Javier Arenas, Terrence Cody, Mike Johnson, Colin Peek and Leigh Tiffin will also be in Mobile this week.

The game is at 3 p.m. Saturday and will be televised on the NFL Network.

Ingram named SEC offensive player of week

Not much surprise there.

Mark Ingram, a sophomore running back, ran 26 times for 150 yards, a career high, in the 34-24 beating of Virginia Tech. He also caught three passes for 35 yards and the final touchdown of the night.

On a side note, coach Nick Saban said Ingram would not miss Monday’s practice with the bruised knee he suffered in the late stages of Saturday’s win.

Offensive lineman Mike Johnson picked up an honorable mention from the league for his work Saturday.

Kentucky’s Trevard Lindley was the defensive player of the week.

Two Tiders on Outland Trophy watchlist

The Football Writers Association of America just unveiled its top 40 contenders for the Outland Trophy awarded to the nation’s top interior lineman.

Alabama defensive lineman Terrence Cody made the list along with offensive counterpart Mike Johnson. Cody was the only finalist who was also an 2008 FWAA All-American.

The two Alabama players joined eight others from the Southeastern Conference on the watchlist for the award that will be handed out following the regular season. Read more about today’s announcement on the FWAA Web site.

First practice begins, ends

TUSCALOOSA — The first half of the first day of Alabama’s fall practice is complete. We’re now in the lull in between as the freshmen are gearing up for their first practice to begin at 7:30 p.m.

Six of the veterans spoke with reporters following their workout this morning and all were in good spirits. Offensive lineman Mike Johnson was playful and full of laughs.

Quarterback Greg McElroy caught a cramp after less than 30 seconds talking to us (I promise we didn’t ask him to run for us but we may require him to stretch before interviews).

The man of the hour was Terrence Cody. Of course he was asked several questions about his weight that he said was close to 355. By the end of August, he said the goal is to be somewhere in the 345-pound neighborhood. He spoke about coming back to school when he could have gone pro and the benefits of playing that final year of college as it relates to his future. Towards the end of his time, Cody’s cell phone rang, but was polite enough to not interrupt the interviews.

Anyway, that’s going to be all for now. Check back later for an update on the evening practice.