Cody, McClain, Deaderick make preseason debuts

Terrence Cody (63) battles in the Associated Press photo

The NFL preseason is underway and a few Alabama rookies got their feet wet Thursday night.

Rolando McClain had two tackles including one solo for the Oakland Raiders 17-9 win over the Cowboys.

Even more impressive was Terrence Cody. He had five tackles — four solo — and one for loss in the Ravens’ 17-12 win over the Panthers. He even lined up in the backfield as a fullback blocking for another former McClain from Alabama — running back Le’Ron McClain.

Read more about Cody’s blocking skills in the Baltimore Sun.

In Foxboro, Brandon Deaderick got a little playing time in the Patriots’ 27-24 loss to the Saints. Deaderick had one tackle in the fourth quarter.

Hazing claims Rolando McClain’s hair

The hazing of 2010 continues in the NFL. Unlike Tim Tebow’s now infamous monk cut, Rolando McClain’s new style isn’t getting the same kind of hype.

Except here.

Courtesy of the Thoughts from the Dark Side blog that follows the Oakland Raiders, here is a look at McClain’s unfortunate new look. I guess $40 million contracts aren’t enough to keep the clippers away.

Raiders hope to sign McClain by Thursday

Practice begins tomorrow and Rolando McClain remains unsigned for now. As the clock ticks down to the beginning of the Oakland Raiders’ training camp, the team is still working on a deal with the Decatur product.

According to an Associated Press story, they’re hoping to have the ink dried by Thursday when practices begin out west.

In other news, Terrence Cody has passed his physical with the Baltimore Ravens, is practicing, and apparently has a new nickname courtesy of a teammate.

Stick with the blog for updates.

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.

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.

Terrence Cody to the Ravens

I called it, but no one was around to hear it. With Baltimore’s 3-4 defense and its history of bigger than big defensive linemen, it wasn’t a shock they took Terrence Cody with the 57th pick of the drafter.

It was yet another Alabama pickup for Tide legend Ozzie Newsome, the Ravens’ general manager.

Who is next for the Tide? Mike Johnson is the best bet. Stay tuned

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.

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)

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.

VIDEO: Pro Day drills, Part II

Rolando McClain doubles over in pain after stomach aches signal a flare up of his Chron’s Disease.

VIDEO: Pro Day drills

First Terrence Cody runs the 40 in 5.4 seconds.

Pro Day: A quick wrap up

The Pro Day at Alabama just wrapped up after more than two hours of drills in the indoor complex. Here are the bigger nuggets of information:

• Rolando McClain played every game after the Tennessee win with a “tweaked” hamstring, he said for the first time Wednesday.
• McClain also spoke about his issues with Chron’s Disease. It’s an interesting story that I’ll dive deeper into in Thursday’s paper.
• Terrence Cody’ weight is all the way down to 348 pounds and he’s expecting to go in the “top 10 or 15 picks in the draft.
• As expected, Javier Arenas did not participate after suffering a hamstring injury at the NFL Scouting Combine.
• Stay tuned for a few videos.

A few videos for your Tuesday

It’s been a while since I trolled the internet for videos of interest. So, here you go. Just a few Alabama videos to get you to lunch.

Tide gymnastics vs. Florida and vs. Arizona and at Penn State

Go back in time for Mississippi State at Alabama basketball in 2004

A look at the Alabama softball season.

Daniel Moore unveils “Maximum Block”painting of Terrence Cody’s big play against UT

Speaking of Cody, here is one fan’s tribute known as “Mount Snowdy”

A homage to Alabama football’s defense: Part 1 and Part 2

And finally, the Alabama dance team performs at a recent basketball game.

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.

Terrence Cody weighs in at Senior Bowl

And Terrence Cody apparently a little heavier than the 354-pound number he listed during the season. According to Mobile Press-Register reporter Mike Herndon, he came in at 370 pounds at Senior Bowl activities this afternoon.

Read more here, but beware. There is a shirtless Cody photo waiting on the other side.

For the official weight totals of all involved, click here.