The list of Alabama players who signed NFL free-agent deals

The NFL draft isn’t quite the marathon it once was. Only seven rounds worth of players will hear their name called in Radio City Music Hall. For everyone else, there’s a mad rush for free-agent deals.

After eight Alabama players were drafted, six others will also get a shot at roster spots thanks to free agency. Here’s the list as known Sunday afternoon.

• OL Alfred McCullough, Baltimore (via baltimoreravens.com)
• WR Marquis Maze, Pittsburgh Steelers (via Steelers.com)
• LB Alex Watkins, Tennessee Titans (via CBS Sports)
• OL William Vlachos, Tennessee Titans (via CBS Sports)
• WR Darius Hanks, Washington Redskins (via Washington Post)
• DB Phelon Jones, Jacksonville Jaguars (via Twitter)

Read a little more about all of this in tomorrow’s newspaper.

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Photo gallery from Alabama’s day at the NFL draft

Click to enlarge.

We’re back in Radio City Music Hall for the second and third rounds of the NFL draft. Courtney Upshaw, you’re on the clock.

But before the picking begins, take a look back at Thursday’s first round with a few photos snapped by this amateurish amateur of a photographer. Stay tuned for full coverage all evening.

NFL draft in Radio City Music Hall

 

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Alabama sending five to NFL draft ceremony

Of the 26 players invited to attend the first round of the NFL draft, five came from Alabama.

Running back Trent Richardson will be joined by four defenders. Linebackers Courtney Upshaw and Dont’a Hightower got the call along with defensive backs Dre Kirkpatrick and Mark Barron.

There could be a sixth Tide representative could make the April 26 trip to New York’s Radio City Music Hall.

“The players asked me to go, and out of respect for them, I’d love to go,” coach Nick Saban said. “I’ll do everything I can to support our players.”

LSU will send three to the ceremony televised live in prime time on national TV.
Alabama had four first-round picks a season ago.

“When you look at all the first-round draft picks, there are some stats out there that we’ve had more than most and more juniors that came out and were first round draft picks than most,” Saban said. “We’ve certainly seen our share in the past three or four years.”

The Tide had at least one first-rounder in each of the past three drafts and four went in the first 10 picks.

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More pro day video with a Scott Cochran soundtrack

Here is one final video from yesterday’s second pro day in Tuscaloosa. It features Dre Kirkpatrick, Marquis Maze, Phelon Jones, and DeQuan Menzie.

Oh, and Scott Cochran doing what Scott Cochran does.

 

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Richardson knocks scouts off their feet (with video)

Now you’ve seen the video, now read the story about Trent Richardson’s performance at Alabama’s other pro day…

TUSCALOOSA — For weeks, Trent Richardson watched other potential top-10 NFL draft picks audition.

AP/Tuscaloosa News photo

Minor knee surgery kept him sidelined at the pro scouting combine and Alabama’s first pro day March 7.

The former Crimson Tide running back was eager for his shot, as Cleveland Browns running backs coach Gary Brown can no doubt confirm.

Richardson sent Brown flying to the turf on a blocking drill that cracked up the crowd inside Alabama’s indoor training facility Thursday morning.

NFL coaches Jason Garrett (Cowboys), Pat Shurmur (Browns) and Nick Saban’s close friend Bill Belichick (Patriots) attended the event, which was televised live on national television.

Running his first 40-yard dash of the pre-draft season, Richardson recorded times between 4.45 and 4.49 seconds. Mark Barron and Courtney Upshaw, also potential high-round picks, took part Thursday, too, after injuries kept them from participating the first time around.

Richardson’s hit on Brown was the day’s highlight.

“You know (Alabama backs coach Burton) Burns didn’t try to go head up with us to many times ‘cause we probably would have pushed him over, too,” Richardson said with a smile.

Full video of Trent Richardson pro day including one-handed catch

You’ve already seen Trent Richardson’s two 40-yard dashes. Now take a look at the running back and receiving drills he did this morning at Alabama’s other pro day.

Pay attention to the footwork drills and the pass-catching routine. Richardson had a little trouble holding onto some of the balls with some zip, but he had quite a one-handed catch in there.

 

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Nick Saban talks NFL prospects from 2012 class

Take a listen into Nick Saban’s comments from this morning’s pro day activities in Tuscaloosa. Read more about it in tomorrow’s newspaper.

 

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Video of Alabama’s pro day drills

This would have been much better if the drills didn’t run ahead of schedule and wrap up just as the media was told to show up.

So here’s a look at what went down this morning. The only 40-yard dash I saw involved center William Vlachos. Also see Dont’a Hightower, Alex Watkins, DeQuan Menzie and others. Enjoy.

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Dre Kirkpatrick talks NFL, arrest, making that money at Alabama pro day

Take a look at what former Alabama cornerback Dre Kirkpatrick had to say after completing  few drills at the pro day workout in Tuscaloosa.

 

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Four first-rounders sets UA draft record

It was a historic night in Radio City Music Hall for the Alabama football program. Four Crimson Tide players — a new school record — heard their names called in the first round of the NFL draft.

There were no surprises when Marcell Dareus went third to the Buffalo Bills and Julio Jones was taken sixth by the Atlanta Falcons. It wasn’t until the later stages of the primetime event when the projections went out the window.

Left tackle James Carpenter was drafted 25th by the Seattle Seahawks, though he was realistically viewed as the fourth Alabama player taken. Mark Ingram was selected three spots later by the New Orleans Saints, but Carpenter’s big move stole some of the spotlight.

A junior college transfer, Carpenter started the last two seasons protecting quarterback Greg McElroy’s blind side. He was viewed as a second-round pick at best by most draft projections, but he ensured a much richer contract by moving into the first round.

The 2011 class broke the Alabama first-round picks set in 1993 when John Copeland (fifth), Eric Curry (sixth) and George Teague (29th) set the mark at three.

The draft resumes with the second round Friday.

Which Alabama player will have the best NFL career?

The headline says what needs saying.

A story of promise, redemption and NFL draft

Michael Ricks

The following ran in Sunday’s newspaper.

COURTLAND — The ceramic tile floor turns to cold concrete where the barber shop becomes a training center.

It’s Friday morning and a million miles from anywhere resembling the National Football League.

But walk past the waiting room, beyond the lone hair-shaping station, and there stands the embodiment of A Weekend’s Passion Fitness and Barber Shop — not flashy but more than functional.

Bulldogging through another round on the bench press, Michael Ricks shouldn’t be dreaming of the big leagues — not after his roundabout college career.

He didn’t make grades after signing with Alabama. Twice.

Two years at a junior college.

One semester at Troy.

Two years away from football.

Finally, a career resurrection came just down the road from his original destination. His career at Division II Stillman College in Tuscaloosa now complete, Ricks is back where it all started, training for the career that hardly seemed possible.

Read the rest by clicking here or here.

VIDEO: Day 2 at the Senior Bowl

See everything from James Carpenter’s weigh-in to the South team’s practice including Greg McElroy throwing passes, signing autographs and posing for pictures with Archie Manning. Nick Saban also made an appearance at practice along with several NFL head coaches.

Also see a few new snap shots in the photo gallery.

Alabama football 2010

Mark Barron to make an announcement tomorrow

Still trying to find out what he’ll be saying, but Alabama’s All-American safety Mark Barron will make some sort of announcement on Saturday.

Presumably, it will be about his NFL future. Will he stay or go remains to be answered. No leaks just yet.

Saturday is the deadline for juniors to announce their intentions for the draft. They have a few days to change their minds before the Jan. 18 cutoff to withdraw their names.

Mark Ingram, Julio Jones and Marcell Dareus already announced they’d enter the draft instead of playing a final season in Tuscaloosa.

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