Tide Fans -
Roll Tide! I would like to start first by saying that we have played our first game under new head coach Nick Saban, and I still can't believe he is our coach - it is still awesomely weird to me! Is it just me, or is it still hard to believe he is actually our coach??
On to the game - Wow, what a way to start a season! I entered Bryant-Denny stadium with a confidence and calmness that I have not experienced in some years. The pre game beers helped, but it was almost as if I were walking into the stadium and it was 1994. I think a lot of it had to do with knowing we have a coach who is going to make sure the team is prepared. Gone are the days of the tight sphincter squeekers against Duke, Florida International, La. Monroe etc... Our performance this past Saturday was one of clean execution, swarming defense, and domination. Yes, it was Western Carolina, but you could truly see a difference on that field. It's almost as if Alabama has their swagger back. Yes, I said it - Alabama football officially has its swagger back!!! I love swagger, and I love the feeling that we can go out and play against anyone. Some of you may think I am pre-mature on the "swagger" talk, but I know you feel it too! A little bit of my swagger was taken away about 10 minutes into the game. Not because of how we were playing, but because an enormous bird decided to take a sh*t on me!!!!!!!!! Yes, as I sat there watching the Tide play, I felt a sharp pain on my left shoulder. I figured it was some drunk in the upper deck throwing ice, but much to my surprise (and disgust) I realized...I had been singled out in a group of 93,000 people and this bird decided to relieve himself on me. I know many of you are probably laughing right now, saying "no way", but yes - this really did happen!! I could not believe it either, but the proof was right there on my white shirt. Trying not to call attention to myself, I casually leaned over to my wife and said.."Hey, I just got sh*t on by a bird!" Which she replied..."WHAT????" It is at this point my mother, who was sitting on the other side of me said very loudly "What is that brown stuff all over your shirt??" Once again, trying not to draw attention to myself I explained what had happened. This information was of course relayed to my father who was sitting next to my mother. My father, trying to help out, poured water all over my shirt, and then my mother tried to wipe the excess off with a napkin. This not only made the "stain" even bigger, but now people in our section were starting to look at me. It is at this point where I wished I could just disappear - this truly was not happening to me - but it really was! Now with onlookers from several rows watching, my parents continued trying to get the bird sh*t off of my shirt. I finally said - "Screw it...I am going to go buy a new shirt" Many of you know there are souvenir stands inside the stadium that sell shirts, hats, etc... Many of you also know that they sell what my sister refers to as "non-graduate" type of t-shirts. The selection was slim...it was either a shirt that had some slogan on it like "Bear is looking down, and he still hates Tennessee", or some terrible busy logo shirt. I finally found what I considered the most conservative looking shirt, purchased it, and changed shirts immediately. Yes, it was crisp and new, and not normally the type of shirt I would wear, but it did not have bird sh*t on it - and that was more important then looking good to me at the time! With a new, sh*t free shirt I proceeded to watch The Tide dominate W. Carolina! Again, I know we were playing little more than a high school team, but you could just see a difference in how we played. One big difference is how well our receivers blocked down field. Even true freshman McCoy had several great blocks, allowing Terry Grant to do his thing. No delay of games, no lumbering out of the field looking worn out - everyone looked fresh. It was so nice to actually sit back and enjoy a game, instead of holding our breath in the final minutes. Roll Tide to that!!!!!!!!!!!! I look forward to an exciting season this year - a season that may actually be better than many of us thought. I am going to try and keep my hopes realistic, but I just have a good feeling about our "new" team. I can't wait to go up to Vandy next weekend and watch Terry Grant run like a mad man over their defense. Yes, just a few days ago I was dreading the trip to Nashville to play Vandy, but now - I feel very good about it. Back to Terry Grant...he is my official "man crush" this season! I think this kid is going to break records here at Alabama. His running style reminds me of good 'ol # 20...Sherman Williams. It is like he just glides across the field, and I love it!!!!
Players I love this week:
- TERRY GRANT (need I say more!)
- Mike McCoy (Awesome freshman receiver...Keith Brown may be keeping his seat warm this season
- Rolondo McClain (Another freshman talent - unbelievable game!)
- Glen Goffee (solid backup running effort - I think we are loaded back here!)
- Javier Arenas (run Javier...run like the wind!)
Things we need to improve on so I can sleep better:
- Nothing football related (at least not yet)
- Sound system in Bryant Denny - please crank it!!!!
- 4th quarter Green Day song that the band plays (you all know how I feel about this song - if not refer to last season)
- Better shirt selection at souvenir stand (just in case)
Tip of the week: (New this season!)
- If you look up into the sky at Bryant-Denny...keep your mouth shut!
Coach Saban has brought a new attitude to this team. This attitude is going to change our team, and I truly believe that they will "work to be a champion". I look forward to a fun season - we may not win them all, but I know that we are going to at least play hard, and leave it all on the field. For all of you dedicated Tide fans heading up to Nashville this weekend - take a little swagger with you...we deserve it! Until next week...Roll Tide!
Jason
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