From what I was hearing on the Paul Fienbaum show after the Auburn game from Alabama callers he wasn't esp popular and then when Tebow verballed to UF he was even less popular. Although his OCoord was even less popular. So I guess the Alabama people really had no choice but to give him a new contract and a salary boost or the message would be sent that he's a short termer and that would really hurt recruiting with Tommy Tubberville entrenched at Auburn. I'll bet that the contract has some specific clauses that cover his firing or resignation that might not have been in the first contract, probably was the tradeoff for him getting a raise in salary. Shula Gets New Deal Terry
You should know better <r>Terry,<br/> Shula had a 10-2 season (although he didn't beat Auburn) and he had a very good recruiting year. Tebow was never coming to Alabama, Shula did a great job to even get consideration. He got Smith (who was probably always coming to Alabama) and he did very well in Alabama, Mississippi and Florida in recruiting. Now the proof will be in the next 3 years. I think that the year after this upcoming season is when Alabama should be up to full speed after the NCAA sanctions, and that is when we should see the return (and beating Auburn will be mandatory). I know you wouldn't really base your assessment on the fans that call into Finebaum. <E>:shock:</E></r>
You mean that the callers to Fienbaums show aren't representative of Alabama fans!! lol....after listening a lot of sports talk I think most of the callers across the country are calling from a)prision b)the unemployment line c)their moma's basement d)breakroom at Walmart!!! But seriously I remember Fienbaum worrying that there would be mass suicide amongst 'Bama fans if Tebow didn't come to Alabama. Then afterwards it got ugly and lots of people questioned if Shula would be there if it weren't for Paul Bryant Jr's influence. The OCoord was skewered as being an out of work computer software salesman! One of the funniest is the Auburn caller who sang Santa got runned over by a raindeer, but worked Brodie Croyle in for Santa and some Auburn player in for the raindeer. It was hilarious! Terry
Bama QB <t>KP,<br/> <br/> This will warm your heart concerning a QB. Last week I had a nice conversation with an old next door neighbor of mine when I used to live in Katy, Texas. He is a head coach of one of the very best high school football programs in Texas year in year out. This guy knows talent and told me " Alabama landed the best HS QB in this state last year hands down and that includes the one that is going to Georgia and Texas. I watched this kid in the state championship game and wait till you tide fans get a look at him once he gets on campus.</t>
Greg McElroy probably got shorted on his ranking because of Chase Daniel(Missouri), who was the SouthLake QB last year, was very highly ranked. As a result Greg didn't get much playing time till his Sr. year and the gurus didn't really know what he was capable of doing so he was not ranked esp highly going into his Sr. year. As you know of course he had a great Sr. year and they won another State championship beating a great Katy team. Todd Dodge is the South Lake HC and he was a former Texas QB, he has a terrific program going at South Lake and his next star QB will be his Son (what a surprise). More than one Longhorn fan hoped that Greg Davis would leave (before VY redeemed him) and that Mack would bring in Todd Dodge as the OCoord. Greg was supposedly waiting for Texas to offer him, but Mack never offered. He went with Texas Tech, till Alabama came into the picture after they missed on Tim Tebow.
I hope you're right <t>Larry,<br/> I had heard that McElroy did not start until his senior year and that is why he flew under the recruiting radar, but why was Alabama the only major besides Tech to offer? How did Shula spot him and no one else did? QB was not our priority this year, OL, and LB was but from everything I have heard McElroy is a real catch. Thanks for the info.</t>
kp I think McElroy parallels Ben Rothensberger. He didn't get a chance to start either till his Sr. year so there was no recruiting hoopla, by the time he showed everybody what a great QB he was the major powers all had pretty much ignored him and he went to Miami (OH). Plus in the State there were a couple of kids (Stafford and Snead) who were national recruits with all the big Jr. year stats. Plus even though he made it plain to Texas that he wanted to come, Mack probably felt like he just couldn't take a chance on a kid who only played 1 year as a starter. He went after Snead and Mustain instead. Terry
KP.... <t>I was very impressed with the kid the two times I saw him on TV this year. Great size and you will like his mechanics in the way he sets his feet and delivers the football. My head coach friend that told me of the coaches consensus on this guy has forgotten more football than I know and I feel like I have been around long enough in Texas to spot a great prospect when I see one. Terry is on the money about the program where he is from. You have to wait your turn there and the guy before this kid will be heard from in Missouri. The problem with that program is they NEVER play a lick of defense.<br/> KP you have a good one on the way.</t>