It's Wednesday, so it's time to see where we are, or in this case, where you are. Sixty percent of the respondents to our poll stated they reside in Alabama. This week, we're asking you to be more specific. Do you call the Druid City home?
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
The Essentials: Where To Drink In Tuscaloosa
It's been said Tuscaloosa is a drinking school with a football problem, and we can't argue at all. We've had our share of adult beverages – before, during and after games – in many of the fine (and not so fine) establishments in the Druid City.
We've singled out a few of our favorite watering holes to give you some suggestions on where to imbibe. It goes without saying, but we'll say it anyway: be safe.
There are basically two bar crawls in Tuscaloosa; the Strip, and Downtown. This post covers Downtown; if there's interest from you guys, we'll take a look at the Strip in a later post.
Wilhagen's
2209 4th St, Tuscaloosa
205-366-0915
Our preferred starting point for an evening of boozing, Wilhagen's is a fundrinkery-type place. It's family-friendly and well-lit most of the evening, so it's mainly a good place eat pub grub and knock back a few to get the evening started. Try the prime rib biscuits; they're unbelievable.
The Coppertop
2300 4th St, Tuscaloosa
205-343-6867
Our favorite spot to spend an evening out, The Copper Top has a lived-in feel, complimented by its concrete floor and well-worn wooden booths. Live music starts around 10pm, and if you want to sit, your best bet is to get there early and find a booth to call home base.
Innisfree Irish Pub
521 Greensboro Ave, Tuscaloosa
205-345-1199
Having been to Dublin, we're snobbish about so-called 'authentic' Irish pubs, but this one passes the test. Small, and packed on weekends, there's plenty to please a Celtophile, and plenty to drink behind the bar. If you like crowds, it's a great place to raise the wrist.
Rhythm & Brews
2308 4th St, Tuscaloosa
205-750-2992
This is usually where our crawl ends up, whether we planned it that way or not. Loud music, huge crowds, and a party atmosphere make this a good place to let it all hang out. Don't tell 'em we sent you; we think we still have an open tab...
Monday, May 12, 2008
Bryant Denny Doing Coke...Again
Jim Dunaway reports that Bryant-Denny concessions will return to serving Coca-Cola instead of Pepsi. It's a slow news day, folks. Sue us.
Friday, May 9, 2008
Classic Tide Giveaway
We don't know about you, but if they still made the cool University of Alabama t-shirts in the picture above, we'd buy one this minute.
So in honor of these gents, we're gonna give away free stuff. If you've got a classic (let's say, pre-1990) photo of you and your crew Rollin' like these guys, send it to webmaster@alabamagameday.net. If we post it, we'll send you a free RTR auto decal from the Gameday Shop. Obviously, be sure to include your name and mailing address, as well as which decal you prefer, so we can get the damn thing to you.
As a postscript, if anyone can look at the background and identify where this photo was taken, comment on this post; we'd love to know.
Rolando McClain in Motorcycle Accident
Update 5/12 11:30EST: I'm sure this one's making the rounds, but a friend sent this shot of Rolondo, all bandaged up.
The Birmingham News is reporting this morning that linebacker Rolando McClain was involved in a motorcycle accident last night in Decatur.
A hospital spokesperson described him as "fine," despite sliding under a moving SUV after falling off the cycle. McClain was wearing a helmet.
Wednesday, May 7, 2008
Who's The Real Fan?
Our pal TideDruid has posted a rant on the issue of whether Auburn fans have a stronger connection to their school than Alabama fans, and whether being an alum of a school makes you a better fan. Rather than comment on his post, we decided to weigh in over here. Sort of the blogosphere version of yelling "We've got spirit, how 'bout YOU?!"
Go read TideDruid's post, then come on back for our comments. We'll wait...
Back? Good. Here we go:
We once heard someone say that anyone could be a fan of their alma mater; that it took a special person to choose to cheer a school they didn't attend. Whether you give that any credence, the fact remains, there are plenty of Alabama fans who attended the Capstone (see our poll results below), and probably far more fans who never did.
Count us among the so-called 'sidewalk alumni.' We attended college (UAB, actually), but are also lifelong Tide fans. Fandom was thrust upon us in the way it often is, through our parents or, more specifically, parent. Dad was, and is, an Auburn fan, and there are long-hidden photos of us in tiny Auburn gear. Not a proud moment in our lives, but a formative one.
Mom, on the other hand, was a rabid Alabama fan. Not an alum either, but an emotional, loud supporter of the boys in Crimson, and it rubbed off on us in a big way. We've been cheering the Tide for decades, and our love for the team has only gotten stronger as time has passed.
One of our friends is an Auburn grad living in Tuscaloosa. You know the kind: AUbnoxious about 'his' team, bragging all summer long, then hiding in his office the day after a loss, refusing to come out and take his medicine. Our pal is also from up the Atlantic seaboard, and before moving to Alabama to attend Auburn, had no knowledge of, much less connection to, the Orange and Blue.
Does having the Auburn seal on his degree make him more a true fan than our decades of both joy and pain? Does having attended classes there mean more than the awe we felt as we watched Paul Bryant on TV as a child?
We have to insist is does not. Our loyalty to Alabama has nothing to do with tuition paid, or a frat pledge, or a class ring. It has everything to do with autumn Saturdays listening to John Forney while changing the oil with dad. It comes from playing backyard football, stretching to catch a pass like Joey Jones. It is the tears when Bryant died; the disbelief when Teague stripped the ball; the pride when Saban answered the call.
You want to call us sidewalk alumni? Fine by us. We earned our degree over 30 years of being a fan. We'll put that up against your sleeping in class every day of the week.
Our Poll Results
With almost 100 voters, the results of last week's poll were interesting. Nearly 70% of you attended the University of Alabama. The reach of the Bama Nation extends across the country, as we already knew.
This week's poll speaks to that nationwide influence. Vote, and let us know whether your home's in Alabama.
Tuesday, May 6, 2008
Saban Article Roundup
A compilation of articles about our head ball coach...
Columbus Ledger-Enquirer: No devil horns showing on Nick Saban on Monday
Kansas City Star: Kent State shootings left impact on future coaches Pinkel, Saban
Mobile Press-Register: Saban using new tool to visit recruits
Bleacher Report: Nick Saban continues to recruit his way
ESPN All Access Video
For your viewing pleasure, here's the footage from ESPN's recent look at Alabama's Spring practice.
Monday, May 5, 2008
The Essentials: What To Eat In Tuscaloosa
When we make it back into Tuscaloosa, whether it's game day, vacation or just passing through on the way to Mule Day and Chicken Fest in Gordo, there are a few places we simply must stop in to eat.
Unfortunately, this post isn't sponsored, so what you're getting is our true opinion. No, they're not Top Chef material, and your list may vary, but in our opinion, these are the essential stops for a meal in Tuscaloosa.
Dreamland BBQ
The obvious choice, these are simply the greatest ribs since the invention of the pig. Slathered in tangy, sweet sauce and served by the slab, our favorite barbecue in the world. If we eat only one place in Tuscaloosa, it's here.
Taco Casa
Mexican food as authentic as Jack Black in Nacho Libre, this stuff is good for a post-game gastrointestinal blitz. Get the Messe Nachos, and a hot chicken burrito. Your colon will curse us for it.
Baumhower's Wings
We loves us some wings, and these are our favorites in town. Some swear by Phil's, but our loyalty is with ol' Bob. Get 'em hot, with a side of ranch.
City Cafe
Okay, so the previous places have long since been franchised. Not City Cafe in Northport. This place is out of the way, overcrowded, and unremarkable. It'a also a plate full of food for not a lot of money, evidenced by the throng of students and locals packing the place at lunch.
The previous are our mainstays; the ones we have to have. There are several others we love, but don't always get into. What's your favorite place to eat in Tuscaloosa? Let us know if you like this post, and we may next opine on our favorite watering holes, or other game week musts.
Sunday, May 4, 2008
Sunday Links
Lindy's Ben Cook comments on the BCS. No playoff for you...
Mobile Press-Register reports on AJ McCarron signing with the Tide.
Real or not, Tommy Tuberville's MySpace page is what you'd expect.
There's an Auburn flag on the moon? Snopes is on the case...
Finally, Sunday Youtubery answers the question nobody asks: Can Finebaum dance?
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Why Alabama is Winning the Recruiting Battle
A couple of recent quotes speak volumes about the recruiting efforts of Alabama and of Auburn:
"We had video conferencing in our office from a medical standpoint for some of our guys to use ... we just thought it was a much better opportunity, a little more personal opportunity than a phone call to visit with the high school coach, as well as the prospect." – Nick Saban
"We're getting high-speed Internet wiring for all of our computers and scouting data, and all of our cut-up video. We were really outdated, so it's much needed. (Coaches) are going to need that in a month's time, so they're working night and day on that." – Tommy Tuberville
Friday, May 2, 2008
Ryan Perrilloux Dismissed From LSU
Good riddance.
Update May 3: It now appears Ryan Perrilloux was dismissed after failing a drug test. The LSU star-in-waiting is yet another example of the me-first attitude that seems to increasingly be the norm in college athletics. Perrilloux' off-field behavior had become such a distraction, even Les Miles could no longer excuse it.
Though not to this extent, the off the field troubles Alabama experienced over the last few months, as well as the attitude of some players on gameday, are another example of the pampered athlete syndrome. It also demonstrates how Nick Saban is determined to correct the problem.
Thursday, May 1, 2008
Shane Sez: Some Things To Ponder
Here we are, trapped in that sports void that comes around this time each year. After the recruiting season is over and the last spring game played, there is nothing left but gridiron predictions for the next season. During the next one hundred and some-odd days, football fanatics can do nothing but wait for the opening kickoff. In light of the fact that we have only time to kill, I have several opinions and questions that I will throw out for consumption and debate:
• Nick Saban sent a strong message to future Crimson Tide players when he demonstrated – through record-setting wide receiver D.J. Hall – that no matter how talented a player may be, his attitude sets the altitude to which he rises. D.J.’s disposition may have cost him millions of dollars in NFL money.
• Tommy Tuberville has no one to blame but himself for getting trounced in recruiting this year. How could he expect young men to sign with Auburn when he himself was trying to leave?
When is former Auburn head football coach Pat Dye going to go away and leave the current coach (whoever that may be) alone, and let him do his job? I’m of the opinion that Dye has his fingerprints all over this Tony Franklin “spread” offense.
• I hear Florida coach Urban Meyer is one nasty son-of-a-gun. Rumors abound of his exploits concerning recruiting and a few other non-football related issues. Will Meyer’s arrogance eventually turn Florida fans against him if he doesn’t win “big” consistently?
• The new “Saban” recruiting rule is nothing but a cop-out by the NCAA, designed to appease the lazy coaches, who whine the loudest. Truthfully, they simply aren’t committed to the institution they work for enough to actually earn their paycheck. Thanks Tommy.
• Has the “era of the thug” finally come to an end? Recent moves by the NFL indicate that character and class carry as much weight as athletic ability when teams consider the draft status of a potential player. Will college football follow suit?
• LSU head coach Les Miles is in uncharted waters. Next season he’ll have to face the treacherous SEC with his own players. Miles will no longer be able to rely on the talent Nick Saban left behind. I bet those crazy LSU fans are going to miss the new Nebraska head coach, and I honestly believe that Les Miles hates that he’s not in Ann Arbor.
• Is Mark Richt going to continue the current Georgia trend and let his Bulldogs get tagged early by some average opponent? He seems to ruin a potential national championship run every year with an early choke.
• If Kentucky coach Rich Brooks and his staff were at a school like Florida or LSU they would compete for championships early and often. They are that good.
• After another frustrating season as the head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, Steve Spurrier will begin thinking about finishing his career at a real football school. Can you blame him?
• Alabama is going to surprise future opponents this year by taking Clemson out to the woodshed in the season opener. In fact they will win at least 9 games in the regular season, with a very good probability of adding a 10th win in a bowl game. Possible losses may come to: Auburn, LSU, Tennessee, Georgia, and Clemson. As I stated above the Clemson thing is a done deal. The other team I think the Tide will beat is Auburn.
• Speaking of Auburn, they will face difficulties this year, due to a lack of continuity and consistency. Mainly because both coordinators are brand new. I think Auburn will lose 5 regular season games and finish the season strong with a bowl victory to reach 8 wins.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
Evening Roundup
Casting our gaze around, a few items for your consideration...
Ian Rapoport reports that Coach Saban used the NFL draft as a teaching tool.
Gump does haiku.
Remember 1982? No? Well, Gate 21 does.
TideDruid needs some rest. Seriously.
It's official: Picture Me Rollin is to blame.
More haiku? As you wish, courtesy of Wade Kwon.
Finally, YouTubery in honor of Space Mountain himself.
Tuesday, April 29, 2008
Tool Time
Even after our mea culpa yesterday, some Tide fans called us everything in the book, including "closet Barner," "lying shock jock" and "stinky-faced poopy pants." Whatever some of you might think, we're not Shula-bashers, and we're not pulling an elaborate hoax. We simply didn't double-source; we'll do that in the future.
One thing we know to be true, is that some folks have an irrational hatred toward our head coach, and go to increasingly ridiculous lengths to show it.
Take the Altoona Curve, a PA-based minor league ball club which a name like a group of WNBA gals. For some reason or other, they recently hosted "Salute to Tools Night," apparently as a pretext to get in a dig at Saban. Comedy gold, folks.
Further comic genius was, in fact, on display on the Big Dog & Jax show. While chasing yesterday's story, we listened in on the boys, and noted they have a feature called "Nick Head of the Day," in which they call out various sports figures who've been in the news. Another clever double entendre which only betrays the craven loser mentality so prevalent in south Florida sports these days.
This, gang, is what you call obsession. We'd expect it from LSU or Auburn fans, who actually will have to see Saban beating their own teams on a regular basis. But it's just weird coming from a group of wannabe Crash Davis ball players from the punchline town of Altoona, and a couple of jock-sniffers on the radio.
Still, people envy success, and underachievers loathe those who work hard and excel. Saban has made enemies by doing the job he was paid to do, and we can expect more of the same from all corners. Get used to it, folks. There's more where that came from.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Evaluating the Evaluator
Earlier today, we posted on a purported radio interview with former Alabama coach Mike Shula. It was at the time reported Shula had disparaged the lack of Tide players taken in the NFL draft, and had deflected criticism of players he had recruited.
We've since spoken to the production director at WQAM in Miami, and came up empty on audio of the interview. We're currently waiting on responses from a few other Florida sources.
As most of you know, AlabamaGameday.net doesn't claim to be a hard news site. We're written by fans, for fans. Therefore, any appeals to journalistic integrity come up short; we're not journalists, and we have no integrity.
However, what's fair is fair. We're pulling the story until we get further confirmation, or firm evidence to the contrary. We hope our readers can forgive our impulsiveness; that's how fans are, after all. Feel free to flame us, shame us and generally call us Bammers. Just make sure you spell our name right.
Friday, April 25, 2008
Shane Sez: Auburn is Auburn's Worst Enemy
Some things never change. In the case of Auburn University, the song remains the same. For a record seventh time, the War Eagles are up to their necks in an NCAA inquiry. Isn’t it ironic? After spending the entire first quarter of 2008 accusing cross-state rival Alabama of cheating in recruiting, Auburn is the football program currently staring down the NCAA’s gun barrel.
Truthfully, before we get too deep into this issue, we need a clarification from the NCAA. Exactly what is the difference between an informal inquiry and a preliminary letter of inquiry? Regardless of the terminology (splitting hairs in my opinion), the investigation is still pending. Nikki Borges (a familiar name?), Auburn’s associate athletic director for marketing and communications, wrote in a letter to The Birmingham News, “At this time, Auburn is awaiting either additional questions or a final disposition from the NCAA.”
Apparently the first real news coming from the Plains following spring practice is not good. No amount of spin can disguise or deflect the negative image cast over a program when the NCAA decides to start digging around.
Were the parents of the young recruits Tuberville courted this year made aware of the possibility of Auburn receiving the dreaded “letter of inquiry?” Did Tubby explain (in detail) the damage that investigation could do to the program’s future? Did he inform the players that the dark cloud created by this issue would allow other teams to use the case against Auburn? At the very least, a family should be fully informed about the current situation so they can factor the potential trouble into their decision.
The inquiry began as a result of a New York Times article that questioned the legitimacy of a study program for student-athletes. According to The Birmingham News the problems arose from the fact that 18 players from the Tigers undefeated 2004 team received high grades for independent study courses that required little or no work. As a result, Auburn whitewashed the story and threw a professor under the bus. What was the Auburn administration thinking when they made the professor’s life miserable and practically forced him to retire? Were they really foolish enough to think he would just go away and never come back to bite them?
Is this record seventh investigation business as usual at Auburn? Will the NCAA want to look at Chette Williams Ministries while they are on campus since there have been violations involved with that guy before? Would they find it interesting that Pat Dye and Wayne Hall (two notorious cheaters) are still directly involved with that ministry?
Concerning the ousted professor, an Auburn spokesman says that university policy does not allow comment on personnel issues. Will university policy allow Auburn to get out in front of the potentially damaging perception this new inquiry will bring?
One thing is for sure. The professor involved, whose concerns were legitimate enough for him to be honored by the Drake Group, a top NCAA watchdog group, has retired with his dignity intact. Of course Auburn is clamping down on information surrounding the grade scandal using the guise of maintaining student confidentiality. According to the former professor, “student confidentiality has worked to cover up more wrongdoing than anything out there”.
Is the Auburn “eligibility system” going to be exposed by the current NCAA investigation? If so, Auburn may ruin it for every other institution. The NCAA is beginning to look at whether athletes cluster in certain majors and whether its eligibility rules have played a role. The War Eagles may become the poster child for cleaning up academic improprieties.
One major concern for the general public has to be that this situation has been covered up and disguised for some time. Judging by the fact that The Birmingham News has been requesting to see correspondence between Auburn and the NCAA for over a year now and Auburn hasn’t budged, something damaging and serious must have occurred.
In spite of the Aubie spin machine running at full speed, nothing good ever comes from an NCAA inquiry. There is one thing for sure – nothing will change in God’s country. As always, it's business as usual for Tommy Tuberville and the Auburn Family.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Not Necessarily The News
Midway through the week. The allergies are unrelenting, so rest remains a pipe dream. Movies sit unwatched, so the Netflix queue remains the same. Our new poll is up; as are a few new links. If you run a Tide, or other SEC blog, drop a comment, and we'll add you to the blogroll.
Which reminds us: We link to Tennessee, Georgia and Arkansas blogs, among others, but don't link to a single Auburn or LSU blog; should we keep it that way, as a matter of principle?
Speaking of links, a few items we found interesting:
SI.com notes the lack of family values at Michigan.
Sunday Morning Quarterback hedges bets on the Alabama tailback situation.
Chicago's Daily Herald notes Ron Zook's frustration with the NCAAs new 'Saban Rules.'
Bama's Ball Radio drops in on Simeon Castille as he looks ahead to the NFL draft.
We get a lot of requests, so once again, here's the 2008 SEC Helmet Schedule.
TideDruid takes a ride on the Crimson Caravan.
Finally this evening, some Youtubery courtesy of Flight of the Conchords.
You Have Spoken
We've been polling the readership since we started this space, but last week's poll was the first about our readership. The results? You wanna read Shane from Centerpoint. Fear not; Ol Shane reads this blog, and emails us his column soon as it's done.
Others of you preferred our analysis of Tide football, followed by our dreaded attempts at humor. We'll endeavor to provide on both fronts. To all who responded, we thank you.
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