2007-01-24 10:03:08.0
Christopher Walsh: OK, good afternoon, I guess it's time to get started.
2007-01-24 10:03:20.0
GoTide: Hello Christopher, I think most of us were expecting to sign arou 16 or 17 recruits this year, and now all of a sudden we are hearing anywhere from 21-25 due to attrition and medical reasons. Can you shed any light on this, as to how many might be signed and which current players may lose their athletic scholarships?
2007-01-24 10:03:55.0
Christopher Walsh: Wow, now there's an opening question ...
2007-01-24 10:05:54.0
Christopher Walsh: I ran into a player the other day who told me that basically all they've been doing is their off-season workouts. I haven't heard of anyone leaving the team, but losing a player or two is pretty normal when there's a new coach.
2007-01-24 10:07:17.0
Christopher Walsh: Having said that, there were a couple of spots we already knew about. For example, Trent Davidson was still on the roster, but not with the team. I know he was thinking about trying to come back depending on who the new coach was, but I haven't seen him since the semester started.
2007-01-24 10:08:50.0
Christopher Walsh: As for the medical reasons, there's been nothing official yet. ... so overall, I'm hearing 20 or a couple more, depending on attrition and greyshirts.
2007-01-24 10:08:54.0
bamafaninknx: yo
2007-01-24 10:10:48.0
bamafaninknx: do you know how close ron steele is to being 100%?
2007-01-24 10:12:03.0
Christopher Walsh: it's hard for me to answer beause I haven't seen the basketball team play yet, not even on TV. He's better than he's been all season, but it's obvious still a problem. He can't play the game he wants yet.
2007-01-24 10:13:01.0
cobbway: Whats up Chris
2007-01-24 10:13:15.0
Christopher Walsh: Howdy
2007-01-24 10:14:47.0
bamafaninknx: thanks sir
2007-01-24 10:14:51.0
BamaGuru: Ok.. any questions for Christopher today?
2007-01-24 10:14:51.0
Christopher Walsh: Any time
2007-01-24 10:15:57.0
Michael Gilder: Are Coach Gottfried and his staff really as inept at coaching defense as they seem or is it just me?
2007-01-24 10:16:33.0
Christopher Walsh: Ok, just to make this obvious again, I haven't seen the basketba llteam yet this season, not even on TV. Sorry, can't help you on that one.
2007-01-24 10:16:36.0
jointhead: How's the recruting trail looking? Whats your take on Marve?
2007-01-24 10:17:15.0
Christopher Walsh: Saban is working it and there have been somepretty big names coming through. You'll really see the difference next year, though.
2007-01-24 10:17:19.0
BAMA82 None: Hearing anything on possible dates for spring practice and A-Day?
2007-01-24 10:17:37.0
BamaGuru: On tha Gottfried/defense question... Cecil is tackling the team's issues in tomorrow's column, I believe.
2007-01-24 10:18:18.0
Christopher Walsh: Spring practice probably won't start until late March. Looks like A-Day will be April 21 or 28.
2007-01-24 10:18:24.0
cobbway: First Time on - Who is the Big catch (#1 recruit) that CNS will bring to Bama This Year, in your opion
2007-01-24 10:19:23.0
Christopher Walsh: The guy to watch is Joe McKnight. Some consider him the best recruit in the nation, period, and it sounds like Alabama has a real shot at him.
2007-01-24 10:19:28.0
bpcouch: How are Upchurch and Coffie coming along with there rehab?
2007-01-24 10:20:04.0
Christopher Walsh: Haven't heard of any setbacks. Coffee's probably just about ready.
2007-01-24 10:20:07.0
Michael Gilder: Sorry about that, I didn't know it had been addressed. That obvious part though was pretty classy.
2007-01-24 10:20:43.0
Christopher Walsh: Sorry Michael, I just don't want to mislead you or give bad info.
2007-01-24 10:20:52.0
jointhead: I haven't heard alot about Pendry or the style of offense we will run, Any Info?
2007-01-24 10:22:00.0
Christopher Walsh: Actually, we're still not sure who will be calling plays. It might be that Pendy has the OC title, but someone else calls the plays, which might be the case. Saban told us that the offense will basically spread the defense out and be balanced.
2007-01-24 10:22:04.0
bamamoe69: New to the room...any news on McKnight?
2007-01-24 10:22:37.0
Christopher Walsh: Nothing definitive. Word out of Lousiana is that he's getting a lot of pressure to stay in-state.
2007-01-24 10:23:06.0
Christopher Walsh: FYI, things are definitely heating up between Alabama and LSU on the recruiting trail.
2007-01-24 10:23:10.0
bamafaninknx: what is the possibility of coach Saban landing a guy like McKnight
2007-01-24 10:23:30.0
Christopher Walsh: Pretty decent. Saban's know him for years.
2007-01-24 10:23:33.0
Mahout: How many scholarships do we have to offer this year?
2007-01-24 10:24:15.0
Christopher Walsh: Technically, somewhere around 18, but the number is a little vague right now.
2007-01-24 10:24:21.0
BAMA82 None: Hearing anything about the recruitment of Pat Lazer?
2007-01-24 10:25:34.0
Christopher Walsh: jog my memory a little, please.
2007-01-24 10:25:40.0
cwnatl: Jay Barker addresses Pendry's offense on BOL today..very good article.
2007-01-24 10:26:29.0
tinymonkey272: I hear that there is a prospect for the '08 class named Julio. I was just wondering who this person is and where he goes to school?
2007-01-24 10:26:41.0
Christopher Walsh: Is that a first name or a last name?
2007-01-24 10:26:43.0
bamabeta: do u see us signing 2 qb's this year? (marve & fanuzzi)
2007-01-24 10:27:34.0
Christopher Walsh: I think Mavre is probably headed to Miami.
2007-01-24 10:27:43.0
bamafaninknx: also, have all assistants been hired? and what is the word on Jow Kines
2007-01-24 10:28:58.0
Christopher Walsh: Yeah, they're pretty much done. Joe is probably going to be staying in town and the university will probably find something for him.
2007-01-24 10:29:00.0
bamafaninknx: joe*
2007-01-24 10:29:05.0
dale: what's the word on the big name qb CNS landed? I don't get much news up here...
2007-01-24 10:30:44.0
Christopher Walsh: Nick Fanuzzi, he's 6-3, a dual-threat QB. Looks a little more Saban's type of QB than Shula.
2007-01-24 10:30:56.0
Christopher Walsh: ... and he's from the San Antonio area
2007-01-24 10:30:59.0
bamabeta: who r the recruits expected over the next 2 weekends?
2007-01-24 10:31:30.0
Christopher Walsh: I could spend the rest of the time speculating on that. I suggest you check out Andrew Boone's article in Tuesday's T-News.
2007-01-24 10:32:46.0
tinymonkey272: I'm really not sure...I just hear Julio's name mentioned along with Tyler Love as far as '08 prospects.
2007-01-24 10:32:58.0
tinymonkey272: Julio Jones, I believe.
2007-01-24 10:33:16.0
BamaGuru: For those looking for Marve v. Fanuzzi stuf.. here's a forum thread with video links: http://forums.tidesports.com/eve/forums/a/tpc/f/3631098265/m/6231084895
2007-01-24 10:33:44.0
hughhill20: Thanks
2007-01-24 10:33:45.0
Christopher Walsh: Ok, thanks. Yes, Julio Jones - he's about 6-3 and fast. Might be the tip in-state prospect next year, possibly the nation.
2007-01-24 10:33:49.0
jbrit: Do you knowif Gottfried is planning on resting Steele against some of the easier teams,so he can get better before the SEC tournament? And what's up with Davidson shooting threes?
2007-01-24 10:34:24.0
Christopher Walsh: Ok, once again, I haven't seen the basketball team play this season. Still working on football. Sorry, I can't really answer that.
2007-01-24 10:34:28.0
bamabaseball11: I think Julio was the neighbor on Sanford and Son...Is there even a remote possibility that JPW's younger brother will walk on and try to play football even though he says he is committed to bb?
2007-01-24 10:34:40.0
Christopher Walsh: I hear he's baseball all the way.
2007-01-24 10:34:49.0
dale: hmmm....heard report early this morning on a TN station that says nothing good ever about UA that Marve had decided to sugn with CNS?
2007-01-24 10:36:16.0
Christopher Walsh: Last thing I heard about Mavre is that he won Florida's Mr. Football award. I think he's thinking things over right now.
2007-01-24 10:36:19.0
cwnatl: Julio Jones out of Foley is who tiny is asking about
2007-01-24 10:36:21.0
slammer: can you tell us what kind of offense Pendry has run in the past?
2007-01-24 10:36:44.0
ESE David Wasson: I can get the basketball one, CJW ... No. Steele won't rest, unless he gets hurt more significantly. I don't see a team on their schedule they can afford to not have him for.
2007-01-24 10:36:55.0
Christopher Walsh: For the most part conservative, but he's been known to adjust to his talent.
2007-01-24 10:36:58.0
bamafaninknx: danka mr. walsh... im out
2007-01-24 10:37:15.0
BAMA82 None: Pat Lazear is the recruit that was involved in an armed robbery. He was being recruited by many schools (BAMA, UGA, WVU, etc.) before all but WVU stopped after his legal troubles. There was some info on one of the BAMA boards that CNS was in contact with him.
2007-01-24 10:38:50.0
Christopher Walsh: Last I heard on him was that Saban had contacted him, but there's no offer yet.
2007-01-24 10:38:54.0
jointhead: Do you think Jimmy Johns would be more of a asset on offense or defense next year?
2007-01-24 10:39:09.0
Christopher Walsh: Offense. I don't know if his shoulder would hold up on defense.
2007-01-24 10:39:12.0
sbullington: Any idea whonthe leading candidates are for the Cowboys job?
2007-01-24 10:41:02.0
Christopher Walsh: I think you'll start hearing names soon, but I keep hearing Tuberville might be interested. ... The latest news out of Dallas is that Jason Garrett is interviewing for the OC job.
2007-01-24 10:41:04.0
jake anderson: will we get any blue chippers this year
2007-01-24 10:41:40.0
Christopher Walsh: I have no idea how to answer that. How do you define blue chipper?
2007-01-24 10:42:39.0
sbullington: Chris, little far from home, but at one time a lot of people would have liked to have had Butch Davis. Any idea on how he has done so far and what kind of impact he has had ion recruiting?
2007-01-24 10:43:32.0
Christopher Walsh: A bit of a slow start after being behind in recruiting. UNC landed a really impressive wide receiver named Dwight Jones, who's 6-5.
2007-01-24 10:43:34.0
hughhill20: What is the latest on Marve? SIAP
2007-01-24 10:43:50.0
Christopher Walsh: Again - he's supposedly thinking things over.
2007-01-24 10:43:57.0
Tutwiler_Pool: Any word on all the rumors of "medical hardship" scholarship removals?
2007-01-24 10:44:36.0
Christopher Walsh: Well, if someone can't play any longer, he'll still be under scholarship - but no, no official word yet of anyone no longer on the roster.
2007-01-24 10:44:41.0
sbullington: Settle a debate for me, please. Who has better ribs Archibalds or Dreamland?
2007-01-24 10:44:46.0
Christopher Walsh: Yes,
2007-01-24 10:44:52.0
sbullington: Have you seen any of the off season work outs? If so how do they compare to last year?
2007-01-24 10:44:58.0
Christopher Walsh: Nope - they
2007-01-24 10:45:03.0
Christopher Walsh: re off limits.
2007-01-24 10:45:06.0
jointhead: Any chance CNS will pull Marves' offer and give it to someone else?
2007-01-24 10:45:51.0
Christopher Walsh: Sure. But I think Mavre is good enough that if he says yes to Alabama, they'll take him.
2007-01-24 10:46:00.0
hughhill20: Do you think Murphy out of Hoover going to qualify?
2007-01-24 10:47:13.0
Christopher Walsh: Not sure. Anything beyond that would be pure guessing.
2007-01-24 10:47:25.0
Tutwiler_Pool: I know the media talks to one another, esp during recruiting season. What comments, if any, are being stated concerning Saban's leaving no rock unturned even this late into the game?
2007-01-24 10:48:37.0
Christopher Walsh: Actually, we don't talk much about recruiting. Most of us just try to have somewhat of a normal life when we aren't working. ... Otherwise, it's what you just said, he's looking everywhere.
2007-01-24 10:48:41.0
sbullington: How would you rate the West this coming year in football(best to worst)?
2007-01-24 10:49:21.0
Christopher Walsh: I might be doing a column on that in a couple of weeks. Right now I don't think there's a clear front-runner.
2007-01-24 10:49:25.0
hughhill20: I heard Wade Phillips was the leading candidate for the Cowboys.
2007-01-24 10:49:45.0
dale: You kinow we all really pimped (or you all, or a lot of you) CRR and his system looks good in a lot of ways and the way he polices his program ... BUT his players sure seem to stay in a lot of trouble. Big headline stuff. I personally am happy we didn't get that.
2007-01-24 10:49:50.0
bamabaseball11: do you think Capps will see the playing field again, even as a second teamer?
2007-01-24 10:50:43.0
Christopher Walsh: I think the competition for almost every spot will be open this spring. I'll have a much better idea once A-Day rolls around.
2007-01-24 10:50:47.0
tinymonkey272: thanks Chris....I think J Jones is from Daphne. Again, such a talent rich area.
2007-01-24 10:50:50.0
Tutwiler_Pool: What are your opionions of Saban's recruiting so far?
2007-01-24 10:51:30.0
Christopher Walsh: He's putting forth the effort, but I think you'll really see it pay off next year.
2007-01-24 10:51:32.0
woodardrx: hi all
2007-01-24 10:51:39.0
lstmanstandn: With the group of RBs we have and if JJ will not be playing defense, do you think that some of those guys would be a threat line up as slot recievers. If so would the new offense have that as an option.
2007-01-24 10:52:23.0
Christopher Walsh: I think you'll see a lot of players in the mix next season and being moved around a lot. So sure.
2007-01-24 10:52:26.0
cwnatl: RIvals.com has Davis/UNC currently ranked 35th
2007-01-24 10:52:34.0
sbullington: What one memory of Bama football stands out to you the most?
2007-01-24 10:53:57.0
Christopher Walsh: hmmmmm .... that would have to be the first Alabama game I ever covered, which was also Gene Stallings' last game. I remember looking around at all the fans waiting for him to leave the locker room area and thinking how nuts it all was.
2007-01-24 10:54:15.0
dale: Archibalds may be beter...but you can talk to anybody in the nation who knows ribs and simply say - "I went to Dreamland today" and they know what you are talking about and are envious!
2007-01-24 10:54:27.0
Christopher Walsh: I don't think there's a wrong answer between them.
2007-01-24 10:54:31.0
Nashvilletider: Do you think that Saban will end up with a better recruiting class than Shula would have?
2007-01-24 10:54:54.0
Christopher Walsh: We'll see, but the potential is definitely there.
2007-01-24 10:55:01.0
scrodz: What's up with Bill Curry? Teaching leadership in high school seems like he's hit rock bottom.
2007-01-24 10:55:46.0
Christopher Walsh: I guess you take the gigs when you can get them.
2007-01-24 10:55:49.0
slammer: are they going to open up the full stadium at A day?
2007-01-24 10:56:12.0
Christopher Walsh: Haven't heard that yet, but it wouldn't surprise me.
2007-01-24 10:56:20.0
bamabaseball11: i know i have probably missed this smoewhere, but who is the new Strength and Conditioning coach? since rolltide.com doesn't have bios on the new coaches, it is difficult to determine....usually you can tell who is the strength coach just by the picture..lol
2007-01-24 10:56:59.0
Christopher Walsh: It's because they haven't announced it yet.
2007-01-24 10:57:15.0
GoTide: Hey Christopher, I'd love for you and your associates at The Tuscaloosa News to have a radio call in show each weekday, which would be devoted to Bama sports. I know it would work. I just wrote this in case the publisher is looking in! But seriously, we can't get enough football talk. If not daily, at least weekly. hehe, next thing you know you guys will be on tv! and you'll have to wear a tie every day.
2007-01-24 10:57:37.0
Christopher Walsh: Actually, I was just about ready to call Cecil Mr. ESPN on the day Saban was hired.
2007-01-24 10:57:46.0
Christopher Walsh: Thank you, though.
2007-01-24 10:57:53.0
Tutwiler_Pool: Is it just a job or are you as passionate as all of us here @ Bama? Honestly...
2007-01-24 10:58:27.0
Christopher Walsh: I'm passionate about my job and sports in general. I couldn't do this job if I wasn't.
2007-01-24 10:58:47.0
lstmanstandn: With the every position is open attutude going into spring training, is the year of experience going to put JPW in the drivers seat to keep his job or will mcelroy or someone else make a serious run for QB1?
2007-01-24 10:59:52.0
Christopher Walsh: I think John Parkeris pretty established ... especially with all the passing records he set last year. ... I also expet him to be more mobile, moving out of the pocket, next season.
2007-01-24 10:59:58.0
bharris: Yo umight have answered this, but why has CNS not officially named the OC yet? still debating on Co-OC situation?
2007-01-24 11:00:28.0
Christopher Walsh: He has not. Pendry has told recruits he's the OC, but we still don't know who will be calling plays.
2007-01-24 11:00:32.0
ckpencil: how many shula recruites decomitted?
2007-01-24 11:00:45.0
Christopher Walsh: Just one so far that I know of.
2007-01-24 11:00:58.0
worley49: Concerning S&C, Isn't Rocky Coburn still on staff? Also, one of the new coaches was an assit in this area w/ the Dolphins. I can't remember his name.
2007-01-24 11:01:38.0
Christopher Walsh: Rocky is still here. Is he staying? I don't know.
2007-01-24 11:02:21.0
tinymonkey272: Chris, is there any new info. on Maze from Tarrant?
2007-01-24 11:02:41.0
Christopher Walsh: He's visiting Miami this weekend. I hear his top three are Miami, Tennessee and Alabama.
2007-01-24 11:02:44.0
Tutwiler_Pool: Has Shula sold either of his houses?
2007-01-24 11:03:24.0
Christopher Walsh: I put an offer down for $20, but he turned me down . ... seriously, I don't know. Haven't heard anything either way.
2007-01-24 11:04:27.0
JK Hawk: How many total recruits do we have now that are committed and how many total have us in the running?
2007-01-24 11:05:05.0
Christopher Walsh: 16 committed. A bunch are still in the running.
2007-01-24 11:05:20.0
Christopher Walsh: ... if a recruit is that good, they'll find a spot for him.
2007-01-24 11:05:23.0
Tutwiler_Pool: $2.1M is alot of real estate to have hangin'
2007-01-24 11:05:30.0
bamabeta: just ur guess, but if shula had made sweeping staff changes would he still be there?
2007-01-24 11:05:55.0
Christopher Walsh: Yeah, I think he probably would be.
2007-01-24 11:06:03.0
worley49: Chris, were there more issues w/ Shula than are generally known in the public? I have heard rumors but treat them as such.
2007-01-24 11:06:42.0
Christopher Walsh: Not that I'm aware of.
2007-01-24 11:06:54.0
Christopher Walsh: Ok, last call on questions. I get kicked off here in a few minutes.
2007-01-24 11:08:33.0
Christopher Walsh: Well then everyone have a great day - we'll see you all same time next week. (and hopefully I'll see the basketball team by then)
2007-01-24 11:13:17.0
Mitch: :">