A GREAT SEASON FOR BAMA FOOTBALL // AND A LOOK AT EDDIE LACY AND GREEN BAY

A GREAT SEASON FOR BAMA FOOTBALL // AND A LOOK AT EDDIE LACY AND GREEN BAY

Regardless of how it turns out, 2014 has been a terrific season for the Alabama Crimson Tide football team. Nothing has come easy for this team, but it has fought and persevered and has an opportunity to do something special. This year’s squad is in position to win the SEC and National Championships and unlike some of the past championship teams coached by Nick Saban, this is not a dominant group.
Alabama went into the season without a proven quarterback. Blake Sims has stepped up and been a playmaker for the offense and also served as a quiet leader. There have been injuries and inconsistent play. Following a 23-17 loss at Ole Miss in early October, there were many that were ready to count this Alabama team out. As we know now, that was a big mistake.

EDDIE LACY IS A BEAST
Former Alabama running back Eddie Lacy is a beast and a major reason that the Green Bay Packers are as hot as any team in the National Football League. Sunday’s effort against Minnesota was not only was his best of 2014, it might have been the most impressive of his career. Lacy pounded his way to a season-high 125 rushing yards on 25 carries, including a game-sealing 27 yards on five attempts to drain the final 3:23 off the clock in the Packers’ hard-fought 24-21 victory over Minnesota at TCF Bank Stadium in Minneapolis.
Lacy scored two touchdowns in the game and was consistent all day against the Vikings. hE finished with an even 5.0-yard average, and most impressively, he did that with a long run of just 16 yards. Smart and patient are the words his offensive linemen use often to describe him, and we got to see that on Sunday. For the season, Lacy has rushed 154 times for 672 yards and 6 touchdowns. He has also had 29 receptions for 335 yards and 3 touchdowns. Lacy made the Pro Bowl last season as a rookie and he looks to be on track to make it there this season as well.

INGRAM HAS ALSO BEEN IMPRESSIVE
Lacy’s former teammate at Alabama, Mark Ingram has finally been given the opportunity in new Orleans he has patiently waited for. The Saints have been hit hard by the injury bug at the running back position and Ingram has taken advantage. When Khiry Robinson and Pierre Thomas went down, Ingram stepped in and carried the load. Robinson and Thomas are set to return to the lineup though and it will be interesting to see if Ingram’s carries are once again limited.

His impressive run started on Oct. 26, when he ran 24 times for 172 yards and a touchdown in a 44-23 victory over the Green Bay Packers. Four days later, he had 100 yards and two TDs on 30 carries in a 28-10 win against the Carolina Panthers. Following that game, Ingram carried 27 times for 120 yards in a 27-24 overtime loss to the San Francisco 49ers. Ingram’s production slipped some against Cincinnati as he carried 23 times for just 67 yards. Still, Ingram has been terrific as the team’s go to back and hopefully head coach Sean Payton will continue to give him opportunities even with the return of Robinson and Thomas.

CAMERON SIGNS WITH ALABAMA
Congratulations are in order for Hale Co. H.S. pitcher Kyle Cameron who recently signed with the University of Alabama. The 6-foot-6, right-handed pitcher hit the high 80’s on the radar gun this past summer and should be throwing in the low 90’s by next spring. Kyle’s head coach at Hale Co. is his dad Jeff. Coach Cameron told WVUA-TV that it’s been Kyle’s dream to play baseball for the Crimson Tide. The dream has become a reality. Way to go, Kyle!

BASKETBALL OFF TO A GOOD START
I know it’s early but the Alabama men’s basketball team is off to a good start and the team is playing exciting basketball. Bama scored 80 or more points in its first three games, and is playing a full court style of basketball. I’m not ready to label this squad as an NCAA tournament team, but there is no doubt the potential is there.