http://www.al.com/sports/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/sports/112141933581010.xml&coll=2
Darby, Croyle set to go
Friday, July 15, 2005
STEVE KIRK
**News staff writer**
TUSCALOOSA - Doctors have cleared 1,000-yard rusher Kenneth Darby to
fully participate in Alabama's preseason football practices following
offseason surgery to repair a pelvic injury, improving the outlook for
the Crimson Tide's once-depleted offensive backfield.
"It's up to me - I've got to keep them informed if it's too painful,"
Darby said Thursday.
Alabama's entire starting backfield was sidelined with injuries by the
end of last season. But Darby and senior quarterback Brodie Croyle, who
tore an anterior cruciate ligament onSept. 18, are 100 percent medically
cleared. And junior fullback Tim Castille, who tore two knee ligaments
Oct. 23, is in the final stages of rehabilitation, according to head
athletic trainer Rodney Brown.
Darby, a junior tailback who led the Tide with 1,062 rushing yards in
2004, admitted he still gets sore occasionally following the March 3
surgery to repair what's called a "sports hernia," in which muscle tears
away from the pelvic bone. He also said he hasn't tried his "shaking
moves" or had a chance to take part in any contact drills but feels good
and ready to try.
Crimson Tide players are scheduled to report Aug. 8 for summer
practices, although most of them, including freshman signees, are on
campus attending summer classes and working out. The status of the
offensive backfield going into the Sept. 3 season opener against Middle
Tennessee has been an important topic for UA's coaches and trainers.
Sophomore Aaron Johns was the only healthy scholarship tailback during
spring practices in February and March, but depth has arrived in the
form of highly touted freshman signees Roy Upchurch, Glen Coffee and Ali
Sharrief.
Darby said he's already begun to "show them the ropes" since they got to
Tuscaloosa.
Tailback Mike Ford of Sarasota, Fla., is among a handful of February
signees not expected at UA this fall for failing to meet academic
qualifying standards. Others could include receivers Nick Kyles and
Desmond Jennings (who was drafted to play baseball), defensive lineman
Antonio Forbes and defensive back Michael Ricks. Linebacker Prince Hall
is yet to arrive, too. Tide coach Mike Shula over-signed in February,
anticipating that several members of the class would go to prep school
or junior college.
At quarterback, Croyle said he has worked out full speed all summer
without wearing a knee brace. Doctors cleared Croyle before spring
practices, but Shula held him out of most spring activities except for
7-on-7 drills. Croyle weighs 211 pounds, which he said is 10 pounds
heavier than he's played at before. Tests show his repaired right knee
is now 3 percent stronger than his left knee.
Croyle and freshman quarterback John Parker Wilson have worked out with
Alabama's receivers three times a week since May, working on timing and
pass routes. Croyle said receivers Tyrone Prothro, Matt Caddell, Keith
Brown, DJ Hall and Ezekial Knight "have not missed one throwing the
entire summer."
Freshman quarterbacks Jimmy Johns of Brookhaven, Miss., and Jimmy Barnes
of Los Alamitos, Calif., are on campus. Croyle said the muscular Johns
has been in Tuscaloosa for several weeks, looks more "like a linebacker"
and "is really wanting to make a push on John Parker (for the No. 2
position)," Croyle said. "And I think (the competition) will be good for
all three of them, being close to the same age and having to prove
themselves every year. Those are three extremely talented young guys."
Less clear is the status of junior quarterback Marc Guillon. After
battling Wilson for playing time in spring practice, Guillon has not
participated in any of the summer throwing sessions and did not respond
to an interview request from UA's media relations department this week.
At fullback, Castille is close to medical clearance, having responded
well to planting and cutting. He has had a slower recovery than Croyle,
because Castille tore two ligaments - the ACL and the lateral collateral
ligament. That has led to "a little more caution with (Castille's)
side-to-side stability," Croyle said, "but it's looking like he's going
to be ready, too."
The Tide's insurance policy is junior fullback Le'Ron McClain, who
started the final four games of last season.
E-mail: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
--
Roll Tide Roll
Rick
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