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.
Don't let the screen doot hit ya where the good Lord split ya.
Joe
It is a denial of justice not to stretch out a helping hand to the fallen;
that is the common right of humanity.
Seneca
----- Original Message -----
From: "Rick McMahan" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
To: "RTF" <RTF@rolltidefan.net>
Sent: Sunday, July 17, 2005 7:08 PM
Subject: [RollTideFan] SIAP...
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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