Written by Ell
| 21 October 2008
Another Saturday, another game where Alabama runs up a big first half lead and then hangs on to win. With all of these close games not resulting in any losses yet, this is beginning to feel like 1992.
The games, individually, don’t feel like that; just the close outcomes and the general tepid reactions to those wins by the national media. In 1992, Alabama could score three points, turn the ball over five times, and the other team still had no chance. That defense was the best one ever to play the game. Ever.
This year’s defense is good - Kentucky or Tulane don't win their game this year if they are still playing - but no where near as good as the unit lead by Eric Curry and John Copeland.
Am I old? I sure feel like it after the last three paragraphs.
Anyway, enough of me trying to jinx this year’s team and on to the young whippersnappers that don’t get the credit they deserve.
Kareem Jackson
This one is especially for Nxojkt, although I do have to agree with his reasoning. The sophomore corner is the guy who ran down Rebel running back Enrique Davis and kept him out of the end zone.
If Davis scores on that run the complexion of the game at that point becomes very different. Jackson probably shouldn’t be considered “unsung” because he is the best corner on the team and has received some national and conference accolades but this season has been quiet.
Mostly, due to no one really challenging him, Jackson’s numbers have not been that impressive. However, the less you hear a corner’s name the better he probably is. Teams will not want to throw his way.
For the game, Jackson finished with 3 tackles with one for a loss, a pass break up, and a fumble recovery.
Don’t’a Hightower
The freshman linebacker has been a starter from game one this season which is good and bad. Hightower will be an absolute stud and teams should be very afraid of him and Rolando McClain when they return next year.
On the bad side, Hightower can and will be out of position often as he learns the ins and outs of the defense.
That being said, Hightower did recorded six tackles on Saturday with the last one being the one that stopped the Rebels on 4th and one late in the 4th quarter.
Nick Walker
There was a Nick Walker sighting on Saturday. The elusive beast has made brief appearances earlier in the year but came out of hiding against Ole Miss to lead the team with five catches for 65 yards.
Walker will play on Sundays next fall. No question in my mind about that. Some pro team will take him in the 4th or 5th round and get a guy who can block and catch and run.
Even with his limited touches this season; Walker is still 2nd on the team in catches behind Julio Jones. Not sure if that is an indictment on John Parker Wilson or on Jim McElwain. Maybe I am just selfish and think that we should throw to Walker more often.
