kevina
Banned
http://www.tidesports.com/article/2...ide-players-named-to-Playboy-All-America-Team
Tide players named to Playboy All-America Team
Staff file photo From left, Julio Jones, Javier Arenas and Rolando McClain have been named Playboy All-Americans
By Christopher Walsh Sports Writer
Published: Friday, August 7, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:23 p.m.
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama football team had three players named to the 2009 Playboy magazine annual preseason College Football All-American Team.
Senior Javier Arenas was named as a return specialist, joining junior linebacker Rolando McClain and sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones. The team will be profiled in the September issue, due out next week.
“It means a lot,” Arenas said. “I guess you could say that I worked for it. It is my first huge honor. I’m proud of myself and my teammates who helped make it happen, the blocking on special teams.”
McClain was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press at the end of last season and was also a finalist for the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker. In two years, he’s tallied 169 tackles, including 17 for a loss, four sacks and three interceptions.
Jones set practically every Alabama freshman receiving record last year with 58 catches for 928 yards and four touchdowns. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, freshman All-American and the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Freshman of the Year.
Arenas is the NCAA’s active leader in career punt returns, punt return yards and punt return touchdowns, but has also been making a name for himself as a cornerback. He recently was named first-team All-SEC by coaches as a defensive back, but second-team as a return specialist.
“It would have meant a lot, but it didn’t happen,” Arenas said Thursday. “That’s fantasizing right there. It won’t affect my performance out that at all if I was All-American DB by Hugh Hefner, Playboy, whatever. I’m playing like one. I want to play like a true champion regardless of what I’m named.”
Freshman defensive lineman Kerry Murphy was excused from practice after his 22-year-old brother Terrory was found dead in a car Thursday morning in Bessemer. Police are treating the case as a homicide.
“Kerry went home today and it is our intent to help and support him in any way possible as he spends time with his family,” Coach Nick Saban said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Kerry and his family during this difficult time.”
Former LSU defensive end Sidell Corley is hoping to transfer to Alabama after being released from his scholarship with the Tigers. He plans to apply for a hardship waiver from the NCAA, and if not the Crimson Tide wants play for an in-state program (likely Auburn or Troy).
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up at Alabama,” McGill-Toolen Catholic High School coach Mike Dean said. “That’s where he wants to end up.”
Corley is close friends with former high school and LSU teammate Phelon Jones, a safety who transferred following the spring semester and will sit out this season. Jones played in nine games for the Tigers last season.
Both players committed to Florida before switching to LSU, and were heavily recruited by Nick Saban after he was hired in Jan. 2007. Rivals.com rated Corley the state’s third-best prospect (behind McClain and Kerry Murphy), and Jones sixth.
Corley (6-3, 273 pounds) left LSU after his mother was murdered in her home in Mobile and his uncle drowned roughly a week later.
Incidentally, Alabama’s updated roster has Jones wearing No. 9.
Tide-bits
_ Both defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore and running back Eddie Lacy made Thursday night’s practice for newcomers after being approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Both Nico Johnson and Tana Patrick got some work with the outside linebackers during the brief time period reporters were allowed to observe.
_ Senior guard Mike Johnson on Thursday’s first practice: “We’re a lot further along than I thought we be.” However, the first couple of days have gone quite as smoothly for the newcomers. “Some of the freshman walked out the meetings last night and were like, ‘Are we going to up here like this all the time?’ I was like, ‘You mine as well get a cot,’” senior linebacker Cory Reamer said. “ Camp is … you’re up here all the time, it’s time to learn and get ready for the season.”
_ Senior wide receiver Mike McCoy on the high-level of competition in camp: “There are battles everywhere. This is camp. This is open, nobody as a safe position, nobody has anything instilled. Everybody has to work.”
_ No one wore black, signaling no contact due to an injury. … Alabama will hold its first full-squad practice today, again in helmets and shorts. … Sunday’s Fan will feature in open practice from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Players and coaches will be available for autographs on the field after practice. Fans may enter the stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. through the northeast gates (37-38).
Tide players named to Playboy All-America Team
Staff file photo From left, Julio Jones, Javier Arenas and Rolando McClain have been named Playboy All-Americans
By Christopher Walsh Sports Writer
Published: Friday, August 7, 2009 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Thursday, August 6, 2009 at 11:23 p.m.
TUSCALOOSA | The University of Alabama football team had three players named to the 2009 Playboy magazine annual preseason College Football All-American Team.
Senior Javier Arenas was named as a return specialist, joining junior linebacker Rolando McClain and sophomore wide receiver Julio Jones. The team will be profiled in the September issue, due out next week.
“It means a lot,” Arenas said. “I guess you could say that I worked for it. It is my first huge honor. I’m proud of myself and my teammates who helped make it happen, the blocking on special teams.”
McClain was named third-team All-American by the Associated Press at the end of last season and was also a finalist for the Butkus Award for the nation’s top linebacker. In two years, he’s tallied 169 tackles, including 17 for a loss, four sacks and three interceptions.
Jones set practically every Alabama freshman receiving record last year with 58 catches for 928 yards and four touchdowns. He was named the SEC Freshman of the Year, freshman All-American and the Columbus (Ohio) Touchdown Club National Freshman of the Year.
Arenas is the NCAA’s active leader in career punt returns, punt return yards and punt return touchdowns, but has also been making a name for himself as a cornerback. He recently was named first-team All-SEC by coaches as a defensive back, but second-team as a return specialist.
“It would have meant a lot, but it didn’t happen,” Arenas said Thursday. “That’s fantasizing right there. It won’t affect my performance out that at all if I was All-American DB by Hugh Hefner, Playboy, whatever. I’m playing like one. I want to play like a true champion regardless of what I’m named.”
Freshman defensive lineman Kerry Murphy was excused from practice after his 22-year-old brother Terrory was found dead in a car Thursday morning in Bessemer. Police are treating the case as a homicide.
“Kerry went home today and it is our intent to help and support him in any way possible as he spends time with his family,” Coach Nick Saban said in a statement. “Our thoughts and prayers are with Kerry and his family during this difficult time.”
Former LSU defensive end Sidell Corley is hoping to transfer to Alabama after being released from his scholarship with the Tigers. He plans to apply for a hardship waiver from the NCAA, and if not the Crimson Tide wants play for an in-state program (likely Auburn or Troy).
“I wouldn’t be surprised if he ends up at Alabama,” McGill-Toolen Catholic High School coach Mike Dean said. “That’s where he wants to end up.”
Corley is close friends with former high school and LSU teammate Phelon Jones, a safety who transferred following the spring semester and will sit out this season. Jones played in nine games for the Tigers last season.
Both players committed to Florida before switching to LSU, and were heavily recruited by Nick Saban after he was hired in Jan. 2007. Rivals.com rated Corley the state’s third-best prospect (behind McClain and Kerry Murphy), and Jones sixth.
Corley (6-3, 273 pounds) left LSU after his mother was murdered in her home in Mobile and his uncle drowned roughly a week later.
Incidentally, Alabama’s updated roster has Jones wearing No. 9.
Tide-bits
_ Both defensive lineman Darrington Sentimore and running back Eddie Lacy made Thursday night’s practice for newcomers after being approved by the NCAA Clearinghouse. Both Nico Johnson and Tana Patrick got some work with the outside linebackers during the brief time period reporters were allowed to observe.
_ Senior guard Mike Johnson on Thursday’s first practice: “We’re a lot further along than I thought we be.” However, the first couple of days have gone quite as smoothly for the newcomers. “Some of the freshman walked out the meetings last night and were like, ‘Are we going to up here like this all the time?’ I was like, ‘You mine as well get a cot,’” senior linebacker Cory Reamer said. “ Camp is … you’re up here all the time, it’s time to learn and get ready for the season.”
_ Senior wide receiver Mike McCoy on the high-level of competition in camp: “There are battles everywhere. This is camp. This is open, nobody as a safe position, nobody has anything instilled. Everybody has to work.”
_ No one wore black, signaling no contact due to an injury. … Alabama will hold its first full-squad practice today, again in helmets and shorts. … Sunday’s Fan will feature in open practice from 2:30 to 4:30 p.m. at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Players and coaches will be available for autographs on the field after practice. Fans may enter the stadium beginning at 1:30 p.m. through the northeast gates (37-38).
