Skip to the content

Sizing up the Bama freshmen

July 25, 2008 7:45 AM

Posted by ESPN.com's Chris Low

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. -- Now that the final session of the SEC Media Days is upon us, wonder if there will be more legal jargon or more football jargon on the agenda today?

The circus that was Tennessee coach Phillip Fulmer being subpoenaed by Alabama attorneys, then initially denying that he was served that subpoena, was all anybody wanted to talk about on Thursday.

But there were a few other revelations.

  • Alabama senior center Antoine Caldwell singled out heralded receiver Julio Jones as the player in the Crimson Tide's touted freshman class that had impressed him the most to this point. Caldwell also likes what he's seen from cornerback Alonzo Lawrence and linebacker Jerrell Harris.

Senior safety Rashad Johnson said Burton Scott's speed has gotten everybody's attention. Johnson also expects Mark Barron to be an early contributor at safety.

  • Georgia senior receiver Mohamed Massaquoi was unfazed by Florida's Tim Tebow not being a unanimous choice as the first-team quarterback on the coaches' All-SEC preseason team.

That's because Massaquoi believes his quarterback, Matthew Stafford, is better. Stafford received the other first-team vote on the coaches' preseason team.

"I think Matt is the best quarterback in the country," Massaquoi said. "I don't know what Tebow brings to the table, but I do know what I see from Matt everyday. I know he's a great guy to be around. I know he's working to be everything we need him to be."

  • Fulmer could care less that the Vols are picked third in the East again behind Florida and Georgia.

"We were picked third in 1998 and won the national championship," Fulmer said. "I just think it's a reflection of how good this league is."

  • Alabama senior quarterback John Parker Wilson, who suffered his share of criticism last season when things soured for the Crimson Tide, has been one of the stars of the offseason.

Caldwell thinks Wilson has a bit of a chip on his shoulder and is primed for a breakout season. Alabama coach Nick Saban has seen a more mature Wilson.

Part of that is new offensive coordinator Jim McElwain and his new offense, which Saban says is more quarterback friendly.

"But I feel very good about the progress he's made in the offseason," Saban said.

  • Ole Miss coach Houston Nutt thinks there are nine or 10 teams that could win the SEC championship this season, and his Rebels are one of those teams.

"We're trying to change the mindset of our program," Nutt said. "We want to win. We want to win right now. I think it would be unfair to say, 'OK, we're going to rebuild, just kind of gradually.' I think that's unfair to your seniors."

Alabama Crimson Tide, John Parker Wilson, Antoine Caldwell, Julio Jones, Georgia Bulldogs, Mohamed Massaquoi, Matthew Stafford, Tennessee Vols, Phillip Fulmer, Ole Miss Rebels, Houston Nutt

Sort comments by: Most Recent | First Posted