The family jewels

This is a rich story on so many levels.

From start —

An Oklahoma City man has been charged with aggravated assault and battery, accused of causing extensive damage to another man’s scrotum just because he wore a University of Texas shirt into a local bar.

to finish —

Two months later, he said he still is a lot of pain.The injury also caused Thomas to fall behind on his child support payments because he couldn’t work.

(h/t The Wizard of Odds)

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Law and order in Tuscaloosa

Interesting news concerning the details surrounding the arrests of some ‘Bama boys in Tuscaloosa on July 14:

… The July 14 incident allegedly began when players grew angry over being denied entry into The Legacy due to the club’s dress code. Police said they refused to leave the area, prompting “an unwanted guest” call to police.

According to the report filed by University of Alabama Police, Upchurch became agitated during the dispute and yelled repeated obscenities. He was subjected to pepper spray and “became verbally abusive toward (the) officer.”

According to UAPD, when officers told Upchurch that his coach could be called if he didn’t start cooperating, he replied, “F— him and f— y’all,” the report stated. After another warning from police, Upchurch allegedly said that “UAPD officers don’t mean s— to him.”

So this kid is given the opportunity to walk away after being subjected to pepper spray by the cops, gets another chance after that, and still can’t take a hint. He’s lucky that there’s not a criminal stupidity statute in Alabama.

Please take a moment to compare that approach with the arrest of Akeem Hebron in a similar setting, although ultimately a far less confrontational one with the cops. (For that matter, they lock kids up in Athens for riding scooters.) As for the end result regarding Upchurch, only Saban will know for sure.

Yep, boys, they’s a new sheriff in Tuscaloosa these days. He’s the guy with the crimson “A” on his chest.

Nick Saban, photographed directing a miscreant to the team’s Peer Intervention Group for what will undoubtedly be a severe tongue-lashing. (Police not required.)

(h/t SEC Fanhouse)

Friday Steeleoid

Some people are pointing to ‘Bama’s season opener at Vanderbilt as being a potential upset possibility. It would be one of almost biblical proportions if it were to happen:

‘Bama has won 19 straight (including ’93’s forfeit) and 33 of 34.

Notes from the last scrimmage: Stafford leads, will oline follow?

David Ching has a couple of quotes worth pondering at his blog that he got after yesterday’s scrimmage:

Stafford had a lot to say about how unhappy he was with the effort, but I was trying to talk to other people and missed some of it. Here’s a quote that pretty much summarizes what he said.
“It’s tough, I’ll tell you what. Maybe it was guys being worn down, but there’s no excuse. We were in shorts yesterday. We should have plenty of energy ready to go. I don’t know what it was. People are gonna find out quick, (the) young guys, what it takes to win in this league. I’m just hoping they realize it before they get out there and play.”

Bryan Evans, on how much he got to test his injured hamstring:
“It wasn’t really full-speed because we couldn’t get a look with the D-line getting so much pressure. Other than that, that’s probably the only thing that really got us.”

Evans, More on that:
“I really didn’t get pushed as hard as I would have liked to. I would’ve liked to. I didn’t really get to open up as much just because of the pressure. But I feel pretty comfortable by the end of this week, I should be going, trying to get it out.”

First of all, I like the tone I’m hearing from Stafford.  That’s what you should see from a QB who’s settling into the position.

That being said, what I get from both Stafford and Evans is that the offensive line has a long ways to go.  I knew going in that experience would be an issue, but it’s a little disappointing to see effort questioned this late in fall practice.   Let’s hope Searels can get the young guys to see the wisdom in stepping up.  Nobody wants to see what happened to David Greene in 2003 happen to Matt Stafford in 2007.