From the Sideline — Alex Rodriguez in Town + Reflections on a Blowout Win

When you shut out an opponent 59-0, there’s certainly more than one thing that was done right. However, one move overlooked by most could easily have been one of Nick Saban’s best of the day.

Outside linebackers coach Lance Thompson ordinarily can be found in the press box on game days, but against Texas A&M, and their HUNH attack, Saban opted to have him on the sidelines to help make substitutions more efficient.

It worked.

Not only did Alabama dominate once the ball was snapped, they rarely seemed to be out of position or confused before the play began.

Those two facts may have gone hand-in-hand.

I was told during the game that Thompson’s move to the sideline was potentially for just one game, but I get the feeling that the results may bring about a return to the field again this week in Knoxville.

REFLECTIONS ON THE WEEKEND

I’ve said it many times before, and I’ll say it again: What I do for a living is not work.

Getting to my destination can be (see last week’s blog), and certain days may bring definite challenges, but it is hard to call broadcasting ball games “work”.

Last weekend was a prime example of that.

As is often the case this time of year, I had three games in three days – plus a basketball event.

It’s always fun working with a great crew from Crimson Tide Productions on SEC Network events, such as Sunday’s dramatic five-set volleyball match between Alabama and Ole Miss.

But my “work” (okay, I used the word) weekend began with a high school football game on Friday night at Bessemer City for My68. It was the first time I had been to the new school since it had moved from its old Jess Lanier HS location.

It was a great venue, and the Purple Tigers and Northridge really played an entertaining game, even though Bessemer City pulled away from the Jaguars in the 2^nd half.

My Saturday in Tuscaloosa began that morning with UA’s first ever “Hoops on the Quad” event for men’s and women’s basketball. I wasn’t really sure what to expect in terms of the event or the crowd, but it turned out to be a lot of fun and well received by those that I’ve talked to.

While I never heard an estimate on the numbers, I didn’t realize how big the crowd was until it was over, and you saw how many people were gone from around the stage.

Most importantly, the players seemed to enjoy themselves. And it’s good to see them have some fun as we are now well inside of one month before the season gets underway.

By the time that wrapped up, it was time to move on to Bryant-Denny Stadium. There are so many things that take place over the course of a game day, that it becomes a blur, and it’s often well after the fact that I remember certain events that transpired. The people I see, things I observe, will pop back into my head hours, days – sometimes weeks – later.

It is always fun to visit with the honorary captains for the Tide’s home games, but these guys seem to be getting younger and younger. (I know they’re not. It’s just me getting older, but still, saying it THAT way, makes me feel better.)

‘Bama greats Demeco Ryans and Evan Mathis, were joined by Evan’s uncle, UA and NFL legend, and renowned restaurateur, Bob Baumhower, as the captains Saturday. Based on the 59-0 outcome for the Crimson Tide, maybe all three should be named PERMANENT honorary captains.

I’ve said it before in these posts, one of my favorite moments each Saturday is standing in the middle of the field before kickoff, waiting on the captains to come out for the coin toss, just as the Crimson Tide comes running out of the tunnel.

That is always an electric moment, but when you have a day as beautiful as Saturday was, it is even more special.

Of course you know how the first half of the game went, and therefore my assignment of interviewing Nick Saban coming off the field at intermission was pretty simple.

While I never ask a hard-hitting question – and frankly rarely ask him a true question at all (It’s really more of a case of setting it on the tee and letting him say what he wants to say.) – my lead-in consisted of just three words:

“Coach, Nice half.”

I thought we were filming another one of his Regions Bank commercials when he replied with, “Yeah that was a pretty good half”.

Thankfully, he elaborated, because – much like Texas A&M – I had no follow up.

After halftime, the only real excitement came when Alex Rodriguez came down on the sidelines in the 4^th quarter.

There was already a buzz created by his presence in one of the Bryant-Denny Sky Boxes, but when he made his way to the sidelines it really drew a lot of attention – just as it did a season or two ago when Derek Jeter made an appearance in Tuscaloosa.

It has been well documented that Coach Saban spoke to the Yankees back in 2013, and that A-Rod was among those impressed by what he had to say to the team.

Another connection is that Rodriguez and Alabama assistant coach Andy Phillips were teammates in New York.

Phillips’ first MLB at-bat came as a pinch hitter for the legendary infielder, and Andy credits him for the tip to “sellout on the slider” that allowed Phillips to deliver a home run in that first-ever big league trip to the plate.

As Saban emphasized week ago, winning is supposed to be fun, regardless of the margin.

But when it’s a 59-0 blowout, on a gorgeous day in Tuscaloosa… that just takes it to a whole new level.