News of the day, 3/11

Hey everyone. I hope you Montgomery-based peeps enjoyed my brief bit on WMSP-AM with Barry McKnight this morning. I don't like participating in that radio program because McKnight and the other guy think it's trendy to rip the Advertiser on the air.

It's as if that radio program somehow is a bastion of journalistic credibility. Now that I think about it, though, it is pretty credible because the announcers generally recite our stories on the air.

OK, on to football. The Fighting Tigers held an almost two-hour practice this morning amid foggy-ish, overcast conditions. There were some interesting things occurring, which is a big jump up from Monday.

Here are The Things You Need to Know:

DE Antonio Coleman was dressed in pads at practice, participating in what I'd describe as "light running" exercises. He's still dealing with some lingering neck stiffness. All the neurological signs are good. Coleman confirmed that he had spoken with LT Lee Ziemba, whom, depending on your perspective, was directly or indirectly involved in the hit that caused Coleman's temporary paralysis.

"It definitely won't happen again," Coleman said. ``That's all I'm going to say about that."

QB Chris Todd, he of the injured throwing shoulder, participated in throwing drills for the first time in almost two weeks. I can't say he was great or terrible. He wasn't really challenged or anything. OC Tony Franklin didn't seem all that impressed with Todd's work, saying the youngster was at 30 or 40 percent.

Bad news for QB Neil Caudle: Franklin, days after admonishing No. 19 for his interception troubles, threw another shrimp on the barbie Tuesday. Franklin said Caudle is paying too much attention to the rush. That's a bad thing. Franklin was asked why it's such a bad thing.

``If I drop back, then all of the sudden I feel it, and start looking at it, you've got no chance to ever play," Franklin said. ``You've got to feel the rush, and as I feel it, my eyes stay (ahead) as I slide to avoid it. But if you look at it, and try to find a way to avoid it, you can't play. It is not going to happen."

DT Tez Doolittle thinks he will get a sixth year of eligibility. That much is clear. And Auburn has assured Doolittle that he'll have a scholarship if the NCAA allows him to play in 2008. He tore an Achilles tendon during two-a-days last year. Doolittle said he's encouraged by the information he's received so far.

``I'm just waiting. I don't know what all they're saying, but it's looking good," Doolittle said during Pro Day on Monday afternoon. ``When Coach Lutz said I had my scholarship back, I was happy about that. I could have gotten the year back and not gotten the scholarship, then I'd have to pay out of my pocket or go to a school that would have given me a scholarship."

NOTE: Andy Lutz is a high-roller administrative guru.

DT Jake Ricks suffered an injury to his right hand during three-on-three blocking drills mid-way through practice. That's why you don't seem him listed in the one-one-one breakdowns below. Assistant coach Don Dunn said Ricks was headed to the hospital for x-rays.

Here are results from today's one-on-one line drills. Offense was the winner.

Mike Goggans (49) vs. Lee Ziemba (73) -- 73, 49, 73
Tyronne Green (71) vs. Zach Clayton (98) -- 71, E
Mike Blanc (93) vs. Jason Bosley (68) -- 68, 68
Sen'Derrick Marks (94) vs. Byron Isom (57) -- 57, 94
AJ Greene (90) vs. Ryan Pugh (50) -- 50, 50

Ryan Burse (97) vs. Jared Cooper (79) -- 79, 79
Luke Farmer (64) vs. Kyle Coulahan (58) -- 58, 64, 58
Clayton (98) vs. Mike Berry (66) -- 66, 66
Blanc (93) vs. Bart Eddins (53) -- 93, 93 (he was offsides), 53
Greene (90) vs. Andrew McCain (75) -- 90, 75, 90

Burse (97) vs. Lee Tilley (74) -- 97, 97

Antoine Carter (45) vs. Lee Ziemba (73) -- 73, 45
Marks (94) vs. Green (71) -- 94 (outside), 94 (inside), 94 (straight up) **schooled**
Farmer (64D) vs. Jackson Timmerman (64O) -- 64O, 64O
Clayton (98) vs. Isom (57) -- 97, 57 (then Nall calls for the "rubber match"), 57
Goggans (49) vs. Pugh (50) -- 49 (blew him back like a truck hitting an apple cart), 50

NOTE: That next-to-last hit by Goggans on Pugh was the hit of the day for me. Pugh is a good player, no doubt, but Goggans brought a different level of rage to the table there. Pugh quickly regrouped as you'd expect. I'm just saying: Goggans is so much better than he was this time last year.

One of the HOTTIES, Jimmy from the West Coast, passed along this interesting commercial featuring former tight end Frank Thomas, whom I believe had a slightly better career in baseball.




Questions? Comments? You can email me at jgtate@gannett.com or post a comment directly to the blog.