DOES 'BAMA NEED POLLARD?

HE IS A GREAT TALENT, BUT...

    No doubt that Devonta Pollard is a great talent. So is Tony Mitchell, but as Dr. Phil likes to ask, "how's that working out for you?" The recruiting story of Pollard is one of the most interesting high school to college stories in recent memory. In the era of the 24 hour news cycle the Pollard story has become almost forgotten.  The longer the the story continues, the less enchanted 'Bama fans become with the five star recruit. That doesn't mean that disenchantment won't turn back into infatuation, however. Alabama has placed a lot of effort in recruiting the Kemper County star. Alabama needs the young man's considerable talents to have a more successful season later this year. 

      I suspect that Alabama will be a much better team with Pollard, but I'm not foolish enough to think we'd be a bad team without him. Trying to keep up with what's on this kid's mind is like trying to herd alley cats. You just can't do it. Supposedly, tomorrow afternoon at 5:00PM the five star acclaimed superstar will finally make is final decision known. I hope he picks the Tide, but I stopped holding my breath weeks ago. We should respect Pollards decision to take his time in making the correct season. If this young man doesn't want to attend the University of Alabama that is all right. The sun will rise on Saturday. The world will continue unabated. If he picks Alabama the same sun will rise, and life go on as well. 


     The Alabama coaches have already been informed of his decision, that happened on Monday of this week. All four or possibly five schools have been given the news, good or bad. Over the last two months I've personally spoken with a lot of local people who know this young man. They seem as baffled as anyone about what's going on. A month ago you asked anyone close to Kemper County and the general consensus of opinion was "Alabama" was top dog. Pollard and Coach Grant were at a softball game in T Town last week. They were  cheering the Tide, and seemed to be getting along just fine from my point of view. Then came this trip to Georgetown. That would be Georgetown of the Big East, and a great academic institution in our nation's capital. Tuscaloosa is a great place to call home. Georgetown's not to shabby though. We all tend to deify Tuscaloosa and anything Crimson. The Hoya's are not chopped liver, and carry a lot more weight in the world of basketball than Alabama. I don't think Texas carries anymore status in basketball than Alabama. Texas egos come in two sizes - giant and ridiculous. You'd have to live in Missouri to understand that those show me folks hold basketball in the same regard as Kentucky. Mississippi State is always loaded for bear, or bearer bonds, I get confused about which. LSU recruited Pollard's Big East recruiter to Baton Rouge. All this makes for interesting speculation. 


     A chance to play at Georgetown is downright intriguing however.  For a young man who grew up in Mississippi it might be more than intriguing. Same could be said for Austin, Texas. Tuscaloosa is a wonderful place. To most of us it is the national cathedral for sports. I'll say what I know, and leave it at that. Devonta Pollard heart wants him to attend Alabama. His head is telling him "not so fast." He's had plenty of time to slow things down and make an informed decision. I'm not going to waste your time in telling you all the reasons Pollard should come to Alabama. I'm not going to sing accolades about why he should go elsewhere.  The hay is in the barn on this one. The real players have been identified. 


     I'm going to play golf tomorrow at 2:00PM. I feel pretty certain about what is going to happen. I'll pass the mantle of constant worry to younger fans like Bunk, or more learned fans like good doctor. Do I feel good about tomorrow? Yes, I do. Am I betting the ranch on Alabama? No, I want.  I think Pollard is the quality type young man who might just drive to Tuscaloosa and tell Coach Grant he isn't coming to Alabama. Anthony Grant is the type person who would have appreciated the message in person. Heart or head? 




Back to Rodney and the Troops

TAYLOR COMMITS TO BAMA...

Fast rising Taylor is a nationally prominent recruit -

     For those who are now taking a foot out of their mouths nos is the time to say, "I was wrong." Not only that, but you are about to become a great deal wronger (sic) so to speak. Jimmie Taylor, out of Greensboro, says he is coming to Bama. No real surprise here. For those who had written off Anthony Grant get on the TiderInsider board and man up. Don't be surprised if the Tide gets additional some great news as the clock winds down on the late signing period.

     The signing of Taylor signifies to everyone in the SEC that Anthony Grant is not going away. When you sign a top 20 type national recruit you are doing something right. Stars have not been assigned to any 2013 recruits but Taylor will get as many stars as they hand out. At the annoucement that Taylor was Bama boudn I bet Coach Grant smiled. If things go as I expect then he might even laugh next week. Basketball is a fickle process. You can never take anything for granted. I'll be very surprised if Devonta Pollard doesn't announce for the Tide. Why hasn't he announced already? There is no drama being played out. No conspiracy theories need to be spun. DP is simply enjoying his day in the Sun. What the heck? The kid earned it.

    How much does the commitment of Taylor, who is 6-9 and weighs 229, have on Devonta Pollard. Hmm... I might argue that in two years the Tide will have fourth year starter at the point, some really good  outside shooters, a brutal power forward, a classy center named Taylor, and the best small forward in the deep south named Pollard who would round out the starting lineup. Pardon the drool falling on this page as I write that possibility. What will Grant be able to do with that talent?  His first year at Alabama he had one of the best seasons coaching I've ever seen.  Last season he coached a team that was falling apart at the seams. He found a way to keep them together and made the NCAA Tourament.  Despite all that many peeople were giving the man his pink slip. I don't know if Alabama will ever have a coach as good as Wimp Sanderson. Grant might hit that rarified air one day. You keep signing classes like Releford, Lacey, Jacobs, Taylor, Randolph, Cooper, and hopefully Pollard you have a chance to become a great coach. Maybe even a great enough coach that he will get the recognition he deserves with Bama fans.

DEVONTA POLLARD WEIGHS HIS OPTIONS

Pollard keeps fans on edge...

Pollard has made his mind up already

    I know that everyone is getting edgy about Kemper County, Mississippi super-star, Devonta Pollard. Devonta is driving fans crazy about where he is going to college. This wild idea crossed my mind regarding the young man. Why not just drive over to Mississippi and talk with the him. At least talk with his family.   I'm just messing with you. That is normally how I find out about what a kid has on his mind. It's just easier to ask them face to face.  I've done that for over 30 years and it's always worked.  (I didn't talk with him, but with some of his family in the end.)

   The McDonald High School All-American is the only recruit on the radar to fans of the University of Alabama. That's not true. Alabama has been recruiting other players, including a couple of JUCO players. I think it is fair to say that no one gets an offer (if at all) until Pollard makes his choice known. Through out all this roller coaster of a recruiting ride I've stuck to my guns - Alabama is on the top of his list. Pollard's family wants the young man to stay close to home. Both Pollard and his family have a good, no make that a very good relationship with Anthony Grant.  The question remains whether or not that relationship will lead him to the Capstone. Grant is in the middle of building something very special at Alabama. Pollard knows the two years or so he'd spend in Tuscaloosa could make a dramatic impact on the Tide. Pollard also knows that he'd have an impact anywhere he decides to play. Texas, Georgetown, and Texas are fighting to the bitter end to sign Devonta. MSU is never out of the picture with a Mississippi high school player. Missouri is fighting hard as well. The Tigers can offer the young man a lot. The early exit from the NCAA was a stunner for the Tigers, and to Pollard.  Georgetown is in the Big East. Pollard has a lot of choices. Texas has its own television network. In all fairness to Mississippi State, the Bulldogs have lost everyone, and that is not exactly the place to showplace your skills.

     So you have to do some deep thinking to justify why a kid like DP would go to Alabama. Other than being close to home what would those reasons be? According to a lot of Alabama fans the coach is horrible, the future is bleak, and the sky is about to fall. We all know those types of Alabama fans. Fans shouldn't be blindly loyal, but they should at least think through what they say and write. If anyone thinks that Anthony Grant can't coach they are mistaken. There is an old saying that you have to play the cards dealed to you. Grant chose not to do that with Green and Mitchell. That killed last season in one regard. It only caused me to double down on his character and coaching ability.  His thinking was long term and not expedient. I admire the man for that. So does Pollard's support group. The quesion in Pollard's mind is what can Alabama give me that other places can't. He already knows the answer. His mind is made up. I doubt he'll change his mind, but he could. The kid played at a smaller high school. His skills are remarkable. The jump to Division One ball will be difficult although he has more than held his own in AAU ball. Expectations will be huge if he signs with Alabama or MSU.

    The real problem that Alabama has with Pollard is not Pollard. The real problem is AAU people whispering in Devonta's ear. Grant doesn't like the way a lot of AAU coaches try to control their players. He undersands why an AAU coach would want to do so and have their moment (or more) I think he knows how to deal with that problem.  The thought of Pollard and Jacobs on the floor is exciting. Perhaps Alabama fans should not worry so much about Devonta's choice. I may be wrong. I might be misinformed. If Pollard makes the decision he'd like to make he would say Alabama. That's what his heart is telling him. Now  he has to get his head to agree.

    Unless something happens I'd place  my bets on Bama. Would I bet the ranch? Probably not but I'd ante up a thousand bucks or so.