Alabama
81 players with Alabama roots on Pro Bowl ballot
The Pro Bowl as an all-star football game is no more. But the Pro Bowl as an all-star honor endures, and fan voting for that recognition started on Monday.
Last season, the NFL eliminated the Pro Bowl game and replaced it with the Pro Bowl Games, a skills competition and flag-football contest for the selected players.
The ballot for this season’s Pro Bowl Games includes 81 players with Alabama football roots. The NFL released the ballot on Monday.
The players from Alabama high schools and colleges on the Pro Bowl Games ballot this season include:
Quarterbacks: Jalen Hurts (Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles; Mac Jones (Alabama), New England Patriots; Tua Tagovailoa (Alabama), Miami Dolphins; Bryce Young (Alabama), Carolina Panthers
Running backs: Jerome Ford (Alabama), Cleveland Browns; Jahmyr Gibbs (Alabama), Detroit Lions; Najee Harris (Alabama), Pittsburgh Steelers; Derrick Henry (Alabama), Tennessee Titans; Josh Jacobs (Alabama), Las Vegas Raiders; Brian Robinson Jr. (Hillcrest-Tuscaloosa, Alabama), Washington Commanders
Wide receivers: Nico Collins (Clay-Chalkville), Houston Texans; Amari Cooper (Alabama), Cleveland Browns; Tank Dell (Alabama A&M) Houston Texans; Tyreek Hill (West Alabama), Miami Dolphins; Jerry Jeudy (Alabama), Denver Broncos; Julio Jones (Foley, Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles; Darnell Mooney (Gadsden City), Chicago Bears; George Pickens (Hoover), Pittsburgh Steelers; Calvin Ridley (Alabama), Jacksonville Jaguars; Darius Slayton (Auburn), New York Giants; DeVonta Smith (Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles; Jaylen Waddle (Alabama), Miami Dolphins
Fullbacks: Khari Blasingame (Buckhorn), Chicago Bears
Tight ends: Gerald Everett (UAB/South Alabama), Los Angeles Chargers; Irv Smith Jr. (Alabama), Cincinnati Bengals; C.J. Uzomah (Auburn), New York Jets
Offensive tackles: Evan Neal (Alabama), New York Giants; Braden Smith (Auburn), Indianapolis Colts; Jonah Williams (Alabama), Cincinnati Bengals
Guards: Landon Dickerson (Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles; Tytus Howard (Monroe County, Alabama State), Houston Texans
Centers: Bradley Bozeman (Handley, Alabama), Carolina Panthers; Ryan Kelly (Alabama), Indianapolis Colts
Defensive ends: Will Anderson Jr. (Alabama), Houston Texans; Derrick Brown (Auburn), Carolina Panthers; Bryce Huff (St. Paul’s Episcopal), New York Jets; Za’Darius Smith (Greenville), Cleveland Browns
Defensive tackles: Montravius Adams (Auburn), Pittsburgh Steelers; Jonathan Allen (Alabama), Washington Commanders; Christian Barmore (Alabama), New England Patriots; Phidarian Mathis (Alabama), Washington Commanders; Rakeem Nunez-Roches (Central-Phenix City), New York Giants; Daron Payne (Shades Valley, Alabama), Washington Commanders; Michael Pierce (Daphne, Samford), Baltimore Ravens; Jarran Reed (Alabama), Seattle Seahawks; A’Shawn Robinson (Alabama), New York Giants; Dalvin Tomlinson (Alabama), Cleveland Browns; Quinnen Williams (Wenonah, Alabama), New York Jets
Inside linebackers: Zach Cunningham (Pinson Valley), Philadelphia Eagles; Christian Harris (Alabama), Houston Texans; Nicholas Morrow (Huntsville), Philadelphia Eagles; C.J. Mosley (Theodore, Alabama), New York Jets; Quincy Williams (Wenonah), New York Jets
Outside linebackers: Josh Allen (Abbeville), Jacksonville Jaguars; Anfernee Jennings (Dadeville, Alabama), New England Patriots
Cornerbacks: James Bradberry (Pleasant Grove, Samford); Brian Branch (Alabama), Detroit Lions; Carlton Davis (Auburn), Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Jamel Dean (Auburn), Tampa Bay Buccaneers; Cor’Dale Flott (Saraland), New York Giants; Marlon Humphrey (Hoover, Alabama), Baltimore Ravens; Jonathan Jones (Auburn), New England Patriots; Roger McCreary (Williamson, Auburn), Tennessee Titans; Patrick Surtain II (Alabama), Denver Broncos; Cam Taylor-Britt (Park Crossing), Cincinnati Bengals; Darious Williams (UAB), Jacksonville Jaguars
Strong safeties: Reed Blankenship (West Limestone), Philadelphia Eagles; Kareem Jackson (Alabama), Denver Broncos
Free safeties: Minkah Fitzpatrick (Alabama), Pittsburgh Steelers; Rudy Ford (New Hope, Auburn), Green Bay Packers; Eddie Jackson (Alabama), Chicago Bears; Xavier McKinney (Alabama), New York Giants; Jimmie Ward (Davidson), Houston Texans
Kickers: Anders Carlson (Auburn), Green Bay Packers; Daniel Carlson (Alabama), Las Vegas Raiders; Evan McPherson (Fort Payne), Cincinnati Bengals
Long snappers: Josh Harris (Auburn), Atlanta Falcons
Punters: JK Scott (Alabama), Los Angeles Chargers
Return specialists: Tank Dell (Alabama A&M), Houston Texans; Kadarius Toney (Blount), Kansas City Chiefs
Special-teamers: Ameer Abdullah (Homewood), Las Vegas Raiders; Josh Jobe (Alabama), Philadelphia Eagles; Monty Rice (James Clemens), Tennessee Titans; Tremon Smith (Saks), Denver Broncos
Fans can vote online for their Pro Bowl favorites through Dec. 25.
From Dec. 11 through Dec. 15, fans can vote via X (formerly Twitter) by tweeting the first and last names of a player, tagging the player’s Twitter handle or creating a hashtag from the player’s first and last names. All three methods must include “#ProBowlVote.” On Dec. 24 and Dec. 25, each social-media vote counts as two.
NFL players and coaches will make their Pro Bowl selections on Dec. 29.
The selections made by fans, players and coaches will count one-third apiece toward determining the Pro Bowl rosters for the AFC and NFC teams.
The 7-on-7 flag football game featuring the Pro Bowl players will be held on Feb. 4 at Camping World Stadium in Orlando, Florida, as the culmination of a multi-day AFC vs. NFC competition in which all-stars will demonstrate their football and non-football skills in a variety of competitions.
FOR MORE OF AL.COM’S COVERAGE OF THE NFL, GO TO OUR NFL PAGE
Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on Twitter at @AMarkG1.
Alabama
Portion of Alabama 59 in Baldwin County closed following two-vehicle crash
BALDWIN COUNTY, Ala. (WALA) – A two-vehicle crash on Alabama 59 near Baldwin County 34 has closed down the road, according to law enforcement.
Authorities said the crash occurred at 8:23 pm.
Law enforcement is on scene investigating and there is no timetable on when it will be reopened.
Copyright 2024 WALA. All rights reserved.
Alabama
Alabama’s recent focus on defense pays off in blowout win over Kent State
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Nate Oats started his postgame press conference explaining why Alabama would have a much better winter break after its 81-54 win over Kent State. According to Oats, a happy holiday hinged on the Tide’s defensive performance against the Golden Flashes.
“Much better defensive effort so it’ll be a lot better Christmas break for us,” Oats said with a smile at the podium. “We did make a big point of emphasis on defense, especially after that debacle up in North Dakota with [Fighting Hawks guard Treysen Eaglestaff].”
It was far from a perfect offensive display for the Tide against Kent State. Alabama’s lingering turnover issues reared its ugly head for a second straight and the Tide continued shooting poorly from 3-point range.
However, after defensive letdowns nearly sprang an upset in Grand Forks, North Dakota, Alabama got back to the basics over the next few days at practice. The team worked on defensive fundamentals rather than solely focusing on film study.
That extra emphasis paid off as Alabama equaled its lowest points allowed in a game this season with 54. Tide forward Grant Nelson swatted a shot attempt by Kent State’s leading scorer VonCameron Davis in the opening few minutes, which helped set the tone the rest of the way.
“I think that [block] and just really everyone loading in the gaps, helping each other out,” Nelson said of Alabama’s defensive performance. “I thought that was huge. I think we kept them to six points in the first three media timeouts, that was huge for us. We emphasized that like I said and just a lot of credit to our guys for carrying it over on the court.”
While Alabama didn’t shoot the ball well, it made sure Kent State’s shooting was even more ineffective. Alabama communicated well on switches and contested shots from beyond the arc. It honed in on Davis, who averages 14.9 points per game but was limited to under 10 points for just the second time this season. Davis scored nine on an inefficient 4 of 15 from the field and had a minus-31 box plus-minus rating.
Coming into the game, Oats also felt like Kent State guard Jalen Sullinger (9.7 points per game) could be a dangerous weapon against Alabama’s defense with the potential to do the same thing Eaglestaff did for North Dakota. The Fighting Hawks guard scored a career-high 40 points, single-handedly pulling them back into the game late.
After missing the mark severely on guarding Eaglestaff, the Tide understood the assignment when it came to Sullinger and locked down the Kent State senior.
“He ended up shooting 1 of 14 and didn’t score in the second half,” Oats said. “So I think we did a little bit of a better job being locked in to a perimeter guy. We held them to a pretty good field goal percentage, they only shot 28%. Traditionally, this has been one of the hardest playing teams — I was in the MAC for six years and they get all of the O Boards. We gave up too many second-chance points but I thought for the most part our first-shot defense was good.”
Alabama continued to play effective post-defense in spite of the offensive rebounds. The Tide finished with six blocks as a team. Center Clifford Omoruyi won the Hard Hat Award for the most blue collar points and grabbed 12 rebounds while Nelson had 14. Off the bench, Derrion Reid had a pair of steals while Mouhamed Dioubate chipped in with two blocks.
Following the win, Alabama jumped from No. 57 to No. 42 in adjusted defensive efficiency, according to KenPom.com. As the Tide looks to build on its defensive momentum, better play on offense will have to follow. Alabama’s defense is much improved from last season when it was at its best, but it won’t be able to win games on defense alone when league play tips off on Jan. 4.
“We struggled a little offensively, and we’re gonna have to figure some stuff out here before SEC play,” Oats said. “The turnovers have been really just way too many — 13 in the first half. We did the same thing two games in a row. We only had one the second half against North Dakota. We ended up with six in the second half here. So we’ve got to do a better job at turnovers. I don’t have an answer for the free throw problems, but the only way to fix that is get in the gym and work. The good thing for us is we don’t have any school for a few weeks here, so after they get back from Christmas break, we’ll be in the gym and putting some time in.”
Alabama will conclude non-conference play against Summit League side South Dakota State. The Tide and Jackrabbits will tip off at 2 p.m. CT Dec. 29 inside Coleman Coliseum. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+.
Alabama
How cold did Alabama get last night? These cities had the lowest temperatures
Very cold temperatures greeted Alabamians on Sunday morning.
The National Weather Service said temperatures overnight bottomed out in the low 20s in parts of the state and even were at the freezing mark in south Alabama.
Here were the lowest temperatures between midnight and 6 a.m. Sunday from around Alabama from the National Weather Service:
* Alexander City: 30 degrees
* Anniston: 23 degrees
* Auburn: 28 degrees
* Birmingham: 24 degrees
* Decatur: 25 degrees
* Demopolis: 25 degrees
* Dothan: 30 degrees
* Evergreen: 28 degrees
* Eufaula: 28 degrees
* Gadsden: 21 degrees
* Haleyville: 22 degrees
* Huntsville: 26 degrees
* Mobile: 31 degrees
* Montgomery: 25 degrees
* Muscle Shoals: 24 degrees
* Ozark: 29 degrees
* Prattville: 25 degrees
* Sylacauga: 24 degrees
* Talladega: 22 degrees
* Troy: 26 degrees
* Tuscaloosa: 25 degrees
Temperatures today will be a few degrees higher than on Saturday. Highs will range from the low to mid-40s in south Alabama to the 50s in central Alabama, to the mid-50s in south Alabama (today’s forecast is at the top of this post).
Tonight will be chilly again, but not as cold as last night. Here are the forecast low temperatures from Sunday night into Monday morning:
Gradual warming is expected to continue this week, with the next chances for rain arriving on Wednesday, Christmas Day. The weather service isn’t expecting a lot of rain, and no severe weather is anticipated.
High temperatures on Christmas Day will be warmer, with 60s expected across a wide area and possibly some 70s near the coast. Here are the expected Christmas Day temperatures:
The warming trend looks to hold past Christmas. Here is the six- to 10-day temperature outlook, and it shows a high probability of above-average temperatures for Alabama through the end of December:
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