Alabama Crimson Tide football is tradition rich with a number of great coaches over the years, and has produced a number of great players that have impacted the NFL greatly, but the most well know person ever to step foot on the gridiron at Alabama is most definitely “Bear” Bryant.

BEAR BRYANT

Bear Bryant started his career at Alabama as a football player in 1931. He was only 1934 national championship play end. Brian always joked that he was the “other end” that played for “mamma”. The other end was the legendary NFL Hall of Famer, Don Hudson. Even bear Bryant’s college playing days, he showed mental toughness and playing the 1935 game against Tennessee with a broken leg.

As as head coach, Paul Bryant had several university head coaching jobs such as Maryland, Kentucky, and Texas A& M before he finally had the opportunity to return to his alma mater, the University of Alabama. So encouraged was Paul Bryant, that he notably was quoted as saying, “Mama called. And when Mama calls, you just have to come runnin’.”

It was the year 1958 that Paul Bryant took over as head coach of the Crimson Tide, and started leading it to its past Rose Bowl-style brilliance but achieved even to greater heights. Coaching celebrated players like Joe Namath, Pat Trammell, Billy Neighbors, Big John Hannah, snake Stabler,Lee Roy Jordan, Johnny Musso, Bob Baumhower, and many others.

Overall, Bear Bryant was a impressive motivator and knew how to get his football players to do what he needed them to do. Florida A&M coach, Jake Gaither said of Bear Bryant, “He can take his’n and beat you’n, and he can take your’n and beat his’n.” The motivation wasn’t just on the playing field, the motivation passed into life also by the character he instilled in his players like big John Croyle, who started the faith-based Christian Big Oak Ranch for unfortunate children in Springville, Alabama.

The very last year that he coached the Crimson Tide, 1982, was a down year for Alabama and Bear couldn’t see himself coaching Alabama into mediocrity. He constantly said that if he give up coaching that he “wouldn’t last a week.” In fact, he didn’t last a lot longer than that, only 37 days. On January 26, 1983, Bryant collapsed and died of a heart attack at age 69 and many mourned his death. Officials estimated that between a half-million to a million people were lined along the 53 mile stretch from Tuscaloosa to the graveyard in Birmingham that was blocks from Legion Field.

Bear’s Legacy

Bear’s heritage lives in the players that are now growing older and the fans that remember his championship spirit. Not only that… He helped smash segregation in the South’s football world, and in doing so, helped turn the state around from racism to splendor. Not only that, he changed the world to a better place than he left left.. He ain’t never been nothing but a winner. Roll Tide!

Tom Brady vs. Buffalo. Brady come back to the football scene to oppose the Bills on Monday Night Football. And though the Bills have a somewhat solid youthful defense, in the end, it won’t mean much.

Brady will come out slinging and simply eclipse the three hundred yard level with a minimum of 3 touchdowns. The Brady to Moss connection ought to be in full force under the clever lights and he gets the #1 spot in this week’s QB |fantasy rankings.

Drew Brees versus DET. during his time in Tennessee, Jim Schwartz worked wonders for the team’s defense; Sorry to say, he wasn’t able to transport his players with him to Detroit because while they will be improved, they’ll be no competition for Brees and the Saints explosive offense. Expect Brees to rip this secondary to pieces and to simply surpass the 300-yard level with three touchdowns.

Phillip Rivers against the Raiders. The Oakland pass defense is actually one of the team’s strengths, however big time CB, Nnamdi Asomugha, is sitting out week one with an injury however he proclaims he will heal before week one.

Regardless, the Chargers are a team that’s built through the passing game and look for Rivers to exploit his WRs and TE, in addition to Sproles on dumps out of the backfield, to break 250 yds and a minimum of three TDs.

Carson Palmer versus DEN. Not a thing has taken place during the spring and summer months to imply the Broncos will be any improved at defense in ’09. Nonetheless, the Cincinnati players possess a respectable offense and presently have Carson Palmer playing once again, who sat out most of the 2008 season with an injury.

The acquisition of Laveranues Coles gives Cincy a talented trio of receivers, and Chad Ochocinco is encouraged once for a second time. Look for a huge day out of Palmer with 250 yards and two to three TDs.

Joe Flacco vs Kansas City Chiefs. Although Baltimore’s estimated to be more of a rush offense this season, the Chiefs are weak defensively. And Flacco will have a quantity of chances to attack through the air and find his TE and receivers in favorable competition-ups. A nice fantasy sleeper if your common starter has a poor matchup.

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