APThere were many things at which to marvel in this year’s SEC championship game. In the interest of time, we’ll choose one: Alabama’s 350 yards rushing. The Tide’s offensive line paved the way for Eddie Lacy and TJ Yeldon to rush for 181 and 153 yards, respectively.
All of that is even more remarkable when you consider Alabama’s cornerstone along the O-line, center Barrett Jones, was playing with a foot injury. Jones suffered the injury to his left foot — the nature of the injury hasn’t been made official yet — in the first quarter, but played the entire game.
He left the field early just before halftime, but came back out to start the second half. Jones was seen on crutches after the game.
“I knew my teammates needed me,” Jones said. “It never crossed my mind to come out.”
Jones, an All-American, will have just over a month to let his foot heal before the BCS championship game, projected to be between the Tide and Notre Dame.
Consider that Barrett is a great center, the linchpin of the offensive line, a huge man and all his great weight and the weight of the Georgia nose tackle upon his foot. He has some time now to heal. “It never crossed [his] mind to come out.” That is the words of a dedicated man and team player. Best to Barrett and the Alabama Crimson Tide in their preparation to meet Notre Dame in Miami.
One thing I noticed, Saban and his coaches rotated fresh players in the game both on offense and defense. Richt and his coaches rotated far less and by the end of the 3rd quarter, the offensive line and the defensive line and backs appeared to be winded, and some times during the 4th quarter when Alabama was advancing on the ground, the UGA defense were unable to stop them. Maybe UGA did not have the depth at the positons as did Alabama. If that is the case with Notre Dame, Alabama will mow them down in the 4th quarter.
Each conference has players that play injured. Who cares?
effjohntaylornorelation: the people who love cfb care. Barrett Jones personifies all that is right with the game.
Just reported: Barrett Jones is still holding Georgia players. No one ever reports that stat about Barrett Jones.
Breaking news: Barrett Jones also played the game with a broken taint.
southernpatriots:
You are correct in your assessment about the substitutions. One factor that got little mention into the leadup to the game was that, while Georgia had as much skill as Alabama in its first string players, that quality fell off considerably on the bench. Saban thus had the luxury of rotating in guys to keep his team fresher, while Georgia clearly was spent on defense by the fourth quarter.
As for Barrett Jones, his dedication and gutsiness should come as no surprise. He is about to start his third BCS National Championship Game of his career, at his third different position, no less. He is the reigning Outland Trophy winner and is in the running to repeat that distinction. He bypassed what would have been a high first-round draft pick in the NFL to come back for his senior season and a shot at history. When you look up the word “dedication” in the dictionary, Jones’s picture will be next to it.
Who cares? About him or that garbage team?
Mention Barrett Jones and all I think is Dana Delany’s line from Tombstone: “I want one.” In this case, I don’t want one for my own amusement but for the offensive line of the Steelers. Unfortunately, there’s little chance he’ll be around when Pittsburgh drafts. Then again, with our season imploding, there’s always hope.
In the meantime, I’m just glad this throwback who excels at multiple positions and plays hurt without complaint is on my college team. Thanks, Barrett! Roll Tide!
Gee, wouldn’t it be nice if the kindergarten kids who don’t care would just stop reading and commenting on the articles they don’t care about?
They care Deb. It is eating them alive. It they really didn’t care, then why show so much hate? It kills them that the SEC, and the south, is a game away from 7 straight.
Yeah, man, 7 straight. Even as a possibility, that seems like a lie. Impossible. Fantasy. Nope. Reality is six. In less than 40 days reality will be seven. Get used to it. Already sounds right.
I live in the south and support an SEC team. Don’t talk about that which you don’t know
Your calling the sec champ and #2 ten in the country garbage. Maybe you should not talk about what you don’t know.
What is Jones’ degree status? I think he is closing in on a masters if he doesn’t have one already.
He played hurt in the first LSU game last year.
I would love to have the young man over for dinner just to talk.
ND will be destroyed. Bama’s talent is too deep on the OL and DL.
Not only is he getting his master, but every Monday he comes on ESPN College talks. In one of the segment they showed his major and GPA…
Accountant
4.0
Not bad for jock huh???
thecrazyasianinseccountry:
Absolutely great! I think he will really use that accountant’s training and background for the money he will make in the NFL, as long as he wants to, and then whatever else he would want to do. He is a champion in far more than 1 way.
deb, you dumping Pouncey? wow! you don’t know football. Jones can’t play tackle. the Quealers need tackles…BAD.
Jones started at guard, moved to tackle, then moved to center. Iirc, he won the outland at tackle. Personally, I think his best fit in the NFL would be guard. But he played every position on the line at Bama.
How many CPAs are there in the NFL?
Obviously not enough, comet.
I assume that is the career he is preparing for or he would have taken a MBA.
I wish there were more young men with his character in the football biz.