Cody continues to lobby to stay on the field

September 13, 2009

By Ken Rogers

My story in Monday’s Dothan Eagle is about the increased pressure from the Alabama defense in the first two games of the season.

All-American nose guard Terrence Cody wants to make it even better. Mount Cody continues to try to talk his way into playing on third-and-long situations.

Nick Saban has dangled his weight as a carrot to inspire him.

“I have to get to 349 and I’m 354,” Cody said after Saturday’s victory over Florida International.

But he’s apparently been successful in talking his way into the Alabama backfield near the goal line.

Cody was one of the lead blocker in a very powerful I-formation set when Mark Ingram scored on a 2-yard touchdown run in the second quarter. Cody was positioned behind left tackle James Carpenter – which is probably incentive enough for Carpenter to fire out and move whoever is front of him.

Still, Cody’s lobbying efforts go on with his coach.

“Well, he’s sitting with me on the bus now everywhere we go, whether it was a movie last night or wherever,” Saban said after the game. “I used to have that whole front seat to myself.

“According to him, he would not fit in that seat last year so that’s the reason he’s sitting in it. But he’s doing a little begging while he’s there, too. He’s really nice to me. He wants to play more on third down.”

Who could blame him? Alabama has recorded 10 sacks in two games and had nine quarterback hurries and five sacks against FIU. Saban acknowledged Cody’s commitment to fitness. But he also said he’s not going to mess with a good thing.

“He is in better shape, he is moving better and he can rush the passer and push the pocket in the middle,” Saban said of Cody. “So we’re not for completely taking him out all the time, even though on third down, as long as we have more speed available to us to rush, we may not use him. But there’s a lot of situations out there today where you knew they were going to pass and he was in there and he did a pretty good job of being active and pushing the pocket in the middle.”

Not that he’s going to run the Wildcat anytime soon, but Cody in short-yardage as a lead blocker may get another look in the future, too.