Size isn’t all Cody brings to the table

September 15, 2009

By Ken Rogers

Terrence Cody made an immediate impact last year for Alabama’s defense. He continues to get better and his impact on an opponent’s game plan can’t be overstated.

He talked about Alabama’s front seven in my story for Wednesday’s Dothan Eagle.

But the All-American nose tackle has branched out a bit. Cody is on the extra point and field goal team.

“It’s OK,” Cody said about the special teams duty. “You see how the O-linemen feel when you’ve got three guys hitting you at one time and stuff. I’m like, yeah, I see how they’re feeling now.”

Cody also lined up in the backfield and was a lead blocker when Mark Ingram scored on a 2-yard touchdown run last Saturday night against Florida International.

He said he liked pushing his way toward the goal line.

Nick Saban laughed after the game and said Cody has been lobbying for playing time on third downs. He hates to come off the field in passing situations.

Cody was asked if he lobbied more for playing time on third down on defense or getting the ball on offense.

“Third down,” he answered quickly. “I haven’t asked them about getting the ball. I don’t know if I want to risk that.”

The 6-foot-5, 354-pound Cody is an athlete. He wasn’t kidding when he said he could dunk a basketball.

Writers told Cody that teammate Mike McCoy said he’s lying about the dunks, but Cody said, “He hasn’t seen me play basketball.”

And he wasn’t joking when he said he played some point guard at Riverdale High in Fort Myers, Fla.

Asked about opponents’ reaction, Cody laughed and said, “I mean, they were surprised because I could dribble the ball and stuff. I was pretty quick.”

Could you shoot?

“Ummm, mid-range. Ain’t got long-range.”

How would you like to take a charge from Terrence Cody?

So he doesn’t know when — or if — he’ll be a running back.

Hmmmm. Maybe he can run the Wildcat.