Wrapping up D.C. First, thanks to Chris Rattey for posting my twitpics in the previous blog item in a scrolling gallery format that’s pretty cool. Check those out if you haven’t. I just got the hang of twitpic.com Sunday night for the specific purpose of using it on the D.C. trip, and for a first run it worked pretty well. … Tuscaloosa News photographer Dusty Compton and myself headed to the White House late Monday morning, arriving on foot all the way from the Washington Plaza Hotel, where we stayed for two nights (Your instant TSE hotel review: ** out of ***** — Like the Ritz Carlton in the lobby, and like a Super 8 in the rooms. Couldn’t keep the room cool enough, a morning bowl of oatmeal was 8 bucks, but I’ve stayed in worse). … Security getting into President Barack Obama’s house was fairly tight. Didn’t have to remove our shoes like in an airport, but the X-Ray machine you walk through looks a bit more high tech than what you’ll find at the Birmingham Airport, too. “Anything sharp, electronic, metal, or goes boom,” said the guard about what would set the alarm off. Got through there OK. … While waiting to be escorted to the UA service project speaking to D.C.-area youth, we hung out in the White House press lobby/work area/lounge. Sat in Helen Thomas’ seat on the front row for a bit (she wasn’t there). Dusty noted every chair in the house was designated by affiliate (AP, CBS, FOX, etc.), while Helen’s was the only one with an actual name on it. My observation? That the seating required for Obama’s press conferences (in that room, anyway) was about half of what’s needed to cover a Nick Saban presser. The White House is the White House, but football is still King. I also noted in there that tapes of Obama speeches were playing fairly loudly, as reporters were trying to either work, relax or eat. I can’t say for sure that the administration pounds the message home to the press that obtrusively (there was a lot of video editing going [...] Read more →

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Goodbye, D.C. (with pics) Update from Washington DC's Reagan Airport getting ready to head home. Here are some photos captured and sent via TwitPic during the affair. Read more →

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Obama’s gift from Tide forever linked to Reamer Javier Arenas may have presented President Barack Obama with a football helmet with the number 13 on it, but as far as Cory Reamer is concerned, Obama's token was a Cory Reamer special. Read more →

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White House pre-blog A few early sights and scenes from the White House as the Crimson Tide readies to meet the President. Read more →

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Pro Day tells the tale The attendance figure on Alabama's Pro Day signals a rise in the level of football talent the Crimson Tide has begun to draw. Read more →

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Jackson leads NFL Combine contingent The NFL Combine is in the books. Who helped themselves from Alabama? Who didn't? Check here for some thoughts from a long-time NFL scout. Read more →

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Lost pounds gold for Cody Former UA nose guard Terrence Cody has helped himself plenty as the NFL Draft draws near in losing 16 pounds for the NFL Combine. Read more →

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Deaderick moving up the boards Alabama defensive end Brandon Deaderick may go higher in the NFL Draft that people think, according to one draft expert. Read more →

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What’s to gain for McClain? Alabama Rolando McClain is readying for the NFL Combine, along with several other Crimson Tide players. But does McClain have much to gain from the annual event in Indianapolis? Read more →

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Avila on fast track Former Alabama baseball catcher Alex Avila has a chance to break into the big leagues for good this season with the Detroit Tigers. But is it the right move for both he and the club? Read more →

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