Somehow the crew mashes together a video game, Desmond Howard, and Bryant Denny Stadium to create a virtual play between the two teams battling in the featured game. This week it’s Alabama defense and zone coverage against Penn State’s offense. It’s an amazingly intricate process that is not only fascinating … but slightly mind-boggling.

It starts with Desmond sitting down with production assistants early in the week to decide on a couple plays. Once the plays are decided, the PA’s play EA Sports College Football and record the sequences until they recreate the plays (usually 2) Desmond brought to the table. The crew arrives in town on Wednesday, and sets up the virtual studio on the actual playing field. This takes four hours. They mark the field and try to get it as accurate as possible to the playing conditions on the video game.

The next day, Desmond arrives and the crew goes through the game plan. After all is planned out, Desmond takes his spot on the field and walks through the designed set-up … taking lefts and rights in order to avoid virtual players darting all around him. The end result is a 90-second feature that literally takes 4 days to plan and produce.

Here are some photos from the experience. Check our the full video presentation later this week, only on TideSportsExtra.

[View with PicLens]

I looked down at my Blackberry and saw the name Maureen Milliken. A few days ago I put a call into Maureen. Her son Jason befriended Terrence Cody in middle school, and over those years the two became inseparable. So much so, that Cody literally spent his entire senior year living with the Millikens.

I answered the phone in usual fashion: “This is Chris …”

“Hi Chris,” a peppy voice announced on the other end. “This is Terrence Cody’s mom.”

It took me back for a second. I had already spoken with Terrence Cody’s mother, Linnea Alexander, a couple times that week and had set up an interview for our upcoming trip to Cody’s hometown of Fort Myers, FL. Sean and I were set to travel there in a few days, so lining up the Millikens for an interview was a priority.

I found out about the Millikens through our studio interview with Terrence. I actually had no idea the Millikens existed. As we started talking about Cody’s personal life, the big nose guard opened up and shared just about everything. And as we discussed his father’s death and his academic struggles in high school, the Millikens came into the picture right around the time Cody turned things around for the better. He became family.

And he will always consider them family. He introduces Jason to others as his brother. Jason sat next to him during the NFL Draft and shared in the joy after Cody was selected in the second round by the Ravens. Jason jostled with Cody’s relatives during the draft, teasing Terrence’s sister and mocking cousins.

But as I chatted with Maureen, who was incredibly kind, I wondered about Cody’s move into the Millikens for that senior season. Was it amicable? Did Cody have a choice? How did it happen? What does Linnea think about another woman going around saying they are Terrence Cody’s mother?

Maureen explained she had to talk with Terrence before calling me back to give the OK for an interview. She provided the thumbs up. When we met the Millikens, Maureen’s husband Rob was very hesitant of the whole ordeal and wondered why we needed to dive into Terrence’s personal life.

“We’re storytellers,” I explained.

Rob responded by telling us at least we’re going about it the right way. The Millikens have been getting calls for years regarding their involvement with Terrence Cody … outlets from ESPN to the New York Times … and each time they had one simple question.

“Have you talked to Terrence?”

Not one of those outlets could say that they had. One tried, but turned out it was a lie. We were the first that had talked with Terrence first. And while Rob still had reservations, he talked with us. They all talked with us. And in the end, everyone felt good about it.

Below is our Mountain Man presentation on life with the Millikens. The piece is called “Home Away From Home.”

Other segments of “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody story”: Home Away From Home | The weight on his shoulders | The Early Years | What’s in a Name? | MGCCC and the Dreadlock Drop | Welcome to the Terrence Cody Project

He’s always been a big guy. Actually, huge at times. And on occasion, words that are associated with being large are not always flattering, no matter how true (or false) those descriptions are.

Lazy … Struggle … Out of shape … Doesn’t care …

Terrence Cody talks with Ravens coach Jim Harbaugh after failing his physical day 1 of Baltimore's fall camp.

That stigma reared its head once again in Cody’s direction recently, as the former Alabama nose tackle took his first steps along his NFL path. Despite constant training since late January after a lofty Senior Bowl weigh-in, Cody had trouble passing Baltimore’s initial tests and was placed on the Physically Unable to Perform list.

It’s not unusual for guys to come into camp the first week and not make the grade. Especially the really big ones. Cody was one of 10 Ravens that did not pass the physical on day one. Ravens coach John Harbaugh wasn’t exactly shocked.

“I’m not surprised. Every year certain guys struggle with that,” Harbaugh said.

But there is that word … again. It didn’t take long for banter to begin in the message board community, as one thread on the TideSports forums read: “Cody still battling weight issues.”

Despite the fact the failure had nothing to do with his actual weight (it was a drill of running 25 yards, doubling back, resting for 70 seconds and repeating it twice … what would YOU look like after doing that?), it was the actual topic of conversation surrounding Cody’s PUP status. Cody passed the test a day later.

The result: Cody could now practice with the NFL team that drafted him 57th overall in the second round of the NFL draft. Another result: A new nickname from Raven teammates.

Cheeseburger

While Cody laughed it off in usual fashion, he must have had a voice bellowing something along these lines in sarcastic fashion … “screw you, stigma. Screw you.”

In the following video presentation, Cody and former coaches discuss the topic of being the giant fella and the lifestyle that comes with it. We hope you enjoy this portion of The Mountain Man Series.

Other segments of “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody story”: Home Away From Home | The weight on his shoulders | The Early Years | What’s in a Name? | MGCCC and the Dreadlock Drop | Welcome to the Terrence Cody Project

A young Terrence Cody pictured with his father, Terrence B. Cody.

We sat outside of Tommy Lee’s Fort Myers home in the warm March sun, and chatted about Terrence as a young boy. Tommy Lee is the brother of TC’s grandmother on his father’s side. Terrence spent a lot of time with his grandmother growing up, especially after his father’s death. Cody was only 11 years old when his dad was killed in an automobile accident by a drunk driver.

But Tommy Lee was never on our list of sources during our trip to Fort Myers reporting on Terrence’s youth. But we found him, courtesy of a feisty man named Bubba.

After we found Cody’s Washington Avenue home in his old neighborhood, Sean and I came across a group of folks hanging out in the backyard of a nearby home. I introduced myself to the owner and asked if he knew Terrence as a boy. He did not, but directed me a few blocks in the other direction to speak with a family member named Bubby Cody. He would be able to help me out.

Bubba Cody. Just going on Terrence’s stature, my mental image of Bubba Cody was not on the small side. I envisioned something mammoth, a man that could probably hold me in the palm of his hand. That sounds ridiculous, but that’s actually what I pictured.

I followed directions to a small one-story white house three blocks in the other direction. Sean stayed in the car while I knocked on the door, and a woman answered with a polite, “may I help you?” I asked if this was the home of Bubba Cody.

From the shadows of the kitchen emerged a high-pitched voice that echoed, “I’m Bubba Cody, what you need?”

I stepped back from the screen door, and out came Bubba. But Bubba was not large. In fact, he was about 5-7, skinny as a rail, and sported a small white t-shirt, blue jeans, and a black Kangol hat turned backwards. He was cool … he was friendly … he was hilarious … no other word can describe Bubba Cody but awesome.

He really didn’t know Terrence very well … the Codys were spread all over the Fort Myers area, and Terrence was a part of the younger generation. Bubba was in his mid-50s. I asked Bubba to get on camera, and talk about the neighborhood, but he didn’t want to partake. Instead, he offered to bring us to Tommy Lee … the brother of TC’s grandmother on his dad’s side.

Without hesitation, I accepted his offer. He hopped in his black Ford Taurus, and we trailed him to a small cul de sac a couple miles away. We got out of the car and I stood by Bubba, who looked inquisitively at the three houses that filled the small area.

“I don’t know which one Tommy Lee is in. I guess we start with this one.”

I followed Bubba closely. He walked down the front path of the house furthest to the right, straight up to the front door, and without hesitation pounded on it with authority and yelled, “is Tommy Lee Cody in there!!!”

I looked at him in disbelief and couldn’t help but chuckle. This went on for a couple minutes, when finally you could hear the faint yelling of a woman.

“There ain’t no Tommy Lee Cody here!!!”

Bubba looked at me, shrugged his shoulders, and said, “Let’s get out of here. That woman sounds crazy.”

So we went on to house number two with the same result. No Tommy Lee Cody inside. But this time, a kind woman answered Bubba’s door thumping, and in a sweet, southern voice said, “Tommy Lee lives right next door.”

“It figures,” laughed Bubba. “The last one. I knew it was one of these!”

He knocked on the third door, and yelled, “is Tommy Lee Cody in there!” After a few seconds, a rumbling came from behind the door accompanied with the bark of a dog. Bubba looked at me, smiled, and said, “Yup. That’s Tommy Lee alright.”

As it turns out, Tommy Lee lived in each one of the homes we visited at different times of his life. So Bubba was right. Tommy Lee came out, I introduced my project, and he took a seat in front of his house.

Here are some excerpts from that conversation, as well as other stories of Terrence’s early years. We hope you enjoy.

Other segments of “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody story”: Home Away From Home | The weight on his shoulders | The Early Years | What’s in a Name? | MGCCC and the Dreadlock Drop | Welcome to the Terrence Cody Project

He arrived on campus already larger than life. His first day in Tuscaloosa was met by autograph seekers before he played a down for the Crimson Tide. This mountain of a figure went to WalMart to purchase some basic college goods for his new setting, and was surprised to receive the celebrity treatment by awestruck Alabama fans.

Mount Cody instantly became a household nickname. But the Crimson Tide faithful and national media would not be responsible for the massive moniker he regularly goes by today. It goes beyond his previous two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College.

Mount Cody would come from a special moment shared by a group of high school football players in the mountainous terrain of West Virginia.

Riverdale High School coach Scott Jones had access to some open land in West Virginia, and packed up his Raiders for a long journey from Fort Myers, Florida. Terrence Cody had become academically eligible for his senior year of high school football after missing the previous two seasons, so the 380-pounder was part of the experience. The trip to West Virginia was not just a bonding trip for the Raiders, but a test of mental and physical endurance, that would culminate with a hike up to the top of a mountain.

Cody’s large frame was not suited for such a journey. But through the encouragement of teammates, coaches, and friends … the Mountain Man overcame what seemed impossible.

He was afraid. He was intimidated. He did not believe. But after this journey, all of that changed. Here are some words and photos on the birth of the Mountain Man.

Other segments of “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody story”: Home Away From Home | The weight on his shoulders | The Early Years | What’s in a Name? | MGCCC and the Dreadlock Drop | Welcome to the Terrence Cody Project

The Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College head coach actually gets a little giddy. It’s considered one of the greatest – if not best – football plays he has ever seen.

The Bulldogs were facing arch-rival Pearl River in the middle of the 2007 season. MGCCC was undefeated at that point, and a large part had to do with Cody’s presence in the middle of a stout defense. This was Cody’s second season with the Bulldogs, but if not for a chance phone call at the right time … Cody may never have donned a MGCCC uniform.

Bulldog assistant head coach Chad Huff was following up on a recruit out of Riverdale High School in Fort Myers. Running back Chevon Walker was a talented player that looked like a candidate for the junior college route. But Riverdale head coach Scott Jones passed along the news that Walker had pulled his grades up, and committed to the Florida Gators.

But before Huff would hang up the phone, Jones had a suggestion. He had a 400-pound lineman who could dunk a basketball. His name was Terrence Cody, and somebody needed to take a look at this kid.

Cody had struggled in the classroom and was academically ineligible to play football his sophomore and junior years. But through the guidance of Jones and others, Cody turned around his classroom funk and became eligible for his senior football season. Now, junior college was his only option.

So Huff listened, and told Jones to pass along some video footage of this “400 pound athlete.” That’s in quotes, because as Campbell stated in our interview … sometimes a coach’s 380-pound statistic is actually 340. So Campbell wasn’t holding his breath.

But then Campbell saw the tape, and Cody was every bit the 400 pounds Jones talked about. And every bit as athletic. Campbell watched just five plays, called Jones immediately, and faxed over an offer.

Jones called Cody. Cody accepted the offer site unseen, and he became a Bulldog. The next two years, Cody would take an average JUCO program to an undefeated season and a National Championship.

You’ve all heard of the Rocky Block. This is something called the Dreadlock Drop.

Other segments of “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody story”: Home Away From Home | The weight on his shoulders | The Early Years | What’s in a Name? | MGCCC and the Dreadlock Drop | Welcome to the Terrence Cody Project

We’ve suddenly become very busy over the last couple weeks thanks to a fantastic postseason run by the Alabama baseball team. The Tide is now in the thick of the action, and we’re going to take you there first-hand.

Right now I’m gathering up all the gear and meeting Aaron Suttles around 2 p.m. CST for the road trip to Clemson. Alabama practices tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. We’ll have full access to the team following practice, and will get you as much coverage as possible on the road to Omaha.

Coming also very soon to TSE and my blog is the second installment of Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody Story. This segment is called The Dreadlock Drop, a play that still leaves Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College head coach Steve Campbell in awe when he talks about it. It’s exclusive video footage and something I’m sure you will find enjoyable.

Coming tomorrow, as well, is an exclusive feature with Red Sox hitting coach, and former Alabama great, Dave Magadan … just in time for the Super Regional.

Check in with us … here and on TideSports.com, for complete Super Regional coverage against Clemson.

Until next time … Chris

The year was 1983. It was the year Dave Magadan became Alabama baseball legend.

The season was nothing short of magical for Magadan that him in the books as one of the greatest amateur baseball hitters to every play the game. His .525 batting average led the nation that season, and is the 4th best average in college baseball history. Mags hit an astonishing 10-for-11 at the 1983 SEC Tournament in Starkville, which included a five-hit game against Florida. He also set the College World Series record that year by hitting safely in his first eight trips to the plate and wound up batting .550 (11-for-20) at Omaha in five games.

Magadan was drafted by the New York Mets in 1983 early in the second round. His Major League career would span 15 years with 7 different teams. 1990 was Magadan’s best year with NY, hitting .328 as the starting first baseman, even drawing 4 MVP votes.

After retiring as a player in San Diego in 2001, Magadan stayed on as hitting instructor and eventually coach. After getting fired in 2006, he received a call from the Boston Red Sox to head their hitting department. He joined, and in his first year raised the Sox team batting average nearly 20 points and captured a World Series ring.

We recently visited with Magadan, the Boston Red Sox hitting coach since 2007, to talk about that magical year, growing up in Tampa, FL and coming to Tuscaloosa, and the impact he’s had on the players currently under his tutelage.

I remember the moment something special embraced our journey reporting on the life story of Terrence Cody.

It was around noon on a beautiful Florida Monday in early March. Sean and I were driving through Cody’s neighborhood on Washington Avenue in Fort Myers, searching for the home he spent most of his high school years in with his mom Linnea and three younger siblings.

We drove slowly through the intersected side street trying to identify the four digits marking Cody’s former home, when we crept up on a small house that displayed the address in large red painted numbers on the front. It was a one-story beige stucco structure comprised of multiple units. It was hard to imagine a young man of Cody’s size sharing such a small place with others. But as we were about to learn over the course of the next few weeks, that was always T’s style.

(story continued under video player)

He rolls with the punches. No matter what. No matter who. No matter where. It comes easy to him. As he told me right after being drafted by the Ravens as I presented this project to him face-to-face, determined to gain his ultimate trust while displaying my gratitude for letting us in, he simply said in a soft, almost lazy tone, “I’m cool with everything.”

4130 Washington Avenue in Fort Myers.

The Washington Avenue home looked nearly abandoned, but a late-model VW bug parked in the front and a few random chairs said otherwise. With the windows down and camera rolling, the only sound louder than the soft crunch of pebbles under the rental car’s tires was the high-pitch hum of adrenaline. It was one of those moments.

We continued around the block to capture more footage of the neighborhood. As we rolled up to a stop sign, a small gathering of folks in the backyard of the house we were facing slowly looked one by one in our direction. We were definitely foreigners, but I didn’t feel out of place. I pulled off to the side of the road and told Sean to hang tight with the camera.

I walked into the backyard with a smile on my face, and was welcomed with the same. I was directed to the owner of the home, who sat under the shade of a tree with a newly opened can of beer. I told him what I was doing and why I was there. I asked if he knew the Cody family and if he could talk about the neighborhood.

“No, I don’t really know him, but you might want to go visit his cousin Bubba. Bubba Cody lives right over there,” he said and pointed in the direction from where we just came. The home owner advised me that Bubba, like himself, was on disability and most likely home.

Bubba Cody. Really … Terrence Cody’s cousin Bubba. We MIGHT want to visit Bubba Cody? Was THAT his question. From there, our journey snatched the wheel, tossed us in the back seat and we became passengers. Bubba would be the first of many subjects that day sharing extraordinary stories of Terrence Cody becoming the man he is today. Over the next few hours we talked with his mother Linnea, great uncle Tommy Lee Cody, high school coach Scott Jones, and the Millikens – the family that considers Terrence one of their own.

We left Fort Myers stunned, exhilarated, overwhelmed, and appreciative. I texted Terrence on the drive back to Tampa thanking him for letting us in. He replied: No prob.

So let’s back up a bit so I can let you know what is going on here. This all started back at Pro Day in Tuscaloosa, when I asked Cody if he wanted to be the subject of a Draft Day documentary. He was very open to it, provided his mobile number and I told him as the NFL Draft approached we would connect.

But I didn’t want to wait that long. I was finally able to communicate with Alabama players who were no longer eligible (a.k.a. out of Nick Saban’s maximum security fort) and fresh off a National Championship. So I wanted them in my studio. As many as possible. We had Eryk Anders, Chris Rogers, Brian Selman, Cory Reamer … and I needed Cody.

Terrence Cody surrounded by friends, family and colleagues during the NFL Draft. Terrence gets the call from the Ravens in Round 2.

We arranged the interview during a Tuscaloosa stop before Cody headed down to the Athlete’s Performance Institute in Pensacola, FL. API was the facility that took a 375-pound Senior Bowl Cody down to a svelte – and internet buzzworthy – 350 pounds for the NFL Combine in 4 short weeks. So we had plenty to talk about.

But as we conversed and he opened up, a great story unveiled itself. Terrence was very open and honest about losing his father at an early age, running with the wrong crowd in high school that would take away his freedom to play organized sports, turning his life around under the guidance of friends and family, getting a shot at JUCO after a chance phone call, becoming Mount Cody in Tuscaloosa and Alabama lore, all leading to a possible first-round selection in the NFL Draft after just six years of organized football. It’s a sports story bigger than anything I had been associated with in my 13 years in some form of journalism.

So in following one of my mantras, which is seemingly serendipitous in this case … we have decided to go big or go home. It was off to Fort Myers to learn all things Mount Cody.

Over the next several weeks, producer Sean Shore and I will be putting together a body of work entitled, “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody Story.” The end result will series of blog posts accompanied by a full-length documentary. And right here on TideSportsExtra, you will watch the production … so it will be a “making of” the actual “making of” the project.

Sound cool?

I hope you enjoy this as the production unfolds and is built from the bottom up. You will read chapter drafts and watch raw film footage as the project takes shape.

So the ship has finally left the dock. We have more than 20 sources and 9 hours of video tape. Expect at least one chapter draft per week with a video clip.

Until next time … Chris

Other segments of “Mountain Man: The Terrence Cody story”: Home Away From Home | The weight on his shoulders | The Early Years | What’s in a Name? | MGCCC and the Dreadlock Drop | Welcome to the Terrence Cody Project