In Memoriam
Ray Perkins, a Petal, Mississippi native who starred as a wide receiver at Alabama and was later the handpicked successor to Coach Paul Bryant, died at his home in Northport today at 79. Perkins played at Alabama from 1964-1966, and was named a permanent captain, SEC Player of the Year, and an All-American as a player. He’d be drafted by the Baltimore Colts, where he’d play on two Super Bowl teams, winning once. After leaving the NFL, he served as an assistant under Don Coryell and Chuck Fairbanks, and developed an offensive system that’s still in use by some organizations today. He got his first head coaching job with the New York Giants in 1979, where he’d lead the team to a level of respectability that it had not seen in years. Perkins left the Giants after the 1982 season to succeed the retiring Coach Bryant, and led his alma mater for four seasons, before returning to the NFL in Tampa Bay after the 1986 season. Perkins would make several stops after that, as an assistant in the NFL, and head coaching stops at Arkansas State and Jones County Junior College. He’s credited with giving Bill Parcells and Bill Belichick their starts, and for drafting Lawrence Taylor and Phil Simms. He is enshrined in both the Alabama and Mississippi Sports Halls of Fame.
Here are some links to some articles published today remembering Coach Perkins:
- Cecil Hurt of the Tuscaloosa New on Perkins’ legacy.
- Tuscaloosa News article on the death of Coach Perkins.
- Creg Stephenson of AL.com has the reaction of former players.
- Joseph Goodman of AL.com on how Perkins left his mark.
- Tommy Deas on Perkins’ innovative offense.
- Newsday remembers Perkins as an unsung key figure in New York Giants history.
- New York Post remembers Perkins as the man who made Coach Parcells possible.
- Tampa Bay Times remembers Perkins’ efforts to change the culture in Tampa Bay.
- Cornelius Bennett comments on Coach Perkins on Twitter.
- Bennett also interviewed by WVTM.
- Gil Brandt remembers Coach Perkins.
- Bill Curry, Perkins’ former teammate in Baltimore and his successor at Alabama, gives his respects.
- Current Giants coach Joe Judge on advice given to him by Perkins.
- Kirk McNair of BamaOnline on the death of Perkins.
News
Taylor Dugas was named hitting coach and recruiting coordinator at University of Texas – Arlington today. Dugas had been on the staff at Northwestern State the past four seasons.
NFL Films Presents ran a feature this week on Shaun Alexander. Here’s the clip.
We noted in yesterday’s transactions that Hale Hentges had terminated his practice squad contract with Indianapolis. Procedurally, that’s usually a precursor to a player signing an active roster contract elsewhere, and today there are reports that Hentges will be signing with the Minnesota Vikings. He’ll join his TE teammate Irv Smith Jr. there, and Smith’s back injury is one of a few injuries necessitating the Hengtes signing.
Jonah Williams’ knee injury on Sunday wasn’t as bad as anticipated and won’t require surgery. Still, he was placed on Injured Reserve today since he’ll be out at least three weeks.
Charlotte Morgan often butted heads with Patrick Murphy as a player, but now Murphy is her greatest mentor.
Transactions
- Jonah Williams – Placed on Injured Reserve by Cincinnati.
- Saivion Smith – Reverted back to the Dallas practice squad.
- Ross Pierschbacher – Protected on the practice squad for Week 14 by Washington.
Injury Reports
Week 14 Game Status Reports (Thursday game only):
- Questionable – N/A.
- Doubtful – N/A.
- Out – N/A.
Week 14 Practice Report:
- Did Not Practice – Mark Barron (illness), James Carpenter (groin), Josh Jacobs (ankle), Julio Jones (hamstring), Irv Smith Jr. (back).
- Limited Participation – Da’Shawn Hand (groin), Jerry Jeudy (ankle), J.K. Scott (right quad), Tua Tagovailoa (left thumb).
- Full Participation – Ryan Anderson (knee), Terrell Lewis (knee).
Game Results
BASKETBALL Nymburk 96, Kolín 80. Retin Obasohan (NYM) – 22 minutes, 7 points (3-6 2pg, 0-2 3pg, 1-1 FT), 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 2 steals, 1 turnover, 3 fouls. SOCCER UEFA Champions League Atlético de Madrid 4, Chênois 2. Merel Van Dongen (ADM) – no stats; played full match. VOLLEYBALL CEV Champions League, Pool D. Stuttgart 3, Moscow 2 (29-27, 13-25, 22-25, 25-14, 15-11). Krystal Rivers (STU) – 25 points (7 break points), 22 kills, 2 blocks, 1 ace. GOLF ECGT Eglin Team Championship Rd 2: Steven Setterstrom / W Hunter – 60-72, -12, 8th WAPT Kingwood Island Championship Rd 1: Lakareber Abe – 74, +2, T11
