Terrence Cody captures the heart of America

The talk of the college football nation is the play of Alabama defensive tackle Terrence Cody.
Justifiably so. He blocked two kicks, including the game-clincher in the Tide’s 12-10 win over Tennessee. Any time someone blocks two field goals in the fourth quarter it’s an impressive display.
While it’s fine for Tide fans, don’t get carried away thinking about Cody as a draft prospect. He’s strictly a two-down player and gets taken out of the game on obvious passing downs.
Cody also doesn’t seem quite as immovable as everyone thinks. Against South Carolina on Oct. 17 he was pushed around, sometimes even by single blockers. Teams might not run at him, but his gaps can be opened up.
Although you can’t judge a player totally by stats, particularly a defensive tackle, Cody hasn’t registered a tackle for a loss in more than a month.
There will always be weight and stamina issues with Cody as well. He wore down toward the end of the 2008, so the final five or six games Alabama plays will be critical for Cody.
Between now and April, teams will have to decide whether a player who doesn’t play every down is truly worth a first-round pick.