Saban Sends Subtle Message to Players, Straighten Up Or Pack Up

Right now there are more scholarship players coming to play football at Alabama than there are scholarships to use.  The message is subtle yet simple.  Mess up and you're gone.

Prince Hall was a starter two years ago who was benched for "violation of team rules".  Many of us close to the program knew exactly what he did.  Saban suspended him from the team for much of the spring and only used him on special teams and mop up duty last year.

The only reason he survived at all was that injuries and exoduses left Saban with enough scholarships to go around.  It may not be that way this time by opening day and many believe Hall has seen the last of his playing days at Alabama.

For others on the team, the message is just as clear.  Nick Saban won't keep you if you are a problem, a distraction or simply don't follow the rules.

So would Saban just give Hall his walking papers this year?  Probably.  Alabama has a wealth of talent at linebacker and this doesn't fare well for Fanney either, who was also suspended for an " indefinite" period of time.

With Saban wanting to move Jerrel Harris to inside linebacker, and as I picked up in scuttlebutt at the recent signing day party with Saban and all the coaches, that they would love to see if Dont'a Hightower could be moved to Jack linebacker.  Saban feels he has all the pieces he needs now to revamp the linebackers into the scheme he's wanted for a while.

Rolando McClain will cement his spot at Mike Linebacker and there are just so many good backups that could be put in almost any spot in a linebacking position.

With Chavis Williams emerging as a pass rusher and showing late season promise in that role and incoming freshmen Nico Johnson and Tana Patrick possibly fighting it out for Strong Side Linebacker that could leave Fanney without a job and a reason for Saban to tolerate whatever infraction he did.

Another subtile message by Saban, you saw him sit a starter last year, you saw him release Hall from the team, you just saw him suspend our third leading tackler this past year, sp why do you think he'll tolerate a misstep from you?

Saban has been a magician with numbers in the past.  He's always been able to work out the fact that he's over signed recruits.  My guess is that Hall has just helped him get the numbers a little closer this year.