Alabama Football: No Safe Harbor for Free Safety Battle at Alabama This Spring

Some players can't wait for the regular season to begin so they can take a break from the biggest battle they may face this year, winning the starting job, and even then it may not be entirely settled for the season.

Take the interesting case of Robby Green.

He's a former six-game starter with tons of athletic ability, speed and punch-you-in-the-face power taking on last year's starter, Robert Lester, who took Green's spot last season when Green violated team rules and was sat out for a year on suspension.

Lester not only filled in well, but made more than just a case for himself to be the main man this year at free safety.

Lester's accomplishments: Started 12 games as a sophomore and had 52 tackles last year and eight interceptions. Those eight interceptions led all SEC defensive backs and placed him second in the nation. He returned one fumble 89 yards and his 102 interception return yards placed him fourth in the nation.

Green's accomplishments: Started six games and played in all four as a true sophomore with 33 tackles that year (2009) and just one interception. He was one of the rare freshmen who saw playing time. Green was projected as one of the bright stars of the future by most media outlets.

Last year, Green was allowed to practice and honed his skills and used that year of suspension almost like a redshirt year. Coaches were impressed with the playmaking ability he showed.

While many think that this is a wide open battle to end all battles, I see Lester returning to the free safety position and Green's contribution coming as as a nickel or dimeback. There are also others like Jarrick Williams who may want to join that fight.

Lester ended last season with an ice pack on his shoulder and when I interviewed him, he said it was no big deal and a game like this (The Capital One Bowl Game) only makes him hungry to start next year and pick up where they left off.

The outlook for the winner of this battle, Robert Lester.