Alabama Football: Spring Forward or Fall Back

Alabama football spring practice opened for all contestants yesterday.

The only no-show was Robby Green, suspended for team rules violations. The kid is unstable; I don't care what he did, he is not going to make it at Alabama. He should consider transferring.

Black shirts were donned by several athletes, including Mark Barron, back from his hometown of Mobile, where he encountered a local peace officer who didn't take kindly to his holding back information.

I agree with a comment someone posted on another article earlier this week: "Isn't there an unwritten rule to not speak to officers of the law unless an attorney is present? What you say could be used against you!"

You can get arrested anytime an officer wishes if the charge is legitimate. As the Mobile Register reported, "The officer thought Barron knew who the driver was!" That has yet to be confirmed, despite the arrest. So a policeman can arrest you for what he thinks you know? The arrest was ridiculous. It was Barron's car and no one was injured, no other car involved.

On to football.

McCarron and Sims will compete for the starting quarterback position, despite what other fans may think. A.J. is talented and may become the starter by the beginning of the 2011 season, but this competition will not be over at the end of spring camp. Rather, the starter will be decided at the end of fall camp; take my word for it.

Nine new enrollees entered the campus in January specifically to participate in football camp. Classes in the spring are going well, according to sources, and all nine showed up for the Saban version of the Wonderlic. Jesse Williams, Aaron Douglas and Quinton Dial are experienced—having served time at the JUCO level.

Freshmen available include defensive end Wilson Love (grey shirt), all purpose athlete Dee Hart, QB Phillip Ely, WR Ronald Carsowell, and defensive specialists Trey Dupriest and Vinnie Sunseri are all ready to take part in the first sessions for the 2011 campaign.

Of the true freshmen, Dupriest has the best chance of breaking into the rotation of the linebackers, but it will be tough to play on the 2011 squad as a neophyte.

There is depth at every defensive position, and 10 of 11 returning starters will hit the gridiron to reclaim their place on the squad.

Big things are expected from Robert Lester and Courtney Upshaw. Dont'a Zeus Hightower expects big things from himself, and he will push his teammates to achieve even more. Ed Stinson will revert to his previous position at defensive end, having played as a linebacker in 2010.

Kendall Kelly missed last season for an undisclosed illness and is still listed on the roster, but is not expected to participate in spring practice. Kerry Murphy and Wes Neighbors are listed as injured as well.

Offensively, aside from the quarterback position, nearly every spot on the roster returns a starter—save the opening left by Julio Jones at wide receiver. Jones will be missed for his receiving production, but more importantly for his offensive contributions, blocking downfield and on special teams.

The receiver starting positions will be hotly contested, as the roster is filled with talent at the wideout position.

Freshmen Carswell and Deandre White will compete against Marquis Maze, Kenny Bell, Keiwone Malone, Brandon Gibson, Darius Hanks, Kevin Norwood and Michael Bowman. Other receivers listed on the roster include Nick Williams, Nathan McAllister, Hardie Buck and William Strickland. 

Brian Volger will contest the veterans at the tight end position. Preston Dial played a lot last year, so those snaps are up for grabs. The red-shirt freshman from Columbus, Georgia is expected to have a similar skill set in the range of Colin Peek. If that pans out, expect the 6' 7" 250-pound receiver to push Brad Smelley and Michael Williams to the limit.

The offensive line positions are unestablished with exception to the center.

William Vlachos ain't going nowhere, but the guard and tackles are going to have to battle it out, as they do for every Saban team. Vlachos is more of an anchor for the offense than the quarterback. He will lead the line for the entire season, unless injury intervenes.

And then there is the new staff: Jeff Stoutland, Mike Groh and Chris Rumph.

Stoutland has proven skills with offensive linemen; he has Pendry to lean on and knows what is expected at Alabama. In addition, Stoutland has worked on staff with offensive coordinator Jim McElwain in the past. The experiences were good, and familiarity with the schemes will go a long way in developing a good working relationship between the line and specialty positions.

Mike Groh returns to Alabama after a one year hiatus to coach wide receivers. Groh has worked with Saban and is familiar with his coaching philosophy. He has also worked with Stoutland at Michigan State. Good chemistry on the field begins with good chemistry in the coaching ranks, and the formula for success is ready-made with this staff and the players.

Having watched the Alabama ESPN special last season, there is no doubt about who is in charge—both in the film room and on the field in Tuscaloosa.

Nick Saban begins his fifth year at Alabama. Every player on the field is his recruit; the expectations are high and he sets the bar even higher. He is exactly what Alabama needed after Shula righted the ship. Mal Moore hit a home run with the hiring of this master.

But can he get this group of athletes to achieve the highest prize in college football? Can he keep the distractions to a minimum so the program can concentrate on football? Are there going to be offers to leave the ranks of coaching for a career in broadcasting as an analyst? Those questions will always be there, but only time holds the answers.

Saban is focused on his legacy; he wants to change the perception that some have of him as an opportunist. He wants to be known for his accomplishments as a coach. There is only one way to do that, and that is to coach up championship teams.

Watch out SEC West. Success for Saban has to start with winning the division.