Saban wants to go inside-out with Bama LBs

By Robert Rousseau  |   Sunday, August 03, 2008  |  Comments( 0 )

Alabama Crimson Tide
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Alabama’s linebacker problems because of suspensions and injuries, among other things, have been well-documented. Moreover, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban has made inside linebacker Prince Hall’s indefinite suspension more definite.

“Prince Hall has worked with the team throughout the summer,” he said. “He will start practicing. He will face some suspension and not play in the first three games. He will be in camp. He will practice with the team and he will be part of the team.”

Thus, the ILB position will now be even more affected at the start of the season than what might have been. That has prompted Saban to make a decision regarding his incoming freshmen linebackers.

“We are going to start most of the young players, except Jerrell Harris, who has always played outside linebacker, at inside backer,” said Saban. “Hopefully, we will be able to leave one or two of those guys at inside backer, but because all of these guys have played some kind of defensive end or outside backer in their high school career, maybe move them back where they might be a little more natural early in their career. I think from our team standpoint, we need to determine who can be an inside backer of our freshman to add depth and competition to what we have.”

There you have it, then. The bottom line is that guys like Courtney Upshaw and Don’ta Hightower are going to get the chance to contribute early with the defense. Last season, Rolando McClain, playing as a freshman, ended the year looking terrific. Perhaps someone from the Tide's acclaimed 2008 class will do the same.
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About Robert Rousseau

Robert Rousseau is a sports writer that has been published in a variety of print and online venues. He’s been writing for RealFootball365.com for almost three years now. When Rousseau isn’t writing about college football he tends to be penning mixed martial arts pieces for MMAFighting.com or ...
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