Alabama’s Most Irreplaceable Player

Attrition is a hurdle for every college football team. Whether because of foolish steps off the field or full-speed steps on it, players are lost for games and even seasons. Keeping stars available is one of the biggest variables for a season’s success. Having a team’s full complement can be the difference between a bad season and a good one or even between a great season and a special one. Let’s look around the SEC and explore which one player is the most indispensable to each program. This is not necessarily a team’s best player or even its most valuable, but the one who could be the most difficult to replace. Alabama: Mark Barron, safety. Yes, Mark Ingram, the reigning Heisman Trophy winner is a possibility, but Ingram’s backup is Trent Richardson, who may be every bit as good. (Scary thought for non-Alabama fans, huh?) The Tide’s biggest weakness is in the secondary after losing three starters from last year’s national championship team. Barron is the lone returner in the secondary, and in Nick Saban’s defense that requires the safeties to be catalysts, losing Barron would be painful. [More]

Saban’s Nike commercial

Saban is off to Hollywood Tuesday to film yet another commercial — this time a Nike spot. He is becoming a veteran of the acting craft with two ESPN College Gameday spots to his credit and a highly publicized cameo in the movie “The Blind Side.” Take a look at Nike’s client roster. Here is just a sampling of some of the apparel giant’s clients: LeBron James, Kobe Bryant, Tom Brady, Adrian Peterson, Derek Jeter, Albert Pujols, etc. A creative advertising type could have a field day teaming Saban up with any number of Nike athletes. But just think about the material a Saban and King James ad would yield if they appeared together. Imagine a self-deprecating Saban telling James, “Trust me, it’s much easier going to Miami than leaving.” If written correctly, that would be hilarious. [More]

Recruiting: Ishaq Williams looking forward to a busy summer

Ishaq Williams, the Lincoln standout defensive end, will be spending the next two months visiting as many prospective colleges as possible. “I’m gonna look for a place where I’m comfortable, a place that has good academics, a place I can get to the next level, and has a good environment,” he said. already visited Penn State, Syracuse (his parents’ alma mater), Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Maryland, and Miami. He plans to visit Notre Dame on Aug. 5, his father Shaun said; take a trip down south to see Alabama, Florida, and Miami again the second week of August; and go out west for USC, UCLA, and Stanford the following week. As for any favorites, Williams said he doesn’t have any. He was supposed to visit Virginia on Friday, but Shaun said that trip has been cancelled. His son has spoken with several head coaches extensively, including Joe Paterno, Penn State’s legendary coach, Alabama’s Nick Saban, and USC’s Lane Kiffin. “They all have been good conversations,” said Williams, an All-City first team selection by The Post, who had 43 tackles, 11 sacks, and three forced fumbles.

Roll Tide!

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