Richardson and Jones likely to return kicks

For the first time in years, opposing kickoffs and punts won’t be falling into the hands of No. 28 this fall at the University of Alabama. And filling the return void left by Javier Arenas, it would appear, will require more than one player. UA running back Trent Richardson is likely to replace Arenas on kickoff returns, while Julio Jones is in position to handle punt return duty. “Both of them have the most experience doing it, having both been backups last year. Julio had a couple of opportunities on punt return. I think Trent had a couple on kickoff return,” said UA coach Nick Saban. “They’ve had the most experience. They’ve had reps in practice.” Others in competition for the punt return role include wide receivers Darius Hanks and Marquis Maze. As a four-year starter on punt returns, Arenas graduated from UA as the most prolific punt returner in both school and Southeastern Conference history. Jones served as Arenas’ lead blocker on kickoff returns, and figures to handle the same role in front of Richardson this season. Still, Saban said younger players are being developed as return specialists as well. [More]

Bragg keeps Tide hydrated

Quietly walking past blocking sleds, Amy Bragg was lost in the crowd at Tuesday afternoon’s Crimson Tide football practice. Hydration was likely her main concern as the furnace that is August in Alabama made life between the lines a chore yet again. Preparing the 100-plus combatants for another day’s work is the life of the UA athletic department’s new hire. Her title: Director of Performance Nutrition. Her role: Keep Tide athletes fueled and hydrated so to perform at the highest level. Hired in June, it’s up to Bragg to craft the menus that kick starts Alabama athletes before and replenish after practices and games. She’s one of approximately 20 in her line of work nationally and new to Alabama after performing the same job at Texas A&M for the past six years. “I’m here to coach the players on eating for performance, first and foremost,” she said. [More]

Film provides rare peek into Saban’s life

“Nick Saban: Gamechanger” is exactly what you would expect when it comes to football. It is a flattering documentary about the most powerful coach in sports. But what you may not expect is how the title “Gamechanger” references his life beyond the field. From Bobby Bowden, Bill Parcells, Jimmy Sexton, Paul Finebaum, Terry Saban and more, some of the sports world’s most prominent figures highlight Coach Saban’s most noteworthy accomplishments both on and off the field. The film has no narration. Instead, the interviews, clips and images are edited in such a way that no narrator is needed. For a man like Coach Saban, his life speaks for itself. Trey Reynolds, the film’s director/producer, admitted at the premiere that he grew up dreaming of playing for Alabama, calling this film his own personal “Rudy” moment. After seeing this film, there is no doubt about that. This film is filled with a positive spin for both Coach Saban and the University. [More]

Johnson switches positions

Alabama linebacker Nico Johnson was moved to the “Sam” spot at Tuesday’s practice after spending last year in the inside linebacker role, the Mobile Press Register reported Wednesday. Johnson is competing with Chris Jordan, Jerrell Harris and other players for the starting role before the Sept. 4 start against San Jose State. [More]

Saban capitalizing on free publicity

Alabama coach Nick Saban is capitalizing on loads of free publicity since the national championship season. The Alabama coach admitted the cameras to his professional inner sanctum for a one-hour behind-the-scenes ESPN special filmed early in fall camp. Now, the documentary “Nick Saban: Gamechanger” on the 2009 season is set to appear in a couple of dozen theaters in Alabama, Florida, Georgia and Tennessee. Saban says it’s a whole lot less time-consuming than writing a book like he did after LSU’s national title. [More]

Roll Tide!

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