Heisman Winner Ingram Out With Knee Injury

Alabama will be without junior running back Mark Ingram for Saturday’s opener against visiting San Jose State, and probably longer, after the Heisman Trophy winner underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee Tuesday morning. Ingram suffered the injury late in Monday’s practice, and Alabama coach Nick Saban said it was a “situation where everyone thought it would be better to take care of now, so he would not have any issues with it later in the season.” Although Alabama officials are ruling Ingram out only for the first game at this point, it’s unlikely he would be able to get back in time for the Crimson Tide’s second game, against No. 19 Penn State on Sept. 11 in Tuscaloosa. Saban said Ingram would be managed on a week-to-week basis after Saturday. “We will make every decision on the future based on what’s best for Mark and his career as we consult with Dr. [Lyle] Cain and Dr. [James] Andrews on his progress,” Saban said. “This is not an injury that will affect Mark’s future ability to make a full recovery in a relatively short time.” [More]

San Jose State game plan not clear

Alabama linebacker Dont’a Hightower said the Crimson Tide is a little perplexed at what San Jose State might do Saturday. The Spartans have a new coach and a new staff, and therefore likely will have a completely new strategy. The Crimson Tide won’t know for sure until after kickoff. Alabama has watched film on things it thinks San Jose State might do, studied what the new coaches did at their old jobs and, well, crossed its fingers. “It’s been a mystery,” Hightower said. “We’ve kind of been practicing a little bit on everything.”San Jose State coach Mike MacIntyre was the defensive coordinator at Duke last year. The Spartans’ new offensive coordinator was at Bucknell, but the new defensive coordinator was a mere assistant at San Jose. “You’re hoping that the coordinator is going to do what he did wherever he was, but you don’t really know for sure, because you don’t have any evidence of it,” Alabama head coach Nick Saban said. [More]

Time for Trent

Ever since Trent Richardson and Mark Ingram began sharing carries as a tandem a year ago, the University of Alabama running backs have had an advantage by rotating in the Crimson Tide’s offensive backfield, with one ever-ready to give the other a rest. Beginning Saturday, Richardson will learn what it’s like to play without that advantage. The injury Ingram sustained to his left knee in practice Monday will cause him to miss the first game of the season Saturday against San Jose State, and his status for games beyond that remains uncertain. What’s certain is that Richardson’s role takes on a new look to begin the 2010 season — one that will presumably involve more carries in the short term. Richardson said he is prepared to fill in for as long as needed in Ingram’s absence. “I’ve just got to step it up. They took me off some special teams, but kept me on some. Other than that I’ve just got to step up and play my role,” said Richardson, who noted he still expects to be the kickoff returner Saturday. [More]

Tide hoping explosive offense can carry load

For the 2010 Alabama football team, it’s a matter of potential and whether it’ll be realized. Talent isn’t the question for Nick Saban’s fourth Crimson Tide team. Experience — specifically on defense and special teams — has this defending national champion and consensus preseason No. 1 in a unique place. With roles reversed, the suddenly explosive offense has the perceived burden of carrying that young defense long enough to work the wobble out of their young legs. Names like Mark Ingram, Greg McElroy, Julio Jones and a few of their friends will need to do more than babysit and avoid blowing any advantage gained on defense. For this fall, at least, this is Alabama football. “What is your maturity? We talk about it all the time.” Without the “M” word, the first month of the season will be a chore. Penn State and Florida come to Bryant-Denny Stadium, while road trips to Arkansas and South Carolina could either dash hopes of a repeat or affirm Saban’s method. [More]

Roll Tide!

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