
Distractions
Speaking of Charles Baldwin, did someone put something in the water to cause Alabama players to lose their minds in this offseason? Baldwin’s dismissal, the infamous Cam Robinson/Hootie Jones incident and Alphonse Taylor’s arrest are just the legal issues the Tide have faced this offseason.
Add to that Maurice Smith’s ugly departure from the team, Kendall Sheffield’s unexpected transfer, and Shawn Burgess-Becker deciding to play elsewhere, and Nick Saban has lost at least four players expected to contribute this season. That doesn’t include the other handful of players transferring that probably wouldn’t have been contributors but would have provided depth and special teams help.
Players get arrested, transfer, and make mistakes every year; but this offseason seems different. The University and coaches did not escape the Smith saga unscathed, something Nick Saban is normally very good at doing.
The real question is whether this will have any impact on the team’s play. The players have said it won’t, but one thing is certain: Playing without outside distractions is certainly the preferred option.
Next: The Truth Hurts?