Alabama Crimson Tide: News and rumors from T-Town

Labor Day is still a workday for the Alabama Crimson Tide. Alabama Football coach, Nick Saban conducted his standard media session on Monday. There is more on Mercer below, but considering week two for the Alabama Crimson Tide is roughly equivalent to a practice game, Saban might slip in some Florida game prep as well.

Calling the Tide’s home opener, ‘roughly equivalent’ to a practice game might be an overstatement. The Alabama Crimson Tide could sit its entire first units and beat the Mercer Bears with ease. Nick Saban always looks for good things to say about Crimson Tide opponents. On Monday, said, of Mercer,

"They’re a different kind of offensive team"

Whatever kind of offensive team the Bears are, the Alabama Crimson Tide defense will throttle them. Not literally throttle, of course – after Notre Dame coach Brian Kelly got in trouble for post-game comments, some verbs must be used carefully.

Sadly, but not surprisingly, Saban reported Chris Allen fractured his foot and will require surgery. Allen will likely miss the rest of the season. Saban announced sophomore Drew Sanders will step up with a chance to start in Allen’s outside linebacker role. Saban also expressed confidence in a rotation of outside linebackers.

Some Crimson Tide fans wondered if John Metchie’s ‘high-stepping’ move in the Miami game would elicit criticism from Saban.  Metchie said he heard nothing from the Tide coach. Others have correctly pointed out the move is also thought of as a stutter-step, creating change-of-pace to throw off the rhythm of approaching tacklers. Many older Crimson Tide fans are glad to think of Metchie’s move as a tribute to George Teague in the 1993 Sugar Bowl.

In encouraging news about Jahleel Billingsley, Saban said, and Michael Casagrande reported,

Based on earlier tweets, it seems Jahleel’s father was part of the group providing his son with some external encouragement.

Using the Miami game as a teaching point, Nick Saban said,

"I don’t think we maintained the same intensity in the second half. Can’t let external factors — scoreboard affect intensity we play with."

After the game Saturday, Saban talked about how happy he was for Trey Sanders’ ability to return from injury. On Monday, Saban elaborated,

"There was a point in time where I think he questioned, and a lot of us questioned, would he be able to come back"

Saban complimented the play of Chris Owens and Darrian Dalcourt in the Miami game. Dalcourt was one of seven Players of the Week for the Crimson Tide. The others were Cameron Latu, John Metchie III, Bryce Young, Will Anderson Jr., Jalyn Armour-Davis and Will Reichard.

One troubling, Alabam Crimson Tide rumor is a possible, serious injury to basketball player, Nimari Burnett. There has been no official update on his status. UPDATED Tuesday 11:30 AM CST. It is now being reported Burnett does have a knee injury and is likely out for the season.