quietfan 233 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Rapoport asks the question...gets no real answer: http://blog.al.com/rapsheet/2008/04/playin...mbers_game.html Saban vs. Rapoport: The numbers game...Posted by Ian R. Rapoport -- Birmingham News April 15, 2008 12:02 AM Some questions, you can't wait to ask. If a pitcher coming off arm surgery throws a no-hitter in his first start back, it would be fun to ask him, So how does that feel? On the other hand, there are some questions that you simply have to ask. Ya know, because it's your job. A lot of times, it's clear that while the answer will be valuable, the process getting there won't be pretty. Your subject might not want to talk about it. Yeah, you might get yelled at. (Not that you mind...) Today, after Alabama's last spring practice, I had one of those situations. One of the big questions, I think, for the offseason is how will coach Nick Saban whittle the roster down to just 85 scholarships? There are 66 on scholarship now, and assume 25 freshman will enroll. That's 91. So six have to go by August. How? That's what I asked Saban today. He was entertaining as always. Let's just say, the conversation was classic: Me: "The numbers is issue. First, do you know, is Colin Peek on scholarship?" Saban: (Time to play dumb.) "I don't know. You ask me, do I know..." (Bad question. Clearly, he knows.) Me: "I think you do know." (See?) Saban: "You'll have to ask somebody else." (Cue mischievous grin) "You're asking the wrong guy." Me: (Alright, come on, it's getting late.) "He is, right?" Saban: "Yeah." (Round one: Me!) Me: (The real questions) "How are you going to handle the numbers and when do you start to worry about it?" Saban: (Getting a little loud... What, Saban worry?) "I'm not worried about them. It'll all work out. I mean, the whole thing has a solution to every issue. You don't put yourself in a position where you don't know what's coming, then have to take it in the chops." ("Chops" is such a dad word. Not that there is anything wrong with that) "Aiight? We know how it has to be managed, and it will be managed." (Pause) Saban: "And you don't need to call me and ask me to write a column for you, and I won't call you and ask you how to manage our numbers. How's that?" Me: (Deal! But when when did I suggest how to manage the numbers? If he did ask... I digress.) "I don't even have a calculator." (Can't do math without one of those.) Saban: (The smile returns.) "You don't need one to do this." Me: (Throwing the hands up in the air.) "So you're not going to tell us?" Saban: "I'm not going to tell you what?" (That exit is looking mighty welcoming now.) "It's none of your business. Aiight? And don't give me this stuff about the fans need to know, because they don't need to know." Me: "I would never say that." Saban: "Don't even ask. Aiight? So. (Starts to walk out, but he's got one more zinger before he leaves.) Ya know, I thought we could get this one last thing without having to..." (attempt a scolding?) Me: (Even I start to laugh at that) "You really thought that? No chance." Saban: (Off the podium, he can't help giggling to himself, too) "Not with you." Media relations guru Jeff Purinton: (Escorting Saban out the door) "He (me) needed something to hold him over until the season..." True. Good times... By this math ("There are 66 on scholarship now, and assume 25 freshman will enroll. That's 91. So six have to go by August."), even if the freshman class is cut down to 25, they will still be 6 over. So the problem is more than merely getting their "national championship" recruiting class down to only 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
abrnfanatc 6 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 The cake is a lie. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravad 77 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 I'll play... So which bama scholarship players are gonna be whacked? Zeke Knight - Medical Prince Hall - Jr - not on Depth Chart Milton Talbert - Soph - not on Depth Chart Travis Sikes - Soph - not on Depth Chart Lionel Mitchell - Sr - not on Depth Chart Ali Sharrief - Jr - 5'9" listed as 2nd Safety ??? ????? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaGrad03 0 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Ali Sharrief's scholly is safe. Lonel Mitchell has been in Saban's dog house since day 1. I think Sikes is gone on a medical. Milton's should be safe. Prince can't decide if he wants to be a professional drinker or football player. Zeke's heart condition may not have him cleared to ever play again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ravad 77 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 Ali Sharrief's scholly is safe. Lonel Mitchell has been in Saban's dog house since day 1. I think Sikes is gone on a medical. Milton's should be safe. Prince can't decide if he wants to be a professional drinker or football player. Zeke's heart condition may not have him cleared to ever play again. So you think... Mitchell Sikes Knight Prince You need 2 more... Maybe we should make a contest out of this. These 4 could be the favorites worth 1 point each, then we can have a couple of picks worth say 3 and then we can have the long shot 5 point picks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaGrad03 0 Posted April 15, 2008 Share Posted April 15, 2008 I THINK Prince will be back. But yeah on the other three. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthLink02 8 Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 BG, how many spots does Bama have next year? UGA has like 13-14 and already has like 6-7 spots taken already Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BamaGrad03 0 Posted April 17, 2008 Share Posted April 17, 2008 BG, how many spots does Bama have next year? UGA has like 13-14 and already has like 6-7 spots taken already I'm not sure the exact number, but I'm almost certain we can't take anywhere near 25. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.