BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
The time for leniency has ended. The use of āinternal disciplineā is no longer enough. Nick Saban needs to tighten the reins on his program, make an example of someone publicly, and send the message to every one of his players that the offseason has ended, the time for work is here and any instances of poor behavior will not be tolerated.
Alabama has had its name dragged through the mud enough since the end of last season. Saban has dealt with enough negative headlines to know itās time for more proactive measures.
You could live with Kenyan Drakemaking a bone-headed decision by disobeying an officer earlier this month. He was trying to get to his car. He wasnāt thinking and he was arrested. You could handle the repercussions coming behind closed doors without condoning the action that led to his arrest. And, frankly, the same could be said for Altee Tenpenny, who wasnāt arrested but was given a citation by police in April for possession of a controlled substance.
Both cases were enough to raise your eyebrows at. Neither was enough to spike your blood pressure.
But Jarran Reed's subsequent arrest this weekend for suspicion of driving under the influence has finally moved the needle. Weāve hit the proverbial āthree strikes and youāre outā phase of this annual offseason game we play in major college football where one arrest leads to another and suddenly we start to see a trend. Next we question the health of the program as a whole and wonder aloud whether the coach truly has a handle on things.
Now, it must be said that Saban deserves the benefit of the doubt in such matters. Weāve never had to wonder whether discipline is a part of his process. But even he isnāt immune to the arrest bug. Even he canāt avoid the increasing sound of police sirens at his programās doorstep.
Now is the time for Saban to step up and deliver a message.
Now is the time to right the course and get his team's full attention.
Fall camp begins in only a few weeks. The start of the season is less than two months away. Alabama has enough questions on the field; the Tide don't need negative attention off it. Thereās a new quarterback to break in, two new offensive linemen and a defense that would be described as ārebuildingā if it were any place other than Alabama. If the Crimson Tide want to return to the national championship picture, they canāt afford another issue to tackle.
Drake, Tenpenny and Reed are all in Sabanās doghouse now. So is linebacker Dillon Lee, who was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in April. If this keeps up, there wonāt be enough room to hold all the teamās disciplinary problems.
Eventually you have to say enough is enough and put a bar on that doghouse door. Eventually you have to show that once you go in, you might not be allowed out so easily.
That time is now for Saban and Alabama. Leniency can no longer be afforded. Decisive, heavy-handed action is needed. The season is almost here, and every player and every coach must get the message loud and clear that mistakes will no longer be tolerated.
ESPN's SEC Blog-
Alabama has had its name dragged through the mud enough since the end of last season. Saban has dealt with enough negative headlines to know itās time for more proactive measures.
You could live with Kenyan Drakemaking a bone-headed decision by disobeying an officer earlier this month. He was trying to get to his car. He wasnāt thinking and he was arrested. You could handle the repercussions coming behind closed doors without condoning the action that led to his arrest. And, frankly, the same could be said for Altee Tenpenny, who wasnāt arrested but was given a citation by police in April for possession of a controlled substance.
Both cases were enough to raise your eyebrows at. Neither was enough to spike your blood pressure.
But Jarran Reed's subsequent arrest this weekend for suspicion of driving under the influence has finally moved the needle. Weāve hit the proverbial āthree strikes and youāre outā phase of this annual offseason game we play in major college football where one arrest leads to another and suddenly we start to see a trend. Next we question the health of the program as a whole and wonder aloud whether the coach truly has a handle on things.
Now, it must be said that Saban deserves the benefit of the doubt in such matters. Weāve never had to wonder whether discipline is a part of his process. But even he isnāt immune to the arrest bug. Even he canāt avoid the increasing sound of police sirens at his programās doorstep.
Now is the time for Saban to step up and deliver a message.
Now is the time to right the course and get his team's full attention.
Fall camp begins in only a few weeks. The start of the season is less than two months away. Alabama has enough questions on the field; the Tide don't need negative attention off it. Thereās a new quarterback to break in, two new offensive linemen and a defense that would be described as ārebuildingā if it were any place other than Alabama. If the Crimson Tide want to return to the national championship picture, they canāt afford another issue to tackle.
Drake, Tenpenny and Reed are all in Sabanās doghouse now. So is linebacker Dillon Lee, who was also arrested on suspicion of driving under the influence in April. If this keeps up, there wonāt be enough room to hold all the teamās disciplinary problems.
Eventually you have to say enough is enough and put a bar on that doghouse door. Eventually you have to show that once you go in, you might not be allowed out so easily.
That time is now for Saban and Alabama. Leniency can no longer be afforded. Decisive, heavy-handed action is needed. The season is almost here, and every player and every coach must get the message loud and clear that mistakes will no longer be tolerated.
ESPN's SEC Blog-
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