BamaOnLine.com - Notebook: Roster expanding

August 18, 2009

Chase Goodbread
BamaOnLine.com Senior Writer

Wednesday marks the beginning of fall classes at Alabama, and for Crimson Tide players, the juggle between books and footballs begins.

"Typically this is going to be something the players are going to have to focus through," UA coach Nick Saban said. "[There are] a lot more distractions - in camp, it's basically football and that's it."

Practice will begin at 3:30 p.m. starting Wednesday, an hour later than afternoon practices began in camp. That will give players time to get through their class schedules before turning their attention to football.

Wednesday also marks the day that more walk-ons are allowed to participate in practice under NCAA rules. The camp roster is limited to 105 players, and Saban said around 25 more will be added.

"We try to stay around 130 players. That's pretty much what we try to do," Saban said. "That's sort of what we're trying to manage to this year. It adds a little more depth to your team, allows you to train guys for a while before you have to start getting ready for games."

While most or all of the additional walk-ons will never see the field on Saturdays, they do have a role that Saban appreciates.

"Some of those guys make a significant contribution to helping the prep teams, scout teams, and that's their role," Saban said. "They play their games on Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday."

BARRON'S ROLE - Saban shed some light on Mark Barron's camp rise on Tuesday in discussing the sophomore's special teams role.

"From midyear on [last season] he was a fanstatic special teams player and he was a role player on defense and those are the kind of guys you want to be your core special teams guys," Saban said. "Now all the sudden Mark Barron may get lot more playing time on defense. So do you continue to have him being a core special teams guy, or do you need to develop somebody else in his role? So that's why you always have this sort of transition with special teams."

Barron has worked with first group in the secondary during individual drills the past two practices, though Saban cautioned Tuesday about making depth chart assumptions based on the media viewing periods, which are typically brief and do not coincide with team drills.

BOOT FOR BELL - Saban said freshman wide receiver Kenny Bell has suffered from "real bad" shin splints in camp and will miss some practice time because of it.

"We're going to try to settle him down," Saban said. "Probably take a week or so in a boot, then reevaluate him."

Bell is one of four incoming freshmen at the wide receiver position.

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