Tony's Take: Hand's arrest is Alabama's first major distraction
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It wasn’t too long ago that an incorrect pair of socks symbolized Alabama’s acute approach to detail this offseason. Defensive back Minkah Fitzpatrick, one of the Crimson Tide’s three representatives during SEC Media Days, highlighted Alabama's added focus this offseason by recalling a time when he got onto a fellow teammate for showing up to practice with the wrong type of socks.
Following Alabama’s last-second loss to Clemson in the national championship game, no detail seems too small to ignore.
“The small things, like some people would come late to a meeting or just not wearing the right socks or something like that,” Fitzpatrick said during SEC Media Days. “It might sound crazy, but it builds up.”
It’s no secret Alabama still has a sour taste left in its mouth left. Head coach Nick Saban made that clear when he stated he didn’t want to “waste a failure” while assessing last season. The added chip on the Tide’s shoulder has been celebrated, as Alabama fans are drooling over the thought of their team already in mid-season form mentally.
The prospect of a locked-in approach from Game 1 is promising. And while Alabama still has areas it needs to address heading into its season opener against Florida State on Sept. 2, there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic.
For the first time in four years, there isn’t a quarterback competition to worry about. While Alabama lost several of its leaders to the NFL, the Tide appears to have the necessary players in place to step up as leaders. The drama-free offseason even carried over off the field with Alabama players avoiding the legal troubles that plagued the team last summer.
Then Saturday happened.
* Alabama defensive lineman Da'Shawn Hand arrested for DUI
Alabama was hit with its first notable distraction early Saturday morning, as defensive lineman Da’Shawn Hand was arrested for a DUI. The former five-star recruit is not only projected to take on a starting role at defensive end but was also expected to be one of the Tide’s leaders on defense. With Alabama set to open its fall camp on Thursday, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
“This type of behavior is not acceptable and we are disappointed in Da’Shawn’s actions," Alabama head coach Nick Saban said in a statement released by the university. "We are still gathering information and will evaluate what we need to do in terms of appropriate discipline as we move forward, so better choices and decisions can be made in the future.”
If Saban follows his previous protocol on these types of situations Hand’s discipline will be handled internally. Alabama has yet to announce whether or not its star defensive lineman will miss any time, but it would come as a surprise if he doesn’t make the start against Florida State. To be honest, even if Hand were to miss any part of the season opener, Alabama has enough fire power up front to expose a weak Seminoles offensive line.
The concern for Alabama comes more in the long term. Hand, the former No. 1 overall signee in the 2014 recruiting class, has yet to make a start in his college career. That was supposed to be a driving force behind a breakout senior season. When asked earlier this year about finally getting his chance to start, Hand could hardly contain his excitement, stating he was “hungry” and had “tunnel vision” heading into the season.
Mistakes happen, especially among 21-year-old young men. Although, it is a little disheartening for Alabama that a notable player with so much to gain could be so careless this close to the season.
It is unlikely that Hand’s arrest will derail the positive momentum Alabama has built this offseason. If nothing else, Saban will make sure of that. However, the Tide’s ability to respond to the incident will say a lot about the team’s resolve heading into the season.
Hand’s actions won’t be devastating to Alabama, but it is just one more failure the Tide can’t afford to waste.