This bit of news is a bit oldish but the good doctor made mention of it today so I expect it to pop back up on the radar since we are well and fulling into the offseason doldrums now.

There are reports that the head of DeBartolo Sports and Entertainment, Eddie DeBartolo Jr., is boasting of signing Andre Smith in anticipation of the 09 draft. The agency's representative, Melvin Bratton, has already been under scrutiny by the NFL in connection with the situation.

Debartolo S&E is a relative newcomer to the agent business, having gotten really involved only in 2006 when it purchased an established agency. The reason for this is that DeBartolo had been the owner of the San Francisco 49ers but had a little trouble running the business on the up-and-up.

From the point of view of Alabama, this deal is done. Saban's statement on Dec. 30still applies. But I'm going to be very interested in seeing which agency Smith signs with this week.