Saban: WR Kenny Bell given 'personal day,' expected to return | CBS Sports
As you might have heard yesterday, Kenny Bell announced he was leaving the team, then Saban announced that Bell wasn't leaving, then Bell announced that, indeed, he wasn't leaving.
I'm back with the team!! Just needed time to myself for a day but I couldn't leave my boy @10AJMcCarron we ended this run together. #16
— Kenny bell (@TheKennyBell7) September 4, 2013
This was a bizarre 24 hours. "I'm back with the team" clearly indicates that (at least in his mind) Kenny actually had fully quit the team. Don't know how that got turned around so quickly, but I just hope that Kenny's mind is right and stays that way for the rest of the season.
Sumlin: Manziel will speak 'at the appropriate time,' not before | CBS Sports
"I think it's important now based on where he is that his focus is to try to be our quarterback and a student athlete," Sumlin said, according to the Associated Press. "That's his biggest challenge right now. [It's] not his challenge to be here."
"I don't think right now that him coming here and saying the words would change some people's opinion about who he is," Sumlin continued. "At the appropriate time he'll be able to speak for himself."
It seems that Sumlin has decided that, for the time being, it is best to muzzle his his ever so young quarterback. I think I've had my fill of talking about Johnny Manziel during the offseason, but the guy sure didn't waste any time taking actions to ensure he stays in the lime light. I'm curious to see how he behaves in Saturday's game, and whether he even has the capacity to reign in his monstrous ego when the opposition starts to prod.
Cameron Robinson Set to Announce College Decision Today
Cameron Robinson is the #1 tackle and #1 overall prospect in the country. He will announce his decision today at 12:30 CT where he intends to attend college. Here is a primer about Robinson courtesy of 247Sports. It seems that most everyone anticipates that Robinson will announce an intention to sign with the Tide today. Hope for the best, but we'll be sure to keep you abreast no matter which way the decision goes.
**Practice Update**
In the second practice following the Virginia Tech game, we have a couple of trends developing. Jalston Fowler seems to have been moved entirely out of the H-back position and has been practicing exclusively as a running back. Gotta think that his poor performance against VT had a lot to do with the move, and maybe the coaches just decided that Fowler simply wasn't going to be a viable option at the H position.
No changes along the offensive line, which means Kellen Williams may not have unseated Arie Kouandjio at left guard, as we all supposed in the immediate aftermath of the game.
Cornerback Geno Smith has graduated from playing with walk ons to practicing with Saban's group of defensive backs. Expect him to earn his way all the way back up to the quasi-starter role as the go to player for the Star position.
VIDEO DUMP
Nick Saban Press Conference: this one was a classic, folks. Saban looked fit to strangle multiple reporters yesterday. If you have the time, watch this just to see the death stares he hands out like candy. Seriously, if you enjoy angry Saban (and I do) pop you a bag of popcorn and watch the funniest 11 minutes of press conference you'll ever see.
Wide Receivers (sans Kenny Bell)