Jumbo Package: If Blake Barnett is leaving, it’s news to Nick Saban

“Nobody’s told me,” sayeth the head man regarding Blake Barnett. Barnett apparently did come to Saban earlier in the week and express concern about his future. From Saban’s subtext it does sound like Barnett is heading out though, and that it will be an amiable split.

Speaking of transfers, how does Nick Saban how the requests he receives? It’s a lot more of a complex process than thumbs-up or -down.

Here’s a nice piece by Cecil Hurt on LB Keith Holcombe, who has seen his p/t increase in the linebacker rotation. Another good local get for the Tide that is paying dividends.

Will Tony Brown’s impact go beyond on-field improvement for the secondary? The team certainly thinks so — the hyperkinetic Brown brings a whole different energy to the defense.

The trio of injured Alabama players (ArDarius Stewart (knee,) Damien Harris (ankle,) and Robert Foster (knee)) are all game-time decisions. I’d be stunned to see any of them suit up, to be honest.

Lane Kiffin may very well get a head coaching job at the end of the season (my guess? His alma mater, Fresno State, which is reeling and which also puts him closer to home.) However, one place he won’t be landing is LSU, where AD Alleva has said that LSU will hire someone is presently a head coach.

It was only a matter of time, as Kenyan Drake has earned the starting RB spot for the Dolphins. He has had more YPC and offers more versatility than Jay Ajayi, who has been fairly disappointing this season.

A slimmer, more versatile Reuben Foster has been sideline-to-sideline this season, and has allowed the defense to be more flexible against differing offenses than perhaps in seasons past.