Saban addresses suspensions of Duron Carter, others

Spring practice is over and one question remains stands out. It comes up almost daily, it seems.

So, what about Duron Carter. Will he be in a Crimson Tide uniform this August, or more importantly, in September?

That was the gist of the question I asked Nick Saban at Tuesday’s stop of the Crimson Caravan in Huntsville. His response didn’t close the door on the high-profile receiver who has yet to play a down at Alabama.

“I don’t anticipate anything,” Saban said. “It is what it is. It’s not up to me. It’s up to them. So I don’t really need to spend time speculating on what they’re going to do. I have two adolescents at home and I don’t know what they’re going to do, so how I am I going to predict what these guys are going to do. If they do what they’re supposed to do, they can play on our team. Aight, if they don’t, they won’t.”

Fellow receivers Michael Bowman and Ronald Carswell also remain suspended indefinitely.

Read more about football in tomorrow’s newspaper.

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A few notes from Thursday afternoon football practice

It’s a nasty, rainy, stormy day in Tuscaloosa and the Alabama football team is back indoors. They would have been there anyway since the title game is held in the Superdome. Either way, here are a few notes.

• Cornerback Phelon Jones was back in practice after missing the last two with a sickness.
• Tight end Harrison Jones was not spotting after suffering an injury in yesterday’s practice.
• Also absent, as he’s been all week, was receiver Duron Carter. It’s nothing major, I’m told, and he’s still with the program. The pre-BCS practices are more for the players who’ll be a part of the game, and Carter is not on the list as expected. The son of former NFL star Cris Carter has been ineligible all season after transferring from junior college.

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Your weekly Duron Carter pregame update

This is tradition at this point. So, what’s the status for Alabama’s big-name junior college transfer Duron Carter?

Well, don’t expect to see his Alabama debut come this evening.

The son of NFL legend Cris Carter did not appear on the flip card with active rosters for the 6:30 p.m. kickoff with the winless Mean Green. An Alabama spokesman said he doesn’t expect Carter out there unless something changed in the last few hours.

Keep it here in case that Hail Mary came through.

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Anything new with Duron Carter?

He’s been subject of questions all summer and now halfway through the month of September. So is there anything new with the eligibility of Alabama’s prized junior college transfer Duron Carter?

Well, no.

The school has not received the proper clearance for the son of NFL great Cris Carter to see the playing field. It could come at anytime, but as of midday Friday, it doesn’t look like he’ll be making his Crimson Tide debut Saturday against North Texas.

Of course if that changes, I’ll let you know ASAP.

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Duron Carter not playing today

The twisting road for Duron Carter did not lead him back to State College today.

Alabama just released a statement confirming earlier reports indicating the JUCO transfer will not play today and did not make the trip north with the team.

“The University of Alabama is awaiting documents necessary for Carter to be certified,” the statement read. Until those documents are received, Carter may continue practicing with the team, but he cannot compete in a game.”

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Video of McCarron throwing to receivers, tight ends

As you’ll see from the first few seconds of the video below, the weather is downright gross in Tuscaloosa today. The flags in front of Coleman Coliseum were close to blowing away a little bit ago.

Anyway, see AJ McCarron throw passes to Duron Carter, Michael Bowman, Kenny Bell and the Crimson Tide tight ends after the storm coverage. Check out the part where TE Harrison Jones bumps in with running back Eddie Lacy. More video to come.

 

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A few notes from practice, injury news

Kevin Norwood at practice today

No Labor Day break in this corner of Tuscaloosa this afternoon. Here’s a list of the important notes from the media viewing period.

• Still raining like I haven’t seen in some time. The team, obviously, used the indoor practice facility as parts of Tuscaloosa flooded.
• The injury of note belongs to Kevin Norwood. The receiver sprained his ankle against Kent State, coach Nick Saban said earlier today. He was on a stationary bike wearing a black uniform.
• Saban said he could be back in a few days. Stay tuned for that. He caught one pass for five yards before the injury.
• Duron Carter was working full-time with the receivers. He looked pretty solid from the few minutes we saw. Look for video on that soon.

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Saban talks Duron Carter, Kent State

Here are the quick highlights of Nick Saban’s turn on the first weekly SEC teleconference of the season:

• On Duron Carter, Saban said he will be able to help the team “later on down the road.” He likes size, speed, ability to run routes.
• Carter will start implementing himself with offense next week. He doesn’t want to risk injury by throwing him out there with limited practice time.
• Challenges with Kent State come from playing a team with a new head coach and unknown variables that come with that (read more about that later this week in print).
• About Barrett Jones, Saban said they tried to decide if he was a guard or a tackle.
• He could be both.
• How soon he moves back to guard from left tackle depends on how fast Cyrus Kouandjio develops at left tackle.
• About practice precautions, Saban said the team never practices two in a row with full pads. They don’t hit in practice, except for scrimmages.
• The downsides include having inexperience with tackling defense and shedding cut blocks.
• On the SEC’s dominance, Saban said there might be a little more speed among athletes in the South.

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Updated: Excellent video of Duron Carter at practice

Don’t let your eyes fool you, this really is excellent footage of Duron Carter catching passes at Alabama’s practice this afternoon. The zoom is incredible. Enjoy.

Update 5:03 p.m.: I included Nick Saban’s earlier remarks from his news conference regarding Carter.

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Guess who was at practice today

It’s already old news at this point, I guess, but this beat writer can confirm Duron Carter was in fact at practice this afternoon.

I can also tell you he caught all seven passes thrown his way during the media viewing period. All seven.

Carter had to wear just a helmet and shorts today because he’s still required to go through the acclamation period before full practices.

I’m still trying to confirm 100 percent this means he’s good to go for the season. Even if he is, there will surely be some time before he’s at full speed.

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Saban updates Duron Carter situation

Junior college transfer Duron Carter dropped a hint about his eligibility earlier on Twitter. Now Nick Saban has an update.

He said it’s not official yet. They’re still waiting on some of the specifics.

“We’re optimistic,” Saban said.

Saban also said Carter might be on the practice field today. The deadline to add or drop classes at UA is Wednesday.

More updates on the matter to come.

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Was Duron Carter at practice today?

Nick Saban left it open to interpretation Thursday evening. So what’s the deal today? Was Duron Carter practicing Friday afternoon?

Short answer: No.

He was not out there for the media viewing period. If anything develops on this front, I’ll let you know.

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Saban addresses Duron Carter…sorta

The question of Duron Carter’s eligibility has been an issue all summer. And into the fall semester. And into the next day.

So, it was my turn to ask the question on everyone’s mind in this evening’s news conference with Nick Saban. What’s new with Carter?

“You know, I have some information, but at this point, I’ll believe it when I see it,” Saban said. “Is that fair? Can you read between the lines at all? You guys write – do you read between the lines in what you write?”

Decide for yourself. If anything is made official, I’ll you you know first.

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School starts, players practice

The first practice of the fall semester is in progress in a predictably steamy Tuscaloosa. Here’s what’s important:

• Injured running back Dee Hart was spotted for the first time during a media viewing period. He was riding the exercise bike in a black jersey after tearing his ACL over the summer. It’s standard operating procedure.
• Offensive lineman Kellen Jones was also riding the exercise bike next to Hart. Not sure why.
• Was Duron Carter there? No.
• There were several more players on the field since the roster expands with walk-ons once classes resume.
• Have to get back to work. My cousin from Baltimore is visiting Tuscaloosa in a little bit. Let me know your recommendations for dining. I have a leader in the clubhouse already.

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Updating Duron Carter, Danny Woodson Jr., situations

And so the Duron Carter watch continues in Tuscaloosa.

Alabama’s prized junior college transfer still hasn’t been cleared academically as it waits for the final paperwork from Coffeyville (Kan.) Community College.

Saban said he hadn’t heard anything from the compliance department Tuesday, but there were “a few more days to be able to get this done.”

Another incoming receiver has yet to report for practices, and there wasn’t much Saban could say about true freshman Danny Woodson Jr.

“We’ll make some decision on Danny Woodson probably in the next week or so,” Saban said. “The first day of school is not the drop-dead date for when somebody can start school. We’re weighing several options in several circumstances and situations. I’m not really at freedom to discuss those. We don’t have all the information to make those decisions now. I can’t really give you any idea of how it will all end up until we get all the information.”

Read more about everything Alabama in tomorrow’s newspaper.

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