That Nick sure is slick

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB1000142 ... 51306.html

Former Alabama football players say the school's No. 1-ranked football program has tried to gain a competitive edge by encouraging some underperforming players to quit the team for medical reasons, even in cases where the players are still healthy enough to play.

At least 12 times since coach Nick Saban took over the program in 2007, Alabama has offered players a "medical" scholarship, according to public statements made by the team. These scholarships, which are allowed under NCAA rules, are intended to make sure scholarship athletes who are too injured to play don't lose their financial aid. A player who receives one of these scholarships is finished playing with that team.

Three Alabama players who've taken these exemptions say they believe the team uses the practice as a way to clear spots for better players by cutting players it no longer wants. These players said they believe Mr. Saban and his staff pressure some players to take these scholarships even though their injuries aren't serious enough to warrant keeping them off the field.

Pretty nice little loophole for ol' Nicky boy. I guess this is why when Ingram gets injured and Saban puts in an 8th string RB, there's no dropoff in production. Got more 4 and 5 stars banging down your door? No prob, just "make some room."

[indyfrisco]

Everybody does it.

Sin,
Fan of school in any unflattering article

[Carson]

5-STAR RECRUIT: "Coach, I'll play for you but my buddy has to come with me."

SABAN: "No problem."

One year later, buddy gets a payoff ERRRRRR medical scholarship.

[M Club]

5-STAR RECRUIT: "Coach, I'll play for you but my buddy has to come with me."

SABAN: "No problem."

One year later, buddy gets a payoff ERRRRRR medical scholarship.

haha, that's how we pulled denard, though thankfully his two-star amigo never cleared admissions. actually, could probably use the depth right now..

[King Crimson]

haha, that's how we pulled denard, though thankfully his two-star amigo never cleared admissions. actually, could probably use the depth right now..

you guys remember William Tisdale? Didn't think so.....Waymon's older brother. One of the most important Sooner b-ballers of all-time...and one of Billy Tubbs' first recruits. :P

edit: and as an aside, if OU's AD hadn't cheesed off Denny Price (former OU assistant) by not giving him an interview after Dave Bliss left for SMU, his oldest son Mark Price and Wayman would have likely BOTH been Sooners in the same 81 class.

[Danimal]

The evidence is mounting to the point that to where the majority of bama-fans admit the program oversigns with the intent of pushing several guys out. But as long as they are winning nothing will come of it. The practice will probably just increase among bama's competitors.

[FLW Buckeye]

Any program not doing this is stupid and deserves to have their asses kicked.

Find a school that hasn't done this. Name one.

So you're going with the imfamous "Toejam" defense? C'mon, man...I thought you was better than that.

[Goober McTuber]

Any program not doing this is stupid and deserves to have their asses kicked.

Find a school that hasn't done this. Name one.

Wisconsin. They don't have the depth of talent that Alabammer does.

[Killian]

At least he's giving them the option of the medical scholarship. He could just out right cut them.

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

Any program not doing this is stupid and deserves to have their asses kicked.

Find a school that hasn't done this. Name one.

[Terry in Crapchester]

The evidence is mounting to the point that to where the majority of bama-fans admit the program oversigns with the intent of pushing several guys out. But as long as they are winning nothing will come of it. The practice will probably just increase among bama's competitors.

Any program not doing this is stupid and deserves to have their asses kicked.

You're probably both right, although this strikes me as a violation of the spirit, if not the letter, of the NCAA rules. But as Killian noted, at least Saban is giving them the option of the medical scholarship, so at least they can finish their education.

As an aside, I should note that the "recruit my buddy" diametric probably helped ND land Te'o, in that his buddy, Romy Toba, signed a LOI with ND the same day. Thing is, Toba actually made ND's two-deep roster this year. I'm not sure if that means he's been a pleasant surprise at ND, or if it means that ND's WR corps has been disappointing. Given the recent history of the program, it's more likely the latter.

[Terry in Crapchester]

At Alabama, the intent is to give as many young men as possible an opportunity to get a quality education. If the kids happen to have some football ability...and can make time around their studies...all the better.

Get 'em in school. To help with their futures. Football comes way down the list.

Okay, maybe I didn't phrase that the way I should have, given that we are talking about Alabama, after all.

I just meant to note one practical benefit of the medical scholarship, 's'all.

[MgoBlue-LightSpecial]

My point being that there is nothing illegal or un-NCAA-compliant-ish about it.

Who said it was illegal? That's why they call him Slick Nick.

It's a loophole in the system he's able to take advantage of while few other schools have the same "luxury." It gives him an extra leg up on the competition at the expense of kids who are essentially forced out of the program based on fraudelent medical hardships. It's shady and unethical, but not technically illegal.

[R-Jack]

Only in the SEC would you need to use a chart to count to 12.

[Mace]

Only in the SEC would you need to use a chart to count to 12.

The chart maker lost his fingers and toes in a meth lab explosion. What else could he do?

[M Club]

Any program not doing this is stupid and deserves to have their asses kicked.

Find a school that hasn't done this. Name one.

bwa. it'd be easier to name the one school that does this.