Combined Reports
(August 5, 2010)

TUSCALOOSA – Nick Saban welcomed 104 of 105 players to campus on Wednesday, the day before workouts begin at the Capstone.

“Every guy on the team has to make a decision of what he’s willing to do to make this team all it can be. There are obviously some expectations and I think the players need to embrace the challenges but also be able to stay focused on the things they need to do to play winning football at their position. Not really focus on the competition of other players on our team, but actually what they have to do to be the best player they can be and compete against themselves so we can have individuals help individuals get better so we can be the best team possible.

“We have 105 guys that can report today. We have 104 spots that are fixed. We still have one eligibility issue that is still being managed today. We won’t have an answer on that until probably the end of the day and that will determine who the 105th spot really is.”

Saban announced that Rod Woodson was no longer on the team and that Ronnie Carswell has qualified and is eligible to play but will start in January. Wilson Love also will start in January due to an ankle injury suffered in high school.

Blake Sims is still awaiting clearence before he can report.

Saban said Marcel Darius would be allowed to practice but an investigation by the NCAA continues into his alleged trip to Miami this summer.

Despite the loss of Woodson, Saban is not concerned about lack of depth in the secondary.

“We have young players who are going to have to develop and play,” he said  “Everybody has a responsibility for their own self determination.  That’s called accountability and dependability.  I don’t really feel it’s a problem when you have people in the organization who aren’t accountable, how not having one would affect anything.”

The Tide will open practice on Thursday.

Bryant-Denny becomes fifth-largest on-campus stadium

When the University of Alabama football season opens on September 4 against San Jose State, Bryant-Denny Stadium will be the fifth-largest stadium in the nation for college and/or professional football. The seating capacity will be 101,821 for the 2010 season.

"All of the improvements and the expansion of the new South End Zone complex will be complete well in advance of the season opener and we are proud to have a stadium of the size that reflects the passion, commitment and enthusiasm of our incredible fans," said UA Director of Athletics Mal Moore.

The 2010 project is the fourth expansion of Bryant-Denny Stadium since 1988 and the seventh expansion in the stadium’s history. Other expansions were completed in 1946, 1961, 1966, 1988, 1998 and 2006. Those projects expanded Bryant-Denny Stadium to a capacity of 92,138 prior to this latest project. The evolution of Bryant-Denny Stadium has been significant from its origins back in 1929 when its original configuration included a grandstand that seated 12,000.

 Michigan Stadium is the largest in the nation followed by Beaver Stadium at Penn State. Tennessee has the largest staium in the Southeastern Conference with a 102,455 capacity.

Moore given contract extension

The compensation committee of the UA System Board of Trustees unanimously approved an extension and raise Wednesday for athletics director Mal Moore.

“It is an honor to represent our fans, our state, and our University, and I am truly grateful to the Board of Trustees, Chancellor Portera, and President Witt for this show of faith in me,” Moore said in a release. “The confidence shown in me is humbling, but it is really a show of confidence in our student-athletes, our coaches and our staff. Due to their fine work, we just completed one of the most successful years in our athletic history and our future is bright. There is plenty to accomplish on the conference and national levels and I am looking forward to the challenges ahead. I’m extremely excited about the direction of Alabama athletics."

The amendment to Moore’s existing deal extends his contract through June 30, 2014. It also boosts his annual salary to $550,000 (up from $425,000) and adds new incentives based on academics and athletics, especially the performance of Alabama’s football and basketball programs.