I wanted to comment on this given the release of Quintin Williams and the impending return of Ricky Williams.
The release of Quinten Williams is totally in line with Saban's past. I would not call it a double standard, but Saban will have a short leash with a avg. and/or marginal player and a better player/starter will have a slightly longer leash. During his 5 years at LSU, Saban did kick starters off the team and he did take chances on quality (star) talent with a troubled past. But in the end, Saban never "let the inmates run the insylum". Saban's discipline may come in several forms. It could be to release the player or it could be a list of things the player will have to do to get back into good graces. Furthermore, he has been known to demote a player to a scout team player and have him earn his way back to starting (after meeting specified mandates)
One thing you can count on, Saban's discipline was never a slap on the wrist. You may see some coach suspend a player from starting the game, but the player ends up getting his usual minutes anyway. Saban would not hesitate to suspend a star player for, as an example, 1, 2, 3 games or more depending on the offense.
With the return of Ricky Williams, I have no doubt that Saban has given Ricky a list of things he needs to do or his butt will be gone. Saban may be a lot of things, but he has never let the discipline of a team get away from him. He will give people a chance or 2, and that's it.
The release of Quinten Williams is totally in line with Saban's past. I would not call it a double standard, but Saban will have a short leash with a avg. and/or marginal player and a better player/starter will have a slightly longer leash. During his 5 years at LSU, Saban did kick starters off the team and he did take chances on quality (star) talent with a troubled past. But in the end, Saban never "let the inmates run the insylum". Saban's discipline may come in several forms. It could be to release the player or it could be a list of things the player will have to do to get back into good graces. Furthermore, he has been known to demote a player to a scout team player and have him earn his way back to starting (after meeting specified mandates)
One thing you can count on, Saban's discipline was never a slap on the wrist. You may see some coach suspend a player from starting the game, but the player ends up getting his usual minutes anyway. Saban would not hesitate to suspend a star player for, as an example, 1, 2, 3 games or more depending on the offense.
With the return of Ricky Williams, I have no doubt that Saban has given Ricky a list of things he needs to do or his butt will be gone. Saban may be a lot of things, but he has never let the discipline of a team get away from him. He will give people a chance or 2, and that's it.
