Like It Is

SEC coaches dread summertime pitfalls

In this Oct. 17, 2015, file photo, Alabama head coach Nick Saban, center, talks to his players during the first half of an NCAA college football game against Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay, File)

College coaches all over the country, especially in football and basketball, know they are entering the most dangerous time of the year.

Idle hands and all that stuff. From now until fall practices, players can wander into trouble without much effort.

Other than voluntary workouts, which are basically mandatory because if you miss a couple you get punished, coaches are limited to how much contact they can have with athletes.

Although this area hears mostly about news of arrests or problems at SEC schools, that doesn't mean other major programs aren't enduring the same issues.

A report in August showed the top 25 schools for arrests of football players during the five previous years, and 11 SEC schools made the list, with Florida the leader at 24. Auburn had the fewest on the list with 13, and Arkansas came in tied for 19th with 14.

Surprisingly, Alabama had 18.

The reason that seems high is Nick Saban is not known as a touchy-feely kind of guy. If Saban had chosen the life of a military man, his name probably would be alongside Gen. George Patton as leaders who believe in total discipline.

The Crimson Tide wasted little time making headlines for the wrong reasons in the 2016 offseason.

Last week, offensive left tackle Cam Robinson and defensive back Lawrence "Hootie" Jones were arrested in their hometown of Monroe, La., for possession of narcotics (marijuana). Robinson also was charged with a felony: possession of a stolen gun.

Robinson was released on $5,750 bond, Jones on $3,250.

Message boards lit up about possible scenarios, but everyone needs to remember: innocent until proven guilty. Attorneys have said they are confident all charges will be dropped.

Attorneys always say that.

Robinson, a five-star recruit, and Jones, a four-star recruit, were heavily recruited by LSU, as well as numerous other teams. They are natives of Louisiana and were arrested in Louisiana.

Not saying it will happen, but it is Louisiana, and they might be treated more like treacherous traitors than young guys who made a mistake. It may not help matters that Saban deserted the Tigers for an ill-fated job in the NFL.

Robinson started on the Crimson Tide's national championship team last season, and he already was being considered as one of the top picks in the 2017 NFL Draft.

Jones played quite a bit, although there hasn't been as much discussion about what happens to Alabama next season if they lose him. Robinson, a Parade All-American as a senior in high school, is getting all of that attention.

Saban, as common sense would dictate, has not commented about their futures. There is a due process he must respect.

"Obviously, we're a little disappointed that better choices and decisions weren't made here, but until we get the facts, we don't really have much else to say about it," Saban said during a radio interview.

The key words are "a little disappointed," which could mean time served by August and let's focus on football and the future.

The players, who were pulled over at 2:33 a.m. while on a three-week break from school, have a June 16 court date.

Tradition says they will plead not guilty. Their attorneys will say they are fighting to get the charges dropped, and if it is their first offense, expect probation.

That's the norm in these cases, and should be even for Louisiana kids playing for Alabama.

Sports on 05/25/2016