Projected Bama starter ruled ineligible for 2010

Defensive back Robby Green (23) played in all 14 games, including the BCS Championship Game where, finishing the season with 33 tackles, an interception, and seven passes defended. In the title game, Green was the third-leading tackler for Alabama, with six stops. (Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images North America)

Any other team, any other season, this wouldn't be news for Penn State fans. But Alabama isn't just any other team, and Penn State's trip to Tuscaloosa doesn't come in another season. That's why I thought you should know that Crimson Tide safety Robby Green, the leading candidate for the starting job this fall, has been ruled ineligible by the NCAA for the entire 2010 season.

The true sophomore was one of 16 true freshmen to see action in 2008, playing in 12 games and making six tackles, mostly on special teams. In 2009, Green played in all 14 games, including the BCS Championship Game where, finishing the season with 33 tackles, an interception, and seven passes defended. In the title game, Green was the third-leading tackler for Alabama, with six stops.

Green will continue to practice with the team. Since he hasn't used his redshirt yet, that will happen for this season. He will have two years of eligibility remaining.

Ok, but 'Bama has like 10 more of him on the roster, right? Yes and no. Alabama has pulled in absurdly-good recruiting classes since Nick Saban took over. However, when you lose a player that was basically being groomed to take over a certain position, it can really gum up the works. Saban and his staff will have to do some shape-shifting of the defensive backfield, similar to what Penn State's done this spring. Or, they could just plug in an inexperienced backup and hope for the best.

Granted, the Crimson Tide backups would be starters for about 70 percent of the 120 FBS (I-A) teams. But you can't make up for the loss of Green's 39 career tackles coming into this spring. The kid caught a ton of attention at last season's A-Day Game (spring scrimmage), when he picked off three passes to go with 15 tackles.

With defense being the bigger question mark for Alabama this off-season, taking a hit like this isn't something the team or its fans want to see right now. This is a situation I'll keep an eye on for sure this spring and summer.

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