The latest player in that disturbing trend is offensive tackle Cyrus Kouanjio. He was sent home from the combine after it was rumored he had a significant knee injury. These reports have since been refuted by Kouanjio and his people but again, here is another Alabama player and another injury.

We all know that Nick Saban is currently in the news citing that something needs to be done about uptempo offenses and player safety. Saban has proposed a 10 second freeze period to the NCAA to allow defensive players to safely get on the field and get set. That’s a great proposal in theory, however should there also be a spotlight on Saban and what goes on inside of his program? Why are all these Alabama players constantly entering the draft injured?

Here is how my source broke it down:

The front offices were starting to whisper about how broken the Alabama players are when they get to the NFL. Trent Richardson, RT DJ Fluker, G/C Brad Jones, CB Dee Millner all had surgeries before their rookie seasons. Now Cyrus is all broke down…Saban works those kids down.

What do you think?

Anyways, Barron has sufered a little setback with a recent injury. Mark will undergo hernia surgery and will re-evaluate working out for the scouts at his March 7th Pro Day.

Todd McShay tweeted,

“I’m told M. Ingram ran best 40-time (on one stopwatch) of 4.43. Big jump from combine best 4.62. Doesn’t matter much either way. He’s a stud”

Mel’s top 5 Quarterback list was the following:

1. Blaine Gabbert
2. Cam Newton
3. Ryan Mallet
4. Jake Locker
5. Andy Dalton

McShay ‘s list moved Cam down and elevated Jake Locker:

1. Blaine Gabbert
2. Jake Locker
3. Cam Newton
4. Ryan Mallet
5. Andy Dalton

Kiper even went on to say that in 5 years we will look back and see the best physical talent in the draft was Cam Newton.  No arguements there, it could defnitely happen but we know how foolish Mel has been in the past saying things like Jamarcus Russell is the next John Eway….

Mel also said his red fag was on Ryan Mallet.  Not because of the rumors you can read on forums, but because Mallet couldn’t lead his team from behind in big games. Fair, fair, I can definitely see that.

However I tend to lean a little closer to Todd McShay’s analysis.  He said that Blaine Gabbert’s accuracy would make him the best talent out the bunch in 5 years.  Though I am not sold on Gabbert at all, I have to strongly agree with Todd’s take that Cam Newton is the biggest red flag because he comes from a system that’s hard to translate into the pros and there may be maturity issues to boot.

Andy Dalton was the consensus “under the radar” pick and compared to Jake Plummer.

The NFL Draft will air on ESPN April 28, 2011.

Alabama is going to feel the losses of these players in a big way.  Ingram is their heart and soul on offense, and quietly had a very nice season though it was not as electric as his Heisman winning season in 2009.  Don’t feel sorry for Nick Saban though, he still has Trent Richardson to work with.

Julio Jones is one of the most physically gifted receivers in the draft, drawing comparisons to Randy Moss because of his long arms and leaping ability.  Though Jones has been often hurt in college, a NFL team is going to look to select him some time on day one.

Marcel Dareus comes in as one of the top 4-3 defensive tackles or 3-4 defensive ends in the draft.  Due to his versatility he will be a top 10 selection without a doubt.

Marcel Dareus has been ruled ineligible for the first two games of Alabama’s season. Darues allegedly went to a party in Miami, and his travel expenses were paid for by some sort of an agent or benefactor. Several North Carolina players are also hooked up in this scandal as well.

All this drama for going to Miami? You would think these guys were on King James status.

According to ESPN, the school will appeal the suspension.

We will see what happens.