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?

Lacy was injured last year but his coaches say that if they needed him on the practice (we talkin bout practice?!) field today, he could go.

On Wednesday, Alabama coach Nick Saban said as much for back Eddie Lacy, who missed all of spring practices because of surgery. In fact, Lacy would be ”cleared to practice if practice began today,” according to the head coach.

“Eddie Lacy has done extremely well over the summer,” Saban told reporters. “We continue to work hard to try to get the conditioning level of these players back to where they’ll be able to be prepared to have a full role on the team.”

Eddie Lacy is one of the top running back prospects in the 2012 NFL Draft. With a good season, he could be one of the first runners taken next spring.

Say what you will about players attitudes, but Trent Richardson is clearly one of the better characters in this draft. There is no question whatever team that gets him will get a hardworking, classy guy.

Peep the video above where Trent takes a cancer survivor to the Senior prom. He didn’t have to do this but did it anyways. What a nice guy.

Just please don’t double up and wear the pink suit at the draft too!

As you know by now, the first day of the NFL combine concluded today.  One could say it was pretty uneventful, if it was not for the news that a certain running back from Alabama had knee surgery.

Here are some of the details:

Former Alabama running back Trent Richardson will not take part in on-field drills at the scouting combine later this week after undergoing minor knee surgery.

Richardson’s representatives sent a memo to all 32 teams informing them of the procedure, ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter reported Wednesday.

According to the memo, Richardson is expected to be able to participate in on-field activity by the end of March. Alabama’s pro day is slated for March 7.

More at ESPN.

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.

Upshaw has been down at the Senior Bowl this week, where he has been making a transition to defensive end from his linebacker spot.

On Upshaw, McShay said that he “showed power as both a run defender and pass-rusher. Upshaw is not an elite speedster, but he used leverage well and consistently won with quickness and power during one-on-one pass-rush drills.”

ESPN

Dave commented on the latest draft that “NO WAY Richardson fall to 17.” I had no choice but to disagree. There is a very good chance that you could see Trent Richardson fall a bit even though he is a top talent in the draft.

I want to talk about the falling value of running backs. Especially “can’t miss” first round talents like Trent Richardson. There are two main reasons why I don’t see the value of selecting a runner in the top 10 picks of the first round of the NFL Draft. And this is taking nothing away from Trent, because he is an awesome talent no doubt.

The first thing is the one you always hear about. The pounding that players take at that position is like NONE other in the league. The thing with running backs, is that even if a runner is an All-Pro ANY carry could be the end of his run. Take a look at Adrian Peterson. He went down with one of the most horrific knee injuries I’ve seen in a while. And guess how much money the Vikings have invested in him? A cold $100 million over the next 7 years. Sure there is the chance he comes back.. but what if he becomes a Terrell Davis who NEVER fully recovers? It’s such a gamble.

Guys like Chris Johnson and De’Angelo Williams didn’t even officially go down with injuries but their production at the position dropped like a rock after signing guaranteed $30 million dollar deals. I believe it was Robert Littal who first tweeted “We may have seen the end of the guaranteed $30 million running back days.” I tend to agree with that sentiment.

Do you really think the Bears are trying to break Matt Forte off a guaranteed $30 million after his knee injury? There is a reason he’s already announced that he is playing in the Pro Bowl.

The second reason behind me not seeing Trent Richardson and running backs in the future going in the top 10 anymore is because of the fact that lower round running backs are consistently out producing their 1st round counterparts.

Fred Jackson went undrafted in 2003 and has amassed 3,794 professional rushing yards in five years. He is one of the few running backs from that draft class that are even still playing.

To further make my point, all I have to do is remind you Knowshon Moreno was drafted 12th overall in 2009 (1,906 career yards, 12 touhdowns), and Arian Foster (3,097 career yards, 29 touchdowns) went undrafted the same year. When you throw in the fact that the most successful teams in the league aren’t even running the ball anymore, it spells a bleak picture for the future of drafting “franchise” running backs.

Do I think the days of the first round runner are over? Of course not. There is a place to add an explosive scoring threat to any team in the lower part of the first round and all throughout the second and third rounds. But I think the days of drafting a “cant miss” running back over a pass rush specialist like an Aldon Smith or Von Miller are gone. Teams have to invest their money where it is best used. Drafting a guy who can bring you consistent defensive pressure and double-digit sacks is more important in today’s NFL than a guy who can get you 1,000 yards and 8 touchdowns.

It’s just the way things are. The game is shifting away from running backs, and the few that do get the carries and big money are at an extremely high “risk of injury to guaranteed money” rate. Teams like the Patriots and Packers are leading the way in stocking their teams with late round running backs and no longer drafting Lawrence Maroney’s in the first round.

I believe we see a continued trend away from the big money backs.

Last night the game was decided by who could get across the 50 yard line more and attempt more field goals. Ultimately, that ended up being the Tide who prevailed after having an early kick blocked and missing another. Despite the pretty good play from LSU’s defense their offense just could not manage yards. Courtney Upshaw and Donta Hightower proved why they are two of the most coveted defenders in the 2012 NFL Draft. There was no where for LSU to run, and there was no where to go deep with the football.

Oddly Jordan Jefferson still finished a respectable 11-17 but only managed 53 yards. People were clamoring for Jarrett Lee but after seeing his very “Tebow like” stat line (below 50% passing and 1 td to 7 ints) I don’t think Coach Miles really had a chance either way.

Coach Nick Saban is one of the best recruiters in the nation, and that was very apparent last night. His defense is stocked with NFL talent on all three levels, and his running back is probably the best in the nation at the position right now. With two out of three titles in three years the discussion for “best coach in America” might can start and end at Alabama.

News and Notes:

• Robert Griffin III is reportedly going pro
• Peter Knoz is going pro
• Knile Davis will return to Arkansas for a Senior Season
• Auburn RB Michael Dyer will transfer to Arkansas State

At Baylor, Tannehill and his A&M Squad pretty much ended the Heisman campaign of Robert Griffin III. Tannehill is a prospect who I have placed in the first round of my 2012 mock draft in the past, and though I still think Griffin’s personality will give him the nod over Ryan I think Ryan will end up making some team very happy in round two. I said it before and I’ll say it again. There are going to be multiple starting Quarterbacks taken beyond the first round in the 2012 NFL Draft.

Trent Richardson is undoubtedly going to be the #1 runningback taken this Spring. His four touchdown contest versus Ole Miss was part of a Alabama blow out win. Richardson is going to move up in the Heisman Race without a doubt.

Check out Trent Richardsons 76 Yard Run (Video) Below:

All that is fine and dandy, but from a NFL Draft point of view who should we be watching?

First on the offensive side, look for Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson. There are whispers in the draft community that Richardson will be the better pro back.  I am unsure about all of that, but I am sure that whatever happens tomorrow will boost the stock of one or both of these players.  I expect them to combine for at least 170 yards tomorrow.

Julio Jones is another prospect that many cannot agree on.  Some people look at him and think “Randy Moss” and others see a talented kid who hasn’t dominated yet the way he should week in and week out.

Maurkice Pouncey’s brother Mike Pouncey on the Florida side is going to be one to watch as well.  Can he dominate like his brother did and boost his stock to the first round? Time will tell.

And finally on the defensive side you have to look out for Donta Hightower.  After playing last year next to Rolondo McClain this is his year to shine in the big game.  I expect to hear his name called a lot by the announcers.

Florida and Alabama look to have another great game in this series Saturday.