Tuesday, Aug. 25, 2009

Will the Tide employ the Wildcat offense?

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. ― There aren’t many news stories from Lafayette, La. that would grab the attention of Alabama fans.

That changed Monday.

The final sentence in a notebook story in the Lafayette Daily Advertiser about the University of Louisiana-Lafayette football revealed an interesting nugget as it relates to the Crimson Tide offense.

The sentence: “Defensive end Terrell Richardson said his younger brother, Alabama freshman running back Trent Richardson, is working at quarterback in the Crimson Tide's Wildcat formation.”

Alabama coach Nick Saban did not meet with reporters Monday and was not available to comment on the matter. But it would be quite a departure from the pro-style offense Saban’s teams have traditionally run. Richardson, widely considered the top running back among high school seniors in 2008, has received multiple compliments from Saban during August practices. The back left Saturday’s scrimmage with what the coach called a shoulder sprain after rushing eight times for 23 yards.

Returning Tuesday After getting two days away from the practice, Alabama will be back on the field Tuesday afternoon. The 3:30 p.m. workout at the Thomas-Drew Practice Fields will be the first since Saturday’s scrimmage in Bryant-Denny Stadium. The Tide will practice at the same time every day before Sunday’s final off-day before preparations begin for the Sept. 5 opener with Virginia Tech.