Crimson Red Sports

Spring football always nurtures 100 storylines, with competition at every position, some vacated and others manned by veterans looking to improve.

At the University of Alabama, which opens its spring drills Monday afternoon, things are no different. It will be the fifth spring practice for Nick Saban at UA - time flies, doesn't it? With both the offensive and defensive coordinators returning, continuity will be more conspicuous than change.

Still, there have been significant changes among positions coaches. More noticeable, though, are the absences of four key players who were critical in Alabama's 24-3 record over the past two seasons. And if you want a quick spring training synopsis, the most visible stories will come from the gradual replacement of those four players, a senior quarterback (Greg McElroy) and three juniors destined for the first round in next month's NFL draft (wide receiver Julio Jones, running back Mark Ingram and defensive end Marcel Dareus.)