Crimson Red Sports

TUSCALOOSA | It's been about seven months since the weight of D.J. Fluker came down on Trent Richardson's foot, which ultimately required the University of Alabama running back to be outfitted with a protective boot he often wore following practices last season.

Richardson joked throughout last season about the play in the San Jose State game in which Fluker, the biggest player on the team at 335 pounds, accidentally stepped on Richardson while attempting to block downfield for him.

So when the now-bootless Richardson entered the media room Wednesday and spotted Fluker interviewing with reporters while wearing a protective boot himself, he couldn't help but smile about it.

"He did good today. He was out there today doing some stuff. You ain't slowing him down," Richardson said. "That's D.J. Fluker for you, a big old 300-and-whatever pounds he is, 6-7, running behind - if I get a break, he's still trying to go down the field with me."

As for Fluker's boot, he said it is only precautionary and was expected to shed it Thursday.

Fluker, Alabama's starting right tackle, said his weight is down to 335 pounds, and he'd like to get under 330. That still makes him the biggest player on the team for the moment, but the third-year sophomore is in far better condition than he was when he first arrived at Alabama in the fall of 2009.

http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1209471

Man I do believe that Fluker may wind up being even better than the LT that didn't get to play in the Sugar Bowl. RTR!