FanNation

Just a few links to alleviate the boredom of the MLB-only sports doldrums...

The Birmingham News has provided outstanding coverage of the arrest of now-former Alabama linebacker Jimmy Johns. Bama beat writer Ian Rapoport was first to report the gory details of Johns' arrest Tuesday on coke-dealing charges, and columnist Kevin Scarbinsky followed with the revelation that Johns sold pit bulls through his own Web site, which has since disappeared from the Interweb. Let it be noted that breeding and selling pit bulls is perfectly legal, but it carries a pretty negative connotation. Also, Johns' use of a picture of himself in a Bama jersey to advertise his entrepreneurial endeavor violates an NCAA rule.

Lost in the hullabaloo over the arrest was this story that appeared in Tuesday's edition of the Riverside (Calif.) Press-Enterprise. In his first interview since he was indefinitely suspended by Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban, junior linebacker Prince Hall explained that he is trying to get back into Saban's good graces. No matter what sort of behavior led to Hall's suspension for unspecified violations of team policy, Saban - who hinted last week that Hall would return to the team after missing two or three games to start the season - must think Hall is an Eagle Scout in comparison to Johns.

When I visited Tuscaloosa back in April, the general feeling was that Hall, who was outstanding as a freshman in 2006, would have a ton of work to do to make it back on the field. It appears Hall has responded properly, and that's a good thing for Bama. In strict football terms, a Hall-for-Johns swap benefits the Tide.

Of course, since Hall is apparently in and Johns is definitely out, this does little to alleviate Alabama's scholarship crunch. The NCAA only allows 85 players on scholarship at a time. At last count, Bama had 63 returning scholarship players and 28 incoming players - 27 if receiver Destin Hood signs with the Washington Nationals. Saban has said that some players may not qualify, and some may have to delay enrollment until January, but the coach remains confident the numbers will work themselves out.

...In other news, Florida quarterback Tim Tebow is less popular than orgies among Pensacola-area Google users.

...And score a win for the Mountaineers in the ongoing WVU vs. Rich Rodriguez drama.

...Finally, The Wizard of Odds continues his examination of the nation's finest stadium-adjacent drinking establishments. Today: South Bend's The Linebacker Inn. (My take? Skip The Linebacker and inhale a burger and fries at C.J.'s Pub.)