Stabler Officially Out At Bama

Ian Rapoport of the Birmingham News shares a secret that's not really a secret...

Ken "Snake" Stabler ((pictured, thanks al.com)) is officially out as the color analyst for Alabama football. It looks like, when Phil Savage was hired to do the A-Day game, that was the last thought for the change...

When Ken Stabler took a leave of absence from Alabama's radio broadcast booth before last season following an arrest for a DUI, it was one sign this was coming. When he declined to say he would return at the Sugar Bowl, it was another sign.

And the release from Bama is below:

TUSCALOOSA -- Crimson Tide Sports Network General Manager Jim Carabin and University of Alabama Director of Athletics Mal Moore announced today that former Crimson Tide quarterback Ken Stabler will not return to his former position as a color analyst on CTSM's radio broadcasts of Alabama football.

Gentry Estes from the Mobile Press-Register adds:

Former Alabama radio color analyst Ken Stabler won't be back on the air this season.

Stabler, the former Crimson Tide and NFL quarterback, announced his permanent departure today, saying in a statement, "I will continue to support UA in any way possible and wish only the best to the entire Alabama family."


He served 10 years on the UA radio team before stepping down last summer in the wake of a highly publicized arrest on a charge of driving under the influence. Stabler was ultimately acquitted of the charge.


Sources close to Stabler said he originally planned to return to the booth, but he eventually opted against it. UA athletics director Mal Moore said Stabler "has decided to pursue other opportunities."


"I appreciate Kenny's contributions to our program over the years and I look forward to that relationship continuing in the future," Moore said. "Kenny's an important part of our history and his involvement as part of our announce team over the years was tremendous."

Crimson Tide Sports Network general manager Jim Carabin said he hopes to decide on Stabler's replacement "very soon." The obvious lead candidate is former Cleveland Browns GM Phil Savage, who will call Saturday's A-Day Game and has indicated his interest in serving as Alabama's color analyst in the fall.

Sunday Carousel- Tackle Football Edition

Stop One: Cleveland

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer lets us know that the futures of Browns GM Phil Savage ((pictured, thanks plaindealer.com)) and Head Coach Romeo Crennel are most likely done in Cleveland.
"The only way anything would happen tonight is if one of them forced the issue, a source said.

The Browns don't expect to hear anything from Crennel until he meets with Browns owner Randy Lerner, possibly on Monday. They are not certain if Savage will wait for a sit-down with Lerner to learn of his fate."

Crennel could be asked to stay on in some other capacity in the Browns front office. Savage, most likely, will be blown out unless he accepts a role where he would not have any final say on the 53-man roster.

Chris Mortensen, over at the four-letter, maintains Savage was fired over the phone by owner Randy Lerner already. Jay Glazer, over at Fox, says they're both gone.

The Plain Dealer's Tony Grossi has the line-up for Randy Lerner this week as follows...

Coach: Bill Cowher, Buffalo's Perry Fewell, Washington's Greg Blache, the Giants' Steve Spagnuolo
GM: Scott Pioli

Stop Two: San Francisco

Looks like Mike Singletary will get to keep his pants on for another few years.
We'll stick with Glazer again here...
Looks like a possible five-year deal for Samurai Mike. Mike Martz looks like he's out and Scott Linehan may be in.

Stop Three: Saint Louis

Is Jim Haslett the man or not...? The Rams players apparently drafted a letter for the front office maintaining their desire to have Haslett be the new head man.

Jim Thomas of the St. Louis Post-Dispatch writes owner Chip Rosenbloom may have the letter in his hands sometime soon...

Thomas caught up with an anonymous veteran Ram about the whole thing...

"When asked if he thought the petition would do any good, the veteran player replied: "No. It's out of our hands. They don't pay us to make decisions on head coaches. But it's good for (Haslett) to know that we've got his back. All 53 players may not agree with it, but I think the vast majority wants this to happen."

Expect more fallout once the regular season craps out once and for all...

"Soldier" Winslow Suspended

((HT: Brother Martin))

Cleveland Browns Tight End/Soldier Kellen Winslow, Junior ((pictured arms akimbo, thanks WOIO-TV)) has been suspended by the club for popping off in a post-game interview about his perceived lack of love from the front office after suffering a staph infection and spending a few nights in the hospital.

The club felt compelled not to disclose what Winslow's injury was, but Winslow did Sunday. He was none too happy about General Manager Phil Savage not giving vigil bedside while he was in recovery...

From the Browns themselves...

"The Cleveland Browns are committed to winning and taking care of our players. We are also committed to protecting the privacy of our players, particularly with regard to medical issues. To that end, following discussions with Kellen Winslow and his representation, the Browns agreed to make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of his recent medical condition.

"As an organization, we have worked hard to ensure the safety and well-being of our players. Consistent with this effort, we have consulted the team's medical experts to ensure that any instances of staph infections are evaluated and treated thoroughly and expeditiously, and in accordance with the recommended standard of care. Further, steps have been and continue to be taken on a daily, monthly, and yearly basis to protect our players and personnel at our training facility and stadium.

During training camp, the entire team took part in an extensive presentation by experts in the field of infectious diseases. It was an educational meeting that informed players of the issues, how to prevent and minimize the risks of infection, and what preventative measures we as an organization had employed to assure maximum safety for the team combined with a Q&A session for the players. Kellen was in attendance at that meeting. Since that meeting, not one player has approached me, Romeo Crennel, or our medical staff with concerns as to how we have dealt with this issue.

Kellen has expressed his desire to be a productive member of the Cleveland Browns. His comments and behavior on Sunday evening, however, were unwarranted, inappropriate, and unnecessarily disparaging to our organization. His statements brought unjustified negative attention to our organization, and violated the team-first concept of our football squad. Therefore, disciplinary action will be taken in the form of a one-game suspension without pay for conduct detrimental to the club.

Beginning Wednesday, the focus of the coaches and players will be on preparing for the upcoming game against the Jacksonville Jaguars."

Winslow is not allowed to participate in any of the Browns' reindeer games this week, but is eligible to return on Monday the 27th...

By the way, did you know Winslow was a soldier...?