Alabama runners do extra

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. -- With a healthy stable of versatile running backs available this season, Alabama coach Nick Saban said Wednesday he plans to use them in multiple roles.

Roy Upchurch and Terry Grant proved their value with strong special-teams play last season, and the coach hopes to use running backs in similar ways this season.

Speaking from his NFL experience with the Cleveland Browns under Bill Belichick, Saban said, "A third-down back, which may be your third back, has to be able to contribute on special teams. Otherwise with a 47-man roster you don't have enough guys to play on special teams. In college you have more players -- you can take more players -- but there are still some positions that are better suited, body-type and athletic-ability wise, to play on special teams, and running back would be one of those."

When Alabama travels to Atlanta for its season opener with Virginia Tech, Saban said he'd like to bring "three good, functional backs."

Returning running backs Upchurch, Grant and Mark Ingram were joined by highly recruited freshmen Trent Richardson and Eddie Lacy as practice began Thursday.

Grayshirt probables

The three freshmen expected to grayshirt this fall are Anthony Orr, Petey Smith and Darius McKeller.

There was some confusion following Saban's Wednesday news conference in which he said three freshmen would grayshirt, but four signees were absent from the 105-man roster. Kellen Williams was the other newcomer missing, but he is expected to join the team when classes start Aug. 19.

Players didn't go far

Thursday's practice was the first official workout of the preseason, but Alabama players had little time to kick up their feet following spring practice. Most of them stuck around Tuscaloosa to take summer classes and participate in voluntary workouts that ended last week.

"Coach Saban knows what it takes," senior wide receiver Mike McCoy said. "Everybody has to buy into his system, and we all have."

Arenas not envious

Linebacker Rolando McClain joked at SEC media days that Javier Arenas should have been the one representing the Crimson Tide defense in Hoover.

When asked Thursday if he was disappointed when McClain got the nod, Arenas laughed.

"I wasn't disappointed at all," he said, "because I probably would have said something (the university) wouldn't have liked. I would have slipped. I know I would have."