Ken Rogers
07/24 at 01:28 AM

HOOVER — He started every game as a junior linebacker for Alabama a year ago.

He was third on the team with 66 tackles.

And Brandon Fanney won’t be back this fall. He is going to transfer. Fanney’s departure, along with linebacker Charlie Kirschman, defensive back Alonzo Lawrence and center Evan Cardwell, were confirmed by the school Wednesday.

Call it the drive for 85 — the 85-scholarship limit.

“I don’t know how these things get out,” Crimson Tide coach Nick Saban said Thursday at SEC Media Days. “But I only address these things when we start fall camp.”

Saban did not disclose names, but did note that a decision to leave the program is a player’s. He also noted that a number of factors go into that decision.

“We have a demanding program,” he said. “When I say ‘demanding program,’ I’m not talking (only) about football.”

Personal development requirements, academics and lack of playing time contribute to the attrition, Saban said.

“None of these players are leaving because of the kind of football players they are from our standpoint,” he said. “There may be some player who leaves because they’re disappointed and don’t think or don’t have the confidence that they can play.

“So if we have attrition for any of those areas, and I tell the player, I don’t want you to leave, you’re a good person in the program, you’re a good student. You may be a backup player, but you have to be satisfied with your role on the team because we don’t want a player that’s disgruntled or negative in terms of our team chemistry for selfish reasons because you’re unsatisfied with your role. If you don’t think you can achieve that here, I’m supportive in helping you go someplace else.”

Saban said Alabama is still waiting on academic eligibility on a couple players. There may be further shuffling between now and the start of camp.

“We have some players who will be grayshirted and know they will be grayshirted,” he said. “And we have some players who are contemplating what their future’s gonna be relative to the University of Alabama. And we have some players who are being suspended, whether it’s for behavior or academic reasons, and they won’t continue at our school.”

Saban out of body
The coach talked about several opportunities to do some unusual things this offseason.

“I don’t like to do stuff like this, but I did that movie thing on Friday and I started Talladega on Sunday,” he said. “Those two experiences were sort of out of body for me, both of them.”

Saban said he had two lines in two days working on the move, “Blind Side,” which is based on former Ole Miss tackle Michael Oher’s life.

“I really enjoyed the movie,” he said. “It’s not the takes that get you, it’s the (camera) angles. You know, I learned something. When I come in the door to do the recruiting spiel, there’s seven of us in the picture. You have to do seven takes because there has to be a wide angle, then there has to be a close-up on every person.”

Saban, who recruited Oher when he was LSU’s head coach, said he got to improvise his lines.

“The director was great,” he said. “I’d say, ‘I wouldn’t really say it that way.’ He said, ‘Say it however you want.’ That made it easier.”

The movie stars Sandra Bullock and Tim McGraw. It’s based on Oher, who was a homeless teenager taken in by Sean Touhy, a former Rebel basketball player.

“I wasn’t gonna do this,” Saban said. “(FedEx chairman) Fred Smith called me. Out of respect for the Touhy family and the player involved, who we recruited and liked ... I think it’s a wonderful story.”

But don’t look for the team to see it.

“Our team has already voted not to go see the movie,” Saban joked. “They don’t want to endorse anything like that, that I was involved in.”

OL is key
The coach did talk a little football Thursday. He stressed the importance of the offensive line’s development.

He knew questions about the passing game and new quarterback Greg McElroy were coming.

“Every question that you ask me about quarterback is gonna come right back to this group,” he said. “Quarterback is a difficult position to play if you don’t have good people around you — and it starts with the offensive line.

“I think how this group develops will affect, especially early in the season, how our offensive team functions.”

Saban said Mike Johnson, the unit’s most experienced player, will be counted on for leadership.

“He needs to be a leader who affects other people in this group so that our offensive line can develop,” the coach said.

Defense can’t rest
Saban said Alabama’s touted, experienced defense faces a big challenge.

“They can’t be satisfied,” he said. “You know, it’s kind of human nature that, when you’re satisfied and you’re ranked high in a lot of categories and all that, maybe you don’t challenge yourself as much. You get a little complacent; you get a little satisfied. That can’t happen. The leadership in our organization, from players and coaches alike, can’t allow that to happen, so that we continue to improve and play even better on defense.”

Freshman expectations
Saban said he’s going to give his incoming freshmen the same advice he gave Julio Jones last year.

“They need to focus on the things they need to do to become complete players at their position,” he said. “If they learn to do that, then they’ll be able to channel their abilities into something that will effectively help the offensive team. If they can do that and show the maturity to do that, then that will enhance their opportunities to play.

“We do have some guys that probably could do that. We do have some need on our team and some areas that players may have an opportunity if they can show an ability to do that.”

He didn’t name names, but touted running back Trent Richardson could be one. Tackle D.J. Fluker has impressed veteran lineman Mike Johnson in summer drills.

“The kid’s a freak athlete,” Johnson said. “He probably outweighs (me) by 70 pounds and moves just as well. The biggest thing is he’s willing to work to learn what he needs to do to be a better player and make us a better team.”

Lobby crush
Saban squeezed through the typically crowded lobby at The Wynfrey. Asked if that gets old, the coach shook his head.

“Well, you know, my daddy always said, you only have a problem if no one’s asking for your autograph. So, you know, when there’s not a stir downstairs? I got problems.”