[Tuck4Bama]

Some leftover tidbits that didn't make it into the paper this week.....

You know that Patriots coach Bill Belichick is a coaching mentor for Nick Saban. Saban was his defensive coordinator with the Cleveland Browns back in the early to mid-90s and Belichick wrote the foreword in Saban's blueprint for success book.

So with Belichick in hot water for the Patriots doing a little espionage on the New York Jets, Saban took the opportunity to, not surprisingly, back his former boss.

"Bill's a good friend of mine," Saban said following Wednesday's practice. "I have a tremendous amount of respect for him. I don't know exactly what happened in this circumstance. But I have every respect that Bill is a great competitor and he's always been an advocate of fairness in the game. He's going to push the envelope and help his team win. But I've never known him to do something that was not ethical, not when I coached with him."

Saban also gave a somewhat less-than-ringing endorsement for senior receiver Keith Brown, who was suspended for the opener and barely played against Vanderbilt.

Saban on Belichick, Keith Brown, etc.... - Crimson Chatter - al.com

[Stoney]

Hey Simple did you read this? Now you have a reason to root for Alabama!