... but a few fifth-year seniors on this year's team. Even fewer are starters. The last members from that 2006 class are doing their farewell tour this year. They are the last of the players not handpicked by Nick Saban.

As an Alabama writer, I have studied the players for years, but as an Alabama fan first and foremost, those players who "stayed the course" before Saban's arrival will always be among my favorites.

These are players like so many already departed who bled Crimson and stayed the course when times were at their worst.

These were not the five-star people who chose to go somewhere without problems, these were the just good athletes who came and helped Alabama hold their dignity and turn the Tide back into a winning pr...

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