ALABAMA NOTEBOOK: Motley makes smooth transition

TUSCALOOSA | The injury bug has bitten the University of Alabama football team pretty hard over the past couple of seasons, but none harder than Brian Motley.

Last year the redshirt sophomore from Autaugaville had earned the starting nose tackle spot going into the season opener against Western Carolina until he suffered a broken ankle that kept him out of the first four games of the season. In addition, he had a wrist injury that required surgery prior to the broken ankle.

As Motley puts it, he has already been through a lifetime of injuries.

“I’m done with injuries for the rest of my career,” Motley said. “I don’t want anymore of those. I don’t worry about it anymore. You just have to go out and play hard.”

While the new year has brought about a new attitude for Motley, it has also brought with it a new position. Motley was working at center with the second-team offense in both parts of today’s practice, a position he has been in since the outset of fall camp.

“I’m pretty comfortable with it now that I’ve been over there a couple of days,” Motley said. “I’m learning the offense and the techniques and stuff. Coach (Joe) Pendry is a great coach working with me.”

Motley also has the added benefit of being roommates with offensive linemen Antoine Caldwell, Marlon Davis and Andre Smith, something that helps him continue his learning curve away from the field as well.

“They help me out,” Motley said. “Antoine’s a really big help. He’s probably the best center in the country. I’m just trying to follow in his footsteps and learn everything that he teaches me.”

Caldwell: The writer

In addition to his duties as offensive lineman and team co-captain, Caldwell is one of 22 players from around the nation writing a weekly column for Sporting News Today.

The column, which debuted last week, will feature everything from each week’s upcoming game to life as a student-athlete.

“It’s going good,” Caldwell said. “It took five, ten minutes last week. Everything’s going smooth.”

Caldwell, who was interviewed over the phone for the first story, said the next one was going to be a little different, but like any good journalist worth his weight he didn’t reveal too much.

“I don’t really know (what I’m going to write about), Caldwell said. “I ain’t got a sneak peek yet.”

According to Caldwell, Saban had no problem with the idea of the All-SEC center writing for Sporting News Today.

“He was just like, ‘Go for it,’ pretty much,” Caldwell said. “He was like, ‘Do what you need to do.’ He knows I’m not going to put any bad karma on the team so I think he felt pretty comfortable about it. He gave his blessings with it, said, ‘Have fun and do what you gotta do,’ and that’s what I’ve been doing.”

Caldwell earned his degree in human environmental sciences, completing his undergraduate work in three-and-a-half years. Currently, he is working on a graduate degree in financial planning.

Tide bits

Freshman wide receiver Julio Jones participated in run-throughs with the first-team offense, while junior linebacker Eryk Anders was with the first-team defense at the SAM linebacking position during run-throughs and drills at both practices.

Freshman tight end Brad Smelley was the only UA player in a black, no-contact jersey for injury reasons. Smelley participated in stretching drills with the team, then rode an exercise bike for during each of the 30-minute media viewing sessions.

Junior fullback Baron Huber (concussion) was in white for the first time in three days, participating in drills with the running backs unit.