ALABAMA NOTEBOOK: LT Smith listed as day-to-day

TUSCALOOSA — Preseason all-SEC left tackle Andre Smith is day-to-day after leaving Saturday’s season opener with a sprained right knee in the third quarter.

The adjustment Alabama made in the Clemson game remains in place. Left guard Mike Johnson is working at left tackle and David Ross is starting at left guard.

“That was the plan going into the game,” Tide head coach Nick Saban said Monday. “David Ross would be the first guy to go in as an inside player and he did very well.”

Smith, dressed in a black (no-contact) No. 71 jersey, rode a stationary bicycle during the early part of Monday’s practice.

Johnson rose to the occasion as part of an offensive unit that dominated Clemson.

“Mike played an outstanding game — probably the best game Mike Johnson has played since we have been here,” Saban said. “He has played a lot of good football for us. He was a little more hesitant when he was playing tackle ... but we were not disappointed in the job that he did. We were still able to move the ball and I am sure with a week to prepare he would be able to play the position a lot better.”

His teammates are confident he — and Ross — can do the job.

“I’m fine with it,” senior center Antoine Caldwell said when asked what happens of Smith can’t play Saturday. “(Ross) played the whole second half and we still were grinding just like we were in the first. Guys understand their role. ... This is going to be another opportunity for somebody to step up.”

Johnson said his mindset doesn’t change with his move outside.

“Anytime a guy like that goes down, everybody needs to step their game up to make up for it,” the junior said. “I’ll go in there and try to do the same things I do at guard — dominate your opponent, push the ball down the field.”

WR Alexander hobbled
Smith was joined on the bike by wide receiver Earl Alexander, a former Central-Phenix City standout, who has a sprained ankle and is also day-to-day.

“That has been kind of a chronic thing that flared up again in the game,” Saban said. “He is going to be in a boot for several days and it is undetermined right now whether he will be able to play in this game or not.”

Saban said other than normal soreness, everyone else is expected to be fine for Saturday’s home opener against Tulane.

Players of the Week recognized
It wasn’t easy identifying the players of the game because there were so many candidates, Saban said.

Offensively, senior quarterback John Parker Wilson and running backs Glen Coffee and Mark Ingram were recognized.

“If you had to ask any of these guys they would say the entire team did a fantastic job so they could operate and accomplish what they accomplished,” Saban said.

Linebacker Rolando McClain and cornerback Marquis Johnson were the defensive top players. Leigh Tiffin earned the special teams honor — and not just for the 54-yard field goal he made early in the game.

“His kickoffs were improved, his placement was good and other than missing one of the long field goals he was pretty effective kicking the field goals so we thought he did an outstanding job,” Saban said.