2008 OUTLOOK: Alabama returns the core of what should be a solid offense but has a lot of work to do to fill all the holes on defense. More than anything, the Crimson Tide must continue to build numbers and depth and will need immediate help from a highly regarded recruiting class.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
QB John Parker Wilson is a senior but still has a lot to prove and the Tide is rebuilding at receiver. On the plus side, the line is improving, the running game should be productive and the Tide seemed to find a better sense of direction under new coordinator Jim McElwain.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
The Tide lost some key players from last year's defense and will need big seasons out of their returning players, especially FS Rashad Johnson, DE Bobby Greenwood and ILB Rolando McClain. There are plenty of spots here for young players to earn playing time.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
Return specialist Javier Arenas is as dangerous as they come in the SEC and Leigh Tiffin proved to be a solid kicker last season, but punter P.J. Fitzgerald remains a source of consternation for the Tide.

ROSTER REPORT

--LB Jimmy Johns was suspended from the team after investigators charged him with selling cocaine. He has also been suspended from the university.

Johns, 21, allegedly sold powdered cocaine to undercover officers several times according to the Tuscaloosa News.

Johns had been selling cocaine to UA students according to the West Alabama Narcotics Task Force. During the course of the investigation, which encompassed a week and a half, undercover officers purchased drugs from him five times, he said. He described Johns' alleged operation as "pretty wide open."

--Senior Ezekial Knight would be a returning starter but his status is very much up in the air after his second heart-related hospitalization.

--Junior Prince Hall has seen significant playing time as a starter the past two seasons but he's also experienced his share of off-field problems. He did not participate in the spring due to a suspension and is no guarantee to his return. "It's undetermined," coach Nick Saban said of Hall's status. "It's kind of a family thing that we're not going to discuss in public. But behavioral issues are usually based on behavioral issues so ... behavior has something to do with it."

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