Alabama coach Nick Saban discussed on Wednesday his philosophy regarding discipline for his players and, specifically, the arrest of star left tackle Cam Robinson. Robinson was arrested Tuesday morning for felony possession of a stolen firearm and misdemeanor possession of a controlled dangerous substance, as well as a charge of illegally carrying a weapon in the presence of narcotics.
While attending the Regions Tradition Pro-Am golf tournament on Wednesday, Saban said the school remains in the fact-gathering stage.
"What everybody has to ask, like you would with your own children, is the guy better off with us, with the structure and direction he's going to get, and the opportunities he can take advantage of and be someone other people can emulate with his leadership, or are we better off throwing him out with the bath water?" Saban said on the Paul Finebaum Show.
Crimson Tide reserve safety Laurence "Hootie" Jones was arrested along with Robinson in Monroe, La., after a police officer approached their vehicle, smelled marijuana and noticed a handgun in Jones' lap, according to the police report. A second gun was found in the vehicle that was determined to be reported stolen from Baldwin County, Ala.
NFL Media senior analyst Gil Brandt illustrated just how highly Robinson, a junior this fall, is regarded as a prospect.
If the charge results in a conviction, Robinson could fall under the NFL's new policy regarding prospect participation in the annual NFL Scouting Combine, as noted by NFL Media analyst Bucky Brooks. Per the policy, prospects will not be allowed to participate if a background check shows misdemeanor or felony convictions involving violence or use of a weapon, domestic violence, sexual offense and/or sexual assault. The policy went into effect for the 2016 combine.
"One thing I always tell players: three bad things. Nothing good happens after midnight, nothing good happens when you're around guns unless you're going hunting, and you don't want to mess around with women you don't know, because a lot of times bad things happen," Saban said. "In this case, a couple of those things were violated and I think it's going to be a learning experience for everybody on our team."
Robinson has been a starter at left tackle for the Crimson Tide since his freshman season in 2014.
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