Alabama Crimson Tide

Alabama offensive lineman Alphonse Taylor arrested on DUI charge

Published Nov. 15, 2016 3:51 p.m. ET

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A rough offseason for the defending national champs continued for Alabama this weekend when offensive guard Alphonse Taylor was arrested Sunday and charged with driving under the influence, according to the Tuscaloosa County Sheriff's Office.

Taylor was the Tide's starting right guard last season and was named preseason second-team All-SEC Friday, although he had been demoted in the spring while the 6-5, 345-pounder dealt with weight issues. His arrest comes just a few days after coach Nick Saban announced that Cam Robinson, the team's best offensive lineman, would not miss any playing time if he satisfied all of the internal requirements the Alabama program had set up for him after the player had been arrested along with reserve defensive back Hootie Jones in March.

The 6-6, 329-pound junior was arrested in May, on charges that included a felony charge for possession of a stolen firearm. The charges were later dropped for insufficient evidence. When pressed Wednesday at SEC Media Days last week on the manner of his punishments, Saban took issue with the notion that in order to discipline players who have gotten in trouble, they must miss game action. "To think that is the only way to help players is by suspending them for games is a punitive attitude that may not be correct," Saban said.

Last year, Alabama starting safety Geno Smith got his second DUI and had to satisfy internal discipline, but did not miss any playing time, starting the team's opening game at free safety against Wisconsin.

Earlier this offseason, the Tide also dealt with the departure of defensive line coach Bo Davis, a long-time Saban staffer, after the assistant reportedly had committed recruiting violations. Davis had worked for Saban at LSU, with the Miami Dolphins and in two separate stints with the Crimson Tide.

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