Article: Roll Tide! Saban restores pride in storied program

Mike Johnson still remembers his recruiting trip to Alabama, which came with a heavy emphasis on _ who else? _ the Bear.

He drove down Paul W. Bryant Drive. He walked around Bryant-Denny Stadium. He received a tour of the Bryant Museum, where they keep a replica of the late coach's office, all the championship trophies, the shiny rings _ even a crystal duplicate of the Bear's famous houndstooth hat, twirling under glass with an imposing sign that says, "Do No Touch."

"It's pretty cool," said Johnson, who was a Florida State fan growing up in the Panhandle but now plays offensive line for the Crimson Tide. "It's nice to be a part of that."

But ...