Rumors have been swirling around TV stations, newspapers and Internet message boards over the status of certain Alabama football players for the Cotton Bowl and spring practice.

Among the trio of suspected academic violators reported by a Birmingham television station are wide receiver DJ Hall and cornerback Simeon Castille.

When questioned of his player’s status, Shula told reporters he did not plan to comment on academic status until grades were finalized.

Published reports noted Hall dismissed rumors of being academically ineligible for the Jan. 2 bowl game for the Crimson Tide.

No word on Castille’s status for Alabama’s second-straight bowl game has leaked, which has left Crimson Tide fans uneasy.

These supposed rumors got me to thinking about what if Alabama lost two of its key players for the bowl game and more importantly, spring practice.

First off, for the bowl, I think the loss of Castille would be much greater than the loss of Hall.

With Texas Tech’s wide-open offense, the Crimson Tide’s defense would take a major hit without its third cornerback and top athlete.

The Raiders like to spread as many as five wide receivers on the field at any given time. Defensive backs Ramzee Robinson and Anthony Madison have been great this season, but the Tide doesn’t have much depth behind the aforementioned duo.

Hall’s absence wouldn’t be much easier to fill, as he is the only wide out to perform at a Southeastern Conference level since Tyrone Prothro went down with a season-ending injury against Florida.

If Hall doesn’t play, Matt Caddell, Keith Brown and Ezekiel Knight must step up and keep pressure off Brodie Croyle and Kenneth Darby.

While missing a bowl game won’t be the end of the world, missing an entire spring of practice may be catastrophic.

Alabama loses both safeties, Roman Harper and Charlie Peprah, along with steady cornerback Madison.

Crimson Tide coaches expected Castille and Robinson to provide shutdown ability at their positions while breaking in new safeties in spring and fall practice.

But if Castille must sit out, his on-field leadership and on-field maturity will be greatly missed.

While only being a part-time starter this season, Castille proved to be the best athlete in the secondary. Missing months of live competition will not help his growth into a future star like many expect.

Hall’s absence in the spring, coupled with the loss of Prothro indefinitely, leaves the cupboard of productive wide receivers bare.

Coming out of McAdory High School, Caddell was considered a potential game-breaker, but has failed to live up to the accomplishments of fellow classmen Chad Jackson of Florida and Jayson Swain of Tennessee.

Brown has shown glimpses of becoming a solid-deep threat, but poor route running, injury problems and the occasional drop has limited Croyle’s confidence in the sophomore.

Without Prothro, Hall was going to be the leader of the wide receivers in the spring. Only entering his junior season, Hall needed an offseason as the No. 1 guy for the Crimson Tide.

But now his development could be limited with the possibility of academic ineligibility.

Now these are all rumors. Shula has proved in the past (John Parker Wilson’s DUI) that he doesn’t announce discipline problems.

So until the Crimson Tide takes the field in just over week, Alabama fans will be kept guessing.

I just wanted to give the Alabama fans a heads up and Auburn fans some new ammunition to fire at Crimson Tide fans.

Like whipping Alabama for the last four seasons isn’t.