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Alabama offensive lineman Brandon Hill (73) and Alabama offensive lineman Austin Shepherd (79) get instruction from Alabama offensive line coach Mario Cristobal during the Crimson Tide's 21st preseason football practice of the 2013 season, Wednesday, August 21, 2013, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

-- Just one week ago, Alabama coach

Nick Saban

called

Arie Kouandjio

the

behind his younger brother, Cyrus.

That still may very well be the case, but it took just one week to clarify that the best place for Kouandjio on Alabama's 2013 offensive line is next to his brother at left guard.

After three days of practice in which it was clear Kouandjio had moved back to left guard and junior

Austin Shepherd

had returned to right tackle, Saban confirmed Thursday the retreat to Alabama's original plan for its rebuilt offensive line coming into the preseason.

"At the end of the day, the players were more comfortable the way they were," Saban said. "They'd played quite a bit that way, the chemistry was a little bit better, the carryover in terms of repetitions that they had was probably a little bit better.

"I think for the kind of team that we are, that's probably the best way for us to go."

Saban didn't seem disappointed about the week spent with Kouandjio and Shepherd in spots on the offensive line different from where they'll likely be when Alabama opens the season against Virginia Tech. Rather, he focused on the positives that come with this sort of cross-training.

Both Shepherd and Kouandjio fall into a mix of players that can play multiple spots on the offensive line. This becomes incredibly valuable in the event of an injury, as it allows coaches to swap in the best possible offensive lineman rather than the best possible option at that particular position.

Senior

Kellen Williams

, who has been seen working behind Kouandjio at left guard, fits this mold as well.

"I have the utmost confidence that we’re a versatile offensive line. I think we always have been," Alabama center

Ryan Kelly

said. "It’s obviously important that we play different positions because that’s how offense is. Offensive line you can go down.

"To be able to move a guy from, say, right guard to center, or any position, to fill in, without losing the camaraderie and keep on going is very important."

In 2012, Alabama saw its starting five remain the same throughout the entire year. One season earlier, though, the Crimson Tide needed sixth man

Alfred McCullough

to fill in for right guard

Anthony Steen

, who missed a few games with a concussion, and

Barrett Jones

at left tackle.

That just might be Williams' role in 2013.

"I think Kellen has played almost every position here since he’s been here, and certainly that’s got my respect, because that’s not the easiest to play one position, let alone learn them all," Kelly said. "Kellen has obviously made a tremendous continuation to our rotation this fall."

At center, Kelly has worked closely with Kouandjio, Shepherd and Williams during their respective stays at left guard. He said the unit,

from Saban after the Crimson Tide's first two scrimmages, hasn't stalled in its ability to develop the required chemistry that successful offensive lines possess.

Alabama offensive lineman Arie Kouandjio (77) works through drills during the Crimson Tide's 14th preseason football practice of the 2013 season, Tuesday, August 13, 2013, at the Thomas-Drew Practice Facility in Tuscaloosa, Ala. (Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

He's just fine with whoever's next to him on the first play of the season.

"Comparing the first scrimmage to the second scrimmage, even to now, we’ve all just gotten even tighter," Kelly said. "There have been some rotations obviously. You know, I don’t see a difference. I feel comfortable playing (with) everybody."

Kouandjio came to Alabama ranked as the nation's 15th-best tackle in the 2010 class,

. Multiple knee injuries put his football career in peril before he returned to the team at full strength last fall. He embraced a role as a reserve guard, a position that was a bit easier on his knees because it didn't require as much mobility.

Kouandjio continued his work at guard during this past spring, when Alabama officially began its quest to replace All-Americans

Chance Warmack

,

D.J. Fluker

and Jones. Up until last week, Kouandjio had spent most of his time at left guard.

His latest position switch likely hasn't rattled him.

"To see him come back now, he’s looking better than ever," Kelly said. "You just have to be happy for a guy like that. He just works his tail off."