Alabama's Castille balances play, hard work

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. - Simeon Castille is a practical joker with a studious side.<br> <br> The Alabama cornerback makes good use of both sides of his personality, keeping his teammates loose and carrying lessons from practice and the film room over to the field.<br> <br> Castille has also established himself as a playmaker for the Crimson Tide (2-0) entering Saturday night&#39;s game with Louisiana-Monroe (1-1).<br> <br> ``He just has a real good feel for the game,&#39;&#39; Alabama coach Mike Shula said. ``He does a good job of preparing. He understands what offenses are trying to do. He remembers patterns and things like that. He&#39;s just got a good feel for playing the position. He seems to be in the right spot all the time.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> Castille, who also returns punts, had two interceptions against Vanderbilt last week. The first was on a play Alabama&#39;s scout team used during the week, and he saw it coming.<br> <br> Castille let linebacker Juwan Simpson take his man in coverage and waited for receiver Marlon White to come his way, then stepped in front of Chris Nickson&#39;s pass.<br> <br> ``I was like, &#39;If I ever get a chance to do this, I&#39;m going to pick it off,&#39;&#39;&#39; Castille said. ``I don&#39;t think (Nickson) saw me.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> He also showed his athleticism with the second interception, picking off a pass one-handed while falling backward.<br> <br> ``He makes some catches that receivers might have trouble making,&#39;&#39; quarterback John Parker Wilson said.<br> <br> But Castille also likes to pull practical jokes and entertain his teammates.<br> <br> The first-year starter describes himself as ``a pretty comical guy.&#39;&#39;<br> <br> ``I just like to have fun,&#39;&#39; Castille said. ``You only live once, right?&#39;&#39;<br> <br> ``He is a locker room clown,&#39;&#39; defensive end Wallace Gilberry said. ``But when it&#39;s time to get the job done, we know we can count on him to come through for us. Like he did (against Vandy).&#39;&#39;<br> <br> The two-interception performance wasn&#39;t Castille&#39;s dream game, though.<br> <br> ``Hopefully I&#39;ll be able to score with one before the season&#39;s over with,&#39;&#39; he said.<br> <br> (Copyright 2006 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

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