| NEWS AJ McCarron talks Nick Saban's hiring Joe Pannunzio, open OC position

[Mark Heim | mheim@al.com]

Count Cincinnati Bengals quarterback AJ McCarron as a Joe Pannunzio fan.

Pannunzio, who served as Alabama's director of football operations from 2011 to 2014, will be the Tide's tight ends and special teams coach as reported earlier Thursday by AL.com.

McCarron, former Alabama quarterback who won back-to-back national titles, was excited about the news on Thursday.

"It's an awesome hire by coach (Saban)," McCarron told The Opening Kickoff on WNSP-FM 105.5 during a 90-minute in-studio visit. "JoPa is probably my favorite person from my days there. I still talk to him to this day. We're very close. He's just unreal. One of the best guys you will ever meet.

"I can't say enough about him. I love him. I love his whole family. He's just awesome."

McCarron, a Mobile native, also was asked about the offensive coordinator position still open in Tuscaloosa.

"Where coach is going to find himself in a situation now is you went from Mac (Jim McElwain) and Nuss (Doug Nussmeier) - we were pro style and a little bit of shotgun - to spread with Lane (Kiffin)," McCarron said. "That's two different style of recruitment for athletes, especially at the quarterback position.

"Are you gonna stay spread? If that's the case, do you have to go outside the staff to hire another spread guy? Where do you get him from? What's his background? Or are you planning to go back to pro style?"

From AL.com..

 

[TerryP]

"JoPa is probably my favorite person from my days there.

I cringed a little ... of course, AJ hasn't been good with "phrasing" since we've known him.

 

[jdpas29]

i hope we get an OC that values the running game especially with the talent we have at that position and the relative difficulty we likely will have with a lot of downfield passing. let's do what we do.

 

[bama alum]

I cringed a little ... of course, AJ hasn't been good with "phrasing" since we've known him.

I agree. That's a moniker I don't think I'd like to have.

 

[alagator]

i hope we get an OC that values the running game especially with the talent we have at that position and the relative difficulty we likely will have with a lot of downfield passing. let's do what we do.

Then you're in the wrong thread. :sarcasm:

We're getting one of those.

 

[musso]

i hope we get an OC that values the running game especially with the talent we have at that position and the relative difficulty we likely will have with a lot of downfield passing. let's do what we do.

I noted in an earlier thread that when I look at our offensive roster, I see an OL position group with more recruiting stars collectively than at any other time in Saban's tenure here. I see the same at RB and at WR. I also see the largest stable of big framed TEs than at any other time under Saban. This has traditional, ball control, 2-TE offense written all over it.

But I'm confused how Saban was ever talked into going after QBs like Hurts and Tua, who frankly are too short to throw from the pocket. How many balls did we see get knocked down against Clemson???

My ideal offense with what we have coming back is to return to a "pro-style," ball-control offense with up-tempo strategically interspersed in each game. You never know when you have to win a game coming from behind, so you need to always have that weapon primed for use. But what I've always said back when we could throw downfield was, "man, if we could only get a more mobile QB who could escape from pressure or just take off running when no one is open!" Well, we may very well have that in Hurts and Tua. I just worry about them throwing over the outstretched arms of opposing DLs while in the pocket.

 

[TerryP]

I see an OL position group with more recruiting stars collectively than at any other time in Saban's tenure

Someone want to find the post where he said he wants to trim the fat off the offensive line?

 

[musso]

Someone want to find the post where he said he wants to trim the fat off the offensive line?

Yea I said I thought we had too many interior OL on the roster, and given our troubles at times last season, I thought maybe we could find more scholarships by "trimming the fat" at Guard and Center. That doesn't negate how they were rated when they signed with Bama. We all know that stars aren't everything, but we have a loaded offensive roster right now in those terms.

The main point is, when trying to divine any changes to our offense this coming season, I see size at RB and at TE ... and lots of numbers at both. If the plan was to continue the trajectory of the last 3 seasons, I don't see our RB and TE units reflecting it. QB? Yes, which as I said, confuses me a bit. We just let go two tall, strong-armed, pocket QBs in Barnett and Cornwell and picked up two short QBs to add to our returning short QB. :think:

 

[TUSKtimes]

We just let go two tall, strong-armed, pocket QBs in Barnett and Cornwell and picked up two short QBs to add to our returning short QB. :think:

What does that mean, we just let go? Barnett walked out on his team after four games. Cornwell wasn't good enough to ever start a football game and as a 3rd-year player, he read the handwriting on the wall. Your point about height and seeing over the LOS, Hurts is 6'2" and Tua is close to that and Mac Jones is taller than both of them. Aren't there enough Russell Wilson/Joe Montana type players in the world to render that stuff bogus anyway?

I think the most critical aspect of this line of thinking is to overlook what Hurts has already brought to the table. He does things for the offense that there is no defense for. Most of his critics will not extend credit to his feel for the game and poise in hostile situations and his ability to lead and be clutch. It's as if he wasn't really SEC freshmen of the year and SEC offensive player of the year.

I submit that the last drive in the NC game for Alabama was met with that same clutch gene that Hurts has shown all season. He did the same against LSU, in Baton Rouge, when our play calling lacked any rhyme or reason for 3 quarters. Hurts did not get Alabama beat in the natty. Bo going down and Alabama being determined to stick with a hurry-up approach that took no time off the clock, never let our defense rest, even after going up 24 to 14 in the 4th quarter, was the ultimate recipe for disaster.

 

[musso]

Good points. I shouldn't have said "we let go." I guess what I really feel is confusion about striking out on so many consecutive blue-chip QBs (Bateman, Barnett, Cornwell, am I missing any others?).

And I've seen photos of Hurts and Mac Jones beside Saban. They are both short. And Tua is "listed" an inch shorter than Hurts. I just think we need a QB with more of McCarron's height.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Good points. I shouldn't have said "we let go." I guess what I really feel is confusion about striking out on so many consecutive blue-chip QBs (Bateman, Barnett, Cornwell, am I missing any others?).

And I've seen photos of Hurts and Mac Jones beside Saban. They are both short. And Tua is "listed" an inch shorter than Hurts. I just think we need a QB with more of McCarron's height.

Drew Brees is 6'0". And he's never had a problem with field vision.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Oh, and for everyone that's saying that Tua, being an Elite 11 QB, can snatch the job from Hurts, let me give you a few other Elite 11 QBs that have graced the sidelines in Crimson:

Blake Barnett
Star Jackson
Phillip Sims
Luke Del Rio

How'd they all pan out here, again?

I'll wait....

 

[musso]

Drew Brees is 6'0". And he's never had a problem with field vision.

The exception to the rule is not to be confused with the rule.

 

[TUSKtimes]

The exception to the rule is not to be confused with the rule.

These guys are Hurt's size and smaller:

1. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – 5'11"
2. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – 6' (No.6)
3. Johnny Manziel – Cleveland Browns – 6'
4. Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – 6'1"
5. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – 6'2" (No. 5)
6. Brian Hoyer – Houston Texans – 6'2" (No. 10)
7. Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – 6'2" (No. 4)
8. Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets – 6'2"(No. 7)
9. Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings – 6'2"

Not sure why AJ can't beat out Dalton, he's 2 inches taller.

 

[musso]

Oh, and for everyone that's saying that Tua, being an Elite 11 QB, can snatch the job from Hurts, let me give you a few other Elite 11 QBs that have graced the sidelines in Crimson:

Blake Barnett
Star Jackson
Phillip Sims
Luke Del Rio

How'd they all pan out here, again?

I'll wait....

Exactly, which makes me wonder if Saban's philosophy is just fundamentally inimical to prolific passers. I just think he begins his vision, as a defensive minded coach, with how he can best preserve and protect his defensive personnel, statistics, and overall mojo ... by limiting the number of snaps they play. This necessarily requires offensive ball control and a preference for slowly moving the chains over explosive plays and quick drives. Notice how virtually all of our offensive TDs against Clemson the last two seasons were quick drives. At the end of the day, he isn't going to have a QB like Tebow, Manziel, Watson, etc., who he trusts to win it in the final drive of a high scoring game. To open up the offense is suicide for a coach like him who wants to keep games low scoring.

And I've said this before, but it's the current Yin and Yang in football ... do you build a program to win in the trenches with elite and physical linemen and a game managing QB, or do you put your emphasis on an exceptional and mobile QB and tall WRs, sit back in shot gun all day, go hurry up, and play sand lot football?

 

[musso]

These guys are Hurt's size and smaller:

1. Russell Wilson – Seattle Seahawks – 5'11"
2. Drew Brees – New Orleans Saints – 6' (No.6)
3. Johnny Manziel – Cleveland Browns – 6'
4. Tyrod Taylor – Buffalo Bills – 6'1"
5. Aaron Rodgers – Green Bay Packers – 6'2" (No. 5)
6. Brian Hoyer – Houston Texans – 6'2" (No. 10)
7. Andy Dalton – Cincinnati Bengals – 6'2" (No. 4)
8. Ryan Fitzpatrick – New York Jets – 6'2"(No. 7)
9. Teddy Bridgewater – Minnesota Vikings – 6'2"

Not sure why AJ can't beat out Dalton, he's 2 inches taller.

And how many titles you got there? Me can't count so high.

 

[Max]

To open up the offense is suicide for a coach like him who wants to keep games low scoring.

Wants to keep games low scoring? WTH?

Do you realize that the lowest Bama has been ranked in scoring offense is 30th out of 128 teams over the last five years? Hell, in 2001 when Bama was considered a defensive team they ranked 20th in D1 play for scoring. In '12 they finished ranked 12th. In '13, 17th.

So, we've got a team that's ranked in the top 20% of all D1 teams in scoring but it's under the direction of a coach who wants to keep games low scoring?

 

[TUSKtimes]

And how many titles you got there? Me can't count so high.

In that, you've obviously run out of rebuttal, again, let me add that the QB that has the "it factor" is the one that takes us to the promise land, not this nonsense about the best measurables. This people stuff can be hard to put a ruler on.

 

[musso]

Wants to keep games low scoring? WTH?

Do you realize that the lowest Bama has been ranked in scoring offense is 30th out of 128 teams over the last five years? Hell, in 2001 when Bama was considered a defensive team they ranked 20th in D1 play for scoring. In '12 they finished ranked 12th. In '13, 17th.

So, we've got a team that's ranked in the top 20% of all D1 teams in scoring but it's under the direction of a coach who wants to keep games low scoring?

You're conflating different arguments, most of which I haven't made. I didn't say our scoring offense hasn't been ranked highly. I also didn't say Saban prefers to win close games over blow outs. I said he prefers low scoring games. In other words, margin of victory remaining the same, he prefers his defense doing its job more than his offense doing its job.

I've watched nearly every interview of his through the years. And in EVERY case involving a game where his defense gives up a lot of points and/or yards, EVEN IF BAMA WINS, he acts like we lost. Finding positives and complements is soooo difficult for him after games where his defense is exploited. On the other hand, his demeanor is completely different after victories involving close games when we keep the opponent, say under 21 or so. It's just how he is. Saban is completely content with a two-score victory at, for example, 20-10. On the other hand, he will be completely exasperated and combative during a press conference after a different two-score victory, say at 45-35. You take most other coaches, and they will be more accepting of a W in any form it comes. In fact, with the HUNH of today, coaches seem to care less and less about how their defense performs so long as their offense outscores the opposing offense. They know the rules allow for offenses to have their way if they use the right personnel and system.

The margin of victory matters less to Saban than the manner of victory. He's happy with a narrow margin of victory so long as we possess the ball, don't turn it over, and shut down the opposing offense. He's stressed out if we win by a larger margin but don't limit the number of plays his defense has to play. I'm not criticizing Saban - I'm merely noting what anyone should know about his style if they have followed him closely.

 

[musso]

In that, you've obviously run out of rebuttal, again, let me add that the QB that has the "it factor" is the one that takes us to the promise land, not this nonsense about the best measurables. This people stuff can be hard to put a ruler on.

Out of rebuttals? Me? Do you know me??? Does @TerryP have to retrieve the unending thread about the 3-4 vs 4-3???

I never intended for my concern about Bama QB height to be substantiated by examining NFL QB size. But someone got me on this tangent. Here's a quick search result of Super Bowl winning QBs. Yes, Wilson, Rogers, and Brees each have a title. But, as I said, they are the exception to the rule. You look at all the Super Bowl winning QBs ... or even the best QBs in NFL history statistically ... and most of them were tall enough to sit in the pocket and throw over pass rushers. Again I used McCarron as an example. I could have used Coaker's stature too, as he made countless clutch throws under pressure in the pocket. It's a physical attribute that most of the best QBs have had.

And let's be real. What college players are listed as is usually inflated by an inch or two. So bump Hurts, Tua, and Mac all down an inch. I was originally going on what I saw in the photos next to Saban who we all know is tiny, and comparing how Coaker and McCarron looked beside him.