🏈 Alabama's new wrinkle is just one of footballs old creases. Except...

[TerryP]

Since Coach Saban arrived in Tuscaloosa we've seen three offensive coordinators, Major Applewhite, Jim McElwain, and the latest newcomer Doug Nussmeier. Just for clarity's sake, the number should be counted as four considering the significant role Joe Pendry played in year one with Applewhite.

2007 brought the base offensive set—The Ace formation. This two tight end set was everything but new to college football. Its implementation in that first year was simply setting the foundation of what Saban outlined as the goal for his teams at Alabama.

Toughness, physicality, and hard work would make the team one that would win in the trenches: "we'll force our will on opposing defenses."

When Jim McElwain was hired before the start of the 2008 season we began to see the expansion of the Ace formation.

During his time at Fresno State he was known for the way he used tight ends in his offenses attack—sometimes using as many as four in the same offensive set.

We saw the evolution of the H-back position during his time with the Tide. We saw the addition of the Pistol formation and then the Wildcat formation—an integral part of the Tide's 2009 title run.

Now Nussmeier is putting his own personal stamp on the Alabama offense but it's far from something new: "old man's football."

Read More Here...

 

[Argo]

Great read. I personally loved seeing 45 hit a hole and blow the linebacker up. Nothing better than a simple power I formation being ran to perfection. We may have one of the best offensive lines that I've ever seen at Alabama. It's still early, but they are good.

 

[TerryP]

The more I thought about this yesterday and today the more I liked it.

Reality is we really didn't run the true Power-I many times. We ran the true I a lot.

That's what kills me about this addition.

If you think about the true Power-I you have your I-form with an extra back behind the line of scrimmage. In our case, we'll use our H-back. Motion puts the H-back leading with the FB taking the eight man in the box and then it's a one on one with presumably the defenses safety or one of their corners.

From the same set we can motion the H-back into the Ace line, and still be in the I-form. Or, we can motion the H-back outside and be in a three wide receiver set with an I-formation in the backfield. Or...

The variables this gives us in sets alone is going to give some DC's A LOT to think about.

I absolutely love thinking about a single tight end set, Johnson in his H-back role with Fowler and whoever in our RB position. The hole opens, Kelly is taking out the linebacker responsible for that gap, Fowler is in the secondary just looking for someone to hit...and then there's the RB who is off to the races.

It's no wonder we had guys running four and five yards without contact.

 

[bamaraider]

Kelly Johnson also did a nice job.

Idk I just really like the I-formation, I look at LSU last year and how they used it when Lee was in and they worked it too perfection (except against 'Bama). Really excited to see us use it because with FB's like Johnson and Fowler you're almost guaranteed 5 yards each run.

 

[UAgrad93]

I think you would have to go back to the days of Martin Houston to find the last true FB we have had.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Good write up as usual Terry.

I'm beginning to think that Fowler will be the hub of our offense this season & I absolutely love the diversity that this kid brings to the table!

 

[Bo]

Good read Terry. I loved the play calling Saturday night also. Nuss seems to have a great handle on what to call and when.

 

[TerryP]

I think you would have to go back to the days of Martin Houston to find the last true FB we have had.

When I was thinking about this I skipped Martin and was back to Ricky Moore.

 

[psychojoe]

Ed Scissum?

 

[UAgrad93]

When I was thinking about this I skipped Martin and was back to Ricky Moore.

Ricky was more of a multiple threat than Martin. Martin was that bull in a china shop blocker who would get that occasional carry. Martin had really bad hands in the beginning but worked really hard to improve. Ricky already had good hands.

 

[TerryP]

I remember him. You and I aren't too far off in age, ya know.

Simply skipped over the early 90's when I was running through different guys. Out of the two decades, he was a true blocker.

But, I'll stand by my thought of how Le'Ron could do in a position like Fowler is in right now. He'd have the blocking, running, and pass catching skills.

It's not saying much because of the record. But, I remember he led the team in receiving TD's in 2004—I want to say the number was three.

I'm pretty damn sure he had a couple in 2005, and was tied for second in 2006 behind Hall. Probably had eight or nine for that three year stint he was sharing time with Darby and Castille in the backfield.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

I remember him. You and I aren't too far off in age, ya know.

Simply skipped over the early 90's when I was running through different guys. Out of the two decades, he was a true blocker.

But, I'll stand by my thought of how Le'Ron could do in a position like Fowler is in right now. He'd have the blocking, running, and pass catching skills.

It's not saying much because of the record. But, I remember he led the team in receiving TD's in 2004—I want to say the number was three.

I'm pretty damn sure he had a couple in 2005, and was tied for second in 2006 behind Hall. Probably had eight or nine for that three year stint he was sharing time with Darby and Castille in the backfield.

Fowler really looked more agile in the Michigan game than I remember from last year. I believe he may develop into a feature power back in the NFL (Ravens, Falcons, etc.).

RTR,

Tim