Aaron Suttles
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Defenses seem to be in a bit of pickle this season when facing the Alabama offense.
It isn't for lack of choices, rather that neither choice is appealing. Stop the run or the pass.
With Alabama breaking in a new quarterback, most defenses have elected to commit an extra man in the box to slow down UA's rushing attack led by T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake.
That's not an unwise decision, but it does have the dubious consequence of leaving Amari Cooper in man-to-man coverage. Alabama quarterbacks appreciate that decision.
The passing attack has largely involved quick wide receiver screen pass, what Nick Saban calls a "now screen," and Cooper has benefitted the most with the majority of his nation-leading 25 catches coming via screens.
Against Florida Atlantic, Crimson Tide receivers caught nine screens. Running back Kenyan Drake, split out wide left, also caught a screen for a 39-yard touchdown.
The one thing that really makes the screens go is the blocking by the wide receiver not catching the pass.
Cornerback Cyrus Jones know both sides of it. He played wide receiver as a freshman, and knows first-hand how much effort the receivers put into blocking.
"It's definitely tough, especially in man because you are so focused on (the wide receiver) you really don't see the blocker coming out there to kind of shove you off," Jones said. "It's definitely a tough play to defend, and definitely when you have a great athlete like Amari running the play, it makes it even tougher."
The highlight play from Saturday's game came during the second possession when Cooper took a screen pass 52 yards for a touchdown. The play was set up by the slot receiver Christion Jones' cut block on Cooper's defender that freed him for the score.
From a technique, execution standpoint, the wide receiver must read the defender to decide on how to block.
"I think when a guy comes up to block a guy, a defensive player has to read the block for high-low, and if the guy's really erect and not in a good football position, he's probably not going to be able to play the cut block," Saban said. "Sometimes if you can just tie them up on the perimeter, you can get by with anything."
The astounding thing might not even be the success to which Alabama has exploited the wide receiver screen pass. It could be that the wide receivers have embraced the role to the point of establishing bragging rights.
"It's kind of funny, they are in there arguing who is the better blocker," senior tight end Brian Vogler said. "You don't ever hear that from receivers. They are always talking about who made the cooler catch or who put down more yards. And they are in there arguing about who is making touchdown blocks. It's pretty cool hearing that in the locker room…"
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1679185#sthash.mavzESpe.dpuf
TideSports.com Senior Writer
Defenses seem to be in a bit of pickle this season when facing the Alabama offense.
It isn't for lack of choices, rather that neither choice is appealing. Stop the run or the pass.
With Alabama breaking in a new quarterback, most defenses have elected to commit an extra man in the box to slow down UA's rushing attack led by T.J. Yeldon, Derrick Henry and Kenyan Drake.
That's not an unwise decision, but it does have the dubious consequence of leaving Amari Cooper in man-to-man coverage. Alabama quarterbacks appreciate that decision.
The passing attack has largely involved quick wide receiver screen pass, what Nick Saban calls a "now screen," and Cooper has benefitted the most with the majority of his nation-leading 25 catches coming via screens.
Against Florida Atlantic, Crimson Tide receivers caught nine screens. Running back Kenyan Drake, split out wide left, also caught a screen for a 39-yard touchdown.
The one thing that really makes the screens go is the blocking by the wide receiver not catching the pass.
Cornerback Cyrus Jones know both sides of it. He played wide receiver as a freshman, and knows first-hand how much effort the receivers put into blocking.
"It's definitely tough, especially in man because you are so focused on (the wide receiver) you really don't see the blocker coming out there to kind of shove you off," Jones said. "It's definitely a tough play to defend, and definitely when you have a great athlete like Amari running the play, it makes it even tougher."
The highlight play from Saturday's game came during the second possession when Cooper took a screen pass 52 yards for a touchdown. The play was set up by the slot receiver Christion Jones' cut block on Cooper's defender that freed him for the score.
From a technique, execution standpoint, the wide receiver must read the defender to decide on how to block.
"I think when a guy comes up to block a guy, a defensive player has to read the block for high-low, and if the guy's really erect and not in a good football position, he's probably not going to be able to play the cut block," Saban said. "Sometimes if you can just tie them up on the perimeter, you can get by with anything."
The astounding thing might not even be the success to which Alabama has exploited the wide receiver screen pass. It could be that the wide receivers have embraced the role to the point of establishing bragging rights.
"It's kind of funny, they are in there arguing who is the better blocker," senior tight end Brian Vogler said. "You don't ever hear that from receivers. They are always talking about who made the cooler catch or who put down more yards. And they are in there arguing about who is making touchdown blocks. It's pretty cool hearing that in the locker room…"
- See more at: https://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1679185#sthash.mavzESpe.dpuf
