BAMANEWSBOT
Staff
The countdown has shifted from days to hours.Our position previews are almost over, but we've got two more groups to cover before Alabama spring practice gets rolling Saturday afternoon.
Our latest breakdown will center on one of the smallest in terms of numbers.
It's the tight ends and H-backs.
BY THE NUMBERS
THE DEPARTED
SPRING CAST
ON THE WAY
THE QUESTION
What kind of season awaits talented tight end O.J. Howard?
THE STAR ATTRACTION
There will be no shortage of hype surrounding Howard entering his sophomore season. He has only himself to blame, as he flashed the kind of talent and potential that is coveted at the position throughout his freshman season. The progress was noticeable just two games into the season, as he overcame a costly first-quarter false-start penalty to finish with three catches for 68 yards. His production from that point forward was a bit sporadic, but nothing showed off his talent, size, speed, etc., more than when he caught a short slant and ran by numerous LSU defenders for a 52-yard touchdown. His final tallies in catches and yards were on par with what Michael Williams brought to the table in previous years, but the expectation is that his totals will increase greatly in the years to come.
An early enrollee in the class of 2013, Howard's been on campus for more than a year. He bulked up quickly by the time he took his first snap, but there is still room to grow. His comfort within the system should be much better and his grasp on blocking should follow suit. He learned quickly that if you can't block, you won't play in Nick Saban's offense. He ultimately blocked well enough to see regular playing time as a freshman and he'll be in for even more as a sophomore.
THE JACK-OF-ALL TRADES
Fowler, of course, wasn't an H-back all of the time. It might seem like forever ago, but it was Fowler who received the start at running back against Colorado State while T.J. Yeldon served a one-quarter suspension. Fowler's impact didn't come in the department of yards and receptions. Instead, he came away from his junior season with quite possibly the most ridiculous catches/yards/touchdown ratio in the country because of an effective goal-line play that always seemed to work. Those sitting in the press box always seemed to see it coming, but opposing defenses didn't, as Fowler's five touchdown receptions all came inside the 5-yard line. Clearly, there was a connection between Fowler and quarterback AJ McCarron. How quickly he establishes that relationship with whomever wins Alabama's quarterback battle will dictate whether he's able to replicate that kind of success. Fowler's value, of course, goes beyond the red zone, as he's proven to be a capable blocking back whenever Alabama uses him in that capacity.
THE WILDCARD
The first experiment didn't pan out, as LaMichael Fanning never quite caught on to tight end and promptly returned to the defensive line. The second came as a bit of surprise, but it ultimately stuck. Greene used his background as a high school basketball player to help him make a smooth transition from left tackle to tight end midway through fall camp and find a niche as Alabama's third tight end. Almost exclusively used in blocking situations, Greene didn't catch any passes but he drew rave reviews from his teammates and Saban throughout the year. Those who watched him at practice every day know he's capable of running routes and catching passes -- even at 300+ pounds -- so perhaps that kind of opportunity awaits in 2014. "He's never played tight end before," Vogler said in December. "So him coming in this season it's been a huge step for him and he's learned a lot. He's getting a lot better."
THE NEW GUY
One of the last additions to Alabama's 2014 signing class, Flournoy-Smith will arrive at some point during the summer. The former Georgia tight end who spent the past year at Georgia Military College will carry higher expectations than, say, a true freshman, but he won't be expected to step into a prominent role right away. Vogler logged a season's worth of starts and Howard is Howard, so Flournoy-Smith should have time to develop. Flournoy-Smith's numbers (six rec., 134 yards, five TDs) weren't all that impressive at Georgia Military College, but he's anticipated to be a pass-catching threat if he can reach his potential.
THE FACT
In the past three years, Alabama's tight ends and H-backs hauled in 18 touchdown passes.
THE QUOTE
"To have a tight end like him that is certainly a threat in the passing game, either vertically, horizontally or play-action passes, is really a tremendous asset for us. He's really matured a lot as a player and is becoming a better blocker and a good all-around player. I think that guy's going to be an outstanding tight end for us." -- Saban on O.J. Howard
Read More Here...
Our latest breakdown will center on one of the smallest in terms of numbers.
It's the tight ends and H-backs.
BY THE NUMBERS
- O.J. Howard: 14 rec., 269 yards, two TDs
- Brian Vogler: 8 rec., 71 yards, TD
- Jalston Fowler: 7 rec., 15 yards, five TDs
- Malcolm Faciane: 2 rec., 14 yards
- Harrison Jones: 1 rec., 12 yards
- Kurt Freitag: 1 rec., 11 yards
- Corey McCarron: 1 rec., 3 yards
THE DEPARTED
- None
SPRING CAST
- Jalston Fowler, Sr.
- Brian Vogler, Sr.
- Harrison Jones, Sr.
- Malcolm Faciane, Jr.
- O.J. Howard, So.
- Brandon Greene, So.
- Kurt Freitag, So.
ON THE WAY
- Ty Flournoy-Smith, So.
THE QUESTION
What kind of season awaits talented tight end O.J. Howard?
THE STAR ATTRACTION
There will be no shortage of hype surrounding Howard entering his sophomore season. He has only himself to blame, as he flashed the kind of talent and potential that is coveted at the position throughout his freshman season. The progress was noticeable just two games into the season, as he overcame a costly first-quarter false-start penalty to finish with three catches for 68 yards. His production from that point forward was a bit sporadic, but nothing showed off his talent, size, speed, etc., more than when he caught a short slant and ran by numerous LSU defenders for a 52-yard touchdown. His final tallies in catches and yards were on par with what Michael Williams brought to the table in previous years, but the expectation is that his totals will increase greatly in the years to come.
An early enrollee in the class of 2013, Howard's been on campus for more than a year. He bulked up quickly by the time he took his first snap, but there is still room to grow. His comfort within the system should be much better and his grasp on blocking should follow suit. He learned quickly that if you can't block, you won't play in Nick Saban's offense. He ultimately blocked well enough to see regular playing time as a freshman and he'll be in for even more as a sophomore.
THE JACK-OF-ALL TRADES
Fowler, of course, wasn't an H-back all of the time. It might seem like forever ago, but it was Fowler who received the start at running back against Colorado State while T.J. Yeldon served a one-quarter suspension. Fowler's impact didn't come in the department of yards and receptions. Instead, he came away from his junior season with quite possibly the most ridiculous catches/yards/touchdown ratio in the country because of an effective goal-line play that always seemed to work. Those sitting in the press box always seemed to see it coming, but opposing defenses didn't, as Fowler's five touchdown receptions all came inside the 5-yard line. Clearly, there was a connection between Fowler and quarterback AJ McCarron. How quickly he establishes that relationship with whomever wins Alabama's quarterback battle will dictate whether he's able to replicate that kind of success. Fowler's value, of course, goes beyond the red zone, as he's proven to be a capable blocking back whenever Alabama uses him in that capacity.
THE WILDCARD
The first experiment didn't pan out, as LaMichael Fanning never quite caught on to tight end and promptly returned to the defensive line. The second came as a bit of surprise, but it ultimately stuck. Greene used his background as a high school basketball player to help him make a smooth transition from left tackle to tight end midway through fall camp and find a niche as Alabama's third tight end. Almost exclusively used in blocking situations, Greene didn't catch any passes but he drew rave reviews from his teammates and Saban throughout the year. Those who watched him at practice every day know he's capable of running routes and catching passes -- even at 300+ pounds -- so perhaps that kind of opportunity awaits in 2014. "He's never played tight end before," Vogler said in December. "So him coming in this season it's been a huge step for him and he's learned a lot. He's getting a lot better."
THE NEW GUY
One of the last additions to Alabama's 2014 signing class, Flournoy-Smith will arrive at some point during the summer. The former Georgia tight end who spent the past year at Georgia Military College will carry higher expectations than, say, a true freshman, but he won't be expected to step into a prominent role right away. Vogler logged a season's worth of starts and Howard is Howard, so Flournoy-Smith should have time to develop. Flournoy-Smith's numbers (six rec., 134 yards, five TDs) weren't all that impressive at Georgia Military College, but he's anticipated to be a pass-catching threat if he can reach his potential.
THE FACT
In the past three years, Alabama's tight ends and H-backs hauled in 18 touchdown passes.
THE QUOTE
"To have a tight end like him that is certainly a threat in the passing game, either vertically, horizontally or play-action passes, is really a tremendous asset for us. He's really matured a lot as a player and is becoming a better blocker and a good all-around player. I think that guy's going to be an outstanding tight end for us." -- Saban on O.J. Howard
Read More Here...
I am just saying if you're good enough you have to look at what's best for you to get to the next level.
