🏈 Buy or Sell

[Alabama17Tide]

Kyle Henderson of BamaInsider.com provides his expert take on what he’s buying or selling for the 2017 season.

Q. Alabama averages more than 38.80 points per game this season.

A. Sell. This is a tough question as I actually feel that Alabama’s offense will be better this season than last, just feel they will not score over 38.80 points per game. Over the last eight seasons, the Crimson Tide’s offense has always been very potent. In 2016 they scored 38.8, in 2015 they scored 35.1, in 2014 they scored 36.9, and in 2013 they scored 38.2. I’ll go with 35.0 points per game, which really is not a step back at all.

Q. Alabama rushes for more than 245.0 yards per game this season

A. Sell. Again, this is not to be in disrespect, it is just that rushing for 245.0-yards per game is incredible and feel that with Jalen Hurts returning at quarterback, the offense will be a bit more balanced? Last season Alabama ran for 245.0-yards per game and averaged 210.0-yards per game through the air. I could be wrong here, they have the talent in the backfield to rush for 260 a game if they wanted to.

Q. Jalen Hurts throws for over 3,000-yards this season

A. Sell. I think this one will be very close. Last season as a true freshman Hurts threw for 2,780-yards and while he’ll be much more improved, I feel that he will not need to throw for many 300-yard plus games as he has that A+ backfield to depend on for long sustaining drives. Hurts is going to get very close to the 3,000-yard mark again. I feel a little bit nervous about saying sell here. Stat flashback. The last time Alabama had a quarterback throw for 3,000-yards was in 2015 when Jake Coker threw for 3,110-yards and 21-touchdowns.


Q. Damien Harris runs for over 1,200-yards this season

A. Sell. Last year as a sophomore Harris was very productive for Alabama rushing for,1065-yards and this year while I feel he’ll still get his touches and be an impact player, I don’t see him having over 1,200-yards. The reason is, Bo Scarbrough is back and could emerge as the featured back, last year Harris carried the football 146-times, Scarbrough with 125-reps, that number could flip in my opinion this year. You also have to factor in the carries that Josh Jacobs and True Freshman Najee Harris are going to get. I am not saying Harris is not going to be productive, don’t spin this, it’s more a reps thing.

Q. Najee Harris gets more touches this season than Josh Jacobs

A. Buy. This is a tough one, so I am really just guessing here. But if we look to last season, Jacobs got 85-carries and was very productive rushing for 585-yards which was a 6.7 per touch average (2nd on the team behind Damien Harris). Last year, Freshman BJ Emmons touched the football just 35-times, but feel that Najee is someone very, very special and it’s going to be hard not to get him the football. Guessing here, but feel that Najee gets around 60-80 carries this year.

Q. The Alabama TE Corps catches for more than 600-yards total this season

A. Sell. Last year O.J. Howard caught for 595-yards, Miller Forristall was next in the team in yardage for the tight ends with five receptions for 73-yards. While I think that the tight end corps has some above average players returning, there is no Howard on the team, but would not be surprised if Irv Smith turns into a playmaker from within the group. Think that this year’s tight ends will be great in pass and run blocking, just don’t see the group hauling in a ton of passes and yards.

Q. Jerry Jeudy has more catches than Robert Foster and Cam Sims

A. Buy. Jerry Jeudy had an exceptional spring game hauling in 5 receptions for 134-yards and 2 touchdowns earning himself the spring game MVP. This season there is really no reason that he should not flourish along with Calvin Ridley, Robert Foster, and Cam Sims. Ridley has been very productive over the last two years bringing in a total of 161-receptions for 1,814-yards, Foster and Sims have yet to have their breakout season.

BamaInsider.com - Henderson: Buy or Sell Questions for Alabama Football

 

[50+yeartidefan]

Probably bout right...
First 2 I dont fully agree....
Should be up around 40 points a game....considering schedule and talent...who will have a substantial D .....dont see one
With the Bama backs..being fresh game long...with JH being so explosive...going to be some long 4th quarters for all 12 on schedule...

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Most of those are toss-ups. A little on either side and we're still golden. Jacobs impresses me, his running reminds me of Ingram with a little Linnie Patrick mixed in. Swings and screens are fun to watch with that guy, making people miss and finishing strong. Harris is a great back, disciplined, and I recall some vicious pass blocking on his part last year. Jacobs and Najee will be the next all-world tandem after Harris and Scar go. Very excited for all four.

RTR,

Tim

I just love this run:

 

[TUSKtimes]

I'm buying more than 38 points a game. And I still expect to be more ball control than last season. I like Jalen throwing for more than 3000 yards with the newfound long ball and lots of special talent at receiver who will be trying to take it to the house.

 

[BamaFan334]

Q. Alabama averages more than 38.80 points per game this season.

Sell. Averaging 39 points per game is no easy task in the SEC or anywhere for that matter. You effectively have to level every single team you play. With us never looking to score 65 or 70 against inferior foes, I am saying we score around 35-37 a game, on average.

Q. Alabama rushes for more than 245.0 yards per game this season

Buy. I think we are going to destroy teams with a ground and pound and use the passing game to put them to sleep. We have five capable backs that can tote the rock for some great yardage. One back with 100 yards and three others with atleast 50 sounds pretty attainable with what we have back there. Obviously this will depend on how Daboll manages a game, but I think we'll run the ball very effectively.

Q. Jalen Hurts throws for over 3,000-yards this season

Buy. I think he will outpace last year, very easily. He is putting the work in, and we have capable receivers, so I think he adds to his stats compared to last years late season swoon.


Q. Damien Harris runs for over 1,200-yards this season

Sell. I really want to say Buy, as I think he easily has a shot at this, but I'm really wondering how many carries Bo will steal since I think the light finally came on for him and that he realizes he can play with the best. Harris will have another 1,000 yards, and I hope he proves me wrong.

Q. Najee Harris gets more touches this season than Josh Jacobs

Sell. I think Jacobs is a stud and will be counted on more than Najee. Jacobs can be trusted and is way more elusive than Najee. Najee may get more receptions, but I think Jacobs touches the ball more overall.

Q. The Alabama TE Corps catches for more than 600-yards total this season

Sell. I think they will be effective, but if we can't get a stud like OJ the ball, we won't be getting these guys the ball that much. Too much talent in the backfield and in the receiving corps to think the tight ends will play a huge role in the passing game.

Q. Jerry Jeudy has more catches than Robert Foster and Cam Sims

Buy. I think the coaches will build for the future and work Jeudy into the rotation and let him shine. Foster is no sure thing health wise, neither is Cam Sims, so I'll side with history and take Jeudy to outshine both guys. Hope they all three have record years, but think Jeudy is a Cooper, Ridley, even Julio type talent that has to be on the field and watch him make plays.

 

[Destiny's Child]

I think Jalen easily surpasses 3000 yards this year mainly because of the WR talent. Hedoesn't have to be Andrew Luck to get that done.

I also think the Tight ends will go way over 600 yard.

I disagree that Harris get more touches than Jacobs. Saban has had several very talented backs who didnt play until they could block and knew what to do... Ingram, Lacy and Henry come to mind.

I think Robert Foster goes off this year if he is healthy, and I think Juedy is a solid player. I actually think they both have a better year than Ridley as he takes another step back.. he isn't that fast, he is too skinny and his routes and hands are just..ok.

 

[PurlJam]

Kyle Henderson of BamaInsider.com provides his expert take on what he’s buying or selling for the 2017 season.


Q. The Alabama TE Corps catches for more than 600-yards total this season

A. Sell. Last year O.J. Howard caught for 595-yards, Miller Forristall was next in the team in yardage for the tight ends with five receptions for 73-yards. While I think that the tight end corps has some above average players returning, there is no Howard on the team, but would not be surprised if Irv Smith turns into a playmaker from within the group. Think that this year’s tight ends will be great in pass and run blocking, just don’t see the group hauling in a ton of passes and yards.


BamaInsider.com - Henderson: Buy or Sell Questions for Alabama Football

I'm gonna "buy" this one. I believe our lack of TE production was due more to the OC and style of offense.... new OC from the NFL that may utilize a TE more like they do in the NFL, so I'm going with the "over" on the 600 yards.