🏈 Crimson Tide set to drop “Nudie” bomb on defenses

[PhillyGirl]

http://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/alabama-football/crimson-tide-set-drop-nudie-bomb-defenses/

It was a memorable moment for University of Alabama fullback Jalston Fowler in an otherwise forgettable game considering the outcome.

He never touched the ball during the Sugar Bowl, but one play he might have experienced what could only be described as a perfect block. Catching an Oklahoma linebacker square on, he essentially ran him over while producing both a big hole for running back T.J. Yeldon and a smile on his face.

Fowler, nicknamed “Nudie,” has always loved to hit, and now it’s the biggest part of his game.

“Very humbling to give up something that you love for the love of the team and for the better of the team,” Fowler said about his changing roles over the years as he was initially a running back. “But I’m happy at what I’m doing now.”

If the Alabama offense has a secret weapon it’s Fowler, in part because of all the different roles places he can line up. Two years ago coaches were grooming him to be a sort of jack-of-all-trades option who could play at running back, fullback or as a receiving tight end, but after an eye-opening performance against Michigan he sustained a season-ended knee injury.

Specifically, Fowler hyperextended his knee and damaged the major ligaments on a hit from behind against Western Kentucky. He redshirted, but the comeback took a while and Fowler still wasn’t comfortable last season.

He had 20 carries for 88 rushing yards and seven receptions for 15 receiving yards – albeit five were goal-line touchdowns.

Now he no longer worries about the knee and in the spring coaches started getting him more involved in the passing game, making him a receiving option downfield as well as in the backfield.

“My role will change a lot,” Fowler said at the time.
But the first real indication that Fowler was really back to form came after A-Day when the coaching staff handed out their spring awards. Despite being an offensive player he received the Lee Roy Jordan Headhunter Award along with junior linebacker Reggie Ragland.

“You’d better bring your hardhat,” Ragland said about facing Fowler in a hole. “If you don’t bring it he’s going to knock you on your butt.”

Now imagine this scenario that fans might see numerous times beginning Saturday when Alabama opens the season against West Virginia (3:30 p.m. ET, ABC/ESPN2): Fowler the lead blocker out of the backfield and the ball carrier behind him is Derrick Henry.

Good luck.

“When Derrick’s in, you have to get out the way or you’re going to get your shoulders broke,” Fowler said.

 

[sean]

oh man, seeing Fowler blocking for Henry would be just too much to handle. my tv might just fall off the wall from the hits those two would deliver in a tandem.

and it would be perfectly ok with me. i'd watch that all day long.

RMFT!!!