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Ranking the five most improved offensive performers for the Alabama Crimson Tide in 2014.
5.] WR ArDarius Stewart
Prior to 2014: Redshirt in 2013.
Why he's on the list: With a trio of veterans entrenched at the top of the wide receiver rotation, there wasn't much room for a young player to make a move up the pecking order in 2014. That didn't keep Stewart from impressing, however, as the redshirt freshman found his way onto the field earlier and earlier in games as the season progressed. Hauled in 12 passes for 149 yards and was very effective as a blocker. Also had two tackles while working on special teams. Ankle injury kept Stewart out of the Auburn game and left him limited for the SEC Championship Game but he'll be ready to go for Ohio State. Given what UA will lose at receiver, Stewart figures to play a major role in the rotation in 2015.
4.] FB Jalston Fowler
Prior to 2014: Reserve running back/H back and special teamer who rushed for 669 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries (6.6 yards per carry) in his first three seasons of eligibility. Five of his seven receptions in 2013 went for touchdowns.
Why he's on the list: Fowler's rushing (69 yards) and receiving (115 yards and two touchdowns) numbers don't tell the entire story where his improvement is concerned. More so than previous years, Fowler's role seemed to be more defined in 2014. And to his credit, he fully embraced it. His commitment to the role showed up in his blocking more so than any other area of his game. We already knew Fowler, who was selected as a permanent captain for the 2014 Crimson Tide, could run and catch. This season he showed a willingness to do the dirty work as a blocker. In doing so, Fowler proved to NFL talent evaluators that he has the complete skill set needed to get the job done at the next level.
3.] OG Arie Kouandjio
Prior to 2014: Starter at left guard in 2013.
Why he's on the list: Chronic knee problems left Alabama fans to wonder if Kouandjio would see his redshirt junior season, much less win a starting job. He did just that in 2013, lining up next to his brother, Cyrus, on the left side of Alabama's offensive line. As a senior, Kouandjio has provided a steadying presence to a unit breaking in a true freshman at left tackle. He's also shown improved mobility and finishing ability in 2014. An academic all-america choice, Kouandjio was also named first-team All-SEC.
2.] OC Lane Kiffin
Prior to 2014: Former head coach at USC, Tennessee and NFL's Oakland Raiders.
Why he's on the list: When Kiffin was fired by USC athletic director Pat Haden midway through the 2013 season, Kiffin's offense ranked last in the Pac-12 in points per game (26.0), yards per game (380.4) and third down conversions (28 percent). As Alabama's offensive coordinator in 2014, Kiffin's unit ranks second in the SEC in total offense (490.5 yards per game) and third down conversions (53.8 percent) and third in points per game (37.1). Two things Kiffin has done extremely well in his first season at UA: manage quarterback Blake Sims and the offense from the sideline in games and find ways to get favorable matchups for wide receiver Amari Cooper on a consistent basis.
1.] QB Blake Sims
Prior to 2014: Worked at a handful of positions in 2010 and 2011 before settling in at quarterback in 2012. In 23 career games, rushed for 355 yards on (5.3 yards per carry) while completing 23 of 39 passes for passing for 244 yards.
Why he's on the list: In winning the starting quarterback job, Sims was an automatic to make this list. In passing for a school-record 3,250 yards he went straight to the top. Sims was at his best when things looked the worst, coming up with clutch play after clutch play in wins over Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. In leading his team to an SEC championship, the second-team all-conference selection wasn't just a caretaker of the offense. More often than not, Sims' play was the difference in winning and losing. As good of a story as he was in 2014, he was an even better quarterback.
http://alabama.247sports.com/Articl...thc_4&utm_campaign=thc&utm_source=thc_default
5.] WR ArDarius Stewart
Prior to 2014: Redshirt in 2013.
Why he's on the list: With a trio of veterans entrenched at the top of the wide receiver rotation, there wasn't much room for a young player to make a move up the pecking order in 2014. That didn't keep Stewart from impressing, however, as the redshirt freshman found his way onto the field earlier and earlier in games as the season progressed. Hauled in 12 passes for 149 yards and was very effective as a blocker. Also had two tackles while working on special teams. Ankle injury kept Stewart out of the Auburn game and left him limited for the SEC Championship Game but he'll be ready to go for Ohio State. Given what UA will lose at receiver, Stewart figures to play a major role in the rotation in 2015.
4.] FB Jalston Fowler
Prior to 2014: Reserve running back/H back and special teamer who rushed for 669 yards and five touchdowns on 101 carries (6.6 yards per carry) in his first three seasons of eligibility. Five of his seven receptions in 2013 went for touchdowns.
Why he's on the list: Fowler's rushing (69 yards) and receiving (115 yards and two touchdowns) numbers don't tell the entire story where his improvement is concerned. More so than previous years, Fowler's role seemed to be more defined in 2014. And to his credit, he fully embraced it. His commitment to the role showed up in his blocking more so than any other area of his game. We already knew Fowler, who was selected as a permanent captain for the 2014 Crimson Tide, could run and catch. This season he showed a willingness to do the dirty work as a blocker. In doing so, Fowler proved to NFL talent evaluators that he has the complete skill set needed to get the job done at the next level.
3.] OG Arie Kouandjio
Prior to 2014: Starter at left guard in 2013.
Why he's on the list: Chronic knee problems left Alabama fans to wonder if Kouandjio would see his redshirt junior season, much less win a starting job. He did just that in 2013, lining up next to his brother, Cyrus, on the left side of Alabama's offensive line. As a senior, Kouandjio has provided a steadying presence to a unit breaking in a true freshman at left tackle. He's also shown improved mobility and finishing ability in 2014. An academic all-america choice, Kouandjio was also named first-team All-SEC.
2.] OC Lane Kiffin
Prior to 2014: Former head coach at USC, Tennessee and NFL's Oakland Raiders.
Why he's on the list: When Kiffin was fired by USC athletic director Pat Haden midway through the 2013 season, Kiffin's offense ranked last in the Pac-12 in points per game (26.0), yards per game (380.4) and third down conversions (28 percent). As Alabama's offensive coordinator in 2014, Kiffin's unit ranks second in the SEC in total offense (490.5 yards per game) and third down conversions (53.8 percent) and third in points per game (37.1). Two things Kiffin has done extremely well in his first season at UA: manage quarterback Blake Sims and the offense from the sideline in games and find ways to get favorable matchups for wide receiver Amari Cooper on a consistent basis.
1.] QB Blake Sims
Prior to 2014: Worked at a handful of positions in 2010 and 2011 before settling in at quarterback in 2012. In 23 career games, rushed for 355 yards on (5.3 yards per carry) while completing 23 of 39 passes for passing for 244 yards.
Why he's on the list: In winning the starting quarterback job, Sims was an automatic to make this list. In passing for a school-record 3,250 yards he went straight to the top. Sims was at his best when things looked the worst, coming up with clutch play after clutch play in wins over Arkansas, LSU, Mississippi State and Auburn. In leading his team to an SEC championship, the second-team all-conference selection wasn't just a caretaker of the offense. More often than not, Sims' play was the difference in winning and losing. As good of a story as he was in 2014, he was an even better quarterback.
http://alabama.247sports.com/Articl...thc_4&utm_campaign=thc&utm_source=thc_default
