Thursday, August 15, 2013

The Alabama Analysis: Wealth of talent at receiver

If the 2012 edition of the Alabama Crimson Tide found an unbreakable foundation in the offensive line, the 2013 Crimson Tide will enter the season with a similar outlook when it comes to the receiving unit.

With arguably the best crop of receivers in the country, working with arguably the best pro-style quarterback in the country, ‘Bama is poised to have a statistical juggernaut when it comes to the passing game.

Familiar and proven talent will “join forces” with a group of highly touted freshmen to form what can only be considered a dream for the offense, and a certifiable nightmare for any college secondary.
Prominent players

WR - Kenny Bell
WR - Amari Cooper
HB - Jalston Fowler (RB split)
WR - Christion Jones
TE - Harrison Jones
WR - Kevin Norwood
TE - Brian Vogler
WR - DeAndrew White

Emerging talent

WR - Chris Black
TE - Malcolm Faciane
WR - Raheem Falkins
HB/TE - LaMichael Fanning (DE in 2012, worked at HB/TE in camp)
WR - Robert Foster
TE - Kurt Freitag
HB/TE - Brandon Greene (OL in 2012, worked at HB/TE Aug. 12-present)
HB/TE - O.J. Howard
WR - ArDarius Stewart

Just look at the names above. Is an “overview” really necessary? Talent is the name of the game, and Alabama is loaded at this particular skill position.

In respect to personnel replacements from last season, tight end Brian Vogler is the likely choice to fill the vacancy left by Michael Williams, while Jalston Fowler is the most likely candidate to fill the h-back spot vacated by Kelly Johnson.

As noted in the running back analysis in respect to Fowler, Alabama is still searching for someone to truly fill the “Brad Smelley” role from 2011. Smelley was the ideal h-back and perfect complement to tight end Michael Williams. Either Fowler, or freshman O.J. Howard, could fill that role this season.

As far as the wide receiver position goes, nine-deep isn’t too shabby. Injured receivers Kenny Bell and DeAndrew White will return in 2013, as well as redshirt freshman Chris Black who sustained a shoulder injury prior to the start of the 2012 season.

It was only this time last year that a faction of people thought Black, not Amari Cooper, would be the “stud” freshman of the 2012 receiving unit. In retrospect that is a massive compliment to Black, considering Cooper wrote an incredible chapter in his first season at the Capstone.
The 2013 Tide receivers have an unlimited ceiling of potential, but everything will begin on the front line. As noted in the offensive line analysis, AJ McCarron, the running backs, and the receivers, can only be as good as the protection allows. Having the next "Jerry Rice" at wide receiver is irrelevant if the quarterback has to run for his life.

If McCarron can stand tall in the pocket, Alabama has the potential to rewrite virtually every single-season (team) passing record in program history.

Unit rating: 9.5/10

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