Statistical Snapshot: Alabama's Target & Catches

I’m kinda hoping that we’ll see the vertical threat develop over the next three games in preparation for LSU. With Arky at home and PSU and FLA on the road, I think there might have been concern about killing AJ’s confidence with too many deep targets that could have gotten picked off……possibly resulting in another external QB controversy (fans, media, other clutter).

If we succeed in developing a vertical threat, that would certainly help us against LSU. But like you alluded to, if we don’t show that the next three weeks, they’ll be able to load the box and stop our running game and short routes.

I think to this point, it’s mostly Saban’s philosophy of methodically moving the chains and wearing their defense down. But AJ certainly needs to show he’s capable of carrying the team on his shoulders should the need arise…..likely on November 5.

If a team will give us the checkdown throws we should take them. Any pass play the give us 4 or 5 yards will keep us ahead of the chains. With our running game the worst thing you can do is get behind the down and distance. If a defense comes up to stop the short throws we will see the longer ones open up.

Only reason em boys dont catch em all is cause the defense is inturferin and it dont never get called PAAAAAAWWWWWWLLLLLLLL!!!

If he had played all 5 games at his current 3-game rates, he’d have 24 targets and 10 catches. 2nd on the team in targets and 3rd in catches just behind Richardson.

And thank you for bringing the TE situation to light. Remember how Coach Mac brought GMac along? It was Clint Walker, Colin Peek, screens to Ingram, Upchurch, and Trent , etc. We see AJ learning to manage the game much in the same manner, week-to-week. At some point, however, with the arm strength and touch AJ has and the outside speed of Maze, White, and Bell, it would not surprise me to see less high-percentage short routes, and more shots of the vertical variety being taken. The importance of the vertical threat will multiply exponentially as we approach November 5th. LSU has a good front seven, and plenty of speed in the secondary. They will load the box to force us to throw, then blitz from different looks to force turnovers. From what I’ve seen from our o-line, they are just now beginning to gel. If this is the case, then LSU may get the crap pounded out of them on the ground in the second half. I know that’s some serious forward-thinking, but I believe we will make their asses quit!

- I thought we might spread it around a bit more after Julio departed, but it is starting to look as if focusing on a single receiver is the McElwaine scheme. (???)

- I liked our plain vanilla gameplan for Penn St., on the road in a huge house with a brand-spanking-new QB. But at some point you’ve got to consider AJ not so new and go downfield. I do think we will need to loosen up the LSU D with a vertical threat to get the running game going—we have 3 games and an off-week to prepare to do that.

- These numbers confirm my eyeball impression that Hanks just hasn’t done anything this year. I wonder if he’s healthy, because I expected more.

to loosen them up. Bubble screens, flat passes, and 5-yard sit-down patterns/tight end squares does not do the job.

screens and less down the field. Lets admit it. AJ is not that good going down the field. He is pretty good at dumping it off. So do what we are good at. And go to Williams 5 or 6 times a game not 2 times a game.

Furthermore, we need to get the ball in Mazes hands a bit more. But, rather than long passes we need to run him on reverses, in the wildcat, even line him up at RB and have him come out of the backfield on a screen.