"Four Downs: Measuring the Alabama QBs' throws, O.J. Howard, a better defense, other observations"

[WALL-E]

Four Downs: Measuring the Alabama QBs' throws, O.J. Howard, a better defense, other observations

By Andrew Gribble | agribble@al.com
Published September 08, 2014, 04:18:05 AM

Our weekly detailed breakdown of some of the things you may have missed during the Crimson Tide's rout of FAU. Read more...

[Chechem]

Why hasn't O.J. Howard been more involved in the passing game?

That Alabama's preseason, all-SEC first-team tight end has yet to catch a pass isn't the most perplexing aspect of this question. It's the lack of targets, as Howard has had just one pass thrown his way over the first two games. It was intercepted.

Since Howard's highlight-reel, 52-yard catch-and-run touchdown against LSU -- a play we examined in Four Downs last year -- he's caught three passes for 44 yards. That's an average of 0.5 receptions per game. Also of note, Sims and Howard did not connect on any passes at A-Day.

Howard was seen as a player who would benefit most from Lane Kiffin's arrival. On his first radio show of the season, Nick Saban said Kiffin uses tight ends differently than Doug Nussmeier. And it hasn't been because of a lack of snaps, as Howard has been a regular on the field throughout the first two games.

So, in short, we don't have any concrete reasons for this. Honestly, it's hard to draw much from two games, especially when the offense is averaging 579 yards per game. But we do have a potential theory.

Take a look around the NFL at some of the top pass-catching tight ends. Then take a look at their rosters. One thing that stands out to us is none of these teams -- New Orleans, New England, Carolina, Cleveland, etc. -- have a dominant, No. 1 receiver who receives a steady dose of targets no matter the circumstances.

Alabama, meanwhile, has Cooper, who leads the nation with 25 receptions. Seventeen of the 33 passes made while Cooper was still playing against FAU were directed at Cooper.

Our ultimate takeaway: There's always going to be a player Alabama fans believe should be getting the ball more, whether it's Drake, Chris Black or Howard. It seems to go in cycles and eventually works itself out...

Hopefully Kiffin is just saving OJ-target plays for the bigger games.  But it is odd!

[Catch Prothro]

Why hasn't O.J. Howard been more involved in the passing game?

That Alabama's preseason, all-SEC first-team tight end has yet to catch a pass isn't the most perplexing aspect of this question. It's the lack of targets, as Howard has had just one pass thrown his way over the first two games. It was intercepted.


Hopefully Kiffin is just saving OJ-target plays for the bigger games.  But it is odd!

That's probably the answer right there.

That, and Cooper being the go-to guy.

Howard could be used more around the end zone, with his height proving extra space.

[Chechem]

OJ has been running patterns.  Maybe he's just not getting open!  He has bulked up a bit; slower? 

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