Will we have a pass first philosophy this year?

I think we'll stay balanced. The rb depth may scare us, but I can't remember the last time we had to use more than three, excluding garbage time, for a whole season.

Kiffin may be less conservative than what we've been used to, but he still favors a Pro-style offense. We may see more 5 wide than we're used to, but that's because we basically never run it. If we do, it'll probably be with Howard or Scarborough in the slot. I doubt we'll ever have 5 wrs on the field. Plus, we're very likely to have a mobile QB that can gash times on the run.

I think the biggest change will be (assuming it's Bateman or Barnett) replacing Coker's boot runs with the read option.

Alabama will never go full on air raid under Saban, nor do I necessarily think it would be a good idea this year. The balanced attack will be effective because of how good our skill players are. If we get good QB and o-line play, there is no reason this won't be the most explosive and effective offense since Saban took the job. I mean every one of our receivers are lightning fast and deep threats and have all shown some spectacular catch ability, we're STACKED at tight end, and we have two young and explosive runners in the backfield (Both the #1 and #2 RBS in their class) with a year of experience each.

The issues are that we lost a first round center and Cam seems to have some injury issues still. Not sure right now about who is going to be playing in the middle of the line. Ross was extremely impressive to me last year, and I think I can see him at center. So that leaves us wondering about LG, RG, and RT. (Although I believe the kid from JUCO will easily win the RT job, and all the respect in the world to Dom Jackson for working his arse off but replacing him won't be super difficult)

My other concern is of course quarterback play, but there's nothing else that can be said really. If just ONE of these guys emerges as the playmaker that we've wanted for so long, there is 0 reason this team can't annihilate the SEC again.

I think we've got more flexibility among the main weapons than ever before.

We've got OJ who can play inline TE, split TE, wideout or Hback.

We've got Stewart who can play wideout, slot receiver, or even RB (hell he can prob play QB too).

Then, to a lesser extent, we've got Bo who can play RB, receiver, and probably TE, FB, or Hback. But he doesn't have as much experience in the offense as these other guys.

Ridley can play out wide or in the slot. Maybe even take a handoff or toss from RB.

Foster and Gehrig are probably best suited for being out wide, but the rest of the regulars can be moved to several spots. Kiffin will have lots of options. He will attack defenses by overloading and creating mismatches. The weapons at the skill positions provide unlimited opportunities. The only limitations will be with the QB.

Very limited if that QB is Bateman. Too bad Coker didn't have another year.

Always a sliding scale. If the offense has to be an explosive passing offense to get to the playoffs, that's what they'll do. There's enough talent to have just about whatever the couches want. Doesnt mean what they try will be leading the country, but the talent allows the coaches to adapt to what the team needs.


I have no idea if that made sense. I'm hammered drunk.

Alot depends on our opponents' defenses.

If Bateman is the QB, our passing game will be limited, at least until He stops playing it conservative. He played scared against Ole Miss last year and tried to stay short to intermediate and safe. I don't think he ever threw deep. Maybe it will click for him at some point but I don't think he will stretch many defenses in his current form.