2008 Outlook: Offense

By Tim Nordstom - Contributing Author

With the first full week of practice setting up the first scrimmage Saturday, I am going to take a look at what we might see from the Alabama offense this fall. When you talk about offense you have to look at the quarterback first. In 2008 John Parker Wilson will be entering his third season as the starter. Although he had some good games last season, he had quite a few bad games as well.

Who is responsible is an after thought. Two costly fumbles late in the games versus LSU and Florida State could be the offensive lines fault as much as Wilson’s. The interception right before halftime at Mississippi State could be as well. Wilson has reportedly put on weight and is a lot stronger, which should help with the latter play against Mississippi State.

Wilson’s greatest improvement could come by way of Jim McElwain in the form of play calling. The problems last season were team wide and their lack of commitment was obvious, especially in November. So, what does that mean for 2008?

The 2008 offense will feature more players than the 2007 offense did and by that I mean. The quarterback will have the ball less and the play-makers will have it more. Wilson did not have a problem with decision making, it was throwing form and time to throw.

With DJ Hall moving on in his career, Wilson must find a new guy to throw to. With plenty of guys fighting for the spots vacated by the seniors it is likely he will find a few guys to fill the void left by Hall, Matt Caddell, and Keith Brown. Imagine, if you can, the comeback against Arkansas. The formation Alabama ran was four wide receivers in tight, two to either side. Now imagine that same goal line formation with Julio Jones, Mike McCoy, Earl Alexander, and Darius Hanks.

Is there a bad target in that group? Based on early observations from practice, it opens up a whole new can of worms for the defense to have to cover two guys over 6-4 and McCoy is not a dwarf. Gone are the days of the jumbo package, although it will still be used some. With McElwain in town I look for us to disguise formations like this.

The formation will start out looking like this. Three wide receivers, a fullback, and a running back. The defense believes it will be covering three wide receivers and guarding against the run. The two players in the backfield then motion out to the wide receiver position. Now the defense is faced with guarding five wide receivers, with only four defensive backs to cover them the mismatch is made, linebackers covering wide receivers and a corner back on a fullback.

At offensive line we will be as strong as we have been in years. I am not going to put them in the Wesley Britt, Evan Mathis, and Justin Smiley league yet, but we are close. Right tackle is our biggest weakness and with the emergence of Drew Davis it looks to be improving.

With four starters returning, experience will not be the issue. Can these guys pave the way for the running backs and give Wilson time to throw the ball. The latter will not be all that difficult in the new offense. The offensive line will be a huge asset in 2008.

The wide receiver position will be deep and productive, although I don’t think that there will be the one dominant player in the group like with DJ Hall. I expect single season passing records to be broken once again this season. Julio Jones will get the ball alot, but I don’t believe he will be featured in 2008 like he will be in future season’s.

At running back Terry Grant will not be alone in 2008. Roy Upchurch, Glenn Coffee and freshman Mark Ingram and Chris Jordan will look to add depth and talent to the position. Coach Nick Saban is finally getting his players in and these guys can play.

My expectations for the 2008 offense are high. I believe in Jim McElwain’s offense and how it works. The running back position will be as strong as it has been in years. If the young players on this team are able to mature slowly and grow with the season, a lot of things are possible in 2008 for the Alabama offense.

-Next week I will cover the defensive outlook for the 2008 season.