Alabama Football: 5 Reasons Crimson Tide Wide Receivers Will Be Better in 2012

The fact that Alabama will have to replace its starting wide receivers would seem to indicate that the Crimson Tide will experience a drop-off at that position this fall. 

Nick Saban’s last two recruiting classes have featured several playmakers who may be ready to break out—and Tide supporters are counting on that to be the case.   

For a team that won the national championship last season, casual fans who are not familiar with the  Crimson Tide may be shocked to learn that Alabama wideouts only accounted for seven touchdowns combined in 2011. 

Alabama quarterback A.J. McCarron threw a respectable 16 touchdown passes last season, but nine of them went to tight ends and running backs. 

However, there are several reasons for optimism with regards to the receiver group this fall. 

Here are five reasons the wide receiver group will be better in 2012.

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Opportunity

With the starting two wide receiver positions open for competition, every Tide pass-catcher on the roster will have his chance to make a move up the depth chart. 

Add in the fact that the Tide will have a new offensive coordinator in Doug Nussmeier and the slate has truly been wiped clean and the next impression each player makes could be a lasting one. 

Competition breeds excellence, and the Tide offense should benefit from what is sure to be spirited battles that will rage until September. 

Motivation

If competition will not bring out the best in the receiving unit, it can use the ammunition from its doubters as a good source of motivation. 

If there is one thing missing from Alabama’s offense, it is consistent production from the wideout spots. 

There may not be a Julio Jones type of impact player on the roster, but considering the talent that has been added to the roster, the receivers can make a bigger impact on the offense as a group.

Explosiveness

The longest touchdown by an Alabama wide receiver last season was a 41-yard grab by Kenny Bell against Auburn. 

It was one of only two receptions of over 40 yards by a Crimson Tide wide receiver all season—Marquis Maze had the other one with a 69-yard reception against Tennessee. 

Nussmeier will have an experienced quarterback and offensive line, plus a trio of talented newcomers who should help the Tide create more big plays from its receivers. 

Depth

Three new targets have joined the Crimson Tide roster—JUCO import Duron Carter and early enrollee freshmen Chris Black and Amari Cooper. 

All three players boast lofty credentials and they will add to a solid group of receivers who return to help McCarron push the ball downfield. 

In addition to experienced veterans Kenny Bell (17 catches, 255 yards, two TDs in 2011), DeAndrew White (14 catches, 151 yards, two TDs in 2011) and Kevin Norwood (11 catches, 190 yards in 2011), several players are waiting in the wings who could possibly emerge in the spring.

Players like Marvin Shinn, Danny Woodson Jr. and Michael Bowman will all have a chance to break out before the 2012 season gets underway. 

Mystery

With so many moving parts within the receiving group, there is a lot of intrigue as to how their potential will translate to the field.

Fans and coaches are probably wondering which players will step up and prove themselves, but the unknown factor could help against their opponents when the season finally rolls around. 

Alabama has been a traditionally run-heavy team, and with opposing defenses expecting the Tide to play smash-mouth football, the receivers should see favorable looks from secondaries that they can exploit. 

If opponents are expecting the same things they saw from the Crimson Tide receiving unit last year, a group that comes into the season as a question mark could be an exclamation point for the Tide offense in 2012.