2010 Alabama Football: Offensive Replacements (Tight Ends)

Larry Burton (Panama City Beach, FL)—Some coaches play without a tight end in their offenses. That was the main reason Alabama got their tight end from last year, Colin Peek, to leave Georgia Tech and come to Alabama. However, Nick Saban is not "some coach" and we have a lot of formations that need not only one tight end, but two.

In the last two seasons, Alabama has relied on having at least one tight end to keep the defense honest by making catches when needed. In 2008, it was Nick Walker who snagged 32, and last year Peek—his one, and only year—came down with 26.

Getting playing time at tight end with Alabama is the same as it is for a running back: You don't get it if you can't block. So anybody that wants to step into this role has to be able to shoulder that load and also have soft hands.

With Preston Dial returning on one end, who will take Colin Peek's spot as the go-to tight end?

Early indications are that it will be redshirt sophomore Michael Williams, a very imposing 6'6", 267-pound pass catching machine. He has the size and long arms of a left tackle, and can easily match up with the best defensive ends that get thrown at him if he improves his technique.

He's already developed the soft hands and route running skills a good tight should have.

Brad Smelly is another player who has shown good pass catching ability, but still needs work on run blocking and dominating defensive linemen. At 6'3", 220 pounds, he's still a touch on the light side, but with proper technique he could handle the job.

Redshirt sophomore Undra Billlingsly is also ready to start earning his playing time. He's one inch shorter than Smelly at 6'2", but his 275-pound frame means he can move a defensive lineman in the running game. He could early some playing time this year.

Fans that were worried about the departure of Colin Peek to the NFL can now take a sigh of relief knowing that Nick Saban had the shelves full, and tight end was just another position he was waiting to reload...not.