Tight Ends Get in on the Action in Alabama Win Against MTSU
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — All you fans clamoring to see more action from the tight end position, this year’s Alabama offense might be just for you.
First-year offensive coordinator Tommy Rees is a firm believer in utilizing the tight end, which he did at Notre Dame, and in the Crimson Tide’s season opening win against Middle Tennessee State.
The Crimson Tide routinely used a two tight end set throughout the game and used four different tight ends on its first offensive series, which resulted in a 63-yard scoring drive.
Alabama continued with a two tight end set on its second drive, along with a quick tempo, and it resulted in another touchdown drive.
According to ESPN, Alabama ran 13 plays with two tight ends, or 12 personnel/, last season. The Crimson Tide surpassed that number in the first quarter Saturday.
Tight ends were in motion, lined up in the slot and running all over the field Saturday.
Alabama rotated Amari Niblack, Danny Lewis, Maryland transfer CJ Dippre and Robbie Outz throughout the first two drives and the Blue Raiders weren’t ready for it.
“I think we have better tight ends than we’ve had in the past,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “CJ gives us something we haven’t had, which is a good solid blocker at Y. Amari is a really good pass catcher and had a nice one today. Danny is a solid blocker and a good Y. Robbie is a good H-back, big old fashioned fullback kind of guy.”
The offense went away from two tight ends in the second quarter, relying on Niblack in a primarily blocking role. The results weren’t as strong. Alabama had two drives of six and 15 yards in the single tight end set compared to drives of 63 and 47 in the first two drives with double tight ends.
“Our tight ends have been really great for us,” receiver Jermaine Burton said. “They are strong with their communication and when you have solid communication between the tight end and receivers it makes it a more fluid game. I’m proud of those guys.”
The dual tight end package didn’t yield numerous receptions, but it was successful. Dippre caught his first pass as a member of the Crimson Tide for five yards in the first half, and Niblack caught a 29-yard pass in the third quarter for his second career touchdown. He also had a 20-yard grab in the fourth quarter.
“That’s one of our best pass-catching tight ends,” running back Jase McClellen said of Niblack. “That’s one thing he’s capable of and he displayed that tonight.”
It wasn’t like the Kansas City Chiefs using Travis Kelce and rolling up 100-plus receiving yards, but the tight ends were involved in the offense. Alabama didn’t get too flashy, but there could be some surprises down the road, maybe even against Texas next week.
“I’m pleased with the progress this group has made and hopefully that will help us in the future,” Saban said. “It’s hard to run the ball on the perimeter when you don’t have guys that can block at tight end. So hopefully we can improve on how we run the ball as well.”
