Bama receivers catch attention for blocking skills

TUSCALOOSA — Marquis Maze’s 80-yard touchdown reception against Arkansas grabbed headlines.

But his block to spring Mark Ingram on a 14-yard touchdown pass got quarterback Greg McElroy’s attention.

Ingram caught a short pass over the middle and raced to the right sideline. He was able to turn the corner and get into the end zone when Maze wiped out an Arkansas defender.

“Without Marquis’s block — he takes out two guys — Mark gets tackled at the 8-yard line,” McElroy said.
Ingram immediately ran back to Maze from the end zone and they celebrated the touchdown together. It was one of several key blocks receivers have thrown on big plays this season.

“I think that our guys have done a really good job blocking all year long,” Alabama coach Nick Saban said. “When you have a lot of explosive runs, long plays, it’s because they make blocks.”

Saban said if a receiver can’t block, defenses will always have an extra man in the box.

McElroy said he tries to reward the blocking by his receivers.

“The more they continue doing that, the more I’m going to continue to look for them to get them the ball,” the quarterback said. “Because if they’re willing to take one for the team by springing a guy for the extra 10 yards, then I know they’re going to be able to work for me later in the game.”

Busy practice: Alabama practiced for about two and a half hours Tuesday on a crisp afternoon that felt like football weather.

Of course, it had a bit of a training camp feel to it for the linebackers.

Cory Reamer said players have been shuffling positions, trying to fill the void left by the injured Dont’a Hightower.

“Everybody’s kind of having to shuffle around like we did in camp,” Reamer said. “See what combinations work out the best ... trying to figure out who fits best where.”

Reamer is particularly busy this week. He has played the last two seasons at the Sam (outside) linebacker spot. In 2007, he played the Will linebacker, where Hightower was. He moved inside during Saturday’s victory over Arkansas.

“Inside linebacker is a completely different position than outside linebacker,” Reamer said. “Just getting back into the feel of things, that’s the biggest step, the biggest part for me to get used to again.”

He said he spent time at the Will and Sam positions, as well as the money spot in Alabama’s nickel package.

“It was just about evenly split,” he said. “Probably more reps at the money position. But also, they don’t want me to get too far away from the Sam position, because we never know what combination’s going to work.”

Staying focused: From the believe-it-or-not category, McElroy was asked if he’s heard some Heisman Trophy talk after a strong start to the season.
McElroy is 63-for-93 (67.7 percent) passing for 938 yards, seven touchdowns and one interception.

He also ranks third in the country for passing efficiency.

From an unproven entity to Heisman candidate in four games?

“I’ve never thought about it,” Saban said when the topic came up this week. “I don’t think about things like that. I’m kind of worried about playing well in this game.”

McElroy was grilling out with some teammates Sunday night. As they watched TV, his name surfaced as a newcomer to the Heisman race.

“It’s an honor. It’s nice to get recognition for an award like that,” the quarterback said. “But we’re here to win championships, not individual awards. ... That’s not my goal; that’s not our team goal. We’re here to win games, and that’s it.”

He also had to endure some good-natured joking from his buddies.

“They were giving me a hard time about it last night, saying, ‘Oh yeah, New York,’ and all that stuff,” McElroy said.

His roommate, and center, William Vlachos wouldn’t be one of those, would he?

“Oh yeah, that’s going to happen,” Vlachos acknowledged with a smile. “Greg’s that type of guy. He’s a good sport with that type stuff. But it’s all in good fun. He won’t let that type stuff get to his head.”

Last month, of course, reporters were asking McElroy about his first collegiate start. Now he’s fielding Heisman questions.

“Yeah, it happens quick, but it comes with the territory,” the quarterback said. “We’re a good football team. We play like a good football team. We have a lot of confidence in ourselves, and I have a lot of confidence in my teammates.”