There are few things Alabama fans enjoy discussing more than why O.J. Howard should get more touches.
After showing flashes of brilliance as a true freshman, it was a recurring theme last year that the 6-foot-6, 242-pound tight end wasn't targeted enough. He finished the season with 17 catches for 260 yards and zero touchdowns, leading fans to practically beg offensive coordinator Lane Kiffin to utilize him more often.
Howard heard the talk about why he should get the ball more frequently. He appreciates the sentiment but admits there's more that goes into it than what fans see on Saturday afternoons.
"It's good that they know I'm a football player and know who I am," Howard said, "but at the same time, they don't see everything that goes on here in practice. There are some things I have to do to get the ball myself, like running routes a little better and gaining trust. Sometimes it's cool that they notice that, but there are other things that they can't see in practice that I work on."