I think Irv Smith maybe the best TE to play under Saban here.

RTR91 · Nov 8, 2018

Just checked OJ's stats and compared to Irv's.

In 2016, OJ had 45 catches, 595 yards, and 3 TDs. That's three catches per game.

So far this year, Irv has 26 catches, 448 yards, and 6 TDs. He averages just under three catches per game.

The obvious difference is yards and TDs, which is why we have this impression he's doing more than OJ did in his respective offense.

Go Bama · Nov 8, 2018

Tideflyer said:
I guess that this would be for us "older " members. Ozzie Newsome. Ozzie was a TE at Alabama if memory serves. Were he, OJ and now Irv cut from the same bolt of cloth? Ozzie`s remembered far more for being a great receiver than blocker, I believe.

This certainly doesn’t qualify as under Saban, but if memory serves, Ozzie Newsome played WR at Bama. He was converted to TE by the Browns.

I could easily be wrong about this but what I’m certain of is Newsome was a four year starter and played a couple of years after I graduated. Not all the games were on TV at the time and living in Memphis I couldn’t always catch the games on radio. So Newsome could have played TE at Bama.

Coach Bryant called Newsome the best end in the history of Alabama football. High praise indeed from a man who played end opposite Don Hutson.

rgw · Nov 8, 2018

He might just have the best statistical season of any tight end here. My understanding is that Ozzie was a SE not TE at Bama so his numbers really ought to be reflected on the WR record book.

Bamabuzzard · Nov 8, 2018

I'm trying to find out how many times both OJ and Irv were targeted to see if there is a big discrepancy. However, I still say this discussion is like comparing apples and oranges because who's behind center and style offense matters, a lot. We're assuming a lot in trying to make this comparison. That the chemistry between OJ and Tua would have been the exact same as Tua and Irv. No one knows. Could have been better, could have been worse. One means more looks, the other means less looks. Who knows? But I guess it's fun to talk about it. I just don't see how any definite conclusion can be made. They both are very good TE's.

rgw · Nov 8, 2018

allybama2009 said:
If OJ had Tua throwing him the ball, I think you would see this very differently. Way different types of offenses. Roll Tide

Wish we could see what an offense would look like with OJ and these four WRs. Four little fast guys and one big guy who can play inline, in the backfield, or flexed wide. Irv is a really good TE. OJ was a freak who we never really utilized to the degree we could've because our QB play in his 4 years was average.

RT27 · Nov 8, 2018

We have had some great TE's, we have had some great WR's, but the guys we have now and having Tua as the passer makes any comparison hard to do. Never have we had this much success passing to so many at one time. I like the comparisons but like all our players, I am just really enjoying watching them play. Every era had players, but right now betwen coaches, players and success this is the true GOLDEN era of Bama football. Never has so many had so much success at the same time. As Nissan commercials used to say " Enjoy the ride".

RTR91 · Nov 8, 2018

Bamabuzzard said:
I'm trying to find out how many times both OJ and Irv were targeted to see if there is a big discrepancy. However, I still say this discussion is like comparing apples and oranges because who's behind center and style offense matters, a lot. We're assuming a lot in trying to make this comparison. That the chemistry between OJ and Tua would have been the exact same as Tua and Irv. No one knows. Could have been better, could have been worse. One means more looks, the other means less looks. Who knows? But I guess it's fun to talk about it. I just don't see how any definite conclusion can be made. They both are very good TE's.

Going off stats from CFB Filmroom:

OJ 2015 - 47
OJ 2016 - 56
Total - 103

Irv 2017 - 17
Irv 2018 (thru week 8) - 30
Total - 47

Tenntiderman · Nov 8, 2018

Mike Williams. Irv is a gift. He may end up being our greatest. But don't forget Williams. What if HE had been used more?

crimsonaudio · Nov 8, 2018

Tenntiderman said:
Mike Williams. Irv is a gift. He may end up being our greatest. But don't forget Williams. What if HE had been used more?

One of my all-time favorite Bama plays was his TD against ND, where he faked the block and McCarron hit him all alone in the EZ. Simple play, but so good.

CoachJeff · Nov 9, 2018

Irv is a better receiver than OJ. OJ was faster though. I'm not sure OJ would have made that catch Irv made against LSU.

RollTide_HTTR · Nov 9, 2018

OJ is the better athlete. Because of that he probably has a higher ceiling.

JBama_in_PCOLA · Nov 9, 2018

I’m just excited even having a conversation like that. TE play has been great over the past 5 years. Wow! Someone mentioned Colin Peek, that cat was great who was of course under utilized.

TideEngineer08 · Nov 9, 2018

Go Bama said:
This certainly doesn’t qualify as under Saban, but if memory serves, Ozzie Newsome played WR at Bama. He was converted to TE by the Browns.

I could easily be wrong about this but what I’m certain of is Newsome was a four year starter and played a couple of years after I graduated. Not all the games were on TV at the time and living in Memphis I couldn’t always catch the games on radio. So Newsome could have played TE at Bama.

Coach Bryant called Newsome the best end in the history of Alabama football. High praise indeed from a man who played end opposite Don Hutson.

You are not wrong. He played Split End at Alabama, meaning he was split wide every play and was basically a WR. Rick Neal was the TE of this era. Ozzie might line up at TE in some packages, but mostly he split wide. And the Browns converted him to TE in the NFL and the rest is history.

Rush · Nov 9, 2018

crimsonaudio said:
One of my all-time favorite Bama plays was his TD against ND, where he faked the block and McCarron hit him all alone in the EZ. Simple play, but so good.

And, as an added bonus, we all got to enjoy Musburgface's poorly concealed disappointment...

Padreruf · Nov 9, 2018

Go Bama said:
This certainly doesn’t qualify as under Saban, but if memory serves, Ozzie Newsome played WR at Bama. He was converted to TE by the Browns.

I could easily be wrong about this but what I’m certain of is Newsome was a four year starter and played a couple of years after I graduated. Not all the games were on TV at the time and living in Memphis I couldn’t always catch the games on radio. So Newsome could have played TE at Bama.

Coach Bryant called Newsome the best end in the history of Alabama football. High praise indeed from a man who played end opposite Don Hutson.

Yes, Ozzie was a WR in college...moved to TE in pros due to size and lack of speed.

TiderJack · Nov 9, 2018

I hate the comparison due to what happened off the field but Irv reminds me of Aaron Hernandez. He is the prototype current NFL TE.

Tenntiderman · Nov 10, 2018

TiderJack said:
I hate the comparison due to what happened off the field but Irv reminds me of Aaron Hernandez. He is the prototype current NFL TE.

Very happy with Irv's play, but I am very happy with how our TEs are employed now. Hasn't always been that way. Anybody remember Preston Gothard? Gothard was not as physical as Irv is, but he was a player. We have had some really good TEs in the past too. Go back and watch some old films from the Perkins days. But I love what Coach Locksley is doing for that position. And yeah..Hernandez was a hybrid TE sorta. Until Ro was assigned to keep him from turning up behind center on that quick pitch from Tebow. Eh eh!

BamaBoySince89 · Nov 10, 2018

CoachJeff said:
Irv is a better receiver than OJ. OJ was faster though. I'm not sure OJ would have made that catch Irv made against LSU.

OJ wasn’t used as much as he should have been but I still think he’s better than I’ve up to this point. But who’s to say Irv won’t be the best before he leaves Bama

Who want the smoke wit Bama?

Tenntiderman · Nov 10, 2018

Padreruf said:
Yes, Ozzie was a WR in college...moved to TE in pros due to size and lack of speed.

Ozzie was loved at Bama from the get go. An unusual Freshman athlete. Also.......When Todd threw him the ball, He caught it. Oz played a big part in Bama breaking our bowl game losing streak in 1975 against Penn St. Todd had utmost confidence in Ozzie. As did Jeff Rutledge. Bama DID have a play where he lined up close (like a TE) and Ozzie would go into motion and take a pitch from the he QB and turned up behind the OL. Similar to what Hernandez did at Florida. CPB didn't use that play but maybe a couple of times as I can remember. May be someone here who can remember more than I.

Tenntiderman · Nov 10, 2018

This thread is in relation to TEs who have played under Saban. Sorry about the babbling fellows. I have seen a LOT of huge and unforgettable Bama games. Would have to say that Irv is building an awesome rep for himself. Next level talent for sure.

I think Irv Smith maybe the best TE to play under Saban here.

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