Hootie Jones explains why Alabama's passing attack can't be underestimated
TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — A word of advice to those underestimating Alabama’s passing attack this season — don’t.
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Safety Hootie Jones and the rest of the Crimson Tide’s secondary learned that the hard way Saturday during Alabama’s first scrimmage of spring camp.
“We didn't think they were going to probably pass it that much, but when we did think they were going to pass it, we (thought) it was gonna be short passes,” Jones said. “And that was killing the defense. Honestly, I can't sugar coat it.”
Alabama did not reveal stats from the scrimmage, but head coach Nick Saban did state that starting quarterback Jalen Hurts had four touchdowns and no interceptions while completing more than 50 percent of his passes.
While there are no numbers to demonstrate how dominant the Tide’s aerial attack was, Jones did his best to put it into words.
“The quarterbacks were very good to see, very competitive and putting their guys in great positions,” he said. “I mean, honestly, the defense really got tore up by the quarterbacks.”
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According to Jones, the quarterbacks weren’t the only ones putting on a show. Saban provided stats on three receivers, stating Calvin Ridley finished the day with eight receptions, while T.J. Simmons had seven and Robert Foster had three.
“The receivers played real good and the quarterbacks were putting them in good position, putting the ball on the money,” Jones said. “There wasn't like nothing we could do, for real. We were already playing lazy and they were tearing us up. I don't even know what else to say."
Saban attributed much of the Tide’s troubles at secondary to its youth. Outside of Alabama’s starting unit, Jones and fellow senior Levi Wallace are the Tide’s only upperclassmen. Saturday, that inexperience was noticeable.
“I think a lot of the young players made a lot of mental errors, but that's OK,” Saban said Saturday. “I think that's why we put them out there. They'll learn from the mistakes that they made and we're going to have an opportunity to get some of those guys better.”
Of course, all hope isn’t lost for the Tide’s secondary. Last season, Alabama ranked No. 24 in the nation in pass defense, allowing opponents 197.9 yards per game through the air. Despite losing cornerback Marlon Humphrey and safety Eddie Jackson from last year’s team, the Tide returns with most of its core players this season.
In fact, Jones doesn’t feel Saturday’s woes had anything to do with personnel.
“We just have to play faster, for real,” he said. “We were playing very lazy out there and not respecting our keys that we've been told to respect at all times, we just weren't doing it.”
The safety also made it clear that the breakdown in coverage had nothing to do with the Tide’s coaching staff, instead placing the blame solely on the players. Heading into his senior season, the veteran safety knows it will be his job to set a good example and show the younger defensive backs that a performance like Saturday’s is unacceptable at Alabama.
"We just really have to be consistent and play with great poise, man,” Jones said. “We just have to go out there and ball, do what we've been doing and do what coach Saban says. Effort, for real, effort. We need effort. Go out there and play pretty physical."
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