The biggest question Alabama football faces at tight end in 2006

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — The 2005 season proved that a tight end does not need gaudy statistics to be indispensable. Josh Cueras never lit up the box score, yet his 37 catches, 411 yards and four touchdowns underscored his value as a steadying presence for quarterback Ty Simpson. Pro Football Focus data shows Cueras dropped only 7.5 percent of the passes thrown his way, a rate bettered only by receivers Germie Bernard (1.5 percent) and Lotzeir Brooks (5.7 percent) among regular starters. When Cueras was sidelined late in the year, the offense’s rhythm faltered.

Now, Cueras is gone, drafted into the NFL. The question confronting Alabama’s coaching staff is straightforward yet critical: Who will fill that void?

The most experienced returner is red-senior Danny Lewis Jr., a 6-5, -pound veteran who appeared in just six games last season while nursing injuries. A healthy Lewis would provide an immediate boost in both blocking and passing situations.

Freshman Kaleb Edwards, a 6-6, 264-pound sophomore-to-be, is the next most productive option after Cueras. Edwards hauled in 11 receptions for 150 yards and one touchdown in 2005, but he also recorded a 15.4 percent drop rate (two drops on 16 targets). Coaches believe his frame and upside give him a legitimate chance to grow into a larger role.

Size is not a concern across the position group. Marshall Pritchett (6-5, 248), Jack Sammarco (6-5, 252) and Jay Lindsey (6-5, 255) each stand taller than the departed Cueras, and the Tide added two transfers with. Oklahoma State’s Josh Ford (6-6, 265) and Jacksonville State’s Jaxon Shuttlesworth (6-5, 230) bring immediate competition.

Theoretically, the combination of veteran leadership, transfer talent and young potential should create a seamless transition. Yet the reality is murkier. None of the returning players has demonstrated Cueras’ reliability in clutch moments. Drops, injuries and inexperience remain hurdles.

Head coach Nick Saban and offensive coordinator Adrian White must evaluate every option during spring practice. The 2006 schedule will not wait for a position group to find its identity.

If one player steps forward with sure hands and a willingness to block in space, the Tide’s offense can regain the balance it enjoyed a year ago. If not, the tight end position could become a lingering question throughout the fall.

Keywords: Alabama football, tight end, Josh Cueras, Ty Simpson, Kaleb Edwards, Danny Lewis Jr., Josh Ford, Jaxon Shuttres, 2006 season, SEC football, Alabama offense, Nick Saban, Adrian White, Pro Football Focus, 2005 stats, transfer portal, Alabama tight end depth, Alabama roster, college football, Alabama Sports