Alabama's Amari Cooper 'can't do it alone'
Alabama can't rely on Amari Cooper all season, as ESPN made its case Tuesday.
The junior receiver – who will be in prime contention to win the Biletnikoff award this season – leads the country with 33 receptions and is third overall with 454 yards receiving.
He has also accounted for 48.5 percent of all of Alabama's receptions and 50.8 percent of all the team's passing yards.
"But for Alabama's offense to be successful, he can’t continue to do it alone," argued the news outlet. "Teams like Florida won’t allow it."
ESPN argued that Florida will likely double or triple-cover Cooper, and has a history of shutting down top receivers. Last year, neither Odell Beckham Jr. or Jarvis Landry had more than 60 yards receiving or a single touchdown. Dorial Green-Beckham, Missouri’s monster last year, suffered the same fate. He was held to 52 yards and no touchdowns.
After Saturday's win over Southern Missouri, Alabama coach Nick Saban voiced the need for more production outside of Cooper.
“We need to get more people involved offensively,” he said. “Coop has had a great start, but we have other guys that are capable players. Chris Black dropped the ball tonight. He’s a capable playmaker. We need those guys to play and get confidence. Getting DeAndrew White back will help us. Christion Jones had four catches tonight. We need to get more guys involved.”
Senior Christion Jones has been thrown to only 14 times, sophomore Chris Black has three total receptions and starting tight ends Brian Vogler and O.J. Howard have combined for just one catch.
Alabama isn't in trouble by any stretch - far from it. But if they don't get creative with some new bodies quick, Florida could threaten the No. 3 team in the nation.