Alabama Football 2014 Fall Preseason Practice 16

Alabama wide receiver ArDarius Stewart (13) returns to the Crimson Tide offense this spring.

(Vasha Hunt/vhunt@al.com)

It's coming. Spring football starts again March 13 in Tuscaloosa as Alabama turns the page.

A few months after the 2014 season ended in the Sugar Bowl, the Crimson Tide will have some serious work to do this spring. Another new quarterback will see a rebuilt group of receivers while the defense has to replace key linebackers and backs.

We'll take a day-by-day look at what to expect from the 15 spring practices before they get started. Day 5: Receivers.

BY THE NUMBERS

-- Chris Black: 15 catches, 188 yards (12.5 per catch), 0 touchdowns

-- ArDarius Stewart: 12 catches, 149 yards (12.4 average) 0 touchdowns

-- Cam Sims: 7 catches, 62 yards (8.9 average) 1 touchdown

-- Robert Foster: 6 catches, 44 yards (7.3 average), 0 touchdowns

THE DEPARTED

-- Amari Cooper: 124 catches, 1,727 yards (13.9 average) 16 touchdowns

-- DeAndrew White: 40 catches, 504 yards (12.6 average) 4 touchdowns

-- Christion Jones: 19 catches, 264 yards (13.9 average) 1 touchdown

SPRING CAST

-- Chris Black

-- Cam Sims

-- Robert Foster

-- Parker Barrineau

-- Raheem Falkins

-- Derek Kief

-- ArDarius Stewart

BURNING QUESTION

How exactly does Alabama plan to replace Amari Cooper after designing the 2014 offense around the Heisman Trophy finalist?

STAR ATTRACTION

That's part of the question. After losing three starters, Alabama has to look to the 2014 role players to restock the cupboard. There's certainly talent there and Chris Black has the most experience in the group. Remember he arrived at Alabama in 2012 with slightly higher recruiting marks than Cooper. He figures to be more of a Christion Jones-type receiver in the slot, however, after two seasons in a reserve role. Black brings the speed and versatility to make an impact in his third season of playing at Alabama.

FLASH OF POTENTIAL

Ardarius Stewart was just starting to make an impact when he injured his knee against Western Carolina late in the year. Lane Kiffin was moving Stewart around in a role reminiscent of Kenyan Drake's before his broken leg. He had five catches for 51 yards in the Western Carolina game before getting hurt blocking. Stewart has the speed and size to create matchup problems for opposing defenses.

WILD CARDS

As a true freshman, Cam Sims was often one of the first receivers off the bench. He made only seven catches (four in SEC play) for 62 yards, but Sims proved his value as a blocker. Expect his role to expand this spring.

Now in his third season with the Tide, Robert Foster is still working toward the expectation that surrounded his arrival. A five-star recruit ranked among the best receivers in the country, Foster redshirted his first year and played sparingly last year. All six of his catches for 44 yards came in non-conference games last fall.

Derek Kief (6-foot-5, 200 pounds) redshirted last year but could add some valuable height to the rotation in Year 2 with the Tide.

FACTS OF LIFE

1 - touchdown scored by the group of wide receivers who return from 2014.

33 - reception from non-WRs who return to Alabama's offense.

QUOTABLE

"I don't think it's time to single out any one person. We've got very capable guys in that room that have waited their turn. Some have played more than others this year so they'll compete and the best players will play like they always do. I think all of those guys are chomping at the bit for that opportunity and I'm excited to watch them." - WR coach Billy Napier before the Sugar Bowl.