TUSCALOOSA, Ala. — Tua Tagovailoa isn’t here for your critiques on Alabama’s passing game. Following the Crimson Tide's 47-28 victory over Texas A&M last week, the Heisman contender opened up about what he felt like was an unfair critique on the Crimson Tide’s penchant for quick slants. “We don’t practice slants every time,” Tagovailoa said shaking his head. “It’s just that’s what the defense gives us. If people say, ‘They’ve got to stop running this.’ It’s weak that they’re running this.’ I mean, stop it. Then stop it.”

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It’s not clear who exactly is criticizing Tagovailoa’s quick passes. Through six games, it’s been hard to detract the junior at all. Tagovailoa leads the nation with 27 touchdown passes and ranks third in passing yards (2,011) and passer rating (214.30). Still, in the midst of a heated Heisman Trophy race, even the best quarterbacks are nitpicked. The knock on Tagovailoa has been that Alabama's receivers have done most of his dirty work. The Crimson Tide has the nation's best receiving corps and has taken advantage of the unit on run-pass options which allow the quarterback to pepper in short, quick passes and let the speedy wideouts do the rest. According to Pro Football Focus, Tagovailoa has completed 101 of 114 passes that traveled fewer than 10 yards in the air this season. Those have resulted in 1,139 yards and 13 touchdowns. It’s also worth noting that Alabama receivers have combined for 1,457 yards after the catch.

Still, Tagovailoa isn’t making any apologies. “That’s what’s given to us,” Tagovailoa said of slant passes Monday. “If that’s the play that’s given to us, we’ve got to execute it the best way we can execute it.” Like most quarterbacks, Tagovailoa’s numbers dip on passes of 20 or more yards through the air. He’s 11 of 29 for 348 yards and six touchdowns on such passes this season. However, the left-hander’s deep ball has never been in doubt. Tagovailoa has flashed his big arm several times this season, including a 33-yard touchdown pass to Henry Ruggs III last week.

106k bought tickets to see this pic.twitter.com/Z1UVelueKY — Alabama Crimson Tide | BamaInsider.com (@bamainsider) October 12, 2019

“It’s not all the time you can take a shot,” Tagovailoa said. “RPOs now in college, and I think it’s starting to work its way into the NFL, it’s the thing to do. It’s evident in LSU’s offense. You see the success they’ve had. It’s just what’s given to us. If you have to throw a slant because a guy steps in the box, you have to throw it. The rest is really up to the guys. They are the guys who are making plays for us.” As for the guys making those plays, they have no complaints. "I'm behind him 100 percent,” said receiver Jaylen Waddle, who caught his first touchdown pass of the season from Tagovailoa last week. Waddle’s 31-yard touchdown reception came after he caught a ball behind the line of scrimmage and used his world-class speed to blow by defenders. However, the sophomore scoffs at the idea that screens or slants are “cheap routes.”

World class speed pic.twitter.com/amOOuPjjjS — Alabama Crimson Tide | BamaInsider.com (@bamainsider) October 12, 2019

“Cheap routes? I wouldn't say that,” Waddle said. “It's a route, it's in the route tree. It's just as good as a dig (or) go in the route tree.” Waddle opted not to respond to other questions about critiques against his quarterback, stating that Tagovailoa “spoke on that well enough.” Instead, Alabama plans to continue to exploit opposing defenses any way it can. If anyone has a problem with that, Tagovailoa has already provided a suggestion.

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Andrew Bone, of BamaInsider.com, is a real estate broker in the state of Alabama.

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