Gotta love the off week, the fans are more bored and in need of stimulation this week than the week before the season.
Midseason Awards/Grades
Most often this is the most argued post of the year because everyone wants to believe in miracles, but not everyone gets A's around here.
Quarterback- B-
If you had asked before the Ole Miss game, I probably say B+ or maybe A-, but the regression and mechanical issues that have McElroy struggling also bring his grade down. The good news is that his play has not put Bama in position to lose the game. Jackson's lone appearance was a nice glimpse in a live scrimmage setting and he did ok. He needs work in some areas, but for a mop up or emergency start, he's going to be fine at that this year. If Greg were injured and out for the year, I don't know how much of the playbook he could fill.
Running Backs- A+
This has been the true bright spot on the offense and given the attention to passing the ball the team came out with, it is kinda surprising. Upchurch made the key plays in the Va Tech game that got the offense going. Trent Richardson did against Arkansas, and Mark Ingram has made the plays in about every other game. The trio have really been the backbone of a green offense that needed that kind of foundation. Even Terry Grant got some carries earlier on to ice a few games, but has been MIA again since conference play started.
Wide Receivers- C
The best thing the unit does is block. Jones has picked his play up over the last few weeks, but the unit as a whole continues to underperform. Maze and Hanks, in particular, make a play or two but run such bad routes at times that it makes it hard for a QB to have faith in throwing to them. That falls on coaching by the way not the players at this point. McCoy had a few good games in Jones's absence, but has gone silent again (his yearly ritual really), and Alexander makes a catch and is never really heard from again. After that nobody really has played or been given a chance.
Offensive Line- C+
I really would give them a C or C- if they were more experienced, but I grade on the curve for this, and after letting Arkansas stone them in the running game before and after Richardson's self willed scamper, they probably deserve that. The unit as a whole has played well at times, and when the offense gears down and goes more run oriented, they look better than when they are trying to stretch the field and pass. They have not given up as many sacks as expected, but TE play and McElroy getting rid of the ball fast have a part in that. Carpenter has played about as expected. He is good when the defender is in front of him, but he lacks the mobility to do much with a speed rusher. Johnson has been good, but you can see the difference in having 2 NFL caliber guys next to him and these two. Vlachos as a blocker is good, probably the best on the team, but the snaps are just inconsistent and cause delays. Jones has been on the learning curve and is probably going to be a good pass blocker before it is over, but he needs work on form and getting under the pads more on run blocks. Davis is like Carpenter, if he can stay in front, he's fine, but he doesn't have the mobility to get around a rush end and head him off on a regular basis. I thought they did better as a whole against Va Tech than they did against UT and Ole Miss, fatigue may have been a factor, but it is noticeable the regression from start to now.
Tight Ends- B
This would have been an A except for two factors- drops and Smelley's slump. Dial has been a big surprise for me. I knew he could be a blocker, but I didn't see him as their H Back this year. He has stepped up and played well in Smelley's absence. Peek has been a good safety outlet for McElroy most of the year and has blocked well when asked. Williams is being used more now on Wildcat formations and was a solid block for the run game vs. UT in Peek's absence. Smelley has been a let down all year. I had high hopes for him to give the offense a real weapon in the passing game, but he's trying to catch with his stomach and chest too much. He seems to have lost confidence at times and the staff has kinda reserved him this year.
Offensive Staff/Overall Offense- B-
Playcalling and overall play are hip to hip right now and as the play calling goes, so does the offense. The desire to be sophisticated and cute at times has hurt the momentum and capacity that the offense has. The running game has kept the offense in the games most of the year and as the competition improves, they are being asked to do more and more. Cignetti is a coach that needs some monitoring because his position is really not improving. I know he's the recruiting guy, but they have to coach what they bring in and not hope for them to all be Julio. As history has shown at Alabama, great players can cover for mediocre coaching efforts.
Defensive Line- A
Dareus and Cody have headlined a group that has played as well as could be asked all year. Washington has played well all year minus one game, and Deaderick has improved as his injury healed. He now looks full speed. Murphy and Chapman have shared backup DT duties and both look to be good. Look for them to rotate based on situation. Dareus's progression has been impressive and he's starting to understand the role the coaches are asking him to have. Cody's presence before UT was a little muted on the stats and highlights, but his play has been better than last year really. He's lost the weight and is more mobile and sliding down the line to the play a lot better now. He still isn't a presence on passing downs, but with Dareus able to fill that gap, he doesn't have to be. The one question mark for me is Luther Davis still. For all the hype and his own talk, he sure has been quiet.
Linebackers- A+
Before the injury to Hightower, the unit played well. After the injury, I think they improved because they rallied together. Anders and Reamer have really grown in their roles and are really a big reason the team is undefeated. Rolando has been Rolando. He's a solid tackler, he does a good job of getting everyone in position, he communicates well with Reamer and Barron, and he's doing everything on every play to the T. Johnson has progressed, but still looks shaky on his role at times, but he really wasn't supposed to be there yet. Really, a redshirt would have been ideal, but they are going to ride him the rest of the way. Harris's suspension hasn't hurt the team, but with them moving him back to Sam this week indicates they are wanting to use him some, but he's still got a long way to go. Upshaw has played more as a result of Hightower's injury, and he's played ok. Upshaw lacks a lot of coaching before he got to Bama and has had to learn his role a little bit and it shows at times. Kentucky ran at him without hesitation because he commits inside every time. He needs the time on the field to get the film off the field to study and learn.
Secondary- A-
The unit as a whole has had some really good games, and they've had some where there have been gaps and mistakes, but nothing that just killed them. They had a good game, not great, vs. Tech, and a really good game vs. ARK and Ole Miss, but didn't look their best vs. UT or UK. Woodall has done well in splitting roles in the scheme of things and has done a better job of being in position without assistance (last year RJ told him where to be a lot). Barron has been a nice project to watch blossom. He is good in deep cover situations and he does well in short man coverage/zone situations. His tackling and ability to follow the ball is ahead of his RSFr level. He needs a little work on communication with the others, but that comes with time. Green is another pleasant surprise. If you read this blog much, you know he's a guy I'm high on. Green plays hard and stays in position a good deal of the time, but he like Barron needs to communicate better at times. Jackson has improved his game, but he needs to keep looking for the ball. He takes lapses where he face guards too much and that's when he ends up in trouble. When he does hunt the ball, he seems to find it much better. Arenas plays his best in the Star because he can do the two things he likes best, press and blitz. He's good in short yardage needs, but gets in trouble on longer plays because he doesn't hunt the ball. He's the best tackling corner I think I've seen in ages. Marquis Johnson started out with a clunker, but he has improved on a weekly basis and had his best game of his career vs. USCar. The light that has come on since Va Tech is that he's playing with confidence and he's looking for the ball more. In the past, he would bite on every fake, juke, or stutter step a WR threw at him.
Defensive Staff/Overall Defense- A
No real shocker here. From 1 to 11 on the starting rotation, there aren't many weak links, just fatigue from playing a lot of minutes. They are well conditioned and well coached for the most part.
Special Teams- C-
This isn't a surprise either. Minus Cody's miracle, there haven't been a lot of high points in this area. Sporadic play and continued failure to contain return units have made this a weekly source of concern with LSU and UF possessing 2 great return threats. Tiffin had some shaky moments, but has rebounded strong from an early slow start. PJ can flex, but he can't kick with any control. He has a big leg, at times, but shows it when they need just a placement kick. When the ball leaves his foot it reminds me of my tee shot, neither of us could tell you where the ball will go once it goes airborne. Arenas has been a solid player for the return team, and he's shown a lot more patience in the returns and not trying to force a play as much, as a result the drops and errors have been down a lot. The coverage and onside kick fiasco overwhelms the positives though when it gets down to it. The poor coverage has allowed teams to play on shorter fields all year, if they haven't housed it, and the onside kick was just bad all the way around. I don't care about the debate on who can touch who when, an onside kick is the closest thing to a Rugby scrum I can imagine, and most anything goes once the ball makes it 10 yards.
MVP
Offense- Mark Ingram. Any reason not to make it him? I can't see one.
Defense- Rolando McClain. Really, any reason to nominate anyone else?
Most Improved
Offense- Preston Dial. His contribution hasn't gone unnoticed.
Defense- Cory Reamer & Eryk Anders. They are no longer just situational players and they are playing really good football right now.
Best Plays of the Year
The Block pt 1 and 2- However much kidding yourself about how the kick would have gone left or whatever, be thankful Cody makes it just Internet fodder and not a world we live in.
Richardson vs. The Arkansas 6- The blocking wasn't great, the tackling was worse, and Richardson trucked a 54 yard TD.
The A-Maze-ing leap- The full on dive catch by Maze changed the course of the season early on.
Ingram's cut back vs. KY- If you wanted proof that he's grown as a player, see that play.
Barron's pick 6 vs. USCar- He single handedly won the game. Good thing because the Offense wasn't going to.
October 29, 2009
October 26, 2009
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly- Tennessee
Ahhh, have you ever noticed that the trees are always a little more red than orange, the taste of your morning OJ is always a little sweeter, and the inbreeding that happens all around you seems a little more tolerable? Here in the midst of Vomit hell, I sit a happy guy for a victory over the big rival, for me anyways. I do need a .wav file of Eli's call on the last second block for a little work retaliation, if someone can supply me with that, that would make life almost perfect.
OFFENSE
The Good...
Doing some of the things well when they focused on it....
When the playcalling and execution allowed for it, they did fairly well. When they were focused on passing, to Julio, they were moving the ball well. When they focused on running it strong, and going north-south, they did well. The issue was that between poor execution from WRs and bizarre and near Crowton play calling, it was hard for anyone to get into the game and take it over.
Good individual efforts
I know some folks are down on McElroy, but after watching the replay 2x now, he didn't play badly. He missed on a few throws and about all of those were footwork related issues, but he had a lot of balls dropped on him that just killed the momentum. Julio had his best game of the year and was back to his comfort level with more hooks and ins/outs to square him up. He's gotta fight for the ball in the endzone though. Mark Ingram had another solid performance even with the fumble. I thought Dial and Williams both had good days blocking and filling in the Peek factor as much as was needed. Smelley didn't though... I thought the line played ok as a whole, but they need a break and to get back to practice and remember to get low on short yardage situations.
The Bad... (when you don't score a single TD, there isn't that much to talk about)
Mental Fartation spreads like the swine flu
It now has gotten to the point where even running routes and catching a ball leads to brain fart issues. The wide receiver/TE receiving play as a whole was pretty sub par. There were so many big drops that it was just impossible to get going. Smelley has really regressed from where he was at the end of the year. He is trying to catch with his chest and not his hands and as most of you know, the results aren't good. Maze was invisible most of the game and Hanks was getting good separation but just let one get on him and he didn't fight for the ball when a defender put his hand out. That's one thing that has continued to be a problem for them is that they sit on their routes and don't come back to the QB to help him find them and get the ball to them without a defender in the way. Last week, the 2nd INT was a situation where Hanks sat on the route and the corner shot past him and Hanks just sat there. This week, there were 0 INTs but they had a lot of poorly run routes and routes cut off (the 2nd Jones pass in the EZ) and players sitting on their hooks and spots where the ball would be. The off week will be good to let them work on moving to the ball/QB and failure should be a few stadiums. Nothing breaks a habit like stadiums.
The Ugly...
Play calling almost cost Bama the game
Saban said more than once he wasn't pleased with the play calling after the game. He's a very fortunate coach this morning because a very bizarre and poor series of plays almost cost them the game. The entire philosophy of the offensive game plan had issues from start to finish. I've heard a lot of coaches say that play calling is like a drum beat and each play leads to another play later on and you want to keep the hot hand going. None of that was visible Saturday. They would start a drive out passing to Julio and others, get a good drive started, and then try to run. The result was Julio's hot hand went cold. Another drive they would start in the run mode, get some nice runs, and then start passing. Now, for those who go straight to this part and start bitching, I like a balance of run v. pass, but you have to mix it up and have a pass on 1st down, run on second, run on first, pass on second type balance not pass 7 straight then run 7 straight. The other play calling issue that confused me was how they constrained McElroy at times. There were times where they needed to open up the field because UT was bringing all 11 inside 7 yards and daring them to go deep, but they would call short routes like screens and HB rubs (the Upchurch block then go to the middle of the field play). Then when the Vols were playing deeper on 3rd and long, they were trying to go for 20 yards when the middle of the field was open. I am hoping that Peek's injury was an issue for them as to why they didn't punish UT down the middle of the field, it was very open all day and Bama never once tried to hit it.
The culmination of confusion came late in the first half. Bama drives down the field on the legs of Ingram and gets to a 2nd and 2 inside the 10. The first stab at 6 was a fade to the corner. I'm ok with the play as a play, but most know that's a low percentage play (even in the NFL). The second stab was a Spurrier-esque repeat of the play because they were so sure it was there. I will agree with Saban and most of the fans that Jones got mugged, but he didn't go for the ball either. Really, the problem was the call not the play. On third and short, you have a supposed Heisman candidate in the backfield, your OL has plowed the field, and it is time to feed the need, not ice him out again. This issue resurfaced again on fourth and short. The call was for Greg to sneak. Again, you have a guy who has more YACs than Borat's sister, why put a thinner, less physical guy in that spot? Thank God for a stout and tired defense because if they had been any less than great, we're all singing the blues today.
DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good...
What's higher than Rocky Top? Mt Cody Mother F@#$#$$!
If you are looking to tease UT fans, use the following- "What do you see from the top of Rocky Top? The bottom of Mount Cody." It has had good success here today. Still need that Eli sound bite folks. Ok, focus. Here's the thing that gets me, how far has the program come in 3 years? This time 3 years ago, you had a group of seniors who were about themselves and had no pride in the uniform or the tradition, they were trying to pimp for an NFL chance, that team wouldn't have found the guts to make a play like Cody did. Putting him and Dareus side by side is near criminal because you have the beef and the bull going right at the poor snapper. The UT snapper probably won't be able to wash the ball stink off him for a while.....
Making UT get one dimensional
They had their down moments, but overall, they did a good job on a UT offense that is finding its identity. UT wanted to do all the roll outs and rubs and Bama used the corners and Reamer to cut it out and force Crompton to be a pocket QB. The result for about 57 minutes was great.
Cory Reamer continues to be a player
Cody will get all the attention, but I'm going to tell you that Reamer was a big reason why Bama won. Each week he has taken on a bigger and bigger role in the defense and teams are now trying to avoid running at him because he holds his position well and doesn't get beat. He isn't Hightower, and nobody trying to fill that gap is, but he's done his best to get the gap minimal.
Leigh Tiffin
He looked a lot more confident in his kicking and even some real ducks had enough force on them to get over the posts. The staff is doing a much better job of getting him on his side of the hash mark to increase the odds of him hitting it, and he's doing a better job of keeping his mechanics right and getting good lift on the ball.
The Bad...
The last 3 minutes of defense.
This is another play calling thing with me. You rush 4 and try to zone UT when you have thrown the sink at them all day and gave them nothing, why? Saban said they did everything wrong in the last 3 minutes, he's right, they let UT get a lot of cheap yards trying to bleed the clock out, but did a poor job of slowing them down. The play that had me ready to kill was using Dareus as a defender against a TE. Bama was in the dime and didn't have a good matchup against a big TE like what UT has. That's when you call timeout and get the right personnel out there. Dareus needs to know how to do 2 things, hit quarterbacks and stop the run, not cover routes. That's like using Julio Jones at fullback or Javier Arenas at DE. It is hard to say if there was a blown assignment or if they just got caught, but in any case you never should have a guy with as much presence at the LOS like what Dareus has and take him out of that element. The TD was a bust too. I don't know which Safety took the wrong bubble, but either Green or Woodall was out of position and it left a valley open for Jones to score. Have I ever said how much I hate playing zone in the red zone? Seems like that stuff always happens.
Special Teams coverage
Whether it was returning kicks or trying to cover the onsides, or trying to cover the UT return game, it was another week that was. The communication amongst players needs to improve. Huber fair caught a kickoff with both Grant and Arenas beside him. Someone needed to say got it got it, or something to get his attention and let the play makers have a shot at a bad idea by UT cost them. Danielson, the jerk, had a point that he was going to make but the play happened before he could say it. He was about to say McClain should be on the front and Jones behind him. The reason why is exactly why UT got the ball. Guys like McClain can hit the gunners and keep Julio clean to jump and catch the bounce. That's another in the long list of things that needs addressing on special teams.
The Ugly...
Post game bullshit
First of all, I hope that the next time Verne (old figureskating turd) and Gary (I sucked at being a QB but suck a fatty better) visit the state of Alabama, I hope their beds are soaked in piss, their food full of phlegm, and their greeting from the citizens colder than Fulmer's fat flabs in December. All that shit they had to say at the end of the game was just bad. They wanted to go into it, but someone in the truck was yelling at them to shut up, they still had to make it out of the state alive.
Kiffin picked up on it afterwards. He really diminished a good game by his team. They had a good game plan for Bama and did well and came up just 3 feet short. They had the staff's respect and probably a lot of fans as well until they started the conspiracy poo flinging. There are 2 problems with the concept of Cody's helmet toss. First, Bama recovered the kick, so even with a penalty, they don't win. Second, the clock had gone to 0 before hand so the ball was dead when it hit the ground. I said 2 but let's add a third. It was game changing play that won a game, let a player play and let him celebrate when they do so. Nobody over on Inbred Island had a problem with Peyton leading the band to Rocky Top, nor do they have a problem with their celebrations. It is being a bitch, which is what he does real well. It takes away from the TEAM and it diminishes how he is VIEWED by his peers and recruits. He's one part Fran (I'm gonna report you) and one part Shula (almost there but never there).
This week is bye week so there will be a lot of Random Thoughts over the week. If time allows, we'll be talking about:
Midseason awards- A GBU tradition of bye week review
Bowl watching and BCS busting
8 years of GBU- 4 coaches, 8 seasons, and a lot of stories to revisit
The Best of...- Who are the best coaches since Bear, best players, best games, etc.
OFFENSE
The Good...
Doing some of the things well when they focused on it....
When the playcalling and execution allowed for it, they did fairly well. When they were focused on passing, to Julio, they were moving the ball well. When they focused on running it strong, and going north-south, they did well. The issue was that between poor execution from WRs and bizarre and near Crowton play calling, it was hard for anyone to get into the game and take it over.
Good individual efforts
I know some folks are down on McElroy, but after watching the replay 2x now, he didn't play badly. He missed on a few throws and about all of those were footwork related issues, but he had a lot of balls dropped on him that just killed the momentum. Julio had his best game of the year and was back to his comfort level with more hooks and ins/outs to square him up. He's gotta fight for the ball in the endzone though. Mark Ingram had another solid performance even with the fumble. I thought Dial and Williams both had good days blocking and filling in the Peek factor as much as was needed. Smelley didn't though... I thought the line played ok as a whole, but they need a break and to get back to practice and remember to get low on short yardage situations.
The Bad... (when you don't score a single TD, there isn't that much to talk about)
Mental Fartation spreads like the swine flu
It now has gotten to the point where even running routes and catching a ball leads to brain fart issues. The wide receiver/TE receiving play as a whole was pretty sub par. There were so many big drops that it was just impossible to get going. Smelley has really regressed from where he was at the end of the year. He is trying to catch with his chest and not his hands and as most of you know, the results aren't good. Maze was invisible most of the game and Hanks was getting good separation but just let one get on him and he didn't fight for the ball when a defender put his hand out. That's one thing that has continued to be a problem for them is that they sit on their routes and don't come back to the QB to help him find them and get the ball to them without a defender in the way. Last week, the 2nd INT was a situation where Hanks sat on the route and the corner shot past him and Hanks just sat there. This week, there were 0 INTs but they had a lot of poorly run routes and routes cut off (the 2nd Jones pass in the EZ) and players sitting on their hooks and spots where the ball would be. The off week will be good to let them work on moving to the ball/QB and failure should be a few stadiums. Nothing breaks a habit like stadiums.
The Ugly...
Play calling almost cost Bama the game
Saban said more than once he wasn't pleased with the play calling after the game. He's a very fortunate coach this morning because a very bizarre and poor series of plays almost cost them the game. The entire philosophy of the offensive game plan had issues from start to finish. I've heard a lot of coaches say that play calling is like a drum beat and each play leads to another play later on and you want to keep the hot hand going. None of that was visible Saturday. They would start a drive out passing to Julio and others, get a good drive started, and then try to run. The result was Julio's hot hand went cold. Another drive they would start in the run mode, get some nice runs, and then start passing. Now, for those who go straight to this part and start bitching, I like a balance of run v. pass, but you have to mix it up and have a pass on 1st down, run on second, run on first, pass on second type balance not pass 7 straight then run 7 straight. The other play calling issue that confused me was how they constrained McElroy at times. There were times where they needed to open up the field because UT was bringing all 11 inside 7 yards and daring them to go deep, but they would call short routes like screens and HB rubs (the Upchurch block then go to the middle of the field play). Then when the Vols were playing deeper on 3rd and long, they were trying to go for 20 yards when the middle of the field was open. I am hoping that Peek's injury was an issue for them as to why they didn't punish UT down the middle of the field, it was very open all day and Bama never once tried to hit it.
The culmination of confusion came late in the first half. Bama drives down the field on the legs of Ingram and gets to a 2nd and 2 inside the 10. The first stab at 6 was a fade to the corner. I'm ok with the play as a play, but most know that's a low percentage play (even in the NFL). The second stab was a Spurrier-esque repeat of the play because they were so sure it was there. I will agree with Saban and most of the fans that Jones got mugged, but he didn't go for the ball either. Really, the problem was the call not the play. On third and short, you have a supposed Heisman candidate in the backfield, your OL has plowed the field, and it is time to feed the need, not ice him out again. This issue resurfaced again on fourth and short. The call was for Greg to sneak. Again, you have a guy who has more YACs than Borat's sister, why put a thinner, less physical guy in that spot? Thank God for a stout and tired defense because if they had been any less than great, we're all singing the blues today.
DEFENSE / SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good...
What's higher than Rocky Top? Mt Cody Mother F@#$#$$!
If you are looking to tease UT fans, use the following- "What do you see from the top of Rocky Top? The bottom of Mount Cody." It has had good success here today. Still need that Eli sound bite folks. Ok, focus. Here's the thing that gets me, how far has the program come in 3 years? This time 3 years ago, you had a group of seniors who were about themselves and had no pride in the uniform or the tradition, they were trying to pimp for an NFL chance, that team wouldn't have found the guts to make a play like Cody did. Putting him and Dareus side by side is near criminal because you have the beef and the bull going right at the poor snapper. The UT snapper probably won't be able to wash the ball stink off him for a while.....
Making UT get one dimensional
They had their down moments, but overall, they did a good job on a UT offense that is finding its identity. UT wanted to do all the roll outs and rubs and Bama used the corners and Reamer to cut it out and force Crompton to be a pocket QB. The result for about 57 minutes was great.
Cory Reamer continues to be a player
Cody will get all the attention, but I'm going to tell you that Reamer was a big reason why Bama won. Each week he has taken on a bigger and bigger role in the defense and teams are now trying to avoid running at him because he holds his position well and doesn't get beat. He isn't Hightower, and nobody trying to fill that gap is, but he's done his best to get the gap minimal.
Leigh Tiffin
He looked a lot more confident in his kicking and even some real ducks had enough force on them to get over the posts. The staff is doing a much better job of getting him on his side of the hash mark to increase the odds of him hitting it, and he's doing a better job of keeping his mechanics right and getting good lift on the ball.
The Bad...
The last 3 minutes of defense.
This is another play calling thing with me. You rush 4 and try to zone UT when you have thrown the sink at them all day and gave them nothing, why? Saban said they did everything wrong in the last 3 minutes, he's right, they let UT get a lot of cheap yards trying to bleed the clock out, but did a poor job of slowing them down. The play that had me ready to kill was using Dareus as a defender against a TE. Bama was in the dime and didn't have a good matchup against a big TE like what UT has. That's when you call timeout and get the right personnel out there. Dareus needs to know how to do 2 things, hit quarterbacks and stop the run, not cover routes. That's like using Julio Jones at fullback or Javier Arenas at DE. It is hard to say if there was a blown assignment or if they just got caught, but in any case you never should have a guy with as much presence at the LOS like what Dareus has and take him out of that element. The TD was a bust too. I don't know which Safety took the wrong bubble, but either Green or Woodall was out of position and it left a valley open for Jones to score. Have I ever said how much I hate playing zone in the red zone? Seems like that stuff always happens.
Special Teams coverage
Whether it was returning kicks or trying to cover the onsides, or trying to cover the UT return game, it was another week that was. The communication amongst players needs to improve. Huber fair caught a kickoff with both Grant and Arenas beside him. Someone needed to say got it got it, or something to get his attention and let the play makers have a shot at a bad idea by UT cost them. Danielson, the jerk, had a point that he was going to make but the play happened before he could say it. He was about to say McClain should be on the front and Jones behind him. The reason why is exactly why UT got the ball. Guys like McClain can hit the gunners and keep Julio clean to jump and catch the bounce. That's another in the long list of things that needs addressing on special teams.
The Ugly...
Post game bullshit
First of all, I hope that the next time Verne (old figureskating turd) and Gary (I sucked at being a QB but suck a fatty better) visit the state of Alabama, I hope their beds are soaked in piss, their food full of phlegm, and their greeting from the citizens colder than Fulmer's fat flabs in December. All that shit they had to say at the end of the game was just bad. They wanted to go into it, but someone in the truck was yelling at them to shut up, they still had to make it out of the state alive.
Kiffin picked up on it afterwards. He really diminished a good game by his team. They had a good game plan for Bama and did well and came up just 3 feet short. They had the staff's respect and probably a lot of fans as well until they started the conspiracy poo flinging. There are 2 problems with the concept of Cody's helmet toss. First, Bama recovered the kick, so even with a penalty, they don't win. Second, the clock had gone to 0 before hand so the ball was dead when it hit the ground. I said 2 but let's add a third. It was game changing play that won a game, let a player play and let him celebrate when they do so. Nobody over on Inbred Island had a problem with Peyton leading the band to Rocky Top, nor do they have a problem with their celebrations. It is being a bitch, which is what he does real well. It takes away from the TEAM and it diminishes how he is VIEWED by his peers and recruits. He's one part Fran (I'm gonna report you) and one part Shula (almost there but never there).
This week is bye week so there will be a lot of Random Thoughts over the week. If time allows, we'll be talking about:
Midseason awards- A GBU tradition of bye week review
Bowl watching and BCS busting
8 years of GBU- 4 coaches, 8 seasons, and a lot of stories to revisit
The Best of...- Who are the best coaches since Bear, best players, best games, etc.
October 20, 2009
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly- South Carolina
I do apologize for being a day late this week but I did take a little extra time to watch the offense and try to focus on three things in detail. First, the offensive line play. Second, the WR and their routes. Third, McElroy and his vision/progressions. As to the game itself, it was an ugly win, but a win that counts towards the march and in the end nobody will refer to this game in December. Thank God.
OFFENSE
The Good... this will be short....
Thank God for Mark Ingram's will
He was about the only offense that had an impact on the game, with the exception to maybe 2 or 3 plays from Upchurch and Richardson, and really the last drive for the TD was all him. He was gassed, exhausted, hurt, and it didn't matter. In the 4th quarter, they say leaders and champions are born, and folks I think we found him. It was probably the best performance by any player since Alexander's LSU romp and his willed performance vs. Auburn in 99. The TD drive was him and really just about him. There was some good, and key, blocks made but from contact on, it was all him and his desire to be the winner.
Julio's best play...the strip
The best stat of the night for the WR was the forced fumble by Julio Jones on the 2nd McElroy INT. Yes folks, the offensive highlights are that bad that a fumble makes it to the 2nd biggest thing from the game....
The Bad...
McElroy in the funk
Some people want the funk, gotta have that funk, but when you are an SEC QB on a National Title Contender, it is about the last thing you want. I figure it best to start here and work through this issue. McElroy is contributing to the problem that the offense has had for really 4 or 5 games now. McElroy is at his best when he is using 5 options to check down and has time to go through the hot route on down to the safety route. His internal clock is off and he's rushing to the safety route (Upchurch) or forcing it to his hot route (Jones normally) to not take a sack. This is a progression issue and is fixable in the bye week. Folks have put the bar too high for a guy with 7 starts under his belt now because he looked good against some weaker defenses and now that he's seen 3 good defenses (VT, OM, USCar) and had average/below average results from them, the average joe fan is thinking he's got issues. The truth is that the latter 2 had film on him and figured out that he obsesses over the safeties and what they are doing pre snap. They are confusing him just like Bama does to inexperienced QBs, and even experienced ones. This is a part of the growth that Greg has to make to be an elite SEC QB, and he can be that guy but he has to get some of the mess off of him. Saban said that on Monday that they had too much on him and there needed to be more help for him, but McElroy does bear some of the blame for the offensive shutdown. McElwain needs to get him back to basics with the play calling, get it shorter, simpler, and get Greg to step into his throws and not try to arm it in. That is where the ball is sailing for him is when he doesn't step into the throw and follow through. His hip injury/bruise may be affecting it some, but he's gotta play through being hurt now.
The Offensive Line is getting offensive
Part 2 of the issue is up front. They've let Greg take some shots that he just shouldn't have had to take. Defensive Coordinators in the SEC have mapped it out pretty fast....Bama can't cover the speed rush from the end. The good news is that not many teams that Bama will encounter will have 2 good rush ends the rest of the way. The bad news is that if Bama continues to let the tackles go 1 on 1 with the ends, every team outside of UTC has a good rush end, and one on one they can be beaten. The other issue is that they are still struggling with communication and assignments. How many times do you count during a game where a lineman is standing while the QB has been hit or sacked? Hint, the less the better, but it has been noticed that the guards are standing around a lot after the play has ended. They need to be moving down field and engaging players and trying help extend the play and not trotting to the huddle spot. Vlachos, well this is a long subject that I'll try to shorten. What do you call a center who can't snap? A guard. Vlachos has not been consistent all year with his center to QB exchanges whether it has been under center or shotgun situations they are sometimes on the money (into the hands of the QB) but other times they are high on shotgun snaps and low on under center snaps, and this has thrown McElroy's timing off several times where that clock starts ticking faster because he knows he just spent 2 or 3 seconds that he didn't have on snaring the ball and getting his mechanics set. Vlachos as a blocker is fine, he is strong and doesn't get beaten much if at all, but his snaps are a liability even when he doesn't over shoot the mark. The tackle play is just confusing to me. We all knew that Davis and Carpenter were not fast and speed rushers can take them, that's not new to Bama fans (or at least it shouldn't be) but yet they can't dedicate a TE/H Back and/or a RB to help give the QB a little more time? You can't shift the line assignment or zone block over to get a double on an end rush, the linemen aren't fast enough. You can't pull a guard over in a counter motion to stop them because they'll beat you up the pipe. You really have to cut the plays down and/or get more protection in passing downs. I know they want Peek out there on a slant or out route a good bit, but they could find more ways to address the lack of speed up front than just hoping for the best. To me, the issue up front is more in coaching and assignment than execution.
WR Play
Julio can block, Maze can run fast, Hanks can block ok and run ok, but there is a flaw that is starting to creep up more and more. The routes they are running are too tight. When you watch USCar or UT or UGA or UF in their passing game, the spacing is such that you can't double more than one person. Bama's routes are so close together at times that they are double teaming themselves. Without being in the huddle or knowing what each play was, it is unclear as to how much is sloppy route running and how much is poor schemes. This was the main thing that I wanted to watch over and over and delayed this report was due to reviewing the routes. I noticed on the 1st interception of the night, Julio and Maze were less than 2 yards apart, if either were running live routes (ie- they had a chance of being passed to) they were double teamed by the 2 corners running with them because they were so tight. Now, if they were decoys and running cold routes (like most WR do on HB screens, bubble screens, etc) this is ok. I don't think the first pick was a designed hot route for Upchurch, but more that he was the safety valve and McElroy missed because he was rushing it. I noticed several times in the last 2 games that the players are not getting away from other WR/TE/HB in the open field enough that they stretch the defenses out enough to get one on one opportunities. Without knowing the play call it is hard to say it is just on the WR or the play calling and design, but hunch says both are not up to speed.
So what does that equal, the offense isn't inept, but the drumbeat you've read here week after week about being too cute is starting to catch up to Bama. I hope during the offweek they will let McElroy reset a little bit, heal up the hip, and get back to passing the way he likes with short to intermediate routes that are on timing basis and not so much motion and progression. They may need to look at putting Jones in the slot more and letting him go over the middle more on quick slants or in routes and get him centered up with McElroy more. I think Jones would be more comfortable letting it hit him in the numbers anyways. Commit using Upchurch/Ingram and Dial/Williams more in passing situations as "max protect" and try to give a young QB more time to move and progress. The last thing that Bama needs going into LSU is a QB who is unsure as to whether he should scratch his watch or wind his ass.
The Ugly...
Bama doesn't resort to chop blocks and cheating....
I bet you could have seen the stadium swallow those genius posters when they called Johnson for the chop block. It happens folks, it is football, you just try not to let it be a common theme. Bama uses the cut block just like most others do and Johnson is the most common lineman to cut block a defender. I am sure there is a rational explanation as to the difference in the chop block and cut blocks he throws in comparison to the ARK lineman, right?
DEFENSE/THE UNIT THAT ISN'T SPECIAL IN A GOOD WAY TEAMS
The Good...
After 4 years nearly of waiting, Marquis Johnson had his realization of potential game
As you can go back and read, I like Johnson, but have been often disappointed in his play at times. This game was one that he will be remembered for because he was up to the challenge. I saw where some beat writer who posts on BOL said that Spurrier was picking on him or thought he wasn't up to the challenge, something like that. That wasn't the thing, he had a tall WR on a shorter CB and was trying to play the percentages. I do question running it 3 straight times though. In any case, Johnson had done his homework and knew it was coming and was in position with his head turned all 5 times they tried it. Now, if he could just get his hand on the ball and pick it. The real growth for MJ is his ability to look for the ball and not lose his stride. That was a problem in the FSU game if you remember, he'd look and slow down trying to find it. In the bowl game he wasn't looking and face guarding. Now he's doing it right. Back to the red zone play, it probably was a good thing that Arenas was hurt because in the base defense, he would have been on Jeffery and I don't think he could have covered him on 3 of those opportunities.
Another good showing by Reamer and Anders
They are just football players and smart ones at that. They have limitations, we can all point at them, but they know how to play around that. Reamer's sack is a good textbook moment for you dad's out there wanting to show your son how to play linebacker. You stay in your play and when you can see that the play has changed, then and only then do you break off and pursue. If Reamer overcommits to the play action and goes after the QB, he doesn't get him because Garcia is fast enough to shift away and avoid. Anders just keeps doing the little things well. He's growing in his ability at Jack and playing in space better each week. This is letting the coaches stay in the base more and not wear the dime and nickel formation out like they did last year.
Red zone defense
The red zone offense is lacking, but the red zone defense is top shelf right now. They got a lot of good performances in the red zone from the down linemen. Cody has begun to be a mobile tackle and not a waller and take up space guy. Losing weight helps with that, but against the run, if it is between the tackles, it is now in his range. Deaderick is starting to look like he's closer to 100% as he's going to be and Washington had the light back on this week after a regression last week.
Barron and Green = Mean Team
Folks kept knocking Green for his tackling....shit. I wish Marcus Carter and the host of others from yesteryear had that kinda problem. Barron is getting more looks in the Money spot in nickel/dime situations and this is giving Green more chances to blitz and play deep cover 2. Those are his strong points and work well towards Barron's as well because he's a better cover man when he greets the slot/TE/HB at the line than he is 7 yards back. I continue to think that Bama's dime may be an answer to the Florida Spread, but I need to see it against a spread offense like LSU and AU more to know.
The Bad...
Lapses in concentration aka mental fartation
The last drive of the 1st half was one part mental error and one part coaching error. Garcia isn't a running QB, but he isn't stationary either. If you watched any USCar game, you knew he'd tuck and run if needed. Bama lost containment on him by rushing the pocket and when they did, he had a lot of real estate to run to because of it. Film study on Bama will focus on this for the next few weeks to see if they can catch McClain on the blitz with nobody playing robber or shadowing the QB.
The Ugly... I really should rename this Special Team Comments
If it was on special teams it was ugly....
I've mentioned this a few games back, but Bama does a piss poor job of staying at home on kick and punt returns. Every time, even when they luck into a short return, you can find 2 or 3 guys that break containment and go for the ball carrier. Special teams coverage is all about assignments, it isn't about hunt and kill. Each player covers a section of field and the only time you break is when the angle is there to break to. Most coaches grill you good if you break and don't make the play, so after one or two ass chewings, you didn't. Return protection leaves a lot to be desired too. Bama would be better off fair catching or letting it roll in the endzone than trying to return kicks because they almost always get caught out of position and trying to hustle back in. That's where the block in the backs, tripping, etc. comes in. It all comes down to practice and coaching, and there's little of both happening really. If you want to know why Bama could lose a game, it isn't offense or defense, it is ST. Ever notice that the difference in the special teams initials and shit is HI? I digress, things stink in the special teams front and no amount of excuse making can cover it.
OFFENSE
The Good... this will be short....
Thank God for Mark Ingram's will
He was about the only offense that had an impact on the game, with the exception to maybe 2 or 3 plays from Upchurch and Richardson, and really the last drive for the TD was all him. He was gassed, exhausted, hurt, and it didn't matter. In the 4th quarter, they say leaders and champions are born, and folks I think we found him. It was probably the best performance by any player since Alexander's LSU romp and his willed performance vs. Auburn in 99. The TD drive was him and really just about him. There was some good, and key, blocks made but from contact on, it was all him and his desire to be the winner.
Julio's best play...the strip
The best stat of the night for the WR was the forced fumble by Julio Jones on the 2nd McElroy INT. Yes folks, the offensive highlights are that bad that a fumble makes it to the 2nd biggest thing from the game....
The Bad...
McElroy in the funk
Some people want the funk, gotta have that funk, but when you are an SEC QB on a National Title Contender, it is about the last thing you want. I figure it best to start here and work through this issue. McElroy is contributing to the problem that the offense has had for really 4 or 5 games now. McElroy is at his best when he is using 5 options to check down and has time to go through the hot route on down to the safety route. His internal clock is off and he's rushing to the safety route (Upchurch) or forcing it to his hot route (Jones normally) to not take a sack. This is a progression issue and is fixable in the bye week. Folks have put the bar too high for a guy with 7 starts under his belt now because he looked good against some weaker defenses and now that he's seen 3 good defenses (VT, OM, USCar) and had average/below average results from them, the average joe fan is thinking he's got issues. The truth is that the latter 2 had film on him and figured out that he obsesses over the safeties and what they are doing pre snap. They are confusing him just like Bama does to inexperienced QBs, and even experienced ones. This is a part of the growth that Greg has to make to be an elite SEC QB, and he can be that guy but he has to get some of the mess off of him. Saban said that on Monday that they had too much on him and there needed to be more help for him, but McElroy does bear some of the blame for the offensive shutdown. McElwain needs to get him back to basics with the play calling, get it shorter, simpler, and get Greg to step into his throws and not try to arm it in. That is where the ball is sailing for him is when he doesn't step into the throw and follow through. His hip injury/bruise may be affecting it some, but he's gotta play through being hurt now.
The Offensive Line is getting offensive
Part 2 of the issue is up front. They've let Greg take some shots that he just shouldn't have had to take. Defensive Coordinators in the SEC have mapped it out pretty fast....Bama can't cover the speed rush from the end. The good news is that not many teams that Bama will encounter will have 2 good rush ends the rest of the way. The bad news is that if Bama continues to let the tackles go 1 on 1 with the ends, every team outside of UTC has a good rush end, and one on one they can be beaten. The other issue is that they are still struggling with communication and assignments. How many times do you count during a game where a lineman is standing while the QB has been hit or sacked? Hint, the less the better, but it has been noticed that the guards are standing around a lot after the play has ended. They need to be moving down field and engaging players and trying help extend the play and not trotting to the huddle spot. Vlachos, well this is a long subject that I'll try to shorten. What do you call a center who can't snap? A guard. Vlachos has not been consistent all year with his center to QB exchanges whether it has been under center or shotgun situations they are sometimes on the money (into the hands of the QB) but other times they are high on shotgun snaps and low on under center snaps, and this has thrown McElroy's timing off several times where that clock starts ticking faster because he knows he just spent 2 or 3 seconds that he didn't have on snaring the ball and getting his mechanics set. Vlachos as a blocker is fine, he is strong and doesn't get beaten much if at all, but his snaps are a liability even when he doesn't over shoot the mark. The tackle play is just confusing to me. We all knew that Davis and Carpenter were not fast and speed rushers can take them, that's not new to Bama fans (or at least it shouldn't be) but yet they can't dedicate a TE/H Back and/or a RB to help give the QB a little more time? You can't shift the line assignment or zone block over to get a double on an end rush, the linemen aren't fast enough. You can't pull a guard over in a counter motion to stop them because they'll beat you up the pipe. You really have to cut the plays down and/or get more protection in passing downs. I know they want Peek out there on a slant or out route a good bit, but they could find more ways to address the lack of speed up front than just hoping for the best. To me, the issue up front is more in coaching and assignment than execution.
WR Play
Julio can block, Maze can run fast, Hanks can block ok and run ok, but there is a flaw that is starting to creep up more and more. The routes they are running are too tight. When you watch USCar or UT or UGA or UF in their passing game, the spacing is such that you can't double more than one person. Bama's routes are so close together at times that they are double teaming themselves. Without being in the huddle or knowing what each play was, it is unclear as to how much is sloppy route running and how much is poor schemes. This was the main thing that I wanted to watch over and over and delayed this report was due to reviewing the routes. I noticed on the 1st interception of the night, Julio and Maze were less than 2 yards apart, if either were running live routes (ie- they had a chance of being passed to) they were double teamed by the 2 corners running with them because they were so tight. Now, if they were decoys and running cold routes (like most WR do on HB screens, bubble screens, etc) this is ok. I don't think the first pick was a designed hot route for Upchurch, but more that he was the safety valve and McElroy missed because he was rushing it. I noticed several times in the last 2 games that the players are not getting away from other WR/TE/HB in the open field enough that they stretch the defenses out enough to get one on one opportunities. Without knowing the play call it is hard to say it is just on the WR or the play calling and design, but hunch says both are not up to speed.
So what does that equal, the offense isn't inept, but the drumbeat you've read here week after week about being too cute is starting to catch up to Bama. I hope during the offweek they will let McElroy reset a little bit, heal up the hip, and get back to passing the way he likes with short to intermediate routes that are on timing basis and not so much motion and progression. They may need to look at putting Jones in the slot more and letting him go over the middle more on quick slants or in routes and get him centered up with McElroy more. I think Jones would be more comfortable letting it hit him in the numbers anyways. Commit using Upchurch/Ingram and Dial/Williams more in passing situations as "max protect" and try to give a young QB more time to move and progress. The last thing that Bama needs going into LSU is a QB who is unsure as to whether he should scratch his watch or wind his ass.
The Ugly...
Bama doesn't resort to chop blocks and cheating....
I bet you could have seen the stadium swallow those genius posters when they called Johnson for the chop block. It happens folks, it is football, you just try not to let it be a common theme. Bama uses the cut block just like most others do and Johnson is the most common lineman to cut block a defender. I am sure there is a rational explanation as to the difference in the chop block and cut blocks he throws in comparison to the ARK lineman, right?
DEFENSE/THE UNIT THAT ISN'T SPECIAL IN A GOOD WAY TEAMS
The Good...
After 4 years nearly of waiting, Marquis Johnson had his realization of potential game
As you can go back and read, I like Johnson, but have been often disappointed in his play at times. This game was one that he will be remembered for because he was up to the challenge. I saw where some beat writer who posts on BOL said that Spurrier was picking on him or thought he wasn't up to the challenge, something like that. That wasn't the thing, he had a tall WR on a shorter CB and was trying to play the percentages. I do question running it 3 straight times though. In any case, Johnson had done his homework and knew it was coming and was in position with his head turned all 5 times they tried it. Now, if he could just get his hand on the ball and pick it. The real growth for MJ is his ability to look for the ball and not lose his stride. That was a problem in the FSU game if you remember, he'd look and slow down trying to find it. In the bowl game he wasn't looking and face guarding. Now he's doing it right. Back to the red zone play, it probably was a good thing that Arenas was hurt because in the base defense, he would have been on Jeffery and I don't think he could have covered him on 3 of those opportunities.
Another good showing by Reamer and Anders
They are just football players and smart ones at that. They have limitations, we can all point at them, but they know how to play around that. Reamer's sack is a good textbook moment for you dad's out there wanting to show your son how to play linebacker. You stay in your play and when you can see that the play has changed, then and only then do you break off and pursue. If Reamer overcommits to the play action and goes after the QB, he doesn't get him because Garcia is fast enough to shift away and avoid. Anders just keeps doing the little things well. He's growing in his ability at Jack and playing in space better each week. This is letting the coaches stay in the base more and not wear the dime and nickel formation out like they did last year.
Red zone defense
The red zone offense is lacking, but the red zone defense is top shelf right now. They got a lot of good performances in the red zone from the down linemen. Cody has begun to be a mobile tackle and not a waller and take up space guy. Losing weight helps with that, but against the run, if it is between the tackles, it is now in his range. Deaderick is starting to look like he's closer to 100% as he's going to be and Washington had the light back on this week after a regression last week.
Barron and Green = Mean Team
Folks kept knocking Green for his tackling....shit. I wish Marcus Carter and the host of others from yesteryear had that kinda problem. Barron is getting more looks in the Money spot in nickel/dime situations and this is giving Green more chances to blitz and play deep cover 2. Those are his strong points and work well towards Barron's as well because he's a better cover man when he greets the slot/TE/HB at the line than he is 7 yards back. I continue to think that Bama's dime may be an answer to the Florida Spread, but I need to see it against a spread offense like LSU and AU more to know.
The Bad...
Lapses in concentration aka mental fartation
The last drive of the 1st half was one part mental error and one part coaching error. Garcia isn't a running QB, but he isn't stationary either. If you watched any USCar game, you knew he'd tuck and run if needed. Bama lost containment on him by rushing the pocket and when they did, he had a lot of real estate to run to because of it. Film study on Bama will focus on this for the next few weeks to see if they can catch McClain on the blitz with nobody playing robber or shadowing the QB.
The Ugly... I really should rename this Special Team Comments
If it was on special teams it was ugly....
I've mentioned this a few games back, but Bama does a piss poor job of staying at home on kick and punt returns. Every time, even when they luck into a short return, you can find 2 or 3 guys that break containment and go for the ball carrier. Special teams coverage is all about assignments, it isn't about hunt and kill. Each player covers a section of field and the only time you break is when the angle is there to break to. Most coaches grill you good if you break and don't make the play, so after one or two ass chewings, you didn't. Return protection leaves a lot to be desired too. Bama would be better off fair catching or letting it roll in the endzone than trying to return kicks because they almost always get caught out of position and trying to hustle back in. That's where the block in the backs, tripping, etc. comes in. It all comes down to practice and coaching, and there's little of both happening really. If you want to know why Bama could lose a game, it isn't offense or defense, it is ST. Ever notice that the difference in the special teams initials and shit is HI? I digress, things stink in the special teams front and no amount of excuse making can cover it.
October 15, 2009
Random Thoughts
I decided to sit on this a day or two since everyone wanted to act like they understood the business world. You know, it just amazes me how the Internets can make some people feel like they can be something they aren't. When a player is arrested, half the message board patrons are legal experts and attorneys. When a business matter, like Scalaci's, comes up, everyone knows how they do it at their business they own....how many damn CEO's are out there by the way? When the subject of football is in a rare glimpse, some talk out of there ass with verbosity. I'm ok with a little playing around and such, but what I saw Wednesday was really sad. This is about all I'll say about that subject and it is a c&p from a post last night of mine
gotta love the Internets, everyone can be Bill Braski if they want to. Lucky
runs an INTERNET company, 90 percent of those complaining haven't met the
guy but know his login handle. Given that is our relations in a lot of
respects, why can't he let the customers know how this is going and what
happened and why it needed addressing. That's leadership not picking and
choosing when you want to be a leader.I love when everyone becomes an attorney when there is a legal issue, a CEO
when these matters happen, and ex NFL stars when the draft comes
around...
Now on to more random thinkings....
More Football thinkings
There are a lot of new wrinkles that Hightower's injury has allowed to happen it seems. I have noticed a few that really peaked my interest to follow:
Dareus plays NT in the nickel I really like this one because Marcel is a pure pass rushing lineman and has a quick burst. He is a much more effective lineman in passing situations than Cody and he gives them more opportunities to disrupt or create double downs on him and allow a linebacker or end running a scissor blitz to get free shots in the backfield.
I really think they can't find enough ways to get him in the game because he's disruptive when he plays. He isn't as solid a run end as Deaderick, yet, but he does well laterally and makes plays when they run at him.
Reamer is still the Will in Nickel Reamer is a solid linebacker, I've said it all year, just scroll down. He gives them some real solid opportunities to use him in space and allow McClain to rush the QB more. When they play nickel, which is probably 45-50% of the time, they get a lot of playmakers on the field with him, Anders, Upshaw (who I have reserved optimism for), Dareus, and McClain on the field at one time and it can really confuse the QB because all of them can rush and most can cover space.
Barron moves to Money in the Dime This was happening a fair amount before but now it is pretty well the way it is. I noticed they walked him and/or Woodall up with McClain and had them basically as a linebacker a few times to give Snead a scare on pre-snap. One thing they need to work on is keeping Woodall from tipping his blitz. You can't skip up to the line and not signal that you aren't blitzing, I think everyone but Snead knew he was coming. The big thing that Barron in the Money does is it gets Green in the field and gives them an additional cover guy. Green's play has really stepped up and has been a good reason why Jackson and Johnson have been a little more willing to jump routes and try to make plays when in the Dime.
Marquis Maze was a TE for one play It was a fine job of "boo blocking" if there ever was, but on the 4th and 1 TD, he lined up on the line and confused Ole Miss because they thought it was up the gut or a pass to his side.
Julio in the slot They have tried it a little more over the last 2 games and I think it will pan out with more fine tuning. They really tried to catch Ole Miss off guard by putting him inside of Hanks, but it never caught on. The issue with it is that defense are instantly shading him regardless, so whether he is the Flanker, Split, or Slot, he's got eyes on him.
The Wildcat still fizzles when it centers on the back Unless Ingram can pass it or they can do more with it than just direct snap plays, it really isn't going to be fruitful. They may be nesting that play for Florida or something, but right now it is just another play that teams are now covering pretty well across the board.
Speaking of Cody, the trimmed down one has gotten some shots at pass situations and has just not been all that effective. Teams have pretty well Codyproofed their playcalling to move the pocket or run opposite of him to just avoid the situation of a big guy on a little coat...er, quarterback. I really was hoping that he could be a more complete tackle, but he's a run stuffer and that will make him millions on its own.
Some fine coaching jobs by guys not named Saban...
This past weekend, I got the opportunity to watch some teams that really have come a long way and their coach's should be congratulated for their efforts. Now, some of you will do the stooopid thing and say "They lost to so and so, they can't be that good", that's not the point. The point is that they have turned the ship in the right direction and are playing good football compared to a year or so ago. On the list that caught my eye are:
Jim Harbaugh, Stanford- They are 4-2 and tied for 2nd in the Pac 10 aka USC and the 9 other guys. They did lose to Oregon State, but that isn't a shameful loss, and they lost to Wake on the road. Nobody expects Stanford to be a national power, but they have turned things around from where they were 1-11 in 2006 to a solid program under his watch. I noticed that they play with a lot more consistancy on both sides of the ball now and while they wouldn't win 9 games in the SEC world, they are good enough to be a mid tier bowl team and slip into a BCS spot every so often under his lead.
Chip Kelly, Oregon- If you had told me that the same Oregon team that looked like a steaming pile of crap on opening night would be a BCS bowl game contender, I would have said pass the bong over. However, Coach Kelly has rallied the team together and they look like that pesky Oregon team that nobody likes playing. The spread offense is a live and well again and their defense is still pretty tough.
Frank Beamer, Va Tech- They don't have a high power offense and they lost their top running back before the season, but that hasn't stopped them from being a BCS title contender in waiting. Their defense is still the foundation for all things that happen at Tech, and they will need it this week because Georgia Tech is looming ahead.
Paul Johnson, Georgia Tech- As most of you know, Johnson is a guy that I'm really high on in the coaching ranks and he has once again affirmed why. They took out an emotional FSU team trying to win one for coach and the weather, drubbed MSU, and UNC. The only blemish was the ambush they walked into at Miami.
Randy Shannon, Miami FL- Whether you want to admit it or not, he's gotten the swagger back in the Cane D. Like Tech did with Miami, Miami walked into a hornet's nest when they played Virginia Tech, but outside that, they've played some of their best football against some of the nation's best. The same team that was scrumming with FIU not long ago is not far from being the U again folks.
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa- Everytime the masses start calling him overrated, he pulls out a gem. This year's team reminds me a lot of the old Stallings teams that played down to the lower competition, but played their best when the TV was on them. Circle 11/14 down on the calendar, a more than likely undefeated Iowa goes to Columbus to face Ohio State and decide the BCS spot and possibly the BCS championship slot. This is the first Iowa team to start 6-0 since Chuck Long by the way.
Rich Rodriguez, Michigan- I know by just typing his name, some of you will be pissed because he jilted the Tide. Putting the envy and bullshit aside and really just looking at how they played last year and now, on top of all the drama right before the season with the sissy benchwarmers complaining about hard work, he's done a heck of a job. He has found more players to play the spread and has gotten a defense that had been runover well before he was there in better shape, and now they probably are a mid tier bowl team again. Beating Notre Dame, and giving Iowa a run for their money are good signs that with another year of recruting and practice, they'll be back where the boosters want to be.
Jim Leavitt, South Florida- He has continued to beat his critics on the field with a quietly solid program. They are once again undefeated, at least until tonight, but to recruit against FSU, UF, and Miami and be this good is impressive. Watching them dethrone FSU to be the 3rd best team in the state was a moment in school history and it doesn't look like USF is going to be content there for long....
Brian Kelly, Cincinati- By far the best job of all the list so far. Cincy is real close to being a dark horse in the big picture and they are playing very, VERY good football. They have quality wins over Fresno and @ Oregon St. They have USF tonight at Raymond James Stadium, and from here they go on the march to undefeated if they win tonight. They continue to grow as a team and program and are no longer the homecoming dijour for most teams.
Gary Patterson, TCU- The real Coach Fran has continued to win year in and year out without much fan fare from the national media. I always wonder why he isn't on the big list for major programs like UT, AU, Nebraska, etc when they have had job openings. I know this much, I watch them play 2 or 3 times a year and am always thankful to not see them play SEC teams often because his defenses are tight.
Looking forward to a weekend of good football.
I am not a big better any more on football. I know one person on here espouses great betting wisdom, but college football is always a volitile thing when it comes to spreads. However, these games are interesting....
Cincy v. USF, UC -3.5 What a faith line if there was one. Just knowing what happens when teams go to USF, I wouldn't bet that one, but it tells me they expect a true dogfight tonight. They are a lot alike and they do the fundamentals rather well, so this may be a game where whomever gets the ball last wins.
OU v. Texas, UT -3.5 This game never disapoints and it won't this year. OU has been snake bit again and has choked a time or two to live up to their Chokelahoma background. Mack Brown has reminded us every week that he didn't get to send Texas in to represent the conference. I would take Texas on the points because they aren't slowing down to let the pollsters beat them.
Iowa v. Wisconsin, UW-3 There is no way on earth that the very mediocre Badgers can hang a win on the Hawkeyes if they come to play.
Auburn v. Kentucky, AU -13.5 Take KY on the points, but Auburn probably squeaks by this one in a 38-31 type game. Should be a good one to watch though, KY is gritty and AU is flashy. Classic style battle to watch and see which one has more umph.
USCar v. Bama, Bama -17 I never bet on Bama games, ever. You do it once or twice and you learn your heart is not connected to your brain or wallet. I also don't know that they cover that spread, 10 maybe, but 17 will be pushing it.
October 13, 2009
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly- Ole Miss
Due to the bank holiday and me taking full advantage of that holiday, the GBU comes a day late and always a dolla short. Overall, I wasn't surprised by the performance of the defense, and it was their best showing thus far, but it wasn't perfect and Saban let them know that Monday. Film study is always fun when a unit goes in thinking they did well and the staff micro rips them a new ass on details. Remember, you think I'm picky and overbearing, you have no clue folks. I am soft compared to the staff. On offense, eh, lots of work needed still. So with that....
OFFENSE
The Good...
Mark Ingram came, just wish the other 10 did too
Ingram is a lot like Hump and Alexander in that the more touches he gets, the better he gets. His first 10 touches are his worst and his best are the last 10. His conditioning and track background have him ready to be the 4 quarter guy and he's getting more comfortable with that 2nd gear burst when he gets to the secondary. Last year, he wanted to hit it at the LOS, but now he's gained a little more understanding on when to go wild and when to get what he can and not press.
1 good play call
The 4th and short call was the best call of the day. When you watch the replay of it, Ole Miss has sold the farm cow, the kids, and future spawns on the Tide running up the middle. They had single cover on the TE and WR (Peek and Jones) and when the play started, that was the key blocks to spring the play. Peek and Jones made the play happen by sealing the two defenders that could get to him and the rest was paydirt.
Throwing to Julio
You will see this twice unfortunately. I like that they wanted to get him some looks and it is good that they are trying to make him a key part in the offense because they need him to be.
Salting the game away
The best series of plays Bama had Saturday were late in the game when they geared down and brought in the "Jumbo" with Peek, Dial, and Williams and just went toe to toe with a worn down Rebel D.
The Bad....
Mental Fartation of a fixable nature
McElroy is a QB that has to be in a rhythm early to be effective. The added focus on Julio and not getting completions from that sent him on his worst outing of the day. It was a game where I just sat there and thought "damn they have spent too much time thinking about how they can show the media and fans how it is" but the results were that they couldn't stay functional long enough to be useful. The good news is this. They can fix the problem real fast. It also was a good learning moment for Greg in that he has some film to watch where he can see that the focus on what OM was doing up front was not where he needed to be, he needed to be looking on the FS and SS to see how they were going to shade and check down. The playcalling with some adjustments will cure a lot of what ailed it Saturday too.....still too cute.
The other big issue that shouldn't have been but was, was the blocking assignments. Whomever decided that Bama's tackles could go 1 on 1 with Ole Miss's DE's needs their head examined. If you thought they could go toe to toe with them, you have the shades, kool aid, and IV for it all in place because there was 0 chance that was going to be effective more than a couple of times. Some were complaining that McElroy didn't help by stepping up, but you have to have time to step up. Carpenter and Davis were abused often by a straight edge rush which to OM's credit they did their homework and knew the tackles were stiff. If they had dedicated more TE/H Back help on that, perhaps the offense functions a little better. Especially in the Red Zone.
The Ugly...
Red Zone inefficiency
Execution and play calling were holding hands on why Alabama couldn't get the ball in the end zone once from inside the red zone. I guess the play that was probably the ugliest for me to watch was the one where they had Cody in motion, like that meant jack shit to any defender, and then forced a fade to Jones who was doubled. It looked bad from pre snap to completion. The rest were just about as nauseating as the one mentioned. Lots of passes that were the same in theory over and over, and the runs were going into the teeth of the defense where they had not made a dent in all day. I would say the coaches meeting this week will be about as joyful as the film study when they start knocking the game plan out.
DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good...
The best pass of the day came from the punter
It didn't rack up stats, but it was probably the most important pass of the game. After Bama faked the punt, Ole Miss went into protection mode on every punt thereafter and didn't rush again. It was also nice because Nutt has pulled about every trick known to man on Alabama over the years.
Jackson stepping up and stepping out
The INT and near pick six, he's going to hear it all week that he couldn't house it on a white boy QB, was a big shift in a game that was almost over, but after the pick was over. The biggest improvement in Jackson is that he is looking for the ball again. Last year, he would have deflected it by reading the receiver's body and eyes, but this year he's reading and turning for the ball.
Close to perfect game plan
Where the offensive game plan was confusing to understand, the defense was pretty well doing what most expected them to do....throw as much at Snead as was humanly possible. By the time the game was over, I don't think Snead knew if he was scratching his watch or winding his butt. The staff did a very good job of throwing a lot of looks at Snead and rushing from all angles and positions to keep him guessing. The dime formation continues to be a great formation for Saban's philosophy because he's been able to walk up Woodall, Green, and Barron at different times and use them like linebackers in a rush situation or pick up their man off the line instead of picking them up on the fly.
Cory Reamer shows off
There was a lot of carping about Reamer last week. One person said he wasn't really a SEC caliber player and was "doing the best he could". Folks, players from Hoover aren't exactly coming to the SEC ill prepared for football. Reamer came ready to play and did an outstanding job of sealing off the gap that he was assign to. The blocked punt will be what most remember from this game, but what caught my eye was that during the Kareem Jackson INT, he was the first guy down field to give him the gap and the heads up play to strip the ball. That was a work of art because the way he had to get the ball, wasn't the way that you usually get to the ball.
Turnover shortage? What TO shortage?
2 weeks, 9 turnovers generated. This week's was definitely more timely than last week's because the last thing you want a Houston Nutt team to do is get confidence. It seemed with each turnover, they broke the offense's will just a little bit more. By the 4th quarter, Ole Miss was really just trying to run the clock out as much as Saban was.
The Bad...
Taking the fangs out of the neck
They had the Rebs beat regardless of what they did, but Bama let off the gas pedal a bit and that was when Ole Miss started getting yards on the defense. It didn't really matter because they got all of 3 points off the yards, but the last few weeks we have seen this slow start out of the 2nd half. When Bama got tired of fooling with them, they cranked up the blitz and ended it, but there were too many easy passes to the tailback that were unattended to be "perfect".
The return of Ferdinand
Washington had played well up til the Ole Miss game. I would bet a Happy Meal that he heard it in film this week. I counted at least 4 plays where he didn't finish. He reminds me of a house pet. They want nothing more than to get out of the house, and the minute they do, they stop and don't know what to do. There was one play where he beat the lineman, had nothing but air between the QB and him, and he stops and hesitates like Snead was going to run past him. Now, if we were talking about Jefferson or Tebow, I could see that. Snead couldn't beat Cody in a race I don't think. For those who forget, I nickname Washington as Ferdinand the Bull because he needs a bee to sting him to get him playing hard. The good thing is that his issue is fixable, and next year he's graduated....
The Ugly...
None
Random Thoughts to come tomorrow....
OFFENSE
The Good...
Mark Ingram came, just wish the other 10 did too
Ingram is a lot like Hump and Alexander in that the more touches he gets, the better he gets. His first 10 touches are his worst and his best are the last 10. His conditioning and track background have him ready to be the 4 quarter guy and he's getting more comfortable with that 2nd gear burst when he gets to the secondary. Last year, he wanted to hit it at the LOS, but now he's gained a little more understanding on when to go wild and when to get what he can and not press.
1 good play call
The 4th and short call was the best call of the day. When you watch the replay of it, Ole Miss has sold the farm cow, the kids, and future spawns on the Tide running up the middle. They had single cover on the TE and WR (Peek and Jones) and when the play started, that was the key blocks to spring the play. Peek and Jones made the play happen by sealing the two defenders that could get to him and the rest was paydirt.
Throwing to Julio
You will see this twice unfortunately. I like that they wanted to get him some looks and it is good that they are trying to make him a key part in the offense because they need him to be.
Salting the game away
The best series of plays Bama had Saturday were late in the game when they geared down and brought in the "Jumbo" with Peek, Dial, and Williams and just went toe to toe with a worn down Rebel D.
The Bad....
Mental Fartation of a fixable nature
McElroy is a QB that has to be in a rhythm early to be effective. The added focus on Julio and not getting completions from that sent him on his worst outing of the day. It was a game where I just sat there and thought "damn they have spent too much time thinking about how they can show the media and fans how it is" but the results were that they couldn't stay functional long enough to be useful. The good news is this. They can fix the problem real fast. It also was a good learning moment for Greg in that he has some film to watch where he can see that the focus on what OM was doing up front was not where he needed to be, he needed to be looking on the FS and SS to see how they were going to shade and check down. The playcalling with some adjustments will cure a lot of what ailed it Saturday too.....still too cute.
The other big issue that shouldn't have been but was, was the blocking assignments. Whomever decided that Bama's tackles could go 1 on 1 with Ole Miss's DE's needs their head examined. If you thought they could go toe to toe with them, you have the shades, kool aid, and IV for it all in place because there was 0 chance that was going to be effective more than a couple of times. Some were complaining that McElroy didn't help by stepping up, but you have to have time to step up. Carpenter and Davis were abused often by a straight edge rush which to OM's credit they did their homework and knew the tackles were stiff. If they had dedicated more TE/H Back help on that, perhaps the offense functions a little better. Especially in the Red Zone.
The Ugly...
Red Zone inefficiency
Execution and play calling were holding hands on why Alabama couldn't get the ball in the end zone once from inside the red zone. I guess the play that was probably the ugliest for me to watch was the one where they had Cody in motion, like that meant jack shit to any defender, and then forced a fade to Jones who was doubled. It looked bad from pre snap to completion. The rest were just about as nauseating as the one mentioned. Lots of passes that were the same in theory over and over, and the runs were going into the teeth of the defense where they had not made a dent in all day. I would say the coaches meeting this week will be about as joyful as the film study when they start knocking the game plan out.
DEFENSE & SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good...
The best pass of the day came from the punter
It didn't rack up stats, but it was probably the most important pass of the game. After Bama faked the punt, Ole Miss went into protection mode on every punt thereafter and didn't rush again. It was also nice because Nutt has pulled about every trick known to man on Alabama over the years.
Jackson stepping up and stepping out
The INT and near pick six, he's going to hear it all week that he couldn't house it on a white boy QB, was a big shift in a game that was almost over, but after the pick was over. The biggest improvement in Jackson is that he is looking for the ball again. Last year, he would have deflected it by reading the receiver's body and eyes, but this year he's reading and turning for the ball.
Close to perfect game plan
Where the offensive game plan was confusing to understand, the defense was pretty well doing what most expected them to do....throw as much at Snead as was humanly possible. By the time the game was over, I don't think Snead knew if he was scratching his watch or winding his butt. The staff did a very good job of throwing a lot of looks at Snead and rushing from all angles and positions to keep him guessing. The dime formation continues to be a great formation for Saban's philosophy because he's been able to walk up Woodall, Green, and Barron at different times and use them like linebackers in a rush situation or pick up their man off the line instead of picking them up on the fly.
Cory Reamer shows off
There was a lot of carping about Reamer last week. One person said he wasn't really a SEC caliber player and was "doing the best he could". Folks, players from Hoover aren't exactly coming to the SEC ill prepared for football. Reamer came ready to play and did an outstanding job of sealing off the gap that he was assign to. The blocked punt will be what most remember from this game, but what caught my eye was that during the Kareem Jackson INT, he was the first guy down field to give him the gap and the heads up play to strip the ball. That was a work of art because the way he had to get the ball, wasn't the way that you usually get to the ball.
Turnover shortage? What TO shortage?
2 weeks, 9 turnovers generated. This week's was definitely more timely than last week's because the last thing you want a Houston Nutt team to do is get confidence. It seemed with each turnover, they broke the offense's will just a little bit more. By the 4th quarter, Ole Miss was really just trying to run the clock out as much as Saban was.
The Bad...
Taking the fangs out of the neck
They had the Rebs beat regardless of what they did, but Bama let off the gas pedal a bit and that was when Ole Miss started getting yards on the defense. It didn't really matter because they got all of 3 points off the yards, but the last few weeks we have seen this slow start out of the 2nd half. When Bama got tired of fooling with them, they cranked up the blitz and ended it, but there were too many easy passes to the tailback that were unattended to be "perfect".
The return of Ferdinand
Washington had played well up til the Ole Miss game. I would bet a Happy Meal that he heard it in film this week. I counted at least 4 plays where he didn't finish. He reminds me of a house pet. They want nothing more than to get out of the house, and the minute they do, they stop and don't know what to do. There was one play where he beat the lineman, had nothing but air between the QB and him, and he stops and hesitates like Snead was going to run past him. Now, if we were talking about Jefferson or Tebow, I could see that. Snead couldn't beat Cody in a race I don't think. For those who forget, I nickname Washington as Ferdinand the Bull because he needs a bee to sting him to get him playing hard. The good thing is that his issue is fixable, and next year he's graduated....
The Ugly...
None
Random Thoughts to come tomorrow....
October 6, 2009
Random Thoughts
In this week's random thinking, it is high time to wonder why football is settled in conference calls and computer programs and not on the field, thoughts on the linebackers again, and misc. items....
BCS is near....
http://bcsguru.com/bcs_standings.htm
Sam Chi is a guy who has figured out the system and can make all the analysis as to if X loses, then Y benefits scenarios. If you have Sirius XM, you probably have heard him go deep into the think tank on Rivals Radio. It actually is entertaining to listen to when you start playing the if game.
By his science, which is the Coaches/Harris/6 of the 7 computer sims factoring in, he has Bama ranked 1, LSU 2, and Florida 3. Also representing the SEC in his model is Auburn at 14, Ole Miss at 20, and UGA at 26. The thing he points to on the radio and on his site is that LSU is strong with the computer simulations. That is how they jumped Florida. Bama has held number 1 for a couple of weeks on his poll because the Tide have been ranked in the top 3 on the human side and running 2nd in most of the computer polls. Florida, on the other hand, has suffered greatly due to the computer polls. One poll has them 15th. Texas is dealing with the same issue that Florida has, they can't win the computer side. Call it deja vu or bad karma, but they are still in that place they were last year where a loss to someone could send their hopes out the door even if everyone else loses once.
I don't have much of a gripe about the human polls. I think some teams are ranked a little low, like Iowa and S Florida, and some are overrated like Va Tech and Ohio State. Overall, however, it isn't like they are playing God for the amusement of seeing USCal v. Texas or anything like that. The computer, however, gives way too much love to Iowa (who some rank 2nd behind LSU) and Auburn (3rd in one poll), and shut out South Florida, Penn St, and nearly cripple USCal.
The way the BCS looks as of now is that the SEC will again send 2 teams (Florida and the West champs) to the BCS championship and Sugar Bowl. Boise St looks like they are in, but the where is the trick. If Texas lost to OU, they move to 4th in the simulation and stand to be the other seed as of right now if UF lost to LSU and LSU lost to Bama. Virginia Tech controls their destiny as well, and really if you watch them enough, they should be in the BCS, but if you put them in the championship vs. the SEC champ, epic fail looms for viewing ratings. Iowa, USCal, and Cincy all have angles in but will need help. They will get some help because the top 3 won't stay there for much longer.
Confused yet? Wait it gets better. USC will more than likely get a better boost by beating Notre Dame, and Oregon and probably will jump Va Tech. Tech only has GT left as a "quality" opponent. If they both win out, one will probably jump an undefeated Boise St because Oregon loses to USC in this scenario, but the question is who is really more worthy? USCal who always shows up and shows out at the national level? Or, Va Tech who is only guilty of losing to Alabama? If Texas loses to OU, but wins the Big 12, have they earned the right then? If Iowa runs the table, and are the only other undefeated, what about them? The scenario for screwed is high again.....
Linebacker auditions week 2
Everyone is acting surprised by the news that some new faces are auditioning at different spots, but the secret that wasn't kept real well was that this was going on last week too. I think if you go back and read over the last year or if you remember the old posts on BOL and BM you probably remember that I've always wanted more depth building than what they've done over the last 3 years. I think that reality has started to sink in with the staff now as the loss of Smith, Caldwell, Davis, and now Hightower (not to mention McClain is probably out without a doubt come January) has left the program a little greener than what Saban would like. There is no doubt that those losses have been filled but not matched, but the opportunity is there for the staff to start building experience through the season by getting a whole host of names ready for 2010. So, with that here's the thing....
Sam- Reamer is the best option at Sam, but there are 2 things about that. First, they don't play their base 3-4 enough to keep him on the field there. Second, he's a senior and they'll be filling that gap again next season. He's played the Will in the past and probably has the best grasp of the coverage aspects of it in the Nickel formation because he played safety both at Hoover and at Bama. His top backups are Jerrell Harris and Eryk Anders. Both are physically ideal to play it and move well in space.
Mike- There isn't any issue here other than who is getting reps when McClain takes his helmet off in a blowout. Nico Johnson and Chris Jordan have been the primary backups in practice and both have seen limited PT up to now. I know a lot of folks keep thinking that Mike and Will are just identical, but they really aren't. Mike is the front 7 QB, so to speak, he is the guy who checks down and changes the assignments based on reads. Will is more of the floater who rushes, plays in space, covers TE's and/or backs. Learning is best starting at Will and then Mike. If you remember, McClain played a little of both his Freshman year. Out of the 2 freshmen, Nico probably fits the Mike mold better because he's not built as low to the ground and plays well in assignments (at least in the high school videos). So, when Hightower went down, it was common to think Nico would, and the staritis had its effect on that thinking, but he needs to be showcased as the Mike because he'll be there next year. Jordan has played it some as well in cleanup duty. Jordan isn't quite as natural a fit, but he is fast and moves well to the ball.
Will- Harris was the primary backup in the summer, but his suspension and lack of actual playing time leaves a real question mark for me. The pure speculation by the same people who assumed it was Nico 7 days ago doesn't help. The other issue is that he's not real bulky. Reamer isn't either, but he's got experience on his side to know how to work around the lack of bulk. Harris has speed to burn and is very athletic, but is very green. Patrick is green, but physically is a natural inside backer or future Jack if he continues to bulk. If Bama wants to play more base 3-4 and use the Will as a plug the hole guy, he may be used in short yardage or high percentage run situations. Patrick moves well but I don't think he saw a lot of pass coverage up at North Jackson. Also, does it send a good message that you break the rules and not really come forward when the coaches ask about the issue and get a starting job?
Jack- Here is where the issue really is. I know folks use the simple math route that if you subtract Hightower and add Reamer and that equals Kentucky running you to death, then it is by deduction Reamer's fault. The fault really was at Jack. Upshaw plays well as a rusher, but against the run, he doesn't change gears. He makes the same moves and takes the same angle (towards the QB and not the ball carrier). I think Upshaw has the build for the role, but the mental understanding is still lacking. Anders beat him out because of that and nobody could fill the Will position if Hightower played Jack full time. Anders has played very well as the Jack in base and nickel situations.
Now, with all that said, I still don't think it is imperative for the staff to change the starters completely. I think if they are concerned about teams running on them, to me it wasn't the formation or personnel but rather the lack of intensity in practice that caught them. I know some won't believe it, but go back and watch some of the lackluster games from the last 2 years (the 07 AU and 08 Sugar Bowl are good views for this subject) and compare the intensity.
In the 3-4, their best option is still the one they've used, but they have the opportunity to rotate some other guys like Johnson and Patrick into the game and let them learn through experience. I think that is where some fall off the boat with the use of the players is that they think if you are going to play, that translates into starting. The other thing is that folks instantly assume that because we (the fans and recruiting gurus) hold Patrick and Johnson in such high regards that they should start because we held McClain and Hightower in the same stature. That's true, but it also should bear mention that Rolo and Donta came in with little competition in front of them. Mustin and Hall were big bodies, but marginal SEC players. Beating or replacing them was not as tough a task as replacing McClain and Hightower will prove to be. Conversely, both of the two starters now were more in tune with the way Saban plays (Hightower especially) defense. That's not knocking either Johnson or Patrick or Jordan or Harris or anyone, but more of a "mad props" to how good Donta and Rolo are.
Here's some off the top of my head depth chart on situational basis that I could see work:
1st and 10, vs. I or 2 TE
E- Dareus
T- Cody
E- Washington
S- Anders
M- Rolo
W- Reamer
J- Upshaw
This is the current lineup, and on first and 10, they did fine. The issue was 3rd and long.
short yardage vs. I or 2TE
E- Deaderick
T- Cody
E- Washington
S- Reamer
M- Rolo
W- Patrick
J- Anders
The change up here is kinda simple, more power in the middle and speed on the corners. Kentucky got away with murder on 3rd downs running to the right tackle (at Upshaw and Arenas).
3 wide or 3rd and 10 situations
E- Dareus
T- Chapman
E- Washington
J- Anders
Mike- Rolo
Money- Barron/Reamer
C- Jackson
C- Johnson
Star- Arenas
FS- Green/Barron
SS- Woodall
Reamer is good in space, as is Barron, and both can do well covering LB assignments. Neither are great blitzers right now, Barron has potential to be with more coaching, but really the use of either is more relative to who they are playing and what their backs and TEs do. Reamer is better with more physical types and Barron is better with scat back types.
3 and 4 wide sets that are spread option based
Here comes the fun part. Against Auburn or Florida, I wouldn't go Nickel, maybe their Dime, but stay in the base and keep the Jack with his hand up.
E- Dareus
T- Cody
E- Washington
S- Reamer (assignment TE or H Back/Tailback or option read)
M- Rolo (shadow)
W- Barron (play more of the Money position not Will, cover slot WR)
J- Anders (option read or tailback/TE assignment)
C- Jackson (cover FL)
C- Arenas (cover SE)
FS- Green (cover 2)
SS- Woodall (cover 2)
The rotation is endless really.
Tebow isn't playing but UF will still win.
Here's why, LSU has 0 momentum on offense. None. Florida's defense is still very strong and comparing what they did to Kentucky and what Bama did still makes them the top D in the conference. LSU's defense is good and they have home field, but they have struggled mightily at home to be impressive on offense. Even with a backup QB, Florida's offense can chew clock and wear down the defense. LSU has to have a better offensive showing than they had against a weak UGA defense and I don't know that they will.
I wouldn't put UF on points, but I think they survive on the defense and running game over LSU's home field advantage.
Brett Farve can't retire fast enough
The love fest is great and all and last night's win on MNF was a moment in time, but at some point it has to stop. I tire of the endless is he back media circus. He eats up the attention and he's blessed to have the best running back in football to make life easy on his 40 something body. The Packers and Jets are happy as can be because they've got their respective futures in the works (Rodgers and Sanchez) and the Vikes get 1 year and then have to find their QB again.
BCS is near....
http://bcsguru.com/bcs_standings.htm
Sam Chi is a guy who has figured out the system and can make all the analysis as to if X loses, then Y benefits scenarios. If you have Sirius XM, you probably have heard him go deep into the think tank on Rivals Radio. It actually is entertaining to listen to when you start playing the if game.
By his science, which is the Coaches/Harris/6 of the 7 computer sims factoring in, he has Bama ranked 1, LSU 2, and Florida 3. Also representing the SEC in his model is Auburn at 14, Ole Miss at 20, and UGA at 26. The thing he points to on the radio and on his site is that LSU is strong with the computer simulations. That is how they jumped Florida. Bama has held number 1 for a couple of weeks on his poll because the Tide have been ranked in the top 3 on the human side and running 2nd in most of the computer polls. Florida, on the other hand, has suffered greatly due to the computer polls. One poll has them 15th. Texas is dealing with the same issue that Florida has, they can't win the computer side. Call it deja vu or bad karma, but they are still in that place they were last year where a loss to someone could send their hopes out the door even if everyone else loses once.
I don't have much of a gripe about the human polls. I think some teams are ranked a little low, like Iowa and S Florida, and some are overrated like Va Tech and Ohio State. Overall, however, it isn't like they are playing God for the amusement of seeing USCal v. Texas or anything like that. The computer, however, gives way too much love to Iowa (who some rank 2nd behind LSU) and Auburn (3rd in one poll), and shut out South Florida, Penn St, and nearly cripple USCal.
The way the BCS looks as of now is that the SEC will again send 2 teams (Florida and the West champs) to the BCS championship and Sugar Bowl. Boise St looks like they are in, but the where is the trick. If Texas lost to OU, they move to 4th in the simulation and stand to be the other seed as of right now if UF lost to LSU and LSU lost to Bama. Virginia Tech controls their destiny as well, and really if you watch them enough, they should be in the BCS, but if you put them in the championship vs. the SEC champ, epic fail looms for viewing ratings. Iowa, USCal, and Cincy all have angles in but will need help. They will get some help because the top 3 won't stay there for much longer.
Confused yet? Wait it gets better. USC will more than likely get a better boost by beating Notre Dame, and Oregon and probably will jump Va Tech. Tech only has GT left as a "quality" opponent. If they both win out, one will probably jump an undefeated Boise St because Oregon loses to USC in this scenario, but the question is who is really more worthy? USCal who always shows up and shows out at the national level? Or, Va Tech who is only guilty of losing to Alabama? If Texas loses to OU, but wins the Big 12, have they earned the right then? If Iowa runs the table, and are the only other undefeated, what about them? The scenario for screwed is high again.....
Linebacker auditions week 2
Everyone is acting surprised by the news that some new faces are auditioning at different spots, but the secret that wasn't kept real well was that this was going on last week too. I think if you go back and read over the last year or if you remember the old posts on BOL and BM you probably remember that I've always wanted more depth building than what they've done over the last 3 years. I think that reality has started to sink in with the staff now as the loss of Smith, Caldwell, Davis, and now Hightower (not to mention McClain is probably out without a doubt come January) has left the program a little greener than what Saban would like. There is no doubt that those losses have been filled but not matched, but the opportunity is there for the staff to start building experience through the season by getting a whole host of names ready for 2010. So, with that here's the thing....
Sam- Reamer is the best option at Sam, but there are 2 things about that. First, they don't play their base 3-4 enough to keep him on the field there. Second, he's a senior and they'll be filling that gap again next season. He's played the Will in the past and probably has the best grasp of the coverage aspects of it in the Nickel formation because he played safety both at Hoover and at Bama. His top backups are Jerrell Harris and Eryk Anders. Both are physically ideal to play it and move well in space.
Mike- There isn't any issue here other than who is getting reps when McClain takes his helmet off in a blowout. Nico Johnson and Chris Jordan have been the primary backups in practice and both have seen limited PT up to now. I know a lot of folks keep thinking that Mike and Will are just identical, but they really aren't. Mike is the front 7 QB, so to speak, he is the guy who checks down and changes the assignments based on reads. Will is more of the floater who rushes, plays in space, covers TE's and/or backs. Learning is best starting at Will and then Mike. If you remember, McClain played a little of both his Freshman year. Out of the 2 freshmen, Nico probably fits the Mike mold better because he's not built as low to the ground and plays well in assignments (at least in the high school videos). So, when Hightower went down, it was common to think Nico would, and the staritis had its effect on that thinking, but he needs to be showcased as the Mike because he'll be there next year. Jordan has played it some as well in cleanup duty. Jordan isn't quite as natural a fit, but he is fast and moves well to the ball.
Will- Harris was the primary backup in the summer, but his suspension and lack of actual playing time leaves a real question mark for me. The pure speculation by the same people who assumed it was Nico 7 days ago doesn't help. The other issue is that he's not real bulky. Reamer isn't either, but he's got experience on his side to know how to work around the lack of bulk. Harris has speed to burn and is very athletic, but is very green. Patrick is green, but physically is a natural inside backer or future Jack if he continues to bulk. If Bama wants to play more base 3-4 and use the Will as a plug the hole guy, he may be used in short yardage or high percentage run situations. Patrick moves well but I don't think he saw a lot of pass coverage up at North Jackson. Also, does it send a good message that you break the rules and not really come forward when the coaches ask about the issue and get a starting job?
Jack- Here is where the issue really is. I know folks use the simple math route that if you subtract Hightower and add Reamer and that equals Kentucky running you to death, then it is by deduction Reamer's fault. The fault really was at Jack. Upshaw plays well as a rusher, but against the run, he doesn't change gears. He makes the same moves and takes the same angle (towards the QB and not the ball carrier). I think Upshaw has the build for the role, but the mental understanding is still lacking. Anders beat him out because of that and nobody could fill the Will position if Hightower played Jack full time. Anders has played very well as the Jack in base and nickel situations.
Now, with all that said, I still don't think it is imperative for the staff to change the starters completely. I think if they are concerned about teams running on them, to me it wasn't the formation or personnel but rather the lack of intensity in practice that caught them. I know some won't believe it, but go back and watch some of the lackluster games from the last 2 years (the 07 AU and 08 Sugar Bowl are good views for this subject) and compare the intensity.
In the 3-4, their best option is still the one they've used, but they have the opportunity to rotate some other guys like Johnson and Patrick into the game and let them learn through experience. I think that is where some fall off the boat with the use of the players is that they think if you are going to play, that translates into starting. The other thing is that folks instantly assume that because we (the fans and recruiting gurus) hold Patrick and Johnson in such high regards that they should start because we held McClain and Hightower in the same stature. That's true, but it also should bear mention that Rolo and Donta came in with little competition in front of them. Mustin and Hall were big bodies, but marginal SEC players. Beating or replacing them was not as tough a task as replacing McClain and Hightower will prove to be. Conversely, both of the two starters now were more in tune with the way Saban plays (Hightower especially) defense. That's not knocking either Johnson or Patrick or Jordan or Harris or anyone, but more of a "mad props" to how good Donta and Rolo are.
Here's some off the top of my head depth chart on situational basis that I could see work:
1st and 10, vs. I or 2 TE
E- Dareus
T- Cody
E- Washington
S- Anders
M- Rolo
W- Reamer
J- Upshaw
This is the current lineup, and on first and 10, they did fine. The issue was 3rd and long.
short yardage vs. I or 2TE
E- Deaderick
T- Cody
E- Washington
S- Reamer
M- Rolo
W- Patrick
J- Anders
The change up here is kinda simple, more power in the middle and speed on the corners. Kentucky got away with murder on 3rd downs running to the right tackle (at Upshaw and Arenas).
3 wide or 3rd and 10 situations
E- Dareus
T- Chapman
E- Washington
J- Anders
Mike- Rolo
Money- Barron/Reamer
C- Jackson
C- Johnson
Star- Arenas
FS- Green/Barron
SS- Woodall
Reamer is good in space, as is Barron, and both can do well covering LB assignments. Neither are great blitzers right now, Barron has potential to be with more coaching, but really the use of either is more relative to who they are playing and what their backs and TEs do. Reamer is better with more physical types and Barron is better with scat back types.
3 and 4 wide sets that are spread option based
Here comes the fun part. Against Auburn or Florida, I wouldn't go Nickel, maybe their Dime, but stay in the base and keep the Jack with his hand up.
E- Dareus
T- Cody
E- Washington
S- Reamer (assignment TE or H Back/Tailback or option read)
M- Rolo (shadow)
W- Barron (play more of the Money position not Will, cover slot WR)
J- Anders (option read or tailback/TE assignment)
C- Jackson (cover FL)
C- Arenas (cover SE)
FS- Green (cover 2)
SS- Woodall (cover 2)
The rotation is endless really.
Tebow isn't playing but UF will still win.
Here's why, LSU has 0 momentum on offense. None. Florida's defense is still very strong and comparing what they did to Kentucky and what Bama did still makes them the top D in the conference. LSU's defense is good and they have home field, but they have struggled mightily at home to be impressive on offense. Even with a backup QB, Florida's offense can chew clock and wear down the defense. LSU has to have a better offensive showing than they had against a weak UGA defense and I don't know that they will.
I wouldn't put UF on points, but I think they survive on the defense and running game over LSU's home field advantage.
Brett Farve can't retire fast enough
The love fest is great and all and last night's win on MNF was a moment in time, but at some point it has to stop. I tire of the endless is he back media circus. He eats up the attention and he's blessed to have the best running back in football to make life easy on his 40 something body. The Packers and Jets are happy as can be because they've got their respective futures in the works (Rodgers and Sanchez) and the Vikes get 1 year and then have to find their QB again.
October 5, 2009
The Good, The Bad, & The Ugly- Kentucky
Last week, I was pleased with the execution, game plan, and intensity from the players and coaches. This week, I expected the let down, but was still a bit disappointed in how lackluster the Tide came out against a one dimensional Kentucky team. At the end of the day, the difference in the legacy teams and Bama is that teams like Florida know how to beat their opponents and then keep them beat down and Bama lets them back up after they've beaten them. More on that to come...
OFFENSE
The Good...
99 1/2 yards to glory
The near safety and subsequent review of the play gave the offense time to get its ahem....stuff... together. Call it a wakeup call or whatever, the offense didn't slow down or miss a beat after that moment. The highlight for me was that the TE found purpose for the first time in the game, and maybe all season. It may just be coincidence or luck, but it seems the Tide plays much better from inside its own five to start a drive than they do from midfield. Perhaps the staff would be better served to have Terry Grant take all kickoffs and take a knee? That is sarcasm for those of you ready to cry.
Rewarding the defense
Nothing is more deflating for a defense than creating turnovers and seeing them squandered. Bama did convert 3 turnovers into scores and enjoyed the good field position most of the afternoon. It was a good thing too because the offense sputtered a lot during the 1st half and if they had been trying to make 80 yard drives, I don't know that they score more than 20.
When McElroy gets going, the game is over
It is similar to when Shaun Alexander would get going, and when McElroy starts to get his timing and the feel of the game is his to control, the Tide usually doesn't have much to worry about. The big thing here was that he made the plays when the team needed them the most. When they were only up 7-6 and a safety or punt out of the endzone may have left Bama down at the half, play made. When they needed to put the nail in the coffin, play made.
Ingram time
Here's the thing, before the year some questioned his "vision". I reference you to his 2nd TD run of the day. The play was an off tackle following the TE's lead block, but it was a modest 4 or 5 yard gain, but he saw a gap forming in the middle and he reversed field and showed a great deal of explosion out of the traffic and the rest is pay dirt. I noticed an extra burst from him several times on Saturday. I hope it stays around because they need it in Oxford Saturday afternoon.
Hankering for more
There is a very poorly formed debate over Julio vs. AJ Green out there this morning, but right now the best WR for Bama is Darius Hanks. Jones is getting attention from defenders, but that isn't new, however Hanks is making the plays and becoming a better blocker as well is. The knock on Hanks last year was that he didn't run the best routes and getting physical off the bump. I can see him getting better at both and his ability to make the tough catches is what is earning him more looks from McElroy.
The Bad...
Another lackluster showing by the OL
It is now a group effort to be well...soft. Carpenter played well early, but now teams have scouted and found his footwork is slow and you can speed rush him. Johnson really misses having 2 NFL caliber guys to each side of him to make him look better. He hasn't exactly blown away his opposition but rather held neutral more. Vlachos has moments of promise and then moments where you wonder why folks were so hard on Evan Cardwell. His snaps are still too low. Barrett Jones is still a learning process, but he needs to find his mean streak someday soon. You can't run behind him right now without a TE or pulling guard assisting in his gap. Davis is the same ol same ol, when he has a TE or guard pulling or when he pulls, he's fine, but one on one against a SEC end, he's not as effective as he should be. Last week the OL kinda held their hats in their hands after the ARK game because they didn't show up on the run. This week they let a really weak Kentucky defense put more pressure on the QB than should have been. They are being bailed out by McElroy throwing it away and not taking the sack, but the hurries are mounting up now after 5 weeks.
If you have a 15 mile an hour wind in your face, why throw it?
It doesn't take but 2 or 3 passes to tell that the wind is messing with your QB, gear down and run the damn ball and punish Kentucky with your bigger and tougher OL. I'm a real believer in the philosophy that if you get your OL into the game early with down hill running, they play better. Saturday would have been a good day to start that because the pass was pretty well closed. It also went a little unnoticed by most, Trent Richardson who was the only running option last week, didn't see the ball in the 1st quarter. Sure Ingram was hot, but a change of pace would have been nice as they floundered around in the 1st half.
The Ugly...
None
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good....
Creating turnovers
I don't remember how many the defense had going into the game, it wasn't many, but I'd be willing to bet a coke and a moon pie that they increased their turnovers by double. This was a good week for the defense to see they can live beyond Hightower and do their thing. They didn't exactly come out of the game with that feeling, more on that to come, but the ability to create 4 turnovers and get 7 off of one, will be a good boost going forward. I felt bad for Upshaw, he looked like his legs were jello at the half.
Stepping up
Hightower's loss is big because he did a lot of things, and that's why I kept saying he was the best linebacker on the team, but it didn't just end things for the defense or make them mediocre. McClain and Reamer now have to be the team for the future of the season and I thought both played very well. McClain found himself playing more coverage than usual and he took the practice week to watch how Hartline tracks his WR and gives away his progression pretty easy. Reamer has been the butt of a lot of misinformed, and down right foolishly stupid fans today.
He's not Donta Hightower, he'd tell you that, but if you think that seldom used Jerrell Harris or Nico Johnson is the answer over a senior with extensive PT, well here's where you and I really aren't on the page. Reamer was in position for the game, he made the plays and yes was dragged 2 yards on 1 play, ONE. He made several others and drove the carrier back. I think what we have is a case where fans are in love with the IDEA of what a guy CAN be over what they ACTUALLY are. To me, if you really want to blame the running up and down the field on someone, blame your choice of coaches for Kentucky.
Javier setting the tone
Getting the opening kickoff and nearly housing it is always a good start, but getting it and getting a free 5 extra yards never hurts. The biggest change in his game is patience. Last year, he was always trying to make a play happen, but now he seems more in control and taking the play when it presents itself.
Secondary steps it up
Kentucky by no means is a power team in the SEC. They are a pesky team, but they aren't going to wow you on offense, especially passing. Kentucky is around the bottom of all the categories. They do have a top end WR in Cobb though. For the most part, I thought they did well in keeping Randall in check, but a guy who is going to get as many touches as what he does, will make plays. I would say that Arenas will be getting an ear full in film about looking for the ball.
The Bad...
Soft week of practice always equals blah
They closed practice and our imaginations ran wild as to what we would see. Yep. You can always tell when they do more going through the motions and less tough practices by the way they come out. On defense, the tell tale sign is tackling. There were more missed tackles and players out of position on Saturday than there had been all year. It made Kentucky look much better than they are. After the 1st quarter, it was pretty clear that practice for the week was more getting in position and knowing the areas that running full speed and executing the plays. Once the defense woke up, after 2 long field goals, I thought they played better, but fell back asleep once they felt good about themselves and the 31-13 lead.
The other result of the blah was that they didn't anticipate Kentucky would run outside. It isn't like that is news, everyone else has accepted that up the gut is not winning football strategy on Bama. Kentucky didn't pick on Reamer, they picked on Upshaw. They did their homework of the Bama D after the injury and saw that Upshaw always is going towards the QB, even on the run, and when he over commits, the gap is huge. Most of the big plays on the ground came outside the tackles, and primarily to the right.
Silly penalties
The 5 first half penalties were way too much for the team as a whole, but the one that stung worse was the 15 yard penalty on Kirkpatrick. Again, Bama did a lot of mental errors that made Kentucky look better than they were.
The Ugly...
If it involves special teams coverage, it sucked.
I'll be blunt, because that's what I do, they are so poorly coached in special teams that there is no chance of executing something as simple as a kickoff cover or punt cover. I couldn't tell you how many times the gunners over shot their angle or took an angle too quickly and missed the play all together. Including the squib kick, that gave 10 yards on top of the already nice starting spot, the Wildcats averaged 20 yards on punt and kick returns. That's high boys and girls. It seems to me that we can all worry about who plays where, but nobody notices the execution any more.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Georgia got screwed...How lucky is Miles?
Les is very lucky and really he gets away with a lot of risks because of talent. However, Georgia didn't lose the game because of the penalty...they lost the game because they can't tackle worth a flip. Both teams kicked the ball from their 15 after the TD, but one team made the right pursuits and tackled and the other didn't. That was the difference. Football is 60 minutes, not 2, and it is what you do over the entire game not the end.
Jerrell Harris/Nico Johnson would have made the plays
I don't dislike Harris, but I do wonder where the HELL that comes from? What makes anyone sure that a guy who hasn't played a meaningful snap in college is better than a senior who starts? You tell me because it ain't about football. I agree there is a drop from Hightower to Reamer, but there is with Harris or Johnson or Patrick. Reamer is experienced and the staff has a lot of praise about his "football IQ". He makes up for his lack of bulk with his understanding of the game and is a former safety so he can play coverage pretty well. To be honest, if you put Hightower in there Saturday, maybe some of the runs are shorter, but they were still running away from both ILBs and would have been working on Anders.
I keep reading that "Saban said Harris would start some at Will", maybe when Hightower moves to Jack in the nickel or dime, but in the base? No. Now, Hightower isn't at the Jack in those situations, so is he as effective if the pass rush isn't as good? Can Harris stop runners better than Reamer? Can anyone take the job from Reamer if he keeps doing the job well? The answer is no. A good litmus test as to who is playing well and not is McClain. McClain and Reamer were smiling and slapping high fives a good bit, so it is what it is starholics. Harris probably returns after the Ole Miss game and plays in situations, but Reamer will have 2 1/2 starts under his belt. If he plays well, they won't take it from him. However, if Upshaw or Anders, and this may be where you guys get your moral victory, don't play as well then they may have to rethink things.
Auburn will get exposed by a good defense
I tend to agree to a point, but I think folks wanting to poor mouth their little brother are missing the big picture. Auburn has improved by leaps and bounds from last year. Credit the staff for buying into the plan and sticking with it. Last year, it looked like a tug of war over philosophy between Tubberville and his OC, this year Chizik has given the offense to Gus and he's doing it his way. They haven't played a great D, but they saw a good UT defense and wore them down. The biggest thing is that they have had a 4 week live scrimmage to get the O down pat. That will be big for them in the long run. Are they an SEC contender? No. Are they a dark horse? Absolutely. They are going to be tough for the Bama defense because they play hurry up and Bama takes 15-20 seconds to get lined up. I worry more about Auburn's offense than I do Ole Miss if you want the truth.
OFFENSE
The Good...
99 1/2 yards to glory
The near safety and subsequent review of the play gave the offense time to get its ahem....stuff... together. Call it a wakeup call or whatever, the offense didn't slow down or miss a beat after that moment. The highlight for me was that the TE found purpose for the first time in the game, and maybe all season. It may just be coincidence or luck, but it seems the Tide plays much better from inside its own five to start a drive than they do from midfield. Perhaps the staff would be better served to have Terry Grant take all kickoffs and take a knee? That is sarcasm for those of you ready to cry.
Rewarding the defense
Nothing is more deflating for a defense than creating turnovers and seeing them squandered. Bama did convert 3 turnovers into scores and enjoyed the good field position most of the afternoon. It was a good thing too because the offense sputtered a lot during the 1st half and if they had been trying to make 80 yard drives, I don't know that they score more than 20.
When McElroy gets going, the game is over
It is similar to when Shaun Alexander would get going, and when McElroy starts to get his timing and the feel of the game is his to control, the Tide usually doesn't have much to worry about. The big thing here was that he made the plays when the team needed them the most. When they were only up 7-6 and a safety or punt out of the endzone may have left Bama down at the half, play made. When they needed to put the nail in the coffin, play made.
Ingram time
Here's the thing, before the year some questioned his "vision". I reference you to his 2nd TD run of the day. The play was an off tackle following the TE's lead block, but it was a modest 4 or 5 yard gain, but he saw a gap forming in the middle and he reversed field and showed a great deal of explosion out of the traffic and the rest is pay dirt. I noticed an extra burst from him several times on Saturday. I hope it stays around because they need it in Oxford Saturday afternoon.
Hankering for more
There is a very poorly formed debate over Julio vs. AJ Green out there this morning, but right now the best WR for Bama is Darius Hanks. Jones is getting attention from defenders, but that isn't new, however Hanks is making the plays and becoming a better blocker as well is. The knock on Hanks last year was that he didn't run the best routes and getting physical off the bump. I can see him getting better at both and his ability to make the tough catches is what is earning him more looks from McElroy.
The Bad...
Another lackluster showing by the OL
It is now a group effort to be well...soft. Carpenter played well early, but now teams have scouted and found his footwork is slow and you can speed rush him. Johnson really misses having 2 NFL caliber guys to each side of him to make him look better. He hasn't exactly blown away his opposition but rather held neutral more. Vlachos has moments of promise and then moments where you wonder why folks were so hard on Evan Cardwell. His snaps are still too low. Barrett Jones is still a learning process, but he needs to find his mean streak someday soon. You can't run behind him right now without a TE or pulling guard assisting in his gap. Davis is the same ol same ol, when he has a TE or guard pulling or when he pulls, he's fine, but one on one against a SEC end, he's not as effective as he should be. Last week the OL kinda held their hats in their hands after the ARK game because they didn't show up on the run. This week they let a really weak Kentucky defense put more pressure on the QB than should have been. They are being bailed out by McElroy throwing it away and not taking the sack, but the hurries are mounting up now after 5 weeks.
If you have a 15 mile an hour wind in your face, why throw it?
It doesn't take but 2 or 3 passes to tell that the wind is messing with your QB, gear down and run the damn ball and punish Kentucky with your bigger and tougher OL. I'm a real believer in the philosophy that if you get your OL into the game early with down hill running, they play better. Saturday would have been a good day to start that because the pass was pretty well closed. It also went a little unnoticed by most, Trent Richardson who was the only running option last week, didn't see the ball in the 1st quarter. Sure Ingram was hot, but a change of pace would have been nice as they floundered around in the 1st half.
The Ugly...
None
DEFENSE/SPECIAL TEAMS
The Good....
Creating turnovers
I don't remember how many the defense had going into the game, it wasn't many, but I'd be willing to bet a coke and a moon pie that they increased their turnovers by double. This was a good week for the defense to see they can live beyond Hightower and do their thing. They didn't exactly come out of the game with that feeling, more on that to come, but the ability to create 4 turnovers and get 7 off of one, will be a good boost going forward. I felt bad for Upshaw, he looked like his legs were jello at the half.
Stepping up
Hightower's loss is big because he did a lot of things, and that's why I kept saying he was the best linebacker on the team, but it didn't just end things for the defense or make them mediocre. McClain and Reamer now have to be the team for the future of the season and I thought both played very well. McClain found himself playing more coverage than usual and he took the practice week to watch how Hartline tracks his WR and gives away his progression pretty easy. Reamer has been the butt of a lot of misinformed, and down right foolishly stupid fans today.
He's not Donta Hightower, he'd tell you that, but if you think that seldom used Jerrell Harris or Nico Johnson is the answer over a senior with extensive PT, well here's where you and I really aren't on the page. Reamer was in position for the game, he made the plays and yes was dragged 2 yards on 1 play, ONE. He made several others and drove the carrier back. I think what we have is a case where fans are in love with the IDEA of what a guy CAN be over what they ACTUALLY are. To me, if you really want to blame the running up and down the field on someone, blame your choice of coaches for Kentucky.
Javier setting the tone
Getting the opening kickoff and nearly housing it is always a good start, but getting it and getting a free 5 extra yards never hurts. The biggest change in his game is patience. Last year, he was always trying to make a play happen, but now he seems more in control and taking the play when it presents itself.
Secondary steps it up
Kentucky by no means is a power team in the SEC. They are a pesky team, but they aren't going to wow you on offense, especially passing. Kentucky is around the bottom of all the categories. They do have a top end WR in Cobb though. For the most part, I thought they did well in keeping Randall in check, but a guy who is going to get as many touches as what he does, will make plays. I would say that Arenas will be getting an ear full in film about looking for the ball.
The Bad...
Soft week of practice always equals blah
They closed practice and our imaginations ran wild as to what we would see. Yep. You can always tell when they do more going through the motions and less tough practices by the way they come out. On defense, the tell tale sign is tackling. There were more missed tackles and players out of position on Saturday than there had been all year. It made Kentucky look much better than they are. After the 1st quarter, it was pretty clear that practice for the week was more getting in position and knowing the areas that running full speed and executing the plays. Once the defense woke up, after 2 long field goals, I thought they played better, but fell back asleep once they felt good about themselves and the 31-13 lead.
The other result of the blah was that they didn't anticipate Kentucky would run outside. It isn't like that is news, everyone else has accepted that up the gut is not winning football strategy on Bama. Kentucky didn't pick on Reamer, they picked on Upshaw. They did their homework of the Bama D after the injury and saw that Upshaw always is going towards the QB, even on the run, and when he over commits, the gap is huge. Most of the big plays on the ground came outside the tackles, and primarily to the right.
Silly penalties
The 5 first half penalties were way too much for the team as a whole, but the one that stung worse was the 15 yard penalty on Kirkpatrick. Again, Bama did a lot of mental errors that made Kentucky look better than they were.
The Ugly...
If it involves special teams coverage, it sucked.
I'll be blunt, because that's what I do, they are so poorly coached in special teams that there is no chance of executing something as simple as a kickoff cover or punt cover. I couldn't tell you how many times the gunners over shot their angle or took an angle too quickly and missed the play all together. Including the squib kick, that gave 10 yards on top of the already nice starting spot, the Wildcats averaged 20 yards on punt and kick returns. That's high boys and girls. It seems to me that we can all worry about who plays where, but nobody notices the execution any more.
RANDOM THOUGHTS
Georgia got screwed...How lucky is Miles?
Les is very lucky and really he gets away with a lot of risks because of talent. However, Georgia didn't lose the game because of the penalty...they lost the game because they can't tackle worth a flip. Both teams kicked the ball from their 15 after the TD, but one team made the right pursuits and tackled and the other didn't. That was the difference. Football is 60 minutes, not 2, and it is what you do over the entire game not the end.
Jerrell Harris/Nico Johnson would have made the plays
I don't dislike Harris, but I do wonder where the HELL that comes from? What makes anyone sure that a guy who hasn't played a meaningful snap in college is better than a senior who starts? You tell me because it ain't about football. I agree there is a drop from Hightower to Reamer, but there is with Harris or Johnson or Patrick. Reamer is experienced and the staff has a lot of praise about his "football IQ". He makes up for his lack of bulk with his understanding of the game and is a former safety so he can play coverage pretty well. To be honest, if you put Hightower in there Saturday, maybe some of the runs are shorter, but they were still running away from both ILBs and would have been working on Anders.
I keep reading that "Saban said Harris would start some at Will", maybe when Hightower moves to Jack in the nickel or dime, but in the base? No. Now, Hightower isn't at the Jack in those situations, so is he as effective if the pass rush isn't as good? Can Harris stop runners better than Reamer? Can anyone take the job from Reamer if he keeps doing the job well? The answer is no. A good litmus test as to who is playing well and not is McClain. McClain and Reamer were smiling and slapping high fives a good bit, so it is what it is starholics. Harris probably returns after the Ole Miss game and plays in situations, but Reamer will have 2 1/2 starts under his belt. If he plays well, they won't take it from him. However, if Upshaw or Anders, and this may be where you guys get your moral victory, don't play as well then they may have to rethink things.
Auburn will get exposed by a good defense
I tend to agree to a point, but I think folks wanting to poor mouth their little brother are missing the big picture. Auburn has improved by leaps and bounds from last year. Credit the staff for buying into the plan and sticking with it. Last year, it looked like a tug of war over philosophy between Tubberville and his OC, this year Chizik has given the offense to Gus and he's doing it his way. They haven't played a great D, but they saw a good UT defense and wore them down. The biggest thing is that they have had a 4 week live scrimmage to get the O down pat. That will be big for them in the long run. Are they an SEC contender? No. Are they a dark horse? Absolutely. They are going to be tough for the Bama defense because they play hurry up and Bama takes 15-20 seconds to get lined up. I worry more about Auburn's offense than I do Ole Miss if you want the truth.
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