Initial Impressions from the South Carolina Game
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 11:00 AM CDT
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A few thoughts from the early aftermath of the 35-21 loss to South Carolina:
- Nothing lasts forever, and as joyous as our most recent romp was, all good things must come to an end, and so it ended last night. Tough feeling -- only the 1993 Tennessee game could really compare -- but with 19 straight wins, a national championship, and 29 straight regular season wins, take a moment just to appreciate the sheer magnitude of the accomplishment. Most schools can never do that, and for much of our decade-long roaming of the wilderness it looked as if we never would again, either. We all knew it would end one day, but the end does not take away from the joy of the ride.
- Nostalgia aside, moving ahead, the offensive playcalling was very questionable late in the game, especially throwing back-to-back passes after Mark Ingram created a 2nd and 5 in the South Carolina red zone. Given the defensive struggles, I find it hard to justify throwing the football in that situation. Going back to the previous quarter, after the Garcia turnover, we get a first down on the South Carolina 28-yard line, trailing by ten points, and three straight passing plays fail to move the chains. Another questionable series. On the whole, though, the fact that Mark Ingram and Trent Richardson combined for only 17 carries is disappointing, but realistically the defensive meltdown necessitated the move away from the running game. Quite obviously, it's hard to commit to the run when facing a 21-3 deficit sixteen minutes into the game. The playcalling in those two specific situations were questionable, but on the whole the flow of the game necessitated the pass-heavy strategy. Want to run the ball more? Try to keep it under a three-possession game in the first half.
- Having said that, the point remains that on 17 carries both Ingram and Richardson combined to average 3.7 yards per carry with a long gain of 13 yards. Give South Carolina credit, their 4-2-5 base set killed our running game with heavy run blitzes. Ellis Johnson had it figured out, Urban Meyer had it all wrong. The Gators made the mistake of trying to stop our run with sheer size in the defensive front seven, which only exposed themselves fully to our short-and-intermediate passing attack. South Carolina, however, decided to attack with numbers and speed, allowing them to run blitz constantly while still having the athleticism on the field to cover the short-and-intermediate passing game. We needed to stretch the field vertically on a consistent basis to force them away from that strategy, and we simply could not do that. And, moving forward, until we can do that, every opposing defensive coordinator ought to employ the exact same strategy that Ellis Johnson used today. Hat tip to him, that's how to stop Ingram and Richardson. We had no answer for it.
- The first glance shows seven sacks allowed and 64 yards rushing by the tailbacks, making it easy to point to the offensive line play as the shortcoming. As is sometimes the case, however, the easy answer here is not necessarily the correct answer. Nearly all of the sacks came on plays when McElroy had more than adequate time to throw the football down the field, and given how South Carolina was playing the running game we were going to have issues running the football as long as we struggled to throw the football vertically. It wasn't the finest hour of the offensive line, but they weren't really the issue with the offensive struggles. On the whole, I imagine they graded out relatively well in the Sunday morning film review.
- A quick take of the raw stat line indicates a career day for Greg McElroy, but upon closer inspection the performance is far less impressive. Nearly all of the sacks fall on him, several of which were bona fide drive killers, and his complete inability to stretch the field vertically -- or hell, even attempt to stretch the field vertically -- created serious problems for the running game. When the existence of your vertical passing game depends on the opposing defensive backfield to blow an assignment and allow an opposing receiver to run uncovered (see Hanks' touchdown) you've got some serous issues. McElroy may not like the term "game manager," but even if you call what he is a "field general," as he prefers, the functional description of his strengths and shortcomings remain the same.
- We have a legitimate problem with the offense, namely that it is a pretty good offense but by no means a prolific offense. Pretty good was good enough a year ago when matched with a impenetrable defense, but when matched with a porous defense suddenly "pretty good" simply is not good enough. A 19-point performance was adequate a year ago, but not today. In our first three conference games the offense has scored 24, 24, and 19 points, respectively, a legitimate cause for concern moving forward given the defensive shortcomings.
- Here is some afternoon food for thought... regardless of the quality of the other component pieces, can a conventional offensive attack in the modern day SEC legitimately be an elite offensive team without a true difference-maker at the quarterback position?
- Red zone woes... again. Four trips to the red zone net one touchdown and ten points total. And that is not even food for thought, that's just a fact. A team that consistently struggles in the red zone will not be an elite offensive team.
- The defense, yikes. As I've written for a few weeks now, we just do nothing particularly well. We do not control at the line of scrimmage, we do not rush the passer, we do not tackle, we do not cover on the back end, we do not consistently keep contain, we do not penetrate into the offensive backfield, we do not pursue well, nothing. Making matters worse, we have no identifiable leader and little overall consistency. To paraphrase a quote from Bamagrad a few days back, we basically look like a defense with a couple of superstars and a bunch of other guys just running around taking up space. Harsh criticism, admittedly, but on-point nevertheless. Oh sure, it was nice to wax poetically about how the defense supposedly "grew up" against Arkansas, but that's really little more than taking a good performance over the course of a mere thirteen plays and blowing it out of proportion to try to make some grand point writ large. Truth be told, it would seem that in its current form our defense will have serious issues against any solid, competent offense.
- Anyone care to speculate on what happened to our much-ballyhooed red zone defense? South Carolina made four trips to the red zone yesterday and came away with four touchdowns. I've tried to harp on that point for a month now, you cannot play bad between the 20's and then just magically expect to turn into the 1985 Chicago Bears when the opposing teams enter the red zone. Oh sure, you may do that for a few games -- and we certainly did that -- but long-term that is simply not sustainable and eventually you will run across teams that will move through the red zone with just as much ease as they did the preceding sixty yards. Consider South Carolina that team.
- On Thursday afternoon I wrote that in order to stop the South Carolina offense we must dominate this team at the line of scrimmage. We had to pressure Garcia and shut down the running game. We did neither. And not only did we not dominate, we ourselves were dominated in the trenches. Garcia was barely touched all day, and the South Carolina tailbacks ground out solid gain after solid gain. Our defensive front made a historically atrocious offensive line look like the Seven Blocks of Granite.
- Yesterday afternoon South Carolina scored touchdowns five times. Until garbage time, we stopped the South Carolina offense two times. Think about that. We had more than two legitimate stops of Utah in the Sugar Bowl. Hell, we had more than two legitimate stops of LSU in 2001. Stephen Garcia, Stephen Garcia, had an 85% completion rate. In hindsight, the only real surprise was that we only allowed 35 points. It could have been worse.
- By my count, South Carolina converted third and long five times in six tries, with the only failure coming when Spurrier decided to play it safe with a wide receiver screen. That sums up all of the defensive issues nicely. When your opponent consistently converts third and long with ease, what real hope do you ever have of stopping them?
- Backbreaking moment of the entire game? After cutting the lead to 21-14, South Carolina goes on an 83-yard drive that takes up seven minutes and extends the lead 28-14 with another easy touchdown. That one was pure pain, the type of soul harvesting drive that we expect Alabama to produce, not become the victims of. Unfortunately, on this day, it was our souls being harvested. After that, it became evident that the jig was up... we had no answer for South Carolina offensively, and we were merely reduced to hoping that they would stop themselves.
- When South Carolina went to the empty back set, as they routinely did, that just screamed "We are not afraid of your front four." With a four-man rush, Spurrier and company knew they could double Dareus and that no one else in our front four could even get a hand on Garcia. Ouch. Truth hurts.
- I found the way we played Alshon Jeffery very, very strange. We rarely doubled him, we rarely bracketed him, and only on rare occasions did we even give the corner safety help. Instead we rotated individual players in vein attempts to cover him -- Milliner, Kirkpatrick, Barron, etc. -- with one having as little success as the next. For whatever reason, we kept trying to stop him that same way, even though we clearly had no one who could legitimately match-up with him. Predictably, he ate us alive all afternoon.
- We should probably stop with the fake punts and kicks, but in the final analysis, even as Saban admitted in the postgame press conference, the fake kick had no real bearing on the outcome of the game. Even had we converted for a touchdown and tied the game, at some point we were going to have to stop South Carolina offensively in order to win this game, and we simply could not do that. The momentum shift didn't help, but we couldn't stop South Carolina with all of the momentum either, so it's likely a moot point.
- All in all, it was just a bad performance and we were significantly outplayed in each quarter and in every phase of the game: offense, defense, and special teams. This was no fluke loss resulting from some bad breaks. South Carolina proved themselves to be the superior team yesterday in every capacity, and the final scoreboard merely reflected that harsh reality. The loss was disappointing, but nevertheless well-deserved, and in the aggregate few legitimate complaints can be aired. Travis Reier succinctly noted it quite well, in two SEC road games to date we have been outplayed (significantly in most instances) in seven of eight quarters, yet somehow we have earned a split in those games. It's disappointing, but nevertheless it is likely the best realistic end result we could have hoped for given our performance.
- Finally, regarding national championship implications, let's step back for a moment. No, we're probably not going to be able to make it to Glendale -- for time being anyway, entirely too many undefeated BCS conference teams to consider that a likelihood, and we just lost all control of our own destiny -- but that should not be the focal point now anyway. When you have played as poorly as we have in two of the last three weeks, and when you specifically review the South Carolina game, this is a team with a lot of problems right now and frankly a team who should not even be thinking about the notion of a national championship at this juncture. We need to be focused on fixing the many problems we have, and trying to re-establish ourselves as a team that consistently plays good football in every phase of the game. If we can reel off four straight wins from here and actually fix a lot of the problems we have then we can perhaps start talking about national championship possibilities, but for now we must move back to stage one and quickly address much more fundamental concerns. We've got to figure out how to get a stop on third and Fort Sumter before we can figure out where we fit in the national championship picture.
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if you look at where their first three drives started
its not hard to see where things took a turn for the worse.
on our first kickoff (after the initial field goal) Chris Culliver returned 37 yards to the south carolina 37. their second possession started on their own 38-yard line after Cody Mandell punt went a pathetic 15 yards. their third drive started at the alabama 44 when Greg McElroy fumbled after being sacked.
you simply can’t do that against a massively motivated SEC squad with the crowd behind them.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Field position did not help.
But then South Carolina went on game-ending 82 and 74-yard touchdown drives that combined to eat up 25 plays. We could have pinned them inside the 10-yard line and they will have still moved it with easy.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 11:27 AM CDT up reply actions
well, that's partly because...
we had completely lost the tempo of the game by that point due to the hole we dug in the first half. but my real point is that we gave them tons of opportunities and they took full advantage of them. going forward we’re going to have to expect every team we face will do the same. the only solution is to eliminate those opportunities. and special teams has to get better in this respect.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Seems like every single issue we've had showed up all at once
Punting, placekicking, lack of penetration on the D-line, problems in the secondary, good but not explosive QB play… And in addition to that we decided to give them more by not using the biggest strength of the offense – the running game. Of course, like OTS said, it’s hard to go to that when you’re already down by 3 scores.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Oct 10, 2010 11:35 AM CDT up reply actions
personally, i think this is where you have to credit the gamecocks
our issues aren’t new but spurrier came up with the gameplan to exploit them and his team executed it beautifully.
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I'm not sure who said "the game has passed him by"
But is sure as hell wasn’t me. Spurrier was the winningest coach in SEC history (%), with 5-6 titles in what, 13-14 years? And a MNC? It’s not as though three years in the NFL suddenly made him suck, or forget how to coach.
The ’Cocks problem was always getting the pieces in place. On offense, at least, they have those now. And, for all the maligning of the USC offensive line, they did a great job yesterday.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:31 PM CDT up reply actions
It was me and I'll take the L for that.
RBR's King of Hip-Hop...
by SpockJenkins on Oct 11, 2010 4:27 AM CDT up reply actions
Getting better field position would help.
But only because it gives our defense more time to get a turnover or their offense to screw up. That’s the only way we’ve been able to stop anyone all year. Field position didn’t help, but it is not the reason SC scored 21 points in the first half. Despite the 3rd down defensive stats through last week, our defense has not been able to stop teams from driving the field without relying on turnovers. I cannot remember a single drive in the last three weeks that our defense has stopped without the benefit of a turnover or penalty. When an offense plays soundly enough to deny you those benefits, how can you stop them without actually playing good, consistent defense?
Alabama got manhandled.
Let’s hope this loss stings this team like the Sugar Bowl loss did and lights a magnesium fire under their ass. They have the talent. They can play better. This should motivate.
This fan isn’t jumping off the bandwagon regardless of what happens the rest of the season.
RTR!
"...we have not seen anything what we think they can do when there so menny thing we have not seen out of this team, we will seen a lot more in this game buyt still not all." - RBR forum sage, sburton305.
I think perhaps a good indicator of the D line play
is the paucity of batted passes at the line. Chapman got one yesterday, but I think it was the only one all day. The last two seasons we had loads. Maybe the D line isn’t dominant enough to get separation from the O lineman or the O line is more aggressive b/c they’re not as scared. Just a thought
The thing
that sucks is the few times we actually get pressure we run past the QB or don’t tackle him well and the QB gets away.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 11:36 AM CDT up reply actions
And Garcia played surprisingly well the few times we got pressure on him
I remember seeing the slow motion replay of Dareus basically running straight for him and then he just makes a perfect throw right before being tackled.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Oct 10, 2010 11:37 AM CDT up reply actions
that's what happens when you let a guy get into a rhythm
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
It took a couple pops in the mouth
But still stood in the pocket, stepped into pressure and made the plays. By far the best game I’ve ever seen him play.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:32 PM CDT up reply actions
I think it was his second TD pass that Dareus was a split second from hitting his arm,
in fact I’m not sure he didn’t get a piece of his arm. (I haven’t actually seen the tape yet. Just watched from the stands. And their replay board at SC is about the size of my home television.)
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
I remember #32
on one blitz; he just jimmied this SC RB who went low and then ran past Garcia by 2 yards at what looked like 80% speed. The whole day was off-kilter.
by sho' I stole on Oct 10, 2010 11:38 AM CDT up reply actions
Oh so true
(Disclaimer: This is The GTO Judge’s mobile posts so you are being warned of the following: The Judge can not spell and his grammar ain’t no good. In addition, these are the ramblings of a Lawyer/Rockstar/Crimson Tide fan with very little football knowledge outside of the SEC. One more thing, My Judge is Carousel Red not F’ing orange. I hate orange!)
by TheGTOJudge on Oct 10, 2010 1:12 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
Good post
What happened to Nico Johnson yesterday? I noticed that Mosely got the start in his place. I was just wondering if he was injured or if we were just trying something new.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 11:34 AM CDT reply actions
We have no defensive identity
Last year we had players who could take things away from an offense. Teams couldn’t hit certain routes against Jackson, Arenas, and Johnson. Teams couldn’t run up the middle. Now, we don’t have any particular defensive strongsuit.
Our special teams are inconsistent (especially the punting and kicking yesterday). McElroy looks for the homerun when he’s blitzed. He doesn’t slide or throw the ball away and the sacks kill drives. Our offense is good: A line, A+ running backs, A receivers, but we have a C quarterback and we don’t have the type of defense this year that lock down opponents. McElroy works better as the quarterback of a strong defensive team. He’s not going to be Joe Montana.
"You give me Jim McMahon and Jim Thorpe and I'll beat any team you put in front of me." -- Larry Johnsonasia, offensive coordinator Lincoln High School, 1987
bamagrad, this isn't aimed at you so please don't take it wrong
but i hate when people use the “identity” argument. it’s sort of a shorthand for saying “we generally suck” and about as informative.
because this defense has a very clear identity. it’s take away the run and smother the deep pass — just like every nick saban defense. they also have quite a few leaders such as hightower, barron and upshaw. what they lack is the ability to execute. and that’s partially due to the youth of the squad, not any amorphous suggestion as “identity.”
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
I don't mean it like that
For lack of explanation, I’m saying that our defense doesn’t execute and that this 2010 group—as a whole—hasn’t asserted itself as being particularly good at any one facet of defensive play. In 2010 we haven’t consistently controlled the line of scrimmage, made tackles for loss, locked down receivers, gang tackled, etc.
I understand what identity means. We haven’t lived up to defensive standards in 2010.
"You give me Jim McMahon and Jim Thorpe and I'll beat any team you put in front of me." -- Larry Johnsonasia, offensive coordinator Lincoln High School, 1987
i understood how you meant it (particularly because you gave very clear explanations of what you were trying to express). my ire is more directed at the type of folks who have cited this in lieu of actually saying anything substantive. it’s sort of the opposite of saying a team has “swagger” as if that says anything at all about why they are successful.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
I agree with BG about "identity"
We’re not a team that shuts down the run and forces teams to throw every down; nor are we a team that absolutely destroys receivers, and takes away the passing game. Our one “identity”, so to speak, was the unflappable red zone play, our bend but don’t break.
Our identity is exactly what we saw on the field yesterday: Leaderless defensive play, with no pass rush, a group of very poor tacklers in the front seven, and DBs that are only slightly more competent than Georgia’s. If we were to break it up into sound bites, our 2010 identity is “potential, not performance” That’s where we’re at, sad to say.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:36 PM CDT up reply actions
I think this game shows just how much work it takes to coach
We have arguably the best coaching staff in the country and a bunch of 5-star talent, but even with that advantage, we weren’t able to coach the guys up enough to stop making mistakes that good teams can take advantage of. A lot of our team is simply very young, and I think we can see how we have a lot of talent on the defense, and how our punter could end up being very very good in the next couple years, but the experience simply isn’t there. It doesn’t happen overnight. But the Process still goes on throughout the year and hopefully our team will use this as a big learning experience.
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
I think
the offense just had a bad game and will do a lot better in the coming weeks. I’m not so sure the defense will. That side of the ball has A LOT of issues that will take time and learning experiences to fix. An inexperienced secondary with no passrush is gonna be a disaster against any good passing team.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 11:43 AM CDT reply actions
Garcia
and Ashlon Jeffrey just pretty much owned us yesterday…You just have to tip your hat to those two.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 11:44 AM CDT up reply actions
i think the defense will continue to make strides and improve
the bigger question is if it will be enough to match the competition we face from here on out.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Yeah,
I agree…I think with time and experience these guys will turn into studs and we will have another dominant defense. It’s just gonna take time to get there.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 11:46 AM CDT up reply actions
The offense will get another look at that same defense.
“South Carolina, however, decided to attack with numbers and speed, allowing them to run blitz constantly while still having the athleticism on the field to cover the short-and-intermediate passing game…”
Every opponent will take virtually the same approach from here on out. If McElroy continues to be unable to succeed against it, we’ll run more Wildcat or Bobcat or give McCarron a shot.
Our defense can’t set the tone this year, so the offense must. I think that weakness was the basis of Spurrier & Ellis Johnson’s game plan in a nutshell, and their team executed it almost perfectly.
I’m in total agreement on the uselessness of the fake field goal. We needed stops on defense and couldn’t do it. However, after seeing Les Miles run the same thing and win shattered what was left of my heart.
I’m not sure who we were channeling yesterday but it wasn’t Alabama football. It was as if were possessed with the spirit of an entirely different team. Here’s to hoping we return to the fundamentals and elevate our play to the standard Coach Saban has established.
Coaching
WE just got outcoached. Pure and simple. The staff needs to look ahead with moving in some new talent on defense and get ready for LSU.
I'm not saying there weren't
questionable coaching decisions made by the Bama coaching staff yesterday, but I’m not sure being out coached had anything to do with it. There is only a certain amount a coach can do with the players he’s got – and while Saban and Co. have some very promising players, they are young, inexperienced, and will only improve over the course of months, not weeks. If anything, yesterday we were out-mature-football-playered, out-experienced, out-talented, or whatever other word you can make up for lacking the maturity that only experience can bring. Out coached really has little to do with this.
"Let's go be champions, boys!" - Greg McElroy
(Formerly SugarBowl93)
by RememberTheRoseBowl on Oct 10, 2010 1:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Well
at least Ole Miss and Tenn’s offenses are limited by personnel to what they can do. Good teams to refurnish/rebuild the D against. Smart and Saban are going to be all over those guys and we should see a marked improvement over yesterday’s pooch-humping. What did Big Daddy Kane say: Don’t touch the technique.
Oh yeah, Mr. Robert Green thanks for getting high. Dumbass.
if we don't improve our play...
both ole miss and tennessee are more than capable of beating us.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
I know
grumpy people don’t like to be told they’re being grumpy, but, damn, you are grumpy today.
by sho' I stole on Oct 10, 2010 12:18 PM CDT up reply actions
who isn't grumpy today, hell last night I woke up several times and realized damn we lost
it made my chest tighten up. I slept like shit last night. Guess I’m gonna feel like this until the next win. Hell I’m really worried about LSU right now and also AU
Hold my beer and watch this.
He's got a point...
We should be able to win those two games, but given how we played yesterday there aren’t too many teams that we could beat with that performance..
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:22 PM CDT up reply actions
OTS could you post something warm for the hertbroken Bama nation? Somthing thats positive maybe?
Hold my beer and watch this.
The positive...
The positive is that we’ve got as much talent as anyone in the country and the best coaching staff in the college game. Over the course of the next three or four years, we’ll probably win more games than any other program in the country. That’s the positive.
The negative? We’re not a great team right now. We’re a team comprised of a good offense that cannot convert in the red zone, a defense that ranges from bad to average, and a special teams unit that can be shaky. That’s not really a pretty picture, but nevertheless that is who we are right now.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:29 PM CDT up reply actions
Well that didn't help much guess the obvious just hurts...we kind of suck at the moment...ugh
Hold my beer and watch this.
Nah...
We don’t suck, we’re just not great at the moment, and we’re not a legitimate national championship caliber team. We’ll win 10 or 11 games even with how we are currently constituted, but we’ve got a lot of improvement to make if we want to legitimately get back to where we were a year ago.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:32 PM CDT up reply actions
+1
Guys, I try not to get to high or too low. Realize the negatives to improve them, but don’t neglect the positives. We don’t suck, we’re a work in progress and if anything I would rather have Saban, these coaches, and players in our corner than any others. It always has been a one week schedule. Nothing has changed in the SEC. What we had to do yesterday before this game to win the west, at this moment we still have to do now. Roll Tide. Nice write up OTS!
"It's not the size of the cat in the fight, it's size of the fight in the cat"
by thecalicocat on Oct 10, 2010 9:05 PM CDT up reply actions
Again Spot on OTS
There are many good things going for Bama. However, yesterday’s performance was miserable. I hope the team learned a lesson because, as a fan, I have.
(Disclaimer: This is The GTO Judge’s mobile posts so you are being warned of the following: The Judge can not spell and his grammar ain’t no good. In addition, these are the ramblings of a Lawyer/Rockstar/Crimson Tide fan with very little football knowledge outside of the SEC. One more thing, My Judge is Carousel Red not F’ing orange. I hate orange!)
by TheGTOJudge on Oct 10, 2010 1:18 PM CDT via mobile up reply actions
In the SEC?
There are no teams that we can beat playing like that.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:38 PM CDT up reply actions
this.......
and lord help me for saying it, but cam newton would have put up 500 total yds on us yesterday………we have got to get this fixed and now………
With the numbers crunch comming in this years recruiting do you think Mr. Green will be back?
Hold my beer and watch this.
Yes.
Robby Green is in good graces with Saban and he will return. Hell, given our issues at safety, he’ll probably win a starting job two days into Spring practice.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:30 PM CDT up reply actions
Yes.
He’s working with the scout team, and honestly given the issues Lester has had the past two weeks he’d have a starting job right now if he were eligible. His absence was a big, big loss.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Two days? That's a bit long...
I imagine Robby is already penciled in as starter for ’11
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
I wish
Kareem Jackson would have came back for his senior year. lol We sure could have used him yesterday. Don’t give up on Kirkpatrick and Milliner though. They will become great players as they get more experience.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 12:00 PM CDT reply actions
coverage wasn't the problem yesterday.
"Those are just facts and facts are just opinions and opinions can be wrong"
-Veronica, Better Off Ted
I know
I was just saying we could have used Kareem Jackson locking down one side of the field. We had good coverage on most of the Jeffrey catches…he just made good catches.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 12:06 PM CDT up reply actions
Did I miss the punchline?
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:26 PM CDT up reply actions
I agree on Milliner I sometimes forget he's a true frosh at corner for Nick Saban..
He’ll be a force in time. Dre Kirpatrick has been a huge letdown in my eyes. He’s rarely gets good position on WR’s nearly always looses contain and shows an attitude of big play or nothing at times. While he’s made some big plays at times also he’s allowed for some even bigger ones. I give Milliner more leeway since he’s a true frosh with less time in the system. Dre’s had two.
Hold my beer and watch this.
Barron has played like ass too this year
That is the biggest disappointment in the secondary.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:39 PM CDT up reply actions
He has no help
out there. I really thought Menzie was going to be a boost, if for nothing but not coming in straight from high school, but I still think he’s at least a bit hampered from the achilles tear he suffered in the off-season. There is no substitute for experience, and he definitely has his hands full playing center field this year. But, he was known as being a demon for his run-stopping assists and being a hard-hitter last year. Not sure where that part of his game has gone? I really think that’s where Ro is being missed at least as much as his playmaking ability this year.
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 3:16 PM CDT up reply actions
He has absolutely NO help
Lester has taken over the Robby’s role as head-hunter to an extent. And, with no reliable every-down corners, a lot of our DB-blitzing has been taken off the table. More than Ro, we miss a big presence up front to chew up space. Williams coming in next year will make a huge difference (and, of course, the experience that trial-by-fire has brought us this year).
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 3:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Last year we had Ro calling defensive plays and making adjustments to what he saw at the line of scrimmage.
Against Carolina the defense was slow to line up. We looked to the sidelines for nearly every play call. It’s no wonder we haven’t fielded anything resembling a strong defensive unit mostly due to the lack of a leader who can get everyone ready for the offensive play at hand. Coach Saban lacks the most important piece of the 3-4 defense. A big space eater in the middle who eliminates dive and draw plays and requires double teams freeing up the end position to disrupt the backfield. While no one player alone makes up a great defense at some point you have to realize you don’t have the one player needed to make your 3-4 formation a viable possibility. Linebacker play was terrible yesterday we were blocked all day by linemen who met zero resistance from our DL. Overall this loss falls mostly on our inability to play the scheme envoked.
Hold my beer and watch this.
Defense slow to line up.
This is a big shortcoming in this year’s defense. We don’t have that deceptive element that disguises our coverages and rushes because we can’t get lined up as quickly and make changes as quickly as we need to, i.e. this defense is not as smart as last year’s. That’s a perfectly understandable thing considering the youth of our defense. I think that’s what a lot of people mean when they say, “we miss Ro,” but I don’t know if he could make up for it all on his own. He was successful last year because most of the other players already knew what to do; he just had to call the plays. I think this is an issue that will require a lot of seasoning and experience to fix. In the meantime, we’ve got to concentrate on better execution and expect good offenses to have success against us due to being easier to read.
Good point on the disguises..
That is Nicks forte, disguise and attack from every angle. We can’t do that if were confused.
Hold my beer and watch this.
this and your point about dre above both can be directly attributed to inexperience
the description of kirkpatrick’s play is pretty much dead on for the summation of any young player making the jump to this league. remember spurrier tossing three fades in the end zone last year? it was because he remembered the play of a very green corner the year before that. but marquis johnson learned from his mistakes the year before that and the weakness wasn’t there anymore.
same thing with the disguises of the coverages. sabans defense is complex. just being able to play it takes time, mastering it — which is what this kind of technique requires — takes even longer. a big reason we are getting abused with the slant this year is that the young secondary has trouble disguising man coverage. once a savvy quarterback recognizes it he just looks for that receiver coming across the field.
again, they are gonna get better at this. but it might take awhile.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
kleph, I've been thinking about that all day, you took the words out of my mouth
I hope Dre continues to improve, and becomes are very solid corner like Marquis did.
DERP - Lane Kiffin
We got beat by a well prepared and very good football team.
that was able to exploit the glaring weaknesses that have been there all season, especially on defense.
Tip your caps to South Cackalacky, lick your wounds, and come Monday, go back to work busting youe ass to get better. We still have alot to play for.
Just read where Spurrier
gave himself the game ball for HIS excellent play, I guess….I really want a rematch in the SECCG to knock that douche-y smirk off his arrogant face….
I know, I know, he has the right to gloat, but when our coaches and players are such class-acts after a win, it just “gets my goat” to see how cocky other teams are that pull out an upset, no matter how dominant they were in said game.
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 12:35 PM CDT reply actions
would you like to share the link
with the rest of the class?
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
No link, but he did.
He moved into second all-time for most SEC wins behind Bryant yesterday.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:43 PM CDT up reply actions
He probably deserves it...
Yesterday was a coaching clinic from the OBC; this is why the rest of the league feared and loathed him.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:40 PM CDT up reply actions
al.com
has the story…sorry I’m on my Droid phone at the moment, and as such cannot share links. At least, I haven’t figured out how to on it yet.
I know the above mentioned page is almost blasphemous here, but it’s like trying to look away from a car wreck….
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 12:45 PM CDT up reply actions
I found it
“I gave myself a game ball,” Spurrier said, smiling that wicked smile that still makes Georgia and Tennessee fans shiver. “The players didn’t even know about it. One of them said, ’Let’s give Fate the game ball.’ I said, ’I’m accepting for Fate.’”
That white stuff on the top of chickencrap...... is chickencrap.
Wow.
Just wow. Could you ever see Coach Saban saying something like that?! Wow.
by BamaGirlinDallas on Oct 10, 2010 1:39 PM CDT up reply actions
Unbelievable
how arrogant he is. When the rumors were going around that CSS was being looked at for the HC job, I was about to lose my mind….thank God we have the epitome of class in Saban.
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 1:56 PM CDT up reply actions
It's a big win for them and the coaching staff for SC did an incredible job preparing them for
the game. They deserve the game ball and pandering with false modesty is insulting to most people with half a brain.
Never truss a big butt and a smile.
coach saban said point-blank he got out coached yesterday
sounds good enough to give a guy the game ball to me.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
All I was trying to convey
was the way one handles success. Spurrier has been there before, even if it was with UF. I have no problem admitting he outcoached Saban, either.
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 2:16 PM CDT up reply actions
It was the biggest win in So.Car's 118 year history
and he flat-outcoached the best in the business, and moved into second behind Bryant. He’s entitled to a gameball, and a typical Spurrier goading. That’s who he is, and who he always will be.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:42 PM CDT up reply actions
Point
beaten into the ground….and as I have said, I agree with everyone.
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 2:59 PM CDT up reply actions
Politicians, ugly buildings, and whores all get respectable if they last long enough.
Spurrier’s always been like that, win or lose, so it’s no surprise. More power to him for being honest.
by TETRAGRAMMATON on Oct 10, 2010 2:12 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
I wouldn't say al.com is blasphemous
They have some good articles, I think. It’s just the comments section that burns one’s eyes. Now, [CENSORED] Report on the other hand…
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Oct 10, 2010 1:49 PM CDT up reply actions
And pun not intended
on being “cocky” BTW
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 12:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Did Bama get cock slapped ?
The idea of that makes the loss even worse….cock to the face ouch !!
Hold my beer and watch this.
The performance on defense was not surprising.
It’s the same one they’ve been giving all year. We just didn’t get turnovers and SC decided not to lose they game for us.
The offense is what really surprised me. Particularly, the play calling throughout the entire game. In the first half when SC was committed to stopping the run, we should have challenged them down field more. In the second half when they regularly dropped seven back in coverage (hello coverage sacks) we should have run some draws to keep them honest. I’m not saying it’s as simple as that, but it would have been nice for us to try to make SC play both aspects of the game at the same time.
In the first half when SC was committed to stopping the run, we should have challenged them down field more.
We tried, I think. We went seven-step drop quite a bit, and presumably we didn’t do so with the intention of throwing the three-yard check down to the back. At some point, though, you actually have to have a quarterback willing to throw the football down field. We do not have that.
And the second half, you’re right there. They were dropping 7-8 in coverage, knowing that we had to throw with the deficit, which just made the issue of going away from the run when it was a one possession game all the more confusing.
Bad day all the way around. To paraphrase Bull Durham, sometimes you win, sometimes you lose, sometimes it rains, and sometimes the hand grenade just blows the fuck up in your lap. Yesterday was the latter.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 12:55 PM CDT up reply actions
OTS.........
I can’t even believe I’m gonna ask this…….but my exasperation with GMac’s inability or unwillingness to take shots down the field is absolutely killing our offense……If what you suspect is true and d-coord’s from here on out follow the USC game plan, we are going to be unable to move the ball…….What happens when we come up against a truly disruptive defensive line like LSU or auburn? They are going to be able to shut us down completely just like carolina did……so (here goes)……at what point does the coaching staff come to the conclusion that we simply cannot move forward with GMac (as much as I love him and his attitude and smarts)? At what point do they decide the future lies with McCarron?
If I'm right...
Perhaps sooner rather than later. McElroy almost lost the starting job a year ago against LSU, and I imagine the coaching staff will have the guts to make the call if they feel necessary. I’m not saying McElroy should be benched, mind you, but if the coaching staff ultimately feels he is part of the problem, they will act accordingly.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 8:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Saban doesn't toss around phrases like
“we’ll play the guys who aren’t committing the mistakes” lightly.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 8:47 PM CDT up reply actions
It hurts me to even ask the question........
GMac represents everything that you want in an emotional leader, an intelligent and honorable young man…….he is the kind of guy you want to be the face of your football team – as a person he makes us look good……..and damnit I like the kid…….but I am going to lose my fucking mind if I watch him double clutch a wide open receiver and end up eating the ball and taking a sack b/c he is too goddamn gunshy to turn loose of the ball……..and somebody, for the love of god, tell the damn Rhodes scholar to THROW THE FUCKING BALL AWAY
Not sure if there was much meltdown material...
It sucked, and there was anger, but more of a realistic dawning more than anything. And, it’s not like we’ve turned on the players or coaches (which I think is the true sign of a meltdown).
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
mmm
pretty sure there was some player-calling out
"You have to create 6 seconds of hell each play..."
Coach Nick Saban
It is a team loss
Just that, team. We got outhustled, outplayed and outcoached in every phase of the game. Did G-Mac make some mental errors? Yes, of course he did. But, we went down the line and pointed out blown plays by every player (from long-snapper to holder to tackling on the line to TR whiffing on a block to Hanks dropping a huge pass on 3rd down), you see that it is exactly a team-wide breakdown.
QBs, as the cliche goes, get far too much credit for losing, and far too much criticism for losses.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 3:46 PM CDT up reply actions
All I know is that what I have seen ever since last year's South Carolina game....
is that, in my mind, McElwain has called 2 good games so far(Georgia 2008, and vs Florida SECCG), and McElroy has only played one game in which his star shone brightly, the SECCG. Other than that, and the one drive vs Auburn with completing several passes to Julio on the under route on 3rd downs, and not overthrowing the TD to win the game, I dont see Def Coordinators worrying about Greg McElroy. We have proven we can win without him and just running the ball-see BCS Game Vs TEXAS…WE have no vertical game. We dont challenge defenses downfield on a consistent basis. Our first drive, the drive to get the crowd out of it, we had the chance to establish ourselves and assert ourselves, and what do we do? Get a FG….Alot of it-I don’t know if either McElwain or McElroy are not on the same page- it seems comes down to making calls at the line. We run right at the teeth of the defense to the SHORT SIDE of the field when there are 8-9 in the box, then , even IF we get 7 yrds on that play, we go 5 wide on 2 and 3….for incomplete, or a screen to Julio? or God forbid, a coverage sack….
Call me crazy, but WTF? I’d line both them backs in I-formation and just pound away.
The burden HAS to be on our offense, to help our defense while it matures. I knew teams would score points, its part of the deal, we have to respond with TD’s instead of missed FG’s. It seems to me, when Greg is hurt, and when we are forced to run the ball, we usually pound the other team into submission eventually, and the 3-4 yrd runs become 5-7, then eventually 15-20, or hell, sometimes 30-40 yrd TD runs. Its called letting our backs “get into a rhythm” and yesterday, we basically said, “Fuck it, we are gonna pass the ball, oops, I mean we are gonna run around for 2 mins in the pocket, and either throw incomplete passes or fall down, fumble, or get sacked, instead of throwing it to our capable receivers and allowing them to at least TRY TO MAKE A PLAY.” I give it to Garcia, he had enough faith to throw it at Alshon and allow him to make a play, and he did more times than not, fully pressured, and Alshon covered as well as could be. We didnt do that, and when it looked like we would, Greg looked gun-shy from the Arky game and just froze, held on too long without any feel for pressure. I know one thing, there is a guy wearing #10 by God that can throw the ball vertically. I pray for his era to start sooner than later. Greg’s stats are pretty, but they were too little to late, and it was the little fundamental things he did that didnt move the offense forward, and I dont know if its more him or McElwain. We have weapons, its like we just decided to do the polar opposite. Something is amiss. Either Greg can’t read defenses, or he is still playing hurt and not at 100%. Maybe the pressure of the Rhoads scholar thing is getting to him, but I havent seen the guy that look like a Zen Master since the SECCG. Maybe I expect too much. Hopefully this loss will force all involved to be more creative. I would have never guessed we would have a loss before Les Miles and Chizik, and thats the baffling part.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
rhodes..fuck
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 10, 2010 1:22 PM CDT up reply actions
I would have a problem with this, but
I have a “Rhodes Scholar” comment almost every time McElroy takes a sack. ;)
LSU is on a TREMENDOUS streak of luck heretofor, unseen in college football. When it ends abruptly, things will get really ugly in Baton Rouge. As for “Crim” Newton, I’d rather have Andrew “Fleet of Foot” Zow directing my offense than that walking-NCAA-Investigation. Better athlete? Sure, but there’s a cost to having a felon like him in your ranks.
Charles Martel, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Raymond IV the Count of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, St. Joan of Arc and Napoleon Bonaparte -- all of good stock.
by TiderUpNorth on Oct 10, 2010 2:48 PM CDT up reply actions
Remember 2007?
I don’t see lady luck abandoning the Tigers anytime soon.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 8:49 PM CDT up reply actions
The more baffling part is that we have a 2 yr head start on Auburn as far as recruiting....
and the difference is they got a playmaker at QB. If you take what he does with his legs away, he is still throwing the ball downfield and allowing his receivers to make plays. We dont do that.
And LSU has some weird QB thing. We have a 2yr starter. The math dont add up.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 10, 2010 1:24 PM CDT up reply actions
start praying
That philip simms or McCarron is the qb we need next year.
IF WE DONT FIRE THRUSTERS NOW
WE WONT BE ABLE TO ESCAPE THE DERP HORIZON AND BE SUCKED INTO THE DERP SINGULARITY!!!~~Kleph
by RedTideRising on Oct 10, 2010 1:38 PM CDT up reply actions
God and I aren't seeing eye to eye right now. I am pretty sure...
he thinks the Alabama fans are pretty much “Job” and putting us thru his trials as we speak, just to see if we have any faith….so my paragraph structure aint what it used to be, since I am running from locust as we speak…
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 10, 2010 3:30 PM CDT up reply actions
If you think we are Job, maybe you should take a look at what's going on in Knoxville
"You know, we had a lot of fun tonight. But there's nothing funny about vapor lock! It's the third most common cause of cars stalling. So please, take care of your car and get it checked!" -Joe Namath
by billycthulhu on Oct 10, 2010 5:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Knoxville would be Sodom...
Finally paying for their sins with a complete razing and salting of the Earth.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 8:50 PM CDT up reply actions
About wearing them down with the run game.
That might work if our defense could get us the ball back on a regular basis. Since they tend to allow long drives, our offense can’t afford to try to wear out a defense starting with just 2-3 yard runs. We need first downs on every drive to keep our defense from being ground down.
Well thats what I am saying...
It seemed we were gonna go with whatever play was called, no matter how ridiculous it would turn out. If they had 8-9 in the box with a blitz and we had a sweep called, we didnt check out of it and get a quick hit. We ran into the teeth and usually got some yards, sometimes we ran into the line and fell down. Or we would come out in 5 wide and they were in a 3 man front, which you would think we could check into a power run play up the gut. It was baffling.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 10, 2010 3:28 PM CDT up reply actions
Watching
Jeffrey dominant yesterday really made me wonder why Julio doesn’t dominate in the same fashion. The way Jeffrey was playing yesterday is the way I always pictured Julio eventually would play. Maybe we just don’t have the QB to throw it to him deep.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 1:40 PM CDT reply actions
I hate to say it, but...
People can talk all they want about the whole Julio v. A.J. Green debate, but honestly Jeffery is better than both of them. He’s got Julio’s physical style and Green’s explosive ability, it’s the best of both worlds. The people who thought he was just the by-product of a pass-happy offense, well, they don’t know shit about the game of football.
And, frankly, a lot of yesterday had to do with how we played Jeffery. How many teams you see that consistently single Julio? Almost none, if any. Yet for whatever reason, we were hell-bent on playing Jeffery that way yesterday.
I’ll never understand that, frankly. I don’t give a damn if Ace Sanders would have gotten 14 catches for 230 yards, I’d have made someone else beat us when it became obvious that we had no one in Jeffery’s league. For whatever reason, we were content with letting Jeffery put on a clinic.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 1:47 PM CDT up reply actions
And Jeffery has HANDS!
Both big catches were nearly impossible but he made them.
"...we have not seen anything what we think they can do when there so menny thing we have not seen out of this team, we will seen a lot more in this game buyt still not all." - RBR forum sage, sburton305.
"Jeffery is better than both of them." For a fact.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Julio's "domination"
We all probably saw his HS highlight reel. Looked like a man among boys.
He’s not as… hungry? as Jeffery, maybe because he’s had an easy time proving himself for a long while. Like Saban describing Milliner as having gotten by fine with his speed before coming to UA, but needing some time to really develop technique.
I’m not questioning Julio’s heart or dedication. I just think he’s a victim of his own success, in a way.
Also, we need to continue throwing to him in stride — slants, etc. instead of using him more like a TE. If McElroy continues to struggle with getting rid of the ball, let’s give someone else a series or 2 to try it out.
There is nothing wrong with Julio Jones........
he is constantly open, constantly in position to make big plays………he has had the misfortune of coming to Alabama at a time when we had below average quarterback play……..yeah, he drops some easy ones, but so does Randy Moss…….no less than five times I saw Julio streaking down the field wide open yesterday, only to have GMac double clutch, afraid to turn it loose, eat the ball and take a sack…….we are flat out wasting a once in a generation talent at WR……….
he has had the misfortune of coming to Alabama at a time when we had below average quarterback play
Name the last time we had excellent quarterback play. Where you had true faith that if the running game was gone, we could take over a game through the air?
Barker in ’94 maybe? Zow at his hottest moments in ’99? Brody in ’04 before the injury?
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 8:53 PM CDT up reply actions
Name the last time we had excellent quarterback play.
Not counting the wishbone era and Homer Smith’s two stints, Ken Stabler’s junior year.
"Underlying most arguments against the free market is a lack of belief in freedom itself." -- Milton Friedman
by outsidethesidelines on Oct 10, 2010 9:02 PM CDT up reply actions
Very true!
But, we may have a real qb sitting on the bench because GMac inherited the job before AJ showed up to compete.
I know football has changed but when Coach Bryant was coaching if he ahd had GMac and AJ, he would have let both play.
I think we are going to have to get AJ in the game some during meaningful competition, just to stretch the field.
And I can tell you this. If we do end up losing another game or two, then I’d rather lose with AJ because it will help in 2011.
I’m not saying throw in the towel, or bench GMac entirely, let’s just let the kid help the team. He was the best QB at A-Day so it is not just wishful thinking.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
you're just twisting the knife now...
Sadly, I have to agree with you. We are like Ohio State and Auburn (guh), with a very long history of serviceable game-manager QBs that occasionally flirt with very good status and far too often can’t get the job done in the clutch.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 10:07 PM CDT up reply actions
totally agreed SitP.......
except where you say we at one time had exceptional quarterback play…….there has never been a point, since I have been an Alabama fan (I was born in ’76) where we had anything but shitty quarterback play……..now, granted, I was too young to remember Stedman Shealy but I think a lot of players could have excelled in the wishbone……..besides one year where Gary Hollingsworth was pretty good, I have sat around and watched my beloved Tide never have a difference maker at quarterback……..hell, auburn has had three or four difference makers at qb in my lifetime? auburn!!?!?!!…….WTF……..God I hate losing………
I remember back when GMac was the most popular man on campus,
as JPW’s backup in ’08.
Some of you (not pointing at you, p3) need to consider that maybe Saban and McElwain have seen both of these guys in practice and made their decision.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
Yeah I hear you CT.......
the back up QB is always the most popular guy on campus…….however, I think that kind of nullification argument ignores the other side of the issue…….What if for once, it’s not just that the back up QB is just popular b/c he hasn’t had the chance to make opinion making mistakes, but that the guy who is starting, no matter how much we love him and wish he would do well, just isn’t getting the job done in a manner that allows the offense to live up to its’ potential…….
I wish more than anything that GMac would become the second coming of Joe Willie Namath but the more I watch him the more it looks like the kid has developed an absolute PHOBIA about throwing the ball down field if our receiver is not open by five yards or more……….I’m not saying it is time to replace him; just that there may come a time, if he continues to put us in bad position by taking sacks and not throwing the ball more than 12 yds down the field, when we may have to for the good of the team………
Biggest disappointment for me was the poor tackling.
We’ve prided ourselves for years — and through various coaching regimes — in our ability to tackle; both in terms of “sure” tackling by individuals and in “swarm” tackling by bringing extra hats to the ball.
I understand that our defenders will play faster with experience, and that those tackles will be made closer and closer to the LOS (or behind it) with folks flying to the ball. But some of that yesterday was not about experience (or lack of), it was execution (or lack of) plain and simple.
Everybody other than #4 ought to be on the field this afternoon working on some tackling drills.
my $.02
While I’s still struggling to figure out the D-line issues (maybe we were more dependant on Mt Cody than we thought), we have massive inexperience at several key areas:
-Secondary – greenest group I can remember in a long time, starting for Bama
-Linebacker – think we can close the argument that Hightower was going to replace McClain – Not! – and how much are the struggles from just getting propoerly aligned?
Offense – Good, but not brilliant, not good enough to overcome jacked up teams putting us in a hole early
GMAC – He is good, but let’s face it, he can’t go vertical with enough success to be a threat – take his checkdown to Ingram/Richardson away and see what kind of stats he would have
Target factor – We need to get back to reality quick because I don’t think the SC game will be an isolated event. There will be many others out there itching to give us their best shot.
What’s more painful – is seeing that display just to see Miles the Lucky Charm get another bounce his way. It’s beyond laughable at this point – It’s downright scary to see how many times this guy can pull something out of you know where and have it work.
Julio
Did anyone hear what I am hearing about Julio breaking his hand in two places and having surgery this morning?
by montoyamadden on Oct 10, 2010 2:24 PM CDT via mobile reply actions
Where is everyone getting this from?
“hear”? From where? from whom? Linkage?
#showyourwork
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:28 PM CDT up reply actions
You can wait for the link Stuck....
I almost never post. Read the blog 5 or 6 times a day and would not post if I thought it was a “rumor.” Kick me off the f’n blog if I am wrong. I guess this is a pre-link post.
by montoyamadden on Oct 10, 2010 2:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Kicking you off?
I have no idea where that hyperdefensive twaddle came from.
That aside, this is the second-third time I’ve seen the rumor, and I am (understandably), trying to ascertain where it’s coming from, and the truth behind it. Obviously, this is a big deal, going into the second half of the season, especially with LSU and the Barn an improved-State and a dangerous Rebel team. We need all our guys, and we need to be healthy in the worst possible way.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:49 PM CDT up reply actions
Should have never said anything....
as normally I don’t. I’ll go back to reading and not posting and I’ll read your eight paragraph analysis later this week. I’m twaddling away.
by montoyamadden on Oct 10, 2010 2:58 PM CDT up reply actions
Deep breaths...
I know some people, especially on forums, have a tendency to respond with “PROVE IT!” to everyone who makes an assertion or repeats a rumor. They don’t want to be out-scooped, they are always skeptical, and just plain rude most of the time. And, given that experience, I could see why you might be defensive.
But, if you read SITP’s explanation, I think you can see that he was just wondering where people are hearing and if there is an official report anywhere so we can know how much credence to give to the rumor. That’s all. So, cut him some slack. If you just heard it from a friend, say that, and we’ll assess it later when it comes up again.
true that: i don't care about scooping..
I only care about veracity and facts. That’s pretty much it. I’m not a beat reporter, just a fan.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 3:48 PM CDT up reply actions
It's all good
It was from someone in healthcare, so obviously that is a little sensitive. I will leave it alone
by montoyamadden on Oct 10, 2010 4:27 PM CDT up reply actions
FERPA/HIPAA VIOLATIONS FTW!!!
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 4:44 PM CDT up reply actions
Source?
Charles Martel, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Raymond IV the Count of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, St. Joan of Arc and Napoleon Bonaparte -- all of good stock.
by TiderUpNorth on Oct 10, 2010 2:33 PM CDT up reply actions
Googled "Julio Jones Injury" and only the knee situation came up
Charles Martel, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Raymond IV the Count of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, St. Joan of Arc and Napoleon Bonaparte -- all of good stock.
by TiderUpNorth on Oct 10, 2010 2:35 PM CDT up reply actions
no, but I heard that Trent Richardson played hurt, and he looked like it....
what good is depth if you dont use it? 100% of Eddie Lacy is better than 60% of Trent Richardson. And I also here that Vlachos is still kinda nursing the foot issue, which would explain a lot in the point of why we didnt run the ball well since he aint 100%.
This ride may just get a lil rougher since we will have to fight tooth and nail to get to the bye week.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 10, 2010 4:09 PM CDT up reply actions
To answer your question, in a word? No.
Here is some afternoon food for thought… regardless of the quality of the other component pieces, can a conventional offensive attack in the modern day SEC legitimately be an elite offensive team without a true difference-maker at the quarterback position?
I think back to teams that have ran conventional offenses without a difference maker at QB, and I can’t think of any recently in the SEC that were successful. Exhibit 1: Auburn 2004, best running back tandem in the country, but it took Jason Campbell stepping up and becoming a very good college QB for that offense to truly fire on all cylinders. 2007 LSU, when Jamarcus Russel didn’t suck, and was the difference in games down the stretch.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 2:27 PM CDT reply actions
Outstanding, eloquent article on the SC game
Yesterday’s loss hurt quite a bit, but I had a bad feeling before the game which helped lighten the blow. Besides, I honestly believe that the Tide will build from this loss and will learn, improve and will once again have quality games against their opponents.
I disagree on the 1993 draw with Tennessee. It sucked to lower ourselves to a draw, but getting it in the closing seconds numbed it a tad. For me, nothing begins to compare to the 1994 SEC Championship Game. THAT hurt.
Charles Martel, Charlemagne, William the Conqueror, Raymond IV the Count of Toulouse, Godfrey of Bouillon, Baldwin of Boulogne, Henry II, Richard the Lionheart, St. Joan of Arc and Napoleon Bonaparte -- all of good stock.
Exactly.
It seems to me, if LSWho, Aub, or we win out, then it’s the SECCG, regardless if we dropped one to an east team. Is that wrong?
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 3:04 PM CDT up reply actions
We control our destiny to the SECCG
but after that, I’m not sure. Some of our quality wins aren’t looking so quality anymore—Penn State is looking just average, and Florida has been exposed. Arkansas didn’t really have the showing against Texas A&M that a lot of people predicted.
Assuming we do go to the SECCG and win, we may have to contend with Ohio State and Oregon teams who haven’t dropped a game. I’m not sure if this year is one in which a one-loss SECCG winner would jump Ohio State or Oregon, which leaves us with a lot of “what ifs”—what if Oregon, Ohio State, and Boise State don’t lose, what if they drop a game, what if we win the SECCG vs South Carolina, what if Florida somehow makes it into the championship game and we end up playing them?
Fight on, men.
good point...
about oregon and osu, because i dont see anybody being able to jump them, but boise and tcu are certain jumps if we win out
by CrimsonTide229 on Oct 10, 2010 3:21 PM CDT up reply actions
what im saying is...
is that if we win out like i think we can, then that still requires us to beat 2 more top 10 teams probably, and then win the SECCG, and I don’t see how you leave a team like that out of the MNC
by CrimsonTide229 on Oct 10, 2010 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions
Strength of schedule
would seem to give us the upper hand, as long as we can win out, and the top teams we hopefully beat don’t shit the bed. tOSU and Oregon just don’t have the hurdles left that we do, even if this is a “down year” for the SEC IMO..
by cowcollegekiller on Oct 10, 2010 3:26 PM CDT up reply actions
We have to find "our identity" before we control anything....right now..
we are out of control in a flat spin….time to do some of tha pilot shit, Maverick….or "time to do some of that offensive/defensive shit, Coach….
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 11, 2010 8:37 AM CDT up reply actions
i'm really kind of mystified about this whole "identity" meme
i’d rather see better tackling and better coverage of short passes in man to man coverage than have the squad sit around and come up with a mission statement on their inner personality. if this squad gets back to fundamentals and execute at the level of talent they possess, the “identity” will pretty much take care of itself.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
The "identity" meme comes from Coach Sabans 2001 LSU Tiger Manual...
Where he states “we will run the ball, stop the run and take the ball away on defense”
Which is what we did last year, and we did it in the first half of the Florida game.
This past game, we didnt run the ball or stop the run, and we only took the ball away once I can remember. I believe when we run the ball effectively, we set up the passing game. what it looks like McElwain is trying to do is get away from what we do and what teams expect us to do, is running the ball, and it cost us.We were bound and determined to throw the ball when we could have easily gotten the first down on the ground.(Unless we werent running the ball because we were banged up more than he let on, then throw Lacy in there, dammit) When we are throwing incomplete passes instead of pounding on the defense for 4 qtrs, we arent controlling the clock and we damn sure aint softnening the defense up for later runs that we would routinely break last year deep in the 3rd and 4th qtr. If our bread and butter, and what we are known for, is running the ball and beating on teams for 4 qtrs, then why are we trying to be a WAC spread team on 2 and short? Thats what a ton of fans cant figure out.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 11, 2010 10:16 AM CDT up reply actions
I don't know if, based on the present evidence, we aren't gonna lose
2 or 3 more. Let’s just call it what it is. We had the chance to be the nations best pro-style offense with 9 returning starters on Offense. We should look like the 2005 USCw Trojans right now. They had a prolific offense similar to ours in the running game and receivers. They had a really yound defense that got scored on. But the difference in us and them, was their QB was a Heisman winner. Ours isnt. I rememeber the ASU game of that year. USC was down big at the half. Second half, they flipped the switch on offense and lit them up for 50+ points. They had Leinart, Bush, Williams etc… We have Ingram, Trent, Julio, Maze, Hanks, Dial….until Greg gets his mind right and the defense and offense get that “edge” or that chip on their shoulder like I saw last year, we won’t be a factor in anything for this year.
NEXT YEAR: AJ is at QB, someone will step up at WR, and Trent and Lacey will be great, and our D should be phenominal….but for this year, its a steep learning curve. Oregon/tOSU/ and based on what I saw in our secondary, Boise St would set us on fire. We better beat the hell outta LSU and AUburn, just to trip them up. And by beat, I mean WHOOP. Woe be unto Ole Miss. Ingram left, Trent right, rinse repeat, score TD, go for 2 pt conversion. No punting and no 20 yrd FG’s, just TD’s. Then I will believe we shall be in the National Championship game, right now, we are a world away. I was wondering what would happen if we got into a shoot out, and yesterday let me know that instead of deploying weapons of mass destruction, we went underground into a bunker of suck.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
Shakespeare has nothing on this turn of phrase
I was wondering what would happen if we got into a shoot out, and yesterday let me know that instead of deploying weapons of mass destruction, we went underground into a bunker of suck.
LMAO. We’re not a shootout team, never have been, and probably never will be (Dubose era aside). We make hay by being physical, running the ball, and punishing other offenses. Since 1925, that’s been our calling card. Back to basics, and back to what we know and do well.
This team stands on the precipice. And, there is the potential for collapse, with the nasties still on the schedule. If we had any other coach in America (excepting a very small minority), I would be concerned. If we lose anymore, I doubt they will be effort/coaching losses like yesterday, rather because we are just not the better team. This year.
Still we are a top 10 team, with the first or second most talented team in the country and the absolute best coaching staff and facilities. It will be a’ight.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 4:49 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
This is a complete aside, but let's sing some praises, shall we.
Imagine what Hanks could be if he were the undisputed go-to guy? He runs the best routes of our receivers, has very soft hands, and more than enough speed. He’s a big target and blocks very well. He is definitely our most dependable, consistent receiver.
Sure he alligator-armed one yesterday on a big 3rd down, but he reminds me of Keith Brown, who played second fiddle to Hall (and Prothro)…all the tools and production in the world, but doesn’t get nearly enough credit.
So, hats off to Darius Hanks.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 4:54 PM CDT reply actions
Agreed...
Hanks is turning into a beast and makes a lot of good catches.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 5:04 PM CDT up reply actions
Just looked at his splits
and Hanks has more yards receiving through 6 games than he had through all of 2009, on one fewer reception.
I am curious as to why Maze has disappeared from the offense, though.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 5:21 PM CDT up reply actions
I think
the most disappointing part of the team so far has been the front seven and mainly the defensive line. I though Josh Chapman would do a lot better than he has in the middle. He has pretty much been a non-factor. I think Dareus could make some noise if he had some help. The lack of passrush has been shocking so far.
A picture says a thousand words unless it is a picture of the Alabama football team then it only says one word.........CHAMPION!
by AlabamaTitans2009 on Oct 10, 2010 5:07 PM CDT reply actions
Chapman is strong as an ox,
But he plays without leverage. It seems as though he’s always getting stood up by the center.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 5:22 PM CDT up reply actions
Defense and red zone issues ...
There were just to many breakdowns in the red zone along with some “ify” playcalling.
But the defense was not stopping any drives. Although the interception was a great recovery play and getting a hand on the ball allowing the safety to come over for the interception shows te defense is capable of making plays.
We just got outplayed in all phases of the game offense, defense and special teams.
For all its worth, there are 2 games remaining that will should be real challenging. The rest of the schedule we will be heavy favorites.
Good post OTS … now our focus should be the SEC West division title and palying in Atlanta for the 3rd year in a row. Let the cips fall where they may; a lot of football to be played. Roll Tide.
Front 7 ...
Very disappoiting. With all the recruits I would have thought to have a stud end by now.
Dareus is a beast but needs help as he just gets doubled all day.
We also had great QB pressure by our corners last year, esp. Arenas.
I there a link to the Post game presser up?
?
"There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success." -Coach Bear Bryant
"Last year we were good but I think this year we can be better," Ingram said.
It's on Tidesports' main page
I usually post ’em, but this was a sober Nick Saban: Hell, even he looked relieved to an extent. He diagnosed the problems, gave praises to the proper parties (including GMac, for the haters), and signaled that their were some problems on the offensive line.
I expect they were working their asses off this morning at Hank Crisp.
"Orators are most vehement when their cause is weak" Marcus Tullius Cicero
by Stuck in the Plains on Oct 10, 2010 7:13 PM CDT up reply actions
Thanks mate!
"There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success." -Coach Bear Bryant
"Last year we were good but I think this year we can be better," Ingram said.
Damn what a noisy Presser......
…..?!?
"There's a lot of blood, sweat, and guts between dreams and success." -Coach Bear Bryant
"Last year we were good but I think this year we can be better," Ingram said.
Great job OTS.
We have a lot of work to do and some things may not change even this year. I think in time our DB’s will be good but they may be next year. In a way that is the way it is supposed to be. This is the SEC and you are supposed to get burned some when you are true freshman at DB.
I wish I could punch out (actually not really hurt) all the reporters that after the UF game were saying that Bama had separated itself from the rest of the SEC. Of course they are the same one’s saying Cam Newton is the second coming of Tebow and greatest qb in the SEC.
To be honest I was not that surprised yesterday, although it may have been a little different if SC did not have a bye. Say what you will, but Saban is most vulnerable when the other team has two weeks to break us down in the film room. And, for all we know, old Spurrier may have been doing some work on Bama the week of the SC-Aub game. He did not have near the game plan vs. Auburn he had against Bama.
As much as I hate Auburn I hate Tenn. that much more.
Did you see the stat on Gameday
that only once in history has the #1 team beaten a Top 10 team at home and then beaten a ranked team on the road the following week. The #1 team in that situation was something like 1-7 in the second game.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
Didn't anyone else think
that McElroy played like he was injured? Looked that way to me.
"The only bad thing about Alabama Football is that the fans are crazy."
by Mark from Georgia on Oct 11, 2010 12:22 AM CDT reply actions
Saban's Post Game Interview
It doesn’t sound like CNS is ready to throw McElroy under the bus like the some of the fans commenting here. It does look like a meltdown the way some of these “fans” are hatin’ on McElroy!
It wasn't that we "hate" him....we just needed some decent playcalling and
basic QB skills, like finding the open receiver instead of giving up if the first read was covered, then hanging on to the ball too long for sacks/fumbles at crucial parts of the game. We needed the QB from the SECCG or from the last drive of the Auburn game…we basically got a QB who was gunshy about throwing the ball to his playmakers and letting them make a play. He got outplayed by Garcia….let that sink in….BY STEPHEN GARCIA….I hope this wakes McElroy up and sets him on fire to where he can find that mindset he had in the SECCG, or he may lose his job before the bye week. He just looked, like the rest of the team, mentally tired….
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 11, 2010 8:46 AM CDT up reply actions
"Got outplayed by" is a completely useless term.
Garcia was not playing against the SC defence and GM was not playing against Bama’s. And the fact that Garcia played a near perfect game has no bearing on how McElroy did.
If I'm wearing a turban, it means Auburn is playing Iraq.
South Carolina beat the crap out of us . . .
. . . and there are no excuses for how we played. However, it’s not too difficult to explain our substandard performance. We had just come off of two emotional victories and we were playing on the road against a quality team that had 2 weeks to prepare for the school’s greatest football victory since . . . well, ever? It’s not an excuse for the loss. They kicked our asses. But it does explain our uninspired play.
any effort to boil down this performance
into less than 100 words (or worse, a short pithy sentence) is going to fail. that’s partly due to the scope of the issues that are involved and partially due to the misconceptions folks tended to have about both teams prior to the contest.
Roll 'Bama Roll: The Champagne of 'Bama Blogs.
Point blank-we sleepwalk at 2:30 kickoffs in SEC away games in the first half.
I thought we would be ok and had put the demons of the Ark. game behind us where we showed up and it was like we werent awake til the 3rd or 4th qtr. Arky collapsed, SC didnt.
Listen, strange women lyin' in ponds distributin' swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.
by mrpelicanpants on Oct 11, 2010 11:11 AM CDT up reply actions
Do you think . . .
. . . we would have lost on a neutral field with 2 weeks to prepare? Maybe, but not likely.
Our secondary sucks
Including Mark Barron, who deserves the Kecalf Bailey Trophy for being in the right position but getting burned anyway.
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