20/20 Hindsight: Kent State Edition

I know a lot of us thought the OL was getting pushed around too much, but I’m gonna reserve judgment for the time being. For one thing, Kent State was (smartly) selling out to stop the run, so there’s that. But, I also didn’t realize how many different personnel groupings we had out there. Jones played 3 different positions and hasn’t practiced at right guard? So sayeth Coach Saban:

On Barrett Jones playing three different spots on the offensive line:
He hasn’t practiced one snap at right guard and I think that’s what he has always played. We have even played him at right tackle. But, I told (William Vlachos), because we know that Kellen Williams is the backup center — who was injured with a sprained ankle and didn’t play today, thought he would be able to play today, but he couldn’t play — so Barrett is kind of the backup center for now and we told him the series before that, ’You’re going to center.’ Then, they (Kent State) muffed the punt, punter muffs the ball and we get the ball on the one yard line. So, I grab Vlachos when Barrett was already out there to be the center and I said, ‘If he fumbles this snap, if we don’t get the snap here, it’s your fault, cause you’re supposed to run out there and say, I’m playing center, the coach is not supposed to change the center on the one yard line.’ So, Barrett saved him — and Vlachos was actually a little scared.

Vlachos later added:

On getting to see people in different positions, and what he liked about it:
Well Barrett (Jones) is gonna be our backup center now so he got to get some reps at center. Cyrus (Kouandjio) was a little bit nervous but he came in there and did a really good job and we helped him communicate and I think its good to get the first game action under his belt for guy like that. We all look forward to improving and we are lucky that a lot of guys got to play so we will look at the film and try to clean it all up.

Not that I’m not worried about the OL, but it is only one game and if it was used as a de facto scrimmage, it’s gonna be tough to draw hard conclusions about good and bad.

They weren’t bland, either, with some good-looking throws on each side of the ledger. But people were expecting – perhaps unrealistically – a fierce battle of gladiators, each one setting the bar at a lofty point that the other would have to match. That didn’t happen.

Money quote. We need to remember this. Both guys have amazing potential but are still young, inexperienced players. They will learn a lot from this game and dont be surprised if Sims comes out much improved after reviewing the game film. Also, dont be surprised if you see a much more reserve showing against Penn St. I seriously doubt they’ll be asked to sling it around against a much better D. I expect to see a more McElroy type approach this saturday.

because this defense looks awesome. That poor QB was hit all day and we really didn’t blitz. Yes, it’s Kent State, but still very promising. Also, regardless of opponent, it’s very difficult to go -4 in TO margin and still win by 40 (and give up only one score). I do think that one of these young QBs will need to be able to perform at league average, and avoid turnovers, for us to win ’em all though.

We need a video and animated gif of the Eddie Lacy double spin move. Who’s gonna make that happen?

Sure, it may the wrong choice but that can be fixed if need be a few games down the road. Both players should get some playing time next week . . . but one needs to named as starter (uhumm, AJ). Drawing this out and playing a second QB even when the first one is doing well is a BAD idea.

Overall, not perfect but I’m willing to give the guys a break for first game. Get your sh*t together for next week and Roll Bama Roll!

No Crimson collapse after 24-0 this time around

You just had to go there didn’t you, Montgomery Advertiser?

…the idea of wanting to wait and see how these two guys handle the pressure in a hostile environment against a respectable defense next week. But I think the most important thing is keeping both of these guys on the team this year.

Earlier, someone (OTS or kleph I think) talked about this year being the year we need to reach the NCG, and I agree. We’re going to have a lot of rebuilding (or reloading) to do next year. The last thing we want this year is to lose our backup QB.

But I don’t think we need to fart around too much. I think Sims gets a couple of series next week, but ultimately, unless AJ has a complete collapse, the job is his. I think Sims realizes that even if AJ gets the nod this season, he has a chance to close the gap and perhaps even take it over in the Spring of 2012.

I know it’s one game, and it’s Kent State. They’ll both be tested this week without the comfort of a black jersey, and ultimately, a decision will be made after the Penn State game, if not by halftime. I know a lot of folks more knowledgeable on football than me thinks Week 4 is the critical week to have a decision made. But I think it has to be made by Week 3 to work out any final kinks that need to be worked out.

Sims got his first live action today. That’s critical. But this is the year we need to go for the whole ball of wax. I think Sims gets some looks, but AJ wraps it up this week if he shows the accuracy, arm, and most importantly, the poise that he showed yesterday.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XLijvb7fQIs
I link you to the MDB’s 9/3/2011 halftime show, including a (in my rather biased opinion) completely beautiful Tuscaloosa tribute.

I love how the guy made Coach Saban sound like he has just been putting the decision off until midterm exams. The evidence supports the staff’s stance that neither has separated himself from the other effectively enough to simply choose ONE.

I don’t think the offense flows as well as it should under a 2-QB system, especially when the two QBs skill sets don’t compliment one another. However, I sincerely hope they stick with this system until SEC play, because neither one looks set to take the position over.