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re: The 2017 team-back to basics
Posted on 3/14/17 at 9:08 am to The Silverback
Posted on 3/14/17 at 9:08 am to The Silverback
The 2016 season could have been one of the best ever that wasn't. We counted on Blake Barnett being the guy, We had what is probably going to be a 1st round tight end, and at least two other wideouts who will be in the NFL, one possibly 1st round next season and a good OL and an inexperienced but talented running back corps. Then Barnett could not handle the pass rush and the job fell to a freshman who was unfortunately not coached to read defenses.
To win championships you have to have a QB who can read defenses and deliver the ball. Some would call that a "game manager" but that's a misused term. EVERY good QB is a game manager first. If he happens to have great skill he then becomes a weapon himself and that's when you see them get drafted high. But rad skill without game manager ability gets you lots of highlight plays but it won't get you a trophy at the end.
Here is hoping DaBoll can teach Hurst to be a game manager, he's already a weapon IMH, but he has to be both.
To win championships you have to have a QB who can read defenses and deliver the ball. Some would call that a "game manager" but that's a misused term. EVERY good QB is a game manager first. If he happens to have great skill he then becomes a weapon himself and that's when you see them get drafted high. But rad skill without game manager ability gets you lots of highlight plays but it won't get you a trophy at the end.
Here is hoping DaBoll can teach Hurst to be a game manager, he's already a weapon IMH, but he has to be both.
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Posted on 3/14/17 at 9:31 am to slammer66
quote:
Then Barnett could not handle the pass rush
In fairness to Blake, I'm not sure he really had a chance. I think Kiffin really wanted Hurts.
Agree with the rest of your post.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 9:32 am to slammer66
quote:
To win championships
quote:
it won't get you a trophy at the end.
While I agree that Hurts will need to improve from his true freshman season, he single-handedly gave us the lead in the NC game with two minutes to go.
Could he have played better? Sure, a lot of ours players could have played better throughout the game, but i disagree with the notion that we weren't "good enough" on offense last year, relatively speaking. Not sure how anyone could have possibly expected Hurts to do better than he actually did last season. We did come up just short, but it easily could've gone the other way.
We would've probably crushed any other team, but Watson and those WRs were in beast mode. It is what it is.
This post was edited on 3/14/17 at 9:40 am
Posted on 3/14/17 at 11:02 am to slammer66
Can you imagine if the 2016 team had Deshaun Watson at QB? Holy hell the 2016 team would have been the best in CFB history by a good margin.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 11:03 am to Teague
I'm glad Barnett is gone. Anyone who is not willing to put the team first at any time needs to go.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 11:26 am to Funky Tide 8
We did have a lead with two minutes to go but the defense failed because the offense couldn't move the ball. Clemsons time of possession was overwhelming. I certainly don't blame Hurts for the loss, he did all he could do given the coaching he received and the offense we ran.
On the statement I made on Barnett. Alabama is a special case, if Barnett had gone to some other school that was not a serious contender for a national title every year they could have afforded to have left him on the field and found out if playing time would have resulted in him handling the pass rush. Alabama could have done that too and might have been better for it by seasons end but they would likely NOT have been in the playoffs because I think his learning curve would have cost them a game or two along the way.
Unlike most schools Alabama can't sacrifice title runs to give a player a chance.
On the statement I made on Barnett. Alabama is a special case, if Barnett had gone to some other school that was not a serious contender for a national title every year they could have afforded to have left him on the field and found out if playing time would have resulted in him handling the pass rush. Alabama could have done that too and might have been better for it by seasons end but they would likely NOT have been in the playoffs because I think his learning curve would have cost them a game or two along the way.
Unlike most schools Alabama can't sacrifice title runs to give a player a chance.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 11:52 am to slammer66
quote:
Unlike most schools Alabama can't sacrifice title runs to give a player a chance.
I'd say that's exactly what we did.
I don't really think we had any other option. BUT, starting Hurts was a liability too. He was a true freshman, AND, it turns out, not a great passer.
Back on topic - I'm interested to see what we do on offense this year. I expect it to look a lot more like what we did with Blake Sims.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 12:08 pm to Teague
quote:
BUT, starting Hurts was a liability too.
It was a bit of both IMO. On one hand, he was a true freshman that struggled passing against top defenses, but on the other hand, he gave our offense an edge that most teams simply couldn't stop. With our shoddy pass protection, I imagine our offense would've been significantly more frustrating to watch with Bateman, Cornwell, or a scared Barnett back there.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 12:22 pm to slammer66
quote:
I certainly don't blame Hurts for the loss, he did all he could do given the coaching he received and the offense we ran.
People blame Hurts too much and Sark too little. Hurts wasn't good in that game, but we shouldn't have put the game in his hands like we did. And I'll never know why we didn't slow down the tempo in the second half. Under Kiffin we'd often slow it down to kill off games.
Sark didn't adjust at all. His game plan was essentially the fans' plan of just give it to Bo. Worked alright until he got hurt, and then we had no backup plan and no ideas to empty out the box. IMO we should be glad that guy's gone. He's a career underachiever.
This post was edited on 3/14/17 at 12:22 pm
Posted on 3/14/17 at 12:50 pm to Commander Data
quote:
Easily. Jake wasn't great but with the talent around him he didn't have to be. Jake would have beat Clemson and we would have probably beat Washington by 35+.
That's the difference between a freshman and a 5th year senior.
And yet, many are hoping to start over with ANOTHER freshman.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 12:54 pm to stomp
Let's stick with Hurts. Hell with starting another freshman.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 1:04 pm to TomRollTideRitter
quote:
People blame Hurts too much and Sark too little. Hurts wasn't good in that game, but we shouldn't have put the game in his hands like we did. And I'll never know why we didn't slow down the tempo in the second half. Under Kiffin we'd often slow it down to kill off games.
Sark didn't adjust at all. His game plan was essentially the fans' plan of just give it to Bo. Worked alright until he got hurt, and then we had no backup plan and no ideas to empty out the box. IMO we should be glad that guy's gone. He's a career underachiever.
Amen. Especially after watching Barret struggle so mightily against the same defense days before. There was no reason that we should've aborted the game plan when we still had two really good backs to pound the ball with. Especially considering how our Oline could not keep rushers out of the pocket.
This post was edited on 3/14/17 at 1:06 pm
Posted on 3/14/17 at 2:19 pm to The Silverback
quote:
Let's stick with Hurts. Hell with starting another freshman.
I doubt that Tua or Jones beat out Jalen for first string but one of them will play a ton of snaps. I know that we have never played a backup QB much under Saban but I suppose that will change this year. Considering Hurts is a guy we need to utilize in the running game and the fact that one of these kids will have to be ready in case Jalen goes down, one of them will play. It may not be the FSU game but we will see one of those freshmen early and often imo.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 2:23 pm to Funky Tide 8
So we have blamed receivers for dropping balls.
Blamed the defense for not stopping Clemson.
Blamed the offensive line for not blocking.
Blamed coaches for the game plan.
So basically, it's everybody's fault except Hurts.
Blamed the defense for not stopping Clemson.
Blamed the offensive line for not blocking.
Blamed coaches for the game plan.
So basically, it's everybody's fault except Hurts.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 2:28 pm to The Silverback
Not throwing shade on our great defense but they didn't win a single 50:50 ball. Partly due to push offs and didn't adjust to the rub plays after they knew it wouldn't be called. Hurts struggled in the game but also made some awesome plays. His last drive was outstanding, the pass to Stewart while running was awesome. But he did struggle and needs to improve.
On Hurts, if he improves 1 of his 2 problem areas ( seeing the field, timing) he will be deadly. If he improves both, unstoppable. Could make for an interesting time especially with his drive as apparent in his improved bench, squat and .40.
On Hurts, if he improves 1 of his 2 problem areas ( seeing the field, timing) he will be deadly. If he improves both, unstoppable. Could make for an interesting time especially with his drive as apparent in his improved bench, squat and .40.
This post was edited on 3/14/17 at 2:32 pm
Posted on 3/14/17 at 3:29 pm to Huddie Leadbetter
quote:
So we have blamed receivers for dropping balls.
Blamed the defense for not stopping Clemson.
Blamed the offensive line for not blocking.
Blamed coaches for the game plan.
So basically, it's everybody's fault except Hurts
Nobody is saying that. Most are simply saying that there was plenty of blame to go around, and to place the blame squarely on a true freshman QB's shoulders is idiotic at best.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 3:41 pm to Huddie Leadbetter
quote:Got to catch those balls to keep drives alive.
So we have blamed receivers for dropping balls.
quote:Hard to continue to stop them when your on the field for almost 100 plays.
Blamed the defense for not stopping Clemson.
quote:Clemson was selling out to stop the run as well as put pressure on hurts in obvious pass downs.
Blamed the offensive line for not blocking.
quote:The fact that we ran the ball 8 times in the 2nd half is alarming
Blamed coaches for the game plan
quote:He did the best he could do
So basically, it's everybody's fault except Hurts.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 5:30 pm to MontyFranklyn
Good article. Covers all position groups.
Jalen Hurts 40 time among notable numbers from Alabama spring workouts | AL.com
Jalen Hurts 40 time among notable numbers from Alabama spring workouts | AL.com
Posted on 3/14/17 at 5:45 pm to TidalSurge1
Will Alabama QB Jalen Hurts have to fight for his job this spring? | AL.com
quote:
Barely two months have passed since Alabama lost to Clemson in the national title game. But spring practice is right around the corner. It starts March 21. AL.com will take a look at where the Crimson Tide stands in each position group as the offseason begins in earnest. The first in a nine-part series examines the team's quarterbacks.
Departed: Blake Barnett (11-19 for 219 yards, two touchdowns, 0 interceptions); Cooper Bateman (12-14 for 119 yards, one touchdown, 0 interceptions); David Cornwell (N/A)
New arrivals: Tua Tagovailoa; Mac Jones
Projected depth chart:
QB 1: Sophomore Jalen Hurts (240-382 for 2,780 yards, 23 touchdowns, nine interceptions; 191 rushes for 954 yards, 13 touchdowns)
QB 2: Freshman Tua Tagovailoa
QB 3: Freshman Mac Jones
QB 4: Sophomore Montana Murphy
Outlook:
In one of the final scenes of the 2016 season, Tim Williams walked by Jalen Hurts in Alabama's somber locker room after the Crimson Tide lost to Clemson in the CFP national title game.
"I love you, Jalen," he said. "You're the future."
He's also the present and the past. Hurts burst on the scene late last summer, becoming the first freshman quarterback to start at Alabama in 32 years.
The decision to install Hurts at the program's most important position was an unprecedented move by Nick Saban, and it led to some upheaval within the ranks. Hurts' unexpected promotion ultimately led to the transfers of Blake Barnett, Cooper Bateman and David Cornwell.
The exodus of quarterbacks began in late September and continued into January. All the while, Hurts remained unfazed, showing preternatural composure throughout the season and especially in nip-and-tuck games at Ole Miss and LSU.
On the way to leading Alabama to the brink of an undefeated season, he was named the SEC offensive player of the year. The award recognized Hurts' versatility after he threw for 2,780 yards, ran for 954 more and also accounted for 36 touchdowns.
But Hurts showed some limitations as a passer -- struggling to connect with receivers downfield, failing to read the entire field and relying too much on his athleticism instead of going through his progressions.
Hurts' deficiencies became more apparent toward the end of the season, when he regressed. An uneven performance in the last-second defeat to the Tigers led to intense scrutiny.
And heading into the offseason, Hurts' shaky play prompted questions about his long-term future at Alabama. Fans have openly wondered if Hurts could even lose his starting role to Tua Tagovailoa, the signee who arrived from Hawaii in January after a sterling high school career during which he accumulated a state record 8,154 passing yards.
Tagovailoa, a dual-threat quarterback like Hurts, is the only player who could conceivably unseat Alabama's incumbent starter if new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll plans to keep the basic structure of the system developed under Lane Kiffin.
"He deserves all the respect in the world," Tagovailoa said of Hurts. "But I have to come in and worry about what I have to do. Let him worry about what he has to do."
And what about Saban?
Will he want to again endure the growing pains that come with playing a freshman quarterback?
It's hard to imagine. Then again, this time last year very few envisioned Hurts becoming the face of Alabama's offense in 2016.
Posted on 3/14/17 at 5:54 pm to TidalSurge1
With 4 former 5-star RBs, Alabama backfield will see battle of the spring | AL.com
quote:
We're taking a look at each position group as Alabama prepares to open spring practice next week. The second of a nine-part series looks at the running backs.
Projected depth chart
-- Damien Harris, junior, leading rusher in 2016 with 1,037 yards
-- Bo Scarbrough, junior, exploded late in the season in the SEC Championship, Peach Bowl and championship game.
-- Josh Jacobs, sophomore, the surprise of last season ran for 567 yards on 85 tries.
-- B.J. Emmons, sophomore, a season-ending injury limited this former five-star to 35 carries and 173 yards.
-- Najee Harris, freshman, early enrollee
-- Brian Robinson, freshman, early enrollee
Departed
-- Derrick Gore, 18 carries, 93 yards
Due to arrive in the fall
-- None
Outlook
This will be a fascinating group to track this spring and summer. It's hard to imagine a time with more talent assembled at this position, save for maybe the Mark Ingram-Trent Richardson-Eddie Lacy overlap in 2010.
This time, it's about the depth. There are four running backs who were five-star recruits in this group. Bo Scarbrough lived up to his hype as last season ended. Damien Harris was steady all season, quietly hitting the 1,000-yard mark. Jacobs and Emmons both showed real potential as freshmen.
Any of those four would almost certainly start at the vast majority of schools out there.
Now add one of the best overall recruits in the country.
Najee Harris enrolled this January as one of the more celebrated running backs in a program with a history of that. Brian Robinson, a four-star from Hillcrest in Tuscaloosa, also brings the kind of versatility Nick Saban likes in a running back.
It'll be interesting to see how things are divided on A-Day with young talent mixing with two established players and two rising sophomores. Saban has always made it clear that the best players would be on the field regardless of age. That was made clear last fall at quarterback.
Among the questions: Where do you draw the line in the rotation? Regardless, capable backs will be on the outside. That only makes the spring competition more intriguing.
The dynamic of new offensive coordinator Brian Daboll and fewer established receiving targets will also be a factor here. Calvin Ridley is back, but receivers No. 2-4 (ArDarius Stewart, O.J. Howard and Gehrig Dieter) on the stat sheet are gone.
This was already a run-heavy offense and this legion of running backs would only strengthen the case to continue that trend.
This post was edited on 3/14/17 at 7:34 pm
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