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The main problem with our team this past season
Posted on 1/16/15 at 10:26 am
Posted on 1/16/15 at 10:26 am
Everyone likes to say that Alabama struggles with the "speed and finesse" teams. I personally don't agree with that statement. Think about the game with the Aggies, and even Auburn, we kept throwing haymakers and they couldn't withstand the punishment over 4 quarters.
I think the biggest problem with this years team was that we struggled with a team that was just a physical as us and played with an edge. Think of all the games we struggled in or didn't win. Ole miss, Arky, Miss State, LSU, Ohio State they basically smacked us in the mouth and stood toe to toe with us and wouldn't back down.
Creepy Musburger had the comment during the Notre Dame game that "if this was a heavy weight prize fight that they would call the fight off now". Thats what we were missing this year. We missed the ability to keep throwing haymakers and keep getting up when someone threw one right back at us.
I just hope next year that every player has the attitude of locking the gates for 60 minutes and just making their arse quit.
I think the biggest problem with this years team was that we struggled with a team that was just a physical as us and played with an edge. Think of all the games we struggled in or didn't win. Ole miss, Arky, Miss State, LSU, Ohio State they basically smacked us in the mouth and stood toe to toe with us and wouldn't back down.
Creepy Musburger had the comment during the Notre Dame game that "if this was a heavy weight prize fight that they would call the fight off now". Thats what we were missing this year. We missed the ability to keep throwing haymakers and keep getting up when someone threw one right back at us.
I just hope next year that every player has the attitude of locking the gates for 60 minutes and just making their arse quit.
10
Posted on 1/16/15 at 10:48 am to BrianFantana
there were 2 problems with the team (there were more but these were the critical ones). first, offensive line was big but not powerful. Only Cam Rob and Arie seemed to get consistent push, center through right guard were weak. We will still have kelly, but we should be replacing brown and sheppard with more powerful, nastier players this coming season. This should let us get the tough yards to extend drives like we have grown accustomed to. Second problem was 3rd down defense. im not sure this is a personnel problem so much as its the fact that everybody now has 8 years of tape on us, and the stuff we do to confuse qbs doesnt confuse them anymore. we had to have been probably the best 1st and 2nd down defense and the worst 3rd down defense in the history of organized football last season. Hopefully we will adjust what we do schematically. we have the talent to be a great defense, just need some tweaks. im curious how the staff changes might shake things up a little
Posted on 1/16/15 at 11:35 am to BrianFantana
Wrong.
We struggle when teams get to the sideline. When they can get to the sideline, it stretches us thin. All teams know this now; we've been exposed.
When we can stop it, we win. When we can't stop it. We lose.
Even with that said we win that game if D.White catches that third down pass before halftime. We would never have punted, so they don't score another TD and we possibly could have gotten some points.
We struggle when teams get to the sideline. When they can get to the sideline, it stretches us thin. All teams know this now; we've been exposed.
When we can stop it, we win. When we can't stop it. We lose.
Even with that said we win that game if D.White catches that third down pass before halftime. We would never have punted, so they don't score another TD and we possibly could have gotten some points.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 11:39 am to YStar
quote:yep. we just were not sharp on offense, kept putting the defense in horrible spots
Even with that said we win that game if D.White catches that third down pass before halftime
Posted on 1/16/15 at 12:01 pm to YStar
quote:
YStar - We struggle when teams get to the sideline. When they can get to the sideline, it stretches us thin. All teams know this now; we've been exposed.
Agree. Think we need to change, or make some major tweaks to, our scheme on defense, at least when facing spread teams...
quote:
narddogg81- we just were not sharp on offense, kept putting the defense in horrible spots
While I think I can partially agree with you, our offense had nothing to do with our defense consistently giving up big plays on 3rd and long. If the defense prevents a couple of 3rd and long conversions in the 2nd quarter, we might have had a chance to put the game away in the first half...while I agree that our offense wasn't sharp, they still scored 35 points...safe to say we had issues on both sides of the ball that night...
Posted on 1/16/15 at 12:16 pm to narddogg81
quote:
yep. we just were not sharp on offense, kept putting the defense in horrible spots
Here's hoping Coker can thread the needle next year.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 12:19 pm to OldPete
quote:
While I think I can partially agree with you, our offense had nothing to do with our defense consistently giving up big plays on 3rd and long. If the defense prevents a couple of 3rd and long conversions in the 2nd quarter, we might have had a chance to put the game away in the first half...while I agree that our offense wasn't sharp, they still scored 35 points...safe to say we had issues on both sides of the ball that night...
Yeah, both sides are to blame if you ask me. The defense gave up the third and longs but the offense could've bailed them out but had too many 3 and outs....which was an issue all year. Our offense was great this year, but sometimes it would go through droughts that would just continue to put pressure on a defense that could only handle so much.
To the OP point, teams are not as intimidated by us as they used to be. It used to be "I hate playing these guys." After the 2012 A&M game (and 2013 AU game), I feel like our opponents know come in with the mentality that they have nothing to lose. We used to be able to have scoring blitzes that would crush a team's will or we would slowly choke the life out of a team and they'd be finished by the time the 4th Quarter came around. Now, teams get energized if they are within a score of us in the 2nd half. Just look at how awful we were in the 3rd Quarter this year. We aren't very good at stopping a team's momentum the moment it begins.
Maybe that's what's life is like when you've been favored in every game since 2009.
This post was edited on 1/16/15 at 12:25 pm
Posted on 1/16/15 at 12:21 pm to BrianFantana
In terms of third and long, this is where the new hire to replace LT will pay dividends. Remember how frustrating it was when we would send blitzing linebackers to the QB, and they would get there a day late and a dollar short. There would be almost no added pressure to the qb when we sent the LBs. Our OLBs did not have good technique, thus why we would have to send LC in to blitz, leaving our secondary vulnerable.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 7:32 pm to BrianFantana
The main problem?
Um, we just weren't good enough. On Defense, on Offense, and in the kicking game.
Simple as that. Sometimes it happens. The team overachieved to get to the playoff if you ask me. Without Cooper, we were above-average at best this year. We were not a great team.
Um, we just weren't good enough. On Defense, on Offense, and in the kicking game.
Simple as that. Sometimes it happens. The team overachieved to get to the playoff if you ask me. Without Cooper, we were above-average at best this year. We were not a great team.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 7:49 pm to BrianFantana
Defense could not tackle and was the least physical group that I can recall going back before Kines.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 8:59 pm to nc14
Now that the season is behind us I guess I should be happy with a 12-2 record to go along with the SEC title.
The fact is we got lucky and really played above our ability this year. Sims was an athlete playing QB. What Kiffin was able to do with him I was impressed. Sims played above average all season and even though skill wise I think he is not one of the better QBs under Saban, I have not seen one work harder than him out there. He also always seem to put the team before himself as well which was why the players liked him.
Overall the offense was subpar this year and I am saying this when looking at stats it may have been our best under Saban. But our OL got manhandled on the right side. And the penalties thank you Mr. Brown did not help. Cam and Arie were solid all year. Arie played the most consistent of anyone out there and glad to see him now being projected by some as high as 2nd rd. He deserves it. RBs could not stay healthy. Yeldon banged up, Drake out for the season, and Henry everytime he got hot we stopped giving him the ball. Not sure why. Jones and Tenpenny for whatever reason could not get on the field. I think one transfers and the other will get passed by Bo who will be behind Drake and Henry. WR Cooper saved us because White could not stay healthy and Jones I will not even go there. I truly believe we will be better overall at WR next year even without Cooper. TE who knows if it will ever click with Howard. I still wish we would just play him as a Mike Evans type of WR. Mismatch nightmare.
On defense we were softer than Mrs. Fields cookies. Our DL finally looked like what we hoped it would be for years and next year no one in the country will match it. I am not even sure this years starters can keep their spots with what is behind them. LBs may have been a weaker spot than the DBs were. Reggie the only one consistent. TD he was more situational and Devall could not stay healthy. Not to mention Concussion Foster out there. That unit to me is the biggest question of the team entering the spring and fall. CBs we were starting 2 athletes recruited to play DB out there. Jones ended up having a good year. Jackson hopefully is was only due to hampering injuries. Both need to worry about Brown. He is taking someone's job come fall. Marlon may be right there as well. Have no idea what happened to Cook and Sylve I hope with his speed may get a look at returns. S I think we may be better as well with Hootie and Co. We will be to skilled at DBs. Geno and Maurice Smith both will be interesting to see where they end up. Again LBs is what worries me.
That was my rant and overall was a great season just to many ups and downs but that is football. Heres to next 2015.
The fact is we got lucky and really played above our ability this year. Sims was an athlete playing QB. What Kiffin was able to do with him I was impressed. Sims played above average all season and even though skill wise I think he is not one of the better QBs under Saban, I have not seen one work harder than him out there. He also always seem to put the team before himself as well which was why the players liked him.
Overall the offense was subpar this year and I am saying this when looking at stats it may have been our best under Saban. But our OL got manhandled on the right side. And the penalties thank you Mr. Brown did not help. Cam and Arie were solid all year. Arie played the most consistent of anyone out there and glad to see him now being projected by some as high as 2nd rd. He deserves it. RBs could not stay healthy. Yeldon banged up, Drake out for the season, and Henry everytime he got hot we stopped giving him the ball. Not sure why. Jones and Tenpenny for whatever reason could not get on the field. I think one transfers and the other will get passed by Bo who will be behind Drake and Henry. WR Cooper saved us because White could not stay healthy and Jones I will not even go there. I truly believe we will be better overall at WR next year even without Cooper. TE who knows if it will ever click with Howard. I still wish we would just play him as a Mike Evans type of WR. Mismatch nightmare.
On defense we were softer than Mrs. Fields cookies. Our DL finally looked like what we hoped it would be for years and next year no one in the country will match it. I am not even sure this years starters can keep their spots with what is behind them. LBs may have been a weaker spot than the DBs were. Reggie the only one consistent. TD he was more situational and Devall could not stay healthy. Not to mention Concussion Foster out there. That unit to me is the biggest question of the team entering the spring and fall. CBs we were starting 2 athletes recruited to play DB out there. Jones ended up having a good year. Jackson hopefully is was only due to hampering injuries. Both need to worry about Brown. He is taking someone's job come fall. Marlon may be right there as well. Have no idea what happened to Cook and Sylve I hope with his speed may get a look at returns. S I think we may be better as well with Hootie and Co. We will be to skilled at DBs. Geno and Maurice Smith both will be interesting to see where they end up. Again LBs is what worries me.
That was my rant and overall was a great season just to many ups and downs but that is football. Heres to next 2015.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 9:27 pm to TideWarrior
as much as i like coop, i think our offense would have been better overall, if he dont get thrown to 8 of every 10 passes. looked to me like the guys just gave up on routes because they knew they werent getting the ball, even when wide open. honestly i'm not sure if this is on kiffen or sims. but it did hurt our offense.
as for the defense. the sideline thing is kind of accurate. but it didnt have anything to do with the 3rd down problems. right up the gut, whether run or pass just killed this defense. if the qb didnt throw a pass over the middle he ran up the middle for the first down. now whether its a lb or safety issue, i honestly dont know.
as for the defense. the sideline thing is kind of accurate. but it didnt have anything to do with the 3rd down problems. right up the gut, whether run or pass just killed this defense. if the qb didnt throw a pass over the middle he ran up the middle for the first down. now whether its a lb or safety issue, i honestly dont know.
Posted on 1/16/15 at 11:06 pm to BrianFantana
games bama really needed to run the ball, it seemed bama chose to really throw the ball
secondary on third downs
kicking game (except punts)
secondary on third downs
kicking game (except punts)
Posted on 1/16/15 at 11:31 pm to BrianFantana
It wasn't a character issue. This team had higher character and mental fortitude than most Saban teams. It galls me when people imply this team didn't when the national championship because they weren't tough enough or they didn't have a championship mentality. The problem with this team was it was almost exclusively first time starters. They were a few plays away from beating Ohio State and taking it to that sorry Oregon squad. This was a great team. Just wasn't the nation's best team. They surpassed the expectations of all realistic fans. Those of you who played football at a competitive level know that you can't win them all.
This post was edited on 1/16/15 at 11:35 pm
Posted on 1/16/15 at 11:56 pm to BrianFantana
This season's deficiencies were way more about scheme than motivation. An entirely new offense (that definitely endured its peaks and valleys) accompanied by a young defense that had its coaches shifted and was also being field-checked by a safety that wasn't even primarily a coverage guy (a guy that also had unreliable backups.) This season was definitely a success by those measures, it just sucks that we might be in for more of the same with more quick coaching adjustments.
Posted on 1/17/15 at 5:57 am to BrianFantana
We failed to pound the rock enough protecting our defense with ball control. And our DBs were not tall enough.
Posted on 1/17/15 at 9:58 am to S.E.C. Crazy
Our shortest dB was great all year. What are you talking about
Posted on 1/17/15 at 12:31 pm to Funky Tide 8
I'm really excited to see Cyrus Play next year....I mean he was a 5* athlete recruited as a wr/athlete right? Then made the switch to cb. One of the hardest positions to learn.
Starts off pretty bad but not completely terrible. The thing that excites me though is he has clearly gotten a lot better. There is noticeable improvement from his play at the beginning of the year to the last game.
So I expect him to make another big leap this off season and be a monster next year....and tony brown? lawd....
I still have hope for Eddie Jackson too. I remember his first year...maybe he was hiding an injury or something. I remember Dee Milliner and Dre Kirk getting picked on a ton their early years. They turned out fine.
Also our front 7 returns most of the starters and should be the best in the nation next year. Man im so pumped to watch the front 7....and a great front 7 helps hide and weaknesses in the secondary so that should only help.
I think safety will be a very interesting position to watch in the off season though.
Overall man Im pumped to watch this defense next year.
Starts off pretty bad but not completely terrible. The thing that excites me though is he has clearly gotten a lot better. There is noticeable improvement from his play at the beginning of the year to the last game.
So I expect him to make another big leap this off season and be a monster next year....and tony brown? lawd....
I still have hope for Eddie Jackson too. I remember his first year...maybe he was hiding an injury or something. I remember Dee Milliner and Dre Kirk getting picked on a ton their early years. They turned out fine.
Also our front 7 returns most of the starters and should be the best in the nation next year. Man im so pumped to watch the front 7....and a great front 7 helps hide and weaknesses in the secondary so that should only help.
I think safety will be a very interesting position to watch in the off season though.
Overall man Im pumped to watch this defense next year.
This post was edited on 1/17/15 at 12:34 pm
Posted on 1/17/15 at 10:44 pm to TideWarrior
quote:Oh man, in an offense that lulled defenses with the run, this would be lethal.
Howard. I still wish we would just play him as a Mike Evans type of WR. Mismatch nightmare.
quote:I want him and Clark starting ahead of schedule next year at the Safety spots.
Hootie
Either Marlon, Sims, or Sylve just has to be the return guy IMO. Sims is shifty, Marlon just looks like a fit return-man, and Sylve is speedy as frick.
I have no questions about the front-seven in terms of talent, but I am nervous about the LB coach. It's probably time to change the blitz schemes, because at this point it seriously can't be a lack of talent that explains the lack of pressure on the QB. I'm sick of seeing five guys crash in with either no contain or the secondary having to play catch-up on rerouted receivers just to get burned deep. I am actually getting sick just thinking about it.
Posted on 1/18/15 at 12:57 am to BrianFantana
quote:
Creepy Musburger had the comment during the Notre Dame game that "if this was a heavy weight prize fight that they would call the fight off now".
That was against LSU on 1/9/12.
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