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Thoughts after I went back and watched the game...
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:03 pm
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:03 pm
Honestly, it wasn't as bad as I remembered. Just some thoughts:
1. It took Tua a half to get up to speed.
This is obvious now, but at the time I was wondering, "What's he doing out there??" Now I realize that he was adjusting on the fly to the speed of the game after being off for 20 days. After he settled down, I thought he was the most accurate I've seen him all year. The long ball is back, the clutch third and fourth down throws were there, and the TD to Jeudy was amazing (I think we were trying to run a version of the Clemson pick play but the outside WR missed the pick so Tua just put the ball the only place it could be).
2. Going for it on fourth in the 2nd quarter and then not going for it in the 3rd quarter were both mistakes.
The early attempt might not have been such a bad decision if the play call would have been better. Could someone please take the delay RPO, sideways running, while also pulling a guard, OUT of the playbook on 4th down? The 3rd quarter moment I'm referencing was after the Burrow fumble. The team had some juice, down 20, and would go on to score on every remaining possession of the game, converting four 4th down tries.
3. DeVonta Smith = Incredible. Najee Harris = Stud. Jaylen Waddle = Electric.
I've already talked about Tua, who also showed great heart, but these guys played out of their minds Saturday. I've been a critic of Najee on the past, but I apologize profusely to you sir, you are a BEAST. Hey Sark! Remember those 2 short-yardage plays where we put in a bunch of tight ends in and had Najee in the I-formation? DO THAT SOME MORE. Waddle's punt return saved Bama in the first quarter and he nearly lost his head in the process. What more can you say about DeVonta? I think his time at Alabama will always be remembered as the guy catching bombs behind hopeless defenses.
4. Ty Perine is a pretty awesome punter.
Yeah, I know, he made one HUGE mistake, but I still want to shine a light on the fact that two of his three punts were for 51 yards and his average for the day was 48.7.
5. Diggs was awful, Mckinney was great.
I hope Saban has the team tackling in their sleep this week. The defense gave up so many unnecessary yards and 3rd down conversions by simply not tackling. Mckinney was the lone bright spot, just as he has been all season. Final stat line for Xavier: 13 tackles (9 solo), 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL, and a QB hurry
6. Carter and Benton were lost at times.
Benton was out of place a few times and a step slow at other times. Carter was definitely out of place on the wide-open TD early in the 2nd quarter and seemingly confused throughout the game.
7. Can we stop trying to run guys on and off the field defensively so much?
It cost us a turnover and led directly to LSU points.
8. I don't really like Landon Dickerson.
Might've cost at least 4 points right before the half and that's not the type of sportsmanship that Alabama should be known for. You're not at FSU anymore Landon, quit acting like it.
9. I choose to believe the team that came out of the locker room in the second half is the real Alabama.
Yes, they gave up 2 touchdowns, but they also forced 2 punts and a fumble. They're likely the worst defense in the Saban era, I believe due to injuries and players leaving early, but they were about 2 missed tackles from giving Tua the ball back with time and only trailing by 5. Clean it up a little, and they're capable of getting just enough stops for Alabama to beat anybody.
10. It meant more to LSU this time around.
I don't believe that will be the case next time, whether it's in the Playoffs this season or next year in Baton Rouge. LSU may have won this one, but they're not on Bama's level yet, no matter what they say. Auburn won with Cam, A&M had Johnny, Florida had Tebow, but we've got Nick Saban and 5 of the last 10 Championships. We're not dead yet, not by a long shot.
1. It took Tua a half to get up to speed.
This is obvious now, but at the time I was wondering, "What's he doing out there??" Now I realize that he was adjusting on the fly to the speed of the game after being off for 20 days. After he settled down, I thought he was the most accurate I've seen him all year. The long ball is back, the clutch third and fourth down throws were there, and the TD to Jeudy was amazing (I think we were trying to run a version of the Clemson pick play but the outside WR missed the pick so Tua just put the ball the only place it could be).
2. Going for it on fourth in the 2nd quarter and then not going for it in the 3rd quarter were both mistakes.
The early attempt might not have been such a bad decision if the play call would have been better. Could someone please take the delay RPO, sideways running, while also pulling a guard, OUT of the playbook on 4th down? The 3rd quarter moment I'm referencing was after the Burrow fumble. The team had some juice, down 20, and would go on to score on every remaining possession of the game, converting four 4th down tries.
3. DeVonta Smith = Incredible. Najee Harris = Stud. Jaylen Waddle = Electric.
I've already talked about Tua, who also showed great heart, but these guys played out of their minds Saturday. I've been a critic of Najee on the past, but I apologize profusely to you sir, you are a BEAST. Hey Sark! Remember those 2 short-yardage plays where we put in a bunch of tight ends in and had Najee in the I-formation? DO THAT SOME MORE. Waddle's punt return saved Bama in the first quarter and he nearly lost his head in the process. What more can you say about DeVonta? I think his time at Alabama will always be remembered as the guy catching bombs behind hopeless defenses.
4. Ty Perine is a pretty awesome punter.
Yeah, I know, he made one HUGE mistake, but I still want to shine a light on the fact that two of his three punts were for 51 yards and his average for the day was 48.7.
5. Diggs was awful, Mckinney was great.
I hope Saban has the team tackling in their sleep this week. The defense gave up so many unnecessary yards and 3rd down conversions by simply not tackling. Mckinney was the lone bright spot, just as he has been all season. Final stat line for Xavier: 13 tackles (9 solo), 2 sacks, 2.5 TFL, and a QB hurry
6. Carter and Benton were lost at times.
Benton was out of place a few times and a step slow at other times. Carter was definitely out of place on the wide-open TD early in the 2nd quarter and seemingly confused throughout the game.
7. Can we stop trying to run guys on and off the field defensively so much?
It cost us a turnover and led directly to LSU points.
8. I don't really like Landon Dickerson.
Might've cost at least 4 points right before the half and that's not the type of sportsmanship that Alabama should be known for. You're not at FSU anymore Landon, quit acting like it.
9. I choose to believe the team that came out of the locker room in the second half is the real Alabama.
Yes, they gave up 2 touchdowns, but they also forced 2 punts and a fumble. They're likely the worst defense in the Saban era, I believe due to injuries and players leaving early, but they were about 2 missed tackles from giving Tua the ball back with time and only trailing by 5. Clean it up a little, and they're capable of getting just enough stops for Alabama to beat anybody.
10. It meant more to LSU this time around.
I don't believe that will be the case next time, whether it's in the Playoffs this season or next year in Baton Rouge. LSU may have won this one, but they're not on Bama's level yet, no matter what they say. Auburn won with Cam, A&M had Johnny, Florida had Tebow, but we've got Nick Saban and 5 of the last 10 Championships. We're not dead yet, not by a long shot.
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:22 pm to Goombaw
quote:
Waddle's punt return saved Bama in the first quarter and he nearly lost his head in the process.
Was there ever an explanation for 6 flags not flying out here? The SEC ref twitter account was quick to defend the Moss play on a technicality, but no flag here was fishy as shite
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:32 pm to Riseupfromtherubble
quote:what did they say about that ?
Was there ever an explanation for 6 flags not flying out here? The SEC ref twitter account was quick to defend the Moss play on a technicality,
Also, I couldn't tell where Bolden had to get for that first down that they called short as I was listening with no sound and had no rewind... it looked like he got it on the replay, but again, I could never really figure out where he was supposed to get for the first.
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:33 pm to Goombaw
quote:
7. Can we stop trying to run guys on and off the field defensively so much?
It cost us a turnover and led directly to LSU points.
This has always bothered me. Attempting to get the perfect personnel on the field causes more harm than good most of the time. It leads to penalties, misalignment, blown assignments, confusion, etc.
I think you'd be better off playing with the same personnel just based on the reduction of substitution chaos.
This post was edited on 11/11/19 at 11:56 pm
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:43 pm to Funky Tide 8
quote:
In #LSUvsBAMA, if a receiver is forced out of bounds due to contact by a defender, the receiver can re-establish position on the field and make a legal catch. On the play in question, the ruling on the field was the receiver was forced out of bounds by contact.
quote:
By rule, if there is contact between the defender and the receiver, whether or not a player was forced out of bounds is not reviewable. Replay confirmed the receiver reestablished himself and completed the catch. (2/2)
The official judged that he was forced out and then reestablished himself...the first of which is bullshite and the latter is questionable at best. I’m not a conspiracy theorist, it’s just a shame that their complete incompetence only showed up against us Saturday. The non face mask is just a really fishy one because there’s a ref standing right there looking at it. It’s not a judgment call and was as clear of a face mask as you’ll ever see. It was by a single player on the ballcarrier in space. They should really have to own up to egregious errors like that
Posted on 11/11/19 at 11:44 pm to Funky Tide 8
Slade got a bad spot, but it wasn't a great play call either.
I have no idea on the facemask thing or the catch out of bounds...
I have no idea on the facemask thing or the catch out of bounds...
Posted on 11/12/19 at 4:43 am to Goombaw
That “explanation” for the Moss catch is a big case of CYA going on. He was not forced out of bounds by the flimsy contact that took place. And he damn sure didn’t reestablish in bounds before making that catch.
I’m not gonna even attempt the referees cost us the game excuse because they didn’t. But it was the poorest officiating of a big SEC game I can remember and the calls were bad both ways but there seemed to be more that went against us. It sure made the comeback attempt more difficult.
I’m not gonna even attempt the referees cost us the game excuse because they didn’t. But it was the poorest officiating of a big SEC game I can remember and the calls were bad both ways but there seemed to be more that went against us. It sure made the comeback attempt more difficult.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 4:49 am to Goombaw
The point on Tua is so spot on. He def had to get warmed up as quickly as possible which is very hard. No one seems to acknowledge that fact on the outside though. But once he warmed up in the 2nd half the dude was flat out unstoppable. His accuracy was insane.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 6:52 am to PEPE
quote:
This has always bothered me. Attempting to get the perfect personnel on the field causes more harm than good most of the time. It leads to penalties, misalignment, blown assignments, confusion, etc.
I think you'd be better off playing with the same personnel just based on the reduction of substitution chaos.
This was a huge issue under Kirby but improved under Pruitt.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 7:57 am to Goombaw
quote:
Diggs was awful
One of his worst games I recall
quote:I expect it from a Benton but Carter is inexcusable. Dude played like a freshman
Carter and Benton were lost at times.
quote:
Can we stop trying to run guys on and off the field defensively so much?
Weird sequence for sure. It was very late, too.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 7:59 am to Goombaw
I barely remember hearing Surtain’s name. Did he mostly play well on the rewatch?
Posted on 11/12/19 at 8:13 am to Glorious
I don’t remember much being caught on him. They targeted Diggs a lot.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 9:59 am to Glorious
I only remember 2 passes being thrown in his direction, one was a slant and he was a little too far back so the receiver had a 2-3 yard cushion, but otherwise I think they knew they could target the other side of the field and they did.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 4:24 pm to Goombaw
Just some thoughts from an LSU fan if y'all care.
I think we liked the Chase vs Diggs matchup and took advantage. I have rewatched all but the 4th quarter (was at the game) and I don't remember us throwing at Surtain much either. Will watch this many more times so I'll be sure to key in on this moving forward.
The Moss catch/non-catch IMO was a bad call. I thought if anything, Moss pushed a bit off and carried himself out. I think that part was non-reviewable? But I don't know. The only thing I will say about that play was it was first and 10 from the 20 so while it did set up first and goal from the 1, the way our O was performing I think it's a realistic probability we score on that drive regardless. But if it happened to us I would be pissed so I 100% understand the frustration there.
The facemask non call on the punt return was a huge wtf. It doesn't end up mattering bc it would have just been a shorter kickoff but still...no excuse for missing that call. There were two missed face masks on Burrow as well. The officials missed plenty.
I think both Slade and Helaire reviewed plays should have been overturned for first downs. Both were close but I think it was clear both made the first downs.
Hell of a game fellas! I certainly don't want to do it again this year
I think we liked the Chase vs Diggs matchup and took advantage. I have rewatched all but the 4th quarter (was at the game) and I don't remember us throwing at Surtain much either. Will watch this many more times so I'll be sure to key in on this moving forward.
The Moss catch/non-catch IMO was a bad call. I thought if anything, Moss pushed a bit off and carried himself out. I think that part was non-reviewable? But I don't know. The only thing I will say about that play was it was first and 10 from the 20 so while it did set up first and goal from the 1, the way our O was performing I think it's a realistic probability we score on that drive regardless. But if it happened to us I would be pissed so I 100% understand the frustration there.
The facemask non call on the punt return was a huge wtf. It doesn't end up mattering bc it would have just been a shorter kickoff but still...no excuse for missing that call. There were two missed face masks on Burrow as well. The officials missed plenty.
I think both Slade and Helaire reviewed plays should have been overturned for first downs. Both were close but I think it was clear both made the first downs.
Hell of a game fellas! I certainly don't want to do it again this year
Posted on 11/12/19 at 5:19 pm to jbrau22
LSU definitely went after Diggs, he was constantly falling down or off balance for some reason.
But the two things that killed Alabama were the dumpoffs to the back and the QB boots and draws. Which all go back to linebacker play and or the lack of. There would be two good plays getting us to third and medium or long and we'd give it up time and again.
But the two things that killed Alabama were the dumpoffs to the back and the QB boots and draws. Which all go back to linebacker play and or the lack of. There would be two good plays getting us to third and medium or long and we'd give it up time and again.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 5:28 pm to antibarner
quote:
But the two things that killed Alabama were the dumpoffs to the back and the QB boots and draws. Which all go back to linebacker play and or the lack of. There would be two good plays getting us to third and medium or long and we'd give it up time and again.
100% agree. I don't think enough is said about what this team could have been defensively with Moses and Harris at LBer. Not to crap on the guys y'all have out there now and of course every team goes through injuries, but damn. That would have been like us losing Devin White and Chaisson last year. We lose at least 2 more games without White last year and probably win 1-2 more with Chaisson last year.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 5:29 pm to jbrau22
quote:
The Moss catch/non-catch IMO was a bad call. I thought if anything, Moss pushed a bit off and carried himself out. I think that part was non-reviewable? But I don't know. The only thing I will say about that play was it was first and 10 from the 20 so while it did set up first and goal from the 1, the way our O was performing I think it's a realistic probability we score on that drive regardless.
I agree with this. Although if they had managed to hold to a FG, it would have been a tie game at the end. That was probably best case scenario for Alabama.
But I'm not someone who thinks games are won and lost on a bad call. shite happens, the only part that really sticks with me is that it was such a long review and still got it wrong even though they are following the rules. I really don't understand why some things are "not reviewable" when you know damn good and well what happened. It's a rule that should be fixed so it doesn't happen in the future. For what reason is that not reviewable?
Posted on 11/12/19 at 5:30 pm to Goombaw
quote:
8. I don't really like Landon Dickerson.
I'm not a fan of this a-hole either. Decent player, but seems like a walking dipshit.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 5:35 pm to 3down10
quote:
I really don't understand why some things are "not reviewable" when you know damn good and well what happened. It's a rule that should be fixed so it doesn't happen in the future. For what reason is that not reviewable?
I think "not reviewable" bc the catch was completed. I think we all understand that, taking away the foot going out of bounds, moss got toes in as he possessed the ball. So the correct call would not have been an incomplete pass but illegal touching. And you can't review a call to call a penalty outside of targeting. That is my very best guess at why the call was "confirmed". I don't agree with it. I just think this is the reasoning.
Posted on 11/12/19 at 6:00 pm to Goombaw
Fair points overall. Nice job.
Regarding the defensive substitution issue, that was not related to us doing it too much. It's because a mistake was made on that substitution. It was a costly mistake, but frequent subbing defensively has many advantages, including getting the right guys in the game on a play by play basis, slowing down the offense, and quickly getting players off the field for a quick coaching/adjusting moment and putting them back in. It also seems obvious that the mistake was on the player, not the coach.
We need to all realize that offense is currently played with concepts that are well beyond what was done only a few short years ago, and the days of a good defense calling some straightforward traditional stuff and leaving the same guys out there all drive is a thing of the past. Unfortunately, Advanced can rarely be beaten by Simple.
The problem with our defense is that we don't currently have enough elite/developed talent on the front 7 to have a bunch of players who excel at all things. We have a bunch of guys that excel at some things but are liabilities in others. Therefore, Golding, Saban, and Co. must do their best at maximizing strengths and minimizing liabilities every single play due to personnel limitations. If we went basic, our weaknesses would stay on full display and we'd get boatraced by a great offense.
By trying to go advanced and really moving a lot of pieces, we give ourselves a shot on D versus a team like LSU. Anything else is just conceding a TD and not even trying. It's high risk, high reward - but it's the only way have a chance to win. The losses in Fall Camp and shortly thereafter were just too great, in a year where depth was already a concern up front on D. It is what it is.
Regarding the defensive substitution issue, that was not related to us doing it too much. It's because a mistake was made on that substitution. It was a costly mistake, but frequent subbing defensively has many advantages, including getting the right guys in the game on a play by play basis, slowing down the offense, and quickly getting players off the field for a quick coaching/adjusting moment and putting them back in. It also seems obvious that the mistake was on the player, not the coach.
We need to all realize that offense is currently played with concepts that are well beyond what was done only a few short years ago, and the days of a good defense calling some straightforward traditional stuff and leaving the same guys out there all drive is a thing of the past. Unfortunately, Advanced can rarely be beaten by Simple.
The problem with our defense is that we don't currently have enough elite/developed talent on the front 7 to have a bunch of players who excel at all things. We have a bunch of guys that excel at some things but are liabilities in others. Therefore, Golding, Saban, and Co. must do their best at maximizing strengths and minimizing liabilities every single play due to personnel limitations. If we went basic, our weaknesses would stay on full display and we'd get boatraced by a great offense.
By trying to go advanced and really moving a lot of pieces, we give ourselves a shot on D versus a team like LSU. Anything else is just conceding a TD and not even trying. It's high risk, high reward - but it's the only way have a chance to win. The losses in Fall Camp and shortly thereafter were just too great, in a year where depth was already a concern up front on D. It is what it is.
This post was edited on 11/12/19 at 9:28 pm
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