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Alabama Run Game
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:31 pm
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:31 pm
One of the things I haven't understood about the Alabama run game is the dedication to running plays that don't work. Last night (and several times this seasons and last year), it seems like Alabama has insisted on running slow developing run plays or running wide despite having limited success.
I started rewatching the game and making notes. By my count in the first quarter, Alabama had 5 slow developing or wide run plays for -5 (negated by irrelevant penalty), 1, 3 (Henry broke tackles in the backfield), 1, and 2. The= quick hitting runs where Henry gets the ball immediately or without having to slow down were for 4, 5, 7, 50, 7, 0, 8 (on a 3rd and 16, Clemson probably hedging on pass).
Has anyone else noted this tendency? Is there any reason for it? I certainly can't think of one. The strength of Alabama's run game has been big strong running backs and a brutal offensive line. Slow developing plays and running wide seem to be playing to a weakness in Alabama's offense and frequently to the strength of the defenses they play.
I started rewatching the game and making notes. By my count in the first quarter, Alabama had 5 slow developing or wide run plays for -5 (negated by irrelevant penalty), 1, 3 (Henry broke tackles in the backfield), 1, and 2. The= quick hitting runs where Henry gets the ball immediately or without having to slow down were for 4, 5, 7, 50, 7, 0, 8 (on a 3rd and 16, Clemson probably hedging on pass).
Has anyone else noted this tendency? Is there any reason for it? I certainly can't think of one. The strength of Alabama's run game has been big strong running backs and a brutal offensive line. Slow developing plays and running wide seem to be playing to a weakness in Alabama's offense and frequently to the strength of the defenses they play.
10
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:32 pm to rmn9799
I'd imagine those plays are called to set up future plays 
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:32 pm to rmn9799
It does seem maddening to watch that kind of thing happen. but there is something to sticking to a game plan that keeps working game after game, year in and year out. and henry is the kind of player you can give the the ball to and magic can happen even if he's hit by 3 dudes...
i'd give it more judgmental questioning myself if it didn't keep working.
i'd give it more judgmental questioning myself if it didn't keep working.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:33 pm to rmn9799
Dude, Henry had more yards and TDs than anyone else in football - you are seriously questioning their running game? Really?
Sheesh.
Sheesh.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:33 pm to rmn9799
Well it didn't stop them from winning a championship........
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:35 pm to rmn9799
I noticed it. Was getting tired of seeing shotgun/pistol handoffs.
Thought we'd see more under center dive plays. Heck, they ran Henry out of the FB in an I-Form against Michigan twice, and those were good for 4-5 yards easy. Never saw it ran before or since.
Also should have ran with Drake some and use Henry in the passing game, just to break tendencies.
Thought we'd see more under center dive plays. Heck, they ran Henry out of the FB in an I-Form against Michigan twice, and those were good for 4-5 yards easy. Never saw it ran before or since.
Also should have ran with Drake some and use Henry in the passing game, just to break tendencies.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:35 pm to pivey14
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:44 pm to cbi8
You do realize he set the record for yards in the SEC, like most yards EVER.
Plus, it isn't like Clemson held him 50 yds on 39 carries. Dude rushed for a buck fifty and 3 TD's.
Plus, it isn't like Clemson held him 50 yds on 39 carries. Dude rushed for a buck fifty and 3 TD's.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:49 pm to rmn9799
What drives me crazy is when its 1-2 yards to go and we bring the ball back 5 yards from the LoS and hand it off instead of doing a quick hitting play from under center.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:51 pm to bamarep
His 50 yard rush definitely helped. Lots of 2-3 yard rushes. At the end of the day, all that matters is winning and that is all they needed from him.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:52 pm to rmn9799
The wide runs are necessary to help stretch out the d and get some of the room in the middle.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:53 pm to rmn9799
You've never heard of wearing a defense down? There's a reason we dominate 4th quarters.
Hell, have you even heard of play action?
Hell, have you even heard of play action?
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:54 pm to rmn9799
Is there a clear number one running back for next year?
This is the first time I cannot remember a clear number two who will take the spot.
This is the first time I cannot remember a clear number two who will take the spot.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:55 pm to genro
I'd be pissed if my team didn't score on every play if they recruited as good as Bama does.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:56 pm to Rzrbackguy
No you wouldn't. We've won 4 NC's in 7 years and an Arky fan is telling us we should raise our standards even more. You can't make this shite up
Posted on 1/12/16 at 1:58 pm to higgs_boson
I would say its Bo Scarborough's to lose.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 2:02 pm to Rzrbackguy
You're right. Bama has a bunch of underachievers.
Personally I'm sick of it and ready to see Saban gone and get someone in there that can make the most of the talent we have. We should never lose a game, ever. This National Champs every other year shite is just that, bullshite. It should be 7/7 instead of 4/7.
Thank you for saying what every intelligent Bama fan is already thinking. It takes a fan of a flagship program like Ark to see this.
Personally I'm sick of it and ready to see Saban gone and get someone in there that can make the most of the talent we have. We should never lose a game, ever. This National Champs every other year shite is just that, bullshite. It should be 7/7 instead of 4/7.
Thank you for saying what every intelligent Bama fan is already thinking. It takes a fan of a flagship program like Ark to see this.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 2:15 pm to Titus Pullo
I remember as a kid my dad telling me that Alabama will start getting good again once I started there, mainly just based on sanctions being up and his hopeful attitude during the dark Dubose and Fran years. His consideration of good was being annually in the hunt for the SEC title (not winning, just not being out of it after two conference games), and in the national title hunt every 4 or 5 years (again not winning, but being talked about).
We hired Saban my sophomore year of undergrad. What he's done since then has been absolutely mind blowing. 4 SEC titles, 4 national championships this shite is unprecedented in modern CFB history, and the best part of it is that there's no real signs of slowing that pace. This is truly the golden age of Alabama football.
We hired Saban my sophomore year of undergrad. What he's done since then has been absolutely mind blowing. 4 SEC titles, 4 national championships this shite is unprecedented in modern CFB history, and the best part of it is that there's no real signs of slowing that pace. This is truly the golden age of Alabama football.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 2:23 pm to BamaChemE
I'm 40, so I know the dark ages after '92 well and the ones before that with Perkins barely and Curry somewhat, but going through the bad times makes this Saban Era so much sweeter and like you're Dad said, those expectations would be fine, what we are doing is just the whipped cream and cherry on top.
Posted on 1/12/16 at 2:25 pm to Titus Pullo
I just do not remember him playing that much.
What about the Harris kid?
What about the Harris kid?
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