🏈 A couple of further notes on the Wild Cat..."It's here to stay."

[TerryP]

• This is something the team has just installed this fall. So, it's a work in progress, so to speak.
• Some have disagreed, but Saban made it clear that having the QB line up as a WR not only keeps the defense honest, but creates one more gap the offense can take advantage of.
• We have a few more guys that have been working in the package.
• It's something the team is going to continue working on, and using in games, until defenses catch up. (Ironically, ours seems to have caught up considering the lack of success teams had against us last season)
• Members have suggested it give opponents something else to prepare for. FIU's coach made the same statement this week. “It’s something we’ve not seen from Alabama so its definitely something we’ve got to work on and get prepared for,” said Florida International coach Mario Cristobal.
• Greg has quick feet, as you guys saw Saturday. If a team gives him soft coverage, he can make a guy miss.

 

[Swamptick]

I know allot of people here might disagree, but, despite it's lack of success last week, I liked seeing it and hope we continue to use it.

Roll Tide!

 

[TerryP]

I know allot of people here might disagree, but, despite it's lack of success last week, I liked seeing it and hope we continue to use it.

Roll Tide!

That's straight from Saban's mouth...so, your hopes should be put to rest.

 

[BamaCore]

I'm looking forward to seeing it as a change of pace. I'm wondering who all they are planning to look at in that position.

 

[UAgrad93]

It looks like Trent's brother wasn't kidding. I'd look for Roy, Mark, Trent, and even Maze to work the spot.

 

[BamaDelta]

Just a small suggestion from my "I'm only a fan" point of view. If we're going to run it and try to make it successful is there any way we could speed it up a bit? It kind of ruins the surprise and the wow factor of it all when it takes almost the full 25 to snap the ball. Defenses would have a harder time reacting when it's a quick thing. We just don't do quick too well.

Also, in my tiny opinion, we used it at the wrong times. It seems like we always used it when we were on a roll. Then, next thing you know we're back in a hole again. I wasn't a fan of its lack of productivity the other night.

 

[kc]

It will get better. It was not bad for a formation that was put in during spring and fall. I was really happy to see it put in and can be effective with many different personnel. It will be harder to defend/prepare for the O with it installed.

 

[joeman546]

That spot just screams for someone like BJ Scott to be behind it. I believe he did a little QBing in highschool.

But its a perfect way to get allaround athletes who dont specialize in a particular position involved in someway.

 

[alagator]

Two tweaks I would make to our use of the offense.

First, put someone in the Tailback spot (this is really just a modified version of the circa-1950s Single Wing Offense where the TB is the featured back) that is a threat to actually throw the ball. Even a really simple pass.

Second, when we split out our QB, make him a real offensive threat. When you split the QB with no real intention of using him in the play all you do is make the real game a 10-on-10 contest - the split QB is really just in essence 'blocking' his defensive counterpart usually far away from where the ball will be run. But, if we motion our QB back toward the set he is then a threat to take a hand off from the TB and then a more full and complex pass play options (with the QB being the passer) is an immediate threat to a defense that is primed for a run or a more simple passing play with a RB pulling the trigger. Or the QB can just continue in motion all the way across the formation and the defense has to go from RUN to PASS and back to RUN-or-PASS in a moments notice.

But I was happy to see us be a little more creative and diversified by even using this formation. I have long advocated we should display a new formation or a more exotic type play EVERY game. First to make you opponents prepare for the new formation/plays they have seen and then spend a little time tying to guess what new things theretofore unseen to use on them. Make them spend a little creative energy - and valuable meeting and practice time on something other than your core playbook.

 

[usn92]

Just a small suggestion from my "I'm only a fan" point of view. If we're going to run it and try to make it successful is there any way we could speed it up a bit? It kind of ruins the surprise and the wow factor of it all when it takes almost the full 25 to snap the ball. Defenses would have a harder time reacting when it's a quick thing. We just don't do quick too well.

Also, in my tiny opinion, we used it at the wrong times. It seems like we always used it when we were on a roll. Then, next thing you know we're back in a hole again. I wasn't a fan of its lack of productivity the other night.

Once we start running more diverse plays from the formation (which we already have installed) then the speed of the snap won't matter. It will actually help because the defense will have to show itself pre-snap and there is always a default check that is good no matter what look the defense shows. So if we're in a bad play for the defensive look we get we can check out of it.

If this is going to be part of our offense then it has to be a threat at any time because the personnel to run it are on the field 80% of the time. We could always go no huddle into it. Running it while we were on a roll is good coaching, run it while we're having some success may give us more confidence in running it. Also, it was early in the game and it was clear VT wasn't gonna suddenly turn into an offensive juggernaut.

 

[Ump]

For all the naysayers, I wonder how many thought the wishbone was a bad idea when Coach Bryant introduced it way back when. We all know how that worked for us. Total transformation for those that don't. The WB was not Bears idea he just liked it from a X's and O's standpoint, much like what CNS stated in his presser.

 

[alagator]

Actually, I thought the Pistol formation (devised I believe at Nevada a few years back) was the best new wrinkle we tossed out.

That formation offers us the best of both worlds. It puts the QB in a short shot-gun position so he has all the benefits that formation affords a QB in the passing game. But, it also includes a RB lined up in something very near the spot of an I-Back so you can still run all the running plays available in a one-back power attack.

This is the new 'innovation' I hope to see more of this season.

 

[BAMA74]

I'm liking the wildcat or whatever u want to call it and also love the pistol formation....this is the first game using it and i'm sure the personal will change with this formation as we progress with it....whatever it takes to keep the defense guessing...GO BAMA!!!!:td:

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

I'm glad it's here to stay!

 

[JoshB]

Actually, I thought the Pistol formation (devised I believe at Nevada a few years back) was the best new wrinkle we tossed out.

That formation offers us the best of both worlds. It puts the QB in a short shot-gun position so he has all the benefits that formation affords a QB in the passing game. But, it also includes a RB lined up in something very near the spot of an I-Back so you can still run all the running plays available in a one-back power attack.

This is the new 'innovation' I hope to see more of this season.

Yeah I like the pistol. Both are gonna give defenses new looks to have to plan for so its win win in my book.

 

[Ump]

I actualy hope Coach Mac blends both into a hybrid and uses a blend of groupings to keep the opponent guessing as to our play calls. :shock:

 

[UAgrad93]

I liked the new formations. Notice some of the old wing T in with the offense. Its good to give the opponent something else to prepare for each week. Those teams that just line up with a few base formations and plays are the easier ones to prepare for by far.

 

[mongo4bama]

We are going to see it and the pistol formation this year along with afew other suprises this year it looks like.

 

[rick4bama]

I like it.

 

[son of tradition]

Some ideas I think would be cool with this.

1. Take McElroy completely out and put in a good receiver.

2. Send McElroy in motion like Julio was, except hand it off to McElroy and let him throw a bomb. It would look like a playaction except for with a handoff. Kinda like a flea flicker but with alot more motion.