| FTBL Game Review: Despite Record, Bama Still an Unknown

[TerryP]

If you were to ask any NCAA football fan, whether they follow a FCS team or a FBS team, if they would have a decent idea what kind of team they had after the fourth game of the year over 95% of them would say, “yes.” In fact, most of them could tell you in detail what were the strong areas of their team and what were the weak areas. That is simply not the case with Alabama because this is a team yet to answer, “This is who we are as a football team.”

The unknowns around Alabama aren’t as bad as some of the other teams in the SEC. Charleston writer Charles Bennett penned that the “aroma coming out of Williams-Bryce Stadium” after South Carolina barely escaped perennial powerhouse Wofford “reeked of desperation.”

Hey, I’ll admit, there are some troubles with our family here at Alabama...



Read the rest of the review here

 

[TerryP]

One thing I didn't mention, and I should have with no doubt.

When this team was on defense, 1st and goal from the one yard line, and we stopped them...

That's a character trait we haven't seen and it is to be praised!!!!

 

[Guest]

He does seem to be in control of his emotions (although pointing to the scoreboard when getting hit late yesterday brings up a question or two)

Arkys D-line had no room to talk what they were talking. Sometimes ya get what ya dish out. I would say most, if not all the time, just go back to the huddle JPW or anyone else and get ready for the next play, but for some reason I like what he did.

The crappy job of wrapping people up and taking them down(lack of it)was disturbing to me. So was our kickoff coverage...sigh. Missed tackle after missed tackle. Hope they do not expect to tackle NM like that next week....it will be a long day.

 

[Guest]

Arkys D-line had no room to talk what they were talking. Sometimes ya get what ya dish out. I would say most, if not all the time, just go back to the huddle JPW or anyone else and get ready for the next play, but for some reason I like what he did.

I agree. I don't think he was trying to be boastful, or was really all that frustrated or angry when pointing to the scoreboard. Why do I say this? Because I think right after that they had a shot of JPW, and he was smiling and laughing with his offense. Usually I would agree and say suck it up and go back to your huddle, but sometimes you just gotta stick up for yourself, laugh it off, and show them that they're making fools of themselves when they puff of their chest and act all big when the reality is...they're down by 30 points.

 

[rooster03]

I thimk JPW was pointing at the replay on the jumbo to show he was out of the pocket and thats way no intenional grounging was called.

 

[TerryP]

I thimk JPW was pointing at the replay on the jumbo to show he was out of the pocket and thats way no intenional grounging was called.

He was talking about the scoreboard...witnessed and heard by a few in that endzone.

 

[Guest]

I thimk JPW was pointing at the replay on the jumbo to show he was out of the pocket and thats way no intenional grounging was called.

He was talking about the scoreboard...witnessed and heard by a few in that endzone.

If was obvious it was the scoreboard, and I couldn't help to bust out laughing...

 

[BAMAFSTBACK]

I loved it. And I'm sure the Arkansas defensive guy deserved it. John Parker rarely ever "jaws" at the other team. Good for him.

 

[NTT]

I will never understand why defensive players talk trash when they make a tackle as if the WR, RB, or QB will never gain a yard in that game. ESPECIALLY when they have already posted 42 points against you. That just stupid.

 

[shiloh]

I hate to be down on the team when they have 4 under their belt, but I have this really scary feeling about missed blocking assignments and poor tackling that just won't play well in the 2nd half of the season. I'm just glad we got some backups a little playing time on the road in SEC play.

 

[bamatommy]

I hate to be down on the team when they have 4 under their belt, but I have this really scary feeling about missed blocking assignments and poor tackling that just won't play well in the 2nd half of the season. I'm just glad we got some backups a little playing time on the road in SEC play.

Totally agree. We have to clean up some of the sloppy play.

 

[jdpas29]

i'm still most concerned with our inability to get the long ball together. not placing blame, but it's the one part of our offense that we're attempting and failing miserably at.

 

[TerryP]

i'm still most concerned with our inability to get the long ball together. not placing blame, but it's the one part of our offense that we're attempting and failing miserably at.

And, I have to question again, why is there an expectation that the long ball is a part of the McElwain offensive approach?

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

i'm still most concerned with our inability to get the long ball together. not placing blame, but it's the one part of our offense that we're attempting and failing miserably at.

And, I have to question again, why is there an expectation that the long ball is a part of the McElwain offensive approach?

Maybe that's the issue Terry. Folks have a wrong perception about how he game plans & executes at moving the ball. To his credit, he is doing well.

The issue being raised is the 'long ball' hasn't been executed when attempted. Now, I'd like to see these pass/catches made, if not for just the simplicity of not wasting a down. However, they aren't.

This isn't a lame attempt to bring up the back-up quarterback crap b/c I'm perfectly fine w/ JPW (have been since he's started). The issue is that the long ball has been open & not connected when attempted or totally overlooked.

Now, regarding the last note, I recall that coach Mac's philosophy is to go w/ the high percentage pass (correct?) even if the long ball is open :arrow: I'm content w/ this concept, granted it isn't as "flashy", but it moves the chains & wears down the opponent.

 

[jdpas29]

well... i guess to put it simply... i haven't seen it look right since the spring game when we threw quite a few bombs.

now it seems like those same routes have a timing problem. it sure would bring another dimension to our team. and one that, on paper, it seems like we'd have an advantage in.

 

[tidenumber1]

i'm still most concerned with our inability to get the long ball together. not placing blame, but it's the one part of our offense that we're attempting and failing miserably at.

And, I have to question again, why is there an expectation that the long ball is a part of the McElwain offensive approach?

Maybe that's the issue Terry. Folks have a wrong perception about how he game plans & executes at moving the ball. To his credit, he is doing well.

The issue being raised is the 'long ball' hasn't been executed when attempted. Now, I'd like to see these pass/catches made, if not for just the simplicity of not wasting a down. However, they aren't.

This isn't a lame attempt to bring up the back-up quarterback crap b/c I'm perfectly fine w/ JPW (have been since he's started). The issue is that the long ball has been open & not connected when attempted or totally overlooked.

Now, regarding the last note, I recall that coach Mac's philosophy is to go w/ the high percentage pass (correct?) even if the long ball is open :arrow: I'm content w/ this concept, granted it isn't as "flashy", but it moves the chains & wears down the opponent.

You are correct!!!! In the SEC speed of the defences is amazing. When you move the chains the way we have been doing this year you wear down your opponent. This is something I have noticed with our team all year.

Another good thing about that is it gives our D a chance to rest. This has also paid off greatly.

Just a side note some of the sloppy tackle came from some of the freshman. We knew going into this year that we would have to live with some freshman mistakes. I truly believe that these will be corrected rather quickly from what I saw from CNS making an example out of Prince Hall.

My biggest area of concern is Special Teams play. This should also improve soon as I see alot of freshman there also.