🏈 GOOD, BAD & UGLY vs Piggies

[TerryP]

I didn't say, we were confused, that teams coming up will beat us if we don't defend better, that we're constantely busting coverage, that we can't get off the field on 3rd down, that we're giving up too many big plays. That would be Fitzpatrick, Humphrey, Jackson, and Saban. They are the ones not buying your theories.

That picture is worth 1000 words AND the story has 6000 words.

You're taking one game and trying to put the entire secondary inside of that limited perspective.

Yes, they did give up some bad plays. Yes, they are inconsistent.

But, we also have to take into account one-third of their passing yards came in the last seven minutes of the game.

We also have to take into account that 282 of their yards came in the second half when they ran almost 60 plays versus Bama's offense running what, 12?

Heck, the Tide were much, much more efficient in the second half (considering the number of plays and number of drives) outscoring Arkansas 14-13. I realize one of those were Minkah's TD, but my god they were up what ... 42-24 at that time?

Look again at how Saban came off that field Saturday.

How he looked and how he feels today are two different things. Of that, I'm convinced. So many people are pointing to a few things and, knowing Saban, he's seeing the same thing but he's pleased. Pleased, you might ask? Yes. It was a good effort with enough mistakes it can be a building exercise. He'll have their attention this week. I can't see him asking for more.

You may not be, but I'm pleased with how this team is progressing. I like the efficiency of the defense, of the offense, and individuals on the team as well. The ol' "one game at a time" fits when looking forward. When making a judgment? No sir.

 

[TerryP]

I stand by my points that Allen is a solid quarterback. He's a gamer like his brother. Sure, he threw interceptions, but he also lit our ass up and had some nice throws.

I don't see him as NFL talent (at this point.) But, he's going to be a hell of a QB for the 'Hogs next season—like he's been this season.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

That picture is worth 1000 words AND the story has 6000 words.

You're taking one game and trying to put the entire secondary inside of that limited perspective.

Yes, they did give up some bad plays. Yes, they are inconsistent.

But, we also have to take into account one-third of their passing yards came in the last seven minutes of the game.

We also have to take into account that 282 of their yards came in the second half when they ran almost 60 plays versus Bama's offense running what, 12?

Heck, the Tide were much, much more efficient in the second half (considering the number of plays and number of drives) outscoring Arkansas 14-13. I realize one of those were Minkah's TD, but my god they were up what ... 42-24 at that time?



How he looked and how he feels today are two different things. Of that, I'm convinced. So many people are pointing to a few things and, knowing Saban, he's seeing the same thing but he's pleased. Pleased, you might ask? Yes. It was a good effort with enough mistakes it can be a building exercise. He'll have their attention this week. I can't see him asking for more.

You may not be, but I'm pleased with how this team is progressing. I like the efficiency of the defense, of the offense, and individuals on the team as well. The ol' "one game at a time" fits when looking forward. When making a judgment? No sir.

opcorn2:

 

[TUSKtimes]

You're taking one game and trying to put the entire secondary inside of that limited perspective.

That is 2 games now of over 400 yards in a 6 game schedule. Called a trend in some football circles.

Yes, they did give up some bad plays. Yes, they are inconsistent.
But, we also have to take into account one-third of their passing yards came in the last seven minutes of the game.

Saban was partly upset because he didn't get to play some younger guys on D, cause we couldn't get Allen slowed down. Want to guess then who he was completing all those late passes against? Right, starters.

We also have to take into account that 282 of their yards came in the second half when they ran almost 60 plays versus Bama's offense running what, 12?

Cause we couldn't get off the field on 3rd down. Still our fault Terry.

You may not be, but I'm pleased with how this team is progressing. I like the efficiency of the defense, of the offense, and individuals on the team as well. The ol' "one game at a time" fits when looking forward. When making a judgment? No sir.

I'm no more dissatisfied than the players and coach and that's the absolute truth. You boldly walk past what these d-backs and coach are saying to debate the fact I quoted them. If this was happening to any other position group, your happy stats wouldn't be working there either. I don't believe everything I hear, but I pay real close attention to what I see.

 

[TerryP]

I'm no more dissatisfied than the players and coach and that's the absolute truth. You boldly walk past what these d-backs and coach are saying to debate the fact I quoted them. If this was happening to any other position group, your happy stats wouldn't be working there either. I don't believe everything I hear, but I pay real close attention to what I see.

I'm not walking past, or ignoring, anything.

They were talking about one game in the wake of questions by the media. I take those things worth a grain of salt.

The same goes with Saban after games. We know he's sending a message and in this case it's giving up too many points. But, now we're going back to ...

That is 2 games now of over 400 yards in a 6 game schedule. Called a trend in some football circles

But I will beat a dead horse.

Against whom? Two of the best quarterbacks in the country. And one last shot at this dead mare ...

Going back to the original point. We as a fan base were told about how good Allen was. We as a fan base were told about how good Kelly was. We as a fan base knew this. Those "happy stats" you refer to back both of those statements up, do they not? Which leads to this ...

If you (or anyone else for that matter) knew what the team was facing from UArk's QB how is it a shock, or a disappointment, that the very things we knew going in happened?

Just to venture a guess ...

In the G,B, and U thread next week we'll have a handful—if not more—bitching about Dobb's running ability. But, that's something we know, right? Know today.

 

[TerryP]

BTW @TUSKstuff I don't consider two of six a trend especially when we're talking about facing two guys in the top 15% of college QB's. In fact, I'd dare say you'll find less than 10% of college football won't be facing two teams with QB's of equal caliber.

 

[TUSKtimes]

BTW @TUSKstuff I don't consider two of six a trend especially when we're talking about facing two guys in the top 15% of college QB's. In fact, I'd dare say you'll find less than 10% of college football won't be facing two teams with QB's of equal caliber.

Just consider Terry, neither team could run the football. Ole Miss doesn't have it in their DNA and Arkansas had it taken from them. To watch one-dimensional offenses have their way on the back half of this talented D with the absolute best pass rush I've seen in the Saban era is insane.

One of the givens about our defense is how complicated we are. Just had another article with past player, Mark Barron, saying that the system is more complicated than some NFL systems. You don't want to keep hearing D-backs talk about confusion, busted coverages, and the like, after 6 games. Sometimes less is more and if we are getting blitzed with all these amazing QBs, it may be past time to try and simplify things and try to get the kids to react instead of having this many mental miscues and breakdowns.

 

[BamaFan334]

I think we're flirting with trouble like Tennessee to an extent. Put it this way, 2-3 SEC games this has happened to our secondary. Tennessee has a solid quarterback and solid receivers with size, as does Texas A&M. I wonder if we can win 2, maybe three more (LSU) giving up all those yards. More of a curious question than real worry.

In the end, I'm with Terry in that I like our progressions as a team whole. Secondary bothers me a ton, but every other group has stepped it up and has even more room to grow in my eyes which would put us head and shoukders above any other team. We just can't flirt with it, because JT Barrett and Deshaun Watson will work our ass if we meet them in a playoff game, save for JT's stats last weekend.

 

[We All Bleed Crimson]

Good: Solid SEC road win (that covered the spread BTW)
Bad: Officiating. My gosh, I wondered what the refs were looking at some of the time.
Ugly: secondary play. We had more confusion and hesitation than I've seen in a long time. Come on MH you're better than that.

 

[TerryP]

Just consider Terry, neither team could run the football. Ole Miss doesn't have it in their DNA and Arkansas had it taken from them. To watch one-dimensional offenses have their way on the back half of this talented D with the absolute best pass rush I've seen in the Saban era is insane.

Here's where we differ. I'd readily agree to "frustrating," but insane? No. I can't agree with that for reasons cited a few times in this thread.

For years I've said that with Saban's defense we're going to see big plays in the passing game. Normally, it's a couple of times per game. Seeing it more, to me, is frustrating. A good QB will do that to any team no matter how good their pass rush is at that time.

I don't like it and that feeling has to be taken in context with the fact I'm a huge defensive guy. But, I've come to realize over the years that your top players will do that to any team.

One of the givens about our defense is how complicated we are. Just had another article with past player, Mark Barron, saying that the system is more complicated than some NFL systems. You don't want to keep hearing D-backs talk about confusion, busted coverages, and the like, after 6 games. Sometimes less is more and if we are getting blitzed with all these amazing QBs, it may be past time to try and simplify things and try to get the kids to react instead of having this many mental miscues and breakdowns.

This I read as a bit of an exaggeration as well. "...don't want to keep hearing the D-backs..." There are two games you've pointed to here; Ole Miss and Arkansas. After the Ole Miss win, none of the defensive backs talked with the media. So, that's one game where they've mentioned getting beaten.

Saban talked about a few things after the Ole Miss win. Some had to do with penalities, some had to do with execution in the running game, but we didn't hear him make a comment about confusion. Busted assignments? Yes. But, we're going to hear that every game if the subject comes up.

One comment from the presser I recall ... so I went to find the quote.

"It's a little frustrating," Saban said. "But we have to work with the guys and use these things as learning experiences so that we can grow and get better.

[asshole] Funny, that mirrors what I've been saying. [/asshole] h/t

 

[TerryP]

I think we're flirting with trouble like Tennessee to an extent. Put it this way, 2-3 SEC games this has happened to our secondary. Tennessee has a solid quarterback and solid receivers with size, as does Texas A&M. I wonder if we can win 2, maybe three more (LSU) giving up all those yards. More of a curious question than real worry.

Personally, I don't see Dobbs in the same light as I do Trevor Knight when it comes to passing the ball. And, as we've seen from Knight the last year and a half he's far from consistent. In fact, based on who we're going to see play the Tide the remainder of this year, I'd put Dobbs as the third or fourth best QB we'll face.

I can understand how someone could wonder if this will come back to bite—so far, it hasn't. I tend to lean towards the opinion if Bama does get in a shoot-out with TN, or A&M, this team can play well enough in the secondary to win a scoring battle.

 

[ComeOnSon]

Let's hope we're not still talking about this next Monday.

Why Nick Saban is concerned about defense's snap count against Arkansas

 

[JoshB]

I didn't say, we were confused, that teams coming up will beat us if we don't defend better, that we're constantely busting coverage, that we can't get off the field on 3rd down, that we're giving up too many big plays. That would be Fitzpatrick, Humphrey, Jackson, and Saban. They are the ones not buying your theories.

You can pass out all the happy stats that you like, but a picture is worth a 1000 stats.

Look again at how Saban came off that field Saturday.

He was freaking out on a third string safety, are you seriously going to use that as a gauge of how good or bad the secondary is? Saban teaches from whistle to whistle, how is this surprising to you?

 

[JoshB]

Saban was partly upset because he didn't get to play some younger guys on D, cause we couldn't get Allen slowed down. Want to guess then who he was completing all those late passes against? Right, starters.

In what alternate universe? The entire fourth quarter was backup linebackers and defensive line, the last probably three drives were backup defensive backs. What are you even talking about?

 

[TUSKtimes]

He was freaking out on a third string safety, are you seriously going to use that as a gauge of how good or bad the secondary is? Saban teaches from whistle to whistle, how is this surprising to you?

Did you actually read yourself this far or just decide to jump in the fray and guess what's being discussed? My assessment of the secondary's proficiency were direct quotes by the d-backs and coach themselves. I happen to agree wholeheartedly. Not sure why you're struggling so mightily with the written word.

 

[JoshB]

Did you actually read yourself this far or just decide to jump in the fray and guess what's being discussed? My assessment of the secondary's proficiency were direct quotes by the d-backs and coach themselves. I happen to agree wholeheartedly. Not sure why you're struggling so mightily with the written word.

Yes I did read it, unfortunately, but what does that have to do with you using Saban freaking out on a third string safety at the end of the game as a guage on how poor the secondary is? It was dumb, period.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Yes I did read it, unfortunately, but what does that have to do with you using Saban freaking out on a third string safety at the end of the game as a guage on how poor the secondary is? It was dumb, period.

I didn't say it and it was never my point. Which is why you're assuming far more than you can actually quote. Quote it birdman, I'll answer. That outburst was about 400 yards and 4 quarters of undisciplined, confused, passing defense.

 

[JoshB]

I didn't say it and it was never my point. Which is why you're assuming far more than you can actually quote. Quote it birdman, I'll answer. That outburst was about 400 yards and 4 quarters of undisciplined, confused, passing defense.

See this, this is why we know you are clueless. Have a good one.

 

[ComeOnSon]

See this, this is why we know you are clueless. Have a good one.

He's right. It was a totality of circumstances deal. Watch his post game, on field, interview. Gave a cursory "yeah, good win" and immediately went into poor defense for the whole game but especially second half rant. Not once did he say "that fucking third string safety really pissed me off".