🏈 I still haven't watched the game, but here's the first of a few random thoughts until I do...

[TerryP]

...I figure we'll talk about this spring for a few months so now is as good of a time as any for a few early thoughts on this spring.

As far as the INT's, there's a few things there that I don't need to see. I could tell by AJ's remarks, at least two of the INT's were throws he wouldn't make in a game. Hey, it's about like having fun. I've seen a few comments—and I'll have to watch the game to see who this is—about how one of the receivers quit on his route which led to the third. BTW, third doesn't mean chronologically.

The biggest thing that sticks out to me about the passing game and A-day? We had 17 different guys catch the ball. Putting that in perspective that will lead to the ball being spread around to at least 7-9 guys per game, I'd say. That's good distribution. By seasons end, if we have ≈350 yards from the H-back position it'll mean this offense had a good year.

Yeldon. Setting what happened Saturday aside.

He's had a really good work ethic since he's arrived. In practice, he's said to take it as seriously as one would take a real game day. For a compliment from a player about another player...let's just say that one carries a lot of weight, yes?

About two months ago I mentioned what I was hearing about the defensive line. I'd dare say they didn't disappoint.

Here we are again with the right to say, "it's going to be hard to run on our defense." (FWIW, I also assume statements like that are what others call "Alabama Arrogance.")

 

[TerryP]

BTW, did any of you guys happen to catch who didn't have a reception? No big deal, but I was shocked not to see the name.

Oh, and on tackles. That's interesting to look at...

 

[JoshB]

The first pick (first play from scrimmage) is def. one I would hope AJ won't make during a game. Bell was covered up and it was not a good decision, good read by Lester tho. The 2nd was tipped by one of the receivers right into HaHa's hands. I didn't get a good view of the third one, just that Vinnie jumped in front of whatever receiver was there.

The interesting thing I saw on defense was Nico and CJ on different sides. I took it as maybe Smart & Saban looking at both in game situations at the MIC, maybe? Maybe whoever gets the nod there (I would assume Nico tho CJ had like 11 tackles) would then mean the other either goes to WILL or SAM? And then DePriest takes the other spot? Hubbard at the JACK? Just me guessing.



I have no clue what receiver you're talking about, I think the only ones that didnt get catches were Shinn & Amari Cooper.

 

[CrimsonPirate]

I wasn't at the game nor did I see it on TV. Are there plans to re-show it? If so, where and when?

 

[Brandon Van de Graaff]

I wasn't at the game nor did I see it on TV. Are there plans to re-show it? If so, where and when?

Check out ESPN3... http://espn.go.com/watchespn/player/_/source/espn3/id/446240/size/condensed/

 

[shipley00]

...I figure we'll talk about this spring for a few months so now is as good of a time as any for a few early thoughts on this spring.

As far as the INT's, there's a few things there that I don't need to see. I could tell by AJ's remarks, at least two of the INT's were throws he wouldn't make in a game. Hey, it's about like having fun. I've seen a few comments—and I'll have to watch the game to see who this is—about how one of the receivers quit on his route which led to the third. BTW, third doesn't mean chronologically.

I want to say it was Norwood, but not positive. It was a veteran receiver which is disappointing. He totally gave up on the route, slowing down right as AJ was making the throw. It was a heck of an adjustment by Vinnie as he was playing the receiver.

 

[XXL TideFan]

We have somewhere along the lines of 21 players that was on the 09 roster with an additional 23 from last years roster. That is 44 players with tons of big game experience. When we come out of red stick with a win, it will be on. We have a freakin' bulldozer for an offensive line and demolition crew for a defensive line. Unless there is a serious mental breakdown (LSU '11) I believe that we will run the table.

 

[bamaraider]

We have somewhere along the lines of 21 players that was on the 09 roster with an additional 23 from last years roster. That is 44 players with tons of big game experience. When we come out of red stick with a win, it will be on. We have a freakin' bulldozer for an offensive line and demolition crew for a defensive line. Unless there is a serious mental breakdown (LSU '11) I believe that we will run the table.

IF we can just stay healthy though, that is my biggest concern for this year. They way our defense looked I really don't see that much of drop off due to the fact we had many games going out of hand so our 2's got a lot of game-time experience . If you remember the '10 season we sustained a lot of injuries in some very key games, esp. in the o-line and I hate sounding negative but Barret Jones has had sort of ankle issues.

 

[TerryP]

IF we can just stay healthy though, that is my biggest concern for this year. They way our defense looked I really don't see that much of drop off due to the fact we had many games going out of hand so our 2's got a lot of game-time experience . If you remember the '10 season we sustained a lot of injuries in some very key games, esp. in the o-line and I hate sounding negative but Barret Jones has had sort of ankle issues.

The number was in the low 30's...as in games starters missed throughout that season.

 

[LBS]

Have only seen the first half replay. This is what sticks out to me.
--McCarron's first pass, the interception, was so wrong that I'm still not sure what to make of it. He threw off his back foot, into double covereage, the ball was behind the receiver. THIS was the next game pass after the guy wins the BCS NCG MVP?
--In contrast, he finished the first half throwing 11 for 15. And the was pulled down when Jalston Fowler dropped 2 of the last 3 passes AJ made (One would have been a TD). All in all AJ had a fantastic first half from that respect.
--Fowler dropping passes. Too early to call it a trend/pattern or even to lable him as having bad hands, but noting the way that we apparently spread the ball around and how we trow to RBs (note Yeldon leading all receivers), we will suffer if our #2 can't catch.
--Fowler is a BEAST. I think he is as thick as he is wide.
--I was happy for our kickers. They seem to be representing themselves well.
--Kickoff covereage, although not live, looked weak. I hope it is one of the aspects that simply can't be evaluated in an A-Day game format.
--QB Ely is faster than I knew, albeit it was running when I thought he was flushed too early.
--The most remarkable play to me was C. Jones' TD catch there at the end of the half. Amazing hands to snatch that ball. Great close on the ball as well. I thought that pass was being thrown away, then Superman with the Kung Fu grip darts into the screen and turns it into a TD. Certainly a "Did you see that moment" that sends views scrambling for the rewind button.
--I was surprised that A. Cooper did not show up. I think this kid is special.

 

[rammerjammer]

Kickoff covereage, although not live, looked weak. I hope it is one of the aspects that simply can't be evaluated in an A-Day game format.

As bad as it sounds, it appears that the guys "pull-up" and half-ass it on kick off coverage at A-day. This is the 6th one in a row I have attended and it always appears to be that way. Guys know that they will only get "so-far" before the play is called dead. Looking at A-day trying to get a feel for kick off coverage is useless, for sure.

 

[c5vetman]

As bad as it sounds, it appears that the guys "pull-up" and half-ass it on kick off coverage at A-day. This is the 6th one in a row I have attended and it always appears to be that way. Guys know that they will only get "so-far" before the play is called dead. Looking at A-day trying to get a feel for kick off coverage is useless, for sure.

most injuries happen on kickoffs, you don't want someone injuried in a glorified practice, do you? I don't. What do you want to see? A big safety or linebacker coming full speed and de-cleat our best return guy? That would be awesome, if not for the fact they're both on "our" team! Leave that for when it counts.

 

[LBS]

most injuries happen on kickoffs, you don't want someone injuried in a glorified practice, do you? I don't. What do you want to see? A big safety or linebacker coming full speed and de-cleat our best return guy? That would be awesome, if not for the fact they're both on "our" team! Leave that for when it counts.

I'm familiar with the game. As is everyone on this forum, and none want to see anyone hurts, so leave the sarcastic tone some place else.

What would be nice is to see the kick coverage players flying, to the correct position, broken down in a football position ready to make a tackle, and we all would prefer that to be somewhere at least inside the 30. Just like the Defense did up until the point where they stopped before crushing our QBs. Just like the Defense, the players' effort and actions should be of a level that even the fans can be left with confidence that the play would have ended correctly. That did not happen. As the post before yours pointed out, it looked like they did it half-way. I don't think CNS would have stood for "half-way efforts" for the entire team. Relative to the rest of the team, relative to a Championship team, it stunk.