🏈 Is throwing deep still worth a try even when you're not successful?

[BamaDelta]

I'm still a little perplexed at the way the game started Sat. night. We started off looking good with Ingram rattling off some good runs. Then on 2nd and 1 we do some kind of QB run which was crazy, but I'm getting off track.

I don't remember how far the balls were thrown, but Greg went downfield to Hanks in the end zone and then to Maze too far out of bounds. Then I think he went to Julio one more time, and the ball was too high.

My question becomes do you keep trying that until you execute or give it up altogether? We pretty much gave it up. Unless I'm not remembering that was about it for the night throwing downfield. I actually got aggravated when it was happening, but to be honest had it been executed I would have been thrilled.

It's like Ole Miss knew from them on out that was it for the long ball. Any ideas on why we totally abandoned it and why Greg didn't go to Hanks the rest of the game?????

 

[Argo]

I'm still a little perplexed at the way the game started Sat. night. We started off looking good with Ingram rattling off some good runs. Then on 2nd and 1 we do some kind of QB run which was crazy, but I'm getting off track.

I don't remember how far the balls were thrown, but Greg went downfield to Hanks in the end zone and then to Maze too far out of bounds. Then I think he went to Julio one more time, and the ball was too high.

My question becomes do you keep trying that until you execute or give it up altogether? We pretty much gave it up. Unless I'm not remembering that was about it for the night throwing downfield. I actually got aggravated when it was happening, but to be honest had it been executed I would have been thrilled.

It's like Ole Miss knew from them on out that was it for the long ball. Any ideas on why we totally abandoned it and why Greg didn't go to Hanks the rest of the game?????

IMO, we're not making the defense defend anything other than 15 yards past the line of scrimmage. Bubble screens, screens, dump routes underneath. Which is causing our actual running plays to get bottled up quickly. So yeah, we need to throw deep, and we need to be somewhat successful when doing so.

 

[AFF]

The way Saban has been talking - if he sees a certain defense (stacking the box, etc) then, as he put it, "you've got to pass".


Our opponents think they've found our Achilles heel - and they have.

It all goes back to our (in)ability to hit the long pass play to keep them honest.

McElroy has the accuracy to hurt them deep when he's on his game.

But, until he finds his rhythm, it'll be tough for our offense.

When he does, we're going to light up the scoreboard.

 

[doemasters]

i just wonder when we will see some of the plays they ran on Aday, they ran a play where trent came out of the backfield and did a route about 40 yards down the sideline and was hit in stride. Maybe i imagined that play

 

[AFF]

i just wonder when we will see some of the plays they ran on Aday, they ran a play where trent came out of the backfield and did a route about 40 yards down the sideline and was hit in stride. Maybe i imagined that play

Is this it? (at the 3:30 and 4:00 marks)

[video=youtube;IiE4GnOLDig]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IiE4GnOLDig[/video]

 

[gumboman]

I agree, we need the deep ball threat, if for nothing else, to open up the run. The run worked right out of the gates this weekend, as our backs ran with intensity and looked as if they wanted to punish defenders. That lasted all of about half of the first quarter. The rest of the first half, our offense looked like they just wanted to get off of the field. In the second half, Trent ran the ball like he did in the first four games. Like a mad-man! Ingram did not pick up the pace, IMO, as he normally does. I think maybe Trent and Mark have gotten a little "comfortable" in their starting roles.

If you remember two years ago, with Coffee and Ingram, Glenn CLEARLY picked up the pace after Ingram came in and ran the ball. Kinda kept Coffee in check. Who keeps Ingram and Richardson in check? I know Lacey is prone to fumble, but he runs the ball hard. I also think we were successful at runningback because there was always a fear of losing your starting position. This year, I don't think we have that fear. In the first four games, our backs hit the hole like they were being chased, and picked up yardage after contact. Lately, I see abunch of tip-toeing, waiting for the parting of the Red Sea. Granted, we are banged up on the OL, but so is everyone in college football. The intensity was there at kickoff, but it quickly faded. What gives?

 

[TideAlum05]

In short, yes. And they really don't need to that deep. We just need to complete some 15- 20 yard (in the air) passes. A few 20 yard gains and they'll have to back off some, or we just keep doing it. The question is whether or not Greg can do this. I think he can. Let's just get to the bye at 7-1 and let the guys get healthy and let the coaches correct our passing game.

 

[tidenumber1]

I felt like early on when we did try some deeper passes that McElroy was a little to pumped up to do good. When he finally settled in we quit throwing the ball downfeild. As to your question I think you still have to throw deep even when there is no sucess just to keep the D honest. By not taking shots downfeild I believe it is hurting our run game. Everyone seems to know that they only have to defend 15 yards so there are more players there to focus on the run.

 

[Ump]

The problem with being good at the long ball is you must practice it and throw it in every game to keep Gmac on target. Something coach Snow taught us in JR High...just saying.

 

[Nospoweredram]

i just wonder when we will see some of the plays they ran on Aday, they ran a play where trent came out of the backfield and did a route about 40 yards down the sideline and was hit in stride. Maybe i imagined that play

My guess is next year.............AJ was making those throws. :td:

 

[psychojoe]

My first impression of Greg was in the 2008 game against the barn. He came in late to mop up and they were in press man so he threw one over the top for a td. Some of the barners whined about it all winter. Yes, he can make those throws.

 

[Duder]

Well, the answer is yes for two reasons.

1) He can't find a rhythm if he isn't allowed to try it. If you want improvement, you have to let it rip at times and hope they pick it up again.
2) If your offense stops even attempting to throw it deep, then as was stated earlier, the defense isn't forced to defend too much past the line of scrimmage. It puts all eleven men in position to bottle up the running game quickly. Even if they are able to break to the second level of the defense, everyone will be there waiting for them.

Early in the season Bama showed the ability to throw deep, they just didn't need to. The playcalling is going to have to improve, quickly, if Bama is to avoid the oft-discussed second loss of the season. If they can craft their identity, or find it again, they can avoid that and still have a chance to do big things this year.

 

[jdpas29]

when you have receivers that are tall and athletic like Julio and some others that are riding the pine most of the time, why not throw a few low-risk jump balls when we're on their side of the field and we've got man coverage. let them go up and make a play. if it works 50% of the time it's a huge game changer. if you get picked off chances is are it won't go for 6 if it's that far down the field. it's basically a good punt.

 

[BamaMastiff44]

All I can say is, we had better find someone to throw the deep ball! The Barn put up 65pts. Last weekend....why don't we bring A.J. in several plays a game and try switching it up! A lot of teams have done that with success...

Roll Tide Roll!

 

[St Augustide]

Greg is so scared to throw an interception that even when he has receivers deep he throws it where it will be a fingertip catch or nothing at all. I know you guys have seen what I am talking about. Almost every deep ball that he throws is an overthrow or he leads the receiver out of bounds. He is the same way with intermediate routes, he is so scared to let the ball go that he throws late or not at all. The only exceptions are plays that the throws are predetermined like screens or slants. He doesnt read and throw very decisively. This is one of the reasons that we heard all the receivers in the spring talk about loving AJ's throwing so much. He puts the ball on a receivers hands in rythm where they can make a play and/or get out of the way of oncoming defenders. Greg for all the things that are great about him as a QB does not get the balls to our receivers in rythm where they can make plays after the catch. He is too indecisive.

T

 

[UAgrad93]

You got to chunk it deep to keep the defenses honest even when you don't hit them. It backs them off and allows runs and the short passing game to be more successful. Right now, we aren't taking the deep throws (35yds+) and are more than willing to dink and dunk. That is why those checkdown passes to Mark and Trent aren't ripping apart defenses because we haven't thrown a ball beyond 35 yards in about 5-6 games.

 

[joeman546]

Well, the answer is yes for two reasons.

1) He can't find a rhythm if he isn't allowed to try it. If you want improvement, you have to let it rip at times and hope they pick it up again.
2) If your offense stops even attempting to throw it deep, then as was stated earlier, the defense isn't forced to defend too much past the line of scrimmage. It puts all eleven men in position to bottle up the running game quickly. Even if they are able to break to the second level of the defense, everyone will be there waiting for them.

Early in the season Bama showed the ability to throw deep, they just didn't need to. The playcalling is going to have to improve, quickly, if Bama is to avoid the oft-discussed second loss of the season. If they can craft their identity, or find it again, they can avoid that and still have a chance to do big things this year.​

I second this, and he definately needs more opportunities than what he is getting at the moment. You really need a good feel for the speed of the recievers vs the air \put under the deep ball in order to get it there. Even elite QBs will struggle with that if they dont get many opportunities. There was a time near the beginning of last year where greg went deep early and often, and each time it excited me because it usually resulted in a big play. Then he had his first slump, and we never did it at the same explosive pace again. Ever. And its really not fair to greg either, because our offense has been getting wrapped in being "safe" we cant be the explosive offense we showed off in Aday, and greg doesnt get to show his ability properly.​