🏈 Keith "porkchop" Connell: Random Thoughts About the Game

[CRIMSONTUSKS.COM BLOG]

By Keith Connell (porkchop)

It may not have happened like a lot of fans thought it would but we won, and that's the important thing, regardless of how pretty or ugly it was. I had a few random thoughts regarding yesterday, and wanted to get everyone's opinion as well.1. To be the best, you ...

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[TerryP]

I'll get back to this in some of the other points, but got a few things to do before that...

So, just to address one thing, your #4, the Wildcat.

In all honestly, this shouldn't have come as a shock.

On the practice videos embedded here there were several that had evidence of the team in a wildcat formation. None that Mark as the main carrier if I recall correctly.

When I saw them, just using simple logic, I surmised that it wasn't something we were going to use in our offense but something we were practicing against in prep work.

As it ends up, I was wrong.

I am not a fan of the Wildcat, but I have to say I disagree with everyone's criticism of it being used.

We had one to two of those calls gain some good yards. The rest ended up with gains of two, maybe three yards at best.

You know what's ironic? We had just as many plays out of our ACE set, normal base formation that ended up with two, maybe three yards at best.

And, then we have to weigh in how the Wildcat is a formation that is best countered by speed. Speed...something VT has just a little of on defense. :lance:

 

[BamaCore]

About number three. What I think is that we're not necessarily having and identity crisis, but we're trying to be as multiple as we possibly can. You ask what we are, but at the same time future opposing defensive coordinators are asking the same thing about us.

On to the wildcat. I have a hard time believing that Saban would do anything just because everyone else is doing it. I know this sounds cliche and that Saban is human...but I have to believe he put this in for a purpose. I trust his judgement on this considering his defensive background. After having to scheme against the possibility of the formation being used at many different times last year, you have to believe he saw something in it.

 

[Argo]

One thing that really stood out to me last night.

We run the ball much better out of shotgun formation than we do any other. The wildcat formation had a few good runs. I'm not sure the ace formation had any good runs, and the I formation we ran once, I think, didn't look good.

Put us in shotgun though, and we were running wild.

 

['65 Cobra]

I agree about the Wildcat and giving Saban the benefit of the doubt - he deserves it. I would also add that the Blog doesn't really give VaTech its due. Coming in at #7, VaTech was riding high expectations (and still is), for an ACC Championship. Even without Evans, this team gave us quite a battle on all fronts and they have an EXCELLENT defense. In fact, as I said in another thread, I believe the Hokie defense we saw last night will be among the top two or three defenses we play all season - IF NOT THE BEST. That is, of course, unless we end up playing Florida in the SECCG.

I think this game was a major character-builder for both teams, and it will turn out to be very good for us. The fact that it wasn't a "perfect storm" blowout victory for us as so many wanted will provide the fuel for continuous improvement seriously needed on a team that went 12-0 last year, but that has so many new players at so many positions on the offense. The fact that they actually moved the ball on us (they only had 64 net yards rushing, but 121 yards overall gained), will bring the defense back down to earth and light a major fire making them even better - scary thought. GMac, with some Shaun Alexander motivation, worked his way out of his own slump - MAJOR confidence builder. His baptism by fire is just what the doctor ordered. How about an O-Line with three newbies that actually had to work for it - start to finish? I think this is a good thing - they will indeed gel.

Playing a true top 10 school has shown us the weak spots and now we have several games to work on them. This game also showed not only our depth but our commitment to "finish." We won the 4th quarter hands down. We had more stamina, we had more mental toughness, and we were GAINING in confidence and energy. This is one of the hallmarks of Saban teams. It also showed how incredibly deep we are in the talent department. Now we need to hone the details and promote gelling especially along the offensive line.

Lastly, let's not forget our last 5 quarters before coming into last night. This team just took a major step and identifying themselves as their own team, not just what was left from 2008.

 

[Tideboy]

I agree about the Wildcat and giving Saban the benefit of the doubt - he deserves it. I would also add that the Blog doesn't really give VaTech its due. Coming in at #7, VaTech was riding high expectations (and still is), for an ACC Championship. Even without Evans, this team gave us quite a battle on all fronts and they have an EXCELLENT defense. In fact, as I said in another thread, I believe the Hokie defense we saw last night will be among the top two or three defenses we play all season - IF NOT THE BEST. That is, of course, unless we end up playing Florida in the SECCG.

I think this game was a major character-builder for both teams, and it will turn out to be very good for us. The fact that it wasn't a "perfect storm" blowout victory for us as so many wanted will provide the fuel for continuous improvement seriously needed on a team that went 12-0 last year, but that has so many new players at so many positions on the offense. The fact that they actually moved the ball on us (they only had 64 net yards rushing, but 121 yards overall gained), will bring the defense back down to earth and light a major fire making them even better - scary thought. GMac, with some Shaun Alexander motivation, worked his way out of his own slump - MAJOR confidence builder. His baptism by fire is just what the doctor ordered. How about an O-Line with three newbies that actually had to work for it - start to finish? I think this is a good thing - they will indeed gel.

Playing a true top 10 school has shown us the weak spots and now we have several games to work on them. This game also showed not only our depth but our commitment to "finish." We won the 4th quarter hands down. We had more stamina, we had more mental toughness, and we were GAINING in confidence and energy. This is one of the hallmarks of Saban teams. It also showed how incredibly deep we are in the talent department. Now we need to hone the details and promote gelling especially along the offensive line.

Lastly, let's not forget our last 5 quarters before coming into last night. This team just took a major step and identifying themselves as their own team, not just what was left from 2008.

Very nice Cobra! :td:

 

[porkchop]

I'll get back to this in some of the other points, but got a few things to do before that...

So, just to address one thing, your #4, the Wildcat.

In all honestly, this shouldn't have come as a shock.

On the practice videos embedded here there were several that had evidence of the team in a wildcat formation. None that Mark as the main carrier if I recall correctly.

When I saw them, just using simple logic, I surmised that it wasn't something we were going to use in our offense but something we were practicing against in prep work.

As it ends up, I was wrong.

I am not a fan of the Wildcat, but I have to say I disagree with everyone's criticism of it being used.

We had one to two of those calls gain some good yards. The rest ended up with gains of two, maybe three yards at best.

You know what's ironic? We had just as many plays out of our ACE set, normal base formation that ended up with two, maybe three yards at best.

And, then we have to weigh in how the Wildcat is a formation that is best countered by speed. Speed...something VT has just a little of on defense. :lance:

I'm not so surprised in the wild cat itself, because we suspected that was coming, as you alluded to Terry. If I'm not mistaken it was reported that Trent had been running it in practice.

I'm just surprised we really didn't do much with it. Pretty much the same play every time, with (I think) 1 give to Julio?

 

[TerryP]

I'm not so surprised in the wild cat itself, because we suspected that was coming, as you alluded to Terry. If I'm not mistaken it was reported that Trent had been running it in practice.

I'm just surprised we really didn't do much with it. Pretty much the same play every time, with (I think) 1 give to Julio?

One give to Julio, yes. But, I see the lack of success on that play in the same light as I see the lack of success in all but a few plays in the same light.

A short piece here...

New offensive scheme. Needs time to develop.

Execution—hate using that term because it's been used so often. But, it really comes into play with that scheme.

 

[musso]

We had one to two of those calls gain some good yards. The rest ended up with gains of two, maybe three yards at best.

You know what's ironic? We had just as many plays out of our ACE set, normal base formation that ended up with two, maybe three yards at best.

And, then we have to weigh in how the Wildcat is a formation that is best countered by speed. Speed...something VT has just a little of on defense. :lance:

at the risk of pointing out the obvious, our coaches evidently concluded long ago that this year's OL would not possess the same run blocking potency of last year's group. a disappointing 3rd down and 1 from last night comes to mind.

as much as last year's running style fancies me, i credit the coaches with trying to adjust the offense around our personel.

 

[TerryP]

at the risk of pointing out the obvious, our coaches evidently concluded long ago that this year's OL would not possess the same run blocking potency of last year's group. a disappointing 3rd down and 1 from last night comes to mind.

as much as last year's running style fancies me, i credit the coaches with trying to adjust the offense around our personel.

Let's assume you are right.

If it was "obvious," which I don't have any reason to believe, why did they run between the tackles every time except twice?—once, with a hand-off to Julio and once when Mark was headed between the tackles, and bounced it outside?

Personally, I see it a case where it was used to offer a different look for that defense. I don't believe we'll see a better one this regular season.

A different opening day opponent, we might not have seen it at all.

We'll know the next two weeks if they are working on refining that system or if it was just a specific offensive approach for that defense.

Personally, I'm thinking (and it's just a guess) that it'll be used sporadically but used more often if we end in ATL...

 

[bear facts]

I agree about the Wildcat and giving Saban the benefit of the doubt - he deserves it. I would also add that the Blog doesn't really give VaTech its due. Coming in at #7, VaTech was riding high expectations (and still is), for an ACC Championship. Even without Evans, this team gave us quite a battle on all fronts and they have an EXCELLENT defense. In fact, as I said in another thread, I believe the Hokie defense we saw last night will be among the top two or three defenses we play all season - IF NOT THE BEST. That is, of course, unless we end up playing Florida in the SECCG.

I think this game was a major character-builder for both teams, and it will turn out to be very good for us. The fact that it wasn't a "perfect storm" blowout victory for us as so many wanted will provide the fuel for continuous improvement seriously needed on a team that went 12-0 last year, but that has so many new players at so many positions on the offense. The fact that they actually moved the ball on us (they only had 64 net yards rushing, but 121 yards overall gained), will bring the defense back down to earth and light a major fire making them even better - scary thought. GMac, with some Shaun Alexander motivation, worked his way out of his own slump - MAJOR confidence builder. His baptism by fire is just what the doctor ordered. How about an O-Line with three newbies that actually had to work for it - start to finish? I think this is a good thing - they will indeed gel.

Playing a true top 10 school has shown us the weak spots and now we have several games to work on them. This game also showed not only our depth but our commitment to "finish." We won the 4th quarter hands down. We had more stamina, we had more mental toughness, and we were GAINING in confidence and energy. This is one of the hallmarks of Saban teams. It also showed how incredibly deep we are in the talent department. Now we need to hone the details and promote gelling especially along the offensive line.

Lastly, let's not forget our last 5 quarters before coming into last night. This team just took a major step and identifying themselves as their own team, not just what was left from 2008.

I second Tideboy's sentiment. Enjoyed your reply, Cobra.

 

[shipley00]

You raise some good points her K. I asked earlier, with no resonse, why GMac seemed to be looking down his 1st read and rarely, if ever, looking for the 2nd read. Is it the coaching staff "dumbing it down" in GMac's first start againts a very good D, or are we in for the same thing we've been in for the last 5 or 6 years with our QB? I had heard much during spring practice about Greg checking off at the line and his ability to find the open receiver, but did see that Saturday.

 

[4th-and-1]

i think everyone is overthinking gmac's performance saturday.. that was his first gollege start.. it was a huge game.. the defense was really swarming him.. of course it is going to take him some time to get adjusted.. this was a top 10 match-up with championship implications..
he got his groove after a bit and looked like a solid qb.. the next two games will get him on his feet.. after that we can throw him to the dogs if he screws up..

biggest stat....

30 pass attempts.. technically 0 interceptions..

can't really blame his decision making for the one he had.. pretty impressive against a beamer ball team.

 

[musso]

Let's assume you are right.

If it was "obvious," which I don't have any reason to believe, why did they run between the tackles every time except twice?—once, with a hand-off to Julio and once when Mark was headed between the tackles, and bounced it outside?

Personally, I see it a case where it was used to offer a different look for that defense. I don't believe we'll see a better one this regular season.

A different opening day opponent, we might not have seen it at all.

We'll know the next two weeks if they are working on refining that system or if it was just a specific offensive approach for that defense.

Personally, I'm thinking (and it's just a guess) that it'll be used sporadically but used more often if we end in ATL...

well maybe my usage of "obvious" is not justified, but here's another person who recorded what i remembered seeing Sat night.

2. Where the Tide ran: Football teams try and play to their strengths and last year that meant running behind the left side of the line (until near the end of the season). Saturday, the Tide had its greatest success running outside of the tackles, breaking runs of 39, 33, 19, 18, 16 and 14 yards. Granted, one of those carries resulted in a fumble, but the change in philosophy was noteworthy.

http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=985276

i'm willing to go on record as predicting McElroy remaining in the shot gun most of the time this season and our backs running more east and west than last season.

 

[BigAl]

When gmac gets a little more experience and the OL gels just a little bit he's gonna be a fine qb. I have to say i am impressed.

 

[TerryP]

http://alabama.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=985276

i'm willing to go on record as predicting McElroy remaining in the shot gun most of the time this season and our backs running more east and west than last season.

Your example doesn't fit the conversation Musso...we are talking about the Wildcat formation.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

I agree about the Wildcat and giving Saban the benefit of the doubt - he deserves it. I would also add that the Blog doesn't really give VaTech its due. Coming in at #7, VaTech was riding high expectations (and still is), for an ACC Championship. Even without Evans, this team gave us quite a battle on all fronts and they have an EXCELLENT defense. In fact, as I said in another thread, I believe the Hokie defense we saw last night will be among the top two or three defenses we play all season - IF NOT THE BEST. That is, of course, unless we end up playing Florida in the SECCG.

I think this game was a major character-builder for both teams, and it will turn out to be very good for us. The fact that it wasn't a "perfect storm" blowout victory for us as so many wanted will provide the fuel for continuous improvement seriously needed on a team that went 12-0 last year, but that has so many new players at so many positions on the offense. The fact that they actually moved the ball on us (they only had 64 net yards rushing, but 121 yards overall gained), will bring the defense back down to earth and light a major fire making them even better - scary thought. GMac, with some Shaun Alexander motivation, worked his way out of his own slump - MAJOR confidence builder. His baptism by fire is just what the doctor ordered. How about an O-Line with three newbies that actually had to work for it - start to finish? I think this is a good thing - they will indeed gel.

Playing a true top 10 school has shown us the weak spots and now we have several games to work on them. This game also showed not only our depth but our commitment to "finish." We won the 4th quarter hands down. We had more stamina, we had more mental toughness, and we were GAINING in confidence and energy. This is one of the hallmarks of Saban teams. It also showed how incredibly deep we are in the talent department. Now we need to hone the details and promote gelling especially along the offensive line.

Lastly, let's not forget our last 5 quarters before coming into last night. This team just took a major step and identifying themselves as their own team, not just what was left from 2008.

Excellent post Cobra!!

 

[musso]

Your example doesn't fit the conversation Musso...we are talking about the Wildcat formation.

1. you were talking about the Wildcat formation.

2. i added to your comment with what i termed an "obvious" supporting fact, that our coaches probably determined that this year's OL would not be as strong in run bocking as last year's OL which included two all-americans.

3. you then questioned my assertion about this year's OL by claiming that we still ran between the tackles on Sat night. you also speculated that the Wildcat was mainly installed for the VT game and might even be shelved until the end of the season, presumably until we face another top defense.

4. i tried to merely counter your statistical claim with evidence to the contrary, emphasizing us running wide. i may be wrong (and i hope i'm wrong), but i'm only saying that with the departure of Caldwell and Smith, it is likely that we won't be able to push opposing Dlines off the LOS as well as we did last year. as a result, i expect to see the Wildcat, Pistol, and other such wrinkles all season long. i also expect to see McElroy in the shot gun more than JP last year.

 

['65 Cobra]

I second Tideboy's sentiment. Enjoyed your reply, Cobra.

Many thanks, bear!

 

['65 Cobra]

Excellent post Cobra!!

Appreciate it, Bama1966!