🏈 Observations from A-day

[TerryP]

The only real thing I could add from what little I saw on TV was that I liked what athleticism Tony Brown brought to defensive backfield. I saw hardly any of the game... I'd have been a 1000x more interested in one of the spring scrimmages they held.

Hell yes!!!

One great example of that thinking is we saw little, to nothing, from the tight ends. That's been a staple of a Kiffin offense since I've seen him calling plays.

I'm sure there's good that comes from this type of practice but if you want to get an answer or even a clue on the fall it does little.

 

[Eabama]

Foster reminds me of Prince Hall. He's a thumper that doesn't wrap up. Has a nose for the ball, but may not always play his assignment.

 

[bamafan9201]

From what I got to watch on the DVR recording I saw inconsistency at the QB spot. I also saw a few dropped balls that Sims threw that should have been caught earlier on.

Another thing, O-line looked like a sponge, too many gaps in blocking assignments. Not sure if they were just very well played defensive line adjustments or if our O-line wasn't quick enough to get in front of their blocks and allow our backs to pick-up those key 3-4 yard runs on first down.

On the flip side, the receivers and tight ends seemed to seal the corners very well on some of those pulling guard sweeps, they seemed fairly useful.

Another great thing, I noticed that our D-line was hurrying the QB much more, which is something I'd like to see a lot this year pressure on the QB to make a quick play.

Finally, I liked the lack of separation between the DBs and the WRs we're playing much better at the moment in the defensive secondary and Landon Collins looked like he was flying out there from the safety position so he looks to be filling in nicely.

 

[jdpas29]

I'm going to use this post to offer a few of my obs—easier to build on what jdpas has posed than start a new post...

It's been raining for three days now...so, time afforded me to just watch the game a few times.


I stand by my earlier comment in this thread. Still think they looked good. Honestly, I'm not sure which player I'm looking forward to watching in the fall the most; Reed or Pettway.




A few weeks ago we talked a bit about Ragland and the move to inside. I can see why he made the move and can see why he's beaten out Foster.

How will he do in pass coverage?




Geno Smith looked good, didn't he? It's a safe bet, in my eyes, we're looking at Collins and Smith for our two starting safeties.

As a group the corners looked average. If we separate the guys into 1's and 2's? Our 1's looked like they're going to be okay. I worry about guys coming off the bench—Averett is probably my biggest concern.




With all the talk about Henry, he didn't do much at all. I don't think it's fair to judge how he'll do in the fall based on A-day.

Depth, depth, depth...and lastly, depth.




Practice hopefully leads to consistency. I'm not worried about punting.




If we take Sims as one example here it's impossible to judge how he'll do based on the A-day game. He's got a lot of his skill set removed before the game even starts when the QB's are down when they're touched.

That said, there's reason to be concerned with how Sims sees the field. Or, in this case, doesn't. While the TV broadcast didn't show our WR's the way watching the game live will, reports I've gotten today from those who attended mentioned him not seeing guys—consistently.

Now, what I believe has to be taken into account is if you take away the ability to run from Sims you're not only hampering his play making ability but you're undoubtedly affecting how he's thinking in live action as well. If a player is playing on a leash, I don't believe he can be fully engaged mentally.

Cooper did seem to show a pretty good feel for the team.




The right side of the line did a pretty damn good job. The left side? Not so much. We need Jackson to be ready when he gets on campus.

As of today, the two sides seem night and day to me.



I came away with this impression. Adam has a strong leg. His problems are between his ears.

rgr that on the point about Sims being somewhat out of his element in this "tag" environment. The QB position would lean a bit more in his favor also if the O-Line doesn't seem to gel by September. The way AJ was sacked a lot in the last game and now?? makes you wonder if we wouldn't benefit in W/L ratio if we went ahead and started an athlete who may not be the best passer. In Bateman's and Coker's defense also, they are pretty good runners from what i've seen on tape. Cooper is just a bit small to be taking any kind of hits. Coker is a big ol boy. He's not missin any taters at dinnertime.

 

[JoshB]

I came away with this impression. Adam has a strong leg. His problems are between his ears.

One thing to mention, Joey Galloway said that during warm ups Griffith looked back at Saban and asked him if he could walk away because it made him nervous to have Saban looking over his shoulder. Galloway said that Saban looked at him and said, "Son, you do realize I'm going to be on the sideline every week when you have to do this in a game right?"

 

[TerryP]

From what I got to watch on the DVR recording I saw inconsistency at the QB spot. I also saw a few dropped balls that Sims threw that should have been caught earlier on.

Another thing, O-line looked like a sponge, too many gaps in blocking assignments. Not sure if they were just very well played defensive line adjustments or if our O-line wasn't quick enough to get in front of their blocks and allow our backs to pick-up those key 3-4 yard runs on first down.

On the flip side, the receivers and tight ends seemed to seal the corners very well on some of those pulling guard sweeps, they seemed fairly useful.

Another great thing, I noticed that our D-line was hurrying the QB much more, which is something I'd like to see a lot this year pressure on the QB to make a quick play.

Finally, I liked the lack of separation between the DBs and the WRs we're playing much better at the moment in the defensive secondary and Landon Collins looked like he was flying out there from the safety position so he looks to be filling in nicely.

Robert Foster stood out to me here. I was specifically watching the offensive line when I noticed a receiver doing just that. Rewind; it's Foster. The next time I noticed it, again while watching the line, I'll admit to thinking "was that Foster again?" Twas.

 

[TerryP]

rgr that on the point about Sims being somewhat out of his element in this "tag" environment. The QB position would lean a bit more in his favor also if the O-Line doesn't seem to gel by September. The way AJ was sacked a lot in the last game and now?? makes you wonder if we wouldn't benefit in W/L ratio if we went ahead and started an athlete who may not be the best passer. In Bateman's and Coker's defense also, they are pretty good runners from what i've seen on tape. Cooper is just a bit small to be taking any kind of hits. Coker is a big ol boy. He's not missin any taters at dinnertime.

Bateman/Coker runners? Can we agree on mobile?

I not only understand what you're thinking about what benefit we may get in W's and L's, part of me somewhat agrees. I still don't see it happening.

In essence, it seems like we'd be walking into games with two game plans.

I'm leaning in the direction of thinking that the arrival of Dominick should be more anticipated than Coker.

I'd hate to see us scheme for extra protection on the left side with our fullback and tight end, ya know?

---

In the end, we're probably over-thinking all of this.

 

[MissingRing]

I wouldn't characterize Bateman as a runner, but he is good at dodging pressure. I recall one play from Saturday when he looked very "AJ McCarron-like." The pass rusher was coming on strong, Bateman quickly sidestepped and kept his eyes focused downfield for an open receiver. Ultimately, there was no pass play available and Bateman sprinted out of bounds without trying to force anything. I don't know if Bateman is the answer at QB, but he's ahead of Simms in my book.

 

[UAgrad93]

Both QBs made mistakes that come due to a lack of experience. I watched Sims stare down a receiver or two and I watched Bateman hold on to a ball instead of throwing it away. Those scrimmage stats we all read came from situations ( red zone, two minute, etc.) and from the entire playbook. What we saw Sat was 10% of what we will do with no two minute stuff at all. I'm excited about our front 7! We look like we can get some really good push from the front line without having to send extras! O line play was suspect at times but is to be expected at this point in time. DB play looked solid. I think the addition of a couple of guys in the Fall plus the return of Eddie Jackson from surgery will help. Tony Brown was impressive with the one wing. Who else dives to try and block a kick with a bum shoulder that will need some surgery in a dang scrimmage? If we go back and look at CNS 7 previous Spring games, we not once have had a team put over 20pts on the scoreboard. To me, we divide our squad up in the best possible way to provide competition and put the most stress on both sides of the ball. Seriously, what good would it have been to put all of our scholly guys on the Crimson team and run them out against all of our walk ons and hang 58pts on them? How good would they have gotten? Would they have been tested? Did they get better? HELL NO!!

 

[Mahout]

Reuben Foster's problems

Reuben Foster is a huge hitter, but as Mosley pointed out last year; his biggest problem is keeping his head up when tackling.

Unless he gets that fixed he won't have much of a football career. Kamikazes make some impressive hits, but there isn't much longevity to them.

 

[JoshB]

What we saw Sat was 10% of what we will do with no two minute stuff at all.

Agree with it being a small piece of the playbook obviously but we did see two minute. In fact Saban got pissed at Kirby for trying to run the clock out for the white team and called a time out himself telling he better not see them under center again.

 

[bamatommy]

The best play I saw (I watched the first half then left) was when Cooper Bateman threw a 34-yard pass (don't remember who caught it) that went to the two-yard line. So it was first-and-goal from the two. But they went backward, and missed a field goal. Can't come away with no points like that. You really can't afford to not get SIX POINTS in that situation. But I understand that it's very conservative in spring ball.

 

[JoshB]

^^^ Robert Foster caught that pass, over the shoulder beautiful catch.

 

[TerryP]

The best play I saw (I watched the first half then left) was when Cooper Bateman threw a 34-yard pass (don't remember who caught it) that went to the two-yard line. So it was first-and-goal from the two. But they went backward, and missed a field goal. Can't come away with no points like that. You really can't afford to not get SIX POINTS in that situation. But I understand that it's very conservative in spring ball.

In the goal to go downs I came away encouraged about goal line defense.