🏈 Post Kiffin Era

[Tidestalker]

Can't wait.

Although many of you will defend him, deep down you excited too

 

[EasyTider]

Run the D amn Ball Sark

 

[planomateo]

/rant/ You'd think in 3 years people would learn how to spell his name, nope they still call him Kiffen. Obviously not directed at you.

I think Kiffin's done a very good job as an OC and I'm ready to be frustrated by the next OC.

 

[TUSKtimes]

/rant/ You'd think in 3 years people would learn how to spell his name, nope they still call him Kiffen.

Bet Kiffen can't spell identity.

 

[It Takes Eleven]

Our head coach isn't changing, so I remain excited.

 

[alabama mike]

CLK is an excellent OC. He has taken 3 different QB's with different skill sets and produced outstanding offenses at Bama. I believe that the offensive stats over the last 3 years would show that at no time has Bama had more offensive production than with Kiffin calling plays.

The down side I have with Kiffin is that he does not stay with the hot hand in the running game. D. Henry was running wild against OSU in the national semi-final game and we go away from the run. Recently, B. Scarbough was getting nice yards against an excellent Washington defense and we continued with play action. Many of the runs Hurts had was off of called pass plays.

Personally, I wish him well at Florida Atlantic and want to thank him for the GREAT job he has done in T'town.

 

[Che Boludo]

Run the D amn Ball Sark

Bama has avg more rush attempts per game over past 3 years (42+ per game) under CLK than any other in Saban era.

43 + per game this year and the most productive total rushing backfield of the CNS era.

How much more rushing do we need? I just read another thread where we are going to lose our WRs because CLK and Hurts don't create enough opportunities for them.

It would appear I am damned if I do and damned if I don't.

Fuck it, the Joey Saltwater Era is nigh

 

['65 Cobra]

Bama has avg more rush attempts per game over past 3 years (42+ per game) under CLK than any other in Saban era.

43 + per game this year and the most productive total rushing backfield of the CNS era.

How much more rushing do we need? I just read another thread where we are going to lose our WRs because CLK and Hurts don't create enough opportunities for them.

For those of us that have called out, "run the damn ball," there is more to it than just the final number of rushing attempts. Remember, those attempts also include sacks (if I'm not mistaken) and designed QB runs along with broken plays. There were also a lot of run plays late in games after the game had been wrapped up.

Where I have gotten frustrated is when we have had obvious success early on running and then CLK just abandons it for passing. Further, there are too many passing plays that take way too long to develop. How about more short routes with quick passes (slants, quick outs, etc.) to get Jalen's confidence up and reduce pass rush pressure.

 

[Tidestalker]

For those of us that have called out, "run the damn ball," there is more to it than just the final number of rushing attempts. Remember, those attempts also include sacks (if I'm not mistaken) and designed QB runs along with broken plays. There were also a lot of run plays late in games after the game had been wrapped up.

Where I have gotten frustrated is when we have had obvious success early on running and then CLK just abandons it for passing. Further, there are too many passing plays that take way too long to develop. How about more short routes with quick passes (slants, quick outs, etc.) to get Jalen's confidence up and reduce pass rush pressure.

Exactly. Many of those run plays aren't supposed to be.

And like I've always said, Kiffin consistently over complicated things for the offense. When running the ball up the middle was good enough he would find ways to put the game in Hurts' hands.

 

[Kirk Van de Graaff]

1st and goal on the 5 a few games ago and we throw the ball 3 times, that's the problem I had with Kiffin at times. He did a great job, no one can deny it, but sometimes the guy would drive me crazy with things like that. I am not a college level coach, but as Alabama Mike said, when you got a guy with a "hot hand", keep feeding him the ball.

 

['65 Cobra]

Indeed. Is it possible that with Sark, we get the perfect blend of Kiffin creativity along with simplicity and logic? Wasn't Sark really the playcaller at USC when they were both there? I seem to remember Al Davis wanted Sark initially and even interviewed him first, but he turned down the job.
Maybe, the offense will be in better hands. Maybe OJ and Calvin will have more productive pass plays called (shorter). Maybe, Bo and company will get more involved in the first half. Maybe...

Either way, it's out of our hands. Let's all hope it works out for the better. I think it will.

 

[Che Boludo]

Exactly. Many of those run plays aren't supposed to be.

And like I've always said, Kiffin consistently over complicated things for the offense. When running the ball up the middle was good enough he would find ways to put the game in Hurts' hands.

Acknowledge all, but it hasn't detracted from the performance of the offense.

This is the 2nd most productive rushing attack in terms of YPC in the Saban Era and 25% of the conferences top 20 rushers in terms of YPC against P5 competition rotate through the Tide backfield.

Hurts experience level and skillset have an impact on the playcalling. CLK'S offenses had 40-42 + runs a game with both Coker and Sims as well and they didn't run near as much as hurts (be it a designed RPO, QB rush, or busted play). Those years saw heavy doses of RB carries and it was the same "run the ball" mantra.

So, yes, forcing pass plays in any form (even if unuccessful) is a requirement to reach some sort of balance. If the QB hasn't evolved into the vertical threat in the offense that he could be, then, how do you do it?

I'm not hating.

As I've said, it has worked. Top 2 teams in Saban Era in YPG have come under CLK; this team with a true fresh is Saban's best in PPG and on par with the 2011-2012 AJ teams in first downs.

The team is explosive when it needs to be, but this year, it seems the slow grind is the preferred course.

 

[EasyTider]

I think the point is that with a 3 weeks or so to get ready the offense seemed unprepared. I get the legit 'rusty' factor, but we seemed unprepared. Kiffin has been unbelievable over the 3 years here and every play that isn't successful is a 'bad' or 'wrong' call.

Had we looked decent (other than #9), the distractions would not have been as bad. At this point, I'm gonna trust CNS.

 

[rick4bama]

Maybe we need to send a spell check along with him. So the Owls fans will know how to spell Kiffin's name?

 

[rolltide66]

I have confidence in the process; however, Bama teams do not react well to major distractions... looking back to the Andre Smith "agent" rumors that had him sitting out the Utah game... which we got blown out in. and still even today when we get a couple of penalties that blow up the pace of the drive. Usually might was well just stop and punt. ...
Hope this will be a lesser distraction, since the "leaving" was known, just not the timing. Not sure how much can be accomplished in a week, but at least Sark can maybe hone up on the language and his communication with Jalen. Hopefully with Sark committed to Jalen's success, Jalen will be a bit more confident and his execution will head in the right direction.

On another note, saw that Sims had signed a Future/Reserve contract with TB, so he should be available for scout team work? (Know, cannot publish this before it happens) but just between us, seems he should be available.