| FTBL Practice Report 9-16

[aMAZEnFan]

Actually, the longest pass is 36 yards to Julio and the longest run is 51 yards by Coffee--both of these came in the game against WKU!!!

 

[TerryP]

Actually, the longest pass is 36 yards to Julio and the longest run is 51 yards by Coffee--both of these came in the game against WKU!!!

38-36, typo.

Against WKU, against Tulane, against Clemson...it doesn't change the point of the post.

 

[Guest]

In a thread a couple of weeks ago I mentioned the point I thought that the fan base needed to redefine their definition of long plays. As example, using the same term in this thread, I mentioned Saban and staff want to have a dozen or so "explosive plays per game" and that's defined by plays over 15 yards.

When McElwain was hired we all talked about how his offense differed from what Applewhite ran and how he concentrated on a more ball controlled attack and didn't have the emphasis on that "huge play." Most like the idea and saw how it would benefit not only JP but the team as well.

Now that we are about to enter game 4 of our offense being under McElwain it seems the point of how he runs his offense is forgotten. Or, perhaps, even when the offense is doing well the insatiable desire Alabama fans have for their team is something that can't be satisfied no matter the success they are having.

After McElwain was hired people looked at what he did with the Fresno State offense and their QB and were thrilled with the possibility he could do the same with Alabama.

All that said...

Longest passing play for the year 2007 for the Fresno State offense? 44 yards.

Longest play, to date, for the Alabama offense for the 2008 season? 36 yards.

We are a little off from their average per play and total yard average per game. But, we are getting the production right now that was what we were wishing for a few months ago.

Gotcha, and like I said I'm good with whatever we do on the field as long as it's working.

Let me kind of twist it around though. Saban and Mac are calling the long ball though. Whatever definition you want they are calling for JPW to throw it downfield at least 1-2 times a game. I haven't gone back to look at exact yardage, but I'd say those throws were anywhere between 30-40 yards.

I doubt they're calling it just for JPW to overthrow it or the WR's to run the wrong routes or for blocking to break down, etc... They dangle that little carrot every game for all of us to see. So far it hasn't worked once. Just saying they must see that it plays a part and it's obviously some part of the scheme or they wouldn't try to use it. And maybe if it continues to be unsuccessful they won't. Just a thought.

 

[TerryP]

Gotcha, and like I said I'm good with whatever we do on the field as long as it's working.

Let me kind of twist it around though. Saban and Mac are calling the long ball though. Whatever definition you want they are calling for JPW to throw it downfield at least 1-2 times a game. I haven't gone back to look at exact yardage, but I'd say those throws were anywhere between 30-40 yards.

I doubt they're calling it just for JPW to overthrow it or the WR's to run the wrong routes or for blocking to break down, etc... They dangle that little carrot every game for all of us to see. So far it hasn't worked once. Just saying they must see that it plays a part and it's obviously some part of the scheme or they wouldn't try to use it. And maybe if it continues to be unsuccessful they won't. Just a thought.

They'll still bite on them.

Don't get me wrong, JP has overthrown some balls. But, there are more than one reason we've seen those misses.

JP overthrowing them AKA bad pass.
WR running a bad route.
WR slowing down on his route.
JP putting more zip on the ball in games versus practices.
WR not running as hard in practices and then JP tries to compensate during the game.

It'll come, in time.

I'll remain steadfast on the opinion I'd rather see the long plays in terms of YAC than I would in how far the ball travels. That's why we have recruited so many players that excel in space.

 

[Guest]

Gotcha, and like I said I'm good with whatever we do on the field as long as it's working.

Let me kind of twist it around though. Saban and Mac are calling the long ball though. Whatever definition you want they are calling for JPW to throw it downfield at least 1-2 times a game. I haven't gone back to look at exact yardage, but I'd say those throws were anywhere between 30-40 yards.

I doubt they're calling it just for JPW to overthrow it or the WR's to run the wrong routes or for blocking to break down, etc... They dangle that little carrot every game for all of us to see. So far it hasn't worked once. Just saying they must see that it plays a part and it's obviously some part of the scheme or they wouldn't try to use it. And maybe if it continues to be unsuccessful they won't. Just a thought.

They'll still bite on them.

Don't get me wrong, JP has overthrown some balls. But, there are more than one reason we've seen those misses.

JP overthrowing them AKA bad pass.
WR running a bad route.
WR slowing down on his route.
JP putting more zip on the ball in games versus practices.
WR not running as hard in practices and then JP tries to compensate during the game.

It'll come, in time.

I'll remain steadfast on the opinion I'd rather see the long plays in terms of YAC than I would in how far the ball travels. That's why we have recruited so many players that excel in space.

I for one am happy that JPW is overthrowing this season - instead of under throwing.

When he overthrows there is no deep safety in the area. His underthrows usually end up going the other way.