🏈 Really...Whats the friggin problem ?

[Southern Bama]

Just curious what everyones opinion is on why the passing game continues to go downhill as the year progresses :headscratch: Please no arguements that it isnt needed b/c of Ingram and the whole rushing game thing....:lance: It is ridiculously obvious there are some major issues....Is it GMAC ? The line ? receivers ? All of the above....:headscratch:

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Primarily the o-line pass protection... we've played 2 decent pass rush teams & we see the results. They better get better in a hurry, UT ain't no slouch on D.

 

[BadAllergies]

I think alot comes down to GMAC making bad decisions and not throwing the ball in the right spots or hard/soft enough for the given reciever. I know we have talented receivers and the line is decent(see run game) but GMAC needs to get smarter/tougher.

Our play calling is very questionable at times too.(about 50% to blame)

 

[usn92]

Play calls look much better when the QB makes the correct read. G Mac is confused, which is expected for a guy starting his seventh game in the SEC. There were open receivers missed, missed reads, and inaccurate throws. All signs that the QB isn't comfortable with what he's seeing. Everyone needs to remember that as opposing teams get more film on Mac they'll make him play to his weaknesses. Experience will help him understand what the D is doing to him.

All that said, we just beat a 5-1 SEC team after: 4 turnovers, double digit penalties, and virtually no passing game. An ugly win is still a win. We are a team that needs an off week.

 

[BamaCore]

I think it starts with the oline myself. GMac seemed to get hit a lot in this game. I think he got a little rattled and tried to force some things.

 

[BAMA JAMMA]

I agree it starts with the Oline in pass protection. We just seem to break down and fundamentals. They get beat off the ball almost every pass play. Once that gets exposed it's hard for GMAC to get comfortable. Oline needs to step it up on pass protection BIG TIME. When GMAc has time we've seen what he can do. Get him off his rythem or make him think more than react and we see what happens. Every D we've played that has decent strength has exposed that. I hope the Oline can shore it up soon.

 

[AllieBama]

When the TEs are brought into the game on short passes, everthing falls into place better also. I'd like to see more of that to get Gmac's confidence back up. Agree with the comments that the Ds the past three weeks have been ready for our passing game and have done a great job. Also tired of the throws to JJ in double and triple coverage. I understand wanting to get the ball into his hands more since he can be such a playmaker, but it's not being done effectively. Definitely need to spread the ball around more.

 

[RolltideinKY]

I think lots of things are affecting Gmac's performance

1. 7 straight games with no bye week.
2. Playing two rather good defenses.
3. Fan and media hoopla has added to the pressure of being a first year starter.
4. The OL has took a beating and pass protection is breaking down, see #1.
5. The fact that now Bama has a BIG target on their back every game. We get
the A game from whoever we play.
6. Offensive play calling that is questionable at times.

I'm not down on Greg. I think he will come around. Its just growing pains for a first year starter.

We are blessed to have a stable full of RBs and a great defense to take up the slack while he gets through this.

 

[LBS]

I also through in a reminder that he is still just a first year starter in the SEC. First year QBs are not supposed to be as good as GMAC was earlier this year. Had he shown average play then, we would be emphasizing more the fact that it has been against SEC defenses.

Wasn't S.Carolina the #6 Pass defense in the country half way through the season? That is something significant, and a less than stellar game in that case would have to be expected.

But to answer the question, it's officiating.

 

[jdpas29]

the great uga bulldogs shredded them in the passing game with long bombs from what i recall. which means they could block the cocks, and the receivers were usually wide open.

there is a problem with the passing game that i believe is originating with the play calling and adjustments to the pass rush as much as it has to do with Gmac.

 

[TidePride50]

IMO Greg is is struggling. The OLine protection was not terrible, last week or this week. True enough we've played two pretty dang good defenses. When you run the ball the with the ability we did last night, the passing game should be open and I'm sure it was. I'm not down on Greg, he'll come around. It could be worse, we could have Snead, lol.

 

[bamabigdawg]

it could also be noted that if we didnt have a holding or block in the back penalty on EVERY punt or kickoff return that we might get good enough field position starting a drive that Greg might get some more confidence.

I mean come on ppl. We went from playing some of the more terrible defenses to now playing some top 10 def 3 weeks in a row (tenn next week). If ppl havent noticed we arent the only def in the sec that schemes and confuses opposing qbs. Its his 1st yr starting and it will take some time to catch up to the speed of the better defenses.

 

['65 Cobra]

Play calls look much better when the QB makes the correct read. G Mac is confused, which is expected for a guy starting his seventh game in the SEC. There were open receivers missed, missed reads, and inaccurate throws. All signs that the QB isn't comfortable with what he's seeing. Everyone needs to remember that as opposing teams get more film on Mac they'll make him play to his weaknesses. Experience will help him understand what the D is doing to him.

All that said, we just beat a 5-1 SEC team after: 4 turnovers, double digit penalties, and virtually no passing game. An ugly win is still a win. We are a team that needs an off week.

I agree with this. Also, let's remember South Carolina is better than "decent" on D. They were a top 10 - an excellent defense.

Having said that, GMac is locking on his #1, looks nervous and hurried, and is not feeling the pocket pressure. But I believe this is a phase he is going through. GMac is exremely intelligent and he knows what he is doing. He needs to just stick with it; practice hard, believe in his smarts and his skills and it will get better.

 

[fairhope4bama]

I feel that we are being beat off the ball by opposing defenses. I knew coming in that our Oline was questionable and I think that they have exceeded expectation in many regards but there is plenty of room to improve. As far as the receivers, I can't believe that we cannot get people open more often. Why is it that AJ Greene seems to make alot of plays and JJ can't. Surely these teams that are doubling JJ are doing the same to AJ. Is it out routes that they are taking. Are we not crisp in our cuts? Just don't know. Also in the run game we pound the middle all night and we do break a few, but I like to see Trent and Mark in space around the ends with the toss pitch. I feel like they are more than capable of making the first man miss and then watch out. JMHO

 

[bamafan4ever]

All of us were pleased with Greg through 5 games minus the 1st half of the VT game but most were willing to give him a pass because it was his first collegiate start. He was going through his progressions and finding the open receivers and was very effective.

I find it ironic that before the Ole Miss game, Greg gave a speech to the media about getting off his case about not throwing the ball to Julio more and gave good, sound reasoning behind his diatribe. Everyone in the room bought into what he was saying except for, apparently, Greg himself.

Greg has been rushed and hounded more in the last 2 weeks than in the first 5 games. At times he has simply not been allowed to go through his progressions but that was not the case in every situation last night. He seemed to be forcing the ball more than ever before. It could be because he could never get into any kind of rhythm as Todd Blackledge kept pointing out (btw, nice to have some competent announcers calling the game!). A veteran QB would take advantage of the good pass protection when it was available to him. Greg is not a veteran and is still learning!

Being the smart guy that we all know that Greg is, he will learn from the last two games and will get better. Now is certainly not the time to throw the baby out with the bath water. BAMA played well enough to win and has rediscovered the running game. The balance will return and soon. The whole body of work shows the Tide hasn't ever really lost its balance but only once. It was a battle. Not the war.

RTR! 7-0

 

[bamatommy]

All that said, we just beat a 5-1 SEC team after: 4 turnovers, double digit penalties, and virtually no passing game. An ugly win is still a win. We are a team that needs an off week.

Amen