| FTBL Scrimmage stats and notes from today...

[imported_Porter]

-Chris Jordan worked with the LB's today, a move that isn't surprising considering the depth at RB and his athletic ability.

-Josh Chapman suffered what is believed to be a minor knee sprain. He should be fine in a few days.

-Charlie Higgenbotham has a pulled groin and was held out today, might not be ready for a few more days.


As always, these are not the complete stats of every participant in today's scrimmage...

PASSING
John Parker Wilson - 14 for 25, 255 yards, 0 Int, 2 TDs
Greg McElroy - 19 for 38, 198 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int

RUSHING
Glen Coffee - 11 rush, 35 yards
Mark Ingram - 7 rush, 30 yards
Terry Grant - 6 rush, 13 yards
Roy Upchurch - 4 rush, 17 yards

RECEIVING
Julio Jones - 5 rec, 125 yards, 1 TD
B.J. Scott - 5 rec, 56 yards
Earl Alexander - 4 rec, 44 yards
Mike McCoy - 3 rec, 81 yards, 1 TD
Chris Jackson - 3 rec, 60 yards
Terry Grant - 3 rec, 37 yards

DEFENSIVE STATISTICS
Prince Hall (LB) - 8 tackles
Eryk Anders (LB) - 6 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 TFL, 1 Blocked Field Goal
Brandon Deaderick (DL) - 5 tackles, 4 sacks
Brandon Fanney (DL) - 4 tackles, 2 sacks
Ali Sharrief (DB) - 5 tackles, 1 sack
Rolando McClain (LB) - 5 tackles
Rashad Johnson (DB) - 3 tackles, 1 Interception

 

[imported_porkchop]

The thing that jumps out at me is the number of receptions the backs got (or the lack of). I'm not sure if McElwaine wanted to see something different in his quarterbacks today or what was going on there, but number of catches by the backs seemed markedly reduced compared to the last scrimmage.

 

[Guest]

A couple of comments...

I don't understand why they tried Jordan at RB in the first place. It was obvious that he was needed at LB with the depth being less then impresive. I hope he can make ground and make a imapact for some playing time. I knew he would end up at LB anyway.

Still happy to hear we're having only minor injuries. Hopefully Chapman and Higgenbotham can heal quickly and get back on the practice field. Keeping those fingers crossed until August 30th.

Looks like the QB's had a decent day. I know it don't mean much but I love to see 0 in the INT category.

What can I say about Julio? I'm pumped to see these kind of results on the field...impressive numbers.

Can't wait to see Ingram get some totes this season.

We're gonna miss Prince's intensity and play making ability more then we think, in the first 3 games.

 

[Guest]

What stands out to me are the 9 sacks and a running game that is underwhelming.

RUSHING
Glen Coffee - 11 rush, 35 yards
Mark Ingram - 7 rush, 30 yards
Terry Grant - 6 rush, 13 yards
Roy Upchurch - 4 rush, 17 yards


28 rushes for 95 yards -- that's 3.3 per rush

Any thoughts?

 

[imported_porkchop]

I think the way Ingram is getting carries seems to indicate a couple of things here, IMHO.

(1) Most obviously, Saban likes depth at running back. That's one we all know. Historically he's used several in games and prefers to rotate them according to their skill or forte. He'll pound you with his big back for a while then slip in the home run hitter when he thinks the time is right.

(2) Maybe just me here, but it seems like Saban and company are not alltogether sold on their stable and are giving Ingram every chance possible to win more of a role this season. Upchurch seems to be that one man who is on the way out of a job.

At this point, our backs look something like this;

Grant--the home run threat
Coffee--maybe the most complete of the stable, but still not a guy who you can build an offense around IMHO.
Ingram--maybe the best between the tackles, with the potential to develope into "the man" with more reps.

I think at this point the backs rotation is a work in progress.

 

[imported_Porter]

A couple of comments...

I don't understand why they tried Jordan at RB in the first place. It was obvious that he was needed at LB with the depth being less then impresive. I hope he can make ground and make a imapact for some playing time. I knew he would end up at LB anyway.

Still happy to hear we're having only minor injuries. Hopefully Chapman and Higgenbotham can heal quickly and get back on the practice field. Keeping those fingers crossed until August 30th.

Looks like the QB's had a decent day. I know it don't mean much but I love to see 0 in the INT category.

What can I say about Julio? I'm pumped to see these kind of results on the field...impressive numbers.

Can't wait to see Ingram get some totes this season.

We're gonna miss Prince's intensity and play making ability more then we think, in the first 3 games.

Jordan was actually pretty impressive at RB according to some who saw him day in and day out, he was just a bit raw, as are most freshmen (especially those who come in with the "athlete" tag). His speed was apparently better than most expected. Personally, I thought he would start out at RB, but Saban has a policy of letting the players play where they want to play, then after the depth chart starts to take place, he shows them the options of moving to another spot. Jordan is a case where he can move to LB and have a better shot a playing. Or, he could have stayed at RB and been 5th or 6th on the depth chart.


I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ingram get a couple of starts this year. That kid is good.

 

[Guest]

What stands out to me are the 9 sacks and a running game that is underwhelming.

RUSHING
Glen Coffee - 11 rush, 35 yards
Mark Ingram - 7 rush, 30 yards
Terry Grant - 6 rush, 13 yards
Roy Upchurch - 4 rush, 17 yards


28 rushes for 95 yards -- that's 3.3 per rush

Any thoughts?

I'm sure Porter or Terry can give much better explanations but I'll give my short opinion.

The rushing numbers while weren't very positive, let's keep in mind this wasn't a full game. You can also take solice in the fact that the DL is actually gaining depth.

As for all the sacks, I assumed the second team Offense was going against the first team D. Sure was a lot of sacks though, can't believe I missed that. :shock:

 

[JoshB]

damn Julio killed it. but the best number up there that i saw? 0 INT by JPW's name!

 

[imported_Porter]

What stands out to me are the 9 sacks and a running game that is underwhelming.

RUSHING
Glen Coffee - 11 rush, 35 yards
Mark Ingram - 7 rush, 30 yards
Terry Grant - 6 rush, 13 yards
Roy Upchurch - 4 rush, 17 yards


28 rushes for 95 yards -- that's 3.3 per rush

Any thoughts?

Without knowing the intangibles, like carries of the 2nd Offense against the 1st Defense and such, it is just too hard to really speculate. Also, those stats are incomplete, so if every run was there, it might be better... of course, it could be worse.

I will say though, that regardless of the stats, this defense is going to be tough to run against.

 

[MDBtrumpet04]

The thing that jumps out at me is the number of receptions the backs got (or the lack of). I'm not sure if McElwaine wanted to see something different in his quarterbacks today or what was going on there, but number of catches by the backs seemed markedly reduced compared to the last scrimmage.

That was the first thing that jumped out at me too pork. I think JPW might be a little more comfortable with the offense now. It shows good signs.

 

[MDBtrumpet04]

A couple of comments...

I don't understand why they tried Jordan at RB in the first place. It was obvious that he was needed at LB with the depth being less then impresive. I hope he can make ground and make a imapact for some playing time. I knew he would end up at LB anyway.

I remember Saban saying that he always starts his recruits out at the position they are recruited. Then, if he needs it, he sits them down and gives them the opportunity to play another position if they agree to it.

 

[Guest]

Jordan was actually pretty impressive at RB according to some who saw him day in and day out, he was just a bit raw, as are most freshmen (especially those who come in with the "athlete" tag). His speed was apparently better than most expected. Personally, I thought he would start out at RB, but Saban has a policy of letting the players play where they want to play, then after the depth chart starts to take place, he shows them the options of moving to another spot. Jordan is a case where he can move to LB and have a better shot a playing. Or, he could have stayed at RB and been 5th or 6th on the depth chart.


I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ingram get a couple of starts this year. That kid is good.

I was very happy for Jordan to hear he was doing well at RB, but it pretty much goes without being said that there was too much depth there. I'm all for giving him a shot at RB, I just believed he would of thought the idea of playing time at LB would be more intriguing coming in.

 

[imported_Porter]

Jordan was actually pretty impressive at RB according to some who saw him day in and day out, he was just a bit raw, as are most freshmen (especially those who come in with the "athlete" tag). His speed was apparently better than most expected. Personally, I thought he would start out at RB, but Saban has a policy of letting the players play where they want to play, then after the depth chart starts to take place, he shows them the options of moving to another spot. Jordan is a case where he can move to LB and have a better shot a playing. Or, he could have stayed at RB and been 5th or 6th on the depth chart.


I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ingram get a couple of starts this year. That kid is good.

I was very happy for Jordan to hear he was doing well at RB, but it pretty much goes without being said that there was too much depth there. I'm all for giving him a shot at RB, I just believed he would of thought the idea of playing time at LB would be more intriguing coming in.

I guess he just wanted his shot. Hard to blame him if he likes offense better. The depth is just too much right now (which is obviously a good thing for the team). Jordan and Goode will hopefully both benefit from their position changes, but if not, going back to RB down the road wouldn't be too bad. Personally, I think Jordan will be a very good LB in a couple of years. In the meantime, I see him as a star on special teams. Possibly Goode as well.

 

[Guest]

Jordan was actually pretty impressive at RB according to some who saw him day in and day out, he was just a bit raw, as are most freshmen (especially those who come in with the "athlete" tag). His speed was apparently better than most expected. Personally, I thought he would start out at RB, but Saban has a policy of letting the players play where they want to play, then after the depth chart starts to take place, he shows them the options of moving to another spot. Jordan is a case where he can move to LB and have a better shot a playing. Or, he could have stayed at RB and been 5th or 6th on the depth chart.


I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Ingram get a couple of starts this year. That kid is good.

I was very happy for Jordan to hear he was doing well at RB, but it pretty much goes without being said that there was too much depth there. I'm all for giving him a shot at RB, I just believed he would of thought the idea of playing time at LB would be more intriguing coming in.

I guess he just wanted his shot. Hard to blame him if he likes offense better. The depth is just too much right now (which is obviously a good thing for the team). Jordan and Goode will hopefully both benefit from their position changes, but if not, going back to RB down the road wouldn't be too bad. Personally, I think Jordan will be a very good LB in a couple of years. In the meantime, I see him as a star on special teams. Possibly Goode as well.

Can't blame him now that I think about it. Guess I shouldn't of been so critical about it. I was thinking the same thing about the two, they should be huge for us on special teams.

 

[NTT]

In regards to the sacks. The QB's are wearing black and are not to get hit. More or less just wrapped up. Now with the QB's knowing that I wonder how many of the sacks were them just stoping instead of really trying to elude the sack.

 

[joeman546]

What I got from the offense :

PASSING
John Parker Wilson - 14 for 25, 255 yards, 0 Int, 2 TDs
Greg McElroy - 19 for 38, 198 yards, 0 TDs, 0 Int

Wilson could have a really good year this year, I just feel it coming. His first scrimmage was good(according to Saban) but these numbers tell alot of the story. From what I have heard quoted from Saban most of this stuff was on situational downs (if not all of it).

He seems to be spreading the ball around (according to receptions)and getting good yardage(18.2 yards p/c). 0 int and that yardage on situational downs can only mean his decision making improved a good aamount.

Greg McElroy is a consistent backup as usual.

Receivers are making plays, cant say much else save that Julio, BJ Scott, and McCoy had good days,

Rushing

I thought it was good, I agree that Roy Upchurch seems to be going out the door a bit, he will be good incase of injury though.

Glen Coffee had a consistent day. I also agree he is probably the most complete back.

Ive been very impressed with Mark Ingram's numbers, from what little I have seen he is that power and speed guy that is usually an every down back. I see him getting alot of carries this year, and the most in the upcoming years.

Terry Grant seemed to have the hardest time rushing, but we all know what he can do, and based on his yardage with receiving, I am guessing he didnt get that space to break out much.

Deffensive numbers I dont know what to make of, thats the one place I would imagine the numbers dont tell much, you have to be there and see it.

 

[Argo]

Was the scrimmage a true game-type atmosphere or was it controlled? I remember Saban saying the runningbacks were making cuts and were told to run straight ahead during practice to help cut down on injuries. Is that something also used in the scrimmage? If so, that could explain a lot of the less than impressive numbers.

 

[TerryP]

Was the scrimmage a true game-type atmosphere or was it controlled? I remember Saban saying the runningbacks were making cuts and were told to run straight ahead during practice to help cut down on injuries. Is that something also used in the scrimmage? If so, that could explain a lot of the less than impressive numbers.

Controlled. Some aspects of the scrimmage were "game like," as in the staff calling plays from the press box, etc.

I know we were working on short yardage situations, red zone situations as well as "red ball."

One thing that was noted to me last night is more attn. was paid to the QB to RB timing and reps in the 1st scrimmage vs more attn. paid to the QB to WR reps in this scrimmage.

Blitz packages were focused on more this scrimmage than last as well which coincided with the extra attn. placed on the QB to WR plays.

 

[AFF]

Blitz packages were focused on more this scrimmage than last as well which coincided with the extra attn. placed on the QB to WR plays.

That could account for the high number of sacks...

 

[jocephus8179]

In regards to the sacks. The QB's are wearing black and are not to get hit. More or less just wrapped up. Now with the QB's knowing that I wonder how many of the sacks were them just stoping instead of really trying to elude the sack.

That's true. There were alot of sacks in the A-Day game that could've really been nothing if they actually GOT to sack the QB. Since all the defense has to do is touch the QB, it makes you wonder how the Qbs can REALLY scramble away from the defender. So I don't really consider tag football with the QB a sack. As well as JPW can scramble, you could probably cut the sack numbers in half.