🏈 The Good, The Bad and The Ugly vs. CSU

[TerryP]

In my opinion, they have been the most disappointing part of our team so far.

I'm not disappointed in the first team OL--the results speak for themselves.

Setting Florida State aside (they are a different monster when compared to Fresno and Colorado State) the first team has don't well. By my count, there's only three possessions by the first team the last two games that didn't result in a score (Scott's missed FG, and two punts.)

The TD ratio is right at 60% of my numbers are right with the Tide scoring roughly 89% of the time.

 

[Tidestalker]

It wasn't any worse than the last two games but they weren't very good in those games either. Our o-line has size and talent from one end to another but they lack a mean streak that can make them a dominant unit. They have really struggled in pass protection but even more disturbing is that they are not getting the job done run blocking either. Run blocking is about attitude, knowing you assignment and trying to impose your will.

In my opinion, they have been the most disappointing part of our team so far. Look at all the studs we have recruited and signed at that position over the last several years.. it is mind boggling to me how we can find 5 guys who can blow CSU's or Fresno States defensive lines of the ball or even consistently open up holes for our running backs.

That is why they are my "ugly" this week

If Jalen was 12/17, and we've noted at least the 2 marginal plays where he jumped out the pocket early... Seems like they did a pretty good job in protection Saturday. I'm sure Jalen had a few big scrambles but I thought it was noticeably better than first 2 weeks.

IYO, is it Cotton? A combo of guys? Or unit as a whole? Seems like since the very first run of the season they haven't had those impeccably blocked runs where OL's get to second level and RB's are ripping through the secondary.

You're right, we've recruited amazingly at OL with a handful of big time 4 stars in the 2nd and 3rd units. Seems like they should have some guys ready to step in and at least road grade teams like Fresno and CSU.

 

[jdpas29]

Offensive line seemed to do pretty well in the last game. I think there is some issue with Jalen's progression and maybe willingness to run vs. hang in there and throw, but when you run as well as he does it's hard to care.

When it comes down to scoring more points than the other team, I think we're ok.

Get those LBs back out there and get some cohesiveness on defense and hit the right gaps more regularly and it will start to makes us all feel better.

what struck me about the defense in the last game was watching our LBs get hung up in blocks.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Good...Winning
Bad....Unable to shutdown CSU's offense in the 4th qtr even with our 1st team guys still playing (yes,Nick did insert the 2nd team DB's in that last drive).
Ugly....None that I can recall.

This game vs Vandy is going to give us a Big Clue as to whether this bunch is elite or just pretty good. I will go with Bama 27 Vandy 13. I am hoping Josh Jacobs will be a big addition in catching passes out of the backfield. I view as more elusive than either Bo or Harris. JMO.

 

[TheChief]

Seriously? That's what you bitch about? One of the most calm and laid back QB's that barely ever shows emotion let alone show boat does a little "dust himself" off motion (which he did several times last year) and a gun pointer motion and hes suddenly a "gangsta"? Good grief.

As far as your prediction goes, if it turns out the way most of your predictions go we should expect a pretty great season.



When? I can't think of a single time where Jalen "bailed" with no one putting pressure on him. Are you thinking those called QB draws are him "bailing" on a pass play? For example when Harris or Bo motion outside with an empty backfield and Jalen takes on step and then runs up the gut? That's a designed QB draw and we ran that at least 3 times last night.

You left out a paragraph, but that's okay. I'll stand by what I said in that paragraph. If Jalen goes down, this team will suffer. You don't think that's logical? I would advise our super talented quarterback to let his play do the talking. Don't train to be a street corner mime. He's too talented IN EVERY RESPECT to do that. Realize this young man can go down in history as one of the all-time greats at Alabama. Be great. This is Alabama.

Take it how you will. If he goes down this team will feel the pain. We'll let history decide how my predictions go if that happens. I hope it doesn't. I wouldn't be calling designed runs for him against Colorado State. Doing so is irresponsible and short-sighted.

 

[JoshB]

In the live thread I noticed a few times in a series that he bailed... At the 30:35 mark is 2nd down and next play 3rd down. Looks like Saban and Daboll were coaching him up coming off the field in some regard.

You really think those two plays were examples of him "bailing too quickly?" First one he didnt "bail" at all. He was flushed out of the pocket and then threw the ball away instead of forcing something that wasn't there. Second, he literally scanned the entire field and you can even argue that he waited TOO long before he "bailed."

You left out a paragraph, but that's okay. I'll stand by what I said in that paragraph. If Jalen goes down, this team will suffer. You don't think that's logical? I would advise our super talented quarterback to let his play do the talking. Don't train to be a street corner mime. He's too talented IN EVERY RESPECT to do that. Realize this young man can go down in history as one of the all-time greats at Alabama. Be great. This is Alabama.

Take it how you will. If he goes down this team will feel the pain. We'll let history decide how my predictions go if that happens. I hope it doesn't. I wouldn't be calling designed runs for him against Colorado State. Doing so is irresponsible and short-sighted.

I left out the parts I wasn't responding to...

Where did I say that if Jalen gets hurt the team won't suffer?

You had a problem with him "dusting himself off" after a score. Why? The dude doesn't talk trash isn't super flashy. Isn't arrogant but you are searching something to complain about. Was it an issue when AJ when run around in circles like a madman when he threw a touchdown? How about when Sims would celebrate? Coker? Why is it an issue when Hurts does some little subtle thing that you would have to be looking for to even really notice? He is being great and "being great" doesn't mean you have to act like a robot 24/7. It's actually kind of funny, so many point out out how he never shows any emotion and you pick apart the couple of times he shows the least bit of emotion.

Saying that calling designed runs for Jalen against CSU is "irresponsible" is a little ridiculous, no? That's part of the offense. Should we wrap Jalen in bubble wrap every week? Even better, dont even start him in games other than conference games? Would that make you happier?

 

[Tidestalker]

You really think those two plays were examples of him "bailing too quickly?" First one he didnt "bail" at all. He was flushed out of the pocket and then threw the ball away instead of forcing something that wasn't there. Second, he literally scanned the entire field and you can even argue that he waited TOO long before he "bailed."

Yes I do.

 

[JoshB]

Yes I do.

Okay then there is no need to continue this discussion then

 

[bradenob]

You left out a paragraph, but that's okay. I'll stand by what I said in that paragraph. If Jalen goes down, this team will suffer. You don't think that's logical? I would advise our super talented quarterback to let his play do the talking. Don't train to be a street corner mime. He's too talented IN EVERY RESPECT to do that. Realize this young man can go down in history as one of the all-time greats at Alabama. Be great. This is Alabama.

Take it how you will. If he goes down this team will feel the pain. We'll let history decide how my predictions go if that happens. I hope it doesn't. I wouldn't be calling designed runs for him against Colorado State. Doing so is irresponsible and short-sighted.

I agree. We KNOW Jalen CAN run - but why should he with the backs we have, and the opponents we've played? IF he goes down we will NOT win the SEC - the conference appears to be down so we might win the West, but while I like Tua, Jalen was more ready last year than Tua is this year.

Save the designed runs for the tough games, when we need a big play, if at all. Work on the 10-25 yard throws. Even RPOs are better than risking Jalen on designed keepers.

 

[Tidestalker]

Okay then there is no need to continue this discussion then

Agreed... We've reached a dead end crevasse the size of the grand canyon that only Evil Knievel would attempt to overcome

 

[BamaFan334]

I agree. We KNOW Jalen CAN run - but why should he with the backs we have, and the opponents we've played? IF he goes down we will NOT win the SEC - the conference appears to be down so we might win the West, but while I like Tua, Jalen was more ready last year than Tua is this year.

Save the designed runs for the tough games, when we need a big play, if at all. Work on the 10-25 yard throws. Even RPOs are better than risking Jalen on designed keepers.

A quarterback running and handing the ball off is two totally different things. A lot of Hurts success is done when the pocket collapses or our receivers run off the secondary creating lanes and open space. Sure, designed runs are called, but are usually off some kind of fake in efforts of letting Hurts use his vision to make a decision. Simply handing the ball off is not always as effective as allowing a called play to materialize and then see what our athletes can do. Just because Hurts ran the ball for a 30 yard touchdown does not mean Bo, Damien, Jacobs, Najee, or Robinson would have had that same opportunity or the blocking afforded to them with a hand off called. Improvise is a word to describe Hurts as he is doing a wonderful job of creating positive plays, though some will still argue he's running out of the pocket way to soon and not progressing as a passer. I'll take his stats and no turnovers any day, and as said by @TheChief , he could become one of the best. His stats will be very high, and if he can win a Championship his legacy will be solidified.

 

[TerryP]

Improvise is a word to describe Hurts as he is doing a wonderful job of creating positive plays, though some will still argue he's running out of the pocket way to soon and not progressing as a passer. I'll take his stats and no turnovers any day, and as said by @TheChief , he could become one of the best. His stats will be very high, and if he can win a Championship his legacy will be solidified.

I'd say his "legacy" is already solidified based on last year alone. Heck, I look at guys like Andrew Zow (as one example) and in my eyes they have their "legacy" status.

(Semantics, maybe? Personally, there's a difference in "legacy" and names "writ in Crimson flame." But, then again, is if fair to say Van Tiffin didn't have his name "writ in Crimson Flame" despite the lack if NC's)

I look at things like Hurts averaging over eight yards per carry and that with carrying, on average, 12 times per game. I understand people looking at that and interpreting it in a lot of different ways--most common reaction(s) seem to be fear of injury.

I'd be more in that camp if he was getting hit a lot in the backfield (blind side shots, etc.) when he's scrambling. So far we've seen very few, if any, get a good shot on Jalen.

Pardon the comparison but I think you'll get it ... I look at Jalen, so far, a lot like I've seen the careers of Shaun Alexander and Emmitt Smith. I'm not comparing running talent(s) here, but how they avoid those solid hits from defenders. It's the main reason those two had such long careers.

 

[alabama mike]

Agreed... We've reached a dead end crevasse the size of the grand canyon that only Evil Knievel would attempt to overcome

At least you can agree to disagree with each other.

 

[BamaFan334]

I'd say his "legacy" is already solidified based on last year alone. Heck, I look at guys like Andrew Zow (as one example) and in my eyes they have their "legacy" status.

(Semantics, maybe? Personally, there's a difference in "legacy" and names "writ in Crimson flame." But, then again, is if fair to say Van Tiffin didn't have his name "writ in Crimson Flame" despite the lack if NC's)

I look at things like Hurts averaging over eight yards per carry and that with carrying, on average, 12 times per game. I understand people looking at that and interpreting it in a lot of different ways--most common reaction(s) seem to be fear of injury.

I'd be more in that camp if he was getting hit a lot in the backfield (blind side shots, etc.) when he's scrambling. So far we've seen very few, if any, get a good shot on Jalen.

Pardon the comparison but I think you'll get it ... I look at Jalen, so far, a lot like I've seen the careers of Shaun Alexander and Emmitt Smith. I'm not comparing running talent(s) here, but how they avoid those solid hits from defenders. It's the main reason those two had such long careers.

I agree with you, and I feel last year Hurts sewed his name into the hearts of the Alabama faithful with his taking a team to the National Championship and a few plays away from winning it as a true freshman that is humble and low key. I think a status like a McCarron will definitely need a Championship attached to receive that level of stardom, but I definitely believe he's surpassed McElroy who won a natty. Of course that is pure opinion there and others may feel way way different.

I definitely get your comparison as far as the hits go because he has gotten planted way more standing tall in the pocket (Ole Miss) than on any run I've seen him take. I think Yeldon was a lot like that too where he found ways to fall and slide into vacant areas to keep from getting hit, twisted, and piled on.

 

[JoshB]

I'd say his "legacy" is already solidified based on last year alone. Heck, I look at guys like Andrew Zow (as one example) and in my eyes they have their "legacy" status.

(Semantics, maybe? Personally, there's a difference in "legacy" and names "writ in Crimson flame." But, then again, is if fair to say Van Tiffin didn't have his name "writ in Crimson Flame" despite the lack if NC's)

I look at things like Hurts averaging over eight yards per carry and that with carrying, on average, 12 times per game. I understand people looking at that and interpreting it in a lot of different ways--most common reaction(s) seem to be fear of injury.

I'd be more in that camp if he was getting hit a lot in the backfield (blind side shots, etc.) when he's scrambling. So far we've seen very few, if any, get a good shot on Jalen.

Pardon the comparison but I think you'll get it ... I look at Jalen, so far, a lot like I've seen the careers of Shaun Alexander and Emmitt Smith. I'm not comparing running talent(s) here, but how they avoid those solid hits from defenders. It's the main reason those two had such long careers.

I love the Shaun Alexander comparison. He actually got labeled as "soft" at points because of the way he was able to avoid big hits. It wasn't that he shied away from contact, it was that he didnt take the unnecessary hits and a lot of times tacklers slipped off him. A lot like guys tend to slip off of Jalen. How many times have we seen Jalen slipping through tackles the last two years? DOZENS. Where as a guy like Tebow or Newton would rather lower their shoulder and run through a guy. Jalen would rather perform a Michael Vick-esque juke, get a couple extra and step out of bounds.