🏈 This year's team

[Tidestalker]

So rare to have an elite offense AND defense. Obviously under Saban we've gotten pretty used to having elite defenses! I've always contended that "Saban Ball" is a combo of superrior defense and very solid OL play (that leads to a balanced, while not dominant O). This year could be a different look.

The D will improve... I don't want anyone to think otherwise. However, the dominant D is going to be a stretch... Just missing the depth & experience combo that those "all time" defenses had (2009, 2011, 2012, even 2016). That combined with the way the game has changed in strategy and more importantly refereeing, I'm expecting a few more points against this season.

Can Saban win one with a dominant offense?! 2010 and more specifically 2014 were teams that had less D and more O. Neither were able to overcome the differentiation from Saban Ball. Both of those teams felt so much different than the other great Saban teams... Seemed backwards. This offense has more potential to produce yards and points than any in.... Alabama history? The QB is ELITE... So are the skill players... And a talented OL.

How much different will this team look & play compared to those other groups? We're already seeing an unrivaled aggression with downfield passing (except when Lane Kiffin got a TO, it was like clockwork). But ultimately - Does Alabama win one with a significant identity change? Would be yet another amazing accomplishment for the great Nick Saban.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

 

[Tidestalker]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Heard on JOX this morn that the O/U is the highest vs Ole Miss than ever in Alabama history... Pretty crazy

 

[EasyTider]

Saban’s words ominous at Monday press conference. If improvements aren’t made in punting game, we are going to get a punt blocked and it very well may happen Saturday night in Oxford.

 

[ColAngus]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Aggie game is a week from Saturday.

 

[TUSKtimes]

Aggie game is a week from Saturday.

So you're saying more than a week?

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Heard on JOX this morn that the O/U is the highest vs Ole Miss than ever in Alabama history... Pretty crazy

Anybody that has watched the 1st two games has to understand the current punter and his protection scheme is below average. The new scheme of putting the big bodies back before the punter seems to allow folks to run untouched way to quickly to out punter. The punter looks scared and his punts reflect just that.....and this guy has a scholly. His current performance rival's the punter Nick signed from Thomasville, Al (and he didn't last long).

Note...TenBears cautioned us after the A-Day game that the punter wasn't it but most bragged about how he knocked some dead inside the 20. I am not sure many noticed that the reason was he couldn't get to the endzone in the 1st place.

 

[Tidestalker]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Heard on JOX this morn that the O/U is the highest vs Ole Miss than ever in Alabama history... Pretty crazy

Anybody that has watched the 1st two games has to understand the current punter and his protection scheme is below average. The new scheme of putting the big bodies back before the punter seems to allow folks to run untouched way to quickly to out punter. The punter looks scared and his punts reflect just that.....and this guy has a scholly. His current performance rival's the punter Nick signed from Thomasville, Al (and he didn't last long).

Note...TenBears cautioned us after the A-Day game that the punter wasn't it but most bragged about how he knocked some dead inside the 20. I am not sure many noticed that the reason was he couldn't get to the endzone in the 1st place.

I'd just be happy if he sped it up....

 

[JoshB]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Defense is actually why I think we will probably keep seeing Jalen get drives. Tua's going to light up the scoreboard, no doubt, but he also risks scoring TOO quick sometimes. You don't want to put a governor on him because you might stifle his ability but at the same time you dont want to keep putting your defense back out on the field every 3 minutes, either. Part of the reason why those 50-point per game teams typically also allow damn near 40 points per game. Their defenses are just wore slam out by the third quarter.

 

[Tidestalker]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Defense is actually why I think we will probably keep seeing Jalen get drives. Tua's going to light up the scoreboard, no doubt, but he also risks scoring TOO quick sometimes. You don't want to put a governor on him because you might stifle his ability but at the same time you dont want to keep putting your defense back out on the field every 3 minutes, either. Part of the reason why those 50-point per game teams typically also allow damn near 40 points per game. Their defenses are just wore slam out by the third quarter.

Something to this... Don't know if it will impact the QB rotation or the play calling. But ultimately an adjustment for Saban because it's something he's never dealt with

 

[TUSKtimes]

Defense is actually why I think we will probably keep seeing Jalen get drives. Tua's going to light up the scoreboard, no doubt, but he also risks scoring TOO quick sometimes. You don't want to put a governor on him because you might stifle his ability but at the same time you dont want to keep putting your defense back out on the field every 3 minutes, either. Part of the reason why those 50-point per game teams typically also allow damn near 40 points per game. Their defenses are just wore slam out by the third quarter.

I would agree. With Tua, we're converting at a very high rate on 3rd down, but were also converting a lot of homerun plays. Not sure how we're doing this year on time of possession. I think Jalen is an asset as long as he can sustain drives. It's sure been an issue when we play the big boys.

 

[ColAngus]

Aggie game is a week from Saturday.

So you're saying more than a week?

Actually, I'm saying less than a few weeks. ; )

 

[TUSKtimes]

Actually, I'm saying less than a few weeks. ; )

And I was talking about our offense and defense. Odd you missed that.

 

[ColAngus]

Actually, I'm saying less than a few weeks. ; )

And I was talking about our offense and defense. Odd you missed that.

ok. Simply thought you were saying the Aggie game was in a few weeks. And I was simply saying it is next week. I thought it was simple anyway.

 

[Sgt. Lincoln Osiris]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Defense is actually why I think we will probably keep seeing Jalen get drives. Tua's going to light up the scoreboard, no doubt, but he also risks scoring TOO quick sometimes. You don't want to put a governor on him because you might stifle his ability but at the same time you dont want to keep putting your defense back out on the field every 3 minutes, either. Part of the reason why those 50-point per game teams typically also allow damn near 40 points per game. Their defenses are just wore slam out by the third quarter.

So we need more dink-and-dunk from Locksley, not 5 plays and a homerun ball.

 

[JoseyWalesTheOutlaw]

My glass is always half empty and I am very interested in how this bunch plays defense against somebody good. After the Ole Miss and Texas A&M games we will pretty much know the deal.

'If it seems to good to be true , it probably is"

 

[JoshB]

Well, we're not Oklahoma, so there is that. We're not Chip Kelley's Oregon either. The difference between the O and the D remains to be seen. Probably until after the Aggie game in a few weeks.

A long time ago a reporter asked coach Bryant why he didn't play more of a pass-first offense instead of the grind it out, physical style of ball. He answered because his team played like they practice. That's also what's happening to everyone else. He said what his offense was doing reflected on the style of play and accomplishments of the defense. You know, muscle memory stuff.

Defense is actually why I think we will probably keep seeing Jalen get drives. Tua's going to light up the scoreboard, no doubt, but he also risks scoring TOO quick sometimes. You don't want to put a governor on him because you might stifle his ability but at the same time you dont want to keep putting your defense back out on the field every 3 minutes, either. Part of the reason why those 50-point per game teams typically also allow damn near 40 points per game. Their defenses are just wore slam out by the third quarter.

So we need more dink-and-dunk from Locksley, not 5 plays and a homerun ball.

Is that what I said?