I saw some things today that had me encouraged, but also some things that have me concerned. I realize that this is the first game of the season and the team still has a ways to go. In fact, I would hope that the team improves each and every week. I'm sure that Saban and the rest of the staff will emphasize improvement as the season progresses. It's in his nature to not accept complacency and to push his kids to be the best that they can be. So having said that, I'm sure that whatever weaknesses we exhibited today will get addressed.
Let me also say that it's hard to be overly-critical of a team that just won 48-7.....but I'll do what I can. :biggrin:
1. I still have concerns about our offensive line. Especially the run blocking. We were inconsistent in that area last year and today seemed like a microcosm of 2010. For every play where a back gained positive yardage, you had a play in which we lost yardage or netted no gain. A number of times when a back (Richardson is case in point) gained positive yardage, they did it on their own, essentially. The back was hit early but managed to spin out and make something out of nothing. I won't lie. I'm a bit concerned. If we had played a quality SEC team today it would have been far closer.
I get it. I know Kent was stacking the box, I know they were top-10 in the country last year on defense, they have an exceptional defensive lineman that caused us problems. I get it. But with the exception of a run or two today, the rushing production and execution was appalling for a "Bama team" IMHO.
2. For the most part, I thought the pass blocking was very good. Kent got some sacks, but some of that was due to our own quarterbacks not being aware or just making poor decisions.
3. What QB controversy? Well, it ain't over yet I don't think. But.....today McCarron far and away outplayed Sims. I suspect that Saban will give Sims a decent amount of time next week against Penn State. I don't think he's ready to make any sort of final ruling when it comes to quarterbacks, but it did absolutely look like Sims was still stuck in high school speed mode. Obviously McCarron has the edge on experience, and played like it. He seemed more adjusted to game-day speed, and certainly looked more polished. Sims should (and I expect, will) get another shot next week. I think Sims is going to be a solid player for us, but there's some on the job learning he'll have to experience.
4. Does Dre Kirkpatrick hold the all-time NCAA record for a defensive player lining up off-sides yet? Good grief! This happened 3 or 4 times last year that I can remember, and he does it again in the first game of the season. That's one of those "WTF??????" things every time it's called. I understand that Kirkpatrick might be in press coverage and needs to get a bump in on the receiver, but does he not understand that he has to line up on a certain side of the line of scrimmage?
5. Overall, the defense looked impressive. I know we were playing Kent, and they have a new system, coach, and all of that. But....still, holding a team to 90 net yards of total offense is impressive. Kent completed 20 passes for less than 5 yards a pop and rushed more than 20 times for less than 10 yards in total.
6. Never bought into the talk about our receivers and not having a guy that could stretch the field. The McCarron to Maze deep post touchdown is exactly what Maze has been doing the last couple of years....you know....when that Julio Jones guy was here. With Hanks you have a nice duo to start with. I think White is going to be a solid (if not spectacular) reciever, and I can only imagine what Carter is going to bring to the table. I know Saban and staff have already been raving about him in the limited time that he's been on campus.
Anyway, glad to get that first win out of the way. I think there are some things we need to work on, but I guess I'm just being "Captain Obvious" here. Saban and the coaching staff will take a long, hard, look at today and make the needed adjustments. Hey, we could be Auburn. Looks like they're in for a long year.
Let me also say that it's hard to be overly-critical of a team that just won 48-7.....but I'll do what I can. :biggrin:
1. I still have concerns about our offensive line. Especially the run blocking. We were inconsistent in that area last year and today seemed like a microcosm of 2010. For every play where a back gained positive yardage, you had a play in which we lost yardage or netted no gain. A number of times when a back (Richardson is case in point) gained positive yardage, they did it on their own, essentially. The back was hit early but managed to spin out and make something out of nothing. I won't lie. I'm a bit concerned. If we had played a quality SEC team today it would have been far closer.
I get it. I know Kent was stacking the box, I know they were top-10 in the country last year on defense, they have an exceptional defensive lineman that caused us problems. I get it. But with the exception of a run or two today, the rushing production and execution was appalling for a "Bama team" IMHO.
2. For the most part, I thought the pass blocking was very good. Kent got some sacks, but some of that was due to our own quarterbacks not being aware or just making poor decisions.
3. What QB controversy? Well, it ain't over yet I don't think. But.....today McCarron far and away outplayed Sims. I suspect that Saban will give Sims a decent amount of time next week against Penn State. I don't think he's ready to make any sort of final ruling when it comes to quarterbacks, but it did absolutely look like Sims was still stuck in high school speed mode. Obviously McCarron has the edge on experience, and played like it. He seemed more adjusted to game-day speed, and certainly looked more polished. Sims should (and I expect, will) get another shot next week. I think Sims is going to be a solid player for us, but there's some on the job learning he'll have to experience.
4. Does Dre Kirkpatrick hold the all-time NCAA record for a defensive player lining up off-sides yet? Good grief! This happened 3 or 4 times last year that I can remember, and he does it again in the first game of the season. That's one of those "WTF??????" things every time it's called. I understand that Kirkpatrick might be in press coverage and needs to get a bump in on the receiver, but does he not understand that he has to line up on a certain side of the line of scrimmage?
5. Overall, the defense looked impressive. I know we were playing Kent, and they have a new system, coach, and all of that. But....still, holding a team to 90 net yards of total offense is impressive. Kent completed 20 passes for less than 5 yards a pop and rushed more than 20 times for less than 10 yards in total.
6. Never bought into the talk about our receivers and not having a guy that could stretch the field. The McCarron to Maze deep post touchdown is exactly what Maze has been doing the last couple of years....you know....when that Julio Jones guy was here. With Hanks you have a nice duo to start with. I think White is going to be a solid (if not spectacular) reciever, and I can only imagine what Carter is going to bring to the table. I know Saban and staff have already been raving about him in the limited time that he's been on campus.
Anyway, glad to get that first win out of the way. I think there are some things we need to work on, but I guess I'm just being "Captain Obvious" here. Saban and the coaching staff will take a long, hard, look at today and make the needed adjustments. Hey, we could be Auburn. Looks like they're in for a long year.
