🏈 With the current OL problems...

[jdpas29]

Why not go to more of a moving pocket roll out type thing with Blake instead of asking him to stand in a non-existent pocket then try to play back yard football?

He's also a great runner. Can we not run this triple option veer crap that State and the barn is doing as good or better than them? Blake is faster and shiftier than either one of those goobers.

I don't see Kiffin "getting the most" out of his players in the last 2 games particularly from the QB positions.

If they come out in the next game and the offense is attempting this same style of play, i will be a bit more than disappointed because i still feel like we have plenty enough talent on the field to score 20+ offensive points on anyone.

Rant-off...

 

[alabama mike]

You make good points but I do not see CLK changing his offensive system to something he is not familiar or comfortable using. Sims can roll out and throw the ball but IMO, there is more going on with his "injury" than we are being told. The key to the rollout is short passing or pull the ball down and run but that increases the chance of another injury. I think some bootleg action would be nice to see.

Bama may have a few basic plays with the option but timing and reading the defense is key in making this offense work. Once again, with the QB running, he takes a chance on injury. There is just not enough practice time to make this flow smoothly.

The QB has not been the problem the last two games. The problem has been the OL not opening holes or being able to give Sims time to throw the ball. Another problem is having to replace an injured center who makes all the blocking calls and adjustments at the LOS. One thing I will concede is that Sims relies too much on Cooper and at times forces throws to him.

Agree, we can and should put more points on the board. IMO, we will see more this week against a weak A & M defense. Personally, I'd like to see Jalston Fowler get 5-6 carries since he is used only as a blocking back in the run game.

 

[BigCrimson]

One of the issues with rolling a qb out is it normally cuts the field in half. So his options become very limited. Sims needs to get used to looking for other receivers in the route tree.

 

[planomateo]

The right hand side of the line is getting blown up, RG seems to be where we aren't settled yet as we are still swapping Shank & Brown. I have to think we are waiting for Dominick to get close to 100% before we put him in, my question once he's 100%, can we do better with two new guys (Bozeman and Jackson) in the middle of the season.

Not to mention our TE's aren't getting it done blocking right now.

What's Kiffin to do about it? He has a QB that in my opinion is still hampered by his shoulder injury from the Florida game and an OL that isn't able to open the holes it should be.

This was magnified a bit in the Arkansas game because of the special teams woes...

 

[UAgrad93]

The spread option or triple option is a lot more complex than just mimicking what others are doing. You are talking about changing run blocking schemes, spending time on proper footwork, getting a proper mesh with the backs, who do you read on specific plays, etc. To junk an offensive system in midseason for another is career suicide as well. We do run some sprint out passes and we run bootlegs more often than you think. These all give Blake the opportunity to run it or throw it. Like said previously in other posts, giving Blake that option puts him at greater risk of injury. When opponents start putting their ends in 9 techniques, they are telling you that you aren't getting outside of us! We can't continue to be bull headed and try and run or sprint our QB out there. Our offenses have always been very good at taking what the defense gives.

 

['65 Cobra]

If Blake is not fully healed, then he has no legitimate long ball threat. Seems like the last two weeks opposing D's have been crowding the near 10 yard zone and providing for double coverage on Coop. They are daring us to beat them deep. The OL has struggled for sure, but I think Blake is partly to blame for that as well. He locks on to Coop and seems to be missing an internal clock at times. He also tends to hold it too long - longer than the OL can hold blocks.

One of the ways to hide a weak OL (can't even believe I'm typing this) is to run high tempo, quick timing patterns a la the west coast offense. Dink and dunk essentially.

But really, what is the problem with the OL? They seem to be unmotivated or something. Is it lack of talent? Shouldn't be lack of strength. They are just not bullying people in the run game and that hurts the passing game.

 

[JoshB]

Read option needs to be a bigger part of the offense. At least gives the defense something else tho think about.

 

[UAgrad93]

A QB is told that he has 4-4.5 secs to get rid of the ball. Whether he is completely healed or not, more teams will start to run what we called "banjo" coverage on Cooper. He will have man coverage with inside or over the top help from a safety. We seemed to have gotten away from motioning Coop as much the last two weeks. The may have been something on film that showed more zone coverage than man and thus shelved some plays. You have "man beaters" and "zone beaters", plays that are specifically designed to beat those coverages. Crossing routes are great against man but will get your receiver KILLED in zone.
@Birdman37 I like the read option with Blake, but if he is our #1 man and he isn't completely healthy, then we risk SO MUCH more than just our stats and loosening up people. We did run it a couple of times against Arky last week.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

I hate to sound ridiculously simple BUUUTTTTT the way to work with the OL problem is fix it. That is the only solution.

These boy's need to work!

 

[JoshB]

I hate to sound ridiculously simple BUUUTTTTT the way to work with the OL problem is fix it. That is the only solution.

These boy's need to work!

Bradley Bozeman never played center until he got here, he was a tackle in high school. Just because Barrett Jones did it and made it look easy, doesnt mean making that transition is easy. Far from it. If Chad Lindsay hadn't left things would probably be going alot smoother on the interior but our guards have struggled regardless of whether Leon Brown or Alphonse Taylor is in there. Bozeman will get better but its going to take time especially with him being at a position he hasnt been at it. Casher may have to have his redshirt come off if it doesnt get better soon.

 

[Crimson&WhiteGecko]

Bradley Bozeman never played center until he got here, he was a tackle in high school. Just because Barrett Jones did it and made it look easy, doesnt mean making that transition is easy. Far from it. If Chad Lindsay hadn't left things would probably be going alot smoother on the interior but our guards have struggled regardless of whether Leon Brown or Alphonse Taylor is in there. Bozeman will get better but its going to take time especially with him being at a position he hasnt been at it. Casher may have to have his redshirt come off if it doesnt get better soon.

Nobody said it was easy. Typically easy to understand yes, not necessarily easy to do.

I agree there are the growing pains too & to walk away with a win considering the way the line was playing, we were fortunate.

 

[rick4bama]

Bradley Bozeman never played center until he got here, he was a tackle in high school. Just because Barrett Jones did it and made it look easy, doesnt mean making that transition is easy. Far from it. If Chad Lindsay hadn't left things would probably be going alot smoother on the interior but our guards have struggled regardless of whether Leon Brown or Alphonse Taylor is in there. Bozeman will get better but its going to take time especially with him being at a position he hasnt been at it. Casher may have to have his redshirt come off if it doesnt get better soon.

I'm glad someone remember that he hadn't play center until now. You right Barrett Jones, was superman here, I think if he was ask he would have played QB.

 

[psychojoe]

I saw that Grant Hill is back at practice now, running no. 2 at LG. If I remember correctly he started a game last year at RG. It would not surprise me if he gets a look at the position.