Bama vs PSU game notes:

[hscoach]

Offense:
After a slow start the offense moved the ball effectively. They played against 7 or 8 in the box most of the day.  About the only time they didn’t was when it was a passing situation.  In my opinion one of the best stats was there were no turnovers against a hard hitting PSU defense.  I will say PSU’s D had more speed than I anticipated.  I would still like to see a deep threat from the rec’s.  The worst possible thing I can say is Bama missed a TD opportunity and had to settle for a field goal.

QB:  AJ made some good decisions.  It looked early as if he was staring his rec’s down. I think he did a better job as the game progressed.  He did throw the ball into coverage at times and got away with it.  The pass that was almost an int was a poorly thrown ball.  It should have been thrown where only #17 had a chance at all for the ball.  There was also one time when I thought he had a rec coming open in the middle and dumped the ball to TR because of pressure.  I did notice AJM getting on rec’s for not helping out when he scrambled.  It is hard for me to imagine a QB as tall as AJ having 4 balls batted down or tipped.  He will need to do a better job of moving his feet at times.  As far as PS, I wish they had put him in the game earlier in the last series.  I didn’t like the way he was put in just to take a couple of snaps.  What true experience did he gain from this? 

RB:  Both ran hard. I really don’t know why early in the game all of TR runs were in up the middle.  In the game I have TR getting hit 6 times before he reached the LOS and EL once before he reached the LOS.  TR also caught the ball well and made some tough yards.  EL is proving to be a great backup and I have no problem with him playing more.   I just wish he would have gotten the last TD since he did most of the work getting the ball down there.

REC:  The ball was spread around and I don’t remember any true drops.  It was good to see MW have a good game since one of the int’s came off of his hands last week.  Maze made a very good catch when the DB went for the int.   Also, Norwood made some plays and really got popped one time near the goal line.  There were a couple of times when it looked like the rec’s were watching where the QB was throwing the ball, and they knew it was not coming to them.  I will say the TD throw to Williams was what we used to call Utah.  With three rec’s on the same side, the outside rec runs a go, 2nd rec runs and arrow/flat route and the 3rd runs the banana. 

OL:   First let me say there was improvement by the OL. I did not see any lying on the ground to cut off back side DL.  The pass protection was good; I know there were a couple of pressures, but I only remember AJ getting knocked down once.  The problem is with penetration.  Once the D had a stunt and the DT came inside when the RG pulled and hit TR in the mouth.  Another time the RG did not get to the 2nd level and cut off the LB.  Also, BS, whether you want to call him a TE or HB, he missed the backside cutoff block on the outside defender.   One of the main problem is saw when a ball was batted down was the outside rushers was lined up wider than normal and the LT did not move his feet well enough to get to the rusher.   With all this being said, they did a better job this week against a better team.
 
Defense:
Except for the opening drive, the defense again played well.  In the opening drive there were a few missed tackles.  However, like the announcers said PSU showed some new things they probably didn’t show the week before.  I think the major game plan was to run if possible, throw short and make the LB”s cover and move the pocket.  If they threw deep they would do it 3 rec’s and max protect.  I don’t know if it was a factor, but PSU lined up with a TE and Guard on one side and flipped the LT or RT to the other side.  The D did not register a sack, but they did hit/pressure the QB at least 4 or 5 times.  I do see the effect of the recruiting Bama has done with the packages/players they are able to use on D.  After the first drive Bama had 4 three and outs, 2 five and outs with 2turnovers, and 2 four and outs, one which was aided by a penalty which would have been a 3 and out.   Also, this year the tackling is better and it looks like the D doesn’t just want to hit you, but actually punish you.

DL:    The DL again played well.  It seemed all made plays at some time or another. I just have not seen one dominant pass rusher.  I do think they are staying in their lanes better this year compared to last year.  I think Bama got lucky early when the Bama player made a slashing sign across the neck which could have been a penalty.  I did notice the hustle by QD on a play that broke for a few yards with him in pursuit.

LB:  Again here Bama has depth.  They can play numerous LB’s and still be effective.  It also seems they are getting people lined up quicker this year. 

DB:  One thing that stood out to me was how close to the LOS the DB were making plays.  This usually mean you can hurt them with play action, but it didn’t really happen.  I do think the safeties took some bad angle a couple of times.  The big one was when PSU hit the big ball late and the safety didn’t get there.   
 
Special teams:  Bama needs a punter. Fortunately, Bama has a good D, because the punter can’t flip field position.  For the last couple of weeks, I have noticed and picked out big plays by #3, #33, #6, and I think #91.  Also, this early in the season, this is the best kickoff coverage I have seen in years.  On the kickoff return, TR should not have stepped in front of the other guy.  This caused fumbles.  Finally, one the fake punt, all they ran was the counter trey and if #17 stays behind his blockers he may still be running. 

Penalties:  Two flags in a hostile environment for the day is not bad. 


Please feel free to comment.

Good Luck and Roll Tide Roll

[pmull]

Thanks for the excellant report. We look forward to your comments each week.

[crtuneman]

My thought on the OL is that Warmack and Steen are getting beat way too much by stunts and they also are getting pushed around too much in the interior. The PSU DTs got way too much penetration. Notice that one play in the 2nd half where TR was hit as soon as he got the ball, 5 yds deep. We have got to shore up the interior of our line.

[hscoach]

My thought on the OL is that Warmack and Steen are getting beat way too much by stunts and they also are getting pushed around too much in the interior. The PSU DTs got way too much penetration. Notice that one play in the 2nd half where TR was hit as soon as he got the ball, 5 yds deep. We have got to shore up the interior of our line.

I think that is where the RG pulled and the DL stunted inside and there was no one there the hit him.

[Coach Hank Crisp]

Thanks hscoach!

[SUPERCOACH]

Thanks for the report. 

Do you think AJ bears a lot of the responsibility for the batted balls?  It seems to me like he should have taken a step to open up the passing lane instead of just trying to throw over the guy.  I think a lot of the guys who batted the ball down where unblocked on purpose as a setup so that the RB could get some distance from them and have some running room.  On plays like that the QB has to shift around as needed to open up the throwing lane, IMHO.

[Marshal Dillon]

hscoach:

What do you see as a remedy for the O-Line if there is one? Also, do you see any changes being made in the line, like starting someone else or moving players in the O-line? I am hugely worried about the unit and think they have hugely underformed. Forget any Heisman for TR, that ain't happening. We need to wory aobut being able to run the ball consisstently. Do you think AJ could handle having the offense opened up more or should a tight rein be held on him?


 

[hscoach]

Thanks for the report. 

Do you think AJ bears a lot of the responsibility for the batted balls?  It seems to me like he should have taken a step to open up the passing lane instead of just trying to throw over the guy.  I think a lot of the guys who batted the ball down where unblocked on purpose as a setup so that the RB could get some distance from them and have some running room.  On plays like that the QB has to shift around as needed to open up the throwing lane, IMHO.

I know a couple of times they were in on him quick.   I do think he can step around or adjust the throwing angle to make some throws.   On the short drops the OL have to make the DL get their hands down.

[hscoach]

hscoach:

What do you see as a remedy for the O-Line if there is one? Also, do you see any changes being made in the line. like starting someone else or moving players in the O-line? I ma hugely woried about the unit and think they have hugely underformed. Forget any Heisman for TR, that ain't happening. We need to wory aobut being able to run the ball consisstently. Do you think AJ could handle having the offense opened up more or should a tight rein be held on him?


 

The main problem I see is not moving their feet.  Sled work helps in this area for running plays and one one one drills for the pass.  There were times they did extremely well.  I think play action pass with people trying to stop TR should be a big part of the game.  I am just worried about a stud rec who can get open consistently.

[bama87]

I think the D line is still a work in progress. All of the QB pressures were from the LBs.

[McBaman]

Coach -- Thanks for your insights. Seems odd to say this early in the season, but unless OL has divine transformation next Sat, we are in for an offensive struggle all year.  A very avg OL + unestablished QB = offensive struggles against good SEC defenses, i.e. where the defensive speed is more of a factor.

I don't see AJ as "threatening" the defenses, i.e. he's not a playmaker.  And I don't understand why we don't try running "wider" or at least not inside all the time.

[Old Tider]

I agree about the field goal, Coach. One yard away with two downs to punch it in, so we try a pass and then are not sure we can get that one yard. Lack of confidence in the OL.

[hscoach]

Coach -- Thanks for your insights. Seems odd to say this early in the season, but unless OL has divine transformation next Sat, we are in for an offensive struggle all year.  A very avg OL + unestablished QB = offensive struggles against good SEC defenses, i.e. where the defensive speed is more of a factor.

I don't see AJ as "threatening" the defenses, i.e. he's not a playmaker.  And I don't understand why we don't try running "wider" or at least not inside all the time.

I really expected the OL to be better.  I think the potential is  there.  Too me the weakness is the running game as they did a decent job pass blocking against what I assume is a pretty good PSU DL.  They are going to have to do a better job getting to the second level and combo blocking.  They will have to continue to progess.  Also, on a bright note they had more rushing yards agianst PSU than they did against KSU. 

[Marshal Dillon]

hscoach:

What do you see as a remedy for the O-Line if there is one? Also, do you see any changes being made in the line. like starting someone else or moving players in the O-line? I ma hugely woried about the unit and think they have hugely underformed. Forget any Heisman for TR, that ain't happening. We need to wory aobut being able to run the ball consisstently. Do you think AJ could handle having the offense opened up more or should a tight rein be held on him?


 

The main problem I see is not moving their feet.  Sled work helps in this area for running plays and one one one drills for the pass.  There were times they did extremely well.  I think play action pass with people trying to stop TR should be a big part of the game.  I am just worried about a stud rec who can get open consistently.

Interesting you mention the receiver position. Did you or anyone else notice if DeAndrew White played? He started last week but I don't remember seeing him the eintire game. Plus, how can we have a stud receiver if we continue to throw the ball 2 yards? AJ completing 19 passes for 163 yards is actually pathetic. Not blaming the QB, but we are playing it too safe and it will bite us this year (and more than once) if we don't get better on offense with the run game and more imaginitive in passing.

[hscoach]

hscoach:

What do you see as a remedy for the O-Line if there is one? Also, do you see any changes being made in the line. like starting someone else or moving players in the O-line? I ma hugely woried about the unit and think they have hugely underformed. Forget any Heisman for TR, that ain't happening. We need to wory aobut being able to run the ball consisstently. Do you think AJ could handle having the offense opened up more or should a tight rein be held on him?


 

The main problem I see is not moving their feet.  Sled work helps in this area for running plays and one one one drills for the pass.  There were times they did extremely well.  I think play action pass with people trying to stop TR should be a big part of the game.  I am just worried about a stud rec who can get open consistently.

Interesting you mention the receiver position. Did you or anyone else notice if DeAndrew White played? He started last week but I don't remember seeing him the eintire game. Plus, how can we have a stud receiver if we continue to throw the ball 2 yards? AJ completing 19 passes for 163 yards is actually pathetic. Not blaming the QB, but we are playing it too safe and it will bite us this year (and more than once) if we don't get better on offense with the run game and more imaginitive in passing.

#2 did play, but I don't think he had a reception.  Myabe they don't think the Rec can get open and maybe just trying to manage the game for AJ.  Remember last year people were calling him a gunslinger.

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