Crimson Red Sports

Will they have to change the type of players they are recruiting to handle qb's like Johnny Football?  I know they have been successful, but will they need more people on the edge like JC from USCe?

You are the X and O guy, HSC, but haven't we done a good job of containing everyone except for being a little flat (tired) against JF?

Saban tried to recruit Clowney, he would try to recruit anyone with that talent. 

I was surprised with the TAMU game that they jumped out to a 20 point lead.  That could be a scheme problem, failing to contain, but Saban has faced mobile QBs before and contained them, so I suspect it was a team tired after fighting LSU the prior Saturday.  It couldn't have been a surprise, JF burned Florida and LSU early in those games too.  Maybe the players underestimated his speed, I don't know, but he also hit some really tight passes.

One, I do think they caught Bama at the right time after LSU.  Also, they have done a good job with mobile QB's, however, this is the most versitile one they have ever faced.  He not only run, but also throws well.  I think Bama will have to do a better job on the edge as well as put better cover/run support guys in, like where VS was playing.

I think the team was just a little flat to start that game after the emotional victory at the house of our old nemesis, LSU.

The offense also struggled in the 1st Qtr, and that had nothing to do with JF.  If either the offense puts together one TD drive -OR- the defense gets one stop in that 1st Qtr, we win that game.  Sadly neither happened.

You are correct AJ did miss some throws early that would have kept the O on the field.  I don't think he really pushed the D with allowed them to load up on the running game.  Early throws allow the running game to open up.

I think we will beat them convincingly next time.

This much is true.  Neither Denard Robinson nor even Tebow could throw like JF did against Bama's D.

Their D line was better than expected, and they shifted their end over center to help clog the line and slow Bama's run game.  TAMU decided that they weren't going to lose the game on the ground, and AJ wasn't making the throws to keep them honest, especially early on.

The way they took out Oklahoma in the Cotton Bowl, they obviously are a talented, well-coached team.  TAMU has two cupcakes then plays Bama at home.  Bama has Va Tech then a bye week to get ready.  So I expect both teams to be highly focussed on that game, starting over the summer if not sooner.  Both teams are losing talent to the NFL, especially in the trenches.

I think Bama takes them too, but it will be one of Bama's toughest games next year.

I think you pegged it before the NCG that Bama really needed an outside edge rush to beat ND. Of course we didn't know our DL would make their entire OL quit.  But that is, I guess, why you are bringing this up now. That in 2013 we still won't have a dominant guy on the edge, but also may not have that JW push up the middle.

Let's remember, what was it, three passes from the 6?  If AJ doesn't throw the interception at the goal line do we win in spite of a lousy performance?

I read yesterday in the article about the Tim Williams commitment, that CNS recruited him specifically to help contain and run down QB's such as Manzeil. Don't know if that's true or not, but would be interesting if it is.

If AJ (bless his heart) had thrown a TD pass instead of an interception against TAMU, would we even be discussing the Aggies at this time. JF would not have won the Heisman. Losing his "O" line would dampen the speculation of his chances for next year. A&M would have finished around 15th instead of 5th. They would possibly be a pre-season top 25 pick, not top 10. We gave them the biggest GIFT any football team has ever received. Chances are better than good that Texas A&M goes back to being Texas A&M. HTH 

I DO think that we will recruit/develop some CU types but just because they are nice to have around.  Not because of JF.

I think we learned a lesson. Stay in rush lanes and don't lose containment. I agree that we were mentally tired. The LSU game was tough. Now facing A&M early will be to our advantage.

To me, the Tim Williams quote (which I think is accurate) shows that CNS knows we need more speed at LB.  So, coach, yes I think that will begin to change.  But I also think defensive scheme will change.  Kirby said he wished we'd rushed 4 instead of 3 against aTm.  Stuff like that.  Next year, we have an open week pre aTm in Sept and another pre LSU in Nov.  That's gotta help since these will likely be our two toughtest games.

Having an extra week to make adjustments of things that did not go well against Va. Tech and to prepare for JF is a good thing. Usually I say wasting an off date early in the season is poor scheduling. But the fact that TAMU will be coming off two cupcakes also plays to our advantage. JMHO, but teams coming off a Ga. Southern or maybe Western Carolina (cupcakes) type of games take half the game to get into the speed and visciousness of a big game against a real opponent.

I just don't see CNS changing a whole lot from what they are already doing. I'm thinking that he will have the players better prepared for the hurry up offense and scrambling QBs than what they were this year. Spring training starts in just a few weeks and I'm betting that will be the beginning of getting ready for TA&M.

I think Jonathan Allen 6'3" 255 and a 4.5 40 could be a factor.  I think Williams could be a factor, but not sure he can line up on the LOS and be a factor at 230.