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Around Campus => The Quad => Topic started by: hscoach on September 10, 2017, 12:50:33 PM



Title: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: hscoach on September 10, 2017, 12:50:33 PM
Fresno vs Bama

First, congrats to the Bama players and coaches on the win.  I really don’t consider it impressive but it was a win after a huge game.

OFFFENSE:   The offense played against an inferior team.  They put together 497 yards of total offense.  This included 305 yards rushing and 192 passing.  Included in this was a total of 5 negative plays.  They gave up 1 sack and 4 tackles for losses.  Bama was credited for 1 three and out but there was another where Bama kicked a field goal when they didn’t put the ball in the end zone with a first and goal.  For plays over 10 yards they had 7 pass plays and 11 runs.  Bama got into the red zone 5 times.  Of these 5 opportunities, they had three touchdowns and 2 field goals.  Two touchdowns came from outside the red zone.  I think I did see a few unforced mistakes by the offense during the game.  One, when Tua was in, the right guard and tackle ran counter to the left and the ball was given to N Harris to run right.  This looked to me that it should have been a QB counter.  Also, on the missed touchdown N Harris may have gone the wrong way getting in the way of the open tight end for a touchdown.  I also don’t think this team really put on enough pass rush early to run the screen and they did sniff it out.

QB:  I thought Hurts played well.  He was 14 for 18 and there was a drop and one because he was hit while he threw the ball.  Also, one pass to Ridley I thought was complete and came loose when he extended the ball to get and extra yard.  There was one throw he missed to the outside which could have been a touchdown.  Another miss was on the inside and had too much air which was almost intercepted.  To me this was the one that was clearly off target.  I can also see why he threw underneath many times as the defenders were bailing on the snap many times.  Hurts also hit the hot route off the blitz something that didn’t always happen against Florida State.  Tua played well for his first college experience.  A few throws were not right on target but were catchable and the receivers made the catch. 

RB:   The running backs all ran hard.  They all averaged over 5 yards per carry.  I was impressed with the move Bo made after a catch avoiding the defender.  All three backs had receptions.

Rec:  Eight different players had receptions during the game.  Ridley was again the main target as he caught 5 balls.  I will also not that the receivers blocked pretty well during the game.

OL:   I really thought they would completely dominate with a smaller team.  They played ok, but they don’t always get to the second level and they don’t sustain their blocks all the time.  There was once where they rushed 5 against Tua and the defender split the right guard and tackle and made the sack.  I still think this is where Bama really needs to improve.

Defense:  Too me the play on defense was lackadaisical. They gave up 274 yards of total offense, 216 passing and 58 rushing.   Part of this was the offense that was run by Fresno.  They threw the ball 41 times and most of them were 7 yards or under.  I only have about 9 passes traveling more than 10 yards and a couple were because the Qb was scrambling.  Bam only had 5 negative plays defensively.  There was 1 sack, 4 tackles for losses and an interception which put Bama in the red zone.   They only had 2 three and outs.  For plays over 10 yards, there were 7 passes and 2 runs. They got into the red zone once and they kicked a field goal and scored the touchdown from outside the red zone.   I have Bama for at least 6 missed tackles and 3 of those were on one play. 

DL:  I just didn’t see them coming off the ball hard until they put the back-ups in.  They played the run well enough but the pass rush wasn’t much probably because they were getting rid of the ball so fast.

LB: They played ok.  Had to determine with all the underneath pass routes. 

DB:  They were not given many opportunities since the passes were thrown underneath. There were many crossing routes in the LB area or back outs where the receiver had cleared the arear.  The same can be said for the areas where the LB had vacated for short routes.  They had many tackles but they were coming up for the underneath receptions. 

Special Teams:  The big flaw was the long kick-off return.  All three of Scott’s punts pinned them at the 9, 10, and 11 yard lines.  The field goals and extra points were all good.  The punt returns were good and one set Bama up in great field position.

Penalties:   Bama had 4 penalties.  Offense had one with a delay of game on before the field goal attempt but didn’t hurt them.  The defense had an offsides, substitution infraction, and a face mask.  On the drive for the field goal by Fresno the defense gave them a first down because of the two penalties, substation infraction and offsides.  The allowed them to overcome a 3rd and 10.

Finally:  I guess you can expect a little let down after a huge win to begin the season.  However, if you want to be a National Champion you need to play to the best of your ability every game, if not you just digress.   They have one more game until the start of conference play and need to progress instead of digressing.

Feel free to comment:

16 and Counting


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: ricky023 on September 10, 2017, 01:07:53 PM
Thanks hscoach for a job well done. This tells the story pretty straight. RTR!


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: 2Stater on September 10, 2017, 01:24:47 PM
Great assessment, Coach. I think you hit the nail on the head. Not their best effort, but what they usually do after the big game to start the season.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: N.AL-Tider on September 10, 2017, 04:24:26 PM
Thanks HSC.  I thought Jalen took off too early out of the pocket a time or two when he probably should have waited another second, possibly two for a receiver to get open.  I also wanted to see him had the ball to the RB's a few times that he pulled it back and took off running.  The passes that FS was making made it difficult to defend many times.  On the longer passes I kept waiting, hoping for a Pic-6 that never materialized...  >:(


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: KoKoPuf on September 10, 2017, 04:42:26 PM
This team just not look sharp either on offense or defense. DaBoll's offense is unimaginative to say the least and, if not for Hurts running, Bama might be in real trouble. Potentially super good receivers but Bama is ho hum at throwing the ball. Potentially super running backs but can't run the ball consistently. I watched Clemson, Oklahoma and USC easily get receivers open and Bama doesn't. And it isn't just because of poor line play. Puzzling.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: McBaman on September 10, 2017, 06:45:21 PM
Thanks for your insights Coach.  You pretty well nailed it.

I hope this is not the best Daboll has to offer.  If it is, we are in for another OC change next season.  Keep thinking he is setting up something with all the vanilla designed plays, but that something never comes.

Rumors on other Bama boards of changes coming in the OL next week.  God I hope so.  This bunch ain't getting it done.

I still wonder about leadership.



Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: hscoach on September 10, 2017, 06:59:46 PM
The only real concern I see with the offense is the OL with their protection and consistent run blocking.  I don't know how well they communicate with each other especially on the right side.  I don't think the O has opened things up yet.  You don't have to throw a lot of deep balls to win the game, look at the Clemson game.   Keep the ball, don't turn it over and move the chains.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: N.AL-Tider on September 10, 2017, 07:49:40 PM
This team just not look sharp either on offense or defense. DaBoll's offense is unimaginative to say the least and, if not for Hurts running, Bama might be in real trouble. Potentially super good receivers but Bama is ho hum at throwing the ball. Potentially super running backs but can't run the ball consistently. I watched Clemson, Oklahoma and USC easily get receivers open and Bama doesn't. And it isn't just because of poor line play. Puzzling.
I think part of the problem is OL blocking and partly Hurts tendency to pull the ball down and take off running.  Of course, the OL is not opening holes for our RB's either, not sure why since Hurts is able to find holes.  Is Hurts that much quicker than Bo, Damien, Nagee?


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: hscoach on September 10, 2017, 08:02:00 PM
The running backs gained and Ridley, on the reverse, gained 154 yard rushing.  I think the OL needs to stay on their blocks a little longer.  I also wonder if some people are mistaking Hurts pulling the ball down too quickly when he is actually running a QB draw? 


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: Chechem on September 11, 2017, 06:27:44 AM
Thanks for the report, hscoach.  Excellent and thorough.   :worship:

1.  I agree that Hurts is often running designed QB draws, which folks seem to misinterpret.  He seems more patient this year about reading patterns and finding the secondary receivers.

2.  You said: "I have Bama for at least 6 missed tackles and 3 of those were on one play."  I don't recall Alabama having such a poor-tackling game in a while.  And it wasn't just backup players!  Maybe lack of focus (?).

Thanks much for taking the time to write the weekly report.   #+


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: N.AL-Tider on September 11, 2017, 06:46:22 AM
The running backs gained and Ridley, on the reverse, gained 154 yard rushing.  I think the OL needs to stay on their blocks a little longer.  I also wonder if some people are mistaking Hurts pulling the ball down too quickly when he is actually running a QB draw? 
I actually thought of that a time or two but I also still think he did bail on actual passing plays a time or two.  If he is going to do that I would like to see him scramble and try to find an open receiver instead of just trying to gain yardage...


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: Chechem on September 11, 2017, 06:50:16 AM
The running backs gained and Ridley, on the reverse, gained 154 yard rushing.  I think the OL needs to stay on their blocks a little longer.  I also wonder if some people are mistaking Hurts pulling the ball down too quickly when he is actually running a QB draw? 
I actually thought of that a time or two but I also still think he did bail on actual passing plays a time or two.  If he is going to do that I would like to see him scramble and try to find an open receiver instead of just trying to gain yardage...

As long as the linemen know that. 
Watch the O-line.  When they block then release, it's a designed run.
If Hurts starts to run and they release downfield, PENALTY...


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: N.AL-Tider on September 11, 2017, 07:43:49 AM
The running backs gained and Ridley, on the reverse, gained 154 yard rushing.  I think the OL needs to stay on their blocks a little longer.  I also wonder if some people are mistaking Hurts pulling the ball down too quickly when he is actually running a QB draw? 
I actually thought of that a time or two but I also still think he did bail on actual passing plays a time or two.  If he is going to do that I would like to see him scramble and try to find an open receiver instead of just trying to gain yardage...

As long as the linemen know that. 
Watch the O-line.  When they block then release, it's a designed run.
If Hurts starts to run and they release downfield, PENALTY...
It would only be a penalty if he winds up throwing.  He can scramble then run if no one gets open and that's fine.  The OL "should" know not to release down field on called pass plays.  That is just coaching...


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: Chechem on September 11, 2017, 10:12:05 AM
The running backs gained and Ridley, on the reverse, gained 154 yard rushing.  I think the OL needs to stay on their blocks a little longer.  I also wonder if some people are mistaking Hurts pulling the ball down too quickly when he is actually running a QB draw? 
I actually thought of that a time or two but I also still think he did bail on actual passing plays a time or two.  If he is going to do that I would like to see him scramble and try to find an open receiver instead of just trying to gain yardage...

As long as the linemen know that. 
Watch the O-line.  When they block then release, it's a designed run.
If Hurts starts to run and they release downfield, PENALTY...
It would only be a penalty if he winds up throwing.  He can scramble then run if no one gets open and that's fine.  The OL "should" know not to release down field on called pass plays.  That is just coaching...

Of course. 
But I was addressing the run/pass options.  Very difficult to get linemen to release synchronously with Hurts if he decides to run.  The way we're doing it now, it's usually either a called run or he runs from the pocket after finding receivers covered.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: lstephen on September 11, 2017, 12:48:11 PM
Thanks coach!  Good stuff as always.  It seems to me that the OL has taken a couple of games to jell in the lst couple of seasons so maybe they are just getting organized.  I think the D showed the loss of 4 linebackers from the original starting lineup.  We'll get a real test - wait for it - when we start conference play against GASP!!! Vandy!  They've looked better than last year in their first two games.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: hscoach on September 11, 2017, 03:10:55 PM
Passing plays:
1.   Wide rec screen ball delivered on time up in Sim’s face so he can catch the ball with his hands and gains 18 yards with a good block by the other rec.  Sims also made a move to beat one defender.
2.   Stop route to the outside delivered to Ridley on time.  Does look like he was expecting him to pull up a little sooner. Gain of 7 with the cushion Hurts knew where he was going from the beginning.
3.   Screen that was smelled out quickly.  Not a big pass rush.  Loss of 7.
4.   Pass play where middle opened-up with Fresno bringing pressure and he rushed for a first down.  I don’t know what the rec’s looked like because the TV angle doesn’t show it.
5.   Wide rec screen again with loose coverage.  Db came up and made a good tackle for a short gain.
6.   Swing pass to Bo with wide rec’s blocking.  Ball on time and on target with a gain of 7.
7.   Deep ball to Ridley on the outside.  Overthrown to the outside where it needs to be missed if it is missed.
8.   Touchdown throw to the tight end on target for 23 yards.
9.   Bubble screen to Jeudy.  Ball on time and target.  Good for a first down.
10.   Another stop route to Ridley on the outside.  Ball delivered on time and on target.
11.   Ridley in the slot this time and again hits a stop route against loose coverage.  Ball on target on time.
12.   Hits Bo on a release route.  Looks downfield first and checks down.  May have been going there anyway.  Also, may have been a check since he move Bo to that side of the formation.
13.   Tua in:  Stop route to outside right.  A little late on the throw but good velocity
14.   Same as above but more on time.
15.   Drop back looking to throw a deeper ball but right guard and right tackle have two to pick up and one spits the gap and makes the sack.  Left tackle also gets pushed back.
16.   Third and fifteen.  Gets pressured by defense rushing 3 has to scramble out of the pocket and throws short.
17.   Hurts back in:  QB draw you can see the rec’s blocking early.
18.   Again, throws the stop route to Ridley on the outside.  On time and on target.
19.   Looks like an RPO because you have two linemen pulling on a counter look but it also looks like he is looking to the slant for the inside rec.  There is a LB in there so he pulls it down and runs.
20.   Looks like the screen to the RB to the outside but the LB vacates early so Hurts pulls the ball down and runs.
21.   Heavy pressure and steps up in the pocket and is hit and still throw the ball.  Ball is a little short because he can’t get the power on the ball while being hit.  Does avoid the sack.  Very close to a completion.
22.   This is one where the slant is thrown on time and they call it incomplete.  I thought the ball was being extended and came out after it hit the ground.  Ball was on target and on time.
23.   Slant to the inside rec complete.  Again, on time and on target.
24.   Throw to the Tight end.  May have been a little bit behind.  It looks like Ridley may have been coming open a little deeper if he had waited, but the TE was wide open.
25.   This is the one that should have been intercepted.  Too much air and too far inside.  Rec was open.  May have been a TD even with the air if throw outside a little more.
26.   Looking downfield but can’t see if anyone is open with the TV angle.  May have been able to step up but had a lot of room to run and picked up 16 yards.
27.   Tua back in:  Looks like he is staring down the TE and the ball is complete a little behind.  Looks like the inside slant was coming open and may have been a better option. Actually looks to have lost a yard.
28.   RT missed block and allows immediate pressure on QB and has to leave the pocket and keeps from getting a negative play.
29.   Ball throw which probably should have gone to the TE and I think the back went the wrong way.  TE was open in the end zone.
30.   Missed slant route to inside rec would have had to be a perfect pass. Too me the outside rec may have been a better option.
31.   Outside screen to the left to N Harris on time and on target.
32.   Boot action rolling to his right, which is tough on a left-handed QB and he completes the pass. A little behind so the rec had to wait on the ball and come back.
33.   Play-action boot to the left and throw a little behind but the rec makes the catch and gets in for the touchdown.

A couple more notes.  Right guard and tackle may be pushed for playing time by others.
Have to give some props to the Middle Backer of Fresno who played a heck of a game.
I have no problem with the offense.  They move the chains and control the clock.  Better execution is needed on some plays but I put that on the O line.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: Chechem on September 12, 2017, 05:36:46 AM
Thanks again, coach.  Good addendum notes.

It hasn't been said, but is obvious; Tua isn't ready to replace Hurts.  Tua is a talent, but needs work.


Title: Re: Game notes: Fresno vs Bama
Post by: SUPERCOACH on September 12, 2017, 01:03:59 PM
Thanks again, coach.  Good addendum notes.

It hasn't been said, but is obvious; Tua isn't ready to replace Hurts.  Tua is a talent, but needs work.

Yep.