A more "Quarterback friendly" offense...

[Proxigean Tide]

This is what Saban called it and I think this addition will represent the single biggest reason for more wins in 2008. I never really thought about the reasons why Bama's offense seemed to always struggle to control the ball and sustain drives, but one of the reasons was that the offense required almost perfect execution to move the ball -- there were few "QB friendly" plays.

Bama wasn't blown out by anyone in 2007 as the defense seemed able to hang tough despite being left on the field much too long by our sputtering offense. I think a big reason for this was design of the offense that required a running threat to occupy LBs, excellent pass blocking, time for downfield pass routes to develop and then a near perfect throw from the QB. Unfortunately, Bama lacked a bunch of these necessary ingredients and the offense just couldn't move the ball in last year's offensive scheme.

I think Coach Mac's system of distributing the ball to TEs and RBs will take pressure off the QB, make Bama's offense much harder to defend and allow WRs to play without constant double coverage. I think short and intermediate pass routes are more suited to JPW's skills and will soften up defenses...eliminating last season's problem of watching RBs run head long into a stacked defensive LOS.

If Bama wins more games in 2008, I think it will be because it has adopted a more "ball control", "QB friendly" offense that will result in longer drives and a more rested defense. Thoughts?

 

[GrayTide]

Good comments. The offense you speak of sounds like something out of the Homer Smith playbook. I do agree that it is going to have to be something user friendly for JPW and the offense to gain any consistency. I am still not convinced we have an SEC caliber RB, Grant and Lowe are good in space, and although I have tried to like Glen Coffee, I just don't think he has the speed, power and balance to be the back. Upchurch of the returnees, has some of these skills; maybe one or more of the incoming freshmen can step up. Maybe something positive will come out of fall practice.

 

[drjamesm]

The offense is QB friendly.thank goodness with the lack of talent Bama has at the QB position at this time. I only hope Star Jackson (the 1st 4*) can play up to his potential b/c there isn't much talent there for him to beat out.I'm sorry 17/34 in this offense just isn't very impressive!

 

[UAME]

I think you are exactly on point with the direction we will try to take with the offensive philosophy. Here's the problem: let's just grant the fact that the offense will be more productive (even though that is not truly a given, considering the depletion of veteran receivers and a less-than-evident rushing attack.) Normally, one could say that if our offense makes the type of improvements we are expecting, that should translate to more wins on the field. However, I look at our losses on defense (added to those mentioned on offense) and I see a VERY INEXPERIENCED team hitting the field in 2008.

When you look at our schedule, the number of tough games on the road, I just don't see the reality of anything more than 8 wins, and that would be very good. I think Bama has the talent to challenge and even beat teams that are better, but to think we can pull it off through an entire SEC schedule is a little too much to bank on.

The season opener against Clemson is going to be a huge game. That team played Auburn toe-to-toe, and from what I've heard, most of the entire team is coming back. Even if Bama's first-liners are better talents, we'll be facing a team that has years of game experience and coaching stability. I think our showing in that game will have a huge impact on the psychology of the team.

 

[RT3413]

I think Coach Mac's system of distributing the ball to TEs and RBs will take pressure off the QB, make Bama's offense much harder to defend and allow WRs to play without constant double coverage. I think short and intermediate pass routes are more suited to JPW's skills and will soften up defenses...eliminating last season's problem of watching RBs run head long into a stacked defensive LOS.

Before the game, CNS said that the offense we would see in the A-Day game was essentially the CMA offense, not the CJE offense. The QB coaching of looking down to the RB/TE faster was there but essentially the plays we saw were last year's offense, not this years.

One more note - if you do toss a lot of short/intermediate routes it opens up a great opportunity to insert a burner like Maze or Hanks in the slot and send them deep over the middle against a safety creeping up to help with the short route coverage.

However, I look at our losses on defense (added to those mentioned on offense) and I see a VERY INEXPERIENCED team hitting the field in 2008.

When you look at our schedule, the number of tough games on the road, I just don't see the reality of anything more than 8 wins, and that would be very good.

I think I agree. I would like to see a 9 or 10 win season but I think if I look realistically we're going to be doing well to go 8-4 with the road schedule we have this year.

But I would rather have the #1 freshman class come in and learn early on what it's like to play in Knoxville and Baton Rouge so that they won't be as timid when we get back there in 2010 with a chance to make a run at the BCS title.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

We did throw the ball a ton more than I'd realized. I also think that we'll be winning 8 games and it's primarily because we'll be playing a ton of freshmen and have huge road games.

I did like what I saw in terms of on-the-surface coaching improvement. Whether the offense was CMA or CJM dominated is irrelevant to me - it definitely seemed like that JPW did improve a bit. I mean, he started like crap and actually improved during the game. I'm definitely encouraged but I'm still wary about our O-line when they face real defenses in the fall. To me, that'll be the biggest wild card for us in the fall.

 

[OakMtn4Bama]

We did throw the ball a ton more than I'd realized. I also think that we'll be winning 8 games and it's primarily because we'll be playing a ton of freshmen and have huge road games.

I did like what I saw in terms of on-the-surface coaching improvement. Whether the offense was CMA or CJM dominated is irrelevant to me - it definitely seemed like that JPW did improve a bit. I mean, he started like crap and actually improved during the game. I'm definitely encouraged but I'm still wary about our O-line when they face real defenses in the fall. To me, that'll be the biggest wild card for us in the fall.

If we are going to win 8 games... we MUST defeat Clemson

 

[gmart74]

i have a feeling that is going to be one ugly game. their defense is nasty and our offense is a huge question mark. plus their o-line is terrible and they base everything off of a strong running game. we have a defense that is very good against the run. this game could wind up 2-0

 

[Proxigean Tide]

If we are going to win 8 games... we MUST defeat Clemson

A few things that make me feel good about this game:

1. Its not being played at Clemson. Death Valley is a tough venue for visiting teams, but I think Bama fans will enjoy a slight (60-40) plurality in Atlanta.

2. Bowden is always on the brink of being fired 5 games into the season and winning or on brink of winning his division at season's end. Translation: Clemson takes a while to hit their stride -- they are beatable early on and terrors at season end.

3. Saban and Bama typically win opening games. I can't recall the last time an Alabama or Saban-coached team lost a game to open the season...I think Va Tech got LSU and Saban one year, but that was in Blacksburg.

4. Clemson's success late last season and returning starters means they probably won't change much. However, Bama has new coordinators on both sides of the ball, many new players and probably brings in lots of new wrinkles.

5. Saban engineered this nuetral meeting site to boost exposure and recruiting in Georgia. I don't think he's planning on laying an egg in the Georgia Dome. I think Saban believes his Tide team matches up favorably against Clemson.

6. Bowden coached at Bama and the Bowden family is from Alabama. One team will be wearing some combo of orange and purple and represent the ACC...the other crimson and white and represent the SEC. Bowden may have the more talented and experienced players, but I think he'll be intimidated by Saban and Bama. Bowden knows Bama didn't get to be one of the most storied programs in history by accident...

7. Clemson is first and foremost a running team and Bama's 3-4 defense is designed to keep breakaway runs from happening. As Saban gets his talented (if young) corps of DBs playing with confidence and swagger, I think you'll see Bama stack the line and dare teams like Clemson to beat them through the air.

8. Jim McElwain really is a very talented offensive coordinator and I think he will come to Atlanta with a superb gameplan. His Fresno teams always seemed to me the perfect combo of finesse, power and speed...that kept opposing teams confused, frustrated and unable to establish any domination from the defensive side of the ball.

 

[Ugobama]

It's hard for me to believe it's quarterback friendly when the QB's have been completing half of their passes or less.

 

[Crimson Hawk]

However, Bama has new coordinators on both sides of the ball, many new players and probably brings in lots of new wrinkles.

Could be our biggest advantage. Even though there is film of CJM's Offenses @ Fresno, nobody knows what we might "throw" _eyes: at them!

 

[Crimson Hawk]

This is what Saban called it and I think this addition will represent the single biggest reason for more wins in 2008. I never really thought about the reasons why Bama's offense seemed to always struggle to control the ball and sustain drives, but one of the reasons was that the offense required almost perfect execution to move the ball -- there were few "QB friendly" plays.

Bama wasn't blown out by anyone in 2007 as the defense seemed able to hang tough despite being left on the field much too long by our sputtering offense. I think a big reason for this was design of the offense that required a running threat to occupy LBs, excellent pass blocking, time for downfield pass routes to develop and then a near perfect throw from the QB. Unfortunately, Bama lacked a bunch of these necessary ingredients and the offense just couldn't move the ball in last year's offensive scheme.

I think Coach Mac's system of distributing the ball to TEs and RBs will take pressure off the QB, make Bama's offense much harder to defend and allow WRs to play without constant double coverage. I think short and intermediate pass routes are more suited to JPW's skills and will soften up defenses...eliminating last season's problem of watching RBs run head long into a stacked defensive LOS.

If Bama wins more games in 2008, I think it will be because it has adopted a more "ball control", "QB friendly" offense that will result in longer drives and a more rested defense. Thoughts?

Regardless of whether we were using CMA, or CJM's offense, or a hybrid of the two, your point is well taken. I've wondered many times why we seemed so "out of sorts" on O at times, especially last year. Great post........... makes perfect sense to me.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I personally think that CJM's experience in calling plays and his experience coaching QBs vs. CMA's can be a huge difference in our offense's production.

 

[BEATtutorsee]

It's hard for me to believe it's quarterback friendly when the QB's have been completing half of their passes or less.

That probably has as much if not more to do with the talent of our QBs (or lack there of) than the actual offense itself.

 

[bamar]

i think the fact the qbs, and coaching staff are looking and accomplishing more passes to rbs, and tight ends already, is a sign of times to come. the quick hitters will keep teams from blitzing, and stacking the line of scrimmage like last year. obviously, terry grant will see a lot of time. i just hope we have dependable 3d down backs, that can get us first downs on 3d and 2 or 3, to further keep teams off balance. the offensive line will once again be critical to the equation. i believe the defense will have a lot more depth this year, with the infusion of freshmen talent.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

i think the fact the qbs, and coaching staff are looking and accomplishing more passes to rbs, and tight ends already, is a sign of times to come. the quick hitters will keep teams from blitzing, and stacking the line of scrimmage like last year. obviously, terry grant will see a lot of time. i just hope we have dependable 3d down backs, that can get us first downs on 3d and 2 or 3, to further keep teams off balance. the offensive line will once again be critical to the equation. i believe the defense will have a lot more depth this year, with the infusion of freshmen talent.

This is one of the major goals our coaches have to accomplish this season. We've got to stop teams from just all out blitzing to stop our offense. It's almost like it's known conference wide that if Bama starts moving the ball on you just stack the line and blitz, they can't stop it. And for the most part theyv'e been right. Blitz recognition by the qb, reveivers and backs will be very important as well. Most offenses have hot reads to defende the blitz. But the offense has to be on the same page to execute.

 

[OldManFan]

Thanks for the thoughtful post Proxy. I also think (and I know others here do too) that more emphasis on short and intermediate passing routes may well do wonders for JPW. In particular, quick hitters would reduce the necessity for picking up 2nd and 3rd receivers and could reduce the need for keen pocket awareness. Neither appears to be a particular strength of JPW.

David Cutcliffe put in an emphasized short passing game for Eric Ainge at TN who I saw as another QB who lacked poise under pressure and who suffered through a loss of confidence. It certainly worked for him.

I was on the verge of considering Cutcliffe, who I've been told is a real class act, to be one of the better OC's in the college game. However, after watching him refuse to run Foster against us until we stopped him in the 2nd half last year, I've scuttled that thought.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

David Cutcliffe put in an emphasized short passing game for Eric Ainge at TN who I saw as another QB who lacked poise under pressure and who suffered through a loss of confidence. It certainly worked for him.

Ultimately a good coach will play toward a player's strengths and I think that's what CJM will probably to with JPW. Common sense tells you that JPW isn't going to fix all of his "flaws" in one season and with this being his senior season there's no need of trying to. I believe the best bet is to correct the "flaws" that are fundamental oriented and then put him in a position to do the things he does well, which like some of you have mentioned the intermediate quick hitting routes. The more time he's required to sit back there and "think" the greater risk that he's going to make a bad decision.

 

[bamaga]

A few things that make me feel good about this game:

1. Its not being played at Clemson. Death Valley is a tough venue for visiting teams, but I think Bama fans will enjoy a slight (60-40) plurality in Atlanta.

2. Bowden is always on the brink of being fired 5 games into the season and winning or on brink of winning his division at season's end. Translation: Clemson takes a while to hit their stride -- they are beatable early on and terrors at season end.

3. Saban and Bama typically win opening games. I can't recall the last time an Alabama or Saban-coached team lost a game to open the season...I think Va Tech got LSU and Saban one year, but that was in Blacksburg.

4. Clemson's success late last season and returning starters means they probably won't change much. However, Bama has new coordinators on both sides of the ball, many new players and probably brings in lots of new wrinkles.

5. Saban engineered this nuetral meeting site to boost exposure and recruiting in Georgia. I don't think he's planning on laying an egg in the Georgia Dome. I think Saban believes his Tide team matches up favorably against Clemson.

6. Bowden coached at Bama and the Bowden family is from Alabama. One team will be wearing some combo of orange and purple and represent the ACC...the other crimson and white and represent the SEC. Bowden may have the more talented and experienced players, but I think he'll be intimidated by Saban and Bama. Bowden knows Bama didn't get to be one of the most storied programs in history by accident...

7. Clemson is first and foremost a running team and Bama's 3-4 defense is designed to keep breakaway runs from happening. As Saban gets his talented (if young) corps of DBs playing with confidence and swagger, I think you'll see Bama stack the line and dare teams like Clemson to beat them through the air.

8. Jim McElwain really is a very talented offensive coordinator and I think he will come to Atlanta with a superb gameplan. His Fresno teams always seemed to me the perfect combo of finesse, power and speed...that kept opposing teams confused, frustrated and unable to establish any domination from the defensive side of the ball.

We lost two years in a row to UCLA at the begining of this decade

 

[Bama323]

If we are going to win 8 games... we MUST defeat Clemson

Not necessarily. Of course, I hope we beat Clemson, but at this point I'm not counting on it. I think we get at least 8 wins even if we lose to Clemson, but it won't be easy. Here is my prediction:

Clemson L
Tulane W
Western Kentucky W
Arkansas W
Georgia L
Kentucky W
Ole Miss W
UT W
Arkansas State W
LSU L
Miss St W
Auburn W

As you can see, I've predicted 9-3. Even if we lose another game, that's 8-4. Of course, I'm counting on us not having the same hiccups we had at the end of the season last year.