Question: Bama's offensive style and the ability to adapt it.

[BJ4TIDE]

I have been looking at film and replays from this past regular season, and watching our offense. Obviously, this year, we were a "run first, throw when we need to" offense. My question is; if we pull in a kid like Reuben Randle, to compliment Julio, along with big receivers like Kendall Kelly and Bowman, will the offense not adapt to more of a 50/50 or at least 60/40 pass to run O? I personally believe that McElroy is a capable QB who will be able to throw the long ball with efficiency, and has a couple years in the system so he will make fewer "first year starter" mistakes. I see things coming together, that will be necessary for us to have a strong passing game, and I can't see us not utilizing it. Altough, I realize we will likely always be a "run first" team.

 

[rolltidescott]

If we were to pull in a Randle, I think the Julio Randle combo would make our passing game more dangerous. But, as you said, with Coach Saban, I think we'll always be a "run first" team - and that's fine by me.

 

[NYBamaFan]

The ability to run the ball allows you to control the clock, rest your defense, and manage field position. Teams that pass first hurt their defenses in so doing.

Any coach that has a defensive mentality is going to want to run the ball effectively...

 

[tupelosusan]

It all starts with the QB, if your QB is comfortable and able to read the offense and make quick decisions then you can run plays that are a bit more difficult. Wilson just was that comfortable doing that so why have an offense that asks him to do that? It will all depend on the ability of the rest of the QBs.

 

[CaliforniaTide]

I think the offense would change in the sense that we have more options at the skill positions. Instead of run, run, throw the ball only to Julio or TE, having a Randle-type player would enable us to use Julio's attention by the defense to allow Randle, TEs, RBs, to get open. Then when the defense is expecting passes b/c of our skill players, we'll shove the ball down their throats.

A crucial component to this "opening up" of the offense will be the QB's mental ability and his throwing ability. One reason I'm excited about Star is that his arm strength appears to be good enough that we can go deep a lot more. I do hope, however, he can pick on the nuances of the passing game and he may not be able to completely pick up on that until he actuall plays some games.

 

[37bamagrl]

Coach Saban will definitely air it out when he has the playmakers...wasn't it a Saban coached team that through for like 15,000 yards on us that day in Tuscaloosa? :eek2:

 

[JagTider]

Having the Jones/Randle duo on the outside would keep 8-9 out of the box and probably make our run game better. There are two arguements....run to setup the pass or pass to set up the run. Which is better? Who knows.

It would be really nice to have both. A strong pass game that can help put points on the board, then a nice run game that eat clock and protect that lead.

Or, do you pound them all game and then get your points late anyway you can.

 

[BamaInMo1]

The thing about the Bama coaching staff is that they have the ability to establish an ofense based on what players they have recruited. That's the great thing about actually putting together such a tallented staff, the ability to adapt to the tallent and not make the tallent adapt to things in which it cannot thrive.

 

[crains]

:BigA: I hope the passing game is there only if we need it! I love the offense of hamering the ball and wearing down the defense. With the great runing game and 2 great recievers that would be impossible to double team, when you really need to load the box to stop a great runing game is what we can look forward to! Roll Tide!!!

 

[mlh]

I expect our offense to adapt to whatever it needs to do to get the ball in the hands of our playmakers. If we have several great receivers then I expect to see us throw the ball more. I think CNS' overall philosophy is to lean toward running more than passing. But he always talks about making big plays, making explosive plays, and getting the ball in the hands of the playmakers.

 

[p'colabamaman]

The thing about the Bama coaching staff is that they have the ability to establish an ofense based on what players they have recruited. That's the great thing about actually putting together such a tallented staff, the ability to adapt to the tallent and not make the tallent adapt to things in which it cannot thrive.

I agree, to the extent that CNS will utilize the talent he has. I don't think he is a one-dimensional type coach in that he favors the running game over the passing game. He'll let the talent he has dictate any changes in this year and next.

IMO, even if we get the WRs we're recruiting, it's very possible next year will be about the same as this year if GMac is QB, even though I can't help but believe he is going to be a very capable pocket passer. But the year after that, with SJ and the WRs maturing, we will have a very strong passing game. But with that being said, we'll have Ingram and Richardson in the backfield...........I guess what I'm saying is we, depending on the OL, should have a fantastic offense.

Great time to be a Bama fan!:BigA::BigA::BigA:

 

[NYBamaFan]

I agree, to the extent that CNS will utilize the talent he has. I don't think he is a one-dimensional type coach in that he favors the running game over the passing game. He'll let the talent he has dictate any changes in this year and next.

I don't think Saban would pass more than run if he had Jerry Rice and Lynn Swann as receivers. It hurts the defense too much. JMO...

 

[bamacon]

A QB who can go threw his progressions would help immeasurably in CJM's offense. That said, CNS wants to hit you in the mouth first and would prefer for you to like so he can do it over and over and over... DOMINATION=Quit in your opponent.

 

[p'colabamaman]

I don't think Saban would pass more than run if he had Jerry Rice and Lynn Swann as receivers. It hurts the defense too much. JMO...

I don't think I said that he would pass more than run. But our offense was somewhere around 70/30 in running/passing this year (a guess). I'm just saying with a better pocket passer, with more talent a WR, I believe that percentage would be closer to 60/40, or maybe even 50/50, and that he wouldn't be afraid to rely more on the passing game than this year.

By saying more passing hurts the defense too much. Please explain. Does that mean we couldn't control time of possession as well? I don't know.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I don't think I said that he would pass more than run. But our offense was somewhere around 70/30 in running/passing this year (a guess). I'm just saying with a better pocket passer, with more talent a WR, I believe that percentage would be closer to 60/40, or maybe even 50/50, and that he wouldn't be afraid to rely more on the passing game than this year.

By saying more passing hurts the defense too much. Please explain. Does that mean we couldn't control time of possession as well? I don't know.

yeah i agree with you.... i believe the 70/30 ratio is more of adapting to our strengths at the moment i believe by the time 2010 rolls around you will see a 60/40...saban may be a run first guy but i believe he is more about balancing the run and the pass...it will be great to see when bama can achieve that kind of balance

 

[Alasippi]

Simply put, the more weapons or bona fide playmakers you bring in, the easier it get's to run, pass, or pretty much whatever you choose to do.

And that's when you become almost impossible to defend.

Playmakers at all positions also creates the opportunity for something that we haven't done very much of at all.....the ability to check off at the line of scrimmage.

"Box is stacked"...check to a throw.
"They're dropping off".....check to a run.

"Man coverage"......check to the bomb.

It's just going to get better and better.

 

[NYBamaFan]

I don't think I said that he would pass more than run. But our offense was somewhere around 70/30 in running/passing this year (a guess). I'm just saying with a better pocket passer, with more talent a WR, I believe that percentage would be closer to 60/40, or maybe even 50/50, and that he wouldn't be afraid to rely more on the passing game than this year.

By saying more passing hurts the defense too much. Please explain. Does that mean we couldn't control time of possession as well? I don't know.

I think that every coach (except maybe that clown coaching the Eagles) would prefer a 50/50 mix. More importantly, they would like to be able to either run or pass out of the same formation with equal success.

Pass first teams simply do not hold the ball long enough, even when they score. But, more importantly, pass first offenses extend the game as incomplete passes stop the clock. Because it takes greater intensity and effort to play defense than run an offensive play, this wears on defensive units over the course of a single game. It also has a cumulative effect over the course of a season. In essence, you defense is on the field more and becomes weaker as the game and the season progress.

Rushing teams wear out the defense on the other side of the ball while keeping your defense fresh. You also shorten games by keeping the clock moving. At the end of the game, if you rush effectively, your defense is still strong, and theirs is toast. More importantly, at the end of the season your defense is still strong - ready to play in a championship game...

 

[FreeBro]

As long as they do NOT mess with the OL and their techniques and rules the offense can do whatever it needs to do. Formations and backfield action is over rated. Our current offensive lines is one of the best Inside Zone blocking units I have seen. If we have QB that can run the rock we can get in the gun and run the Zone Read and give people fits. The bug concern, as far as adapting goes, is continuity on the OL. We are losing two or three, right? Is the big JC LT coming in early for spring practice? We sure need him there so he can start working with the complete unit. It has always been important for OLs to work together, but even more so when you are a Zone team like Bama.

I think we will adapt fine if the new OL gels and comes together as a cohesive unit.

 

[GreatDanish]

Our offense will never reach its full potential until we bring in the A-11 offense

.

 

[Squirrely]

When opposing defenses have to start playing Bama more honest. We will see Bama take more advantage, and it's not going to hurt to have more threats at receiver. Defenses where able to just double team Jones, and load the box on us this year. Saban & staff will always want to run first, but once Bama gets a QB they can trust more, they will open it up.

Like others have stated, it all starts with the QB, and goes from there.......


:BigA: ROLL TIDE :BigA: