Getting Ready for Spring Battles!

[tusks_n_raider]

Allegedly part of it was because Mack was dinged up. But idk. Seems odd that only impacted the redzone portion.

Just seems like a massive discrepancy in touches.

I mean on one hand it’s an A-day scrimmage skewed to a point by situational ball instead of a true scrimmage game.

But if you blanked out the names and asked me who in the last 15 years had those two A-day stat lines and I’d say the Top line was Bryce, Tua, or Mac and the bottom line was McElroy or Coker.

 

[Bama Lee]

I did not watch but read through the drives posted by AL.com and the running game seemed less than impressive. Hopefully they haven’t had enough time to gel and this is better by the first game.

There were some good runs also. I would definitely say it was a mixed bag in the running game. With all the new guys that is kind of a given. There is definitely some talent

 

[AlexanderFan]

There were some good runs also. I would definitely say it was a mixed bag in the running game. With all the new guys that is kind of a given. There is definitely some talent

On the line?

 

[Bama Lee]

On the line?

Yep, and the backfield

 

[Evil Crimson Dragon]

I did not watch but read through the drives posted by AL.com and the running game seemed less than impressive. Hopefully they haven’t had enough time to gel and this is better by the first game.

A friend of mine who went said overall things looked real vanilla

 

[smith5753]

I realized something today, this is the first A-day game in probably 20 years I completely forgot was scheduled. Now, I’ve recently changed jobs and been super busy with my kids, but that wouldn’t have mattered in the past.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Some highlights

https://twitter.com/x/status/2043100657628971178

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Some highlights

https://twitter.com/x/status/2043100657628971178

Good to see plays on both sides of the LOS.

From this 6-minute clip, it looks like:
1. Russell beat Mack today, even acknowledging Mack was dinged.
2. The OL is improved, though not yet a finished product. And the bar was set absurdly low last year.
3. Regarding prospects for a championship at any level, we’re not going to know anything until October 10 in Athens BDS (can't believe I forgot about last year's game in Athens, our best win of the season). Win or lose, we’ll know something on the morning of Sunday, October 11 — more from the quality of the performance than the W or L.
4. #3 isn’t a criticism. We’ll be a work in progress with lots of youngsters, but lots of talent.
5. It’s on us to develop the talent before 10/11/26.

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

Good to see plays on both sides of the LOS.


2. The OL is improved, though not yet a finished product. And the bar was set absurdly low last year.

I kind of wonder if Carroll moves back to RT in fall. The transfer guy struggled from what I saw today. Maybe when Sanders is healthy and can take the guard spot.

 

[Tideflyer]

There are more people on the Non Sports board than the football board.

Just goes to show….sadly.

 

[gvilleBAMA]

Pic if from right after the gates opened. Attendance was better than pre Saban. You could have probably filled 1/3 of the main bowl if you grouped everyone together. East and West sides had a lot of folks (not packed) and the endzones where both almost empty.

Thoughts on Scrimmage: (Seemed to mostly stay with one's vs one's and two's vs two's with QB exception)

QB: As has been said in post already, Keelon looked like the guy today. One thing I noticed quickly was his ability to make great throws on the run, and make good pressure reads and throw to where the pressure came from.

Defense: I want to touch on the D before the O-line. The D used some 4 man fronts (3 with their had down, one standing) with both 2 and sometimes 3 LB's. They also blitzed and stunted OFTEN. They ran LB blitz's and CB blitz. It put a lot of pressure on the O-line and this seem by design. The D really has a chance to be elite this year.

O-line: One word "BETTER" - while the d was blitzing the play calling was vanilla on offense and did very little to help deal with the blitz. In other words, no real play action, no screens setup to hit behind the blitz. Really felt like they wanted to pressure the o-line with blocking 6 to 8 with just 5 or 6 guys.

Big positive about the o-line, when they engaged their guy the stayed on them, and when they were able to get next level they put hats and hands on LB's. I didn't see (not saying it didn't happen) any o-lineman who looked lost in space. So many times last year our guys were whiffing on everything. Never saw a single o-lineman whiff on a blitz. They lost the numbers game, but they were blocking someone. Also, when they were not dealing with the blitz they did a good job getting some push and getting the next level and as such the run game did look better. There is a lot to clean up, but it seemed to be going in the right direction.

WR's all looked good, Ryan Williams has improved at using his hands, instead of his body, to make it catches and it showed up at least 3 times today. Passes he would have dropped or pulled up on last year.

I believe all the FG were good with a few beyond 45 but none near 50.

One punt, and it was awful. Like so bad most of us could have done better.

 

[bamajas]

Good to see plays on both sides of the LOS.

From this 6-minute clip, it looks like:
1. Russell beat Mack today, even acknowledging Mack was dinged.
2. The OL is improved, though not yet a finished product. And the bar was set absurdly low last year.
3. Regarding prospects for a championship at any level, we’re not going to know anything until October 10 in Athens. Win or lose, we’ll know something on the morning of Sunday, October 11 — more from the quality of the performance than the W or L.
4. #3 isn’t a criticism. We’ll be a work in progress with lots of youngsters, but lots of talent.
5. It’s on us to develop the talent before 10/11/26.

The UGA game is in Ttown this year

 

[BamaMoon]

From what have gathered (mostly from sports writers on X) and JessN's recap:

QB - The competition/comparison today heavily favored KR. Mack apparently had an injury (and I wondered if he tweaked it some today), but KR obviously took a step forward today. Where that leaves the competition is unknown. It is safe to say it's probably more of an "even" situation now, going into the fall. I still think the overall situation favors KR with his ability to throw on the run and his lightning-like release. The fact they are even "close" with Mack's seniority and Russell's youth hints that Russell is just so talented, despite knowing he'll make mistakes, that it'll be hard to keep him off the field. JMO.

OL/RBs - Brown, the "other" freshman, had a day of noteable plays. Sounds like he has a burst we didn't see from our guys last year. With Crowell not playing, but hopefully ready by the fall, if his talent verifies, this is some good news! The OL has work to do, but it sounds like there has been some improvement! The fact that the university's official 6 minute clip included some busted OL plays means there is progress that still needs to be made, but including those "lowlights" may be a way of challenging them to be vigilant in their strides for improvement!

WR - As many thought, Cedarian is going to be a star!!! Also, Meadows made plays and looks ready to contribute! Rico Scott may be a "steady." RCW caught with his "hands" so maybe he's "back" to being an impact/go-to player! We certainly better hope and pray the NCS transfer's injury isn't "next season impacting."

DL/LBs- This could be a strength for the first time in a while! And if such is the case, it may signal the OL has made more improvement than what showed yesterday. Sounds like we have some "guys" on the DL. Jess noted the LBs showed potential, although the position is filled with new/unknown stars.

FGK - the new guy has a leg!

 

[bamaga]

Do they still do the steak and beans bet for ADay

 

[bamaga]

I realized something today, this is the first A-day game in probably 20 years I completely forgot was scheduled. Now, I’ve recently changed jobs and been super busy with my kids, but that wouldn’t have mattered in the past.

Same here, I knew it was coming, but ”forgot” until about 10:30 Saturday morning . Just been busy with life, And shedding about 30lbs of winter weight.

 

[bamaga]

Blow ups From the Highlights. # Zero, for his size , needs to add muscle. He got blown up a couple of times. #12 needs to realize he can’t be hit on A Day,but in the season that scramble out of bounds gave the defender an opportunity to blow him up. That passing combination from #12 to #8 looks lethal, and will blow up on the national stage one day.

 

[Cruiser]

Do they still do the steak and beans bet for ADay

They both get steak; but winner gets ice cream for dessert

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I like what I saw on the highlights. I always hate scrimmages because sometime you leave thinking, "Are we that good on offense, or that bad on defense"? Vice Versa! Roll Tide! I'm stoked for the season to begin!

 

[4Q Basket Case]

The UGA game is in Ttown this year

You're right. Can't believe I forgot about last year's win in Athens....it was the best we played all year.

Thanks for the correction!

 

[TiderJack]

It’s a wrap just call it at this point if the difference is this big.

Gave Russell 3x’s the reps and that speaks volumes.

There will be growing pains so might as well give the kid maximum reps at QB1

Mack injured is the reason for the discrepancy and he got hurt before the red zone part of it and that is why Mack did not have those reps. Still a major competition but I do like how Russel is progressing.