Let's Talk About the Elephant in the Room: OC Play Calling and Receiver Development

[TheRealPokeChop]

I respect you - but I also have a radical disagreement with your take. Play calling was good - not "Sark good" - but good enough - given the new inexperienced talent. Receivers have been excellent all year - the only dropoff was when we had to sub due to late season injuries.

The biggest issue on offense was OL play. Other than Evan Neal the OL play was mediocre, and at times horrible. Either our recruiting evaluations of OL talent were really bad (not likely) or our player development (coaching) was really bad.

We've had two really good OL coaches in the Saban era - Joe Pendry and Jeff Stoutland. The others - including Marronne - have been "meh". What is worrisome heading into next year is that we have no proven players at O-Tackle. NONE. Historically we would groom a young talent at RT, and move him to LT when AN older LT went to NFL.

Bryce was running for his life last night the entire game. That happened often during the year against lesser opponents, also.

The problem on offense is the OL. Fix that, and everything else on offense falls into place.

Flood was a lot better than meh

 

[Mystical]

I want BOB and Marone GONE ASAP!! End of story..

I don't think BOB was bad this year really. We win against A&M if Billingsley does not have alligator arms and catches the ball over the middle. We win it all if Jamo does not get hurt. I know I know Texas. They even mentioned during the game the relief the Ga side felt when it was announced he was not coming back.

 

[crimsonaudio]

If you're saying some backups should start the game against weak opponents to avoid injury to the starters I'm all for that, but if you're saying put them in the game after we have it in the bag and have them run routes that creates a problem. If we start throwing the ball all over the field with a 30 point lead our opponents are going to accuse us of running up the score and I don't think they will accept the "our guys need experience" excuse.

LOL, I literally couldn't care any less if I tried. Screw 'em, they don't want Bama scoring more? Quit whining, do your job and stop them.

People complaining about RUTS are either whiny little brats or FCS schools. Suck it up, buttercup.

 

[CB4]

One could also say that starting your second and third team players versus teams like Mercer or Southern Miss or New Mexico State is just as disrespectful . You are basically saying to your opponents they aren’t worthy of your best players or our best game. I don’t know about you, but as a player and or coach that would motivate me more than a coach running his offensive system with backups late after the contest is decided..

Do we need to keep starters in until 10 minutes to go and up 40 points?. Of course not. And many times CNS will run 2nd team oline with 1st team skill players or 1st team oline with the 2nd and third WR’s, RB’s and QB’s.But that is only a series or two. But when it comes to wholesale substitution they go “plain vanilla”. And like this year and last night, Brooks, Hall, Holden among others making those catches in a full playbook offense would have benefited. Development comes from practice and reps. Experience comes from playing and making those plays when they count. Standing around watching Tyson or Milroe hand the ball to the 3rd or 4th string RB on dive plays doesn’t build experience.

They can’t catch a ball if it isn’t thrown. And most of the time they were on the field with Tyson or Milroe and they had less than 30 attempts between them.

 

[Elwood Crimson]

No elephant. No problem with development. Certainly entitled to be negative. But a lot more reasons to be positive

Bryce Young had a Heisman season. Bama was down to 2 RBs on the roster for the last half of the season. Top 2 WR for Championship game. And came within 4 plays of winning another National Championship with a handful Senior/Junior players but a mostly Sophomore/Freshman team.


Great Season. Roll Tide!!!

 

[PA Tide Fan]

LOL, I literally couldn't care any less if I tried. Screw 'em, they don't want Bama scoring more? Quit whining, do your job and stop them.

People complaining about RUTS are either whiny little brats or FCS schools. Suck it up, buttercup.

Maybe so, but in the Saban era we've had opportunities in cupcake games to lay 70 or 80 on an opponent if we wanted to but Saban chose not to. There were a few select games he seemed to allow our guys to run it up a bit but there were special circumstances involved. The first one I remember was 2014, a 59-0 blowout over TAMU at Tuscaloosa but that was payback for 2012 when they came to Tuscaloosa and upset us. In 2017 we put up 66 against Ole Miss but that was some payback for losses in 2014 &15 . We followed it up with 62 points against them a year later for same reason. Also in 2017 we crushed Vandy 59-0 but there was some pregame trash talking by Vandy in that case. Bottom line is it's just not Saban's style and I don't think he will change now even if it would be to our backups benefit to do so.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Maybe so, but in the Saban era we've had opportunities in cupcake games to lay 70 or 80 on an opponent if we wanted to but Saban chose not to. There were a few select games he seemed to allow our guys to run it up a bit but there were special circumstances involved. The first one I remember was 2014, a 59-0 blowout over TAMU at Tuscaloosa but that was payback for 2012 when they came to Tuscaloosa and upset us. In 2017 we put up 66 against Ole Miss but that was some payback for losses in 2014 &15 . We followed it up with 62 points against them a year later for same reason. Also in 2017 we crushed Vandy 59-0 but there was some pregame trash talking by Vandy in that case. Bottom line is it's just not Saban's style and I don't think he will change now even if it would be to our backups benefit to do so.

All good - I've no problem with CNS choosing to keep things 'tasteful' - but I also couldn't care less if people whine when he lets the men feed.

My primary point is whining about RUTS means you're a pansy. Don't like it? Stop it or deal with it.

 

[Bama Lee]

One thing I noticed with our WR's this year.... they seemed to not know what to do when the play broke down. Especially last night. If Bryce had to scramble, they didn't break off their route (come back, run long, flow with Bryce). There was alot of standing around.

 

[selmaborntidefan]

I didn't have major issues w/ BOBs playcalling last night until the last drive, when he called three deeps shots in a row instead of just trying to work the ball down the field. We had all three time outs, so it simply wasn't needed. One deep shot, fine, but then look to move the chains.

I think you and I are at least in general agreement. And as I noted, he was already crippled by the loss of some weapons and severely undercut by Williams going down. That said, Joel Klatt's assessment of it was dead on right, too. He didn't do some of the things - misdirection, play action - in the red zone that would have forced the issue. (Klatt even went so far as to say we win the game if Willliams is in there simply by virtue of the threat he was to the UGA D).

Now that being said, it's not BoB's fault that Latu dropped the ball in the end zone or several of the drops. He's not to blame for stupid penalties or turnovers. And I agree with the other posters noting our O-line play was the primary contributor to a lot of what went on as well.

 

[MILEHIGHTIDE]

I have a simple suggestion and or solution. Everyone loves to pilfer our staff so how about we hire whoever handles recruiting and wr development for osu. Our ohio brethren may can help or elaborate.

 

[buckeyeFB_]

I have a simple suggestion and or solution. Everyone loves to pilfer our staff so how about we hire whoever handles recruiting and wr development for osu. Our ohio brethren may can help or elaborate.

Our WR coach, Brian Hartline, played for Ohio State and was just given a raise and the title of "Passing Game Coordinator" (for whatever that's worth) a few days ago, so it's tough to see him leaving any time soon.

I know there's some frustration amongst the Bama fanbase right now, but I still think Holmon Wiggins is a really good WR coach. I wouldn't be too concerned about his ability as a coach/replacing him unless receiver play is a problem next season.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

They don't like it, they can stop it.
Book of things Steve Spurrier Probably Said

I agree with SOS. It's our job to score, and their job to stop us.

 

[Ole Man Dan]

I think you and I are at least in general agreement. And as I noted, he was already crippled by the loss of some weapons and severely undercut by Williams going down. That said, Joel Klatt's assessment of it was dead on right, too. He didn't do some of the things - misdirection, play action - in the red zone that would have forced the issue. (Klatt even went so far as to say we win the game if Willliams is in there simply by virtue of the threat he was to the UGA D).

Now that being said, it's not BoB's fault that Latu dropped the ball in the end zone or several of the drops. He's not to blame for stupid penalties or turnovers. And I agree with the other posters noting our O-line play was the primary contributor to a lot of what went on as well.

If we had better blocking on the OL, Bryce would have had time to go thru Progressions. When GA spends that much time in our backfield, Bryce had to run for his life.

 

[DawgAlum2054]

outside perspective: I don't believe it will matter much who is calling plays for the 22 season, I don't see the team being stopped if healthy.

 

[ATLBAMAFAN]

Lots of talk that he isn’t a great team mate. Being at the game I can tell you that he was floating the whole game.

He’s not been very “focused” all year. Besides the 4th down catch against Auburn he’s done very little. He’s dropped several meaningful passes. During the drive in the second half when BRob was having success, it was Billingsley who totally whiffed on a block on a first down play and we lose a yard and get behind the chains for 2nd down and turned and have a look as if to say “oh well”. He certainly didn’t look inspired to play. His routes look like he is giving very little effort. No sharpness to them at all. I know he has transferred now but he really was probably one of if not the most disappointing players on this years team relative to his talent.

 

[B1GTide]

I think you and I are at least in general agreement. And as I noted, he was already crippled by the loss of some weapons and severely undercut by Williams going down. That said, Joel Klatt's assessment of it was dead on right, too. He didn't do some of the things - misdirection, play action - in the red zone that would have forced the issue. (Klatt even went so far as to say we win the game if Willliams is in there simply by virtue of the threat he was to the UGA D).

Now that being said, it's not BoB's fault that Latu dropped the ball in the end zone or several of the drops. He's not to blame for stupid penalties or turnovers. And I agree with the other posters noting our O-line play was the primary contributor to a lot of what went on as well.

I agree. With the exact same play calls, Alabama wins easily with no drops, and likely wins with half of the drops. Drops decided that game

 

[bamadwain]

All good - I've no problem with CNS choosing to keep things 'tasteful' - but I also couldn't care less if people whine when he lets the men feed.

My primary point is whining about RUTS means you're a pansy. Don't like it? Stop it or deal with it.

Your right in if you don't like it, stop it frame of mind but remember the shoe can be on the other foot someday and I've been there it ain't fun!

 

[Saban4Ever]

I agree. With the exact same play calls, Alabama wins easily with no drops, and likely wins with half of the drops. Drops decided that game

That's what is so frustrating. It is so hard to win a championship anyway, but to get there with this young team with so many injuries..... just a shame that Bama lost due to a few dropped passes and lack of execution. It was just Georgia's year.. they made the plays when it mattered.

Hopefully, next season, there will be more chances for younger players to play meaningful snaps so that if they are needed in critical situations, they will have the experience. Going to be a long year for me personally, living here in Georgia. If Clemson would have beaten them the first game, Georgia would not have even made the playoffs with their 2nd loss against us. As long as Bryce, Will, and other key players stay healthy all season next year, Bama will be in the playoffs again. Just depends on injury luck I guess. RTR

 

[crimsonaudio]

Your right in if you don't like it, stop it frame of mind but remember the shoe can be on the other foot someday and I've been there it ain't fun!

That's fine, I've no problem with it. If another team can beat Bama by 50, by all means, go for it.

I've long been frustrated with Saban's 'fairness' approach, as it feels like it limits development of younger players. When Bama is up by 20+ and starts subbing in younger / less experienced guys, having them run basic 'off tackle' plays instead of continuing to run the offense limits the experience, imo. We may well have had some (very talented) guys ready to come off the bench and play better Monday night had they seen some legitimate work during the season.

Maybe not, easy to second guess, I get that - but...

 

[Tide Rev]

My frustration the other night was the offensive mindset. UGA shows us where the blitz was coming from on the outside (if I can see it as a fan, I would expect the offensive braintrust to have a clue) and we kept trying to do the same thing over and over that was not working to begin with. There were no apparent adjustments made like was mentioned earlier like misdirection plays, play action, etc…that NFL mindset was there. And like has been mentioned before, these are college guys and not NFL players. Yes, there were drops and missed blocks, but this loss is not on the players but on the coaching staff. This has been an issue all year for some reason on that side of the ball. Changes need to be made. Just my 2 cents…