***OFFICIAL*** ALABAMA vs Fla. Int. Post-Game Thread

[TideEngineer08]

Just got back from the game.

My main concern right now, besides our inability to cover a kickoff, is our inability to convert 3rd and short. Whether we attempt to run for it or throw for it, we have come up short most every time so far this year. And, its particularly frustrating in a game like this one last night. However, unless we can improve in that area, I fear it will bite us in the big games.

Penalties are hurting too.

All in all, I see huge potential out there... but a lot of them are still learning (especially on offense and special teams). We'll get better and that is a comforting thought considering how good we already are.

I hope the injured guys don't have serious injuries.

RTR

 

[SimCastilleFan3]

Offense- O-line seems like its coming around and I think by Arky, these guys should be clicking on all cylinders. Penalties will be the only things stopping these guys. Julio's injury gave other players a chance to step up and boy did Mike McCoy take advantage, we also got a chance to see true frosh Michael Bowman out there which was nice to see but he and Maze had a little confusion on one pass play. Richardson is a beast thats all I got to say about him, kudos to Ingram going out there while still recovering from the flu. Grant looks so much better than he did last year, it looked like he was running with much more confidence.

Defense- We started off a little sluggish but picked it up in the second half. If it werent for Green slipping on that long pass play, the first drive would have ended with a punt. The d-line has alot of depth and when your rotating guys in the 4th and they are all fresh that tells you alot about your depth situation. Marcel Dareus will not be blocked, I think he has like 4 sacks already this season. Big Cody looked great, he had a major impact on the game. Lorenzo played well also. The secondary all in all played pretty good, Kareem dropped a pick but I still think he has been playing lights out and he is getting his head turned around this season which is a good thing. He got called for a terrible pass interference call earlier in the game. Barron is going to be a stud, he had a very nice game and a nice pick at the end.

 

[jangalang]

In my opinion, FIU is not a full frosted cupcake, which makes this a good performance for us.

FIU has a stud playmaker in TY Hilton and a senior-laden team. Those are two factors that will lead to some success. Not to mention, they were yards away from a bowl birth last year and almost had USF beat. I think Cristobal is doing a great rebuilding job for them and will have the Golden Panthers in a bowl this year.

For us, my concern (besides KO coverage) is the crossing routes that teams are killing us on. I have read elsewhere about that being the weakness of a Saban defense and it showed at times last night.

 

[GrayTide]

Per ESPN....GMac set a record for Alabama tonight with 14 straight completions.

They may have said it but I do not think that is correct. If I am not mistaken Kenny Stabler completed either 16 or 18 in a row against Ole Miss in 1966.

 

[mordaane]

Richardson...probably the most exciting development from that game. Upchurch might not get his spot back.

Special Teams...Is it really that hard to stay in your lane...bust through your man and take down the guy with ball...apparently so.

Offensive Line still showing how young it is. Penalties here there and everywhere.

Other than that...great game.

 

[Alabama Slammer]

Secondary needs to get better.

Also, how much did Grant line up at WR?

 

[WonderMike]

Well so far looks like I agree with all of you...The O-Line is getting better but does need to work on the penalties....defense looked a lil soft in the secondary which concerns me especially when we go up against a team with a good qb and recievers.....I hope Julio isnt hurt bad that puts more pressure on the others to step it up.....Trent is a beast if he keeps it up he might be fighting for a starting position if youd ask me

 

[CrimsonCT]

Is anyone else wondering where the Wildcat went?

 

[NYBamaFan]

Is anyone else wondering where the Wildcat went?

My guess, we had other things to work on this week.

 

[TideEngineer08]

Is anyone else wondering where the Wildcat went?

The only 2 players that ran it against Virginia Tech were Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch.

Ingram wasn't 100% this week, but they did run it once in the first drive with Upchurch and gained about 7 yards. But then Upchurch got injured and I guess they don't trust anyone else to run it just yet.

 

[NYBamaFan]

The only 2 players that ran it against Virginia Tech were Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch.

Ingram wasn't 100% this week, but they did run it once in the first drive with Upchurch and gained about 7 yards. But then Upchurch got injured and I guess they don't trust anyone else to run it just yet.

Hmmm, that sounds even more rational than my guess...

 

[CrimsonCT]

My guess, we had other things to work on this week.

Like special teams?

The only 2 players that ran it against Virginia Tech were Mark Ingram and Roy Upchurch.

Ingram wasn't 100% this week, but they did run it once in the first drive with Upchurch and gained about 7 yards. But then Upchurch got injured and I guess they don't trust anyone else to run it just yet.

[conspiracy]
Did our staff not trust anyone else to run it, or did they simply not wish to show our hand and identify other players we would be direct snapping to in the future?
[/conspiracy]

On the other hand, though, games against supposed cupcake teams can be the best practice for getting players and a formation in rhythm under realistic conditions, so one can argue that if it wasn't "practiced" against the lesser teams on our schedule, it might not make an appearance versus the more quality opponents.

 

[BAMARICH]

Work with Richardson has been primarily basic work... Ingram/Upchurch can do it because they already have a working (applied) knowledge of the offense. If all he can do is run and block, I'm extremely happy about that.

 

[Mamacalled]

They may have said it but I do not think that is correct. If I am not mistaken Kenny Stabler completed either 16 or 18 in a row against Ole Miss in 1966.

Jess N actually confirmed in his story at the toop that this was a record.

 

[bamar]

well, here we go. fans are getting at the level of expecting the best at all times. spoiled success for some. going into this game, i was thinking the perfect situation for our guys. we played a good mid level div 2 team, that came in with the spread which is hard for any team to adjust to if they are good at what they do. i kept thinking well, the secondary will be tested for the first time, we will get to see richardson, dre, some time for backups on offense and defense. perfect scenario, and it played out exactly the way i expected. our offense was devastating thru out the game. mcelroy has now shown he is the right fit for our team. much better than wilson. rushing game, ingram, and richardson will be a force all year now. we got to see other receivers, other than julio, the defense had to adapt on the run, and they did so wonderfully. we still have some coverage problems, with johnson, but, i think dre will be the man by arkansas game. we have depth on both lines, great linebacking, excellent safeties, barron is getting better with each game. the only breakdown is on the special teams. coverage has got to get better. it is not tiffins depth of kicks. those balls were going inside the 5 yard line, but, they were returning them to the 35 or over yard line, or for a touchdown. hard to figure where the problem is. overall, we have growing, developing team, that we will be proud of, and by the sec title game will slug it out with fla no doubt. please some of you lighten up, and let the coaches continue their job, and enjoy what is taking place from week to week.

 

[NYBamaFan]

well, here we go. fans are getting at the level of expecting the best at all times. spoiled success for some. going into this game, i was thinking the perfect situation for our guys. we played a good mid level div 2 team, that came in with the spread which is hard for any team to adjust to if they are good at what they do. i kept thinking well, the secondary will be tested for the first time, we will get to see richardson, dre, some time for backups on offense and defense. perfect scenario, and it played out exactly the way i expected. our offense was devastating thru out the game. mcelroy has now shown he is the right fit for our team. much better than wilson. rushing game, ingram, and richardson will be a force all year now. we got to see other receivers, other than julio, the defense had to adapt on the run, and they did so wonderfully. we still have some coverage problems, with johnson, but, i think dre will be the man by arkansas game. we have depth on both lines, great linebacking, excellent safeties, barron is getting better with each game. the only breakdown is on the special teams. coverage has got to get better. it is not tiffins depth of kicks. those balls were going inside the 5 yard line, but, they were returning them to the 35 or over yard line, or for a touchdown. hard to figure where the problem is. overall, we have growing, developing team, that we will be proud of, and by the sec title game will slug it out with fla no doubt. please some of you lighten up, and let the coaches continue their job, and enjoy what is taking place from week to week.

This post gives me a headache just looking at it...

 

[bilbo]

I think one thing everyone needs to take into consideration is the fact that the talent on these teams we use to think were "cupcake" teams is really starting to catch up with the bigger programs. You are starting to see more and more of these teams being able to play with the bigger teams. Take Houston for example, they are in a recruiting hotbed in the state of Texas, and today they put a good enough team on the field to upset Okla St. You are really starting to see more and more of these teams being able to compete with the larger programs. All and all, with 500 plus yards of offense and giving up 200 total yards on defense( 1 touchdown, 0 yards rushing), I'm content with both. If the is one area on defense that needs improvement, it would be our CB play. I can about bet it will be improved before Arkansas. Now special teams is a different story, we need to improvement for sure... Tiffin is kicking deeper, but it is almost like we are over-pursuing on the coverage. You could see tonight the we tried to make adjustments by kicking the ball shorter. You may see us go back to the high kick off down the right side to about the 10 yard line.

my thoughts exactly......

 

[PalmBayBama]

we played a good mid level div 2 team

FIU is div 1A.

 

[LCN]

Just returned from T'town with a few of thoughts , observations .....

1- Too bad Square was injured because his presence on the feild was evident .

2 - It's rare to see a team run as much freeze and misdirection as FIU does .

3 - For those who were not able to watch the game and were relying on Eli , the secondary did not play a poor first half . The FIU QB was very accurate until his OL collapsed and he was beaten to a pulp .

4 - It will take a ton of effort and ability to replace Marcel Dareus as a starter .

5 - The interference call on Jackson , which allowed the only FIU scoring drive to continue , was possibly among the worst PI calls I've ever seen . Perfect coverage .

6 - If I gave you you 3 guesses as to who busted their assignment on the FIU KO return for 6 , you'd only need one .

7 - Trent Richardson is is mature beyond his years from a physical standpoint . His strength just shows up @ this level much more than I thought it would .

8 - It was nice to see Terry Grant find the end zone for the first time since .... forever .

9 - On early downs or running situations , Barron is the FS . Green holds the postion for the rest and when you consider how often teams will have to attack Bama via the pass , it pretty much puts Green on the field at least 50% of the time .

10 - Yes , Bama babes are as attractive as ever

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Although a lot of fan attention has been paid to our corners, most of our DB problems at this point are with our safeties...