Bama Game Thread: Official Postgame Thread - Bama@TAMU...

[CB4]

Great win and Milroe really impressed me with the progress he's made. He just kept slinging it after that interception. I am still mad about that terrible call on the blindside block.

While technically* the talking heads can say it was a “blindside block” (bump being more accurate), you have to ask yourself simply “why was the blindside block rule (and targeting for that matter) implemented?” The answer - “to remove dangerous hits from the game, particularly for defenseless players”. The goal is to remove that “de-cleating block”. So tell me, what was so dangerous about that hit that warranted a flag? Nothing, absolute nothing.

We have heard time and again that “holding is a judgement call. We could call it on every play. We use our judgment/discernment to determine whether or not an advantage is gained.“ So, if that is true, what advantage was gained by calling this marginal at best “blindside block”, especially when it had no impact on the play itself? Not a darn thing.

This was not an official making a call. This was an official “looking” for something to call. And it was horrendous.

 

[CraigD]

I don't recall him saying that. I do know Saban didn't like the play. Running the ball was the best thing at that point, to run the clock out.

NO.... DON'T run the ball! We needed to be in victory formation. "Run the ball" is what Miami did that got them beat. I know it doesn't happen often but it CAN happen. We were in shotgun, too, so think about how our center has been snapping the ball. I don't want there to be TWO exchanges and then a RB running with the ball into the scrum when there is another option: victory formation three times... game over. I want the QB to take a snap, have his buddies huddled around him in case something goes wrong with that one exchange, then I want him to kneel down and hand the ball to the official.

I have no idea why we didn't do this after the McClellan first down catch and run. It should be automatic once the clock reaches a certain point (and we should have this figured out and memorized), and hopefully with the Miami debacle we will do that (victory formation) from now on any time we can.

 

[CajunCrimson]

While technically* the talking heads can say it was a “blindside block” (bump being more accurate), you have to ask yourself simply “why was the blindside block rule (and targeting for that matter) implemented?” The answer - “to remove dangerous hits from the game, particularly for defenseless players”. The goal is to remove that “de-cleating block”. So tell me, what was so dangerous about that hit that warranted a flag? Nothing, absolute nothing.

We have heard time and again that “holding is a judgement call. We could call it on every play. We use our judgment/discernment to determine whether or not an advantage is gained.“ So, if that is true, what advantage was gained by calling this marginal at best “blindside block”, especially when it had no impact on the play itself? Not a darn thing.

This was not an official making a call. This was an official “looking” for something to call. And it was horrendous.

The roughing the passer call was just as bad.

 

[AWRTR]

The roughing the passer call was just as bad.

That call was so weak.

 

[CB4]

NO.... DON'T run the ball! We needed to be in victory formation. "Run the ball" is what Miami did that got them beat. I know it doesn't happen often but it CAN happen. We were in shotgun, too, so think about how our center has been snapping the ball. I don't want there to be TWO exchanges and then a RB running with the ball into the scrum when there is another option: victory formation three times... game over. I want the QB to take a snap, have his buddies huddled around him in case something goes wrong with that one exchange, then I want him to kneel down and hand the ball to the official.

I have no idea why we didn't do this after the McClellan first down catch and run. It should be automatic once the clock reaches a certain point (and we should have this figured out and memorized), and hopefully with the Miami debacle we will do that (victory formation) from now on any time we can.

I think* I know what happened though it has never been addressed at this point. It boils down to having situational awareness.

What believe* happened is this: Jase makes the catch, however his knee was temporarily on the ground while bobbling the ball (short of the first down). His knee is off the ground when he completes the catch so he isn’t down and able to turn upfield for the first down.

I believe* Milroe thought the officials may stop play to review it. Thinking Jase’s knee may have been down, Milroe wanted to go “hurry up” to prevent the review.

I feel pretty certain they have probably practiced a “hurry up” scenario like this to prevent a review. My thought* is that the QB is given a run or pass option based on the defense’s positioning. Milroe took the snap and threw to the uncovered receiver, but was in such a rush, he threw it into the ground, killing the clock.

Clearly, Milroe didn’t realize that 1) TAMU was out of timeouts 2) with no timeouts, taking a snap and taking the knee would prevent the review and more importantly keep the clock running.

If Milroe’s intent was to hurry up because he was unsure whether Jase made the first down and review might overturn it, I won’t fault him for that. However, the choice to go hurry up and THROW the ball is about as brain dead as it gets.

And like you I was screaming at m TV “why are you throwing the ball?”

 

[CraigD]

I think* I know what happened though it has never been addressed at this point. It boils down to having situational awareness.

I can see where you're coming from

 

[Probius]

I'm still confused about the final four plays of the game, especially that first down following the McClellan first down. I didn't understand the pass since it was giving A&M a 4th timeout. But also, there were 7 seconds remaining on the 4th down play where Milroe rolled out and threw the ball deep to kill the clock. So, a run on 1st down would have run more than 7 seconds off the clock, so then why not just take a knee three times after the McClellan 1st down?

 

[CraigD]

I'm still confused about the final four plays of the game, especially that first down following the McClellan first down. I didn't understand the pass since it was giving A&M a 4th timeout. But also, there were 7 seconds remaining on the 4th down play where Milroe rolled out and threw the ball deep to kill the clock. So, a run on 1st down would have run more than 7 seconds off the clock, so then why not just take a knee three times after the McClellan 1st down?

There should be no confusion... that's exactly what should have happened... take a knee three times. You're exactly right.

I believe Jalen got excited about the uncovered receiver, or as CB4 suggested maybe he was thinking that he needed to run a play quickly so as to prevent a review of the previous play that he thought might not go our way (he may not have gotten a good look at it; other players may have been saying "hurry, hurry"... we don't really know). No matter what the thought process was... it was wrong. Three knees and the game ends.

 

[Probius]

There should be no confusion... that's exactly what should have happened... take a knee three times. You're exactly right.

I believe Jalen got excited about the uncovered receiver, or as CB4 suggested maybe he was thinking that he needed to run a play quickly so as to prevent a review of the previous play that he thought might not go our way (he may not have gotten a good look at it; other players may have been saying "hurry, hurry... we don't really know). No matter what the thought process was... it was wrong. Three knees and the game ends.

Thank you for the explanation. I watched the game in a bar in Nashville while away from home and I couldn't hear what the announcers were saying.

 

[Ledsteplin]

NO.... DON'T run the ball! We needed to be in victory formation. "Run the ball" is what Miami did that got them beat. I know it doesn't happen often but it CAN happen. We were in shotgun, too, so think about how our center has been snapping the ball. I don't want there to be TWO exchanges and then a RB running with the ball into the scrum when there is another option: victory formation three times... game over. I want the QB to take a snap, have his buddies huddled around him in case something goes wrong with that one exchange, then I want him to kneel down and hand the ball to the official.

I have no idea why we didn't do this after the McClellan first down catch and run. It should be automatic once the clock reaches a certain point (and we should have this figured out and memorized), and hopefully with the Miami debacle we will do that (victory formation) from now on any time we can.

I get that. It was the quote I asked about. I didn't recall Milroe saying that. It didn't make sense to me.

 

[BamaInBham]

On occasion, I like to take a peek at other teams forums. I Almost spit my drink out when one Aggie fan complained that the Refs were one of the reasons they lost !!! Some folks never cease to amaze me !!!!

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

Agree 100%. I mentioned on Facebook how Jalen had improved. My cousin and a friend nearly ran me off. LOL It was brutal. Listening to them, one would think it was 3 weeks ago. Even the win wasn't good enough.

 

[Tidelines]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

You’re so wrong, Burger King, but have it your own way. I pull for JM as hard as you do. But I tell it as I see. He has a lot of room for improvement. That is just the truth.

 

[81usaf92]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

The problem is there are those who want to act like Milroe is this great quarterback that reminds them of Vince Young when he has a great game, and feel the need to play the “how dare you” card every time there is legit criticism of what he does.

And of course there there are those who can’t give anything positive without 3-4 negative things to say.

Honestly since the second week of spring I’ve not felt good about the quarterback situation after seeing both of our guys look like high schoolers in the second scrimmage. Buchner didn’t excite me tremendously but I thought maybe familiarity with Rees might be the issue with the other two. Plus TB looked like the best quarterback amongst the 3 in the Fall Scrimmage. Maybe Milroe is a bad scrimmage guy.

Simpson I’ve never been high on based on what I’ve seen in practice and I’ve heard. So really I thought it was Buchner or Milroe. Milroe won and I was fine with it. I’m still going to critique what I see positive and negative but I’m not going to go crazy over performances vs MTSU and MSU either.

aTm was Milroe’s best performance in his career but it wasn’t without legitimate criticism. It didn’t kill us and he pointed it out so I’m okay with it. He seems to be improving and if he does then we are going to be fine.

 

[BamaMoon]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

The only "criticism" I've had of JM was based on his poor QB play. Only "support' I've given to Simpson was based on the concept of giving the guy with better fundamentals a chance.

Now that there is visible evidence that JM is starting to show some improvements people are giving him credit (I started a whole "thoughts on QB after week 6 thread" to say so).

But that doesn't mean JM is anywhere close to not having any weaknesses. Sure, we all have weaknesses, as you say. Tua has weaknesses still, but saying that doesn't dismiss that JM still has a long way to go. Tua has weaknesses and so does JM, but they are still miles apart in terms of QB quality. So JM is growing, but needs to grow more. Is that wrong to say OR should we just blindly dismiss where he needs to improve?

And this "claim" some would rather see him fail than us win a NC with him? Come on man!

 

[BamaInCummingGA]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

Difference in Ty Simpson and Milroe is time in system.
A third year qb who actually had a start or two and significant playing time in some games where it actually mattered should be able to make better/quicker decisions.

 

[Tenntiderman]

Thank you for the explanation. I watched the game in a bar in Nashville while away from home and I couldn't hear what the announcers were saying.

Never EVER watch a Bama game in a Nashville bar. Just a pitiful practice. Any bar for that matter, but especially Nashville. Been there. Done that. Not again.

 

[irvingtontide]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

I would be critical of Ty if he one hopped a ball 5 yards short of a receiver. Especially when we should just be kneeling the ball. I guarantee that has been gone over with that much time left no timeout and a fresh set of downs that we kneel the ball.
If Ty locked on to his receiver and threw late over the middle into a single high safety coverage for a pick I would be critical. If you’re not sure the play goes to the sideline against single high safety coverage. It goes to the middle against two deep safety that should be a basic read for a college qb but milroe never even saw the safety.
Should we ignore that he fumbled the ball also? Cause again I would be critical of Ty in that situation and we was fortunate that seth jumped on that ball and that downs immediately got the interception back in what ended up being a 6 point game. Cause both those turnovers could have been killer.
The only pass Ty threw last week I was critical of. It was high and off target. Which brings up the next point. I can think of one intermediate pass this week where milroe had good placement to allow the receiver to get YAC and that was the pass to burton where he split 3 defenders. If he could make that throw consistently this offense would find another gear and open up more of the playbook. His other short passes was mostly catchable but off target in the sense of being in stride. I can live with this one as long as he is making the pass past the 1st down sticks when we need one
I was critical of Ty for some of the sacks he took against USF same way I have been critical of some of milroes.
So you can spare me the I’m just hating and that I wouldn’t be critical of Ty because I would be saying the same things if he was making the same mistakes.


After the game I told my brother he had a decent game and that if he can keep improving on the short passes and cut out turnovers with our defense we should have a good shot at winning the remaining games. Just because you are high on milroe doesn’t mean others can’t point out valid criticisms while still wanting to win the games. It’s absurd you think we would rather watch milroe lose over winning another championship but go ahead I guess you think you have us all figured out.

 

[TitleWave]

Just look at some in the Alabama fan base - they are still whining about JM, some giving "faint praise", usually with caveats. It's certainly not all, but a significant segment. If TS was starting and performing as well as JM, they would be ecstatic, with little to say about his imperfections.

There are always areas of improvement for any college QB, guys running open but not seen, a throw off-target here and there, etc. Many are just waiting for the next mistake.

Not so fast. It's true they do have the Scrub Scout (sorry, USF) coach's film and the Unofficial Assistant Coach's "I Have a Dream...That Milroe May Never Hit a Seam" speech to back up their schadenfreude about Simpson's "backing up" No. 4. Way backing him up, from what some think. But they're willing to give Milroe at least through the seventh game to finally prove his improvement is a mirage.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

While technically* the talking heads can say it was a “blindside block” (bump being more accurate), you have to ask yourself simply “why was the blindside block rule (and targeting for that matter) implemented?” The answer - “to remove dangerous hits from the game, particularly for defenseless players”. The goal is to remove that “de-cleating block”. So tell me, what was so dangerous about that hit that warranted a flag? Nothing, absolute nothing.

We have heard time and again that “holding is a judgement call. We could call it on every play. We use our judgment/discernment to determine whether or not an advantage is gained.“ So, if that is true, what advantage was gained by calling this marginal at best “blindside block”, especially when it had no impact on the play itself? Not a darn thing.

This was not an official making a call. This was an official “looking” for something to call. And it was horrendous.

Interestingly, even on the Aggie boards, they are admitting it was a marginal call. It wasn't even really a "block" at all...