Bama Game Thread: Official Postgame Thread, Bama vs. UGA...

[Bamabuzzard]

There has been a lot of talk about running the football with Jam and Justice and while I sure do root for those guys, it's possible that against the stronger teams, we're just not going to be able to impose our will that way. With apologies to those guys, they were stuffed or failed to make the line to gain too many times for their number to get called often when Saturday's game was on the line.

I don't blame them. They're probably the best 1-2 punch at the position we've had in years. For whatever reason though, it's been quite a while since we've been a team that can move the sticks, on multiple series in a row, by simply pounding the rock.

The current situation, as I see it, is that we're far more explosive with the ball in the hands of Bernard, Law, Milroe or Williams. That could change, but for now, it seems the right call to me to use the running backs situationally and just enough to keep the opposing defense honest.

So, yeah. Throw me into the briar patch of everything going through Milroe. I will not be sweating number of touches for individual players and coaches should not do that either. In the immortal words of Herm Edwards, "HELLO? YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME."

Haynes averaged 5.8 yards a carry Saturday. Miller didn't fair quite as well but against Wisconsin he averaged 7.8 yards/carry. I think the coaching staff is feeling out the offense as the season goes on and they're smart enough to know that you have to give those two guys the ball, especially over the potential length of the season. We've been able to depend on Milroe running but as the season progresses and the defenses adjust, my guess is the big opportunities for him to have 100+ yards rushing against the better teams will get fewer and fewer. I expect to see more of Haynes and Miller as the season progresses.

 

[Ledsteplin]

There has been a lot of talk about running the football with Jam and Justice and while I sure do root for those guys, it's possible that against the stronger teams, we're just not going to be able to impose our will that way. With apologies to those guys, they were stuffed or failed to make the line to gain too many times for their number to get called often when Saturday's game was on the line.

I don't blame them. They're probably the best 1-2 punch at the position we've had in years. For whatever reason though, it's been quite a while since we've been a team that can move the sticks, on multiple series in a row, by simply pounding the rock.

The current situation, as I see it, is that we're far more explosive with the ball in the hands of Bernard, Law, Milroe or Williams. That could change, but for now, it seems the right call to me to use the running backs situationally and just enough to keep the opposing defense honest.

So, yeah. Throw me into the briar patch of everything going through Milroe. I will not be sweating number of touches for individual players and coaches should not do that either. In the immortal words of Herm Edwards, "HELLO? YOU PLAY TO WIN THE GAME."

It was the game plan not to run at the line. They knew Kirby wanted to stop the run and force Milroe to throw. So instead, they threw passes where they had not before, and played the outside. But, yeah, any team that would crowd the box, would cause run problems. But they will find that a risky plan against this Bama offense. Come to think of it, I'm not sure there is a "good" defensive strategy against this offense.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

Dang, Proctor!

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1841311399420510610

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a LT do that!!! Dang

 

[92tide]

Haynes averaged 5.8 yards a carry Saturday. Miller didn't fair quite as well but against Wisconsin he averaged 7.8 yards/carry. I think the coaching staff is feeling out the offense as the season goes on and they're smart enough to know that you have to give those two guys the ball, especially over the potential length of the season. We've been able to depend on Milroe running but as the season progresses and the defenses adjust, my guess is the big opportunities for him to have 100+ yards rushing against the better teams will get fewer and fewer. I expect to see more of Haynes and Miller as the season progresses.

but jam caught that beautiful wheel route and absolutely stoned their lb on milroe’s 4th and 1 td run

 

[Bamabuzzard]

but jam caught that beautiful wheel route and absolutely stoned their lb on milroe’s 4th and 1 td run

Absolutely, he definitely contributed in a major way.

 

[day-day]

On your #2, I heard it had to do with staying in a rhythm. Waiting for the clock to tick down would disrupt that. The exception being late in the 4th quarter. I don't know if there's anything to that or not. Kinda makes sense though. Another thing, Kirby played a bit of ball control in the 2nd half. We didn't get it as much as we should have. Those 4th down conversions helped keep the ball out of our hands.

I thought something similar regarding the timing of the snap when I was watching. Maybe Coach DeBoer felt it was best not to complicate things additionally for Milroe. Milroe seems to still be in a fairly heavy learning mode and didn't need to have another thing to worry about which could adversely affect his thought process as well as the rhythm of the offense.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

I thought something similar regarding the timing of the snap when I was watching. Maybe Coach DeBoer felt it was best not to complicate things additionally for Milroe. Milroe seems to still be in a fairly heavy learning mode and didn't need to have another thing to worry about which could adversely affect his thought process as well as the rhythm of the offense.

That's what I was thinking as well...

 

[GboyBama]

Haynes averaged 5.8 yards a carry Saturday. Miller didn't fair quite as well but against Wisconsin he averaged 7.8 yards/carry. I think the coaching staff is feeling out the offense as the season goes on and they're smart enough to know that you have to give those two guys the ball, especially over the potential length of the season. We've been able to depend on Milroe running but as the season progresses and the defenses adjust, my guess is the big opportunities for him to have 100+ yards rushing against the better teams will get fewer and fewer. I expect to see more of Haynes and Miller as the season progresses.

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't count on it. This has been Alabama for a while now. Don't we all cringe when we're going for a 4th and 1, knowing we're going to have to scheme something to get it? We didn't scheme anything special trying to get that one Saturday and surprise. We didn't get it.

Also, in fairness, Haynes may have averaged 5.8, but we know that he had a long single run of 23 yards that skewed that stat. His other 5 rushes netted only 12 yards total.

So, we ran those guys 11 times against UGA. Ten out of those 11 plays, we averaged 2 yards. If that was the level of success happening in the passing game, the anti-Milroe brigade around here would be lighting torches.

 

[crimsonaudio]

I don’t think I’ve ever seen a LT do that!!! Dang

I had no idea he had developed into the beast he has. So glad he came back!

 

[Bama1971Stan!]

The one thing about all of this that sticks with me is this new coaching staff, this team full of new players have only played 4 games together. I can't wait to see them late in the year and in the playoffs with a full season behind them!

 

[cindym]

Yall Kirby is a !!! I heard on a couple of radio shows that after the game he was trying to cozy up to RW! I cant stand him!! I hope they loose to Texas too!

 

[cindym]

Oh and probably not possible but i might root for auwbarn to beat them mnnn Naw i just will pretend that game isnt being played

 

[oskie]

...Then 2+4=6 took it away. Then when 2 snatched from 8, it was gone for good.

We know about 2 + 4 = 6 ...

... but just remember 2 - 8 = [-] 6 ... that's minus 6 ... as in NO touchdown

 

[Ledsteplin]

We know about 2 + 4 = 6 ...

... but just remember 2 - 8 = [-] 6 ... that's minus 6 ... as in NO touchdown

2 snatched from 8. That's same as 8-2.

 

[TIDE-HSV]

It was the game plan not to run at the line. They knew Kirby wanted to stop the run and force Milroe to throw. So instead, they threw passes where they had not before, and played the outside. But, yeah, any team that would crowd the box, would cause run problems. But they will find that a risky plan against this Bama offense. Come to think of it, I'm not sure there is a "good" defensive strategy against this offense.

I'm sure they didn't expect him to dink and dunk them to death at first...

 

[oskie]

We know about 2 + 4 = 6 ...

... but just remember 2 - 8 = [-] 6 ... that's minus 6 ... as in NO touchdown

2 snatched from 8. That's same as 8-2.

Okay, never mind then - not the first math problem I ever got wrong

 

[AlexanderFan]

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't count on it. This has been Alabama for a while now. Don't we all cringe when we're going for a 4th and 1, knowing we're going to have to scheme something to get it? We didn't scheme anything special trying to get that one Saturday and surprise. We didn't get it.

Also, in fairness, Haynes may have averaged 5.8, but we know that he had a long single run of 23 yards that skewed that stat. His other 5 rushes netted only 12 yards total.

So, we ran those guys 11 times against UGA. Ten out of those 11 plays, we averaged 2 yards. If that was the level of success happening in the passing game, the anti-Milroe brigade around here would be lighting torches.

You can’t judge the backs the same with an option running game, especially if the wrong read is made. The backs can’t win in these scenarios, they either get the ball when they shouldn’t, or don’t get the ball when they should.

These backs deserve the ball more than they’re getting it.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't count on it. This has been Alabama for a while now. Don't we all cringe when we're going for a 4th and 1, knowing we're going to have to scheme something to get it? We didn't scheme anything special trying to get that one Saturday and surprise. We didn't get it.

Also, in fairness, Haynes may have averaged 5.8, but we know that he had a long single run of 23 yards that skewed that stat. His other 5 rushes netted only 12 yards total.

So, we ran those guys 11 times against UGA. Ten out of those 11 plays, we averaged 2 yards. If that was the level of success happening in the passing game, the anti-Milroe brigade around here would be lighting torches.

Jam had 140 yards on 15 carries with average of 9.3 yds per against S Florida. Long was 56 yards. Take it away, and it's 83 yards on 14 carries for a 6 yd per average. The game plan for Georgia was not to run much. And to the outside. They purposely avoided running up the middle or over tackle. Georgia was prepared for that. This Bama offense is a pass first offense. We knew this when DeBoer came here. Everyone was excited about it. The ground game has it's place, and we'll see plenty of run plays. The run/pass ratio will change, depending on the defense. In four games Bama has rushed for 855 yards. 213.75 average yds per game. Take away the 334 yds in game one, and it's 521 yds with a 173 yds average. Milroe gets a chunk of the run yardage. This was expected. Our RBs, Jam and Justice, play a vital part in the offense. In addition to runs, they have been great catching passes and blocking. The run game is fine.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I hope you're right, but I wouldn't count on it. This has been Alabama for a while now. Don't we all cringe when we're going for a 4th and 1, knowing we're going to have to scheme something to get it? We didn't scheme anything special trying to get that one Saturday and surprise. We didn't get it.

Also, in fairness, Haynes may have averaged 5.8, but we know that he had a long single run of 23 yards that skewed that stat. His other 5 rushes netted only 12 yards total.

So, we ran those guys 11 times against UGA. Ten out of those 11 plays, we averaged 2 yards. If that was the level of success happening in the passing game, the anti-Milroe brigade around here would be lighting torches.

Running backs have to have opportunities to get into a rhythm. Very few running backs (even the great ones) can get six carries and be expected to be successful. Even the great Barry Sanders wasn't that good. You have to feed them a minimum amount of times for them to get the feel of the game. It is very hard to sit here and say Haynes wasn't successful at running when all he got was six carries the entire game. That's 1.5 carries per quarter. LOL!

 

[Con]

You can’t judge the backs the same with an option running game, especially if the wrong read is made. The backs can’t win in these scenarios, they either get the ball when they shouldn’t, or don’t get the ball when they should.

These backs deserve the ball more than they’re getting it.

They may deserve more but winning should mean more than getting carries.