Passing game really needs to develop for a BCSNC run in 09.

[LCN]

I was watching some of the SEC CG again for kicks and giggles. As I was watching, it really stuck out to me that if we would have been better in our passing game we very well could have not only over come the Arenas special teams mistake and the Hightower personal foul but we very well could have blown Florida out of that game.

It was amazing how inconsistent we were (not only in the SEC CG but all season) in our passing game and still went 12-0 through the SEC. But it caught up with us in the SEC CG.

I know Coach McElwain's off season goal HAS TO BE to develop not only our qb to be a good passer but our entire offensive unit to be better at the passing game.

I think we'll probably see a jump in production @ TE next year but , I have serious concerns @ WR . To me , McCoy has been dissapointing mainly because each offseason we always hear about how well he's progressed and then nothing ever comes to pass when the season rolls around . We may turn out to be in decent shape in the slot with Hanks & Maze but , someone must step up opposite Julio this Spring . If not , it could get pretty rough trying to break in a new QB if we only have a legitimate outside threat on just one side of the field . _conf:

 

[Really Big Bama Fan]

I will grant you that without Tim Tebow we still win the game. It is not that our passing game was terrible. In fact it was quite good. In a way we are complaining at a very high level here. It's just that with all our talent, if we had a better passing game, we would have beaten Florida, even with Tebow. The lack of a passing game was our eventual undoing. So I guess I am saying that the lack of one other good receiver was the difference between the Sugar Bowl and the National Championship game.

The two best offenses in the SEC East, Georgia and Florida, were both able to get 30 points on the Alabama defense. The difference was that Florida's defense was much better than Georgia's. As far as the passing game goes, I was surprised to see Alabama get away from the efficient passes to the TE at the end of the SEC championship game by attempting more vertical passing into Florida's double coverage, with less success.

 

[trenda]

I was at the SEC CG and have not watched a replay since; but, at the end of the third quarter I thought we had them right where we wanted them. We were mixing the short passing game and the running game together so well that FL was definitely on their heels and gasping for breath. 14 runs and 9 passes accounting for 10:33 in Time of possession. JPW was 6-10 in the third quarter, throwing to 4 different receivers. That's not a bad passing game for the offense we run. Heavy on Nick Walker and Julio Jones; but it was definitely working.

In the 4th quarter, Florida's TOP was 11:55. This ultimately caused our playcalling to be a 6:1 pass to run ratio (due to falling behind by more than one score) -- which is not Alabama football. JPW was 1-4 (1 INT) in that quarter (was sacked on the other 2 passing plays) and attempted passes to three different receivers.

Tim Tebow willed his team to victory and wilted our defense in the process. Our offense got put into a position it hasn't been in all season. I thought depth on defense (lack of) contributed to the SEC CG loss moreso than any inefficiencies in the passing game. Florida just kept trotting out fresh receivers that were all fast as lightning and just wore our defense down. They converted on all four third downs in the fourth quarter and just ate the clock up.

I agree that the passing game needs to improve to keep our offense from being so predictable -- especially seeing that we are not going to have the same experience and talent on the OL next year. But, IMO, our passing game wasn't that bad in the Florida game. In the third quarter, it actually helped us put Florida on their heels.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I agree that the passing game needs to improve to keep our offense from being so predictable -- especially seeing that we are not going to have the same experience and talent on the OL next year. But, IMO, our passing game wasn't that bad in the Florida game. In the third quarter, it actually helped us put Florida on their heels.

I do not believe it was "bad". But we weren't good enough at it when we needed it the most.

 

[tusctider]

I do not believe it was "bad". But we weren't good enough at it when we needed it the most.

The defense was not great that night either. Johnson #24 got picked on alot also. It is what it is so lets move on. You guys think the defense had nothing to do with it and it broke quite a few times during the game. It's a team game and several areas that glare. Wide receiver, we need some playmakers there big time. Special Teams, I love Javy but he has killed us alot this year and of course Fitz. Cornerback, after Kareem and Javy there was nobody and everyone knew it. Well Florida knew it. Some on here need to stop dogging certain players and realize it's a team game and the only way to improve is to improve as a team. We only are going to get better so let's enjoy this season which most at the beginning of this season would of gladly played in the Sugar Bowl. RTR!!!

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The defense was not great that night either. Johnson #24 got picked on alot also. It is what it is so lets move on. You guys think the defense had nothing to do with it and it broke quite a few times during the game. It's a team game and several areas that glare. Wide receiver, we need some playmakers there big time. Special Teams, I love Javy but he has killed us alot this year and of course Fitz. Cornerback, after Kareem and Javy there was nobody and everyone knew it. Well Florida knew it. Some on here need to stop dogging certain players and realize it's a team game and the only way to improve is to improve as a team. We only are going to get better so let's enjoy this season which most at the beginning of this season would of gladly played in the Sugar Bowl. RTR!!!

I'm not sure you've been designated to the "time to close a topic" position just yet. And no one is "dogging" any player here. We don't allow it. We are discussing the passing game as entirety not on an individual basis. Either you've overlooked it or haven't taken the time to read the entire thread.

 

[rsbamafan]

I agree we need to be able to throw the ball,but the same things win now that have always won.If you can run the ball and play good defence you can win.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I agree we need to be able to throw the ball,but the same things win now that have always won.If you can run the ball and play good defence you can win.

I agree but the games that get you over the top are the games when your bread and butter ain't working and you're able to go to something else and get it done. I agree. A team that can run the ball and play stout d will win more than they lose. The problem is that you're going to have games that you're not playing your best d or you're not having a good day of rushing. So you better be able to do something else to get you the win.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

The two best offenses in the SEC East, Georgia and Florida, were both able to get 30 points on the Alabama defense. The difference was that Florida's defense was much better than Georgia's. As far as the passing game goes, I was surprised to see Alabama get away from the efficient passes to the TE at the end of the SEC championship game by attempting more vertical passing into Florida's double coverage, with less success.

Georgia's Offense didn't put 30 points against our Defense.
if you recall, one of the scores was a bogus kick-off return TD,
a play that was later reviewed to be void by the SEC.

the other two scores were in the 4th quarter, garbage TDs that our 2nd string D allowed when the game was well in hand.

 

[LCN]

I'm not sure you've been designated to the "time to close a topic" position just yet. And no one is "dogging" any player here. We don't allow it. We are discussing the passing game as entirety not on an individual basis. Either you've overlooked it or haven't taken the time to read the entire thread.

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