Video: Simpson was Lucky to walk out of Iron Bowl

[arthurdawg]

In 2023 Penix was sacked 11 times and their RB rushed for almost 1200 yards. We've given up 23 sacks this year with 22 of them on Ty. Our leading rusher is Jam Miller with 493 yards. I really think it is our personnel.

None of our RBs averages more than 4 YPC. Their long runs are 24,22, and 28 yards (Dear had a longer one).

We don't have talent or big play potential there even discounting poor OL play.

 

[crimsonaudio]

In 2023 Penix was sacked 11 times and their RB rushed for almost 1200 yards. We've given up 23 sacks this year with 22 of them on Ty. Our leading rusher is Jam Miller with 493 yards. I really think it is our personnel.

Specifically, the OL. Saban was building the team to be a run heavy offense, and now we have an amalgam of players on OL, some lighter / quicker, some heavier / slower.

I think once DeBoer gets an OL built from his players the offense will both run and pass block better.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Specifically, the OL. Saban was building the team to be a run heavy offense, and now we have an amalgam of players on OL, some lighter / quicker, some heavier / slower.

I think once DeBoer gets an OL built from his players the offense will both run and pass block better.

I just can't believe that DeBoer or Grubb want this type of offensive production after 2023. They know what it takes to win, they just need the Jimmy's and Joe's. Maybe that's why he was crying after the Iron Bowl after we blew the 17-0 lead and we still were able to grind it out with just "heart".

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I posted in Jess's thread that we might try playing both Mack and Ty during UGA game and have some packages for Russell

 

[RollTide_HTTR]

I know there’s technique in everything, but in large measure blocking is as much or more” want to “ . BUT ain’t no glory or money in it these days, I guess.

I agree but some of the plays I've seen it looks like the RBs (specifically Jam) are trying they just can't do it. Idk though I'm far from an expert

 

[Special K]

Regarding the run game, I think one thing that would help us tremendously would be to get away from so much zone running and focus more on a gap scheme. Pull and lead the RB, block your guy, RB hit it and go. We did a lot more of that against AU especially early and we were cooking them. It’s simpler for the OL, and helps keep our RBs (especially Jam) from doing so much lateral dancing trying to read the zone cut.

 

[Cruloc]

Reading all this, I think we can agree that DeBoer doesnt have the personnel fit right now. Our OL is a mess.....thats the linchpin of the whole works.

Those Penix numbers from 23 are telling.

 

[CoolBreeze]

Reading all this, I think we can agree that DeBoer doesnt have the personnel fit right now. Our OL is a mess.....thats the linchpin of the whole works.

Those Penix numbers from 23 are telling.

Funny thing, Coach was at that job only 2 years. That would mean he portaled quite a few pieces in to get that good so quickly. Need to do some portalling to shore this thing up.

 

[81usaf92]

What bothers me the most is that we run far too many go and deep levels routes on short yardage or obvious blitzes instead of some short routes. I used to think it was Ty doing it to prove he can hit a home run route but it seems far more intentional from a game planning standpoint. For one, aside from Ryan Williams we don’t have a receiver fast enough to gauge Ty’s deep shots and 2 everyone is coming after him now so it’s usually a counterproductive play.

 

[crimsonaudio]

What bothers me the most is that we run far too many go and deep levels routes on short yardage or obvious blitzes instead of some short routes. I used to think it was Ty doing it to prove he can hit a home run route but it seems far more intentional from a game planning standpoint. For one, aside from Ryan Williams we don’t have a receiver fast enough to gauge Ty’s deep shots and 2 everyone is coming after him now so it’s usually a counterproductive play.

Yeah, it seems like passing options are either all short/midrange or all downfield.

 

[Isaiah 63:1]

In 2023 Penix was sacked 11 times and their RB rushed for almost 1200 yards. We've given up 23 sacks this year with 22 of them on Ty. Our leading rusher is Jam Miller with 493 yards. I really think it is our personnel.

I've never coached a sport at a level higher than 4th grade soccer, other than one season as an on-base analyst for a girl's high school softball team (sounds like an 1980's Cinemax movie, but it wasn't). But I know a thing or two about leadership, learned sometimes the easy way and sometimes the hard:

1. A leader's first job is to define reality. That includes the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
2. A leader's next job is to put people into the best position to succeed with their strengths, and either improve on or mitigate their weaknesses.

Assuming for the sake of argument that Alabama's offensive weaknesses are self-evident and, in the context of a season, not fixable, our OC doesn't seem to be willing or able to scheme away from them and lean into their strengths, at least not consistently. This seems of a piece with his brief Seahawks' tenure. Note that last year Seattle was 5th in the NFL in passing with Geno Smith at QB, yet 18th overall in scoring because of - wait for it - a weak ground game which they tended to abandon in games at the first sign of struggle. This put tremendous pressure on the QB to carry the offense and made them fairly predictable. Sound familiar? This year, Seattle's offensive stats are significantly improved, primarily because of more rushing yards per game (with the same feature back as last year, BTW). From these facts (assuming I got them right), I draw one conclusion and harbor one fear:

Conclusion - our offensive woes are on the OC for not having a better scheme for the players he has
Fear - Our OC not only has not learned the lessons of Seattle, but cannot. I hope that fear proves unfounded...

 

[64 Grad]

I think Ty gave his all in the game and get the lions share of the credit we won. His scrambling and passing in the red zone were stellar.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

I've never coached a sport at a level higher than 4th grade soccer, other than one season as an on-base analyst for a girl's high school softball team (sounds like an 1980's Cinemax movie, but it wasn't). But I know a thing or two about leadership, learned sometimes the easy way and sometimes the hard:

1. A leader's first job is to define reality. That includes the strengths and weaknesses of the team.
2. A leader's next job is to put people into the best position to succeed with their strengths, and either improve on or mitigate their weaknesses.

Assuming for the sake of argument that Alabama's offensive weaknesses are self-evident and, in the context of a season, not fixable, our OC doesn't seem to be willing or able to scheme away from them and lean into their strengths, at least not consistently. This seems of a piece with his brief Seahawks' tenure. Note that last year Seattle was 5th in the NFL in passing with Geno Smith at QB, yet 18th overall in scoring because of - wait for it - a weak ground game which they tended to abandon in games at the first sign of struggle. This put tremendous pressure on the QB to carry the offense and made them fairly predictable. Sound familiar? This year, Seattle's offensive stats are significantly improved, primarily because of more rushing yards per game (with the same feature back as last year, BTW). From these facts (assuming I got them right), I draw one conclusion and harbor one fear:

Conclusion - our offensive woes are on the OC for not having a better scheme for the players he has
Fear - Our OC not only has not learned the lessons of Seattle, but cannot. I hope that fear proves unfounded...

Good post and true. I believe both personnel and lack of a “scheme” can be both true At the same time. As a former basketball coach, there are coaches that adjust the scheme to fit the personnel and there are coaches that get the personnel to fit the scheme. Grubb seems to be the latter at this point. Right now we need to see what types of players we are going to sign beyond the hand he was dealt in year one.

I am extremely happy with how the players on defense have settled into our current defensive philosophy.

 

[Slowpoke Catracho]

Yeah, it seems like passing options are either all short/midrange or all downfield.

My feeling since the FSU game is the Ty holds the ball too long and the window for the midrange routes closes rapidly or he audibles out to deeper routes.

 

[CajunCrimson]

In 2023 Penix was sacked 11 times and their RB rushed for almost 1200 yards. We've given up 23 sacks this year with 22 of them on Ty. Our leading rusher is Jam Miller with 493 yards. I really think it is our personnel.

I think it’s SEC vs PAC10

 

[BamaMoon]

I posted in Jess's thread that we might try playing both Mack and Ty during UGA game and have some packages for Russell

I'm on board with being optimistic about our QB room, especially Russell AND hoping they get more PT!

But here's the dilemma: For every series you give Mack or Russell... let's say in theory we give Mack two series and Russell one...that's 3 series Ty doesn't get.

This leaves me feeling a little uneasy, considering the stakes riding on this game, especially if the score is close, as I expect it to be.

The one time I'd fully agree is that if we are struggling with Ty in the sense we are having a bunch of 3 and outs. We are going to get beat anyway, so why not give the youngsters a try?

 

[TiderJack]

I just can't believe that DeBoer or Grubb want this type of offensive production after 2023. They know what it takes to win, they just need the Jimmy's and Joe's. Maybe that's why he was crying after the Iron Bowl after we blew the 17-0 lead and we still were able to grind it out with just "heart".

You are mistaken about the Jimmy and Joe's on this roster. While not as elite as it has been we have a bunch of dudes. You don't go 7-1 in this SEC and not have talent. They do have heart that every championship team must have but they did not win with just heart.

 

[TiderJack]

I think it’s SEC vs PAC10

Exactly. Quite a difference in talent.

 

[BamaMoon]

Someone mentioned we had more "gap-targeted" runs against AU rather than "zone blocking" schemes.

If true, I hope the staff keys in on this and perhaps uses this approach more going forward.

IDK why, but Jam suddenly looked more down-hill and less hesitant AND D. Hill looked more comfortable too!

Speaking of Hill, I really think this game will be won or lost with how well D. Hill runs the ball. I expect Jam is either out or very limited and if he's limited, I can't imagine he's a better option than D. Hill.

And maybe we surprise them with some AK Deare runs too!!!

 

[92tide]

I think Ty gave his all in the game and get the lions share of the credit we won. His scrambling and passing in the red zone were stellar.

i have to say this team, with all of it’s flaws, has plenty of pluck and grit