South Carolina wrap-up: Defense saves Tide's hide, but a misfiring offense hit its shot late

[JessN]

TideFans.com | By the Fans, For the Fans. - South Carolina wrap-up: Defense saves Tide’s hide, but a misfiring offense hit its shot late

As the famed Southern sportswriter Lewis Grizzard used to label his childhood friend Weyman C. Wannamaker Jr., my own good friend from many Alabama games, Jeff Trammell – “A Great American,” as Lew…

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[Saint&Sinner]

I’m so glad to be here. Now to Rest and Lock In that championship attitude!

 

[Padreruf]

We looked like a tired team on offense until the last quarter...and the defense played well all game. USC has a losing record, but they have as much talent as Bama...

HOWEVER, we hung in there and found a way to win...something USC has not done this year.

Thanks Jess for an on-target summary once again.

 

[ROCKEE]

Thanks Jess.
You somehow always sum up my thoughts.
You da man!

 

[Toddrn]

So what do we need to do to improve our O-line? We can't continue with this horrible O-line play and expect to continue winning.

 

[Ledsteplin]

Thanks, Jess! You are spot on, as usual. I do worry about the OL. It is disheartening, when I see their defensive tackle easily push all 259 lbs of Proctor aside, and rush in to our quarterback. Ty sometimes just did not have a chance.

 

[December05]

Your statement about the OL moving laterally brought to mind an observation the sideline reporter made late in the game when he said Coach Cap challenged them to attack the gap while on the sidelines. I thought it was curious, because for one it would mean he knows what we’re doing poorly (or at least has an idea whether it’s right or not; I’m not qualified in OL blocking technique/strategy to make that call) and that also that seems to be something we should’ve learned as a unit over the Spring/Summer. It’s odd to think the line is possibly being trained correctly but no matter the combination won’t or can’t carry that out.

All I know is we cannot be that horrible upfront. Our probation-depleted rosters of the early 2000s, could open up better holes between the tackles. It’s fair to say they’re worn out, and I’m as guilty as any of harboring on the negative in the face of an unexpectedly tough win. I hope the week off will cure a lot of ills. However, if we can hold serve at home, we’ll get a carbon copy of that game plan at Auburn against a better defense and an unknown commodity at QB, and a repeat performance like that will bring it down to the wire or worse.

 

[GA Bamafan]

Great job Jess. I always look forward to your 5 points and summary of the games.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Im now on the keep Wommack train just get him better talent on the DL and LB position. I hate his zero blitz calls, we get burnt everytime, but overall the defense has done its job this season. He just needs more talent at DL and LB.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Thanks, Jess! You are spot on, as usual. I do worry about the OL. It is disheartening, when I see their defensive tackle easily push all 259 lbs of Proctor aside, and rush in to our quarterback. Ty sometimes just did not have a chance.

Size means nothing if the guy across from him is strong and powerful too but also quicker. Tjats the problem. When he runs into a guy who's big, strong AND quick, he's cooked. We need more linemen who are quick footed rather than lumbering and slow.

 

[December05]

Size means nothing if the guy across from him is strong and powerful too but also quicker. Tjats the problem. When he runs into a guy who's big, strong AND quick, he's cooked. We need more linemen who are quick footed rather than lumbering and slow.

In bringing up Proctor as an aside, I really wish we’d shelve this offensive weapon package for him unless we use him as a decoy one or two more times. There’s a fine line between cunning and novelty and running him out every game at some point negates its effect. Plus, getting his knee taken out trying to fight for a meaningless yard while met in the backfield would be a horrible turn of events given that he’ll be drafted to never touch a football again in a few months. If that is taking away his prep to do his actual job, can it.