The o-line didn't work so good

[Alasippi]

Six, or even seven, guys can't push eight around. That was every first down. I'm not sure why we didn't keep them looser on first down, but I'm sure the coaches will see and remedy that. I'm not worried...

Exactly. I know Gary Danielson isn't very popular in these parts....lol..but he made a good point I thought when he said, "This Bama team can't just line up and shove people around like last season, but they may be harder to defend".

He was pointing out that when we get the box stacked against us like yesterday we have the ability to got take advantage of it because of our playmakers. A great example was Maze's 80 yard catch against man to man, which Arkansas was in because they stacked the box to stop the run. It cost them big time.

Last year I'm not sure if it would have happened.

sip

 

[RT3413]

I thought the O-line did just fine. Earle's right - even with a line that had 2 NFL draft picks (including the #6 overall) we had a tough time with 8 in the box, and that's what Petrino did.

I'm really not going to complain about much when we win 35-7 and are #3 in the nation, but... I was very frustrated by our lack of passing on first down.

We threw the ball 7 times (of 28 total) on first down. We went 5-7 with TWO TD's. To break it down more, we started 5 of 14 total series with passing plays, going 3-5 with 2 TD's and 139 yards....

Just saying if they're going to key on the run we might be better off down the road being a little more willing to throw on first down.

 

[jcabama]

Agree that it's tough to run with the box full. Still though, I thought I saw a few times where we were just whipped, 1 on 1 at the front though saying that without the benefit of seeing any replays. Believe we still have to give Arky some credit for not chucking in the towel, especially in the 4th quarter. Would have been easy to have taken a few plays off when you're down by 28 but they never quit. Love our "D"! Come on back Donta!

 

[crimsonaudio]

Another thing I noticed during the game is some of the pulls JC was doing - he can move far better than AS ever did, so while he may not be a road grater like AS was, I'm not certain that by this time next year he won't be more highly touted...

 

[Krymsonman]

This is the first SEC team and the o-line wasn't pushing any one around. Do you think of o-line will be ok?

Yes, we weren't pushing anyone around, but Arkansas was putting 7-8 guys up there then crashing their safeties as soon as they saw run. There were just too many bodies in there to have any running room. I would have liked to see a few more outside runs or a little more play action. Overall though, I thought we did okay. They were daring GMac to beat them throwing the ball and he did. Krymsonman

 

[TRich3]

I think it was more of Arkansas having 7-8 guys in the box every time trying to stop the run. No offensive line can consistently hold up against a team playing to stop the run the whole game.

 

[turbohog]

Would like to congratulate the tide for the win yesterday. Although I have noticed improvement in certain facets from a year ago, its painfully obvious the tide is where we are trying to get as a team. Saban and co. are the real deal, so go win the SEC already! I would love for Alabama to replace the Florida Tebows as SEC royalty this year. Now that we don't have to play you anymore, I can gladly say ROLL TIDE :biggrin:

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Still though, I thought I saw a few times where we were just whipped, 1 on 1 at the front

I can't really remember any plays where we were one on one...

 

[Relayer]

Would like to congratulate the tide for the win yesterday. Although I have noticed improvement in certain facets from a year ago, its painfully obvious the tide is where we are trying to get as a team. Saban and co. are the real deal, so go win the SEC already! I would love for Alabama to replace the Florida Tebows as SEC royalty this year. Now that we don't have to play you anymore, I can gladly say ROLL TIDE :biggrin:

Very gracious of you, turbohog.

Here's hoping the Tide can do just that.

 

[Alasippi]

I can't really remember any plays where we were one on one...

Agreed. Their safeties coming up gave us one too many to block. That simple.
I think our O-line is fine. Mcelroy has had excellent pass protection and our running game isn't exactly stinking up the joint. Remember, with the exception of the 80 yard TD last week Georgia had a pretty small amount of actual rushing yards against the Hogs. They're not bad at all against the run, but man, their pass defense stinks.....lol

sip

 

[4Q Basket Case]

Arkansas stacked the LOS and dared us to pass. We did, and won a 35-7 game against SEC competition because of that.

Last year's OL is just that...last year's OL. They were better at run blocking, but not as good at pass protection versus this year's group.

You don't lose the Outland Trophy winnner, an All-American center, and a fifth year senior starter and not feel it. We've done a good job compensating. But Carpenter isn't Andre Smith, Vlachos isn't Antoine Caldwell, and Jones is a RS Freshman trying to replace 5th year senior Marlon Davis.

Yes, there's a dropoff in some aspects. But we're better in others. Just different.

Put it this way, if a team stacked seven in the box, and sold out crashing 2 more safeties immediately upon reading run, I'm not at all sure that last year's OL would have done a whole lot better.

This year, we have a QB who can take advantage of that kind of strategy, surrounded by an OL that is better at pass protection than last year's road graders.

Don't think other coaches didn't take note. I don't think we'll see that kind of defense much in the future. If we do, we'll torch them again. If they don't stack, we'll run just fine. Balance is a wonderful thing.

 

[TidernAR]

This is one of many reasons I really enjoy this site. I had the concern/question myself as to whether it was our O-line or were they scheming/crowding the line. I am grateful for those of you who did and did so again afterwards in replays.

I concur with many that Balance is what makes this team more dangerous than last year's. May not be as over-powering in the run but we easily make up for it by going over the top, and the run is still quite potent. We as fans should not panic nor criticize (not saying any here are) but realize that this team is different for last year's. Teams and talking-heads are underestimating us because we are not the same in the run blocking, but I welcome that...not to mention, barring injury set-backs, the run game should get better as the season progresses.

Thanks for all the input from so many, this is very insightful!

 

[TIDE-HSV]

Would like to congratulate the tide for the win yesterday. Although I have noticed improvement in certain facets from a year ago, its painfully obvious the tide is where we are trying to get as a team. Saban and co. are the real deal, so go win the SEC already! I would love for Alabama to replace the Florida Tebows as SEC royalty this year. Now that we don't have to play you anymore, I can gladly say ROLL TIDE :biggrin:

Thanks for stopping by, Turbo...

 

[BEATtutorsee]

Early in the second qtr, I yelled at the TV, "Can we see a short passing game pls!" I got no reply.

I kept yelling for more play action passes on first down, I think they only heard me a couple of times though.

 

[bonehouse81]

Sorry if this was already posted, but here's a very nice breakdown and analysis of our running game against Arkansas:

A Closer Look at the Alabama RunningGame - Roll 'Bama Roll

 

[Blood Red]

Yes, we weren't pushing anyone around, but Arkansas was putting 7-8 guys up there then crashing their safeties as soon as they saw run. There were just too many bodies in there to have any running room. I would have liked to see a few more outside runs or a little more play action. Overall though, I thought we did okay. They were daring GMac to beat them throwing the ball and he did. Krymsonman

That's the biggest reason Julio was all alone in the secondary on the flea flicker play.