The running game... or lack thereof

[BamaNation]

Alabama ranks No. 103 in the nation in rush offense and is averaging just 3.89 yards per rush. Against Missouri, Alabama had 43 carries for just 126 yards. Ty Simpson has been carrying this offense, but at some point, Alabama is going to have to run the ball more consistently

The biggest single stat line on the board belonged to Jam Miller, who carried 20 times for 85 yards and added another 4 receptions for 25 yards.

What is the problem with our run game and how do we fix it ... assuming it can be fixed this season? The easy answer is "block better and hit the gaps"... yeah. But how does what we're doing now change so that we can run more effectively. 3.89 ypr is pretty terrible.

 

[breyrolltide2003]

What is the problem with our run game and how do we fix it ... assuming it can be fixed this season? The easy answer is "block better and hit the gaps"... yeah. But how does what we're doing now change so that we can run more effectively. 3.89 ypr is pretty terrible.

I think that the running game is there if we need it. The lack of rushing yards and attempts is directly attributed to a young backfield (for most of the year) and an inexperienced offensive line unit.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

What is the problem with our run game and how do we fix it ... assuming it can be fixed this season? The easy answer is "block better and hit the gaps"... yeah. But how does what we're doing now change so that we can run more effectively. 3.89 ypr is pretty terrible.

This:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1977776423956869156

 

[Cruloc]

Gonna have to get Daniel Hill ready to tote the ball a lot. Riley just isn't big enough and Jam will be out a few games.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

What is the problem with our run game and how do we fix it ... assuming it can be fixed this season? The easy answer is "block better and hit the gaps"... yeah. But how does what we're doing now change so that we can run more effectively. 3.89 ypr is pretty terrible.

I think for the style offense we run, 3.89 yards/carry puts us in situations where the advantage is to our strengths. Statistically, if we ran the ball two downs we'd gain over 7 1/2 yards, which would leave us a third and 2 1/2 or 3 (rounding up). Keeping the offense in 3rd and 3 isn't really that bad and is dang sure better than consistently being in 3rd 8. I get it, I want to run the better and more consistently as well. But seeing the strength of this offense (which is the receivers and QB) we really don't absolutely have to have a running game where we're averaging 5+ yards a carry.

I also wonder why we don't run more off the edges and get our Olinemen and RB's out in space more. Take a look at the first offensive play of the Vandy game and watch the design of the play. It is a stretch running play that naturally opens up lanes for the RB to pick from. Why don't we see these types of plays more often? Everytime we ran something like this against Vandy it worked and gains 5+ yards.

 

[RammerJammer14]

I’ve noticed that our backs take contact at the LOS a lot. So I think it’s mainly blocking, or not having enough blockers. But honestly I think a lot of it is just how DeBoer approaches football

I seem to recall that he has always had a pretty pedestrian rushing attack, but I’m too lazy to look it up lol.

 

[CrimsonJazz]

24/7 is reporting that Miller hasn’t been conclusively ruled out for UcheaT.

 

[RammerJammer14]

24/7 is reporting that Miller hasn’t been conclusively ruled out for UcheaT.

I wouldn’t expect that call until Wednesday at the earliest, jmo.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

24/7 is reporting that Miller hasn’t been conclusively ruled out for UcheaT.

No way he plays Saturday. I would be shocked.

 

[gtgilbert]

This:

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1977776423956869156

While Carrol could help for sure, it seems to me that a lot of the issues with the run game are the 3IOL spots - a lot of penetration is coming up the middle and doesn't involve the OTs. The rotation has been so deep with so many guys playing that I don't really have a solid idea of which of the 3 it is. i.e. against UGA, with the first 5 guys (Dewberry, brailsford and VDM inside) , we seemed to be running pretty well and then started changing all the things up, and I think the run game started not working all that well. Could have been UGA adjustments, or could have been the different lineups.

I don't love the idea of playing this deep with this many variations in the lineup b/c a lot of OL success is chemistry, especially with combo/duo type blocks, and having 5 guys rotate through 2 spots, with some playing at each OG spot, makes it much harder to develop that chemistry and the 'feel' for working together.

 

[NoNC4Tubs]

So curious. If we declared Jam out for the ucheat game per SEC reporting rules, could we play him anyways...?

 

[arthurdawg]

It may be crappy run blocking, but Hill and Young seem to make a beeline to the nearest defender.

However, given that Jam and Riley find a hole much more often, I question their vision.

Very excited about Dear after he learns the ropes.

And we definitely need to improve here.

We've managed to generate some crazy TOP this year though! 38 to 22 minutes for Vandy and Mizzou.

While Carrol could help for sure, it seems to me that a lot of the issues with the run game are the 3IOL spots - a lot of penetration is coming up the middle and doesn't involve the OTs. The rotation has been so deep with so many guys playing that I don't really have a solid idea of which of the 3 it is. i.e. against UGA, with the first 5 guys (Dewberry, brailsford and VDM inside) , we seemed to be running pretty well and then started changing all the things up, and I think the run game started not working all that well. Could have been UGA adjustments, or could have been the different lineups.

I don't love the idea of playing this deep with this many variations in the lineup b/c a lot of OL success is chemistry, especially with combo/duo type blocks, and having 5 guys rotate through 2 spots, with some playing at each OG spot, makes it much harder to develop that chemistry and the 'feel' for working together.

Agreed. To my mind, OL is the one spot you don't want to routinely sub at. They need to play together. Or do one guy who routinely subs in the interior and one tackle. You just can't randomly sub so easily here.

 

[Ratal]

I feel like our biggest issue is that we continue to experiment with our line. We should have stability there this deep into the season. They need reps together. I think it would be one thing if it was 1 position up for grabs. We seem to have 3 that still has competition.

 

[Bama Lee]

I think the issue is our lack of blocking combined with the scheme which gets exposed by the defenses called. Run blitzes and also defensive gap schemes put the running backs in a bind for yardage. I also think this is why the coaches are substituting and experimenting with various lineups. The reason why jam is so much better is because of his explosive push through the hole and he is an elite jump cutter. I think our best lineup is RT- Procter, RG Sanders, C- Brailsford, LG- Roberts, RT- Michael Carrol

 

[uaintn]

Blocking is definitely a huge part of it. When we have to make someone miss two yards behind the LOS, as we often do, we are cooked.

Also, we don't have (apparently) enough edge blocking or plain old speed to run wide. We rarely bounce runs outside when the point of attack is shut down. And, our average is affected because we rarely break off even 20 yard runs. I cannot remember the last two times we had a RB take off for 50+ yards.

Finally, instead of toss sweeps or other running play designs to the edges, we do swing passes or screens. So sometimes passing yards get credited for what are essentially long hand offs.

Whatever works, I suppose, but I sure miss seeing somebody get a block on a defensive end and a running back heading up the field full speed with a lot of green grass ahead of him.

Also, Get off my lawn.

 

[CoolBreeze]

We don't need no stinking running game. Just the threat of one will suffice.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

I feel like our biggest issue is that we continue to experiment with our line. We should have stability there this deep into the season. They need reps together. I think it would be one thing if it was 1 position up for grabs. We seem to have 3 that still has competition.

I'm starting to wonder if it is less of an experiment and this is just how they do it. I would like to know if this is how they did it at UW when they had a 1,000 yard rusher in 2023. There's no way that the staff doesn't know by now who the best starting five OL'men are, just no way.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

Gonna have to get Daniel Hill ready to tote the ball a lot. Riley just isn't big enough and Jam will be out a few games.

I really thought Richard Young was going to be RB 2. We heard so much about him in the off season and last year, he showed us glimpse of breaking out. Crazy part is that Young was considered by many scouting services as the #1 RB from his class.

 

[sanjosecrimson]

It may be crappy run blocking, but Hill and Young seem to make a beeline to the nearest defender.

However, given that Jam and Riley find a hole much more often, I question their vision.

Very excited about Dear after he learns the ropes.

And we definitely need to improve here.

We've managed to generate some crazy TOP this year though! 38 to 22 minutes for Vandy and Mizzou.


Agreed. To my mind, OL is the one spot you don't want to routinely sub at. They need to play together. Or do one guy who routinely subs in the interior and one tackle. You just can't randomly sub so easily here.

the TOP is really impressive when you factor in both Vandy and Missouri are known for their TOP. Bama outplayed them in their own game! those times are basically stealing one quarter or more from your opponent!

 

[gman4tide]

been a long time since i coached and that wasnt anywhere near the college level…but one of the things i remembered our hs head coach preach to the rb’s was to “get skinny and hit a seam”. To me, our backs seem to run to the los, shoulders squared and up on the olinemen. Riley seems to get the skinniest in my yes. But again, im no coach so tifwiw.