The running game... or lack thereof

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I've said some critical things about DeBoer in his time here, but I have to make this part crystal clear. That is DeBoer, and it's the good and bad. That's just what his teams do, at least when they have elite QB play like Penix or Ty.

Following Washington in 2023 was infuriating as an Alabama fan that wanted them to lose. I don't even feel like the final scores do it justice (8 one score games), because there was a stretch there of literally 10 games where it felt like Washington could lose them all!

It's not hyperbole though, they actually won 10 games in a row by 10 points or less, 5 in a row by a single score. That is nuts, but they kept on winning those games somehow. It was a mixture of under-performing (though not in all cases, that included two games against Oregon and one against Texas for example) and just coming through in big moments.

It's also the reason I really hope for the development of a running game. I think that would solve the problem that occurs when the passing game is a little off, and then those really close games can become 14 point wins instead. But, there's no doubt that DeBoer knows how to win close games and how to beat tough opponents.

I saw a stat that said Saban was 30-20 in one score games at Alabama. I honestly find that hard to believe (his winning percentages in most stats are usually so good), but it demonstrates that Saban didn't let many teams get close (and almost all his losses were by a single score). When they did, they had a fighting chance. At the FBS level, DeBoer is 21-7. With Penix and Ty that goes up to 15-2.

Throw this in also. He is insanely hard to beat on his own home turf. And that goes all the way back to his time at Fresno.

 

[RammerJammer14]

I think we are underusing our screen game, especially in non-obvious times. We wait and use it on 2nd and 3rd and long. It's been very close to clicking even in those cases, but I wish we'd sprinkle it in on 1st down more often. I think it could really soften the pass rush if we did that more often.

Get D Hill in the open with it. And this is when our smaller back would be best used.

I like our screen game but also at the same time I’ve noticed that they are getting blown up more often, and Ty has had a lot more passes knocked down at the line, especially on screen plays. So I’m not sure if teams have watched tape and figured out how to crack the code a little on the screen game, but it’s starting to make me nervous that we are going to throw a pick 6 or have a turnover off a batted ball if we don’t tweak it a bit. No evidence of that, just a gut feeling on my part.

 

[cdub55]

I like our screen game but also at the same time I’ve noticed that they are getting blown up more often, and Ty has had a lot more passes knocked down at the line, especially on screen plays. So I’m not sure if teams have watched tape and figured out how to crack the code a little on the screen game, but it’s starting to make me nervous that we are going to throw a pick 6 or have a turnover off a batted ball if we don’t tweak it a bit. No evidence of that, just a gut feeling on my part.

The run game isn't nearly as big of a factor in the screen game as the 3 and 5 step drop game is. As long as we are a major threat to push the ball vertically down the field, the LB's/Corner's/Safeties will need to honor their coverage and the DL will be fighting their butt's off to get to the QB. With that being said, we should be fine moving forward throwing screens and Grubb has quite a few I think we will see that he has not shown yet.

 

[jashleyren2]

Those batted balls by opposing DL are going to result in a disaster situation at some point. Jordan Hare is the place that bad habits are exposed. Alabama and CKD need to figure this out STAT. The incidences of it happening have been steadily increasing. Combine this with absolutely no running game at all, and we have become rather one-dimensional on offense.

 

[uaintn]

Yes, our middle screen game is almost a part of our running game. Several times this year we have had catches with three or four linemen in front and still get blown up by one or two defenders. It's eventually going to result in a huge gain, though.

I share the concerns about Ty getting passes batted down, and not just on screens. I know he has that little tell where he pats the ball right before he throws it. Not sure, in reality, that is useful to a DL. However, I wish our offensive linemen would stay engaged in ways that prevents that.

What remedies do you x&o experts recommend? Some self-scouting would seem to be in order.

 

[cdub55]

Yes, our middle screen game is almost a part of our running game. Several times this year we have had catches with three or four linemen in front and still get blown up by one or two defenders. It's eventually going to result in a huge gain, though.

I share the concerns about Ty getting passes batted down, and not just on screens. I know he has that little tell where he pats the ball right before he throws it. Not sure, in reality, that is useful to a DL. However, I wish our offensive linemen would stay engaged in ways that prevents that.

What remedies do you x&o experts recommend? Some self-scouting would seem to be in order.

Screens are all about timing (How long to hold the block vs. when to release and block the 2nd/3rd level defenders). Grubb seems to have a rolodex of plays in that department. Obviously the more plays you have, the less reps you get. Hopefully as the season progresses we get the reps to be more sharp and execute at a higher level. I would expect that to be the case.

 

[Cruloc]

I still am of the mind that after this break, we'll see a better running game. Hill is beginning to come on as a real weapon.

I'd prefer we see more outside or off tackle runs instead of up the middle running into the backs of the OL, but we shall see.

 

[JDCrimson]

Difference back then was, defense still did win championships. Even Spurrier's high flying offenses back then had defenses that would shut down almost everyone else on the schedule, probably because those opponents were also trying to play "3 yards and a cloud of dust". Hard to compare the game in 1995 with today. They resemble one another in almost zero ways.

I actually like the super small ball passing attack, and I wondered why they didn't utilize it as much on Saturday, until we were down. We kept trying long balls, and we were just badly off. Even to open receivers. When we had that drive trailing by 8, we went back to picking the defense apart with less than 10 yard throws, all over the field. SC had no answer for it. No one we've played has been able to beat it.

I think that method is effectively a "running game" now.

I think we were just trying to get the kill shot, up 14 points knowing the game would be over at that point.

 

[BamaInCummingGA]

I would like to see Deer (Dear?) get some attempts to hit the corners. His is quick and fast and has some size on him.
No offense to Jam but he just doesn't seem to have good vision. Reily is a little small. Hill and Deer(Dear) seem to be the best two options to me.
I think Oline schemes need to be addressed, too.
But, I ain't getting paid to coach so I'll just enjoy the ride.

 

[STONECOLDSABAN]

I would like to see Deer (Dear?) get some attempts to hit the corners. His is quick and fast and has some size on him.
No offense to Jam but he just doesn't seem to have good vision. Reily is a little small. Hill and Deer(Dear) seem to be the best two options to me.
I think Oline schemes need to be addressed, too.
But, I ain't getting paid to coach so I'll just enjoy the ride.

I have to think there is something important Deer has not picked up yet. Just because CKD throws everyone into the fire to build depth. Heck he was putting freshman in on defense in the 4th qtr of the Georgia Game.

And If that’s the case that’s ok. There is nothing wrong with that cause he is only a true freshman and he seems to have a ton of talent. but yeah I would definitely love to see more of what AK can do.

 

[BamaMoon]

I have to think there is something important Deer has not picked up yet. Just because CKD throws everyone into the fire to build depth. Heck he was putting freshman in on defense in the 4th qtr of the Georgia Game.

And If that’s the case that’s ok. There is nothing wrong with that cause he is only a true freshman and he seems to have a ton of talent. but yeah I would definitely love to see more of what AK can do.

It's most likely his inability to know blocking assignments/picking up blitzes.

I recall the Derek Henry story when the coaches were all over him as a freshman and he gently pushed back and said, "In HS they just handed me the ball and told me to run!" Most elite backs in HS are simply given the ball.

If he's a great back, but not playing, that's probably the thing holding him back. He'll get it eventually, if he wants to play bad enough, but it generally takes time at this level to learn.

 

[jashleyren2]

It's most likely his inability to know blocking assignments/picking up blitzes.

I recall the Derek Henry story when the coaches were all over him as a freshman and he gently pushed back and said, "In HS they just handed me the ball and told me to run!" Most elite backs in HS are simply given the ball.

If he's a great back, but not playing, that's probably the thing holding him back. He'll get it eventually, if he wants to play bad enough, but it generally takes time at this level to learn.

Great comments. Man, to have a Derek Henry on the roster again....But, recall, his FR year, he wasn't getting the majority of carries. Now, granted, he's playing behind Yeldon and others, who were great in their own right and could catch the ball out of the backfield better then Derek ever could in college.

But the thought crosses my mind....one can be taught HOW to block. Heck, even me, 30 plus years since I last played a regulation down, still remembers technique and all that. But being GOOD at blocking is whole 'nother thing! Maybe he's slow to pick up his skills on it. No worries. He'll get good if he wants to play at Bama!

 

[rolltide_21]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1983997580456685604

One of those funny statistics if you ignore context