Question: Will We See the Explosive Plays CNS Has Been Talking About?

[RTR91]

The last few weeks CNS has mentioned the team needing more "explosive plays." During that time, AJ/Phillip have yet to go down field for a big play. I'm curious as to when we'll see the explosive plays called because there haven't been any yet. I have a feeling this week will be the starting point. Thoughts?

Also, I like the fact that 12 different guys have made receptions in the first three games. Christion Jones and DeAndrew White are going to be solid WRs at Alabama. Kenny Bell is starting to make plays, too. Hopefully those explosive plays CNS wants involves plenty of these guys. That'll cause defensive coordinators some problems with coverage schemes.

 

[CapstoneGrad06]

Coach Saban describes an explosive as beyond 20 yards for a passing play, and beyond 10 yards for a running play. The running game had five extremely explosive plays last night. The passing game had two, if I remember correctly. I did like the use of so many WRs last night. Great to see that.

 

[CrimsonProf]

Nope.

 

[bamaee04]

Nope.

I really wonder myself sometimes...I love 95% of everything we have with this team, coaches, etc. but the playcalling does leave something to be desired at times. I can understand the overconservative plan so far with a new QB and lackluster opponents and not showing much of your hand, but I don't really see a play action pass or the dink/dunk passes we started off with last night as edgy. Why we use it sometimes and then just totally abandon something that is working to run the ball straight up the middle for a loss of 2 is beyond me...

 

[subherbanite]

I don't think we'll see a ton of shots down field. Teams are gonna make A.J. "march" down the field and be patient IMO.

 

[Mystical]

I think we have held a lot back and will start to reveal more now that the competition will be much tougher from here on out.

 

[wisten]

Umm, we have had "explosive plays", and we will enjoy more. Alabama does not run a "fun-n-gun" offense so if that is what some are waiting for, they will not find that this season. Alabama is about winning. 2-0 works just fine.

 

[bamaee04]

Umm, we have had "explosive plays", and we will enjoy more. Alabama does not run a "fun-n-gun" offense so if that is what some are waiting for, they will not find that this season. Alabama is about winning. 2-0 works just fine.

Hate to say it, but his kind of mentality of getting what many deem a "comfortable" lead and sitting on it, losing focus, and becoming complacent are all big parts of why we lost the IB last year. A little bit more of a "fun-n-gun" as you call it with continuing to keep the foot on the pedal and there is no way even with the rented mule Cam does the Barn come back and win that game last year. We need a complete 4 quarter game with intensity on both sides of the ball with a little more mix in the playcalling on offense like we did in the Capital One Bowl last year against Michigan St. With the exception of maybe the 2nd meeting against Florida in the SEC Championship game against Tebow, that was the best and most complete dominating performance we have had under CNS' tenure IMO. The focus of the team, the gameplan, play calling, and execution was about as close to perfect as you can have. I liked it, loved it, and would love to see more of it...

 

[Bama Greg]

I think CNS has been pretty vanilla at this point on both sides of the ball, we have yet to begin SEC play. Next weekend, we should see more wrinkles with the Offense and more defensive schemes with the Defense, why play all your cards if you don't have to. JMHO, Roll Tide!!!!!!

 

[RTR91]

Umm, we have had "explosive plays", and we will enjoy more. Alabama does not run a "fun-n-gun" offense so if that is what some are waiting for, they will not find that this season. Alabama is about winning. 2-0 works just fine.

I'm not looking for the "fun-n-gun." I'm talking about a pass or two down field from either QB that was highly touted coming out of high school to the highly thought of WRs. I'm not talking about going to a 5 wide set for 4 straight drives. What's wrong with going deep on a couple of plays every game? Nothing. I'm glad 2-0 works fine for you, but I'm going to watch a 3-0 team play on Saturday.

 

[Tide Warrior]

I think that we will open it up more on both sides this weekend. Like many have pointed out why do more than you need before SEC play starts. You only allow teams to better prepare for you. I think Arky will get caught unprepared with what we have planned. Again my opinion and wishful thinking but I am excited what we do this weekend. Especially on defense getting after Tyler Wilson. I believe all the preseason hype around him is going to be exposed as just that in TTown on Saturday.

 

[AlofBama]

I think that we will open it up more on both sides this weekend. Like many have pointed out why do more than you need before SEC play starts. You only allow teams to better prepare for you. I think Arky will get caught unprepared with what we have planned. Again my opinion and wishful thinking but I am excited what we do this weekend. Especially on defense getting after Tyler Wilson. I believe all the preseason hype around him is going to be exposed as just that in TTown on Saturday.

I agree. It seems like every year I hear the same thing. Last year it was Mallet, going to light up our young secondary. Note what happened when we hit him in the mouth. He unraveled. We're at home, and we will play hard, fans will be great, and Arkansas will be go home with a loss. It makes no difference to me if by 1 or by 100. Just win baby!

 

[RTR91]

I think that we will open it up more on both sides this weekend. Like many have pointed out why do more than you need before SEC play starts. You only allow teams to better prepare for you. I think Arky will get caught unprepared with what we have planned. Again my opinion and wishful thinking but I am excited what we do this weekend. Especially on defense getting after Tyler Wilson. I believe all the preseason hype around him is going to be exposed as just that in TTown on Saturday.

Petrino's offense has struggled against CNS every time they've played. I like Bama's chances for a couple of reasons - Wilson has played against one meaningful team and that defense was coached by Ted Roof; New Mexico, Missouri State and Troy at home are not the same thing as at Alabama.

I wonder if Blake Sims gets the "start" this week or gets early PT. Look at the IB last year - Bama went to a different offensive scheme to get AU off balance. What better way to get Arky of its feet?

 

[bamafaninOhiO]

Everytime I see these posts about opening up our offense, and explosive plays...its amusing to me.

I think, and of course I dont know for sure, but having watched him for a few years now...I definitely think Saban wants more explosive plays, but he also wants them to be gotten within the conservative offense he wants and expects. He wants them coming from well executed blocking on an off tackle run that gets the back into the second level for a 20 yard gain...or a well executed screen pass, well blocked, that breaks the reciever for a 25 yard run down the sideline.

He isn't into chucking the ball deep once a series, and seeing what happens That is completely out of character for him...its all about executing the safe, conservative offensive play better than your opponent...and that WILL lead to more 'explosive' plays.....while also allowign them to avoid those big explosive 'turnovers' that fuel your opponents offense.

And I am perfectly fine with that...especially with the defense we have on the field right now.

Roll Tide.

 

[RTR91]

Everytime I see these posts about opening up our offense, and explosive plays...its amusing to me.

I think, and of course I dont know for sure, but having watched him for a few years now...I definitely think Saban wants more explosive plays, but he also wants them to be gotten within the conservative offense he wants and expects. He wants them coming from well executed blocking on an off tackle run that gets the back into the second level for a 20 yard gain...or a well executed screen pass, well blocked, that breaks the reciever for a 25 yard run down the sideline.

He isn't into chucking the ball deep once a series, and seeing what happens That is completely out of character for him...its all about executing the safe, conservative offensive play better than your opponent...and that WILL lead to more 'explosive' plays.....while also allowign them to avoid those big explosive 'turnovers' that fuel your opponents offense.

And I am perfectly fine with that...especially with the defense we have on the field right now.

Roll Tide.

I'm sorry but I can't agree with the mindset that "every play can be a touchdown if executed properly." Well, yea it can. But what about the other team? What if they play well too? The play doesn't happen. The offensive line can't block well enough when 9 guys are in the box. Plays have to be run to counteract that.

And with this defense, I think Bama can afford some big risks. This defense can allow for the offense to make some turnovers.

 

[2003TIDE]

We haven't apparently been watching the same games if you think there have been no explosive plays.

 

[RTR91]

We haven't apparently been watching the same games if you think there have been no explosive plays.

Eddie and Trent making long TD runs in the second half against North Texas don't count.

I'm talking about Bama going down the field for big gains.

 

[Alasippi]

A long completion for a TD makes a defense go "Oh Darn".

Long runs for touchdowns makes a defense go "we're whipped".

Yes, I think we'll throw longer more when it becomes necessary. Until then, I really see no reason to do so.

 

[2003TIDE]

Eddie and Trent making long TD runs in the second half against North Texas don't count.

I'm talking about Bama going down the field for big gains.

Saban said he wants 9 explosive plays per game. We had 10 explosive plays last game. 4 were passes.

 

[bamahippie]

We've also drawn pass interference on what would have been "explosive" plays.