Crimson Red Sports

The spring came did show a few things.  First, Bama has depth at RB, LB, and DB.  There is potential for depth at REC, DL, and OL.  The game was vanilla since Bama did not want to show too much.

Offense:  The moved the ball, however there were too many opportunities for turnovers. 
 
QB:  Both were effective.  In my opinion no QB outshined the other.  Both had very good throws as well as bad throws.  The big question in my mind, will the really step up in the pocket when they know they will get hit.  It is easy to step up knowing you are off limits.  I think they let Blake Sims throw the ball just like the commentators said he could be the guy in the wildcat.   

REC:  There were many throw to different rec.  I didn’t keep a total, but many caught the ball.  I may be wrong, but it looked like a couple may not have wanted to go across the middle. 

RB:  The Tide is loaded with RB’s.  I thought all of them looked pretty good.  I think Lacey has the potential to be a good complement to TR, just like TR was to MI.  (sorry about all the initials) They ran hard and caught the ball out of the backfield. 

OL:  What I liked here was the way the OL got to the point of attack. I do understand that the defense was playing very base, so they were easier to block.  What I did see, when the DL did stunt, they were picked up.   I am mentioning Smelly here because he made a few good blocks.

Defense:  Played very vanilla. (sorry to keep using the word)  What I did notice is they were in the right place a majority of the time.  Even on the completed passes the DB’s were in position. 

DL:  The played pretty well.  They only lost contain once or twice.  The kept the OL occupied so the LB’s could make the play.

LB:  They fly to the ball and they are deep.  They are numerous players who can and I predict they will play in situations.  The TD to TR was when CJM looked in the backfield too long and allowed for the little separation.

DB:  Again depth.  I thought DM, like the commentators said had a good game.  Many times they were in position to make plays both on the run and on the pass plays.

It is hard to tell about the kicking game since it is not live.  It seems the wind was a factor on some kicks.  Also, it looks as though Bama has a choice of return men.

All in all, I think Bama has the opportunity to have a big year.  One thing I enjoyed seeing was the D laughing it up during a practice, but playing hard. 

Please feel free to add your comments.

Hello Sir!  Good to see your notes on the game.

I thought P Sims was a little late on that interception pass, exactly like you pointed out from watching that practice video a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks Coach. Always value your insight. Welcome.

I thought so too.  Also AJ's int was a ball thrown up hoping something good would happen.

Hey hscoach. I have not had the chance too view the game, I got what was stated in the column here on the site. I do think we have a little more depth this year. RTR!

Yes as usual for him.  I believe this is what will give the job to P. Sims if he doesn't learn to stop doing that.  CNS will not tolerate that gunslinger mentality.  We have TR on the team, all the QB needs to do is dump it off to him if the deep pass is not open.  TR has just as much of a chance of scoring a TD from a dump off pass as the RECs do on a deep bomb, IMO.

Hey Ricky, I copied the game off of my satellite and on to my computer.  I hope to get it onto a DVD that I can send to you pretty soon.

The good thing is I saw both Qb's check down a couple of times.  I honeslty feel ok with both.

Yes, they will both be fine.  They will push each other too and get better to try to win the job.  The truth is we won't need for whoever gets the job to do too much with TR on the field.  I think he is going to have a monster year if we can get some good O-Line play this time.

I am convinced this is one of the best problems to have in college football. I think from your 2 having described this workout in the game, I don't need to see it. lol, it is going to be a fun year. RTR!

Hey, hscoach. I believe I have told you before but I always copy and paste your post game analysis each week to the Bama guys on my email list. They start squawking if they have not rec'd it by Wednesday (lol). Thanks.

I posed a question I could not figure out watching the spring game replays. I wondered how much of a factor the wind played in the passing game. I noted your observation that it may have held up kicks.

Also I wonder about how much of the gunslinger attitude we saw on a couple of passes by both QBs, was due to the spring game attitude of "play hard, but go have fun". After all, the game is a reward for the team and a way to excite the fan base, as much as a game simulation practice. In the black helicopter department, it is also a film PSU will be watching to prepare for the Tide.

Yea, lol, a black box? Well we have 2 teams which one do you prepare for? RTR!

E-mail them a link to the post.  Then they can see the discussion that goes with it.  Just sayin'.  :D

thanks hscoach,I enjoy your analysis very much' RTR

I don't know if there was that much of a gunslinger attitude.  I don't think that is what Caoch Saban wants to see, just my opinion.  I think Bama played a very basic game plan.  I think the most PSU can get from this is personnel.  I think they, PSU, will look back at the Bowl game against MSU.

Heck no. I'm making $20 a game off hscoach analysis.lol

Agreed. Whoever wins the job will be a game mgr. just the same as JPW and GMAC (hopefully).

I am saying the EL fumble issue is way overblown. I said one was a helmet on ball and the other, the hole was so big he dropped the ball out of amazement. lol. But even ESPN Andre Ware brought it up again, which makes him think about it, like Mackey Sasser thought about getting the ball back to the pitcher.

BTW #+ e-cred

I agree most of his fumbles were good hits, helment on ball where many players would fumble.

Well when he breaks out and keeps TR improving too, he will be the next TR in succession. lol, RTR!

hscoach:

Which 3 receivers looked the best to you? My guess is, Gibson is one of those who didn't want to go across the middle.

I don't remember all the numbers.  Gibson may have been one.  Also, I think it was White on the other.  I say this not knowing the routes or how they have been taught.  It could also have been confusion on the route. 

hscoach:

Do you think our O-Line is going to be able to push people around again this year and open up some holes for TR and EL?

I think they have a chance to be very good.  I like the way they came off the ball the other day and got up the field.  That being said, I know the DL did not shift much or stem very much. 

Did you notice a drop-off in team preparedness without Paul Finebaum coaching?

                 :lol:

#+

I really don't get a lot of PF out here.

I thought you might take the bait on the PF thing. He did not even know how to dress like a coach, during last years spring game. I said earlier, that he was made honorary coach so CNS could embarrass him, demonstrating how very little he actually knows.

I really didn't know about that.

I know we need all teams playing together but hscoach which team do you think needs to be even more on top of their game Def. or Off.? RTR!

I think the D needs to elimate the mental and physical mistakes they made last year.  They need to cut down on missed tackles, busted coverages, and play proper techniques.

 Some have said Donte Hightower looked as quick to the ball as in 09. Last year our LBs and DBs may have been "thinking" instead of "reacting". It would be good news if we had a 1992 speed "D" flying to the ball. Also our "D" was playing a lot of base, my opinion, and with more guys knowing the blitz packages and having things more down pat, CNS and CKS can mixup the calls more. Your opinion?

I agree.  I don't know if I would call it base.  I think maybe they were hesitant to do some things with such a young D.  Honeslty, I like it when DH lines up at the DE position and they bring in another LB. 

If we can count on Watkins being full speed the options are endless. If he is at strongside, that leaves Jerrill Harris to play elsewhere. He has played almost every LB position and should know the system inside out. Adrian Hubbard at DE and Harris at SAM?

It seems there is so much we can do but it all  ultimately goes back to how bad the defense is willing to work to learn all the packages. The subtle chamges could blow other teams minds if we have all this talent all over them RTR!