Brent Key is interior OL coach; Cristobal to T/TE; Williams to off-field position

[crimsonaudio]

Re: Brent Key to be Alabama OL coach

All that's been stated ad nauseam. What's the point of bemoaning the offensive line play from last year when several of those guys aren't on the team anymore?

Because we're trying to explain why Saban made the coaching change that this thread is about?

People have been cautiously questioning Cristobal since he arrived - we can come up with a litany of excuses but awards or not, the 2015 OL wasn't as good as we've had. Was that talent, coaching, or both? I lean towards the latter, and I'm guessing CNS does as well.

The stats don't lie.

And really, this thread would have likely dropped a while back had some folks not acted like our OL wasn't an issue last year.

 

[CrimsonForce]

Re: Brent Key to be Alabama OL coach

How many of those were due to the jet sweep and failed quick screens? I know there weren't 30+, so the number would still be higher than the previous years. Just curious about the actual number of TFLs on RBs and QBs.



That's bringing depth issues at another position into the discussion, though. No, the OL isn't the reason Henry got the record. It's because neither Harris nor Scarbrough took a solid grip on the #2 spot. Heck, 2012 is the only season you listed where Alabama had more rushing yards than it did this year.

The OL is going to get some praise for Henry's stats just like every coach gets praise for what his position group/players do.

That's a good point. I somewhat alluded to that in one of my earlier posts that all the negative plays were not 100% on the offensive line. Some of it was playcalling (as you mentioned the jet sweeps and quick screens), you would also think that some of the plays Jake could have recognized the defense alignment and audibled into a better play and of course on some of the plays the defense just made a good play or there was a mental error by the offensive lineman. I'm all for constructive criticism and pointing out areas for improvement but it seems there are a few here, for whatever reason, that don't want to give any recognition to the offensive line play. Someone even mentioned that Alabama won the offensive line award solely based on reputation. Really?!

 

[BAMARICH]

Re: Brent Key to be Alabama OL coach

How many of those were due to the jet sweep and failed quick screens? I know there weren't 30+, so the number would still be higher than the previous years. Just curious about the actual number of TFLs on RBs and QBs.

That's bringing depth issues at another position into the discussion, though. No, the OL isn't the reason Henry got the record. It's because neither Harris nor Scarbrough took a solid grip on the #2 spot. Heck, 2012 is the only season you listed where Alabama had more rushing yards than it did this year.

No idea on the total cause of the TFL... they only track the stats themselves as far as I can tell. Only way anyone would be able to tell would be rewatch the games (don't know anyone that dedicated). Actually, this year's rushing output per game was less than any of the four years. They had more total rushing yards than any year except 2012, but we played an extra game.

 

[CrimsonForce]

Re: Brent Key to be Alabama OL coach

Because we're trying to explain why Saban made the coaching change that this thread is about?

People have been cautiously questioning Cristobal since he arrived - we can come up with a litany of excuses but awards or not, the 2015 OL wasn't as good as we've had. Was that talent, coaching, or both? I lean towards the latter, and I'm guessing CNS does as well.

The stats don't lie.

And really, this thread would have likely dropped a while back had some folks not acted like our OL wasn't an issue last year.

I don't think anyone has had a problem or questioned the coaching change. I think it's great that CNS is still trying to be creative and create the best staff combination that he can. I just don't think we have to throw the OL from last years team under the bus to explain the coaching change.

Well, the best OL that we've had (and one of the best in the history of the game) was 2012. If that is somebody's standard then prepared to be disappointed just about every year.

Stats do lie. Another posted pointed out that jet sweeps contributed to a lot of the TFL's. A lot of the jet sweeps (particualry the ones regularly called in the red zone) were poor play calls and generated TFL based on the WR's not being able to get their block. Additionally, plenty of the sacks were on Coker not taking his check down throw or getting rid of the ball. Sure, there were some plays when Coker didn't have a chance but there were plenty of plays when he held the ball much longer than he should have. Can't put all the bad "stats" on the OL..

 

[RTR91]

Re: Brent Key to be Alabama OL coach

No idea on the total cause of the TFL... they only track the stats themselves as far as I can tell. Only way anyone would be able to tell would be rewatch the games (don't know anyone that dedicated).

In one thread during the bye week, I had a post breaking down all the TFLs by going through the play-by-play on the website, and I wasn't close to the number the NCAA website said. I even included the number of "no gain" plays and still couldn't equal the number they had at the time.

Actually, this year's rushing output per game was less than any of the four years. They had more total rushing yards than any year except 2012, but we played an extra game.

I'm stupid. Forgot the extra game aspect in total yards.

 

[gtowntide]

Re: Brent Key to be Alabama OL coach

I don't think anyone has had a problem or questioned the coaching change. I think it's great that CNS is still trying to be creative and create the best staff combination that he can. I just don't think we have to throw the OL from last years team under the bus to explain the coaching change.

Well, the best OL that we've had (and one of the best in the history of the game) was 2012. If that is somebody's standard then prepared to be disappointed just about every year.

Stats do lie. Another posted pointed out that jet sweeps contributed to a lot of the TFL's. A lot of the jet sweeps (particualry the ones regularly called in the red zone) were poor play calls and generated TFL based on the WR's not being able to get their block. Additionally, plenty of the sacks were on Coker not taking his check down throw or getting rid of the ball. Sure, there were some plays when Coker didn't have a chance but there were plenty of plays when he held the ball much longer than he should have. Can't put all the bad "stats" on the OL..

I thought that was a big problem this past season.You can't really fault the OL when the QB makes decisions slowly. I'm not trying to pick on Jake here, but that was one of his weaknesses. Hopefully that will be better this season.

 

[DzynKingRTR]

Did not read the entire thread, who is special teams coach now; I must have missed that.

anyone?

 

[RTR91]

anyone?

There's been no coach named. Several have mentioned in the thread that numerous coaches had a part in special teams even though BW had the ST coordinator title. Probably will be similar with someone getting that title down the road.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

The common problem I saw with the negative plays was too much penetration in the backfield. And I'm not even talking about the times Coker held the ball too long. In too many games we'd put together one or two positive plays then out of nowhere here comes a five to seven yard negative play because someone shot a gap and was in the backfield so fast the only person who could have made something out of was Jesus Himself. Coker holding the ball too wasn't the bulk of the problem.

 

[RTR91]

The common problem I saw with the negative plays was too much penetration in the backfield. And I'm not even talking about the times Coker held the ball too long. In too many games we'd put together one or two positive plays then out of nowhere here comes a five to seven yard negative play because someone shot a gap and was in the backfield so fast the only person who could have made something out of was Jesus Himself. Coker holding the ball too wasn't the bulk of the problem.

Remember reading or hearing someone after the Tennessee game say part of Bama's problem was LBs shooting the gaps in the zone blocking. The defender was able to time it right and shoot the game as the OL started to move.

The issue seemed to be fixed during the bye week since Alabama only gave up 6, 4, 2, and 1 TFL in the last 5 regular season game. Then, Alabama gave up 7 TFLs to Florida, 8 to Michigan State, and 9 to Clemson.

Worth noting, Alabama faced 7 teams ranked in the top 50 of TFLPG. Ten of Bama's 15 opponents ranked in the top 75. All but two (Auburn and Charleston Southern) were in the top 100. With its 6.8 TFLPG average, Charleston would have been tied for 35 in FBS but finished 34 in FCS.

 

[tusks_n_raider]

I wish we would back up the money truck to get Stoutland back. He was fantastic. He's done well for the Eagles in the NFL too the last 3 years finishing 1st, 9th, and 14th in rushing without really having the best players.

I'm not a fan of CMC at all. It makes me even more nervous that he will still be coaching the OT's. LT has regressed under him and RT was a mess last year too. Way to many times we had guys coming through just untouched to create negative plays on 1st down.

 

[Snuffy Smith]

Reading this thread, it strikes me that some of you really know what you are talking about, and others of you would make great ESPN radio hosts.

That's mean - I think. [emoji12]


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[RTR91]

I wish we would back up the money truck to get Stoutland back. He was fantastic. He's done well for the Eagles in the NFL too the last 3 years finishing 1st, 9th, and 14th in rushing without really having the best players.

It's been said numerous times - he couldn't evaluate talent. He also had some of the best OL in Alabama's history thanks to Joe Pendry.

I'm not a fan of CMC at all. It makes me even more nervous that he will still be coaching the OT's. LT has regressed under him and RT was a mess last year too. Way to many times we had guys coming through just untouched to create negative plays on 1st down.

Guessing you're referencing Cam being a little slow at times this season, which were due to injuries. Link

 

[Matt0424]

I wish we would back up the money truck to get Stoutland back. He was fantastic. He's done well for the Eagles in the NFL too the last 3 years finishing 1st, 9th, and 14th in rushing without really having the best players.

I'm not a fan of CMC at all. It makes me even more nervous that he will still be coaching the OT's. LT has regressed under him and RT was a mess last year too. Way to many times we had guys coming through just untouched to create negative plays on 1st down.

I disagree with pretty much all of this.

Stoutland was an amazing coach when he had the talent to work with, but the talent took a huge drop on his watch. No doubt he would be great with our current tools, but I don't like to look short term.

I don't understand all the hate for Cristobal, we've played in the last two playoffs. The offensive line started poorly, but played very well the second half of the season. Cam had problems due to injuries. Jackson was a great run blocker, but struggled against a good pass rush. My question is who doesn't?

We brought in a second OL coach in order to help straighten our gameplan out. You almost HAVE to do that now, because blocking has become too complex to just lump all linemen together.

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[rgw]

Cristobal is not a bad coach and he's premium in recruiting. I think this unit could have been dominant all season if CamRob wasn't dinged up. Jackson was a pass protection liability but they were able to mask it better once Robinson healed up a bit.

 

[TiderJack]

I disagree with pretty much all of this.

Stoutland was an amazing coach when he had the talent to work with, but the talent took a huge drop on his watch. No doubt he would be great with our current tools, but I don't like to look short term.

I don't understand all the hate for Cristobal, we've played in the last two playoffs. The offensive line started poorly, but played very well the second half of the season. Cam had problems due to injuries. Jackson was a great run blocker, but struggled against a good pass rush. My question is who doesn't?

We brought in a second OL coach in order to help straighten our gameplan out. You almost HAVE to do that now, because blocking has become too complex to just lump all linemen together.

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Saban just spoke glowingly in the recent presser of how he likes the job Cristobal has done coaching and recruiting. Do you think for a nanosecond Saban would not replace him if he was not doing the job? Not sure why people would question the GOAT coach on a coaching postion.

 

[RTR91]

Sometimes I wonder if the coaches have different philosophies on how to use the schemes. For instance, Kiffin might want the blocking scheme to be a particular way due to the playbook while Mario wants it another because he feels it'll help the OL. Same for the WRs or TEs or RBs, etc.

 

[Matt0424]

Sometimes I wonder if the coaches have different philosophies on how to use the schemes. For instance, Kiffin might want the blocking scheme to be a particular way due to the playbook while Mario wants it another because he feels it'll help the OL. Same for the WRs or TEs or RBs, etc.

If it's anything like when I played football, then they probably have disagreements many times. Our HC and OC argued over things, and they'd usually work until they came to an agreement.

Or there were times they didn't agree, and we were left to decipher what needed to be done (don't think that happens at UA).

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[JustNeedMe81]

Sometimes I wonder if the coaches have different philosophies on how to use the schemes. For instance, Kiffin might want the blocking scheme to be a particular way due to the playbook while Mario wants it another because he feels it'll help the OL. Same for the WRs or TEs or RBs, etc.

I think early on, Kiffin had issues with the coaching staff on the play calling philosophy.... so I wouldn't be shocked if it was over how to use the schemes. I think the shift among the coaches will signal that we could see a new offense once again, and this time coaches are going to be okay with it.

 

[B1GTide]

Sometimes I wonder if the coaches have different philosophies on how to use the schemes. For instance, Kiffin might want the blocking scheme to be a particular way due to the playbook while Mario wants it another because he feels it'll help the OL. Same for the WRs or TEs or RBs, etc.

There is going to be discussion and disagreement as the plays are designed and "tested", especially with coaches who have a lot of experience. There is more than one way to skin a cat, and these coaches will have tried it just about every way with different successes and failures.

IMO, it usually comes down to personnel. One o-line may be better at x, and another o-line may do better at y. You leverage your strengths as much as possible, and the play designs are not as important as the people trying to execute them. Sometimes plays are redesigned over the course of a season for this reason - or scrapped altogether.

So coaches disagree for a lot of reasons, but great coaches are simply focused on the only thing that matters - how can we best accomplish what this play is meant to accomplish with these players.