Intel on on Tua Tagovailoa, Alabama's OL and more

BamaMan09 said:

Alabama is usually at its peak when they run the ball down opponents throats mercilessly. See Georgia in 2012 as a prime example. This group has talent but it's still finding itself. To win big games in the SEC you have to be able to beat people on the line of scrimmage. Maybe the addition of Matt Womack shakes things up. Tua and the passing game are awesome but we need to get our edge back in the trenches. We need to get that fixed soon because in the next few weeks we will need to impose our will. Arkansas and Missouri are actually good defending the run. Would also like to see some of the back ups get valuable playing time so they can provide depth. Kedrick James and Tyrell Shavers are just two names. Anoma and Benton as well.

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I'm not worried about the run game. A&M not only loaded the box, they ran numerous inside blitzes as well. Whatever reason, we decided for the most part to run into the teeth of that, as opposed to bouncing outside. Jimbo had chosen his poison. I'm not sure why he almost disregarded Tua, but he did. Things will change, as time goes on and Womack comes back...

KrAzY3 said:

I guess my biggest curiosity is how committed Alabama will be to the run game. It is pretty appealing to know you can dial up big play on a downfield pass almost at all, but it takes a real concerted effort to wear a team down on the ground.

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I agree. I'm pretty sure the rushing yard totals will increase as the season progreses. CNS has always talked about having balance when it comes to the offense. And its going to be several matchups where there running game will be crucial in my opinion. I won't be surprised if we see the running game be a focus point Saturday.

UAH said:

Looking at the several analysis I have viewed after the TAMU game there is a lot of work to be done on the front seven, the offensive line and the run game.

We could expect a similar game plan from LSU and Auburn after viewing Jimbo's success at stopping the run with his front seven and opening up the middle of the defensive front for QB runs. There were defensive adjustments in the second half but there was clearly a hole in the defensive scheme that Mont was able to exploit.

On the other side of the ball the staff has to be questioning how effective the position shifts have been particularly moving Alex Leatherwood inside and how long will be required to get Piersbacher comfortable at the Center signal caller position.

This is clumsily written but I just don't see the offensive line and defensive front nearly up to the level of previous NC teams and the depth on the defensive front is lacking. I know CNS recognizes this and smarts over this being called a super team. It may become that but not yet!

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That's basically what he's been telling people or trying to, without calling out specific players. These problems have been covered up so far with an amazingly effective passing game. Without Tua there would have been a ton of three and outs...

I've re watched most of the aTm game several times, skipping to Bama's offensive series. I don't think anyone on here will argue that it is in a team's best interest to play toward their strength's and keep from having to play from their weaknesses. It very well maybe that the passing game is this offense's strength this season. We pass the ball with ease yet seems like more of a struggle in effort to run the ball. That doesn't mean the team gives up on trying to get better at the running game. But every team will do one thing better than the other. No matter how much they practice both. Our OL pass blocks better than they run block to this point. Tua's chances of completing a ten yard pass is more likely than one of our RB's breaking off a ten yard run. It's bizarro world for Bama fans right now and we think "something's wrong". But I don't think anything really is "wrong" as much as it is different. Our traditional weakness is now our strength and our traditional strength is now our weakness. But the end result (which is all that matters) is we have the most potent offense in the country. And it's not like our running is actually "bad". It's just not our strength as it traditionally has been. But you can tell by Saban's comments that he wants more success from the running game so rest assured there will be improvement. But with the talent we have in Tua, don't expect the running game to be as good as our passing game. As good as D Harris and N Harris are, they aren't generational type talents like Tua is at their position. So my guess is we're going to ride Tua's left arm as far as it will carry us.