Problems/Fixes for our Offense

[NavyTider]

Well, it's obvious that the offense is sputtering at best. Why? I have a couple of ideas but I don't pretend to be an expert. The first thing that stands out to me is our offensive line. In the preseason they were tabbed as one of the potentially dominant lines in the nation. I'm not really sure why this was, as last year they were absolutely horrendous. They're certainly improved this year but it would be a stretch even to call them one of the best lines in the SEC. They appear average to me at best. Even Andre Smith hasn't dominated like he did last year. Perhaps this is due to the change of systems.

The other problem is our QB. He looks indecisive in the pocket and when he does choose to throw he is usually off-target. He often tries to take WAY too much time choosing a receiver. I am not saying McElroy is the answer because I'm sure the coaches have their reasons for not playing him. However, JPW is not getting the job done. I know the spread is the "offense of the future," but I sure do miss an offense based around the I-formation. In the I if your QB wasn't having a good game you could just hand it to the back 40 times and play for field position and time of possession. We won many a game doing just that when Stallings was here. In the spread if your QB isn't having a good game the offense doesn't work, period. Maybe I'm old-fashioned but I would always like Alabama to be a tough, no-nonsense, run first and pass later type of team.

 

[GreatDanish]

Re: Offensive offense.

Before people start knocking JPW for McElroy, I don't think that's the answer. JPW has shown that he CAN get the job done. He just hasn't gotten the job done the last few games (except when the game is on the line). McElroy is NOT the answer right now.
It seems as though we should keep our defense on the field, or run the ball until the last 2 minutes of the quarter. Then let JPW throw and we'll probably score.

Just as a side note, I would really like to see us use a fullback more.

 

[Ldlane]

Re: Offensive offense.

Whew! Day's of the "Power I" and fullbacks up the middle are almost gone. Now people want 15 yards a play and 50 pts. a game!

 

[TiderinMiss]

Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Seeing the offense struggle the last two weeks has been hard for me to watch. However, I'm reminded of a story I heard in church once.

Our pastor was talking about a traveling sideshow, who's owner had a group of about five birds. They had their legs tied together, and were trained to walk in circles.

A certain man happened to see this show of imprisioned birds, and had pitty on them. He bought them from the owner with a great price, and set the birds free.

However, even after he cut their strings loose, the birds continued to do what they were trained to do: Walk in circles. With some effort and much patience, the new owner was finally able to get the birds to fly away on their own. But, it took time to "untrain" them.


I think our team is going through the same "process". It shouldn't surprise us to see a few ugly habits rear their ugly head. That's why we need to be patient, and hopefully, see some more signs of progress as the next few games unfold. Despite seeing some old habits rear their ugly head, I do see some progress. At least we can score in the fourth quarter, and at least we are owning the fourth quarter for the first time in years. The rest will come in time.

 

[BamaBuc]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Seeing the offense struggle the last two weeks has been hard for me to watch. However, I'm reminded of a story I heard in church once.

Our pastor was talking about a traveling sideshow, who's owner had a group of about five birds. They had their legs tied together, and were trained to walk in circles.

A certain man happened to see this show of imprisioned birds, and had pitty on them. He bought them from the owner with a great price, and set the birds free.

However, even after he cut their strings loose, the birds continued to do what they were trained to do: Walk in circles. With some effort and much patience, the new owner was finally able to get the birds to fly away on their own. But, it took time to "untrain" them.


I think our team is going through the same "process". It shouldn't surprise us to see a few ugly habits rear their ugly head. That's why we need to be patient, and hopefully, see some more signs of progress as the next few games unfold. Despite seeing some old habits rear their ugly head, I do see some progress. At least we can score in the fourth quarter, and at least we are owning the fourth quarter for the first time in years. The rest will come in time.

Sure hope your right! Although I would like to see some PROGRESS in the PROCESS, before I go to see my maker!:biga:

 

[Bama1970]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Old habits ARE hard to break, but alot of the stuff we've witnessed the past 2 games have been simple lack of execution, not bad habits. JMOH

 

[BamaBuc]

Re: Offensive offense.

Whew! Day's of the "Power I" and fullbacks up the middle are almost gone. Now people want 15 yards a play and 50 pts. a game!

NO JUST GIVE ME 3.5yds a play and most things will take care of themselves! Score, Time of Possesion, rested Defense! :cool2:
There's not to many things that 3.5 yds on each play wouldn't solve! It's just move the chains after every third down! :biggrin2:

 

[jcbama]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Playing pretty good defences dosen't help either.

 

[alextupelo]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Old habits ARE hard to break, but alot of the stuff we've witnessed the past 2 games have been simple lack of execution, not bad habits. JMOH

the bad habit would be not executing on every down.

 

[teamplayer]

Re: Offensive offense.

Whew! Day's of the "Power I" and fullbacks up the middle are almost gone. Now people want 15 yards a play and 50 pts. a game!

You are correct in saying that is what people want; however, I believe these types of offenses are a huge reason that we now see so many "upsets". When a spread team is hot, they can score a lot, but when they are not hitting big plays, they look very average or awful. I think this is part of the reason that a team looks great one week and average or poor the next. I am also of the mindset that tough teams that can always count on the run are the most consistent. Defense and a tough running game still win championships. I believe we should throw the ball to keep teams honest and try to hit a few big plays, but we have to get tougher in the running game before we will become consistent offensively.

 

[lafella]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Even in 05 we had the same issues, this offense has been struggling along time, may or may not snap out of it. I have to believe some big adjustments will be made this week and we get this train rolling in the right direction for the offense.

 

[Bama1970]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

the bad habit would be not executing on every down.

No team executes perfectly on every down. The point i'm getting at is that while i know we are still "unlearning" bad habits, there are alot of things happening on the field this year that is not a result of the previous coaching staff.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

My question to the people slinging feces all over the place is did anyone expect NOT to have ANY setbacks what so ever? That every thing would go EXACTLY as planned and there would be NO trying times? If you fall into this category then you are friggin' delusional. There are so many things that go into building a successful program.

There is no "easy button" that can pushed and all of a sudden you've got a well oiled machine. There is no button or switch that can all of a sudden skip all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to become good. We've played FIVE games under Saban. His program has been in place about seven months and we've got people thinking this ought to be a well oil machine. Folks, we're going to have times when we look like pure crap as we did last night. There's going to be times where this thing looks like it's headed off the cliff. That's just what happens when you've just made an entire overhaul of your football program. You start from scratch. Yes, I know folks are getting tired of "starting over" and getting tired of "next year" but that's what happens when you're football program stays in chaos. Stability and continuity does wonders.

But to think that Saban wasn't going to have any setbacks to his "process" and to think that everything was going to go perfect is living in a world that doesn't exist.

 

[Harmost]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

All I want to see are signs that the offense is heading somewhere better.

Hopefully, they can gain some confidence against a couple of lesser D's before we dive back into it with the SEC big boys. Certainly, executed balance from the offense these next few weeks could go a long way in letting them know what they're capable of.

 

[Bama1970]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

My question to the people slinging feces all over the place is did anyone expect NOT to have ANY setbacks what so ever? That every thing would go EXACTLY as planned and there would be NO trying times? If you fall into this category then you are friggin' delusional. There are so many things that go into building a successful program.

There is no "easy button" that can pushed and all of a sudden you've got a well oiled machine. There is no button or switch that can all of a sudden skip all the blood, sweat and tears it takes to become good. We've played FIVE games under Saban. His program has been in place about seven months and we've got people thinking this ought to be a well oil machine. Folks, we're going to have times when we look like pure crap as we did last night. There's going to be times where this thing looks like it's headed off the cliff. That's just what happens when you've just made an entire overhaul of your football program. You start from scratch. Yes, I know folks are getting tired of "starting over" and getting tired of "next year" but that's what happens when you're football program stays in chaos. Stability and continuity does wonders.

But to think that Saban wasn't going to have any setbacks to his "process" and to think that everything was going to go perfect is living in a world that doesn't exist.

Your right Buz...... Your absolutly right. Guess all the hype and emotions just get the best of me sometimes.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Harmost,
Well don't be surprised if it gets worse before it's better. But don't think that means Saban's plan isn't working. It just means we're one step closer before it clicks. And trust me, it will click. The more we play and practice under Saban the more familiar the system will get and the more instinctive the players will play. Just hang in there and remember that it WILL CLICK and when it does you'll be like a little kid on Christmas morning.

 

[trenda]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

About the only thing I can honestly say I'm truly disappointed in at this point in the season is the play from our QB position.

We've had way too many missed opportunities with uncovered receivers not picked up, under/overthrown passes, throwing into double-triple coverage, etc.

We've also had some really good play out of that position in the fourth quarter, so I know the potential/capability is there.

Personally, I think if our QB play and decision-making improves in quarters 1-3, our entire offensive production will go way up and we will have a good shot at winning six more games this season.

Obviously, other areas on the team still need improvement as well. This is just the one area that I've been disappointed in this season. Everything else is pretty much where I thought it'd be.

 

[Alabama Larry in Ky]

Re: Offensive offense.

Our "D" played well, except on the QB runs, but we kept them on the field too much. A few first downs would have gave them some rest.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

Your right Buz...... Your absolutly right. Guess all the hype and emotions just get the best of me sometimes.

Not singling you out by any means but people need to change their way of thinking. I do not know how many people that post on this board have actually played football beyond the middle school level or played any sport beyond the high school level. Coaching changes, philosophy changes and system changes in football do not happen over night. You do have your exceptions but they are few and far between. Most of the time when you have a complete overhaul of a coaching staff and the new staff's philosophy is polar opposite of the last you're going to have a transition phase that could possibly get quite ugly.

Because you've got players having to mentally make the transition. Transition of unlearning philosophies from the previous regime to new ones of the current regime. The old philosophies have become natural and involuntary so it's much easier to do them than do what is currently being taught.

Yes, it gets frustrating (lord knows I was ticked off last night) but at some point common sense and logical thinking has to come in. Not too many programs have coaching staff overhauls that include philosophy overhauls and not have bumps in the road.

 

[AlexanderFan]

Re: Old habits can be hard to break (offensive production)

I believe JPW plays better in the 4th quarter drives because he isn't thinking anymore, he's just reaciting like he's supposed to. Thoughts? Opinions?