Alabama: Rank the positions that need the most work in the offseason

[BamaInCummingGA]

Yes, we'll know. Milroe doesn't have really the freedom to change the play at LOS. he's given limited options and he can only choose out of that if he see something. Bryce Young was one of few that could change any plays and he had freedom to do so. Milroe didn't. Again, This goes back to..... OC. That's the message I'm trying to relay over and over. it's the OC. if I'm relaying run play to Milroe and we have 30 seconds left and we line up. I see the defense crowding the line... I tell Milroe to audible out of that and go to that play. 15 seconds left. Communication cut off. Then he has to get OL set and making sure protection is set. Not much he can do about it. Sheridan isn't quick in getting the call in to Milroe.

But you were in fact comparing both of the OC, since you said common denominator and your comments seem to suggest that it was Milroe and lack of adjustments... if I took that one wrong, then okay I'm sorry about that, but that's how it came out to me.

Not gonna sit here and argue with you about it.
You and I aren't "in the huddle" so we have no idea what Millroe is doing on the field and no idea how quickly Sharidan is getting plays in and then having to hurry to adjust (audible) before the 15 sec cut off because the qb can't read a defense.

 

[92tide]

I think the Unit rankings you have are in the right order but I'd move the Staff to 1 then OL then QB etc

The lack of preparation and willingness to make in game adjustments when the game plan isn't working are very concerning from the HC, OC, and DC.

The way our players conducted themselves was also very disappointing.

Taunting, throwing tantrums and kicking the football, and this past week ripping a helmet off and jawing on the field.

All that mess has got to GO.

i agree with pretty much everything, but i’m giving smith a little bit of leeway for how mad he was after getting jumped by a bunch of dudes on the barn sidelines

 

[JustNeedMe81]

Not gonna sit here and argue with you about it.
You and I aren't "in the huddle" so we have no idea what Millroe is doing on the field and no idea how quickly Sharidan is getting plays in and then having to hurry to adjust (audible) before the 15 sec cut off because the qb can't read a defense.

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[gtgilbert]

Yes, we'll know. Milroe doesn't have really the freedom to change the play at LOS. he's given limited options and he can only choose out of that if he see something. Bryce Young was one of few that could change any plays and he had freedom to do so. Milroe didn't. Again, This goes back to..... OC. That's the message I'm trying to relay over and over. it's the OC. if I'm relaying run play to Milroe and we have 30 seconds left and we line up. I see the defense crowding the line... I tell Milroe to audible out of that and go to that play. 15 seconds left. Communication cut off. Then he has to get OL set and making sure protection is set. Not much he can do about it. Sheridan isn't quick in getting the call in to Milroe.

But you were in fact comparing both of the OC, since you said common denominator and your comments seem to suggest that it was Milroe and lack of adjustments... if I took that one wrong, then okay I'm sorry about that, but that's how it came out to me.

we get the message you are trying to relay, it's just that we disagree. It's not the OCs job to make the audible on the field. The OC gives the QB a formation, motion package and playcall and a hot call or multiple options for hot calls - some qbs are given more latitude than others with the breadth of hot calls they can make, but they all are expected to make them. Up till this year there was no headset so it's always been up to the QB to make those changes. Most teams get well under 15 seconds with no comms before they execute anyway. It's also not like we are running out of time to make that simple check, at least not consistently.

It's the QB dude, not the OC.

Almost ALL QBs not only have the freedom to make audibles, they are expected to. Almost all are given guidelines for what to change to based on what they see. I know that not only Young, but also Mac, Tua, Hurts, Coker, Sims, AJ and pretty much every QB to take a snap for Alabama for the last 30+ years has been expected to make audibles if the D lined up in a way that was going to give our called play a challenge. Heck, In the 80s in HS football we were doing box counts and overloads and had a hot call if the D stacked the box or not. Nick Sheridan's offense when he was the OC and QB coach at Indiana had QBs making audibles. They 100% were doing it at UW. CTR is passing game coordinator in the NFL, and those QBs are 100% making audibles

Again, the only thread to pull where the last two years of offense at alabama hasn't had an ability to adjust plays at the LOS is JM.

It's the QB, not the OCs.

 

[JustNeedMe81]

we get the message you are trying to relay, it's just that we disagree. It's not the OCs job to make the audible on the field. The OC gives the QB a formation, motion package and playcall and a hot call or multiple options for hot calls - some qbs are given more latitude than others with the breadth of hot calls they can make, but they all are expected to make them. Up till this year there was no headset so it's always been up to the QB to make those changes. Most teams get well under 15 seconds with no comms before they execute anyway.

It's the QB dude, not the OC.

Almost ALL QBs not only have the freedom to make audibles, they are expected to. Almost all are given guidelines for what to change to based on what they see. I know that not only Young, but also Mac, Tua, Hurts, Coker, Sims, AJ and pretty much every QB to take a snap for Alabama for the last 30+ years has been expected to make audibles if the D lined up in a way that was going to give our called play a challenge. Heck, In the 80s in HS football we were doing box counts and overloads and had a hot call if the D stacked the box or not. Nick Sheridan's offense when he was the OC and QB coach at Indiana had QBs making audibles. They 100% were doing it at UW. CTR is passing game coordinator in the NFL, and those QBs are 100% making audibles

Again, the only thread to pull where the last two years of offense at alabama hasn't had an ability to adjust plays at the LOS is JM.

It's the QB, not the OCs.

We'll have to disagree on the narrative of JM and audible and how I said he doesn't have the freedom to change plays as he see fits. He is limited in what he can change at LOS. But it is what it is. We don't have to agree.

 

[gtgilbert]

We'll have to disagree on the narrative of JM and audible and how I said he doesn't have the freedom to change plays as he see fits. He is limited in what he can change at LOS. But it is what it is. We don't have to agree.

Ok so why would an OC who every where else he has ever been (as a QB coach and an OC) has had QBs calling audibles all of a sudden have a change of heart and tell JM that he cannot change a play in the most simple ways (check out of a run if they have 7 in the box against our 5)?

What would make him decide to make that change despite years of experience coaching QBs to make audibles?

Better yet, what would the prior OC make the same decision in 2023 even when the offensive system and playbook is 100% set up for QBs to make audibles, but then magically revert back in 2024?

 

[Krymsonman]

Very good topic:

Coaching Staff: The need to study up a little more on playing in the SEC and have the team ready to play every week. Unlike other conferences, if you don't show up every week in the SEC, you get beat. Also, we need to attack more on defense. Why do we not start attacking until the other team has moved into our territory.
OL - They've been good and bad this year, and I'm wondering if a little offseason slimming program might improve the quickness. We could get off the ball faster, and maybe pull a little better. I know the "pulling" was a little slow at times this year.
QB - I think we have adequate solutions here which may open up the offense more.
DL - Okay there, but need more depth.
LB - Okay there, but need more depth.
Secondary - I think we have a great group back there - a bunch of young guys that got a world of experience this year. Should be a strong point of the defense next year.

As mentioned, a key thing will be to retain all of our up and coming players like the DB's and Ryan Williams.

 

[denver]

SEC games are won in the trenches...get a better OL...see Gtech for a good example vs UGA....and we need a DL that can stop the run and get to the QB...with fast rugged LBs to fill holes and cover....win in the trenches and you win in the SEC. Simple as..

 

[colbysullivan]

OL- Should have been better. Are they still up for the Joe Moore award? I get it defenses have loaded the box and blitzed a lot. That didn't help, but the OL still didn't seem to be consistent. Jalen could have used more time in the pocket. The RBs needed better blocking.

Coaching - It's been a learning experience for all of them. But come on...make adjustments when needed. I mean..."Run Milroe Run" was not working against Okie. Yet it continued to be played expecting a different result each time.

LB - Lawson is a redshirt Junior. Does he come back? Campbell is a Junior. Does he return? Jefferson is a senior. Returners are freshman Justin Okoronkwo, Redshirt sophomore Jeremiah Alexander, Freshman Cayden Jones, and freshman Sterling Dixon.

Edge - We could really use a good one from the portal.

Place kicker - Need one. We have freshman Tucker Cornelius.?

That you could have such a detailed list but not mention QB is mind-boggling to me.

 

[Bama Lee]

Offense-
QB: the dynamic of play calling will drastically change next year with Ty Simpson (he can make all of the throws and is much more accurate). This will much better fit the DeBoer system and emphatically open much larger portion on of the play book.
RB: Is Jam leaving for pros? If not we may lose Richard Young. I love our RBs and I am eager to see them fully enveloped into Deboers system next year.
WR- a little disappointed with this group. They had stoned hands at times and really poor down field blocking at times. They even were running incorrect routes at times. A lot of potential here (Sheppard will get them in right mind set).
OL: also disappointed here. They were dominant at times and woefully unprepared the next. This could be an area where DeBoer might look for a replacement of an assistant coach).

Defense-
DBs- this group really came along as the season progressed. Very proud of them and I look forward to next year
DL- up and down, but mostly up. A lot of depth here. Next year should be much better versed in this defensive scheme)
LBs-this group was very disappointing to me. Yes they had some great games but they had a lot of very very bad ones. In all three of our losses this group was was 100% lost. Angles of attack, maintaining areas of responsibility, many times leaning back in their stance (on their heels), not attacking and letting blockers/ running backs get momentum coming at them…. All of these things are correctible, but just seem to linger. They played better against Auburn, but this is another area where we may need to look for an assistant coach replacement?

special teams-
this group was also up and down. We will have a whole new crew next year. We shall see

 

[Ledsteplin]

That you could have such a detailed list but not mention QB is mind-boggling to me.

I just figured that takes care of itself. We have several who I believe can lead the Tide. I don't see a problem with QB room going into next year.

 

[Oregon Tide]

When do I get to rank TideFans members? (hint of blue font)

 

[B1GTide]

I just figured that takes care of itself. We have several who I believe can lead the Tide. I don't see a problem with QB room going into next year.

I have a problem with the lack of development of the other QBs. You guys should steal Lagway away from the Gators.

 

[Rocky Mtn Bob]

1. Flush all LANK leftovers. Yes, ALL of them.
2. OC - I think fixing #1 will have big impact here. The OC needs to take command, and not let LANK players run the show.
3. OL - The rest of you have addressed this just fine.
4. QB - Last season I was a JM defender. No more. This season (starting with Vandy) JM's play had me so nervous I seriously considered not watching anymore games. I want to have FUN watching the Tide play.
5. WR - We need to rebuild by adding two more 5 or 4 Stars, to be dominant once again.
6. DL - The rest of you have addressed this.
7. LB - Rebuild by adding three more 5 or 4 Stars, to dominate again.
8. DBs - What y'all have posted.
9. TE - Points #1 and #2 will have a lot of influence here. I like the players we have in reserve ... if they stay-on.

At least composing this revealed I haven't lost my zeal for Bama Football. I got myself FIRED-UP just writing this. I'm already eager for next year...!

 

[BamaBoySince89]

The issues start on both fronts. One doesn’t block well, the other can’t shake a block. You fix those two and find a QB that is able to run the playbook and not have it watered down and I think we’re fine.

 

[Ledsteplin]

I have a problem with the lack of development of the other QBs. You guys should steal Lagway away from the Gators.

The problem may be that Coach DeBoer is the quarterbacks coach. He's good, but may not have the time a designated assigned QB coach would have to work with them.

 

[Joefus]

I think the Unit rankings you have are in the right order but I'd move the Staff to 1 then OL then QB etc

The lack of preparation and willingness to make in game adjustments when the game plan isn't working are very concerning from the HC, OC, and DC.

The way our players conducted themselves was also very disappointing.

Taunting, throwing tantrums and kicking the football, and this past week ripping a helmet off and jawing on the field.

All that mess has got to GO.

Agreed. Coaching was just as scattershot as the play on the field. The ou game by our oc was absolutely mind boggling

 

[Joefus]

Who will be kicking and/or punting next season? And you need a ST coach.

We have an off the field coach who’s the st teams coach and it didn’t seem to adversely affect anything. Def need a punter and a kicker tho

 

[B1GTide]

We have an off the field coach who’s the st teams coach and it didn’t seem to adversely affect anything. Def need a punter and a kicker tho

This was your worst special teams season in every way in a long time.

 

[CrimsonBloodn62]

I just figured that takes care of itself. We have several who I believe can lead the Tide. I don't see a problem with QB room going into next year.

I hope we do. I want to think Ty will be able to come in and run CKD offense, but who really knows? Ty hasn't had any real, meaningful playing time since he left high school. I don't count the UCF game because of LANK.