BREAKING Tommy Rees hired as OC

[DrJJoyner]

If the recruiting ranking services know anything they'll tell you it's not about overall talent. Sure, you can show examples where Bowers is on a different level, but you could say the same thing about Bryce, Jones and Tua compared to UGA QBs.

I think the only difference between the two programs right now is a combination of mental toughness, aggression, meaness and confidence.

But most of us think we'd have won the 2021 national championship game---which we were leading halfway through the 4th quarter---if Jameson Williams doesn't get hurt. That's about talent, not meanness, etc. (Although, granted, it would have been great if the 5-star freshman wide receivers had stepped up and played like their ratings---which maybe speaks to mental toughness and/or confidence.)

I'm honestly not sure what the deal was last season. The offensive line continued to underperform their ostensible talent level. And we just didn't have an *it* player at wide receiver for the first time in Saban's tenure.

 

[DrJJoyner]

I don't mean to sound like a broken record, but that was my #1 gripe with BOB. And what got us into second and long all year long was usually the result of a terribly executed run play on first down.

If Rees can do one thing better it's fixing our ability to run on first down. Getting the big nasties to play like it again! I think he will and I think we'll also see a return to a very effective play-action pass game as well.

I think a big part of the problem---which the current recruiting class may help fix---is that they're not so big and nasty. The Brockermeyer boys, for example, are both undersized for the position and have yet to fulfill their star ratings. Tommy, obviously, has transferred.

 

[Cruloc]

I think a big part of the problem---which the current recruiting class may help fix---is that they're not so big and nasty. The Brockermeyer boys, for example, are both undersized for the position and have yet to fulfill their star ratings. Tommy, obviously, has transferred.

Big thing on both sides, we didn't have a true vocal leader. Bryce was a lead by example, as well as Anderson. We needed a Landon Dickerson type guy on O.

Other...and I think the biggest issue with the O.....regardless of what the talking heads say....is there was no apparent plan with playcalling. We just ran plays to run plays, there was no set up. There was no scheming players open or shifting to get a playmaker in the open. The talking heads keep saying how BOB is a good OC, the Bama numbers were fine, etc etc. No, the games never flowed, we relied on Bryce to save us all the time.

 

[BamaMoon]

But most of us think we'd have won the 2021 national championship game---which we were leading halfway through the 4th quarter---if Jameson Williams doesn't get hurt. That's about talent, not meanness, etc. (Although, granted, it would have been great if the 5-star freshman wide receivers had stepped up and played like their ratings---which maybe speaks to mental toughness and/or confidence.)

I'm honestly not sure what the deal was last season. The offensive line continued to underperform their ostensible talent level. And we just didn't have an *it* player at wide receiver for the first time in Saban's tenure.

There's no rule that says you can't be "more talented" and "tougher."

We've been as/more talented than Georgia in several ways in the last few years at the QB, receiver and equally as talented in the RB position. I do think they may have been equally or more talented on the defensive side of the ball, but they've definitely been tougher/meaner.

But for some reason, we've lost the toughness part of the equation. It seems it started with defense but has bled over into the offense.

I think you can make a reasonable argument that Georgia won it more with toughness last year than talent. Some years one team is just more talented than anybody else (I think that's what happened in 2020) but when talent wains just a little toughness will take back over.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Yeah, it's the natural cycle of the game. When everyone shifts to one way---spread offenses with fast, small dudes---it makes sense to shift the other way offensively, as defenses won't have the personnel to handle it. We're going back to the future.

 

[Cruloc]

Where we're going....we won't need roads. Saban says to Rees. Rees climbs into the car, as it flys to the future, for Saban to show Rees what's coming.

 

[CB4]

What UGA did this year was not rocket science. They didn't possess great wideouts. Ladd McConkey was probably their most dependable guy. But they had four TE's (Bowers, Delp, Washington and Gilbert) that were physical, could run and presented huge match up issues. They were assets in both the passing game and a physical running game. And they played physical on both sides of the the line of scrimmage. Offensively, Monken knew "which side of his bread was buttered". Play physical in the run game (many times from a two TE set), get the matchups I want with my best asset (TE versus LB's or safeties) and play action to WRs when needed. None of this "run four deep and give receivers reads/options". They didn't try to hide it. They said "here it is. You stop us."

Gees, this sounds awfully familiar to what we use to do, huh?

 

[Ledsteplin]

For me, there are two questions that are foremost in my mind:
1. Is the difference between the program that is currently preeminent in college football, UGA, and Alabama, one of talent ( well, with the exception of Brock Bowers who appears to be from another planet ) or coaching?

2. Are Alabama`s offensive linemen trained, both physically and psychologically ( are they mean enough? ) to consistently dominate at the line of scrimmage in the run game? If not, with whom does that responsibility lie? To me, if indeed the focus will be a return to " joyless murderball " , this question HAS to be answered and addressed post haste.

Your two questions sort of relate. Bama and UGA both have top notch players and better than average coaches. Some coaches have been exceptional. UGA has definitely been better coached on the defensive side as of late. And other than the alien, Bowers, UGA has done much better with their OL than Bama. Maybe better OL players overall as well as better OL coaching. I'm a believer that games are won in the trenches. There's definitely been something off with Bama's OL. Be it in scheming or lack of meanness or toughness. They've had trouble protecting Bryce, and the run game has suffered greatly. I think that's been the main difference on offense. I had high hopes for CEW, as he did great at Kentucky, with the position group a finalist for the Joe Moore award. I do think he's a good OL coach, so not sure what the issues were. I just hope it gets solved before September.

 

[Tidewater]

The talking heads keep saying how BOB is a good OC, the Bama numbers were fine, etc etc. No, the games never flowed, we relied on Bryce to save us all the time.

To the point that SEC Shorts jokes that the Alabama playbook was:
1. "Maybe Brice can make something happen."
2. "Maybe Brice can make something happen."
3. "Maybe Brice can make something happen."

 

[DrJJoyner]

To the point that SEC Shorts jokes that the Alabama playbook was:
1. "Maybe Brice can make something happen."
2. "Maybe Brice can make something happen."
3. "Maybe Brice can make something happen."

There's definitely something to that. I still think BOB is a solid OC---no way Belichick brings him back otherwise---but he's more suited to the NFL game. I heard a coach on the Alabama Football Podcast argue that BOB 1) doesn't seem to take advantage of the wider field in the college game and 2) doesn't incorporate motion in anything like the way Sark, Kiffen and, crucially, Rees do. He attributes it to, at the NFL level, being able to simplify the formations and then let the quarterback (especially if it's Brady but even a Deshaun Watson) assess what the defense is giving and adjust accordingly.

 

[Tideflyer]

What UGA did this year was not rocket science. They didn't possess great wideouts. Ladd McConkey was probably their most dependable guy. But they had four TE's (Bowers, Delp, Washington and Gilbert) that were physical, could run and presented huge match up issues. They were assets in both the passing game and a physical running game. And they played physical on both sides of the the line of scrimmage. Offensively, Monken knew "which side of his bread was buttered". Play physical in the run game (many times from a two TE set), get the matchups I want with my best asset (TE versus LB's or safeties) and play action to WRs when needed. None of this "run four deep and give receivers reads/options". They didn't try to hide it. They said "here it is. You stop us."

Gees, this sounds awfully familiar to what we use to do, huh?

Joyless murderball?

 

[PA Tide Fan]

But most of us think we'd have won the 2021 national championship game---which we were leading halfway through the 4th quarter---if Jameson Williams doesn't get hurt. That's about talent, not meanness, etc. (Although, granted, it would have been great if the 5-star freshman wide receivers had stepped up and played like their ratings---which maybe speaks to mental toughness and/or confidence.)

I'm honestly not sure what the deal was last season. The offensive line continued to underperform their ostensible talent level. And we just didn't have an *it* player at wide receiver for the first time in Saban's tenure.

I certainly think that, just as I think Ohio State would have beaten Georgia if Marvin Harrison doesn't get hurt. That's why I'm surprised we seem to be taking a step back to "Old School" power football with Rees. I think we underperformed the last 2 seasons because of injuries and defensive breakdowns, not a real problem on offense. Before we start mimicking Georgia to try and get back to the top let's all try and evaluate Georgia. They have a lot of talented players but the fact is when they play a team that has an elite offense with a wide open spread passing attack on a neutral field their defense usually crumbles. Remember Kirby's defense against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl several years ago. They only won because Oklahoma had a nonexistent defense. If they would have played a healthy Alabama and a healthy Ohio State the past 2 seasons they would have been toast and everyone would be saying Kirby needs to open up the offense more and recruit an elite QB and WR's if he ever wants to win a championship.

Perhaps Saban feels we need to take a step back from the wide open passing offense because we won't have the Tua/Young caliber QB in the fall to run it but then I'm surprised he interviewed some of the people he did. For example he interviewed Grubb before interviewing Rees and while I'm no expert on offensive playcalling it seems to me those 2 guys have very different styles.

 

[crimsonaudio]

Joyless murderball?

It's my most favorite thing.

 

[Tiderollin32]

People need to remember as Saban has said over and over again we bring in guys to run our offense not theirs. Rees brings high IQ in situational downs and knows how to be physical. We aren’t going to 3 set TE’s like Notre Dame. Could it be an occasional thing sure but Saban knows you have to open the offense up to win nowadays.

I expect we see more play action with lots of shifts but still empathize balance and taking what the defense gives. Saban eluded to this in his presser for the bowl game suggesting we have to call plays with purpose. You don’t pass just because you’ve always passed or because Bryce won the Heisman because of his arm.

 

[crimsonaudio]

People need to remember as Saban has said over and over again we bring in guys to run our offense not theirs. Rees brings high IQ in situational downs and knows how to be physical. We aren’t going to 3 set TE’s like Notre Dame. Could it be an occasional thing sure but Saban knows you have to open the offense up to win nowadays.

I don't see Bama running 13 personnel but I bet we some some 12 personnel - two TEs can be devastating as run blockers.

 

[thunderz7]

Will Friend had a one dimensional Barn team running on us even though we knew they could not throw.

 

[DrJJoyner]

I certainly think that, just as I think Ohio State would have beaten Georgia if Marvin Harrison doesn't get hurt. That's why I'm surprised we seem to be taking a step back to "Old School" power football with Rees. I think we underperformed that last 2 seasons because of injuries and defensive breakdowns, not a real problem on offense. Before we start mimicking Georgia to try and get back to the top let's all try and evaluate Georgia. They have a lot of talented players but the fact is when they play a team that has an elite offense with a wide open spread passing attack on a neutral field their defense usually crumbles. Remember Kirby's defense against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl several years ago. They only won because Oklahoma had a nonexistent defense. If they would have played a healthy Alabama and a healthy Ohio State the past 2 seasons they would have been toast and everyone would be saying Kirby needs to open up the offense more and recruit an elite QB and WR's if he ever wants to win a championship.

Yup. As well indoctrinated as we all are in The Process, at the end of the day we look at outcomes. Even Saban himself.

By all rights, Pete Golding should have had his second straight ring as DC and Bill O’Brien his first as OC in 2021. The whole narrative would be wildly different in that scenario.

 

[Bamabuzzard]

Will Friend had a one dimensional Barn team running on us even though we knew they could not throw.

Though I only saw it ONE time and it was reported by Paawwl Fbomb, the evidence on the field gave it a lot of credibility. But Fbomb said he had been "told" that Petey G wasn't a stickler for discipline and "getting it right" during practices and let a lot of "sloppiness" slide. Granted, I completely understand ultimately that falls at the feet of Saban, but it still doesn't absolve Petey G and definitely doesn't remove the consequences it had. Seeing how Petey G had issues of discipline in his personal life, what Fbomb said he was told makes perfect sense.

 

[BamaInBham]

I certainly think that, just as I think Ohio State would have beaten Georgia if Marvin Harrison doesn't get hurt. That's why I'm surprised we seem to be taking a step back to "Old School" power football with Rees. I think we underperformed the last 2 seasons because of injuries and defensive breakdowns, not a real problem on offense. Before we start mimicking Georgia to try and get back to the top let's all try and evaluate Georgia. They have a lot of talented players but the fact is when they play a team that has an elite offense with a wide open spread passing attack on a neutral field their defense usually crumbles. Remember Kirby's defense against Baker Mayfield and Oklahoma in the Rose Bowl several years ago. They only won because Oklahoma had a nonexistent defense. If they would have played a healthy Alabama and a healthy Ohio State the past 2 seasons they would have been toast and everyone would be saying Kirby needs to open up the offense more and recruit an elite QB and WR's if he ever wants to win a championship.

Perhaps Saban feels we need to take a step back from the wide open passing offense because we won't have the Tua/Young caliber QB in the fall to run it but then I'm surprised he interviewed some of the people he did. For example he interviewed Grubb before interviewing Rees and while I'm no expert on offensive playcalling it seems to me those 2 guys have very different styles.

I hope Saban has decided to get more physical on offense to toughen up the the D annd inject more overall toughness in the program, which IMO has gotten very soft. Maybe the most effective way to do that is power running on O. It forces it on both sides of the ball.

With a tougher mindset, hopefully we won’t hear any more about “anxiety” from the players; and won’t be humiliated by Kelly when he arrogantly goes for two and the win like it’s no sweat because Alabama is there for the taking. He spit in the the Tide’s face. That was a gutless D. (The Bama O scored on 5 of its last 6 possessions.)

Just like the UT game: As they go 45 yards in two plays and you knew it was coming before it happened because the “anxious” D was soft. The O was soft too, dropping an easy pass that would have likely won the game, OT at worst. Then ST failed missing the FG. So, the end was a team effort, though the overall game was mostly on the D.

Alabama needs to rekindle the toughness they had early-on with Coffee and Upchurch seeming to look up tacklers and McClain seemed to spit in ball carriers’ faces as he threw them to the ground. Not 3 yards and a cloud of dust offense but an effective power running game to complement the passing game. Still need a lot of skill and some finesse in today’s game.

 

[TiderJack]

What UGA did this year was not rocket science. They didn't possess great wideouts. Ladd McConkey was probably their most dependable guy. But they had four TE's (Bowers, Delp, Washington and Gilbert) that were physical, could run and presented huge match up issues. They were assets in both the passing game and a physical running game. And they played physical on both sides of the the line of scrimmage. Offensively, Monken knew "which side of his bread was buttered". Play physical in the run game (many times from a two TE set), get the matchups I want with my best asset (TE versus LB's or safeties) and play action to WRs when needed. None of this "run four deep and give receivers reads/options". They didn't try to hide it. They said "here it is. You stop us."

Gees, this sounds awfully familiar to what we use to do, huh?

And as good as UGA was they could have lost two games and should have lost the game that got them in and won them the championship. Would we, UGA fans and the talking heads be heaping praise on Kirby and the Dawgs about how they go about playing football? I like the philosophical shift back to this style but it does not insure the ultimate success.