I also want to acknowledge the championship level posting of Clown Baby taking the time to keep you guys in line all the way from Italy. most of you could learn a thing or two.
So it will be Milroe v Simpson in practice this week and whoever practices best will get the start. I'm guessing it will be Milroe based simply on the fact that to date Simpson has been unable to beat him out in practice.
What can they do to improve the OL or reduce these 5 + sacks a game? Brain storming here: (1) TEs to help Proctor (2) I would have RBs running pass pro drills all week long. The best RB at pass pro is who gets the start. I wouldn't give McClellan the start because he can't block worth a shit. Also Roydell is running better than him anyways. (3) I guess the problem with quick slants is that they require at least making sure you aren't throwing to a defender and seeing the field which Milroe can't do. (4) We need to work on setting up the screen. It has been god awful all year. Screens are never set up properly. They should spend a ton of time on that in practice. I'd say only 10-20% of our screens have been properly executed this year. We also have to figure out how to not be in 3rd in long so often. So often it has been either 1st down run gets stuffed, incomplete pass on 2nd down, 3rd and long. Or incomplete pass on first down, 3 yard run on 2nd, and 3rd and 7.
I mean Ole Miss defensive front will be not as good as Texas but much better than the South FLorida unit that just sacked us 5 times. If they don't get the protection figured out in a hurry it's going to be ugly as shit on Saturday. Milroe will be running for his life again, multiple INTs, etc. Maybe they can at least run the ball?
Man saban is showing his age in almost every aspect of the game. And for the second year we look a step slow at every position.
Defense was honestly lights out yesterday. We gave them zero margin for error and if not for the muffed punt, USF gets shut out.
But having said that I think the defense is better than last year's. I think the defense is solid. Lawson and Marshall are huge upgrades at inside linebacker over Henry T and Moody. Malachi Moore is actually playing like a stud. Last year he was terrible. Arnold is improved. I think we are very good at linebacker and in the secondary. Having some growing pains for Downs but he'll get there. I'm cautiously optimistic that playing some young guys can improve the DL.
I think we need to start Simpson against Ole Miss to see what he can do against an SEC defense. We've seen what Milroe looks like against a quality defense. Ole Miss' defense isn't as good as Texas' so it won't be apples to apples. I'd like to see if Simpson can manage the offense, hit an intermediate pass from time to time, and run the offense competently. If he can't do that then just play Milroe. The OL is a disaster but Milroe and Simpson hang on to the ball too long. The coaches need to be stressing to them that they have to get rid of it faster. Run some damn drills on that.
If Buchner ever gets a meaningful snap at practice again we are doomed. Start Ty, prep him to be Julian's backup in blowouts next year. Jalen, hit the portal or move to wr.
Rees thinking Buchner can play should be disqualifying of his continued employment...that was shocking
Simpson had happy feet in the pocket. No poise and couldn’t even tuck and run without heading straight for a defender.
I'm not going to defend Ty much, but I think we need to keep in mind he's a true freshman and he's not Trevor Lawrence. Don't expect perfection after a handful of snaps.
Rees has a history of making extremely poor talent evals at the QB position. He prioritized Drew Pyne in his recruiting class above all other QBs. Steve Angelli (who is set to be a career backup for us) over Drew Allar and Gavin Wimsatt. And what should hit close for you all - CJ Carr over Julian Sayin. Rees wanted nothing to do with Sayin at ND. Hiring Rees is one thing. He’s a pretty raw offensive mind who can be groomed into something pretty damn good. But allowing him to make personnel decisions at QB before ever coaching a game at Bama was certainly head scratching from Saban.
No matter what happens, Milroe is a good dude and a great teammate. He has given it his all. I love his enthusiasm and the juice he brings to the offense. I wish things would have worked out for him.
I'm honestly not sure what direction we should go on offense, but a big part of me feels like Saban just had to agree his "made things too easy and that hurt development" thing about the offense in 2016 doesn't apply now. Play Jalen, move the fvck out of the pocket, tell him if his 2 reads aren't there to take off upfield like his life depends on it (not this scramble to throw shit he's been doing Bryce style). It's the only scenario I see us having an even somewhat effective offense. It won't be pretty and it sure as frick won't be smooth or consistent, but it's a better option than pretending we can be a run and play action team without pass blockers or a QB who can both read the field and make decisions.
I wonder if part of us not moving the pocket more for Jalen is because we're slow as fuck on the line
Don't you want to see what Simpson can do against an SEC defense? He looked competent enough yesterday to at least manage an offense. Don't you want to see if he can make intermediate passes? Also, I just don't see Saban implementing your suggestions. I agree those things would help. But for whatever reason, he is determined to make our QBs this year stand in the pocket and throw intermediate passes requiring them to process a defense.
It's pretty cool that the year we fall into the abyss is the year we get All American performances from both our kicker and punter.
Honestly, no not really. I think if we were an elite pass blocking group he could be pretty good for us. I think in the current situation the extra 2 seconds he takes to process will lead to an extra 2-3 sacks and destroy drives. But if we're gonna run the same stuff he's probably the best option at this point (assuming they are sure Lonergan isn't ready).
I think we have to assume we're going to run the same stuff. Even though it's pigheaded and obstinate to do so. I don't think we've done anything over the course of 3 games to show we'll do otherwise. I guess the question is as follows: Does Milroe or Simpson give the team the better chance of succeeding within the confines on an offense that WILL call for the quarterback to stay in the pocket and make intermediate downfield passes and process a defense and considering the offensive line is terrible in pass protection.
Does anyone else agree that since 2021 we've been unable to call plays to counter the blitz? Remember the A&M, LSU, and Auburn games of 2021 then the natty? We got destroyed in all of those games against the blitz. Even with Bryce. Last year too. Now this year. So my question is , why are we unable to call plays to counter it? Subquestion: Is it just a coincidence that this happened under 2 different OCs or is it endemic to Saban for some reason.
He threw for 73 yards against the worst FBS defense he will play. He has zero feel for backside pressure. I don’t see how that translates to SEC Defenses.