I’m no expert when it comes to football play calling, but one of the many turnovers last night came on what I believe was going to be a great play call. The play in question was called at the line as Beck read the defense, which was showing blitz. Unfortunately, it seems like everyone on the field knew what to do except for Arian Smith.
It’s unfortunate that Arian made the mistake he did, because it looks like it could’ve worked had Arian come underneath Delp and caught the ball. First, note that Alabama brought seven up close, and when the ball is snapped they are bringing the linebackers on the blitz. The offensive line releases left and Delp is pivoting in to seal a block on Arian’s defender.
A half second later and you can see the front seven for Alabama has either gotten caught in the wash or are in the backfield. Delp is there to make the block, we have three offensive linemen coming to make the tunnel. Arian is running what looks to be a skinny post.
There’s not much Delp could do on a quick hitter like this except tackle the Alabama defender, but a half second later and you can see that Arian, provided he caught it, would’ve been going one on one with only two Alabama defenders on the other side of the field.
While I can’t say it would’ve gone for six, it would’ve been a nice gain on a 3rd and long play that caught Alabama off guard. More than likely would’ve gotten a much needed 3rd down conversion. The Alabama defense clearly heard the Saban message to bring heat on Beck and get him rattled, which they did with great effect in the first half. This could’ve been one of those plays that made them back off that a little.
What I can say is, it looks like a good call and a well designed play at the right time against the right defensive set, but one guy made a pivotal mistake.
Two other guys got the blame for it.
JP, never let logic and analysis interfere with your Gawd given right to Blame Bobo!
Yeah, given the timing of that play (3rd down, having given up 2 quick TDs and needing a response), I think the game changes dramatically if Arian takes that to the house. He made at least 3 critical mistakes in that game. The 2 drops and that botched read. Sigh.
There were several plays in the first half that Bobo messed up, like dropping that dime from Beck on the first series, and this tunnel screen where he told Smith to run the wrong way. Bobo’s execution was terrible. He should have called the plays that would work.
Maybe one day we can buy a coach that teaches how to execute then, since bobo is the goat and too busy turning down job offers to do that.
It was the most points a Kirby team has scored against Bama, including the all-world Monken.
But do continue how the offense lost this game.
And, despite 4 turnovers
Not despite 4 turnovers, they were the reason we lost. But thats on the defense somehow.
Im sorry did the defense turn it over 4 times or cause the safety? Did we have less points than the opposition? Since neither of those are true I guess we will blame the defense for it all.
So basically if our defense doesn’t let them out of their own 20 yard line they did their job? Such a high demand for excellence on defense when our offense never has fault. Hilarious.
I don’t know that it was a botched read by 11. If you look at the game replay, Beck audibles at the line. I don’t know if he heard it wrong or heard it right and did the wrong thing. I know he doesn’t give the international “wtf did he just say?” sign.
I’m also not sure that No. 3 for Bama doesn’t know what’s coming. If you watch he looks at the corner (#1) and gives a hand signal right after the audible and they both come crashing down hard on the play ignoring 11 as he runs by them both. So 11 may avoid a pick if he runs the right route. Whether it gains any yards is questionable. If 1 for bama is there when the ball arrives doesn’t he or #3 probably disrupt the play or make a tackle for a little gain?
I don’t know what we did to give it away but they played that like they knew exactly what was coming. Maybe we showed that adjustment to a blitz look on tape. Who knows?
They may want to think about putting the outside receiver in motion and stack the wr behind the TE there so its an easier, less risky throw, and he’d have a better chance of getting under the OL if he caught it.
A little shuttle pass/middle screen to 32 probably gets a first down too. They are really outnumbered and out leveraged there on the left side of the field. Its 5 blockers and 2 defenders. Helluva look to not take advantage of.
I considered the same things. 1 makes an immediate play on the ball, but depending on Smith’s position if he sets up right, does he make the catch and turn upfield, or does he get tackled/disrupted or does his first-half hands of stone drop it? No guarantee it works, but likely doesn’t result in an interception if played right. The way the line releases upfield I’m imagining Arian was supposed to either dip underneath Delp or just quick hitch. One way or the other, the secondary had it sniffed out, those plays are always razor thin on execution.
I watched it over and over and I don’t know if Beck also threw it too far downfield but its hard to imagine as quick as he let it go that Arian was supposed to be very far from the spot their 1 caught it.
My supposition is that the audible was called in part because the db’s were playing soft. So at the snap Arian has time to catch it and get behind the OL. The way they closed down so fast.. They were keying off something that confirmed the suspicion. The drop? The LT? I don’t know but they were not worried about what Arian was doing at all. You gotta tip your cap on that one I think.
I wonder if Bobo can put that one in his cap and ck off to an easy td on a short drop pump fake.