Recruiting Forum Football Talk [RIP 9.3.2019]

[DD4ME]

Altantic breaks down protection issues. It wasn't just amazing vs bad players it was a soup du jour of it all. It was great scheme by Saban, bad communication by our guys, and good ole fasioned man v man butt whoopin.

Why it happened: Strong blitz scheme + Tennessee miscommunication

The Vols already trailed by seven and faced a third-and-long on their third offensive snap of the game. ’Bama uses a stellar blitz scheme from the top of the screen to get a blitzer through relatively unblocked.

The Crimson Tide use the Vols’ stacked receiver formation against them. If you look at how the defense lines up before the snap, it looks like simple man coverage with a safety over the top. It’s not. ’Bama presses the lead receiver, but the second defender blitzes without tipping his hand to Guarantano. The safety over the top is actually in man coverage on the receiver lined up behind the line of scrimmage. Because the formation is stacked on the hashmark on the short side of the field, ’Bama’s blitzer has a much shorter path to the quarterback. This blitz would make no sense and do very little if the Vols had receivers stacked outside the far hash.

Tennessee obviously doesn’t see it coming. The Crimson Tide show blitz with a linebacker in the middle of the defense, but he drops into coverage. Vols right guard Jerome Carvin slides over to double team the defensive tackle, but that leaves a giant hole for the blitzer lined up at corner. Carvin sees it late and tries to make a block, but the Vols have already been outschemed. Guarantano never sees it coming, gets obliterated and Alabama takes over a few yards away from a 14-0 lead that assures this game will never be competitive.

Tennessee has the numbers to block this blitz. It’s five rushers for six blockers, but look at the bottom of the play. It’s not much better. The Vols’ right guard looks like he’s accounting for the linebacker that never blitzes, but he has nothing to do as the play begins and double teams the tackle, giving center Ryan Johnson help he doesn’t really need. That leaves poor Ty Chandler to account for 295-pound ’Bama defensive lineman Quinnen Williams (No. 92). Chandler tries to cut him and misses badly, sending a second rusher into the pocket and upping Alabama’s odds of recovering the fumble.

Guarantano recognizing this blitz probably goes back to film study. I don’t know how often Alabama has shown this particular package, but there’s nothing presnap that tips off that it’s coming. That’s not to say Guarantano missed it, but the only way he could have ever known it was coming is if the Tide have done this before to teams that stack receivers. It’s a really smart, deceptive scheme that would work even with players who weren’t as good as what Alabama trots out every Saturday.


Why it happened: Excellent blitz scheme

This play is actually good news for Tennessee. One, even though this is the hit that ended Guarantano’s day, he should be back next week. Two, Tennessee only has to play a defense with Nick Saban’s expertise and Alabama’s talent once a year. This is a combination of both. It’s a play that illustrates why Saban is great.

Watch the pass rush: The whole line rushes right to move the offensive line. The two down linemen move right. A third down lineman twists to further bunch the Vols’ line. Linebacker Dylan Moses (No. 32) fakes a blitz and fades out, drawing Tennessee right tackle Drew Richmond basically into the flats, eliminating Ty Chandler from the play. Moses is actually in man coverage against Chandler.

What’s left? A gigantic hole. Alabama linebacker Mack Wilson (No. 30) waits a beat for the stunt to develop, trusts his scheme and comes screaming through a perfectly created hole. Richmond looks back and knows he’s been fooled. Guarantano recognizes the ball has to come out and puts a good throw downfield to Jauan Jennings, but Guarantano is exposed to a full-speed blitzer.

Wilson is one of the nation’s best linebackers, but this is a perfect example of ’Bama living off a lot more than talent alone. This is a perfectly executed scheme that put Guarantano in real danger.


Why it happened: Poor communication from Tennessee OL

Sometimes, Saban’s defenses showcase their talent, coordination and scheme. Sometimes, they just let teams beat themselves. This hit on Keller Chryst qualifies as the latter.

Tennessee has five offensive linemen. Alabama has four rushers on the line of scrimmage, with three in a three-point stance. This should be a relatively simple scheme to cover, but Tennessee’s offensive line gets its responsibilities confused. The right tackle offers the right guard help he doesn’t really need.

As a result, Alabama is given the unthinkable: a rusher who begins a snap in a three-point stance and faces zero opposition on his way to the quarterback. Even when Chryst gets hit, the right tackle has no idea what’s happened.

These are the type of communication and mental errors you can’t have. They’re the kinds of plays that result in huge losses or turnovers. Plays like these are how you beat yourself, and Tennessee does exactly that here.

 

[DD4ME]

I like the underdog role.
More fun when we whip all their collective arses!

Meh. We can and should beat 2 teams in the SEC.

 

[InVOLuntary]

When a chef is used to grilling with Wagu, he’s going to be a bit frustrated having to work with Spam

So are the chef's customers.

 

[Nash_Vol97]

 

[engineerVOL]

Gah Butch is a nerd. Even smokes a cigar like a dingleberry.

 

[DD4ME]

Gah Butch is a nerd. Even smokes a cigar like a dingleberry.

He put the head in something but it wasn't coach.

 

[JacketVol]

Right with you

Fully support Pruitt, but eyes are wide open after Dooley and Butch made a fool of my defenses for them.

There are a lot of things that you can look back to and mock if he fails that I’ve taken note of, but in the honeymoon stage, no one will hear it, and it may end up being exactly what was needed

And we beat Auburn on the road. If we get 6 plus wins with some of what I have seen then I think we are headed in the right direction for sure. Otherwise, then I will see how the class goes. These last five games playing who we are will be a good indicator of progress or not. Beating two of USC, Kensucky, Mizzou, and Vandy and getting to six would be good. I do think we have a football coach and a really good staff.

 

[BruinVol]

2 things about MNF.

I figured out why you go for 2 down 8 there. You have already made your mind up you are going to go for the win if you score another late TD. Going for it the first time allows you a chance to do it again to make up for it if you fail. It was all or nothing for the Titans but in this case it makes sense to me.


The other thing. Goodness Gracious that was a hard to deal bad beat. Bs bs bs

 

[DD4ME]

How do you Crystal ball guys feel we close in recruiting? Since we doubled down on that as our newest maxim I should probably track it closer.

(If at first the game or breaks don't go your way, recruit better players)

 

[DD4ME]

And we beat Auburn on the road. If we get 6 plus wins with some of what I have seen then I think we are headed in the right direction for sure. Otherwise, then I will see how the class goes. These last five games playing who we are will be a good indicator of progress or not. Beating two of USC, Kensucky, Mizzou, and Vandy and getting to six would be good. I do think we have a football coach and a really good staff.

6 wins would make me happy. True story

 

[engineerVOL]

How do you Crystal ball guys feel we close in recruiting? Since we doubled down on that as our newest maxim I should probably track it closer.

(If at first the game or breaks don't go your way, recruit better players)

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Misc VQ chat notes:

I think Drew Richmond is playing the best of his career.

-Hubbs

More PT for Byrd?

Don't see it. Was a good moment for him, but he's still down the pecking order if all WRs are available.

-Simonton

Who are the 7 players 'doing it right?'

This isn't the whole list ... but it's a strong indictor who they are sending out to talk to the media. Baylen Buchanan, Kyle Phillips, Nigel Warrior (who honestly was victimized multiple times in coverage Saturday but effort wasn't an issue with Nigel), Drew Richmond, Ty Chandler, Jauan Jennings.

Has staff looked at Banks as a LB?

Hubbs and I have discussed this very idea. Depending on how the 2019 class shakes out, where Banks practices this spring might be something to watch.

-Simonton

Will Banks learn to hold onto the ball?

if he doesn't then they better look at him at linebacker.

-Hubbs

Players leaving at years end

I think there will be a fairly steady amount of attrition that will start to take place in December. Mainly guys from those 16, 17 classes.

-Simonton

Melvin McBride a DL candidate?

I don't see it.

- Price

 

[Rishvol]

Altantic breaks down protection issues. It wasn't just amazing vs bad players it was a soup du jour of it all. It was great scheme by Saban, bad communication by our guys, and good ole fasioned man v man butt whoopin.

TBH I read excuse after excuse for JG not having the ability to read his pre snap reads and changing stuff up (which we now know he has the freedom to do) to help pick up blitzes and keep him upright

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

That Atlantic piece, coupled with how utterly inept our OL has looked all year, really has me wondering if Friend is the right guy for the job.

 

[DD4ME]

Misc VQ chat notes:

-Hubbs

More PT for Byrd?
-Simonton

Who are the 7 players 'doing it right?'


Has staff looked at Banks as a LB?
-Simonton

Will Banks learn to hold onto the ball?
-Hubbs

Players leaving at years end
-Simonton

Melvin McBride a DL candidate?
- Price

Good points about who they have interviewing. Will be interesting to see who ends up on the outside looking in and if we have any defections we didn't want.

 

[DD4ME]

That Atlantic piece, coupled with how utterly inept our OL has looked all year, really has me wondering if Friend is the right guy for the job.

I think our team plays tight and nervous. I have some guesses why but i think that is the first thing to fix as we play the easiest part of our schedule.

 

[nicksjuzunk]

And we beat Auburn on the road. If we get 6 plus wins with some of what I have seen then I think we are headed in the right direction for sure. Otherwise, then I will see how the class goes. These last five games playing who we are will be a good indicator of progress or not. Beating two of USC, Kensucky, Mizzou, and Vandy and getting to six would be good. I do think we have a football coach and a really good staff.

... and Butch beat USC first year.

I agree with you, but have some devil's advocate in me too. I've seen development, I've seen good scheming, I've seen a lot that makes me think we are going in the right direction. You won't hear me be unjustly critical of Pruitt, but it's way too early to tell.

 

[JacketVol]

... and Butch beat USC first year.

I agree with you, but have some devil's advocate in me too. I've seen development, I've seen good scheming, I've seen a lot that makes me think we are going in the right direction. You won't hear me be unjustly critical of Pruitt, but it's way too early to tell.

I agree. Even beating Auburn, we are 3-4. Still watching. Still, winning something I didn’t expect after watching the first four games was nice. Expected to beat Florida this year but not Auburn. We have to win the turnover battle to win most SEC games this year. Need to turn Bentley over a few times and Warrior needs to catch the dang ball.

 

[triadvolfan]

Altantic breaks down protection issues. It wasn't just amazing vs bad players it was a soup du jour of it all. It was great scheme by Saban, bad communication by our guys, and good ole fasioned man v man butt whoopin.

I'm going to have to disagree with the analysis on the play where JG fumbled. They were lined up in man to man with 2 high safeties. The safety on the side that's blitzing starts to cheat over pre-snap, they then go man to man after the blitz with a single high safety and the safety that cheated over sliding into man to cover the receiver the blitzing corner left open. It should have been obvious to JG they were blitzing from that side when the safety started to cheat over. The idea that the offense couldn't have figured it out if they hadn't seen that blitz before on film is nonsense.



Go to the 13 second mark and look at how the safeties are lined up and see that the safety on the blitzing side is shifting into position to cover the UT receiver in man.

 

[DD4ME]

I'm going to have to disagree with the analysis on the play where JG fumbled. They were lined up in man to man with 2 high safeties. The safety on the side that's blitzing starts to cheat over pre-snap, they then go man to man after the blitz with a single high safety and the safety that cheated over sliding into man to cover the receiver the blitzing corner left open. It should have been obvious to JG they were blitzing from that side when the safety started to cheat over. The idea that the offense couldn't have figured it out if they hadn't seen that blitz before on film is nonsense.



Go to the 13 second mark and look at how the safeties are lined up and see that the safety on the blitzing side is shifting into position to cover the UT receiver in man.

I think you and Pruitt are squarely on the same page, but JG and that OL aren't .

 

[WriterVol]

I have headaches daily and heart palpitations at least bi-weekly (I'm considered 100% healthy). Suck it up bitch.

I sure hope that was directed at Meyer and not me.

But I'm sorry to hear about your difficulties. I hope they improve.

 

[HoleInTheRoof]

Regarding the talk earlier of Jeremy Banks moving to linebacker

Brent and Jesse think he possibly moves in spring. I’ll go with a move sooner than that.

-Price

 

[appyvol]

That's not gonna happen

Never said it was?

 

[drvenner]

Urban gone.. Report: 'Friction' brewing between Urban Meyer, Ohio State

This sort of thing will just absolutely wear you down. I do not like Urban at all but his health might really be at risk. He is not the same. I am not feeling sorry for him at all. He brought it all on himself by covering up that crap for years. This year has taken an emotional toll and I think he will resign after their season is over.

 

[rekinhavoc]

Regarding the talk earlier of Jeremy Banks moving to linebacker

-Price

Al Willson 2.0?