Hearing we may be shocked by increased passing this year

[three hog night]

The word is that Chaney is going to be opening up the offense, and it will look more like his offense at Tenner.

It makes sense:
-BA is healthy and has good passing skills, but needs to go through his progressions
-WR corp looks to be better this year.  Demetrius Wilson appears to be ready for a break through.
-The oline is gelling
-The run game will be better if the safeties have to help CB's in coverage instead of playing run support like last year.

[three hog night]

I already got hammered in a PM lol.   What I should have said is that we will be able to pass when we need to this year, and it may very well be a whole game that is passing heavy.   The staff and players feel better about the WR's causing Safeties to come over the top a lot AND that Hatcher, Wilson and the 2 new kids appear to be better at getting off the line against press coverage.  Timing routes will be able to be used again this year.

[DeltaBoy]

We got to be able to pass effectively like we did under Bobby P or we will face 8 in the box again this year.

[online-with-swine]

If we are going to have a real chance with some of these in state WR recruits then we may need to open it up more first.  We had a very real lack of talent at the WR positions last year.  Add in us changing staff and offense along with BA's injury and we looked inept in the passing game.

More experience at the QB position, better natural talent and athleticism at wr, better familiarity with the offense as a whole and, like you stated, a respected running game will make us a ton better in the passing department.

The defense is a whole other story and problem.  We could show real improvement as a team this year but not see any improvement in the win loss column.

[bigbadhog]

We will never win passing the ball - we can only win by controlling the ball on the ground and running down the clock to keep good offenses off the field   I know this to be true because it is stated constantly on HV to the point of disgust by the Beliema Army and the BP haters...

[three hog night]

If we are going to have a real chance with some of these in state WR recruits then we may need to open it up more first.  We had a very real lack of talent at the WR positions last year.  Add in us changing staff and offense along with BA's injury and we looked inept in the passing game.

More experience at the QB position, better natural talent and athleticism at wr, better familiarity with the offense as a whole and, like you stated, a respected running game will make us a ton better in the passing department.

The defense is a whole other story and problem.  We could show real improvement as a team this year but not see any improvement in the win loss column.

Yes Defense scares me and it all hinges on Safety and LB.

[Wildhog]

"I hear our Dline is legit this year."

"This will be our most aggressive, physical defense in a long time."

"We're going to simplify the playbook."

"We're going to open up the playbook."

[ricepig]

"We are going to simply open a playbook this year."

[DeltaBoy]

It will be exciting to see how the new hogs do this fall.

[Hawgndaaz]

"I hear our Dline is legit this year."

"This will be our most aggressive, physical defense in a long time."

"We're going to simplify the playbook."

"We're going to open up the playbook."

" so and so is really going to break out this year"

break out of what? jail? Acne breakout?

[RazrRila99]

Sarcasm and facetiousness aside - will the coaches tell our QBs they do not need to dive into the end zone on an uncontested run?  Thats the play that ruint the season last year.  BA dove when he should have just waltzed in.  Dont be cute, just get it done. 

[Wildhog]

Sarcasm and facetiousness aside - will the coaches tell our QBs they do not need to dive into the end zone on an uncontested run?  Thats the play that ruint the season last year.  BA dove when he should have just waltzed in.  Dont be cute, just get it done. 

I believe he believed he had to dive. 

[urkillnmesmalls]

I believe he believed he had to dive.

I'm sure he was sure he did. 

[Steef]

Be willing to bet money (if I was a betting man) that BA has learned a lesson about diving.

[Steef]

We got to be able to pass effectively like we did under Bobby P or we will face 8 in the box again this year.

I agree we need a balanced offense.

But Nick stacked the line and blitzed against Mallett and Wilson. Which you can do if you only have a one-headed offense, regardless of which head it is.

It helps that we are beefing up the O-line. Blitzing against us will be far less effective now. Especially when we have 3 RBs that can burn you.

For the first time in six years, defenses are going to have to actually PREPARE for us this season. That will be new.

[Wildhog]

For the first time in six years, defenses are going to have to actually PREPARE for us this season. That will be new.

Don't kid yourself.  They had to seriously prepare for BP's offense.

[thirrdegreetusker]

If we are going to have a real chance with some of these in state WR recruits then we may need to open it up more first. 

cart               horse
chicken           egg

[thirrdegreetusker]

We got to be able to pass effectively like we did under Bobby P or we will face 8 in the box again this year.

I doubt we need to get back to BP level, where we were throwing interceptions when we had the lead, and the ball, in the fourth quarter.

But we need to be effective and, at times, dangerous in the passing game. Gotta challenge the defense.

[Steef]

Don't kid yourself.  They had to seriously prepare for BP's offense.

Uh-Huh.

Nick just blitzed constantly and totally ignored our running game. And Bobby had no answer for it.

In fairness, Nick COULD do that, because his athletes could cover man against anybody. And they did. But it was hardly complicated.

Anybody remember Ryan being constantly chased and ballooning his passes? Or Tyler flat on his back because the O-Line was virtually non-existent? I do.

Bret may not have Bobby's genius, but he does at least understand the value of an O-line.

[Shorttimer]

We will never win passing the ball - we can only win by controlling the ball on the ground and running down the clock to keep good offenses off the field   I know this to be true because it is stated constantly on HV to the point of disgust by the Beliema Army and the BP haters...

This is not true.  Nobody says this.  Certainly not "to the point of disgust."

As for this topic, I don't want an offense that is wide open.  Nor do I want an offense that is run oriented.  Rather, I want an offense that has the ability to take advantage of whatever the defense's weaknesses are.  We need to be good enough to throw it efficiently when there are opportunities in the passing game and good enough to run it when we need to run it.

Tell me what Alabama's offensive identity is.  You probably can't because it's different week to week.  There have been games where they throw it a lot--sometimes heavy play action, sometimes quick screen, sometimes heavy to the TEs and RBs.  Other games, they just line up and run it down your throat.  But they are good enough to do either, depending on the greatest opportunity for success.

When it is said that Bielema wants to be like Bama, it does not mean that he wants to line up and run it 60 times a game--Bama doesn't even do that.  Instead, it means that he wants to be good enough in all facets of the offense to take what the defense allows.  And he understands that begins with the offensive line.

Do I like Chaney saying he is going to open it up?  Only to the extent that it helps us take advantage of the opportunities that will arise when a defense gears itself to take away our running game.

[thirrdegreetusker]

Don't kid yourself.  They had to seriously prepare for BP's offense.

The also-rans were probably scare.

But in 2011, that 14 our O scored against Bama, and the 10 we scored against LSU did not give anyone sleepless nights. 

[Biggus Piggus]

Don't kid yourself.  They had to seriously prepare for BP's offense.

[hambone]

I agree we need a balanced offense.

But Nick stacked the line and blitzed against Mallett and Wilson. Which you can do if you only have a one-headed offense, regardless of which head it is.

It helps that we are beefing up the O-line. Blitzing against us will be far less effective now. Especially when we have 3 RBs that can burn you.

For the first time in six years, defenses are going to have to actually PREPARE for us this season. That will be new.

So you think other teams weren't preparing for us under Petrino? Seriously?

There were articles stating Saban was preparing for us during the summers while Petrino was here.

But you think an offense that scored 16 pts a game in conference has other coaches quaking in their boots?

[Wildhog]

The also-rans were probably scare.

But in 2011, that 14 our O scored against Bama, and the 10 we scored against LSU did not give anyone sleepless nights. 

They were prepared.

[Kevin]

i have moved to the point of don't tell me, SHOW ME!!!

[urkillnmesmalls]

They were prepared.

I definitely chuckled on that one.  Nice work.   

[Hoggish1]

"I hear our Dline is legit this year."

"This will be our most aggressive, physical defense in a long time."

"We're going to simplify the playbook."

"We're going to open up the playbook."

I agree with each point.  We are going to have a much improved D, which is what kept us from winning in BB's first year (Rutgers, Florida, Ole Miss, Miss State and LSU).

Our running game will be one of the top two in the SEC and we will have a very effective passing game because of it.

Our aggressive style of D will reward us with take aways well to the + side and the O will flourish!

[PonderinHog]

Attempts were about right last year.  I'm hoping for more completions.   

If we can get the PAP going, we should smear some teams.

[Steef]

They were prepared.

Yup.

Blitz package 1.
Blitz package 2.
Blitz package 3.
Repeat.

Go back to Bobby's last season and count the punts.

It's not enough to BE a genius. One also has to put it into practice.

We had NO Oline. We had minimal-to-NO running game. We had 1 or 2 dangerous receivers each season. Exactly how complicated does it get, to cover that?

"YOU!"
"Yes sir?"
"You cover Cobi!"
"Yes sir?"
"Coach, what do the rest of us do?"
"yawn.....Play kill the man with the ball."

The last single BRILLIANT play we saw Bobby pull out of his hat, was Mallett2Cobi on the last play of the first half against LSU. Knile tore them up during the second half, because for one brief period we had a defense scared of passing AND running.

And then poof. Knile got hurt. Every other RB we had went brain dead. The O-line recruits all fled and Bobby's offense became a one-trick pony that was easy to predict.

[Hawgon]

Call me crazy, but I wasn't a big fan of Cheney's offense at Tennessee.  It put up big numbers, but the play calling was inexplicable at times.  We didn't have much trouble defending it with our "terrible" defense in 2011.

[Wildhog]

Call me crazy, but I wasn't a big fan of Cheney's offense at Tennessee.  It put up big numbers, but the play calling was inexplicable at times.  We didn't have much trouble defending it with our "terrible" defense in 2011.

I've felt this way since we hired Chaney.  He'll get it done this year or I can't imagine that marriage lasting.

[Pork Twain]

We got to be able to pass effectively like we did under Bobby P or we will face 8 in the box again this year.

You don't have to fling it around like BP or June Jones to be effective

[Pork Twain]

Further proof that some of you will complain about anything.  All of a sudden JC is a bad OC to some on here because of questionable play calling but those same guys had no problem with BP's play calling.  Brilliant...

[bollweevil]

Once again, it's going to come down to quarterback, and the question remains . . . Is Brandon Allen an upper level DI quarterback or is he more suited for a place like UCA? (Think Zack Clark and Nathan Dick.) I have real concerns about his arm strength and his ability to scan the field and read through his progressions. Then there are the intangibles. How does he react to adversity? Does he want the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter? Brandon played a great first half against Texas A&M but when the Aggies got after us in the second half, he was miserable. Late in games he hasn't been at his best (Mississippi State and LSU). I hope that maturity, both physical and mental will help him make a giant leap in 2014, but I'll have to see it on the field.

[Steef]

Once again, it's going to come down to quarterback, and the question remains . . . Is Brandon Allen an upper level DI quarterback or is he more suited for a place like UCA? (Think Zack Clark and Nathan Dick.) I have real concerns about his arm strength and his ability to scan the field and read through his progressions. Then there are the intangibles. How does he react to adversity? Does he want the ball in his hands in the fourth quarter? Brandon played a great first half against Texas A&M but when the Aggies got after us in the second half, he was miserable. Late in games he hasn't been at his best (Mississippi State and LSU). I hope that maturity, both physical and mental will help him make a giant leap in 2014, but I'll have to see it on the field.

AJ McCarron was not a great QB and Nick managed to do all right with him.

[cosmodrum]

We will never win passing the ball - we can only win by controlling the ball on the ground and running down the clock to keep good offenses off the field   I know this to be true because it is stated constantly on HV to the point of disgust by the Beliema Army and the BP haters...

Tired. Ole. Crap.

[hoghearted]

Nick also had the advantage of a stout defense. He didnt have to lean so heavily on his offense, as do we.

[Atlhogfan1]

I won't be shocked in the least.  Last season, personnel and the health of it dictated what we did.  Passing plays were there to be made but one part or both failed in the execution.  Talent should increase with Wilson coming back, Fr who could help and the development of our young TE's.  And we actually will have depth at qb even if it is inexperienced as a whole. 

[Wildhog]

Further proof that some of you will complain about anything.  All of a sudden JC is a bad OC to some on here because of questionable play calling but those same guys had no problem with BP's play calling.  Brilliant...

If you can watch them both call a game, and don't come away with BP being the FAR superior play-caller, then that's a you problem.

[HamHands]

"I hear our Dline is legit this year."

"This will be our most aggressive, physical defense in a long time."

"We're going to simplify the playbook."

"We're going to open up the playbook."

Hootie, is that you?

[bigbadhog]

Tired. Ole. Crap.

This was in response to Tired. Ole. Crap about how BB's conservative style is going to be the savior of our football program.  We will run it down people throats and try to have an "efficient" passing game.  It worked so great for Hatfield, Crowe, Ford and Nutt so let's bring it back with BB...  Yeah, I know how you feel

[dwcherr]

Further proof that some of you will complain about anything.  All of a sudden JC is a bad OC to some on here because of questionable play calling but those same guys had no problem with BP's play calling.  Brilliant...

I like Chaney and think he will get it done here. But to act like his play calling has been unquestionable is hilarious. He is 9-31 as an SEC OC. That's 9 wins, 31 losses.

[urkillnmesmalls]

This was in response to Tired. Ole. Crap about how BB's conservative style is going to be the savior of our football program.  We will run it down people throats and try to have an "efficient" passing game.  It worked so great for Hatfield, Crowe, Ford and Nutt so let's bring it back with BB...  Yeah, I know how you feel

Hmm...who'd a thunk?  All this time I thought it was your attitude that was going to save the program.   

[bigbadhog]

Hmm...who'd a thunk?  All this time I thought it was your attitude that was going to save the program.   

It sure won't be the rose colored glasses and kool aid that save it... 

[Hawgon]

Further proof that some of you will complain about anything.  All of a sudden JC is a bad OC to some on here because of questionable play calling but those same guys had no problem with BP's play calling.  Brilliant...

Well, one of those has at times been regarded as the best play caller in the NFL and college, and the other is 9-31 in the SEC as a play caller.

[Arkansas Fan]

I had problems with some of Petrino's play calling. He'd call a toss play on a third and three to a guy like Broderick Green...

[bigbadhog]

I had problems with some of Petrino's play calling. He'd call a toss play on a third and three to a guy like Broderick Green...

Petrino is the best play-caller in the universe and you didn't have to worry about OC's leaving because it was still his offense - much like GM.  It is nice when the offense stays with the HC and doesn't leave with the OC...

[TheRazorbackGuy]

The word is that Chaney is going to be opening up the offense, and it will look more like his offense at Tenner.

It makes sense:
-BA is healthy and has good passing skills, but needs to go through his progressions
-WR corp looks to be better this year.  Demetrius Wilson appears to be ready for a break through.
-The oline is gelling
-The run game will be better if the safeties have to help CB's in coverage instead of playing run support like last year.

Unless Rafe Peavey is going to be a stud as a true freshman then I don't see it. Our QB play was bad to terrible last year

[Steef]

Petrino is the best play-caller in the universe and you didn't have to worry about OC's leaving because it was still his offense - much like GM.  It is nice when the offense stays with the HC and doesn't leave with the OC...

Bobby had easily one of the best offensive minds around. Maybe in history.

But he didn't always put it to use. "Fan" is correct. Broderie would sometimes get the carry 2-3 times in a row for no gain. Happened a LOT in our last squeaker against Ole Miss.

Stubborn? Or texting Sweetie? Who knows? But play calling in 2011 was hardly "brilliant".

[Hawgon]

Bobby had easily one of the best offensive minds around. Maybe in history.

But he didn't always put it to use. "Fan" is correct. Broderie would sometimes get the carry 2-3 times in a row for no gain. Happened a LOT in our last squeaker against Ole Miss.

Stubborn? Or texting Sweetie? Who knows? But play calling in 2011 was hardly "brilliant".

But good enough for our best season in more than 20 years, arguably longer.