First of all, Bama won the toss and elected to receive the football, a decision I generally like and would say I wish Texas did more often if not for the fact that this year's offense has started so slowly, so often.
The key to the entire drive is the opening play from scrimmage, in which McElroy opens in the shotgun, trips receivers left, with Ingram (backfield) and Peek (TE) aligned weakside. Florida opens in 4-3 defense and brings up Brandon Hicks late to the LOS to blitz. Alabama easily handles Florida's five rushers, while Ingram releases into the short flat, Peek drags across the field right-to-left, and Julio Jones runs a hard square-in after 10 yards. McElroy half-pumps Ingram before seeing Julio Jones open -- behind the linebackers and in front of the DBs and hits him in stride near the sideline for a 15 yard gain. McElroy didn't see him, but Peek was even more wide open to his left.
Alabama eventually moves into field goal range and have to attempt a 48 yarder after Julio Jones drops a very catchable slant on 3rd down that would have kept the chains moving. Tiffin's kick is down the middle, and would have cleared 55 yards, if need be.
What's most interesting about the drive is the extreme diversity Alabama showed in their offensive formations. McElroy under center, McElroy in the shotgun. Single tight end with trips receivers right, twin tight ends with a slot receiver in motion. I-formation. Each and every play, something new. Nothing fancy or gadgety, but lots of variety.
0 recs | 12 comments
Stop the run
force McElroy to fall back, maybe scramble, keep Julio doubled up w/ an eye on Maze. Julio dropping the slant is pretty uncharacteristic, I’d say.
Infield Elephant - December 23, 2009
hmm..
i’d say he’s good for one easy drop per game. It’s a little frustrating with his ability (think T.O.).
chase182 - December 23, 2009
At least one drop
IHC800 - December 23, 2009
really?
one clear drop like this one? I’ve seen less production than last year for sure, but attributed it to double coverage and such, but not straight-up drops.
Infield Elephant - December 23, 2009
well
the drops aren’t the reason he’s had a down year, but yes he clearly drops (like IHC said) at least one easy one per game.
chase182 - December 23, 2009
it's been a problem all year
he suffered an ankle injury early in the season that clearly limited some of his explosiveness but he’s just not been up to snuff the whole season.
kleph - December 23, 2009
still...
you can’t take jones for granted by any means. when lsu had to pull cornerback Patrick Peterson out of the game with leg cramps they put a safety on julio and hoped for the best… well, this happened.
kleph - December 23, 2009
Also
playcalling was different from what I saw McElwain do all year. Good variety in this game, but did not see the same throughout the season.
Infield Elephant - December 23, 2009
when peek was out with an injury
during the second half of the season, it really hamstrung mcelroy’s ability to spread things out like this. he has been a major reason for our success this year but hardly ever gets any credit for it.
kleph - December 23, 2009
Ha
See the new post that just went up. Obviously, I agree.
Peter Bean - December 23, 2009
Makes me wonder what our O would be
if Irby were still the TE.
Oh well. 13-0 is still 13-0.
edsp - December 23, 2009
the run game would definitely be better, thats for damn sure.
ThunderHorn - December 23, 2009
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