Wednesday September 03, 2008

Alabama Game Worksheet

The Alabama Game Worksheet
Offensive Goals Made
Red Zone Scoring-80%-100%

Offensive Goals Missed
More than 225 yards passing-188
Fewer than two turnovers-2
Fewer than 3 sacks per game-3
More than 150 yards rushing-0
More than 4 yards per carry-0.0
More than 20 first downs-11
Better than 60% pass completions percentage-59%
Red Zone-60% touchdowns-0%
More than 27 points-10

Defensive Goals Made
None
Defensive Goals Missed
Fewer than 18 first downs-25
Fewer than 125 yards rushing- 239
More than two turnovers-0
Fewer than 3.5 yards per carry-4.8
Fewer than 18 points-34
Fewer than 200 yards passing-180
Less than 55% pass completion percentage- 73%
More than 3 sacks per game-0
Red Zone-40% touchdowns- 50%
Red Zone Scoring-70%-100%

Penalty yardage fewer than 50 per game-43

Overall Report Analysis-Grades and Comments:
Offense-Rushing
Interior running game-The Tigers interior running game was non-existent. Clemson’s guards and centers had a tough time handling Alabama’s huge nose guard, Terrence Cody. He clogged the middle and the Tigers could not the mountain man.
Perimeter running game-What limited success Clemson had came on the edge. The Tigers ran the ball only 14 times but the only success they had was with the perimeter running game.
Option game-N/A.
Draws-N/A.
Short yardage running game-Clemson did not face a short yardage situation the entire game.
Yards after contact-Bama’s linebackers did a terrific job of limiting Clemson backs to yards after contact.

Offense-Passing
Pass protection-Clemson could not protect Cullen Harper and gave up three sacks and several more pressures. The Tigers did utilize a quick three-step drop scheme to help. In the end, Bama was able to put a lot of pressure on Harper.
Underneath passing game-This was really all that Clemson had. They were relegated to throwing underneath the Crimson Tide coverage.
Intermediate passing game-There were a couple of times were Clemson was able to hit a pass in the intermediate routes but they were not consistent. Bama knew the Tigers had abandoned the run and they knew they did not have to worry about the threat of the run so the Alabama linebackers were able to get deep drops into their zones. Bama also did not have to send extra attackers to create pressure. These factors made it difficult to complete curls and intermediate routes.
Vertical passing game-Harper was not sharp on his deep balls. He missed and did not have deep passing game.
Screens-Clemson ran five wide receiver screens by my account. The first three were successful but the last two were not. This was a big part of the offense because the Tigers could not create anything inside. It was not a huge part of the offense because the Tide did not have to blitz in order to get pressure.
Drops-The Tigers really struggled catching the football. It was the worst night for the receivers since the Georgia Tech game of a year ago. I am not sure what it is about Atlanta.
Yards after catch-Jacoby Ford had one breakaway but Alabama did a nice job for most of the game in keeping the receivers in check after the catch.
QB throws on time-I thought Harper held the ball too long at times and he was unable to avoid the rush after he held the ball too long. This is a concern.

Offense-Overall
First down yardage-Awful. This was a big key. Clemson got manhandled on first down and could not climb out of the hole.
Third down conversion-Because first down was a nightmare third down became a bigger problem. Clemson could not convert but partly because of the yardage they faced on third down.
Big Plays-The Tigers hit on only two big plays: Ford’s catch and Spiller’s kick return.
Trick plays- N/A

Defense-Overall
Tackling-One of the poorest efforts I can remember. Even when Clemson stopped a Tide back he still got four yards. This is an area that has to be a major concern.
First down yardage- This was perhaps the most disappointing area of the entire night. Time and time again Alabama gained huge chunks of yards on first down.
Third down conversion- The Tigers did not give themselves much of a chance here. Bama controlled first down so they had great opportunities on third and short.
Limit of Big Plays- Actually Bama did n ot hit a ton of big plays. Instead they grinded out methodical drives.

Defense-Running game
Interior running game- The Crimson Tide shoved it right down Clemson’s throat and the Tigers could do nothing to stop it. Alabama imposed their will on Clemson all night.
Perimeter running game- The Tide pulled a lineman or two and ran a few sweeps but for the most part it was too easy to run on the interior so they did not have to try to many perimeter oriented plays.
Option game- N/A.
Draws- Like most plays, the draw seemed to work all night for the dominating offense.
Short yardage running game-The offensive line was incredible especially in the short yardage situations.
Yards after contact- Huge area of concern. Alabama’s backs keep their feet driving and physically punished Clemson defenders.

Defense-Passing Game
Pressure- The Tigers came close a few times but yielded zero sacks.
Underneath passing game coverage- Alabama was able to dump off the ball and Wilson checked down well.
Intermediate passing game coverage-The Tide used the tight end to destroy the Tigers in the intermediate area.
Vertical passing game coverage- Bama was not able to get any deep balls against the Tigers.
Screens-The running back screens hurt Clemson the times Alabama ran them. It seemed they caught Clemson blitzing often.
Passes broken up- Da’Quan Bowers batted a ball at the line of scrimmage but Clemson’s secondary could not.

Open field tackling-Bad but the real issue was not in the open field. However, they miss several sack opportunities because of bad open field tackling.

Special Teams
Kickoff returns- Spiller’s electric return was the lone highlight of the night.
Kick-off coverage- Buchholz did not kick the ball very deep or high but the coverage was adequate.

Punt return/block- When you only force two punts this is not an area where you could impress.

Punt coverage-Snap, protection, punt, coverage-Another highlight. I thought the punt team played well. Zimmerman benefited from good snaps and protection and his leg is lively.

Field Goals/extra points-snap, hold, protection, kick- Clemson converted the only field goal and extra point they attempted.

Overall Team
Energy, Enthusiasm, Leadership- The single biggest disappointment of the evening. Clemson was flat and did nothing to change it.
Coaching
Emotionally prepared-This staff did not have this team ready to play emotionally.
Game plan-It is hard to say if the gameplan was sound or not because of the physical dominance being the factor.
Adjustments- What adjustments were made did not work.
Personnel-N/A.
Time outs- N/A.

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