Hangin' With Big Al

Loser With Socks reports that Alabama might get a real, live elephant mascot for its football games. LWS lays out some reason this would be a very bad idea. But add another: They can't take the pachyderm to Erwin, Tennessee. They hang elephants there!

The Spread Cometh?

I've been thinking recently about the debate started by Kyle King over at Dawg Sports. The debate goes like this: on one side of the argument is College Football Resource who states its hypothesis thusly:

"Auburn's hiring of Al Borges beget LSU's hiring of Gary Crowton, both former Pac-10 offensive coordinators. Florida won a title with a coach it hired because of his reputation as an offensive mastermind. Auburn continues to win the Iron Bowl. Alabama's gotten antsy and hired a competent coach who in turn hired a hotshot young offensive coordinator (Major Applewhite). Tennessee ditched its ineffective offensive coordinator for the more aggressive David Cutcliffe. Arkansas flirted with Gus Malzahn as its offensive coordinator. There's a dramatic shift going on within the conference at the moment, actioned mostly on the offensive side of the ball.

We can argue about how effective Borges has been post-2004, whether Cutcliffe really fits into all of this, how much Florida's offense had to do with the championship and all these other issues again, but that's not really what interests me so much as the trend behind it all. There's an offensive shift going on that has the power to reshuffle the deck completely."

One the other hand is Kyle King who argues that despite the offensive coaching talent in the SEC, running and defense are the true coin of the realm. While I agree with Kyle that defense and the running game will always win SEC football games, I also believe that CFR is on to something, just not as complete a paradigm shift as CFR might propose.

LSU under Gary Crowton will look a lot like LSU has looked in past years with Jimbo Fisher at the helm (Les Miles, an avid run man, won't let Crowton throw it every down.). Nor will Al Borges, Steve Spurrier, or David Cutcliff suddenly change schemes. I think we know what we are getting in those guys and it's more of the same. Mike Bobo and Major Applewhite are potentially gifted coordinators, but both work for head coaches who prefer balance. The major offensive wrinkle of the next five years in the SEC will be Urban Meyer's spread offense. The spread is the next big adjustment to SEC football.

I can hear you now: you idiot, the spread hasn't worked in the SEC, Urban has already adjusted away from the spread, even Mike Shula can stop the spread, etc. I actually agree that the spread has not worked efficiently as a true spread offense at Florida. It's true that UF has won with a great defense and a heady, patient, consistent offense. They have not been the spectacular juggernaut promised by the spread's potential. Many blame Chris Leak alone, but I think it wasn't just his fault. UF hasn't had a great back since Urban has been there and their receivers, while good, were not the speedy, flashy playmakers Urban needs. Despite the publicity of the passing game, the run is the basis of the spread, especially the QB run. With Chris Leak at the helm, Urban was handcuffed. He won't be with Tebow. Add a competent back to the mix, and defending the spread running game gets more and more complex.

"Run it, Timbo."

This year, all the pieces are there for Urban's christening of a new offensive machine, running on the spread offense. He has Timmy Tebow, a plow horse runner who can also throw. With Percy Harvin, the Gator's have a touchdown threat whenever he touches the ball. Harvin, Jarred Fayson, and Andre Caldwell give Tebow a solid group of quick receivers to hit on short routes and screens. And, depending on Chris Rainey living up to his hype, they have a back that can consistently make plays. All the ingredients are present for the Gators to start scoring the way Utah did in 2004.

With that being said, I offer a few fine points on what I think will stop the spread.

1. Rangy, fast outside linebackers. The spread running game is essentially a group of option draws, most veering off tackle. The other main staple of the spread is short passes in the 5-15 yard range. I think that group of plays put immense pressure on outside linebackers, who in a four wide set, must both guard in coverage and support a draw. This means the outside linebackers have to be quick, both physically and mentally. The OLBs must have the speed to cover, but also the speed to recover defensive space in the case of a broken play QB scramble or a delayed draw. Not only must the linebacker be fast, but also rangy. The spread is all about space. The more the defensive player can consume and occupy space, the less room the offensive can exploit and isolate. The linebacker doesn't need to be gigantic, but must play long, like a basketball player.
2. Tackles that defend the run first. Again, this is about space. Run stoppers tend to be big and bulky, without the quickness of a pass rusher. They are there to consume space and blocks so that the linebackers can roam around. If DTs can take away the inside draws and sneaks, it shrinks the field for the OLBs and safeties.
3. Tackling. The spread is designed to isolate a single match up through space and speed: one defensive player, usually your safety, against an offensive playmaker, like Harvin or Tebow. Urban bets that if that match up happens, he will win because the playmaker will be a better athlete. Thus, if that match up happens, the defense must tackle every time. Missed tackles against other offenses are bad, but misses against the spread will turn into touchdowns.
4. Disguise run support. The base of the spread is not the pass, it is the run. Shutting down a well run option attack is difficult enough, but it become more fearful when a deep pass is a real threat. If a defense attempts to drop into coverage, the spread QB will run. Thus, the defense must make the QB think it is dropping coverage when it is actually attacking the run.
   

I think the SEC is in for an offensive shift and it revolves around the spread. But, it isn't a revolutionary, pass-happy attack contemplated by CFR, its a running and defensive revolution. The spread is a different way to run the ball effectively through stretching space through speed and isolation. SEC defenses will have to adjust their scheme and players to defend it.

Dawgs Rule the Country Club

I know you don't care, but this is my blog. Georgia had quite a run this weekend in the country club sports. Georgia's men and women's tennis teams won the SEC tournament and regular season crowns this year, winning both tournaments this weekend. The Georgia women's golf team also captured an SEC crown this weekend. The other golf dawgs got off to a rough start in the men's tournament and eventually fell short to champion Tennessee. I suppose they can be forgiven, as they have spent most of the year at No. 1 in the national polls.

Sabansanity

Hats off to Saban and the Tiders. 92,138 is an impressive number for a spring game, college football's seasonal masturbatory exercise. This is just a continuation of the Saban-mania gripping the state. As if you'll need more visual proof, here's a video shot by the Bama fan prototype: overfed, overjowled, and over-"traditioned."

"It's just a practice game, Jennifer."

I've also heard that Saban started the game coaching the Crimson team until the White team boosters offered him $25 to change sides for the second half.

I expect a full report in the comment section from Yellowhammer and Bill Curry's Brick.

Does Size Really Matter?

Over 92,000 fans showed up for the first Nick Saban-era spring game at Alabama yesterday. And if there's any question about Saban's desire to live up to the Bear's legacy -- at least sartorially -- check out the picture, showing Saban in a coat and tie for the game! The White team beat the Crimson, 20-13, but I won't make any jokes about how good it is to be white in Alabama. What I will joke about is how the fun-'n'-gun Tide has maintained its high-scoring ways even after the departure of Mike Shula. And, it's funny that more people showed up for this scrimmage than the actual game against Duke last season. But then again, fans yesterday were pretty much guaranteed an Alabama victory; against Duke, the outcome was in serious doubt.

I predict that this amazing turnout will spur a spring-game version of "Mine's bigger than yours" from the usual suspects, namely Michigan and Tennessee. (Although Penn State is right up there in capacity, they've never seemed to be as obsessed with size as the Wolverines and Vols.) I'd imagine a lot of Tennessee fans spit out their Sunday morning coffee chaw when they saw that Alabama had set any kind of attendance record. In case you're curious, Tennessee drew just over 17,000 to its spring game. Aw. Maybe the Tennessee fans were in the pool.

No More Texts? OMG!

Mark Sanchez, USC backup QB

The NCAA management committee, the cruel overlord of the intricate code of compliance for college sports, has approved a proposal to end text messaging as a recruiting tool. Ironically, the Ivy Leaguers, probably the same group that invented text messaging, were the group to propose the text ban. I can imagine the SEC complaining about Urban Meyer's legion of teenage girls he uses to perpetually blow up a recruit's cell phone with texts (G8Rs want U bad!), but the Ivys?

I for one am happy to hear about the proposed ban. Mark Richt doesn't know how to email, so I'm skeptical that he can compete with Urban's text posse in sheer volume of attention and prompted phone calls. The real winners have got to be the parents of uber recruits who are now relieved of the burden of paying text messaging fees.

The full proposal goes before the Board of Directors on April 26th.

The only coach more upset than Urban? Houston Nutt.

Virginia Tech Update

-The Roanoke Times reports that all but three coaches of the Virginia Tech sports teams report their athletes were accounted for and safe. The newspaper couldn't reach the other three.

Ryan Clark (left)

-Of course, the athletes are a tiny part of the university community. Ryan Clark, a member of the Tech marching band, the Marching Virginians, was killed in the first shooting incident yesterday at West Ambler Johnston Hall. Clark was only a few weeks from graduating with a double major.

-The AJC also reports that German professor, UGA grad, and Braves fan Christopher Bishop was killed in his classroom during the second shooting incident at Norris Hall.

The tragedy of this story is hard to overstate. Be sure to read Orson's advice about one reaction you should have to this tragedy, a greater appreciation for your family and friends.

Sympathy for the Hokies

As I'm sure you know by now, the deadliest shooting in American history happened this morning on the campus of Virginia Tech. King Bee and I want to express our sincerest condolences to the Virginia Tech community.

If you are a member of the Rivals.com community, they have a dedicated message board for the Virginia Tech fans. I urge you to post your sympathies over there. Even if you aren't a Rivals.com subscriber, I still urge you to go over there and take a look at the array of fans offering their condolences to the Hokies. There were over 6,000 people signed on this afternoon. Fans from all sorts of schools including Virginia, Michigan, Georgia, LSU, and Texas have posted.

These types of tragedies remind us that sports are a trivial part of campus life, but they also show us that sports are a great unifier during times of strife. While we root with all our might against some teams or schools, we sports fans are also some of the first to extend our support to that same rival in a time of grief.

Spurrier: "Mr. Governor, Tear Down This Flag!"

Okay, so the Ol' Ball Coach wasn't that dramatic, but he did state publicly that he thinks South Carolina should remove the Confederate flag that flies at its statehouse. I've always wondered whether that flag gets used against the Gamecocks (and Clemson) in recruiting, and whether the Rebels imagery gets used against Ole Miss. So there's no real downside for Spurrier in making this statement, and lots of upside. One wonders if the presidential candidates who traipse through South Carolina will have the same guts as Mr. Shiny Pants.

I promise we're not turning this into a Spurrier or Florida blog. It's just a slow sports news period, and they're making news. Hopefully, Kyle will make it to Omaha for the CWS or something else interesting will happen. We're always looking.

Spring Truths

So, your team's spring practice is winding down. The big spring game has come and gone. The depth chart has changed, the freshmen looked promising, next year is your year. Well, let me bring you down a bit. Here are my three eternal laws of spring football:

1. The walk on breakthrough player you kept hearing about, he won't be around come fall camp. He'll still be on the team, but he will go back to his place in the depth chart abyss. For the Dawgs, this player is Jason Johnson. Even last year, the coaches talked Johnson up. He was doing well, catching people's eye, playing his way up the depth chart, maybe even earning a scholarship. Then, when we ran out of tailbacks in the Auburn game last year, did the coaches turn to Johnson? No. They had our fullback move to tailback for the final minutes. Where was Jason Johnson? Ridin' pine, like a walk on should.

You hear about these guys because the second string/scout team players get more reps. I'm sure they do a fine job, but you will never hear of them until next spring because the scholarship guys, the ones who actually play in the games, get all the reps come fall.

2. What is good news for your team is also bad news for your team. This is one thing I hate about spring football, no matter what happens, it's bad for some part of your team. If the offense lights it up, your defense is weak. If the defense dominates, then your O is in trouble. Either way, you should be troubled. I sometimes think about what a good balance would be, but I can't think of one.

3. Injuries tend to outnumber breakout stars. Spring ball is usually good for at least one season ending injury. Just ask Mon Williams. For some reason, spring ball injuries more players than fall ball. The NCAA tried to put in a bunch of regulations on the types and frequency of spring contact back in 1998 to curb injuries, but it didn't seem to work. For every breakout young player, there seems to be a player lost for the year. Georgia seemed to escape the injury bug this year, but after years of shoulder injury purgatory, we were due for a healthy spring.

Spring ball has it's redeeming features: the team gets reps, units get to work together for the first time, the redshirts get a feel for the speed of college. But, spring should be taken with a hint of skepticism.

Plus, spring football is the harbinger of the college sports desert of summer. After Omaha wraps up in a few weeks, you'll have to wade through the summer clinging to baseball and country club sports.

Spurrier Kicks Ohio State

In typical Shiny Pants fashion, Spurrier has called Ohio State "Runner-up U." This quote shows why Spurrier is both loved and detested. Loved for his brash comments and willingness to ditch coachspeak. Detested because of his brash comments and willingness to kick opponents while they're down.

Hey, Stevie, if Ohio State is runner-up U., what is South Carolina?

In other Gator news, King Bee pointed me to this example of the twisted thinking of Gator Nation. It shows that while non-Gators may not have the scoreboard in our favor, we will always appear to be more normal and classy human beings. (Yes, I realize that class is a measure only of concern to the defeated. Gators still wear jean shorts.)

"Go write the great American novel. Go start a Fortune 500 company. Go Gators."

I'm Happy Basketball Is Over

Once, I really loved college basketball. The players were fun. They weren't separated from the fans by great distances, facemasks, or hats. The crowd is right on top of the action. I still enjoy the game, but when every good player leaves after one year, it's not as much fun. So, here are my top reasons why I'm glad to see basketball go.

1. The last two minutes. Is there a more exciting and frustrating two minutes in sport? Basketball games are usually a consistent two hours. You know you aren't making a big time commitment, but those last two minutes, filled with constant fouls and time outs, seem to take forever. Only a buzzer beater makes it worth it.

2. My team broke my heart. I really thought Georgia was going to make the tournament this year. We seemed to have a solid nucleus of players and a demanding schedule. Three things kept us from dancing, Mike Mercer's knee, a collapse in Tuscaloosa, and an inexcusable loss to Western Kentucky at home. Levi Stukes should not have missed the Kentucky game, but I honestly didn't think there was much hope then anyway.

3. My bracket is ruined. Damn you Kansas.

4. Baseball is here. Baseball just seems like a happier game. The sun is shinning, the grass is green, the ball cracks off a bat rather than pounds on a hard floor. Baseball is more quiet, more peaceful. Plus, baseball announcers always seem more professional, less likely to scream or spout out a stream of uncontrolled gibberish.

5. I Dislike Gator Success. I don't need to explain this one.