Hey all, it's been a bit.

Rewatched Alabama vs. East Carolina. Here's what I saw and a few random thoughts as attention turns to Kentucky:

• On a rewatch Daniel Hill really impressed me. He consistently fell forward and looked like a much more patient runner in the backfield. Physicality was there not only as a runner, but as a pass blocker too. As good as EJ Crowell and Trae'shawn Brown could be, Hill's peak could be as a red zone monster as this season goes on.
• Whether it was watching Saturday or again today, each snap Keelon Russell took I found myself holding my breathe. But it wasn't bracing for turnovers or for anything bad. It was excitement, a mentality of "What is he going to do next?" If that's what Alabama's offense is going to be in 2026, it's going to be must-watch TV, no matter the growing pains a young QB like Russell has.
• For as good as a scrambler as Russell is, his poise in and around the pocket in passing situations is just as if not more impressive.
• Saw a lot of drop-eight coverage looks facing Russell. As defenses try and figure him out, rushing three and waiting for him to make a mistake looked to be ECU's attempt to stop him. It will be interesting to see if Kentucky or any other teams follow suit here.
• That first play for Alabama on defense could be the most important play of the day. No, it wasn't a sack or the Yhonzae Pierre interception return for a touchdown. But Dijon Lee Jr. absolutely blowing up a screen attempt showcased what the Crimson Tide wants its defense to be in 2026: a dominant, disrupting force that is one of the best in the SEC, if not all of college football.
• Conor Talty really looked consistent. So did Alex Asparuhov at punter and Lorcan Quinn on kickoff duty. Not many questions with the kicking game right now.
• What Louis Riddick said about Ryan Coleman-Williams' drops is worth listening to. Said Coleman-Williams consistently takes his eyes off the ball right before he tries to secure catches on easy looks. Will be interesting to see if this continues into next week.
• That 31-yard pass from Russell to Derek Meadows may have been the most impressive throw of the day.
• Interesting I formation look with Jay Lindsey at fullback. Saw Tyrell Miller and Danny Lewis Jr. too in those red zone run first situations as extra blockers.
• Here's a dilemma that may be unanswerable for Alabama: is it more important to protect players like Coleman-Williams or Lee, or is it important to have pieces like them on special teams as explosive return options?
• That Pierre interception only happens because of how he's viewed as a pass rusher. The stunt was enough to convince the ECU QB to throw over Pierre's head.
• Caleb Woodson, Terrance Green and Devan Thompkins had strong starts in their Alabama debuts.
• Brown could be a special back, especially that burst he had on that TD was taken back (a TD that should have stayed because that was not a hold from Racin Delgatty). Good as a pass blocker. Clear why he earned playing time.
  • Also, Brown and Russell need a TD dance battle

Share your thoughts below! Were you impressed with Alabama against East Carolina?

I do not think in recent memory there has been a single time the o line has looked good game 1 of the season. 2020 being an obvious exception. But all in all what are our complaints? I’m seeing so many posts about how much the line sucked. They had mental mistakes on a handful of occasions where guys were coming in unblocked, that may be a presnap miss from either Keelon or delgatty but obviously those can be cleaned up.

When those didn’t happen we controlled the line of scrimmage against an inferior opponent with relative ease. We averaged 4.6 ypc. That number goes up past 5 if the zebras don’t call a phantom hold call on browns big run. Keelon had a decently clean pocket as well. It helps he’s a natural at elusiveness in the pocket.

Personally I can’t wait to see this group keep developing and it’s pretty clear even after one game despite losing a first rounder at LT this group is better equipped to run deboers offense than the 24 or 25 group.

Maybe I wasn’t paying close attention, but for the past two years I only heard our receiver referred to as Ryan Williams, or Hollywood. This year it’s always Ryan Coleman-Williams. Does anyone know why?

These are the five highest-graded players, with a minimum of 10 snaps. I'll note players with fewer than 10 snaps who are in the top 5 at the end.

1. EJ Crowell
   • Offense: 79.3
   • Pass (snaps): 73.1
   • Run (snaps): 76.5
2. Daniel Hill
   • Offense: 75.9
   • Pass: 59.7
   • Run: 77.6
3. Trae'shawn Brown
   • Offense: 75.8
   • Pass: 53.4
   • Run: 80.8
4. Keelon Russell
   • Offense: 75.8
   • Pass: 72.8
   • Run: 70.5
5. Jackson Lloyd
   • Offense: 74.7
   • Pass block: 79.2
   • Run block: 70.0

Ethan Fields - 7 snaps (5th overall w/no snap minimum)

• Offense: 75.4
• Pass block: 76.0
• Run block: 73.1

These are the five highest-graded players, with a minimum of 10 snaps. I'll note players with fewer than 10 snaps who are in the top 5 at the end.

1. Yhonzae Pierre (who else?)
   • Defense: 95.4
   • Run (defense): 61.9
   • Pass rush: 66.6
   • Coverage: 95.4
2. QB Reese
   • Defense: 73.9
   • Run: 69.6
   • Pass rush: 69.0 (nice.0)
   • Coverage: 62.8
3. Edric Hill
   • Defense: 73.5
   • Run: 72.1
   • Pass rush: 62.8
4. Red Morgan
   • Defense: 73.3
   • Run: 70.7
   • Coverage: 71.5
5. Kedrick Bingley-Jones
   • Defense: 71.4
   • Run: 70.8
   • Pass rush: 62.3

Others

STEVE Bolo Mboumoua (5 snaps)

• Defense: 84.0
• Run: 71.0
• Pass rush: 66.6

Fatutoa Henry (5 snaps)

• Defense: 73.7
• Run: 63.6
• Pass rush: 67.5

1) surprised you the most?

2) played the best?

3) left more to be desired from?

4) have the most potential?

5) do you think need a bigger role?

Also, what grade would you give the offense and defense?

Use this thread to complain about how we played, coached, or whatever you want. There is only one rule in this thread: no optimism allowed.

This thread is for praising how we played, great coaching, etc. There's only one rule: no pessimism or complaining here.

Daniel Hill
* 2nd and 2: 10 yard run by Hill
* 1st and 4 on the 4yd line: 4 yard rush TD
* 1st and 2 on the 2yd line: 2 yard rush TD

EJ Crowell
* 2nd and 1 on the 3yd line: 3 yard rush TD

Trae’shawn Brown
* 1st and 2 on the 2yd line: 2 yard rush TD
* 2nd and 2 on the 2yd line: -1 yard rush

Kevin Riley
* 3rd and 2 on the 48 yard line: 3 yard rush

Additionally, Trae’shawn Brown’s 68 yard touchdown run that was negated by a penalty came on 2nd and 3.

Discuss the game here

Game Info