Above The Line Watch

Interesting but like others, I don't know what it means. Do all ATL play or just some of them? There are 33 on offense and 28 on defense. Specialists are separate. If all will play does that mean some just on special teams? If so, how many would that take off the offense and defense?
 
I think the expectation is that ATL guys will play. The idea being to keep fresh legs and develop experienced depth. I’m sure there will be cases where somebody gets lost in the fold during a game, by unless I’m mistaken CGC has said that ATL players will play.
 
Given that this year is widely regarded as a free pass for Collins and crew, I wonder if the strategy of so many underclassmen being ATL is being put in play just to sell the idea of playing time as freshman to accentuate next year’s recruiting class. Then you’ve possibly stolen two good classes in a row without considerable on-field results to help get ready for when the rubber meets the road in 2021.
 
gtrower said:
I think the expectation is that ATL guys will play. The idea being to keep fresh legs and develop experienced depth. I’m sure there will be cases where somebody gets lost in the fold during a game, by unless I’m mistaken CGC has said that ATL players will play.
Click to expand...
I think a lot of them will play, though it may be on special teams and not at their normal position. I think there are definitely a number who are ATL but won't play barring injury, like our backup punter.
 
MeatWrench said:
Given that this year is widely regarded as a free pass for Collins and crew, I wonder if the strategy of so many underclassmen being ATL is being put in play just to sell the idea of playing time as freshman to accentuate next year’s recruiting class. Then you’ve possibly stolen two good classes in a row without considerable on-field results to help get ready for when the rubber meets the road in 2021.
Click to expand...
The number of freshmen playing seems about on par with the past ten years. One, maybe two or three, will start. Not unusual. I'm hoping we see more year over year improvements from those young phenoms than in the past.
 
Being they can play 4 games and redshirt, I'd expect several to be held for later in the season when injuries and fatigue are a factor.
 
I was hoping to see K Benson on there, maybe the knee is not 100% yet.
 
My problem with the above the line crap is that you can't prepare 61 guys like they are the starter. If you're giving all these guys equal reps, you're not doing the team any favors IMO. At the end of the day, your starters are getting less reps than the other teams starters. And maybe our second guy is better prepared, but he's second for a reason. Especially in this program right now.
 
This ATL thinking would work better at an Alabama, where the second and third string guys are legitimately big time talents. Keep them motivated, keep them from transferring out, keep them improving. Tech just isn't there yet. If we play our third guy meaningful reps at any position it has to hurt the team. Interesting to watch this play out. It's going to be really annoying trying to figure out who is on the field at any given time.
 
Final comment on the transfer portal. There are a lot of players still in the portal without a landing spot including some four stars.
 
txsting said:
My problem with the above the line crap is that you can't prepare 61 guys like they are the starter. If you're giving all these guys equal reps, you're not doing the team any favors IMO. At the end of the day, your starters are getting less reps than the other teams starters. And maybe our second guy is better prepared, but he's second for a reason. Especially in this program right now.
Click to expand...
The players know what is what and where they stand. At practice they typically have 3 groups... As Bs and Cs, same as first string, second string, third string. They mix here and there but it's not a free for all.

ATL is just nomenclature. It is not as radical a departure as they're selling it to be.
 
Architorture23 said:
The players know what is what and where they stand. At practice they typically have 3 groups... As Bs and Cs, same as first string, second string, third string. They mix here and there but it's not a free for all.

ATL is just nomenclature. It is not as radical a departure as they're selling it to be.
Click to expand...


Ya, some of the ATL stuff is just to troll opposing coaches week to week.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top