But I think it's harder to implement adjustments, especially major ones, when you are on a week-to-week basis. I get that it more efficiently preserves time in the regular season. But I don't think that the practice time is sufficient to continually overhaul game planning on a weekly basis. It's enough to exploit some things here or there.
And another thing regarding the regular season and the NCG, Bama's coaches are largely familiar with SEC opponents. There's probably less scouting/film they need during regular season versus an NCG against an unfamiliar opponent.
I am not saying you are wrong. Rather, Bama has been very good at exploiting weaknesses in the postseason, and moreso than they've been able to in the regular season. Is that coaching? Is that scouting? Is that more gameplanning? Does that mean more adjustments? Is it more motivation?
IMHO, it's some variation of all of the above.
In my experience, more time for coaches (instead of watching film and scouting) didn't really mean more adjustments in our gameplan. It might have added a wrinkle or 2 but the process largely stayed pretty consistent with regard to base offenses and defenses.
The only times when gameplanning changed dramatically was when facing an unconventional offense like an option. And then it made the process of getting back on schedule more challenging the following week.
4 weeks lead time is an eternity for game preparation. It's the equivalent of another preseason training camp.
I noticed you focused on Barrett Jones' comment but haven't said anything on the AJ McCarron blurb. There's a few things noteworthy about his comments:
- he was breaking down film in the summer with an analyst on a week-to-week basis. Coaches aren't allowed to have any contact with the players. Having numerous analysts on staff who can do this is an advantage. The only guy I've ever heard of referenced by ND's players as far as football related work during the summer is Longo. And it's either been in a strength & conditioning capacity or 7-on-7. I guess I'd prefer someone other than our S&C coach breaking down 7-on-7.
- Further, McCarron talked about breaking down film on Michigan with Norrid for 2.5 weeks prior to the game. You don't get that opportunity in the regular season. Michigan was the opener so there is ample time for breakdown.
And that's really my point. When Bama has nearly unlimited time to prepare, they've been successful and wildly so. We can debate the merits of how they do it, but I have to think that all of the restricted football staff time that is spent with the analysts isn't hurting the players much.
EDIT: So even if I accept your premise about scouting being more beneficial for the coaches during the regular season (which I am not completely sold on despite acknowledging the time efficiencies to be had), it's hard to ignore the benefits to the players outside of the allowable football practice time. That's a pretty material benefit for the program, one that few other elite programs have implemented...yet.
