- Jun 12, 2014
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I think it's safe to say that we held our part in validating the coaching cliche that a teams shows their greatest improvement between Games 1and 2. Of course, the season is still young and whether this will be the greatest improvement during the season remains to be seen. As long as we don't nose dive at the end like last year, I'll be good with something getting a little better each week. This piece comes from my fragmented watching/listening. Played golf in a fund raising tournament for c2 Jrs' baseball team and we tuned in to most of the first half on his phone during the round. Watched until midway through the 3rd quarter in the clubhouse and then the 4th quarter in a little sports bar over wings and beer. Did get to hear Mac's post-game on the radio. So, here goes:
*I think the OL was some better, particularly with the change at RT. Mac said that the big guy had an injury (ankle maybe?) and wanted to try and tough it out, but after a couple of misses, he was replaced. We rushed for 244 I think and the OL has to get some credit. I think pass pro was okay from what I saw. I'm still left with the feeling that they still have a long way to go and a short time to get there. I think they'll get a big test when we invade Neyland. Their play in that game may well be the biggest factor in whether or not we take home the W and extend that streak.
*And speaking of streaks, good to see us extend the one with UK to 30 with a convincing 45-7 win. The biggest question, maybe, is were we that good today or is UK just that bad? I'd say we were at least much better than last week, but UK wasn't very good. Of course, it was a conference and division win, so you can't discount the importance of that. I won't say I felt sorry for Stoops, but the guy was toting a whipped ass at halftime. We think Mac has work to do. Stoops has a mountain to move. We'll see what he's got in the coming weeks.
*First unit D obviously played pretty salty. Standouts that I could see were the secondary, Anzalone, Sherit and the DL. Probably more, but this is what I could gather. Any time you can limit a conference opponent to less than 150 total offense (I think I'm correct on this) and their starting QB to 2 completions and 10 yds, you're doing a lot of things right. I kind of called out Collins and the D staff last week. Not that they heard me in particular, but they got that message and responded. The first liners played with both fire and discipline. There were a couple of dumb penalties, but nothing like last week. Hats off to this bunch.
*Saw some good and bad from the D youngsters. Some good LB play. Kid from Michigan has some sting to his hits and the kid that was moved from Safety looks like he will be a contributor. Save a cover blow by Gardner (I think) young secondary was ok, but still has some work.
*Tabor may be either weird, crazy, or both, but that little turd can play football! Mac spoke to his film work and how that allowed him to diagnose the formation and play on his pick. If he can ever grow up and get off mom's ninny, his upside is big.
*How 'bout Luke? I'm not nominating him for Heisman, but the guy stepped a little beyond game manager today IMO. Showed he can throw over the top and went for over 300. Like most of the team, he still has work to do, but again, he made some positive strides. I'm feeling better about his play and leadership.
*We've got four backs that can produce. They answered some questions today and I maintain that having them will be important down the road when they get nicked up later on, hopefully not all at once. Perine really looked good going over 100. Best RB in the state of AL and we swiped him from Nick, who I believe thought he had him in his pocket all along and would grab him up in the waning moments of the recruiting cycle. At least that's one victory over him. More to come?
*Eddie's balloon finally popped, or at least shrunk a little, with the missed FG and the KO out of bounds. Truthfully, he needed to miss one and see how he'd handle it. As good as he is, you had to wonder since this is all new to him. I think it's safe to say that he responded like we wanted him to. I think as most do that we've got a good one.
*Callaway is the real deal. Hopefully he learned a lot from the mess he got in and will continue to grow not only as a player but as a citizen as well. He's the star, but how can you not pull for Powell, too? Kid gives you 100% and as far as I can recall keeps his nose clean. The receivers as a whole (including TEs) had a pretty decent day. LDR spread it around pretty well.
*Call this cover2's b!tch, but I'm sick of replays that take 10 minutes (or more) to determine the change or affirmation and the ensuing politicking by the announcers. This ******** takes away from the flow of the game and depending on who is in the booth, they can f*ck it up as often as they get it right.
I'm happy with the outcome, the streak and better play. I think Mac answered some questions this week, not all of them for sure, but he had the kids ready to play. I also liked what he had to say in his post-game presser, especially that he didn't have a lot of his catch phrase go-tos and didn't seem to try and avoid anything in particular. We'll see if this is a trend when we come out of a dog fight and the questions are tougher! I look forward to your comments and additions. As always, Go Gators!
*Edit* Should have said "who is in the replay booth" in my rant. Sorry.
*I think the OL was some better, particularly with the change at RT. Mac said that the big guy had an injury (ankle maybe?) and wanted to try and tough it out, but after a couple of misses, he was replaced. We rushed for 244 I think and the OL has to get some credit. I think pass pro was okay from what I saw. I'm still left with the feeling that they still have a long way to go and a short time to get there. I think they'll get a big test when we invade Neyland. Their play in that game may well be the biggest factor in whether or not we take home the W and extend that streak.
*And speaking of streaks, good to see us extend the one with UK to 30 with a convincing 45-7 win. The biggest question, maybe, is were we that good today or is UK just that bad? I'd say we were at least much better than last week, but UK wasn't very good. Of course, it was a conference and division win, so you can't discount the importance of that. I won't say I felt sorry for Stoops, but the guy was toting a whipped ass at halftime. We think Mac has work to do. Stoops has a mountain to move. We'll see what he's got in the coming weeks.
*First unit D obviously played pretty salty. Standouts that I could see were the secondary, Anzalone, Sherit and the DL. Probably more, but this is what I could gather. Any time you can limit a conference opponent to less than 150 total offense (I think I'm correct on this) and their starting QB to 2 completions and 10 yds, you're doing a lot of things right. I kind of called out Collins and the D staff last week. Not that they heard me in particular, but they got that message and responded. The first liners played with both fire and discipline. There were a couple of dumb penalties, but nothing like last week. Hats off to this bunch.
*Saw some good and bad from the D youngsters. Some good LB play. Kid from Michigan has some sting to his hits and the kid that was moved from Safety looks like he will be a contributor. Save a cover blow by Gardner (I think) young secondary was ok, but still has some work.
*Tabor may be either weird, crazy, or both, but that little turd can play football! Mac spoke to his film work and how that allowed him to diagnose the formation and play on his pick. If he can ever grow up and get off mom's ninny, his upside is big.
*How 'bout Luke? I'm not nominating him for Heisman, but the guy stepped a little beyond game manager today IMO. Showed he can throw over the top and went for over 300. Like most of the team, he still has work to do, but again, he made some positive strides. I'm feeling better about his play and leadership.
*We've got four backs that can produce. They answered some questions today and I maintain that having them will be important down the road when they get nicked up later on, hopefully not all at once. Perine really looked good going over 100. Best RB in the state of AL and we swiped him from Nick, who I believe thought he had him in his pocket all along and would grab him up in the waning moments of the recruiting cycle. At least that's one victory over him. More to come?
*Eddie's balloon finally popped, or at least shrunk a little, with the missed FG and the KO out of bounds. Truthfully, he needed to miss one and see how he'd handle it. As good as he is, you had to wonder since this is all new to him. I think it's safe to say that he responded like we wanted him to. I think as most do that we've got a good one.
*Callaway is the real deal. Hopefully he learned a lot from the mess he got in and will continue to grow not only as a player but as a citizen as well. He's the star, but how can you not pull for Powell, too? Kid gives you 100% and as far as I can recall keeps his nose clean. The receivers as a whole (including TEs) had a pretty decent day. LDR spread it around pretty well.
*Call this cover2's b!tch, but I'm sick of replays that take 10 minutes (or more) to determine the change or affirmation and the ensuing politicking by the announcers. This ******** takes away from the flow of the game and depending on who is in the booth, they can f*ck it up as often as they get it right.
I'm happy with the outcome, the streak and better play. I think Mac answered some questions this week, not all of them for sure, but he had the kids ready to play. I also liked what he had to say in his post-game presser, especially that he didn't have a lot of his catch phrase go-tos and didn't seem to try and avoid anything in particular. We'll see if this is a trend when we come out of a dog fight and the questions are tougher! I look forward to your comments and additions. As always, Go Gators!
*Edit* Should have said "who is in the replay booth" in my rant. Sorry.
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