- Jun 12, 2014
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Good grief! Great win, but my old ticker might not make it through too many more like this! Lot to digest after this one. Streak stays alive. 31 straight and counting. I still have questions concerning coaching decisions, but so far, Mac has come out on top. As much as I've fussed, I have to state he's not the worst in the SEC. There's two I know of that are beneath him! Stoops...24-14 lead in the third and he starts playing not to lose.
Ironically, I mentioned the Choke at Doak and Spurrier's admission that going to a prevent too early prevented them from winning. While UK didn't exactly go into a prevent, they failed to continue bringing an extra rusher to put pressure on LDR. The guy's got a noodle and is not really mobile...the cook book says bring the heat. I could have sworn Shannon was calling both D's in the second half. I could go on, but let's get into some specifics:
*We have a feature back that has emerged. Malik Davis is now the guy. He hits the hole faster than his group mates. He runs with a lot of vision and effort. His 3rd down run where he spun out of a tackle and made the first was a testament to his desire. Very pleased to see him doing what he's doing. Safe to say he also was able to turn the page on his fumble. Good sign.
*I believe the OL had a much better game, especially with run blocking. We still missed a few blocks (Fred Johnson let a guy go on a play to Davis who made the stop on what would have been a big gain). But we made some big ones (Fred Johnson made a big one to clear the way on Toney's scoring run; from jachass to thoroughbred :)). Effort across the front looked a lot better on the first view. Got to take this as a positive.
*Speaking of Toney, is the kid not a player? Great with the ball in his hands in space, can catch and his Wildcat play was outstanding. Now we know he can throw it to boot. All he needs is more touches. What happened to him at the end of the game? Was he hurt? Sure thought we'd see the ball in his hands some way. Glad we didn't need it.
*Give Brandon Powell some props. The kid always gives you a great effort. Tonight, he made several great plays. Take away his OB on his wheel route and he might be our POTG. He's also obviously a great kid. Glad to see him make some really good things happen. And did you see his catch on the back foot ballon from LDR?!
*I didn't think Frank's was bad enough to get yanked. My opinion, but what do I know. The commentators said the change was to give us a spark. I say debatable at best. But we win with LDR in there and I've got to give him credit on the scramble and dump to Thompson for the first down. Even threw across his body back to the middle of the field. Better play than his TD toss to an uncovered Swain. Still...
*DL got some better after getting pushed around early. Got some sacks, put on a little pressure. Polite played hard and made some plays, as did Zuniga, though his roughing call could have been fatal. Thinking experience should eventually cure mistakes like this.
*LBs are a weak spot. Part of it is youth, part lack of depth. Joseph gets lost in his assignments too often. One glaring example was the 30 screen pass play in their first series, Vosean was flat footed 2 yards from the LOS. A LB has got to know that on the initial pass drop by the QB, he's got to start dropping into his coverage. He then should read and react to the extra drop (screen giveaway) and reverse his drop to move back toward the LOS, looking for both the receivers and blockers. Something is not connecting. I won't, however, fault him for the targeting, as he was on the move trying to make a play. That's gonna happen from time to time. Reese is our best backer, but he, too, is still learning the college game. This position can't go another year unattended in recruiting and to a lesser extent development.
*Contrary to claims, I don't think we are DBU, at least not this year. We get lost in coverage too easily. Washington and Duke were spotlighted. UK QB was good, but we helped him out. We had a cover blow on thevTE's TD, but the safety stood like a statue and let the guy run to him and then over him for the score. We look like Ned and the Third Reader about every time we play zone. But we were some better in the last series...and we've got a lot of babies cutting their teeth. Get better with time, I'm sure. Hopefully before we play a better team or one with a better coach!
*Shannon continues to perplex with his reluctance to put pressure on the QB via the blitz. To be fair, we got some pressure from the front, but we could still use some extra pressure. Last passing situation of the game they need 10 yards for sure to definitely get into the kicker's effective range. Send some heat, make him throw it before he wants to, likely to a short route. We don't and thankfully they opt for a short sideline route outside the kicker's range. Saved by Stoops?
*Stoops...on top of playing not to lose and letting us hang around, our TD passes were to UNCOVERED WRs! WTH! Big Game Bob...move over. Your replacement is here. SMH.
*Our Special teams continue to be not so special outside of Townsend. Can't say Eddy this week after his opening KO goes out of bounds. Punt Cover continues to be a disaster. Townsend gives us a 56 yard punt from a hole and we fail to cover and the completely flip the field. Inexcusable. Who coaches them again?!
*Second and long, we will always run it. We are WR Screen U offensively. But the QBs were at least looking downfield midfield some more than usual, but seemingly no open receivers the majority of the time. Poor design or can we just not get open consistently?
*Now, what you've been waiting for. I truly believe Mac panicked and was rewarded for it. Again, I don't think Frank's deserved to be yanked. Spark or not, believe what you like, but IMO Stoops delivered. We had guys who kept plowing and that can't be overlooked, but Stoops gave us the opportunity that we took advantage of. That can't be overlooked either. Still, Mac is 2-0 in the conference. Commentators said it best...we are an imperfect team with a perfect record in SEC play. Luck has been with us. Mac, keep sh!ttin' horseshoes, brother. If you don't, I'm afraid we'll hit the ditch eventually if we keep making the same mistakes, especially defensively and on Special Teams. Not wishing for it by any means, but my eyes and what I've seen in many years of football makes me believe what I say in that regard.
Next week, Vandy at home. They got trounced by Bama, but who really thought they were going to slay the giant? We should handle them at home. 3-0 SEC would be a good place to be. It's out there for the taking. Let's have a down to business performance. Less mistakes, especially on D (forgot to mention that we missed a lot of tackles once again). Continued improvement on O, particularly with the OL and passing game. Don't think Vandy's guy gives us two free ones. I'll wait all week wondering who the QB will be
...or will I? 
Better start than I thought to this point. Onward and upward. Go Gators!
Ironically, I mentioned the Choke at Doak and Spurrier's admission that going to a prevent too early prevented them from winning. While UK didn't exactly go into a prevent, they failed to continue bringing an extra rusher to put pressure on LDR. The guy's got a noodle and is not really mobile...the cook book says bring the heat. I could have sworn Shannon was calling both D's in the second half. I could go on, but let's get into some specifics:
*We have a feature back that has emerged. Malik Davis is now the guy. He hits the hole faster than his group mates. He runs with a lot of vision and effort. His 3rd down run where he spun out of a tackle and made the first was a testament to his desire. Very pleased to see him doing what he's doing. Safe to say he also was able to turn the page on his fumble. Good sign.
*I believe the OL had a much better game, especially with run blocking. We still missed a few blocks (Fred Johnson let a guy go on a play to Davis who made the stop on what would have been a big gain). But we made some big ones (Fred Johnson made a big one to clear the way on Toney's scoring run; from jachass to thoroughbred :)). Effort across the front looked a lot better on the first view. Got to take this as a positive.
*Speaking of Toney, is the kid not a player? Great with the ball in his hands in space, can catch and his Wildcat play was outstanding. Now we know he can throw it to boot. All he needs is more touches. What happened to him at the end of the game? Was he hurt? Sure thought we'd see the ball in his hands some way. Glad we didn't need it.
*Give Brandon Powell some props. The kid always gives you a great effort. Tonight, he made several great plays. Take away his OB on his wheel route and he might be our POTG. He's also obviously a great kid. Glad to see him make some really good things happen. And did you see his catch on the back foot ballon from LDR?!
*I didn't think Frank's was bad enough to get yanked. My opinion, but what do I know. The commentators said the change was to give us a spark. I say debatable at best. But we win with LDR in there and I've got to give him credit on the scramble and dump to Thompson for the first down. Even threw across his body back to the middle of the field. Better play than his TD toss to an uncovered Swain. Still...
*DL got some better after getting pushed around early. Got some sacks, put on a little pressure. Polite played hard and made some plays, as did Zuniga, though his roughing call could have been fatal. Thinking experience should eventually cure mistakes like this.
*LBs are a weak spot. Part of it is youth, part lack of depth. Joseph gets lost in his assignments too often. One glaring example was the 30 screen pass play in their first series, Vosean was flat footed 2 yards from the LOS. A LB has got to know that on the initial pass drop by the QB, he's got to start dropping into his coverage. He then should read and react to the extra drop (screen giveaway) and reverse his drop to move back toward the LOS, looking for both the receivers and blockers. Something is not connecting. I won't, however, fault him for the targeting, as he was on the move trying to make a play. That's gonna happen from time to time. Reese is our best backer, but he, too, is still learning the college game. This position can't go another year unattended in recruiting and to a lesser extent development.
*Contrary to claims, I don't think we are DBU, at least not this year. We get lost in coverage too easily. Washington and Duke were spotlighted. UK QB was good, but we helped him out. We had a cover blow on thevTE's TD, but the safety stood like a statue and let the guy run to him and then over him for the score. We look like Ned and the Third Reader about every time we play zone. But we were some better in the last series...and we've got a lot of babies cutting their teeth. Get better with time, I'm sure. Hopefully before we play a better team or one with a better coach!
*Shannon continues to perplex with his reluctance to put pressure on the QB via the blitz. To be fair, we got some pressure from the front, but we could still use some extra pressure. Last passing situation of the game they need 10 yards for sure to definitely get into the kicker's effective range. Send some heat, make him throw it before he wants to, likely to a short route. We don't and thankfully they opt for a short sideline route outside the kicker's range. Saved by Stoops?
*Stoops...on top of playing not to lose and letting us hang around, our TD passes were to UNCOVERED WRs! WTH! Big Game Bob...move over. Your replacement is here. SMH.
*Our Special teams continue to be not so special outside of Townsend. Can't say Eddy this week after his opening KO goes out of bounds. Punt Cover continues to be a disaster. Townsend gives us a 56 yard punt from a hole and we fail to cover and the completely flip the field. Inexcusable. Who coaches them again?!
*Second and long, we will always run it. We are WR Screen U offensively. But the QBs were at least looking downfield midfield some more than usual, but seemingly no open receivers the majority of the time. Poor design or can we just not get open consistently?
*Now, what you've been waiting for. I truly believe Mac panicked and was rewarded for it. Again, I don't think Frank's deserved to be yanked. Spark or not, believe what you like, but IMO Stoops delivered. We had guys who kept plowing and that can't be overlooked, but Stoops gave us the opportunity that we took advantage of. That can't be overlooked either. Still, Mac is 2-0 in the conference. Commentators said it best...we are an imperfect team with a perfect record in SEC play. Luck has been with us. Mac, keep sh!ttin' horseshoes, brother. If you don't, I'm afraid we'll hit the ditch eventually if we keep making the same mistakes, especially defensively and on Special Teams. Not wishing for it by any means, but my eyes and what I've seen in many years of football makes me believe what I say in that regard.
Next week, Vandy at home. They got trounced by Bama, but who really thought they were going to slay the giant? We should handle them at home. 3-0 SEC would be a good place to be. It's out there for the taking. Let's have a down to business performance. Less mistakes, especially on D (forgot to mention that we missed a lot of tackles once again). Continued improvement on O, particularly with the OL and passing game. Don't think Vandy's guy gives us two free ones. I'll wait all week wondering who the QB will be
...or will I? Better start than I thought to this point. Onward and upward. Go Gators!
