- Jun 12, 2014
- 8,974
- 32,458
Founding Member
Good win and better performance by the good guys! Some improvements, which are to be expected by game 4, if not somewhat slower than anticipated. But before we start handing out t-shirts, it was Vandy...we should expect to beat them. Even though they made us look after defeating K State, Bama pulled off their contender costume. The key at this point, to me, is to continue to get better each game, which I think we've seen to a degree in the last two. Even though LSU isn't up to speed this year, you've got to think it'll likely be a battle. But again, keep improving and we have a positive outcome. Alright, let's talk specifics...
*We were able to generate more pressure from our front four. Heck, Shannon even dialed a little up with the LBs a time or two. He'll be growing a full fro next thing you know! Seriously, much better and Polite and Zuniga, among others seem to be rising. Sherit solid. Bryan generated a rush on an outside stunt, but he gets stood up and chicken fights too much when rushing the interior. I guess he's there for a middle screen, but really he's still raw, particularly in this area. CeCe had some good rushes as well. Rush D was better. Slaton got a shout from the commentators (more on them later) and we were generally consistent with the rush D.
* Joseph looked to have a more consistent game. Some good rush plays and passes defended. Some coaching and understanding seem to be going on and taking hold. Reese had a few good plays against the rush. Johnson was back. We got burned on a screen again and I can't help but feel part of the problem is that the LB's get caught too close to the LOS and are easy to seal. They could also be better in their under coverage on passes. QB and route recognition need to improve.
*Special Teams...Some better. Punting was ok. Saw some attention to hang time on short field punts, but coverage was better on the boomers. We shouldn't have a hang time concern on these punts IMO. If we've got a guy that can kick it 60, then we need to have guys who can get off the hold-ups and force the return guy to the middle if we don't tackle him. The middle lane guys have to be downfield in a hurry and not get held up, either. We were better. Townsend ain't exactly kicking line drives! Hustle and technique. Eddy was great on KOs, but his long FG attempt was a duck. Doesn't count against him, but I was expecting him to clear with 10 yds to spare! A note on punting...the Rugby style, employed by Vandy, is supposed to be a no return scheme. The guy takes about 5 steps on the roll, buying time for the gunners, and usually tries to kick a lower trajectory ball with hopes that it will be more difficult for the returner to field (and fair catch if executed properly in terms of coverage) and they can then take advantage of the tumble. They were pretty proficient, although Powell muffed a returnable punt.
*Not as many missed tackles, though two were very noticeable. Both by Chauncey. He got trucked twice and it will continue to happen as long as he stands flat-footed and waits on the back (or receiver) to meet him with a head of steam. Poor technique. To his credit though, he did have two pass break-ups, the last was a shot on the receiver from the hash.
*Secondary made a few plays (Henderson, Duke, etc.), but the Vandy guy carved us up to an extent when we didn't generate pressure. We aren't lockdown by any means, still get lost in coverage some, and make crazy reads (Washington flies the opposite way from the QB roll in the red zone when they hit the TE dragging...what the heck was he thinking?). Lot of work to do but potential is there.
*Usually not crazy about the RB by committee, but it was well-managed today. Perine had a big day and Davis was solid. Thompson had some good plays. He's pretty good receiving. 5 rushing TDs? I'll take it.
*OL was better, as evidenced by our ability to run. A few pass pro issues, but maybe they are gelling. Counter was a good play for us and the G blocks looked pretty decent. As they continue to improve, our chances to be more efficient offensively and to win obviously expand.
*Hate to see LDR injured, but Frank's came in and gave us what we needed. Strike to Cleveland was big, even though we settled for a FG. Not what we wanted, but given the field position likely better than expected. He made some good throws, more of them than bad or ill-advised ones. The laser he threw to Swain in the back of the end zone, despite what McElroy said, was a confident throw by a gunslinger. Swain could have made the catch I thought. It was a little low, but where it needed to be in that situation. Frank's will get better with the reps and his performance in the win should help build his confidence.
*The commentators...First, McElroy was a college QB, but shouldn't be held as the final authority. Seemed like he got on Franks a bit much. Some deserved and questions about the cadence were deserved, but his point about the bad snap on the goal line was a big reach. Saying that he thought McCoy believed Franks was under center sounds like horse sh!t and piling on. Unless they changed the way a QB seats his hands under center, McCoy would have felt the top of Franks upper hand on his junk. No need to go all Merrill Hoge. Besides, his tie knot was too small. Also, the dialogue about Davis needing to take a knee when he broke into the open and scored is preposterous as far as I'm concerned. You don't coach a back to do that and if Mac does, as they speculated, then it only adds to the concerns...but I have some doubts as to that validity, despite the continuance of the dialogue while the camera was on Mac post play.
*Slight concern that we allowed Vandy to follow our score with a score of their own a couple of times. We need to be a little tougher in these situations moving forward. No need to give them a chance to feel like they can play with us. These are times we need a stop.
*Dont know for sure, but Mac seemed a lot more focused on the sidelines than maybe I've thought in the past. Not as goofy. Maybe a change for the better. He just looked more involved. Coaching points at times they were needed appeared to be delivered. Positive.
Next up...LSU. Some more momentum from the win and better play going forward. I'm glad to see us trending this way. Still lots of work to be done. Liking better what I'm seeing. Go Gators!
*We were able to generate more pressure from our front four. Heck, Shannon even dialed a little up with the LBs a time or two. He'll be growing a full fro next thing you know! Seriously, much better and Polite and Zuniga, among others seem to be rising. Sherit solid. Bryan generated a rush on an outside stunt, but he gets stood up and chicken fights too much when rushing the interior. I guess he's there for a middle screen, but really he's still raw, particularly in this area. CeCe had some good rushes as well. Rush D was better. Slaton got a shout from the commentators (more on them later) and we were generally consistent with the rush D.
* Joseph looked to have a more consistent game. Some good rush plays and passes defended. Some coaching and understanding seem to be going on and taking hold. Reese had a few good plays against the rush. Johnson was back. We got burned on a screen again and I can't help but feel part of the problem is that the LB's get caught too close to the LOS and are easy to seal. They could also be better in their under coverage on passes. QB and route recognition need to improve.
*Special Teams...Some better. Punting was ok. Saw some attention to hang time on short field punts, but coverage was better on the boomers. We shouldn't have a hang time concern on these punts IMO. If we've got a guy that can kick it 60, then we need to have guys who can get off the hold-ups and force the return guy to the middle if we don't tackle him. The middle lane guys have to be downfield in a hurry and not get held up, either. We were better. Townsend ain't exactly kicking line drives! Hustle and technique. Eddy was great on KOs, but his long FG attempt was a duck. Doesn't count against him, but I was expecting him to clear with 10 yds to spare! A note on punting...the Rugby style, employed by Vandy, is supposed to be a no return scheme. The guy takes about 5 steps on the roll, buying time for the gunners, and usually tries to kick a lower trajectory ball with hopes that it will be more difficult for the returner to field (and fair catch if executed properly in terms of coverage) and they can then take advantage of the tumble. They were pretty proficient, although Powell muffed a returnable punt.
*Not as many missed tackles, though two were very noticeable. Both by Chauncey. He got trucked twice and it will continue to happen as long as he stands flat-footed and waits on the back (or receiver) to meet him with a head of steam. Poor technique. To his credit though, he did have two pass break-ups, the last was a shot on the receiver from the hash.
*Secondary made a few plays (Henderson, Duke, etc.), but the Vandy guy carved us up to an extent when we didn't generate pressure. We aren't lockdown by any means, still get lost in coverage some, and make crazy reads (Washington flies the opposite way from the QB roll in the red zone when they hit the TE dragging...what the heck was he thinking?). Lot of work to do but potential is there.
*Usually not crazy about the RB by committee, but it was well-managed today. Perine had a big day and Davis was solid. Thompson had some good plays. He's pretty good receiving. 5 rushing TDs? I'll take it.
*OL was better, as evidenced by our ability to run. A few pass pro issues, but maybe they are gelling. Counter was a good play for us and the G blocks looked pretty decent. As they continue to improve, our chances to be more efficient offensively and to win obviously expand.
*Hate to see LDR injured, but Frank's came in and gave us what we needed. Strike to Cleveland was big, even though we settled for a FG. Not what we wanted, but given the field position likely better than expected. He made some good throws, more of them than bad or ill-advised ones. The laser he threw to Swain in the back of the end zone, despite what McElroy said, was a confident throw by a gunslinger. Swain could have made the catch I thought. It was a little low, but where it needed to be in that situation. Frank's will get better with the reps and his performance in the win should help build his confidence.
*The commentators...First, McElroy was a college QB, but shouldn't be held as the final authority. Seemed like he got on Franks a bit much. Some deserved and questions about the cadence were deserved, but his point about the bad snap on the goal line was a big reach. Saying that he thought McCoy believed Franks was under center sounds like horse sh!t and piling on. Unless they changed the way a QB seats his hands under center, McCoy would have felt the top of Franks upper hand on his junk. No need to go all Merrill Hoge. Besides, his tie knot was too small. Also, the dialogue about Davis needing to take a knee when he broke into the open and scored is preposterous as far as I'm concerned. You don't coach a back to do that and if Mac does, as they speculated, then it only adds to the concerns...but I have some doubts as to that validity, despite the continuance of the dialogue while the camera was on Mac post play.
*Slight concern that we allowed Vandy to follow our score with a score of their own a couple of times. We need to be a little tougher in these situations moving forward. No need to give them a chance to feel like they can play with us. These are times we need a stop.
*Dont know for sure, but Mac seemed a lot more focused on the sidelines than maybe I've thought in the past. Not as goofy. Maybe a change for the better. He just looked more involved. Coaching points at times they were needed appeared to be delivered. Positive.
Next up...LSU. Some more momentum from the win and better play going forward. I'm glad to see us trending this way. Still lots of work to be done. Liking better what I'm seeing. Go Gators!
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