- Jun 12, 2014
- 9,066
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Founding Member
After a first half that yielded 13 first downs and 41 plays by the offense,140+ yards in the 2nd, and a defensive effort that kept A&M bottled-up and featured Tavin Bryan's coming out party, the offense failed to produce in its final 3 possessions, allowing the Aggies to to kick 2 FGs and escape with a narrow 19-17 victory. Franks, who had his moments, threw an INT on the first play of the last possession to end any chance of a comeback.
I feel like I've typed "inconsistency" to death this season, but quite frankly (no pun intended), that has been our dominant trait IMHO. Defensively, we played well enough in the 1st half and had Monds under wraps for the most part. Then in the 2nd, Monds was born again and we suddenly were unable to keep his legs from hurting us. We hept them out of the end zone enough, which allowed us a chance, but he kept getting them in scoring position, which they took advantage of with their FG kicker. Special Teams punt cover didn't help matters, yielding a long return. Offensively, we didn't piss a drop when we absolutely had to. OL was not good during this stanza and struggled with pass pro again (Franks was sacked 3 times in the 1st half). Franks couldn't get it done at the end.
So we take a week off to heal before meeting the Dawgs, who struggled early before routing the lowly Tigers of Mizzou. Do we heal enough and put together a plan that includes more consistent play all around? Gonna have to. While the Aggies didn't come in soaring from a victory against USCe and a great effort against Bama as I feared, I just am not certain that they were as good as their previous efforts would indicate or that we were actually better against a thought to be better team. Most likely, we were the lesser of two muddlers tonight. Our BDUs, fatigues, or whatever the new uniforms were didn't help matters. For the record, I hate gimmicks with the uniforms (or with crowd blackouts, orange outs, etc.) unless Timmy is the QB. Anyhow, let's talk some specifics and I'll need your help, as I had to listen to all but the 4th on the radio as we returned home from the mountains:
*Hated to see Sherit carted off and hoping the injury doesn't end his season. Probably our most consistent defender and maybe one of our best leaders. Certainly good on the field and in the classroom. Godspeed 17.
*As was mentioned...Tavin Bryan. Light came on. Several big plays including back-to-back sacks. His play reminded me of Law's favorite singing group...Boys to Men :). Seriously, he played like he understood and that allowed his brain to not get in his way. Beautiful.
*We finally got a TO tonight after a what, 2-game drought? Problem is, we gave a costly one up that prevented points. This is a defensive stat we've got to get more out of if we're going to have a chance in two weeks.
*Once more, we seemed to come out flat to begin the 2nd half. Our drive to start gives it right back and they produce points on their 1st possession. What the hell do we talk about at halftime that affects performances at this juncture?
*While I'm not one to lay blame on a single player or unit, Special Teams had a big hand in the outcome. Specifically punt and punt cover. We almost let one get blocked, lucky it was just tipped, and then fail to cover adequately, especially in the 4th. This has got to change, through leadership first and foremost. No excuse for us to be this poor so consistently.
*Davis is our best RB, especially when there is a little bit of blocking (which there was not on our next to the last drive as evidenced by him being stopped on consecutive runs). He made one cut that just undressed #17. Yet, Perine gets the start and early carries, only to give way to #20 . Are we afraid Perine might transfer? Davis needs to be more involved at the beginning of the game IMO.
*OL regressing? Hope not, but looking like it from the last two outings. We've run some, but couldn't spring the back when we needed to in the 4th. Pass Pro not reall good for the past two games. Looking ahead, Dawgs D is pretty decent. They're licking their chops as they break down our film.
*Fellipe went from likely hero to goat on his last play. Never saw the LB squatting. It wasn't all him truthfully, but when everyone expects another "Heave to Cleve" type play when we are in this position, or heck, even a run like the 79 yarder he ripped off, he's got to eliminate a mistake like he made, even if it is typical of where he seems to be in his development. He and the staff have got to expedite the process, some how. Part of that also has to include throwing the ball away to avoid sacks and lost yardage. Too much like Driskel was.
*Beautiful catch on the sideline by Goolsby. Need even more TE in the throw game. Powell was the go-to and I suppose someone had to be with the injuries. No Toney and no Cleve narrows things. However, it should provide multiple opportunities for the youngsters to step up. Didn't happen quite as needed, but much of that is probably on the QB. Speaking of which, Lee stated at one point that we had more receivers open tonight than previously. Franks did throw some good balls, but he's got to make 'em pay more than what happened.
*Defense gave up points, but not a lot of TDs thankfully. Bent, and Monds did a lot of the bending in the second half, but kept us close enough that we had a chance. Duke, I think, played well. I'm sure there were others.
*Have we ever been successful under Mac when we line up on 4th down and try the shifting thing? Maybe it works in practice against the 2's? How about we scrap this tactic?
We're having a tough time winning close games lately when the other team doesn't cut their own throats or aren't coached by guys named Jones or Stoops. Doesn't hurt that A&M's kicker was ice. The old saying "We are what we consistently do" seems very relevant. What we consistently do is be inconsistent and we've gotten away with that at least two times, but the curtain looks to be closing and the fact that we have basically stopped forcing turnovers exacerbates that issue. Jax is looming. We (the fans) are still waiting, though not real patiently. There is one thing that is consistent...our offense vanishes when we must have it. Oh, and we continue to have too many 1st down plays that leave us in 2nd and long, which we seem to run on for the most part. Make that two things. Got to work to get better. Waiting...but so are the Dawgs.
Go Gators!
I feel like I've typed "inconsistency" to death this season, but quite frankly (no pun intended), that has been our dominant trait IMHO. Defensively, we played well enough in the 1st half and had Monds under wraps for the most part. Then in the 2nd, Monds was born again and we suddenly were unable to keep his legs from hurting us. We hept them out of the end zone enough, which allowed us a chance, but he kept getting them in scoring position, which they took advantage of with their FG kicker. Special Teams punt cover didn't help matters, yielding a long return. Offensively, we didn't piss a drop when we absolutely had to. OL was not good during this stanza and struggled with pass pro again (Franks was sacked 3 times in the 1st half). Franks couldn't get it done at the end.
So we take a week off to heal before meeting the Dawgs, who struggled early before routing the lowly Tigers of Mizzou. Do we heal enough and put together a plan that includes more consistent play all around? Gonna have to. While the Aggies didn't come in soaring from a victory against USCe and a great effort against Bama as I feared, I just am not certain that they were as good as their previous efforts would indicate or that we were actually better against a thought to be better team. Most likely, we were the lesser of two muddlers tonight. Our BDUs, fatigues, or whatever the new uniforms were didn't help matters. For the record, I hate gimmicks with the uniforms (or with crowd blackouts, orange outs, etc.) unless Timmy is the QB. Anyhow, let's talk some specifics and I'll need your help, as I had to listen to all but the 4th on the radio as we returned home from the mountains:
*Hated to see Sherit carted off and hoping the injury doesn't end his season. Probably our most consistent defender and maybe one of our best leaders. Certainly good on the field and in the classroom. Godspeed 17.
*As was mentioned...Tavin Bryan. Light came on. Several big plays including back-to-back sacks. His play reminded me of Law's favorite singing group...Boys to Men :). Seriously, he played like he understood and that allowed his brain to not get in his way. Beautiful.
*We finally got a TO tonight after a what, 2-game drought? Problem is, we gave a costly one up that prevented points. This is a defensive stat we've got to get more out of if we're going to have a chance in two weeks.
*Once more, we seemed to come out flat to begin the 2nd half. Our drive to start gives it right back and they produce points on their 1st possession. What the hell do we talk about at halftime that affects performances at this juncture?
*While I'm not one to lay blame on a single player or unit, Special Teams had a big hand in the outcome. Specifically punt and punt cover. We almost let one get blocked, lucky it was just tipped, and then fail to cover adequately, especially in the 4th. This has got to change, through leadership first and foremost. No excuse for us to be this poor so consistently.
*Davis is our best RB, especially when there is a little bit of blocking (which there was not on our next to the last drive as evidenced by him being stopped on consecutive runs). He made one cut that just undressed #17. Yet, Perine gets the start and early carries, only to give way to #20 . Are we afraid Perine might transfer? Davis needs to be more involved at the beginning of the game IMO.
*OL regressing? Hope not, but looking like it from the last two outings. We've run some, but couldn't spring the back when we needed to in the 4th. Pass Pro not reall good for the past two games. Looking ahead, Dawgs D is pretty decent. They're licking their chops as they break down our film.
*Fellipe went from likely hero to goat on his last play. Never saw the LB squatting. It wasn't all him truthfully, but when everyone expects another "Heave to Cleve" type play when we are in this position, or heck, even a run like the 79 yarder he ripped off, he's got to eliminate a mistake like he made, even if it is typical of where he seems to be in his development. He and the staff have got to expedite the process, some how. Part of that also has to include throwing the ball away to avoid sacks and lost yardage. Too much like Driskel was.
*Beautiful catch on the sideline by Goolsby. Need even more TE in the throw game. Powell was the go-to and I suppose someone had to be with the injuries. No Toney and no Cleve narrows things. However, it should provide multiple opportunities for the youngsters to step up. Didn't happen quite as needed, but much of that is probably on the QB. Speaking of which, Lee stated at one point that we had more receivers open tonight than previously. Franks did throw some good balls, but he's got to make 'em pay more than what happened.
*Defense gave up points, but not a lot of TDs thankfully. Bent, and Monds did a lot of the bending in the second half, but kept us close enough that we had a chance. Duke, I think, played well. I'm sure there were others.
*Have we ever been successful under Mac when we line up on 4th down and try the shifting thing? Maybe it works in practice against the 2's? How about we scrap this tactic?
We're having a tough time winning close games lately when the other team doesn't cut their own throats or aren't coached by guys named Jones or Stoops. Doesn't hurt that A&M's kicker was ice. The old saying "We are what we consistently do" seems very relevant. What we consistently do is be inconsistent and we've gotten away with that at least two times, but the curtain looks to be closing and the fact that we have basically stopped forcing turnovers exacerbates that issue. Jax is looming. We (the fans) are still waiting, though not real patiently. There is one thing that is consistent...our offense vanishes when we must have it. Oh, and we continue to have too many 1st down plays that leave us in 2nd and long, which we seem to run on for the most part. Make that two things. Got to work to get better. Waiting...but so are the Dawgs.
Go Gators!