- Jun 12, 2014
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It seems a little anti-climatic putting this piece up two days after the game. Fitting, perhaps, for a game that was anti-climatic, being the final tune-up for the stretch of games that lies ahead. The easy thing to say is that Towson was a game if out-manned squad that put up a good fight and made us work for the 38-0 second shut out of the season and the third game we've allowed no TD's. But the reality is that they weren't great and probably the best stat of the game was that we escaped injury free. It really should help us to be going into the Auburn game in that state and likely as rested as you can be at this point in the season. First, though, lets look at a few points from the game:
*QB play was very efficient and workman-like. Trask spread the ball around and EJ threw some nice passes to go along with a super run. It's good to see us attack the middle of the field, but something tells me we might have to have a good boundary game against AU. I'm glad Trask had continued success, got to rest some, and that EJ got more reps. He really seemed to be more comfortable in this game than we've seen him. He's still #2, if pressed, he can run the offense.
*Can't say enough about how good the receivers are. And there's a lot of them. Grimes looked strong after the catch. Pitts is really turning into a formidable weapon. Great hands, big, and athletic. His second TD catch showed off that athletic ability and hands. We are blessed not only to have this group, but also to have the new guy come in and distribute it so efficiently. These guys most likely will have to do the bulk of moving the chains and the scoring for us.
*I'm a homer, but I want to see Pierce get more carries. I believe he's our best back and might have the best chance behind our OL to give us a little rushing boost. His long run after he cut back to the left side is indicative of his vision and instincts. He also carries a load to go along with enough speed to take it to the house.
*We don't have the greatest stable of LB's, but they hustle. Yeah, they still make some mistakes on their reads and angles and they can be a liability in coverage, but if we protect them with the calls, they're good enough for us to win with. Our DL should make it easier for them unless they are nulled. Hopefully they continue to take strides forward.
*Not that it was really bad this past game, but I really hope we tackle well. You can execute your alignments and assignments perfectly, but it's all for naught if you can't put the ball carrier on the ground.
*I've got another hunch that the kicking game might be an important factor. Townsend can flip the field and McPherson, though he's not been perfect, is pretty reliable. Just wish he'd put everything in the end zone or at least a mile high if they're going to be fielded inside the 10.
*Twice in a row I will have bragged on Greenard, but the guy continues to make plays and by all accounts is a great leader. Had only 5 assisted tackles, but got an interception on a tipped ball. I'm expecting to see him grill some burgers while the offense is on the field. A pleasure to watch.
*Did something Saturday I haven't done since I was a teenager...listened to the game on the radio (and watched a little on c2 Jr's phone - didn't do that back in the day) while shooting doves in south Georgia. Brought back a lot of memories of going with my granddaddy. No Otis Boggs, though. Had to bone up on the highlights and watch a replay to get the full flavor.
*Would've had this up yesterday, but lost my entire piece just as I was concluding and getting ready to upload. I'm not much of a tech guy, unfortunately. My apologies for my tardiness.
Now about Auburn. We know that their strength is matched against our greatest weakness. Most DC's want to try and take away a part of the offense and make their opponents one-dimensional. I fear that we have provided that edge already with the play of our OL thus far. It was nice to hear Mullen sound off about their poor/inconsistent play, challenging them to be better prepared (seems like we've been missing a lot of assignments ). I'm skeptical as to how much they can improve by Saturday, but if they do, my question becomes why'd it take you so long? No matter, I hate the thought of facing the Tigers with one arm tied behind our backs. As mentioned, I'd like to think giving Pierce more carries might make a difference. It looks to me like he's earned them, but I'm not sure just how much of a boost that gives our anemic rushing attack against these new Monsters of the Midway. Trask and the receivers had better be up to the task.
Defensively, I look forward to having Zuniga back across from Greenard and having Henderson again will help some, though I'm not dissatisfied with the strides that some of our secondary seems to be making. Stopping their rushing attack looked to be job one, that is until Saturday when legacy QB Bo Nix passed for 300 to compliment their ground game. I think we're obviously better than MissSt and the aforementioned DE's, with help from our LB corps, should be able to apply the necessary pressure and keep young Nix from doing so much damage through the air. I feel like our secondary can handle the coverage part and if we get a solid game from this side of the ball, we've got a good chance.
On Saturday, Mac Brown nearly pulled off the upset of Clemson. He gambled for the win by going for two late (and thereby went against the coach's cookbook - go for the win on the road and a tie at home), but was credited for his aggressive, gambling move. Two days later, he's still just a near winner (or close loser). I don't want us to be satisfied with coming close against #7 (or wherever the Tigers are ranked). I don't care about them knowing that they were in a real game after it is over if the final score is in their favor. Victory is what validates your program and we should have no interest in simply giving the tigers all they wanted.
"It's not how you're buried, it's how you're remembered" ~ John Wayne from The Cowboys
Go Gators!
*QB play was very efficient and workman-like. Trask spread the ball around and EJ threw some nice passes to go along with a super run. It's good to see us attack the middle of the field, but something tells me we might have to have a good boundary game against AU. I'm glad Trask had continued success, got to rest some, and that EJ got more reps. He really seemed to be more comfortable in this game than we've seen him. He's still #2, if pressed, he can run the offense.
*Can't say enough about how good the receivers are. And there's a lot of them. Grimes looked strong after the catch. Pitts is really turning into a formidable weapon. Great hands, big, and athletic. His second TD catch showed off that athletic ability and hands. We are blessed not only to have this group, but also to have the new guy come in and distribute it so efficiently. These guys most likely will have to do the bulk of moving the chains and the scoring for us.
*I'm a homer, but I want to see Pierce get more carries. I believe he's our best back and might have the best chance behind our OL to give us a little rushing boost. His long run after he cut back to the left side is indicative of his vision and instincts. He also carries a load to go along with enough speed to take it to the house.
*We don't have the greatest stable of LB's, but they hustle. Yeah, they still make some mistakes on their reads and angles and they can be a liability in coverage, but if we protect them with the calls, they're good enough for us to win with. Our DL should make it easier for them unless they are nulled. Hopefully they continue to take strides forward.
*Not that it was really bad this past game, but I really hope we tackle well. You can execute your alignments and assignments perfectly, but it's all for naught if you can't put the ball carrier on the ground.
*I've got another hunch that the kicking game might be an important factor. Townsend can flip the field and McPherson, though he's not been perfect, is pretty reliable. Just wish he'd put everything in the end zone or at least a mile high if they're going to be fielded inside the 10.
*Twice in a row I will have bragged on Greenard, but the guy continues to make plays and by all accounts is a great leader. Had only 5 assisted tackles, but got an interception on a tipped ball. I'm expecting to see him grill some burgers while the offense is on the field. A pleasure to watch.
*Did something Saturday I haven't done since I was a teenager...listened to the game on the radio (and watched a little on c2 Jr's phone - didn't do that back in the day) while shooting doves in south Georgia. Brought back a lot of memories of going with my granddaddy. No Otis Boggs, though. Had to bone up on the highlights and watch a replay to get the full flavor.
*Would've had this up yesterday, but lost my entire piece just as I was concluding and getting ready to upload. I'm not much of a tech guy, unfortunately. My apologies for my tardiness.
Now about Auburn. We know that their strength is matched against our greatest weakness. Most DC's want to try and take away a part of the offense and make their opponents one-dimensional. I fear that we have provided that edge already with the play of our OL thus far. It was nice to hear Mullen sound off about their poor/inconsistent play, challenging them to be better prepared (seems like we've been missing a lot of assignments ). I'm skeptical as to how much they can improve by Saturday, but if they do, my question becomes why'd it take you so long? No matter, I hate the thought of facing the Tigers with one arm tied behind our backs. As mentioned, I'd like to think giving Pierce more carries might make a difference. It looks to me like he's earned them, but I'm not sure just how much of a boost that gives our anemic rushing attack against these new Monsters of the Midway. Trask and the receivers had better be up to the task.
Defensively, I look forward to having Zuniga back across from Greenard and having Henderson again will help some, though I'm not dissatisfied with the strides that some of our secondary seems to be making. Stopping their rushing attack looked to be job one, that is until Saturday when legacy QB Bo Nix passed for 300 to compliment their ground game. I think we're obviously better than MissSt and the aforementioned DE's, with help from our LB corps, should be able to apply the necessary pressure and keep young Nix from doing so much damage through the air. I feel like our secondary can handle the coverage part and if we get a solid game from this side of the ball, we've got a good chance.
On Saturday, Mac Brown nearly pulled off the upset of Clemson. He gambled for the win by going for two late (and thereby went against the coach's cookbook - go for the win on the road and a tie at home), but was credited for his aggressive, gambling move. Two days later, he's still just a near winner (or close loser). I don't want us to be satisfied with coming close against #7 (or wherever the Tigers are ranked). I don't care about them knowing that they were in a real game after it is over if the final score is in their favor. Victory is what validates your program and we should have no interest in simply giving the tigers all they wanted.
"It's not how you're buried, it's how you're remembered" ~ John Wayne from The Cowboys
Go Gators!