I'm happy for the win, and lots of positives to take from today, but we're obviously not where I was hoping we would be...Of curse, by nature, I look for weaknesses when analyzing sports.
some positives I see are:
1. Recievers are awesome! If Patti can get it to em, they're gonna make plays.
2. Towles is getting better at managing the game, and throwing the ball, but still holds on to the ball to long when facing the rush, although this got better as game progressed. Also would like to see Patti check out of some pressures.
3. Boom will move the chains as long as he has holes to run through.
4. Stamps is still legit, and so is JD Harmon.
Weaknesses:
1. O line looks very suspect in pass protection. If the Rajun Cajuns can get that much pressure on Towles, I am really concerned at what SEC d's might do.
2. Run blocking was also underwhelming. Frankly, I was expecting more out of our o-line.
3. The defense as a whole looks suspect. Again, it was barely enough for todays game, but I see way too many holes. Corners in general are just not good enough right now...same with the linebackers, and we are really missing Jason Hatcher!
5.We miss Bud and Z!!!
-Basically, we are an incomplete D and a good oc with talent will be able to exploit our weaknesses. If we cheat up, they will burn us in the air and if we lay back, they will cram it down our throats and exploit our young linebackers. Gonna be a pick your poison kind of year for our DC unless we can figure out how to get some major pressure on opposing QB's. Not seeing that potential from our D-line right now. Gonna have to utilize blitz packages often, which is always risky. Def need Flannigan and Hatcher back!
-some other thoughts on individual players:
1. Westry may have the potential but he should not be starting over Harmon. I think Stoops may just be trying to get him reps and allow him to make freshman mistakes now, instead of against USC or Florida.
2. Horton is lighter, but still lacks the burst needed to have the impact I was hoping for. Boom is the man. JOJO should be #2, and we need to attack in the run game the same way we attack downfield.
3. Juice, Timmons, Baker, Bone, and Badet are all legit!
-two questions: Why didn't we run the ball more, and where were the TE's??? Seems like targeting the ends would have spread the field and opened up the run game more. Were we just holding back, or are they not ready???
The fact is, neither of our Lines are SEC calibre, which is what it takes to win big and compete for championships. Before seeing the team, I predicted 7 wins, hoping for the possibility of more. After today, I say 6 is our realistic ceiling, with a possibility of 7 if the ball bounces our way...but 5 is not out of the question if things go against us...6 would be enough to consider it a successful season IMO, More than that is hard to predict at this point, considering the way our D looked against a mediocre team. If we choke like we did today though, we'll be lucky too beat any SEC opponent aside from Vandy.
some positives I see are:
1. Recievers are awesome! If Patti can get it to em, they're gonna make plays.
2. Towles is getting better at managing the game, and throwing the ball, but still holds on to the ball to long when facing the rush, although this got better as game progressed. Also would like to see Patti check out of some pressures.
3. Boom will move the chains as long as he has holes to run through.
4. Stamps is still legit, and so is JD Harmon.
Weaknesses:
1. O line looks very suspect in pass protection. If the Rajun Cajuns can get that much pressure on Towles, I am really concerned at what SEC d's might do.
2. Run blocking was also underwhelming. Frankly, I was expecting more out of our o-line.
3. The defense as a whole looks suspect. Again, it was barely enough for todays game, but I see way too many holes. Corners in general are just not good enough right now...same with the linebackers, and we are really missing Jason Hatcher!
5.We miss Bud and Z!!!
-Basically, we are an incomplete D and a good oc with talent will be able to exploit our weaknesses. If we cheat up, they will burn us in the air and if we lay back, they will cram it down our throats and exploit our young linebackers. Gonna be a pick your poison kind of year for our DC unless we can figure out how to get some major pressure on opposing QB's. Not seeing that potential from our D-line right now. Gonna have to utilize blitz packages often, which is always risky. Def need Flannigan and Hatcher back!
-some other thoughts on individual players:
1. Westry may have the potential but he should not be starting over Harmon. I think Stoops may just be trying to get him reps and allow him to make freshman mistakes now, instead of against USC or Florida.
2. Horton is lighter, but still lacks the burst needed to have the impact I was hoping for. Boom is the man. JOJO should be #2, and we need to attack in the run game the same way we attack downfield.
3. Juice, Timmons, Baker, Bone, and Badet are all legit!
-two questions: Why didn't we run the ball more, and where were the TE's??? Seems like targeting the ends would have spread the field and opened up the run game more. Were we just holding back, or are they not ready???
The fact is, neither of our Lines are SEC calibre, which is what it takes to win big and compete for championships. Before seeing the team, I predicted 7 wins, hoping for the possibility of more. After today, I say 6 is our realistic ceiling, with a possibility of 7 if the ball bounces our way...but 5 is not out of the question if things go against us...6 would be enough to consider it a successful season IMO, More than that is hard to predict at this point, considering the way our D looked against a mediocre team. If we choke like we did today though, we'll be lucky too beat any SEC opponent aside from Vandy.
