Popular Post JMR 2,118 Posted October 12, 2020 Popular Post Share Posted October 12, 2020 Like pretty much everyone here, I've been disappointed so far. But having spent thousands of hours watching and re-watching film/tape/digital recordings of hormonal high school boys learning the game (and life), I understand at least a little about where we are at this point. I spend far too much time thinking about Auburn football, what I saw, what went well, and what didn't. Truth be told, if we had not been so thoroughly dominated by uga last week, we'd all be more optimistic about the rest of the season, even with a couple of too-close wins and a more respectable loss. But, the uga game is, unfortunately, a solid indicator of where we are in terms of talent, execution, and coaching when trying to compete with what we like to think are our "peers." Anyone reading this is likely to think I'm looking for "the pony in this pile of horse manure". I don't think so. Believe it or not, I did see some improvement in some areas. I also saw some regression in other areas, and that is very disappointing. Poor as our OL play has been so far, the Arky game was better than the first two. There were a few times I actually saw a lineman moving his feet after contact.....something I haven't seen over the last three years or more. I saw fewer missed assignments, which were a HUGE contributor to our offensive failures in the first two games. Don't get me wrong.....those occasions when we got some real push up front were the exception, but at least there were some this week. The DL play was quite a bit better this week. There are no Derrick Browns or Marlon Davidsons on our front, but I did see better technique and quite a bit better effort out of that group. Unfortunately, our linebacker play was maybe the worst it's been so far this season. That might be reasonable, given the absence of our best LB, but one of the guys who played really poorly this week is also extremely talented, and is capable of much better. I have been disappointed in our QB play. Bo is tough, and an excellent athlete, but he is missing on more throws than we can afford with our anemic offense. The "marriage" of Nix and Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Chad Morris has been disappointing. Some of that is on Bo, some of it is on Morris. Once when Arky sent six (including two linebackers), Bo was quickly sacked. I went back and looked closely, and there were NO options available (or even assigned) for blitz control. Unless you are in max protection, including the TE, there's no way to block 'em all. A moderately sophisticated passing game accounts for those issues; ours apparently does not. Tank Bigsby continues to improve at an accelerated pace. D.J. Williams looks to be getting healthy. I have no idea where MAR is. He is "reportedly" an outstanding receiver, which we could certainly use. The tight end has been almost as absent as ever in the passing game. I've heard that's because freshman Brandon Frazier has been injured, but we have other tight ends who are capable receivers. I don't really know whether the lack of use of that position in the passing game is on Bo, or on Morris. Not having spring practice has no doubt had an effect. Realistically, it has had an effect on everybody, not just Auburn. But there is no scientific way to quantify that factor from team to team, program to program. As we noted before the season began, different players, coaches, and programs handled that in different ways, and the ultimate effect varies from team to team, position to position. Special teams play was a big factor in Auburn's favor this week. Aside from Anders Carlson putting two kickoffs out of bounds and thus giving up 20 yards of field position, of course. Injuries have been a factor thus far. Most teams have 'em, and, again, the effect varies depending on depth at the position, etc. There will be more, as almost nobody has "cupcakes" on their schedule wherein they can rest certain players, develop depth, and so on. Early in the Kentucky game, I noted that Chad Morris was using formations and motion to get the defensive alignment he wanted from Kentucky. I have seen virtually none of that since that point. So far, not impressed. I don't have the answers, and I'm very much aware that "it ain't easy". There is lots and lots of room for improvement across the board. But I did see a few steps in the right direction this week. Not nearly as many as I'd like to have seen, but "one step at a time". I hope we can hold it together and keep moving forward, however small the steps may be. 17 15 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like pretty much everyone here, I've been disappointed so far. But having spent thousands of hours watching and re-watching film/tape/digital recordings of hormonal high school boys learning the game (and life), I understand at least a little about where we are at this point. I spend far too much time thinking about Auburn football, what I saw, what went well, and what didn't. Truth be told, if we had not been so thoroughly dominated by uga last week, we'd all be more optimistic about the rest of the season, even with a couple of too-close wins and a more respectable loss. But, the uga game is, unfortunately, a solid indicator of where we are in terms of talent, execution, and coaching when trying to compete with what we like to think are our "peers." Anyone reading this is likely to think I'm looking for "the pony in this pile of horse manure". I don't think so. Believe it or not, I did see some improvement in some areas. I also saw some regression in other areas, and that is very disappointing. Poor as our OL play has been so far, the Arky game was better than the first two. There were a few times I actually saw a lineman moving his feet after contact.....something I haven't seen over the last three years or more. I saw fewer missed assignments, which were a HUGE contributor to our offensive failures in the first two games. Don't get me wrong.....those occasions when we got some real push up front were the exception, but at least there were some this week. The DL play was quite a bit better this week. There are no Derrick Browns or Marlon Davidsons on our front, but I did see better technique and quite a bit better effort out of that group. Unfortunately, our linebacker play was maybe the worst it's been so far this season. That might be reasonable, given the absence of our best LB, but one of the guys who played really poorly this week is also extremely talented, and is capable of much better. I have been disappointed in our QB play. Bo is tough, and an excellent athlete, but he is missing on more throws than we can afford with our anemic offense. The "marriage" of Nix and Offensive Coordinator/QB Coach Chad Morris has been disappointing. Some of that is on Bo, some of it is on Morris. Once when Arky sent six (including two linebackers), Bo was quickly sacked. I went back and looked closely, and there were NO options available (or even assigned) for blitz control. Unless you are in max protection, including the TE, there's no way to block 'em all. A moderately sophisticated passing game accounts for those issues; ours apparently does not. Tank Bigsby continues to improve at an accelerated pace. D.J. Williams looks to be getting healthy. I have no idea where MAR is. He is "reportedly" an outstanding receiver, which we could certainly use. The tight end has been almost as absent as ever in the passing game. I've heard that's because freshman Brandon Frazier has been injured, but we have other tight ends who are capable receivers. I don't really know whether the lack of use of that position in the passing game is on Bo, or on Morris. Not having spring practice has no doubt had an effect. Realistically, it has had an effect on everybody, not just Auburn. But there is no scientific way to quantify that factor from team to team, program to program. As we noted before the season began, different players, coaches, and programs handled that in different ways, and the ultimate effect varies from team to team, position to position. Special teams play was a big factor in Auburn's favor this week. Aside from Anders Carlson putting two kickoffs out of bounds and thus giving up 20 yards of field position, of course. Injuries have been a factor thus far. Most teams have 'em, and, again, the effect varies depending on depth at the position, etc. There will be more, as almost nobody has "cupcakes" on their schedule wherein they can rest certain players, develop depth, and so on. Early in the Kentucky game, I noted that Chad Morris was using formations and motion to get the defensive alignment he wanted from Kentucky. I have seen virtually none of that since that point. So far, not impressed. I don't have the answers, and I'm very much aware that "it ain't easy". There is lots and lots of room for improvement across the board. But I did see a few steps in the right direction this week. Not nearly as many as I'd like to have seen, but "one step at a time". I hope we can hold it together and keep moving forward, however small the steps may be.
abw0004 10,104 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Always glad to see your post! Welcome sight. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuMarine 1,372 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Thanks @JMR love reading these every week. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerHorn 1,351 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 In defense of Carlson, wasn't the wind very high when his two kicks went out of bounds? I'd be interested to know how other teams with new coordinators have fared this year with no Spring to put in a new/revised system. LSU is obviously a team that is struggling, they have a new OC and DC I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
musicitytiger 281 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Love the objective analysis! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NoALtiger 3,849 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Excellent point on the formations Chad used against UK that we haven’t seen since. I was pretty stoked seeing new alignments and motions we’ve not used before and we seemed to have success with them as well. We were more creative and clearly were not running the same ole crap. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Auhud08 596 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Always get frustrated when we show a bunch of new stuff week one only to never see it again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 (edited) 13 hours ago, JMR said: The tight end has been almost as absent as ever in the passing game. I've heard that's because freshman Brandon Frazier has been injured, but we have other tight ends who are capable receivers. Early in the Kentucky game, I noted that Chad Morris was using formations and motion to get the defensive alignment he wanted from Kentucky. I have seen virtually none of that since that point. So far, not impressed. I'm sorry to bring it up here, but this has Gus written all over it. We've seen this same theme with players at every skill position since Gus has been here- an over-reliance on certain guys and a lack of trust in other guys- and we've also seen a couple season openers have some new looks and break tendencies, only to revert back to the same old stuff the next week. Feels like we're seeing it again, but I'm not well-versed enough in Xs and Os to know if that's the case, or if we're trying new stuff and it's just not working because of execution flaws. Either way, I refuse to believe that we don't have more talent than the on-field results suggest. Thanks as always for your awesome, candid analysis, Coach! Edited October 13, 2020 by McLoofus 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keesler 5,922 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 18 hours ago, JMR said: Like pretty much everyone here, I've been disappointed so far. But having spent thousands of hours watching and re-watching film/tape/digital recordings of hormonal high school boys learning the game (and life), I understand at least a little about where we are at this point. Thanks Coach and stick with those young kids, you're grooming them into young men. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Like pretty much everyone here, I've been disappointed so far. But having spent thousands of hours watching and re-watching film/tape/digital recordings of hormonal high school boys learning the game (and life), I understand at least a little about where we are at this point.
EastAl_Tiger 225 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 5 hours ago, McLoofus said: I'm sorry to bring it up here, but this has Gus written all over it. We've seen this same theme with players at every skill position since Gus has been here- an over-reliance on certain guys and a lack of trust in other guys- and we've also seen a couple season openers have some new looks and break tendencies, only to revert back to the same old stuff the next week. Feels like we're seeing it again, but I'm not well-versed enough in Xs and Os to know if that's the case, or if we're trying new stuff and it's just not working because of execution flaws. Either way, I refuse to believe that we don't have more talent than the on-field results suggest. Thanks as always for your awesome, candid analysis, Coach! I'm not well versed in X's and O's either, but I know a sideways pass when I see it. I see the same ole passes to static targets. I see the non-use of the TE. That has Gus written all over it. 2 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
homersapien 11,347 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 "But, the uga game is, unfortunately, a solid indicator of where we are in terms of talent, execution, and coaching when trying to compete with what we like to think are our "peers". 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,456 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 Thanks Coach Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScubaSteve 194 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 I think Arky's kicker also had 2 kicks go out of bounds also. Not sure when the last time in a college game 4 kickoff's went out of bounds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnFast 21 Posted October 13, 2020 Share Posted October 13, 2020 (edited) More on Anders launching kickoffs out of bounds twice when he virtually never does it once in a game. At first I thought he was having a really off night but then Arky hit two out too not even close to the endzone. I've never HEARD of 4 kickoffs going out if bounds accidentally in the same college game, and it wasn't THAT windy. Leading me to think they were intentional in a close game with a wet surface (harder to react to a kick returner's cut on wet surface). I'm a thinkin'. Edited October 13, 2020 by AuburnFast Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tigerrules 517 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Excellent assessment of the state of the team. It all starts on the offensive and defensive line of scrimmage. A Gus offense can be somewhat effective with a good offensive line. With a struggling offensive line it just looks horrible. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,456 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Quick question Coach. What do YOU think of WR play/ possibilities outside of Seth and Anthony S.? Thanks in advance Coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMR 2,118 Posted October 14, 2020 Author Share Posted October 14, 2020 Tim, watching Game One, I felt like the WR group was gonna be a strength of the team, with some experienced guys and some very capable newcomers. I have been a little disappointed with the progress since then. The blocking effort has actually been pretty stellar, but the route-running and actual receiving has been more spotty than I expected, and the newbies have apparently dropped out of the plan. I can certainly understand some hesitation about playing the rookies (like Capers) against uga, in only the second game, but how else are they going to contribute and improve their skills? Bottom line, there have been multiple factors at play affecting the "performance" of the WR group, including poor pass protection, Bo missing open receivers and/or not seeing open receivers, dropped balls that were catchable, and occasional predictability, wherein our personnel and alignment revealed the planned play. Truthfully, although we don't like to consider it, it's still early, and things (at every position) are likely to change, either for better, or for worse. Time will tell. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,456 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 23 minutes ago, JMR said: Tim, watching Game One, I felt like the WR group was gonna be a strength of the team, with some experienced guys and some very capable newcomers. I have been a little disappointed with the progress since then. The blocking effort has actually been pretty stellar, but the route-running and actual receiving has been more spotty than I expected, and the newbies have apparently dropped out of the plan. I can certainly understand some hesitation about playing the rookies (like Capers) against uga, in only the second game, but how else are they going to contribute and improve their skills? Bottom line, there have been multiple factors at play affecting the "performance" of the WR group, including poor pass protection, Bo missing open receivers and/or not seeing open receivers, dropped balls that were catchable, and occasional predictability, wherein our personnel and alignment revealed the planned play. Truthfully, although we don't like to consider it, it's still early, and things (at every position) are likely to change, either for better, or for worse. Time will tell. Thanks Coach. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fredst 9,064 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, JMR said: I can certainly understand some hesitation about playing the rookies (like Capers) against uga, in only the second game, but how else are they going to contribute and improve their skills? This is the mindset I do not understand from the staff (I guess). On one hand, we are told that the staff and PTB regard this season as a free ride and that the record doesn’t ultimately matter but on the other hand we aren’t using the opportunity to maximum benefit to get guys game experience. My sense is that the vast majority of the fan base have their opinion of Gus and the results of this season aren’t much going to change them. I know you want to win every game but, if you’re playing with house money, why not let it rip? Edited October 14, 2020 by fredst Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
McLoofus 35,182 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 7 minutes ago, fredst said: This is the mindset I do not understand from the staff (I guess). On one hand, we are told that the staff and PTB regard this season as a free ride and that the record doesn’t ultimately matter but in the other hand we aren’t using the opportunity to maximum benefit to get guys game experience. My sense is that the vast majority of the fan base have their opinion of Gus and the results of this season aren’t much going to change them. I know you want to win every game but, if you’re playing with house money, why not let it rip? More Gus refusing to trust the people around him. You get an occasional out-of-the-box hero like KJ, Derrick Brown or Tank, or more likely a young guy is forced into action due to depth issues, but otherwise he just doesn't trust playmakers to make plays unless he likes them for some other reason. Joey Gatewood and I just texted about this and he agrees. He sent me a bunch of emojis that I didn't understand because he's a young man and I still post on Facebook sometimes but I did understand the thrust of his communique. 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnNTexas 7,127 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 Like you I saw some improvement in O-Line the feet movement after contact on occasion and more importantly less missed assignments. I totally agree that LB has digressed, we don't disguise our blitz's very well. Total lack of use of TE's is passing game and basically not using middle of the field in passing game. Almost all passes to backs are only east west passes we never let them turn up field before passing to them. I was more disappointed in D-line then you coach. I didn't think we controlled the edge and very little pressure on QB unless we blitzed. Finally Bo seems to play in panic mode leaving pocket early instead of stepping up, when being sacked has come close to lose ball by trying ridiculous throws that have been close to fumbles, losing the snap on the next to last play then panicking and instead of kneeling or throwing ball away forward throws it behind himself. O-Line and not using TE and middle of field may be part of the panic but a lot is on Bo. I have been a Bo fan but the reality he is not doing well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steeleagle 2,945 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 On the OL....I agree that the line looks like it can be a more productive group. I read today, that early on in the practices up to the season opener, the virus positives we had affected the OL group the most. ANd I can believe that not having consistent OL practices had to create a problem, especially since all of the OL, except for Brahms, we were going to start new players. On the WRs....I expect to have inconsistencies with all the FReshmen, but there has to be plays called to get them chances. In the Ark game, we only completed passes to 2 WRs, and i feel only targeted those same receivers. When we had a comfortable lead early, this is the time to at least give the new WRs some targets to get them experience. On the TEs....I don't get it. Even though, we HEARD that we were going to use the FR Frazier but with his injury, we have simply not attempted to throw to them, or target them. Shenaker is a good hands guy, why can't there be plays to get him the ball? Is Deal not able to catch a pass? We have all the TEs but still hear we don't have the kind that can catch. BS. QB.....Bo still struggles, and at times looks just like he did last year. Leaves the pocket prematurely still at times. Is inaccurate at times on even short passes. Does he look for his progressions? I still don't know. Some of this is still due to OL collapses. But he still seems to only perfrom well when it crisis time( end of game). We need him to manage drives better. OC/Morris....I have seen like the OP at times great schemes and good play calling that uses all parts of the offense, but then it disappears like it did in the ARK game. No slants, No passes to TEs, No streaks or deep throws to AS for some reason this game. He did a good job of getting the ball to AS (10 balls), but still need to see curls and plays attacking the middle. This is just my offensive thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,456 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 17 minutes ago, steeleagle said: On the OL....I agree that the line looks like it can be a more productive group. I read today, that early on in the practices up to the season opener, the virus positives we had affected the OL group the most. ANd I can believe that not having consistent OL practices had to create a problem, especially since all of the OL, except for Brahms, we were going to start new players. On the WRs....I expect to have inconsistencies with all the FReshmen, but there has to be plays called to get them chances. In the Ark game, we only completed passes to 2 WRs, and i feel only targeted those same receivers. When we had a comfortable lead early, this is the time to at least give the new WRs some targets to get them experience. On the TEs....I don't get it. Even though, we HEARD that we were going to use the FR Frazier but with his injury, we have simply not attempted to throw to them, or target them. Shenaker is a good hands guy, why can't there be plays to get him the ball? Is Deal not able to catch a pass? We have all the TEs but still hear we don't have the kind that can catch. BS. QB.....Bo still struggles, and at times looks just like he did last year. Leaves the pocket prematurely still at times. Is inaccurate at times on even short passes. Does he look for his progressions? I still don't know. Some of this is still due to OL collapses. But he still seems to only perfrom well when it crisis time( end of game). We need him to manage drives better. OC/Morris....I have seen like the OP at times great schemes and good play calling that uses all parts of the offense, but then it disappears like it did in the ARK game. No slants, No passes to TEs, No streaks or deep throws to AS for some reason this game. He did a good job of getting the ball to AS (10 balls), but still need to see curls and plays attacking the middle. This is just my offensive thoughts. Agree with opinions. Also, has Bo been instructed to not take a sack under ANY circumstances? Appears that way and at times makes the entire offense look just plain bad. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
steeleagle 2,945 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 14 minutes ago, WarTim said: Agree with opinions. Also, has Bo been instructed to not take a sack under ANY circumstances? Appears that way and at times makes the entire offense look just plain bad. I don't think so. I think Bo has operated this way even last year. I think the problem could be he has never had to deal with being sacked in HS (I recall a stat that he never was sacked in HS). I think he just doesn't want to stay in that pocket. I have seen QBs who don't feel the pocket well, become gunshy. The great QBs know how to slide or makes the throw even when he knows he is getting ready to get hit. Bo, so far, is not one of them. He feels he can escape and run away from the breakdown. Even if it is premature. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SocialCircle 570 Posted October 14, 2020 Share Posted October 14, 2020 21 hours ago, tigerrules said: Excellent assessment of the state of the team. It all starts on the offensive and defensive line of scrimmage. A Gus offense can be somewhat effective with a good offensive line. With a struggling offensive line it just looks horrible. I agree we need continued improvement from our o line, but this is clearly Chad’s offense although it hasn’t all been installed yet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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