AU_Twisterman

Everything with the broadcast, both TV and radio, is just a struggle. Maybe it will improve as the season goes on.

On defense, I saw a couple of miscues from LBs that was tough to see at this level.

Wow

Just noticed from Nathan King of 247 that Finley will be with team for at least through the Spring.  I'm sure there is a possibility he will be gone after he graduates so may not mean a whole lot for next season.

Finley Back With Team

39 minutes ago, Mikey said:

How does his 47 TD, 3 INT stat square with not starting?

I believe he committed to Liberty before starting his senior year.

Love that Sly Smith flipped to AU.  A little more physical development will do him some good. Doesn't have elite speed, but has good quickness and ball skills. Can be a very physical tackler.

Did a quick search on HB.  He got offered and committed (to Liberty) before ever starting a HS game (sat behind a Cincy commit).  Always wanted to be coached by CHF, so he camped there and committed on the spot when offered and he shut recruiting down.  Originally from Illinois.

Based on some pics, he is more physically developed than some are letting on. He has had really good coaching, just not much experience.  He navigates the pocket well and is accurate. Not a runner, but can throw on roll outs and shows touch when needed. Probably doesn't spin it as well as Geriner, but he is good.  He has enough tools to say it will be about how quickly he learns to process routes/coverages and then pull the trigger on time.

I think it is a no-brainer to add him to the QB room.

He and Joiner give us two quality interior lineman.  Very nice.  Getting close to being done with HS OL by now.  Now to the portal for immediate help.

If they are splitting reps among 3 quarterbacks, then that takes away some of those valuable reps from Finley.  They don't have an unlimited number of minutes or reps to practice their plays against the coverages and blitzes that Penn State has shown, so it is something that I'm just not sure about.  Aside from the injuries, they must like what Calzada brings to the table.  Aside from the 3 or 4 bad plays in the first two games, I thought that Finley has thrown some beautiful balls.  As always with AU football, it should be interesting.

We have a chance to control both lines of scrimmage.  Doing that would really help our QB situation and pass coverage.  Looking forward to the game.

1 minute ago, Jgarrett7 said:

Or heaven forbid he might succeed with his guys 

Well, you beat me to it.

4 minutes ago, CameronCrazy said:

Let’s just go ahead and get this over with so we can all move on to the next coach. Name Schmedding the DC and let Harsin do what he’s wanted to do from the beginning - hire his boys. Let him fail with Boise St coaches.

I vote for him to succeed with Boise St coaches.

Just based on Calzada's film I just looked through from 2 or 3 games this year, he has chance to be a on par with Nix in regards to the passing game, maybe even better in some areas.  Bo showed some ability this year to stand in the pocket and deliver a throw under pressure, but Calzada did that on a much more consistent basis in the film I saw.  Bo bailed way too much, and operated out of the system/progressions way too often.  Both have similar arm strength, but Nix has quicker release and can throw it better from different angles.  Calzada may be better at the deep ball, but I honestly didn't see A&M take many shots on film.

Also, regarding Calzada's "happy feet" that some have mentioned, I think a lot of that is just from his in-the-pocket technique of consistently moving the feet to stay in throwing position, sort of like Peyton Manning always did.  Now of course he does bail some when he doesn't need to, but I think that part of it may be overstated.

One last thing - Calzada looked terrible at times carrying out fakes in the run game.  Very lazy movements.

A little fact I wanted to interject in the middle of some of this nonsense I am seeing . . . . Bo Nix will turn 22 before TJ Finley turns 20.  This may not matter to some of you, but I think it needs to be taken into account.

Very nice pickup!  Awesome news!

After doing a little bit of research on him, I would be happy with Zak Hill.

I just don't like his alignment this year.  Seems to be very close to the ball at setup and doesn't look very athletic on approach.

Whatever it is, there is no consistency to his kicks.  If you just watch the extra points, not many go straight down the middle.

Maybe he can get it figured out.

3 minutes ago, CleCoTiger said:

If the powers that be/boosters that control the purse strings will stay out of the way and not meddle, a no-nonsense up and coming coach like Harsin may be just the coach to help AU reach its full potential. I just hope folks have some patience in this first year. With new receivers, thin numbers at offensive line, all the transfers and new schemes on both sides of the ball, I see a tough row to hoe in the first season. But like I keep saying, Dye's first season didn't produce a winning record but it did show what kind of team he was going to put on the field, and that turned out to be pretty darn good!

War Eagle!

• I don't see Harsin as the type of guy that will entertain meddling from the outside
• Along those same lines, Harsin is not really an up and coming coach.  He is very well established as a successful head coach
• Yep, receivers will be thin, but offensive line should be better with good numbers for this year
• I don't think we went into the negative on transfers.  Seems like we at least broke even, maybe even on the positive side of things, but that remains to be seen.
• New schemes....yes, please.  Minus the few mental mistakes that will arise because of the newness (that you are alluding to), I think the new schemes will be better for the players, especially on the offensive side of the ball.
• Maybe it is just me, but I say we shoot for a championship season.

I know it is highlights, but he looks good.  Spins it well, and once he decides to throw it is quickly out.  Has shown he can navigate the pocket.  I don't have a whole lot of time to argue my point, but as of these Junior highlights he may be a better passer than what is currently on the roster.

2 minutes ago, Tigerpro2a said:

What a weird situation that one was. Kid had all the talent in the world. What ended up happening with him? Did he end up somewhere?

I believe he is at TCU.

59 minutes ago, AuburnNTexas said:

Smaller speed linebackers don't fit the 3-4 defense bama runs they need big LB's that can handle OL. We use smaller LB's as in our system our LB's need to run and our D-Line needs to protect them so they can run.

I bet we would prefer taller, bigger LBs that can still run sideline to sideline, but we have a tough time signing them as not many of them are out there.  You get what you can get.

1 hour ago, WarDamnEagleWDE said:

All of the top schools have passed on this kid. He has lots and lots and lots of baggage.

Coaches have to be around these kids almost every day once they get on campus, so I'm guessing they see potential there for things to turn around.  But desperate times.....