Popular Post JMR 2,118 Posted October 23, 2017 Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2017 Although the "title" of this is meant to be self-explanatory, let me elaborate just a little and say that these are things I quite literally *think* I saw in the game. I'm unable (and unwilling) to invest the time to totally break down the tape, so there's little doubt I miss some things, or even "see" some things inaccurately. Arkansas is, somewhat remarkably, a very poor football team. I don't say that flippantly, as I'm sure their players and coaches work extremely hard. I just didn't see anything (other than some great effort) that they could hang their hats on and say "At least we did this and this well." It's tough for any team to be anywhere near sharp without their quarterback, but the Hogs' offensive line is so poor that whoever lines up at QB could claim "reckless endangerment." I'm not picking on the Arky OL coach.... I don't even recall who holds the job....but among the numerous coaches who have departed Fayetteville during Bielema's tenure is Sam Pittman. Pittman had built a pretty stout OL there, and the work he's doing at UGA since leaving Arkansas has been impressive. Might be one possible explanation for why the Arky quarterbacks are taking such a beating this season. With some of my "opinions" out of the way, here are some things...in no logical order....I think I saw in the game.... Jarrett Stidham was very sharp out of the gate, completing six of his first eight passes, with one drop. Stidham missed a couple later in the game, but generally was very sharp both throwing the ball and making his reads in both the passing game and the running game. Was great to see Kam Pettway looking like his 2016 self. He started a little slowly, but once he got a couple of plays, the bull began to emerge. Having Pettway and KJ healthy at this point in the season is HUGE for the AU offense. Was nice to see KJ take a seat after 20 carries in the first half. Darius Slayton had a huge game, with something like 5 catches for 145 yards. He also had a couple of drops, but that happens when you're targeted often. Heck of a catch by Nate Craig-Myers on a fairly deep ball. Had the ball been thrown better, NCM may have taken it in, but the catch he made was remarkable. He is a heck of a receiver, one that we need to find more ways to get the ball to. On Stidham's one interception, two things: He visually locked in on Will Hastings midway through Hastings' route, and he was late throwing the ball. That throw from the far hash to the sideline is one of the toughest there is. Stidham has plenty of arm for it, but it has to be thrown on time. To be fair, it was very well played by the Arkansas DB. Some unusually strange officiating in this game. The reversal of the ball spot on the third and one for AU on the goal line was one of the most baffling replay results I've seen. I am admittedly biased, but it looked to me like KJ made the first down. Regardless, I saw absolutely nothing that merited reversal of the on-field call by the replay officials. Truly a strange sequence of events, and one that did nothing to build my faith in the "Replay Center" back in Birmiingham. Another weird call was the muffed punt by Stephen Roberts after he was crashed into by an Arkansas player after calling for a fair catch. Rather ironically, Arkansas DB Nate Dalton, who ran into Roberts on the play, later ran across the face of the Arkansas punt returner, causing a muffed punt that was recovered by Auburn and led to an AU touchdown. If I were the special teams coach for Arkansas, I'm pretty sure Nate would be giving up his spot on special teams this week. Speaking of special teams, I think I mentioned last week that ours worry me. The 100-yard kickoff return this week did nothing to assuage that feeling. A punt return and a kickoff return for TDs in two weeks is cause for serious concern. Somewhere, Jay Boulware and Scott Fountain are smiling. We are sorely missing Tray Matthews on defense. With Matthews out, and Javaris Davis out, we are struggling on the back end of the defense. I'm not quite sure what the cause is, but our linebackers seem to be missing their run fits more often these last two games than they have all season. I'm not sure if it's because Tre Williams has been either out or playing injured, but relatively poor running teams are breaking some big runs between the tackles on us. That's problematic, as the best running teams we play are ahead on the schedule. I don't know about all the "Sensei Mud" stuff, but Jeff Holland is a terror off the edge. He started the year strong, and seems to be getting better and better. He is very under control in his pass rush, and is a threat to dislodge the ball from the QB at any time. We fans seem to love to scrutinize the play of Chandler Cox. Personally, I really like the kid. He plays hard, appears to care a lot, etc. But sometimes he puts a defender on his butt, and other times he gets put on his own. Saw one of each this week. Still, I love the kid, and have never found fault in his effort. I also am quite sure he has far more good plays than bad. Jeremiah Dinson made a few plays this week, after struggling a bit recently with injuries. He's still not completely healthy, but with the other injuries we have back there, he's holding up his end of the deal. Ryan Davis is finally becoming the player in college that he was in high school. A remarkable athlete, Davis was a jack of all trades as a prep player, and very good at every one of those trades. He's become a threat with the ball in his hands, and the throw he made on the reverse pass this week could not have been any more perfect. Incredibly athletic play. I am still waiting for a tight end seam route from our passing game. After nearly three years of not using the tight end, I'm convinced it will be open when we need it. </sarcasm> Although not by choice, we are building some depth on the offensive line. Marquel Harrell played a ton this week, and I could definitely see improvement. Prince Tega is also improving steadily. Saw him execute some fairly difficult blocks this week, and couldn't help noticing how much he's improved since the opening game. If we can get Casey Dunn and Mike Horton back, and keep Darius James healthy, we'll have a chance to be physical at Amen Corner. The same applies to the defensive secondary. Injuries have forced some backups to get serious experience, and that will serve the defense well going forward. A big win. Going on the road in the SEC is never easy, regardless of the opponent. With the open date, we will get a chance to get some warriors healed and rested, and get a good strong plan together for Texas A&M. The Aggies were off this week, so they've had that same opportunity to rest and prepare. We continue to improve as the season goes along. Still much work to be done. The injury situation is a big key to how we finish the season. If we can get all hands present and accounted for, we have a chance to finish strong. WAR EAGLE!! 10 12 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Although the "title" of this is meant to be self-explanatory, let me elaborate just a little and say that these are things I quite literally *think* I saw in the game. I'm unable (and unwilling) to invest the time to totally break down the tape, so there's little doubt I miss some things, or even "see" some things inaccurately. Arkansas is, somewhat remarkably, a very poor football team. I don't say that flippantly, as I'm sure their players and coaches work extremely hard. I just didn't see anything (other than some great effort) that they could hang their hats on and say "At least we did this and this well." It's tough for any team to be anywhere near sharp without their quarterback, but the Hogs' offensive line is so poor that whoever lines up at QB could claim "reckless endangerment." I'm not picking on the Arky OL coach.... I don't even recall who holds the job....but among the numerous coaches who have departed Fayetteville during Bielema's tenure is Sam Pittman. Pittman had built a pretty stout OL there, and the work he's doing at UGA since leaving Arkansas has been impressive. Might be one possible explanation for why the Arky quarterbacks are taking such a beating this season. With some of my "opinions" out of the way, here are some things...in no logical order....I think I saw in the game.... Jarrett Stidham was very sharp out of the gate, completing six of his first eight passes, with one drop. Stidham missed a couple later in the game, but generally was very sharp both throwing the ball and making his reads in both the passing game and the running game. Was great to see Kam Pettway looking like his 2016 self. He started a little slowly, but once he got a couple of plays, the bull began to emerge. Having Pettway and KJ healthy at this point in the season is HUGE for the AU offense. Was nice to see KJ take a seat after 20 carries in the first half. Darius Slayton had a huge game, with something like 5 catches for 145 yards. He also had a couple of drops, but that happens when you're targeted often. Heck of a catch by Nate Craig-Myers on a fairly deep ball. Had the ball been thrown better, NCM may have taken it in, but the catch he made was remarkable. He is a heck of a receiver, one that we need to find more ways to get the ball to. On Stidham's one interception, two things: He visually locked in on Will Hastings midway through Hastings' route, and he was late throwing the ball. That throw from the far hash to the sideline is one of the toughest there is. Stidham has plenty of arm for it, but it has to be thrown on time. To be fair, it was very well played by the Arkansas DB. Some unusually strange officiating in this game. The reversal of the ball spot on the third and one for AU on the goal line was one of the most baffling replay results I've seen. I am admittedly biased, but it looked to me like KJ made the first down. Regardless, I saw absolutely nothing that merited reversal of the on-field call by the replay officials. Truly a strange sequence of events, and one that did nothing to build my faith in the "Replay Center" back in Birmiingham. Another weird call was the muffed punt by Stephen Roberts after he was crashed into by an Arkansas player after calling for a fair catch. Rather ironically, Arkansas DB Nate Dalton, who ran into Roberts on the play, later ran across the face of the Arkansas punt returner, causing a muffed punt that was recovered by Auburn and led to an AU touchdown. If I were the special teams coach for Arkansas, I'm pretty sure Nate would be giving up his spot on special teams this week. Speaking of special teams, I think I mentioned last week that ours worry me. The 100-yard kickoff return this week did nothing to assuage that feeling. A punt return and a kickoff return for TDs in two weeks is cause for serious concern. Somewhere, Jay Boulware and Scott Fountain are smiling. We are sorely missing Tray Matthews on defense. With Matthews out, and Javaris Davis out, we are struggling on the back end of the defense. I'm not quite sure what the cause is, but our linebackers seem to be missing their run fits more often these last two games than they have all season. I'm not sure if it's because Tre Williams has been either out or playing injured, but relatively poor running teams are breaking some big runs between the tackles on us. That's problematic, as the best running teams we play are ahead on the schedule. I don't know about all the "Sensei Mud" stuff, but Jeff Holland is a terror off the edge. He started the year strong, and seems to be getting better and better. He is very under control in his pass rush, and is a threat to dislodge the ball from the QB at any time. We fans seem to love to scrutinize the play of Chandler Cox. Personally, I really like the kid. He plays hard, appears to care a lot, etc. But sometimes he puts a defender on his butt, and other times he gets put on his own. Saw one of each this week. Still, I love the kid, and have never found fault in his effort. I also am quite sure he has far more good plays than bad. Jeremiah Dinson made a few plays this week, after struggling a bit recently with injuries. He's still not completely healthy, but with the other injuries we have back there, he's holding up his end of the deal. Ryan Davis is finally becoming the player in college that he was in high school. A remarkable athlete, Davis was a jack of all trades as a prep player, and very good at every one of those trades. He's become a threat with the ball in his hands, and the throw he made on the reverse pass this week could not have been any more perfect. Incredibly athletic play. I am still waiting for a tight end seam route from our passing game. After nearly three years of not using the tight end, I'm convinced it will be open when we need it. </sarcasm> Although not by choice, we are building some depth on the offensive line. Marquel Harrell played a ton this week, and I could definitely see improvement. Prince Tega is also improving steadily. Saw him execute some fairly difficult blocks this week, and couldn't help noticing how much he's improved since the opening game. If we can get Casey Dunn and Mike Horton back, and keep Darius James healthy, we'll have a chance to be physical at Amen Corner. The same applies to the defensive secondary. Injuries have forced some backups to get serious experience, and that will serve the defense well going forward. A big win. Going on the road in the SEC is never easy, regardless of the opponent. With the open date, we will get a chance to get some warriors healed and rested, and get a good strong plan together for Texas A&M. The Aggies were off this week, so they've had that same opportunity to rest and prepare. We continue to improve as the season goes along. Still much work to be done. The injury situation is a big key to how we finish the season. If we can get all hands present and accounted for, we have a chance to finish strong. WAR EAGLE!!
AU-24 3,116 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Coach, any ideas why we just don't see the below? Is it silly to think we are saving it for Thuga or the Turds? I am still waiting for a tight end seam route from our passing game. After nearly three years of not using the tight end, I'm convinced it will be open when we need it. </sarcasm> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMR 2,118 Posted October 23, 2017 Author Share Posted October 23, 2017 15 minutes ago, AU-24 said: Coach, any ideas why we just don't see the below? Is it silly to think we are saving it for Thuga or the Turds? I am still waiting for a tight end seam route from our passing game. After nearly three years of not using the tight end, I'm convinced it will be open when we need it. </sarcasm> No idea why. I definitely ain’t falling for the “we’re saving it for later” thing. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DyeCampAlum 335 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 (edited) You know, I check my feed a couple of times a day hoping to find this thread. Every week. Thanks, Coach. I wonder about the TE/HBs in the passing game, too. And for the life of me, I can't figure out why we don't throw slants. The way we line up, other teams tend to creep up on our X and Z receivers. But whenever we have 3rd and whatever, we go deep, thrown the WR screen (which is pretty dang effective), or throw to the sideline. You'd think old-fashioned slants, hooks, and ins would help Stidham out. Or layered routes, which we have our own troubles defending. But it sure is nice to see Pettway looking aggressive. And I'm very happy to hear positive reports on our backup OL. We have two weeks to get healthy and get our back 7 up to snuff. I still have my reservations, but this is a good team that can improve and get really good. One small thing. Surely by God's grace we can hand off out of the wildcat. Did y'all see what Penn State did by putting their QB next to the RB in the wildcat? Imagine Willis sitting there beside KJ. Edited October 23, 2017 by DyeCampAlum left out positive content 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WarTim 3,457 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Thanks Coach!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RunInRed 16,527 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Slayton had an up and down game ... after one drop, I remember screaming at the TV, "do not throw the ball to him anymore" ... and then, low and behold, comes a big play. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jptiger 481 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Great analysis as usual. Look forward to this each week. Thanks 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TigerTennis80 349 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Coach, count me among those who look for your "column" each week & really appreciate it. Today I especially appreciate you mentioning the officiating. I, too, could not figure out the no-call on the 1st Arky punt where Roberts appeared clearly to be interfered with. I, too, thought KJ clearly made a 1st down on the 1st run & that there certainly wasn't "indisputable video evidence" to overturn the call. I wasn't even worried about it until they actually overturned it. Until reading your thoughts, I figured I must be the crazy one. If you have time at some point, I'd love to know your thoughts about differences between the 1st half & 2nd half. It appeared to me (& I don't have nearly the ability to see things like you do, which is why I'm asking) that the O line performed much better in the 2nd half. Do you agree? If so, do you have thoughts as to why that would be? Just curious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Popular Post JMR 2,118 Posted October 23, 2017 Author Popular Post Share Posted October 23, 2017 7 minutes ago, TigerTennis80 said: Coach, count me among those who look for your "column" each week & really appreciate it. Today I especially appreciate you mentioning the officiating. I, too, could not figure out the no-call on the 1st Arky punt where Roberts appeared clearly to be interfered with. I, too, thought KJ clearly made a 1st down on the 1st run & that there certainly wasn't "indisputable video evidence" to overturn the call. I wasn't even worried about it until they actually overturned it. Until reading your thoughts, I figured I must be the crazy one. If you have time at some point, I'd love to know your thoughts about differences between the 1st half & 2nd half. It appeared to me (& I don't have nearly the ability to see things like you do, which is why I'm asking) that the O line performed much better in the 2nd half. Do you agree? If so, do you have thoughts as to why that would be? Just curious. When AU switched to Pettway from KJ in the second half, the run-blocking was adjusted. More power (backside guard pulling and leading up in the A/B-gap), and using the H-back to kick out behind inside zone blocking. That lets Pettway run for a hole, rather than making a cut based on how the zone blocking goes. He's not very good at those cuts, whereas KJ excels at that. Good adjustment by Chip Lindsey and Herb Hand. 9 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Southwest 186 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 I think i was more baffled by once again a non-block in the back call,more than the fair catch interference. I would need to re-watch but i thought the ball hit our players helmet that was blocking. Totally agree that i don't understand why we aren't running TE seam routes at all,but that goes along with the non-use of Kam M,McClain,or D.Barret more. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jAUSon 2,836 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Always an honor to read what you think you saw. Without you and a couple other notables, this board is average. Thank you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Ed from LA 0 Posted October 23, 2017 Share Posted October 23, 2017 Nothing about Malik Willis? To me, he looked great right out of the gate. Granted he went in with (possibly) a gassed set of defenders, but he made good decisions beginning with his 48 yard zone read. Makes me wonder if the only reason Stidham got the hype early on was that he had a year under his belt. Malik looks like he can run the whole offense, if he can complete a pas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CountStandya 81 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Slayton drops balls ...lots of them Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AU-24 3,116 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 21 hours ago, JMR said: No idea why. I definitely ain’t falling for the “we’re saving it for later” thing. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AuburnNTexas 7,197 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Thanks again for your insight it is always spot on. I agree about Harrel and Tega but I have to admit my real fear is with James even when he is healthy. His run blocking is usually excellent but he just gets beat to often when in pass blocking and it is not always for the same reason. One time he is a little slow getting out to a wide rusher next time he over commits to get out there and blocker starts out and then goes inside of him because he over committed. Blocking speed rushers for a tackle is one of the toughest jobs but he seemed to have improved by the end of last year and if anything I would have expected him to be even better next year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Eye 7 2,535 Posted October 24, 2017 Share Posted October 24, 2017 Thanks coach as always. I agree the most excited thing I see right now is our ability to plug and play the OL and continue to improve. I think JS is feeling a lot more at ease back there. Speaking of Dinson his sack of the 6-9 280 QB was a thing of perfection. Terrific take down . Special teams will beat us if we don’t get it fixed. Time for Gus to give ST to someone else ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Glen from West Glenn Ave 44 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 When was the last time we had a holding penalty on our offensive line? 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eisenhower_1952 87 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 Going back to the Ole Miss game, the defensive tackle that did the belly flop. Is he still playing, and has he improved? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMR 2,118 Posted October 25, 2017 Author Share Posted October 25, 2017 1 hour ago, Eisenhower_1952 said: Going back to the Ole Miss game, the defensive tackle that did the belly flop. Is he still playing, and has he improved? He wasn’t awful, but I wouldn’t say he played well. Ragnow drove him 12 yards downfield once. Same could be said for one other DT as well. Not a great game for the guys on the inside. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eagle Eye 7 2,535 Posted October 25, 2017 Share Posted October 25, 2017 (edited) 7 hours ago, Glen from West Glenn Ave said: When was the last time we had a holding penalty on our offensive line? I think our line is doing extremely well given the injuries and the sometime eradic play calling from the genius. And your right they have had very few penalties in the past few games. Edited October 25, 2017 by Eagle Eye 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BJCrawford 1,568 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 On 10/23/2017 at 12:35 PM, JMR said: When AU switched to Pettway from KJ in the second half, the run-blocking was adjusted. More power (backside guard pulling and leading up in the A/B-gap), and using the H-back to kick out behind inside zone blocking. That lets Pettway run for a hole, rather than making a cut based on how the zone blocking goes. He's not very good at those cuts, whereas KJ excels at that. Good adjustment by Chip Lindsey and Herb Hand. Is this type of blocking adjustment easy enough to do based on the play called? Could both KJ and KP be in the backfield at the same time? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JMR 2,118 Posted October 26, 2017 Author Share Posted October 26, 2017 11 minutes ago, BJCrawford said: Is this type of blocking adjustment easy enough to do based on the play called? Could both KJ and KP be in the backfield at the same time? Depends on the play call. Sure, they could be in the backfield at the same time, but based on history, that’s unlikely. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LKEEL75 2,566 Posted October 26, 2017 Share Posted October 26, 2017 1 hour ago, JMR said: Depends on the play call. Sure, they could be in the backfield at the same time, but based on history, that’s unlikely. In CCL's interview he said he had some ideas on how to use them. I am wondering why not have them both in there for the wildcat type plays. Then you have to honor the dive play with KP going up the middle and KJ could run a true read-option and bounce outside if needed. Throw the speed sweep in there and this becomes very difficult to defend. But I agree, I doubt it happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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