Game Thread Problem- Thoughts on the Team

[au_weagle 0]

Yeah I don't like the game threads because everyone needs to step back for a day and think about the overall performance.

I think the problem is purely with Malzahn at the moment, and his complete lack of creativity. He made his players look 3 times as better than they were a year ago (see Chris Todd, Darvin Adams), but now he is just leaning on his players and not putting them in the best position to make plays. I have not liked that almost all of our plays, especially on 1st down, have been that option read. If he didnt do so well with so little last year, I wouldnt have these expectations. But we thought he would come out with all of these awesome ideas for Cam, but we have seen only a handful.

[TAYLORKEETON 674]

Playcalling

[AU Counsel 64]

The o-line has underperformed big time, Cam isn't making his reads, Mario has been sick or hurt every game, and Dyer is a rookie, plus Green is gone for the season.  

We should still be able to run bubble screens, counters, and some short passes on first down, but I don't think Malzahn's brain took a vacation or anything...

[AUinfusion 390]

The o-line has underperformed big time, Cam isn't making his reads, Mario has been sick or hurt every game, and Dyer is a rookie, plus Green is gone for the season.  

We should still be able to run bubble screens, counters, and some short passes on first down, but I don't think Malzahn's brain took a vacation or anything...

I wish people would quit laying the running game on the 'OL. They have done great pass blocking, and decent run blocking. Those first two blown up run plays were from defenders that were unblocked by design. They knew right where to go to make the play. That's not the Ol, it's the play calling. I think we are givin our plays away pre snap right now. We need to mix up our packages and motions, and run a few different plays.

[3rdgen 2]

People sure are fickle two months ago malzahn was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag.  Some of ya'll are getting a little ahead of yourself and need to slow down a little on bashing the guy.  No matter what plays he calls or where he wants the ball thrown.  He is not the one responsible for executing.  He can't make cam's reads for him.  He can't run routes of the wrs.  he can't block for the oline.  He can't make cam's checkdowns or make him see the whole field.  Don't bash the guy who took us from a 3-2 win to a 32 pt/g and leading the sec in rushing with the nation's 5th rated passer.

[SumterAubie 2,922]

People sure are fickle two months ago malzahn was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag.  Some of ya'll are getting a little ahead of yourself and need to slow down a little on bashing the guy.  No matter what plays he calls or where he wants the ball thrown.  He is not the one responsible for executing.  He can't make cam's reads for him.  He can't run routes of the wrs.  he can't block for the oline.  He can't make cam's checkdowns or make him see the whole field.  Don't bash the guy who took us from a 3-2 win to a 32 pt/g and leading the sec in rushing with the nation's 5th rated passer.

+1000

[AUWALT 10]

People sure are fickle two months ago malzahn was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag.  Some of ya'll are getting a little ahead of yourself and need to slow down a little on bashing the guy.  No matter what plays he calls or where he wants the ball thrown.  He is not the one responsible for executing.  He can't make cam's reads for him.  He can't run routes of the wrs.  he can't block for the oline.  He can't make cam's checkdowns or make him see the whole field.  Don't bash the guy who took us from a 3-2 win to a 32 pt/g and leading the sec in rushing with the nation's 5th rated passer.

+1000

I Agree

All of this couch potato coaching and bitching is turning me off from this site, I just don't know which threads to click on anymore.

[UltraSwagnus 1]

dont see how you criticize a coach when hes undefeated

[NoALtiger 3,675]

dont see how you criticize a coach when hes undefeated

questioning coaching and decisions made have nothing to do with record. You shouldn't need losses to point out things that obviously need improvement. The coaches themselves do this everyday. WDE.

[wareaglehey 0]

I know Ive posted on every single thread that that is similar to this one (including this one) but it is a few hours from the Tuesday of game week. It is time to get past CU and focus on USCe. 

[bootskii 258]

I feel that the secondary is our Achilles heel on defense right now. I know this is part coaching mistakes so I am not going to fully put the blame on the players. If Miss St. and Clemson receivers could catch we would easily be 1-2 right now. Our offense has become a bit predictable. I haven't seen some of the razzle dazzle like last year but that could be because this is Cam's first year in the offense and the RB's are a little green. I would like to see the passing game open up more so we wouldn't always have to rely on Cam running the ball all the time. Our WR corps is stout so there is no problem there. I have also noticed that we can't run the ball up the gut that well .  

[Farmer Brown 2,386]

People sure are fickle two months ago malzahn was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag.  Some of ya'll are getting a little ahead of yourself and need to slow down a little on bashing the guy.  No matter what plays he calls or where he wants the ball thrown.  He is not the one responsible for executing.  He can't make cam's reads for him.  He can't run routes of the wrs.  he can't block for the oline.  He can't make cam's checkdowns or make him see the whole field.  Don't bash the guy who took us from a 3-2 win to a 32 pt/g and leading the sec in rushing with the nation's 5th rated passer.

+1000

I Agree

All of this couch potato coaching and B***hing is turning me off from this site, I just don't know which threads to click on anymore.

No one is bi***ing sir! It is nothing more than thoughts from the game. Come on! Are we just going to get on here and say rah rah we are the greatest. What is wrong with a discussion about glaring things that coaching can fix?

[tgrogan21 6,198]

I feel that the secondary is our Achilles heel on defense right now. I know this is part coaching mistakes so I am not going to fully put the blame on the players. If Miss St. and Clemson receivers could catch we would easily be 1-2 right now. Our offense has become a bit predictable. I haven't seen some of the razzle dazzle like last year but that could be because this is Cam's first year in the offense and the RB's are a little green. I would like to see the passing game open up more so we wouldn't always have to rely on Cam running the ball all the time. Our WR corps is stout so there is no problem there. I have also noticed that we can't run the ball up the gut that well .  

You can't say something like that unless you through throw in the other side as well.

IF Auburn could hang onto the football we would have easily won every game.

IF Auburn could have blocked better on the OL we would have easily won every game.

IF Auburn would stop making so many penalties and stop shooting themselves in the foot we would have easily won every game.

See how that plays out? Shoulda, coulda, woulda means absolutely nothing because the same can be said for EVERY team.

Take Duke against Alabama. If Duke had as much talent as SEC teams they would have won. Or Penn State. If Penn State didn't turn the ball over a million times they would have won.

[AUBL11 0]

People sure are fickle two months ago malzahn was the greatest thing since sliced bread.  Now he can't coach his way out of a wet paper bag.  Some of ya'll are getting a little ahead of yourself and need to slow down a little on bashing the guy.  No matter what plays he calls or where he wants the ball thrown.  He is not the one responsible for executing.  He can't make cam's reads for him.  He can't run routes of the wrs.  he can't block for the oline.  He can't make cam's checkdowns or make him see the whole field.  Don't bash the guy who took us from a 3-2 win to a 32 pt/g and leading the sec in rushing with the nation's 5th rated passer.

+1000

I Agree

All of this couch potato coaching and B***hing is turning me off from this site, I just don't know which threads to click on anymore.

No one is bi***ing sir! It is nothing more than thoughts from the game. Come on! Are we just going to get on here and say rah rah we are the greatest. What is wrong with a discussion about glaring things that coaching can fix?

How dare we discuss on a "discussion board"???

Anyway, to take on the topic. I hate to do it but I'm gonna use a word that seems to be the main point of ol turd gurgler across the state: complacency.  Neither coaches nor players nor fans nor anyone needs to be complacent. believe me the coaches know exactly what's not going well on the field. But you can bet they aren't just spouting every single mistake out to the media.

THIS board should be a way for us fans to talk to each other about the problems that we are seeing and maybe shed some intellect on each other's perspective. Not b***h about how we're bad fans because we critique coaches or players or that we are simply rah rah rah.

Sorry to rant but each person's perspective should be respected and tolerated.

[TAYLORKEETON 674]

we rant because we have SOOOOO MUCH potential and we'd LOVE to reach that....idt anybody can beat us IF we can reach it.

[AU Counsel 64]

The o-line has underperformed big time, Cam isn't making his reads, Mario has been sick or hurt every game, and Dyer is a rookie, plus Green is gone for the season.  

We should still be able to run bubble screens, counters, and some short passes on first down, but I don't think Malzahn's brain took a vacation or anything...

I wish people would quit laying the running game on the 'OL. They have done great pass blocking, and decent run blocking. Those first two blown up run plays were from defenders that were unblocked by design. They knew right where to go to make the play. That's not the Ol, it's the play calling. I think we are givin our plays away pre snap right now. We need to mix up our packages and motions, and run a few different plays.

I'm not talking about the unblocked defensive ends on a zone read.  The offensive line has struggled the last two weeks, more so last week.  Clemson rushed 4 and gave us fits.  I agree on the misdirection and motions, and I have spent two weeks preaching about it.  But yes the playcalling has been an issue too.

[bootskii 258]

I feel that the secondary is our Achilles heel on defense right now. I know this is part coaching mistakes so I am not going to fully put the blame on the players. If Miss St. and Clemson receivers could catch we would easily be 1-2 right now. Our offense has become a bit predictable. I haven't seen some of the razzle dazzle like last year but that could be because this is Cam's first year in the offense and the RB's are a little green. I would like to see the passing game open up more so we wouldn't always have to rely on Cam running the ball all the time. Our WR corps is stout so there is no problem there. I have also noticed that we can't run the ball up the gut that well .  

You can't say something like that unless you through throw in the other side as well.

IF Auburn could hang onto the football we would have easily won every game.

IF Auburn could have blocked better on the OL we would have easily won every game.

IF Auburn would stop making so many penalties and stop shooting themselves in the foot we would have easily won every game.

See how that plays out? Shoulda, coulda, woulda means absolutely nothing because the same can be said for EVERY team.

Take Duke against Alabama. If Duke had as much talent as SEC teams they would have won. Or Penn State. If Penn State didn't turn the ball over a million times they would have won.

I think thats why I said IF Miss St. and Clemson WR's could catch. Don't get me wrong I am glad we are 3-0 but those missed catches I am referring to the WR's were wide open and the only thing that broke the passes up was their own butterfingers.

[Auburn20041345162806 0]

I think the team is doing well and is only gona get better. As soon as Cam works out the kinks and gets the short passing game going and the O-line pulls it back together the Tbs will get some more play, the long ball will still be there and Cam will still be a monster. we are gona be fine. I cant believe anyone would wana get rid of Gus. Gus is honestly the most creative O-Coordinator in the game. he is a force.

[InfernoOrangeSS 319]

No one is bi***ing sir! It is nothing more than thoughts from the game. Come on! Are we just going to get on here and say rah rah we are the greatest. What is wrong with a discussion about glaring things that coaching can fix?

I agree.  I have not read any posts that are critical of the game plans or coaching that sounded anything other than fans who were concerned that their team needs to improve on things.  While some complain that this site has turn negative, I disagree.  I think the discussions have been more open and balanced.  No one wants to go to a discussion board where everyone wears blinders and can not see any negatives.  I am sure the coaches notice the negatives so that they have things to improve upon in the week's practices. 

You are not a lesser AU fan because you point out what you think may be a weakness.

[TIGERZFAN 0]

OK guys look at it this way... Last year we had a running back that had been touching the ball for 3 years... a QB that could only do one thing and that was get rid of the ball ( not a cut on todd) this year we have a TRUE freshman running back that is doing PHENOMINAL another back that missed a lot of time last year due to Sickness and injury and another back that is missing this year due to injury.... We have a QB that is getting his feet wet in the big boys league after a season in the minors. We have all the tools on being a GREAT team and i beleive that we are on the cusp of that point. It may not happen this season but i am certain that it is there and will happen... We have a great coaching staff. Great players in the rite positions and the greatest fan base in the nation!!!!!!!!!

Give it a few days and we will see where we are at.

['82 Tiger 2]

i thought we'd be better and i'm disappointed that we're not performing like a well oiled machine. 

did i buy into the hype after last season or was i overly optimistic.  maybe a little of both.  glad to see some improvement in special teams.  might be a real long season if we don't start getting better.

     

   

[guerra aguila 0]

Im the kinda fella that just lets the coaches do their damn job and see what happens.

We are 3-0, and we have a great opportunity to beat a good South Carolina team on Saturday.

Sure, the close games drive me a little crazy, but thats part of the thrill of college football.

Its a very competitive game, and there are a lot of fan bases right now that wish they were in Auburns situation.

Auburn has a few kinks to work out... penalties would certainly be a great start.

The play calling will be much easier and more effective if you take the penalties out of the equation.

All in All... IM JACKED AND ALL IN FOR SATURDAY.

I say we focus more on energy, and a little less on Clemson... we won that game... its in the books.

USC BABY!

[gravejd 3,104]

Just going to throw out my two cents on the whole offense thing cause I keep seeing it come up over and over.

I highly doubt that Malzahn has forgotten how to coach an offense. I also highly doubt that Chizik has decided to throw his weight around and that side of the ball and that is why we are slowing it down. Its possible he could have but why now all the sudden? Just seems like an easy and familiar excuse to people. There has to be a reason why the offense has changed the way it has and I think that the obvious answer is Cam. This is not bashing on Cam by any means btw. But Malzahn said that he would adjust the offense to suit the players and that the offense would look a lot different than last years. Seems like he was speaking the truth. My guess is that while Cam is an unreal athlete with great running ability and a strong passing arm, he may be having trouble reading defenses at this level and making decisions. This is always the hardest thing for a QB to get a hold of cause most have never seen defenses that disguise themselves like they do at this level. I'm sure he never had to worry about it in juco or florida when he was there. You have to take the good with the bad and hope that as the season progresses that he'll get better and better at this and we'll be able to open things up more. But until then, we are still winning football games and thats something that should not be taken forgranted!

Now this is all completely speculation on my part and could be totally wrong in everything i said.   

[WiltonTiger 0]

Yeah I don't like the game threads because everyone needs to step back for a day and think about the overall performance.

I think the problem is purely with Malzahn at the moment, and his complete lack of creativity. He made his players look 3 times as better than they were a year ago (see Chris Todd, Darvin Adams), but now he is just leaning on his players and not putting them in the best position to make plays. I have not liked that almost all of our plays, especially on 1st down, have been that option read. If he didnt do so well with so little last year, I wouldnt have these expectations. But we thought he would come out with all of these awesome ideas for Cam, but we have seen only a handful.

    Before the season, everyone was calling him a genius. Funny how it all changes so fast.WDE!!!!! We are 3-0.

[AUApostle 7,093]

Yeah I don't like the game threads because everyone needs to step back for a day and think about the overall performance.

I think the problem is purely with Malzahn at the moment, and his complete lack of creativity. He made his players look 3 times as better than they were a year ago (see Chris Todd, Darvin Adams), but now he is just leaning on his players and not putting them in the best position to make plays. I have not liked that almost all of our plays, especially on 1st down, have been that option read. If he didnt do so well with so little last year, I wouldnt have these expectations. But we thought he would come out with all of these awesome ideas for Cam, but we have seen only a handful.

    Before the season, everyone was calling him a genius. Funny how it all changes so fast.WDE!!!!! We are 3-0.

Everyone's a genius and everyone's super-talented before the season starts...then reality sets in.  Many of our expectations were that we would beat MSU by 3 touchdowns and Clemson by two.  Nobody around here expected to only score 44 points in those two games and for them to come down to the wire...that's where the criticism of Gus comes in.  The fear that driving the questioning is what happens when we play Ark, LSU, and bama?  Can we beat USC, Kentucky, or UGA?