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The positives, week 2...

JR4AU

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The positives, week 2...
« on: September 11, 2011, 12:43:39 PM »
In somewhat random order...

#1. We got a W vs a team many had us losing to.  And, MSU is a legit team, but they're also still MSU, which I pointed out in an earlier thread.  They may win 9, but could be a 6-6 team...doubt it, but they could be.  We got their very best yesterday, and they came up short. 

#2.  59 total Off. snaps, 35 points.  Not bad.  This offense is ahead of schedule.  They're not hitting on all cylinders yet, and still scoring points.  That was a pretty good, very fired up, and very physical Def. we faced. 

#3.  The OL looked much more cohesive in week 2.  Definitely not on par with last year's veteran group, but way far ahead of where I expected them to be this early.

#4.  Trotter, one very bad decision didn't negate an otherwise solid performance.  Not stellar, but solid.

#5.  Tre Mason continues to wow on KOR, and now is getting some touches on offense.  He'll be a game breaker sooner rather than later.

#6.  Mike Dyer.  Just a hoss.  He's good.  He's tough.  He wants yards.  He gets yards.   

#7.  Fuck you McCaleb haters.  He got 15 touches and averaged 6+ yards per.  Any way you slice it, that's efficient. He tips the scales at 170 playing RB in the SEC...he cannot survive trying to get that extra yard or 2 lowering his shoulder.  He's a role player, and playing his role effectively. 

#8.  And this one is fucking huge!  Chizik was all up in some asses yesterday.  If you doubt that he is the fucking head coach after yesterday, then you're on crack.  I think it was at 14 all yesterday...we had come out early, played inspired, got a break on the pick 6, but the refs were trying to tone shit down with flags, and the bullies had gotten up off the mat after we hit them in the mouth.  We had a 3 and out, and they showed Chiz walk up to Malzahn, remove his headset, lean in, and you could clearly read his lips: "You have GOT to move the ball!"  There was another time, not long after that where he was clearly irate, and jumping several players and coaches, as well as refs the entire game.  It was around this time I texted a buddy of mine that was in the stadium, and it read: "We're on the verge of getting blown out if we don't get our shit together".  And I felt like this was a mental and emotional turning point in the game.  We, too, got up off the mat after being counter punched, when we were on the verge of laying down or losing our cool.  You couldn't detect it by watching the plays, but a young team that could have lost it all mentally, was corralled, and played much better from there out.   And that was clearly on Chiz.

#9.  Bone for the otherwise shitty Defense.  Some kid that I've never heard of made a huge tackle on a goal line stand.  I don't call it game saving, because I never assume that just because a team scores late that they'll get the 2 point conversion or win it in OT.  It sealed a win without overtime being needed.

#10.  Special teams.  They will win us a game or 2 this year.  A strength, no doubt about it.

If I gave grades it would be Special Teams: A+, Offense B-, Defense D.

 :aubie:
« Last Edit: September 11, 2011, 01:49:32 PM by JR4AU »
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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #1 on: September 11, 2011, 06:45:53 PM »
I think another thing to be excited about is that we still have a few more offensive playmakers to break out before it's all said and done.

Trovon Reed and Quan Bray have been touted as being big time players.  If they come through, our offense will be just as potent as last year.

Hell, another positive - We haven't scored less than 40 points yet. 
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jmar

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #2 on: September 11, 2011, 06:49:59 PM »
Very good appraisal JR.
 
I'll pass commenting on Dyer, Blake and Lutz but... OMac,  all 170 pounds of him, is a complete back. I pay attention to what he does w/o the ball and he throws his body around as needed, tougher running inside than any of us imagined and a threat to get six anytime he touches the ball. 

Impressed with Trotter's cool under pressure. He seems thick skinned and he gives us a chance to win. He floats the pocket well and has a good enough arm to distribute it around and make the intermediate throws.

Love the energy that Tre Mason brings. In the past, we could linger in the kitchen on KO returns but not anymore. The return team wants to spring this guy and he's just getting started.


The offensive line of course is developing slowly and showed improvement. Luper stated earlier in the week that the team would be about 40% into the playbook so we should see a little more each game. Of course I'm still waiting on a compliment for Blake and maybe that will happen in the coming weeks.

One thing is for certain, the entire nation is attuned to Auburn football because we are exciting. They see these kids making things happen so it's not just the haters. Bams are even realizing that this is the scariest 6-6 team on the planet and feel the need to toss out some off-hand compliments just in case the nightmare continues.

I don't know what can be said for our overall defense. It's mostly attrocious for 50 minutes or so with a smattering of heroics thrown in. I know of no other team that can survive a grinding onslaught like we witnessed and still survive. I could explain it like most do and try to write it off as some far fetched Ying to Malzahn's Yang but then I would be pressed to explain how one scores 41 points with limited time of possession with only a few third down conversions. Okay we got a big return and a pick six but still, we were destroyed.

I'm glad you shared that nugget about Chiz on the sideline. I've never bought into the de facto crap that gets play and Auburn's record number of 30+ PPG is the reason for the jealousy and their need to chip away at Gene Chizik. He will eventually lose some staff members (and a game or two :rolleyes: ) but I have no doubt that he will plug in a good overall fit for the program.

Can't wait to see the next episode. 
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wesfau2

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #3 on: September 11, 2011, 07:07:11 PM »
OMac,  all 170 pounds of him, is a complete back. I pay attention to what he does w/o the ball and he throws his body around as needed, tougher running inside than any of us imagined and a threat to get six anytime he touches the ball. 

He had some beautiful blitz pick-ups and showed zero regard for his health and safety in doing so.
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jmar

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #4 on: September 11, 2011, 07:24:51 PM »
He had some beautiful blitz pick-ups and showed zero regard for his health and safety in doing so.
Beautifully put!
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JR4AU

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #5 on: September 11, 2011, 07:30:57 PM »
He had some beautiful blitz pick-ups and showed zero regard for his health and safety in doing so.

Yeah, the "he won't run upfield" crowd don't see that shit.  He took out two defenders on one TD pass by throwing his body across them. 
« Last Edit: September 11, 2011, 07:32:50 PM by JR4AU »
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Godfather

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #6 on: September 11, 2011, 10:50:33 PM »
I have never seen a better Auburn Special Teams!  ..nuff said


Coach B...you da man!

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GH2001

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #7 on: September 11, 2011, 10:54:30 PM »
And not to mention, we have one of the best kickoff men I have seen in years. Looks like he will be a decent FG kicker too.
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WDE

The Prowler

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Re: The positives, week 2...
« Reply #8 on: September 12, 2011, 06:57:00 AM »
And not to mention, we have one of the best kickoff men I have seen in years. Looks like he will be a decent FG kicker too.
Was about to post that.  Also, if the opposing punt team gives a little daylight or line drives a punt to Trovon....he'll "House It".
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