WOO WOO. As usual, I will go position by position.
QB - Great game by Dak once he settled down. I think having to convert that 4th and 9 twice in a row got him going. Threw the ball well, didnt show too much running but the threat made the difference. Back shoulder throw to Milton was beautiful. Hit Jameon in perfect stride on that deep ball. At this point, I still struggle to find much hope with either QB, but unfortunately for Tyler, I think Dak might give us the best chance to win this weekend. However, I honestly dont think the difference in production between the two would be as great as many think it would. Tyler would have lit up Alcorn too, he has done it against every lower level team we've played. Without a full commitment to the read option with Dak, which we appear hesitant to do, we wont see improvement this year. And there is still the issue of our read-option offense never moving the ball against a quality D. Perhaps Dak's ability as a passer can be the difference over what Relf did, but again we will have to see a commitment to doing that.
RB - SHUMP DAY ALL DAY. Give him the ball. Give him the ball. Give him the ball. If he doesnt get the ball in short yardage our staff has lost it. Its not just his power running style either. This kid has that ability to see holes and cut back lanes that only the best have. Shump was born to be in a one-cut zone blocking scheme. I hesitate to say it, because I really havent seen his top-end speed yet, but I really think he can be one of the best we've ever had. Why not throw some bold predictions out there? He was running behind a clown car of offensive linemen in the 2nd half, by the way. Good to see Griffin back on the field too, I just think Shump is a little better. Loved the 2 back sets with Griffin and Shump. Do that with Shump and LDP, please. Mix JRob in some too. Limit LDP to read option plays and passing plays. The counters and power runs go to JRob or Shump.
WR - I hear ya Joe Morrow. Way to shut me up and go up the ladder to make a couple great catches. RoJo still grossly underused. This group is going to improve all year. Very promising. Rojo, Jameon, DeRunnya, Ross, Morrow, Holloway - there is your rotation.
TE - nothing to add here.
OL - Sheesh. Our depth is scary at this point. I wanted to hold out hope that Robinson was developing, but that ship might've sailed. Justin Senior actually looked pretty good though, and I had heard that he was playing lights out in practice too. He might force his way into some playing time relieving Siddoway.
DL - again, much improved. Did what they were supposed to do against inferior talent. Test comes this weekend. Glad to hear Mullen saying Jones would play some DE against more pro-style teams. Smart. Quay looked like his normal disruptive playmaking self out there.
LB - this unit aGAIN has the chance to be special this year. Skinner, Wells and McKinney can ball.
CB - Calhoun is going to be a player. Jiles still lagging a bit for me. Cox needs to moved to safety immediately, he had a couple Alcorn State receivers beat him pretty soundly, though there was no completion on the plays. Safety is where he can make an impact.
S - this group literally did nothing the whole game. Not really their fault, our front 7 just played a heck of a game. Secondary needs to be Calhoun/Jiles(Love when he gets back or Redmond) at CB and Cox/Whitley at S. Maybe Jiles will pull a Morrow and show us something this weekend.
Looking forward: At this point I do not expect a win against a decent team until I see it happen. This is a game we have to win. AT Auburn, I just dont see it happening.
QB - Great game by Dak once he settled down. I think having to convert that 4th and 9 twice in a row got him going. Threw the ball well, didnt show too much running but the threat made the difference. Back shoulder throw to Milton was beautiful. Hit Jameon in perfect stride on that deep ball. At this point, I still struggle to find much hope with either QB, but unfortunately for Tyler, I think Dak might give us the best chance to win this weekend. However, I honestly dont think the difference in production between the two would be as great as many think it would. Tyler would have lit up Alcorn too, he has done it against every lower level team we've played. Without a full commitment to the read option with Dak, which we appear hesitant to do, we wont see improvement this year. And there is still the issue of our read-option offense never moving the ball against a quality D. Perhaps Dak's ability as a passer can be the difference over what Relf did, but again we will have to see a commitment to doing that.
RB - SHUMP DAY ALL DAY. Give him the ball. Give him the ball. Give him the ball. If he doesnt get the ball in short yardage our staff has lost it. Its not just his power running style either. This kid has that ability to see holes and cut back lanes that only the best have. Shump was born to be in a one-cut zone blocking scheme. I hesitate to say it, because I really havent seen his top-end speed yet, but I really think he can be one of the best we've ever had. Why not throw some bold predictions out there? He was running behind a clown car of offensive linemen in the 2nd half, by the way. Good to see Griffin back on the field too, I just think Shump is a little better. Loved the 2 back sets with Griffin and Shump. Do that with Shump and LDP, please. Mix JRob in some too. Limit LDP to read option plays and passing plays. The counters and power runs go to JRob or Shump.
WR - I hear ya Joe Morrow. Way to shut me up and go up the ladder to make a couple great catches. RoJo still grossly underused. This group is going to improve all year. Very promising. Rojo, Jameon, DeRunnya, Ross, Morrow, Holloway - there is your rotation.
TE - nothing to add here.
OL - Sheesh. Our depth is scary at this point. I wanted to hold out hope that Robinson was developing, but that ship might've sailed. Justin Senior actually looked pretty good though, and I had heard that he was playing lights out in practice too. He might force his way into some playing time relieving Siddoway.
DL - again, much improved. Did what they were supposed to do against inferior talent. Test comes this weekend. Glad to hear Mullen saying Jones would play some DE against more pro-style teams. Smart. Quay looked like his normal disruptive playmaking self out there.
LB - this unit aGAIN has the chance to be special this year. Skinner, Wells and McKinney can ball.
CB - Calhoun is going to be a player. Jiles still lagging a bit for me. Cox needs to moved to safety immediately, he had a couple Alcorn State receivers beat him pretty soundly, though there was no completion on the plays. Safety is where he can make an impact.
S - this group literally did nothing the whole game. Not really their fault, our front 7 just played a heck of a game. Secondary needs to be Calhoun/Jiles(Love when he gets back or Redmond) at CB and Cox/Whitley at S. Maybe Jiles will pull a Morrow and show us something this weekend.
Looking forward: At this point I do not expect a win against a decent team until I see it happen. This is a game we have to win. AT Auburn, I just dont see it happening.
