Chris Low's thoughts on us

[Croomp]

From Chris Low's blog/mail.</p>

Jeff writes: Why did Coach Croom not bring in <font color="#000000">Tyson Lee</font> during the Auburn game? (Wesley) Carroll was obviously struggling, and the offense couldn't do anything and it looked like if State could get a field goal, they might be able to win a very ugly game. P.S. Is there any hope for the rest of the year?</p>

Chris Low: Croom has said that Carroll is his guy and he's sticking with him. I think Croom also knows that if he starts juggling quarterbacks this early in the season with the struggles they're having on offense, the results could be disastrous. Now, I don't think Carroll has a pass for the rest of this season. If the offense doesn't start moving the ball this week against Georgia Tech, Croom's pretty close to letting Lee have his chance. My big question with that game was why Mississippi State went for it on fourth-and-long in the fourth quarter when a punt could have pinned Auburn back in what was clearly a field position game. You say a field goal could have won it. Heck, another safety could have won it. I wouldn't give up on this team yet, although I think the Georgia Tech game is critical. Croom is as tough as they come, and his teams play that way. Remember, he played and coached under the Bear. He won't tolerate anybody quitting.</p>

-Hell even Chris Low should just call Cheese and ask him why he didn't get that 2nd safety for the W.
-Do the references to the 'Bear' ever get old to any of yall like it does me? Crxxm might respect the guy more than anything in the world and even model his career around him but his offense serves the Bear no respect.
The man needs to look into quitting his WCO and remodeling our offense from scrap or another team that is successful with what they run.
-I wish Chris Low would just go ahead and say the man is damn stubborn and now trying desperately to pick up the slack by jumbling all our players around and telling the fans how 'so and so' is doing so well in practice but never shows up in the game. Here comes our 2 QB system.....again.

 

[thunderclap]

we didn't think it was necessary to recruit a QB two years ago. Or that we alienated the best QB on our roster so badly that he transferred.

Croom played for the Bear?

 

[patdog]

Don't you know that Chris Garrett was a sophomore at Tupelo and we needed to keep that spot open for when he signed with us?

 

[8dog]

and more on wondering what happened to Riddell? Was he run off? Was his injury that bad? Damn, it'd be nice to have that guy. Essentially, he took the place of the guy we didn't sign that one year.

 

[dawgstudent]

I thought Riddell was better than Carroll. He was just as mobile and had a stronger arm.

 

[HammerOfTheDogs]

From Chris Low's blog/mail.</p>

Jeff writes: Croom is as tough as they come, and his teams play that way. Remember, he played and coached under the Bear. He won't tolerate anybody quitting.</p>Bear Bryant always gave his assistants and players ALL the credit when they won, but took ALL the blame when they lost. Croom is the exact opposite.

 

[patdog]

I just Googled him and found out he's not even starting at Div. II Western Oregon. He played some in their first game this year, but not at all in the second or third games. The really sad thing is he probably would have gotten at least that much playing time this year if he'd stayed at MSU.

 

[8dog]

if we had signed a qb that year that everyone is so mad about, that guy wouldn't have been the answer either. Riddell would have at least had 2+ yrs experience in ball above the HS level and many people thought he looked better than Carroll. Again, I really just think it would be a nice option to have.

 

[OMlawdog]

Isn't this more a byproduct of Croom's recruiting failures in his first three recruiting classes. His first one had a few good players, but mostly nothing, the next two classes didn't have the numbers needed to have success. Now he changed recruiting philosphies I believe two years ago and his last two classes and there just isn't enough depth on the O-line and no gamebreakers at WR and QB.

Isn't it possible that MSU overachieved last season and this season is could be a more accurate reflection of the team's overall talent. As of now Im pretty sure its a safe bet that there is not a single offensive player that will be drafted in the first three rounds of the NFL draft. Sherrod could possibly get drafted that high, but he is a long ways away from that point. Besides him I don't see anyone on the offensive side of the ball with NFL type talent, except for maybe Dixon and he hasn't been playing like a guy with NFL type aspirations.

Of course the defense is solid, but not a shutdown defense like MSU had in 1998 and I think last year's defense was better than this year, mainly because of the pressure last year's front four could put on the QB. I think last year's peformance has put unrealistic expectations on this year's team especially after the loss of Michael Brown who was a NFL type player. If MSU had won 6 games last year, then I think people would be more accepting of the team's struggles this year.

With all of that said, MSU can beat Ga Tech, and if they do they will go to a bowl game this year.

 

[8dog]

that there is a lack of talent of offense in some places, namely o-line. But the WRs are solid. It would help if he'd put Delmon Robinson in. The problem with your diagnosis is that there are teams all over the country moving the football that have the same type talent we do. When Vandy is starting 5 new o-linemen and moving the ball, you need to really start looking at yourself in the mirror. But your post is pretty accurate.

 

[OMlawdog]

He is by no means an NFL QB, but Nickson can make plays. Of course he makes mistakes, but he can move the chains. He is normally running for his life behind his O-line, but he makes it work, so far, and a good QB can cover up other offensive problems.

Im not sure the WR's are solid. Going into the season I thought they were the weakest part of MSU's team, now I think its the O-line,TE and QB, but I still don't think the WR are solid. They don't play the ball, they wait for the ball to come to them, and besides Robinson, none of them can make a defender miss.

Carroll could be the true weak link of the team. The OL hasn't been good, but Carroll has had time to pass, and though Croom makes excuses for Carroll, i.e. someone always in his face, but on the last pick there was no one in his face, and on several other passes he had ample time but just missed. I think the a big problem is that MSU is constantly in 3rd and 8+. Carroll was picking up 3rd and 3 last year with short passes, and sometimes would run for those short 3rd down plays. He doesn't have a strong arm, which allows defenses to play tight coverage without the fear of him going over the top, also I don't think MSU has a WR than can consistently get past the CB.

 

[8dog]

on the WRs. Bell, Robinson, Riley, McRae and Smith (normally) is a solid group in my opinion. Its certainly a ton better than most WRs we've had in the past.

USM had 300 yds at AU, La Monroe had 225 at AU, UCLA beat TN with a 3rd string QB.......there are teams dealing with talent deficiencies everywhere that are moving the ball far better than us.

A huge problem too is that Carroll is worse. I have no doubt that's a result of having to digest the enormous and reportedly complicated playbook as opposed to the dumbed down version. Even from the stands its clear he's thinking too much.

 

[rugbdawg]

this year.

 

[DowntownDawg]

bad attitude that held him back.

 

[Agentdog]

I think you are right on in your assessment. There just isn't much talent on offense.

QB- Carroll has no arm, modest speed, and not accurate. Lee is the same except may have more accuracy. Who the hell knows with Relf.

RB- Dixon and Ducree are not quick and as a result no threat to break a long run because they can not make the LBs miss. They are often tackled one on one in space. Any other team, they are 3rd down blocking backs.

WR- There is some talent. However, the young guys are raw (ie. waiting on the ball instead of going and getting it). But like you said, we are always in 3rd and long and facing dime packages that are within 10 yards of the LOS. Defenses know we run the short WCO crossing routes and comebacks and Carroll has no arm. We may have someone with break away speed at WR but we will never know with the routes we run.

OL-There is Sherrod and that is it. 55 gets beat nearly every play. We usually have to double team with the center to help him out. Then the TE is helpng double the DT. This leaves the LBs to fill the gaps and run free into the backfield.

When you add all this stuff up, you get what we had at LaTech, AU, and the lack of any big plays vs SELA. I think the passing game could work itself out if we had a running game. However, we have no running game because we have no OL and no Jerious Norwood to out run LBs who are running free.

 

[Croomp]

we have a terrible playcaller on offense.

 

[OEMDawg]

we have a terrible playcaller on offense.

SylRocky F. McCroomvey?

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

He is very stiff & wooden in his execution and technic. Bad decisions are numberous, including rolling out of the pocket when not necessary and even though some QBs perform better on the run, Carroll usually misfires on the run. The rest of your comments are right on. IT SHOULDN'T BE THIS HARD TO PICK UP 200+ YARDS IN A FOOTBALL GAME!! Its a mystery to me. There should be enough talent to move the football so maybe its a mental thing, maybe they just don't believe in themselves or their coaches.