Im not a blind, scout.com, current-HC homer... but what the 17 did Mullen do so wrong?
As I stated in an earlier thread, he routinely put our best players in positions to make the plays to win the game.... obviously, we all saw them fail. WTF else can he do? What approach to the game would you rather him take?
I dont think there was a single MSU player who had a "good" game on offense.
Yes, the 3 passes and out possession after the onside kick was a coaching mistake. But keep in mind, the only reason we even had the 17ing ball was because Mullen completely caught AU with their proverbial pants down.
I really think this game is on the players for not performing. Bumphis had the worst game he will probably have his entire career, yet mullen still managed to get him in position to make some plays. I specifically remember Mullen calling a one-on-one screen play where Bumphis apparently never even glanced at the screen pass, resulting in just one of our myriad of dropped balls. Yet, the very next play he ran an abbreviated reverse to Bumphis for at least 8-10 yards. I remember remarking to the guy next to me "Well I guess if he can't catch it, we'll just have to hand him the ball!" I'm not trying to rip on Bumphis, because I think he's one of, if not the, best player on our squad... He just had a really bad game. **** happens.
As for getting away from our calling-card "did you get my memo" running game of yesteryear... from what I saw last nigh, our RBs can be tackled by a stiff wind.... just think if we had dedicated ourselves to the running game and Auburn keyed-in on that (like I have seen every opposing team do to us my entire life). I think the only reason they had any decent runs is because we were opening it up in the passing game up so much that Auburn had to respect that.
Our "great" O-line looked pretty meager for most of the game. Also, Relf took some horrific sacks where the ball should have been thrown into the upper deck 3-WR progressions earlier... I can't remember how many times i said "throw the damn ball!" last night.... which leads me to ask, has he ever thrown the ball away when a play goes awry from the get-go?
Our D-Line, which from all I've heard and read is comprised of 8 All-SEC players (yep, stretching the truth) was almost non-existent. In fact, some of the most backbreaking plays from AU's offense, IMO, came from our d-line FINALLY getting some pressure on Newton... but then completely over-running containment on a QB, that we should know (better than any other team in the country, btw) that you don't want to let him beat you with his legs.
Broomfield (i think thats who it was) missed that pick-six.... Judging by last year, I would have thought he couldn't do anything but pic-six's.... no way he doesn't house that 9 out of 10 times.
Finally, Mullen orchestrated a pretty solid 2-minute drill to end the game. He then called the play that would put Berry in prime position to become the HERO of the game.... and what did Berry do with the opportunity?....He caught the ball.... then slammed it to the ground incomplete.... How many times is he gonna do that?
If Mullen's coaching was so terrible, it wasn't on the offensive play calling. Sure, It wasnt the best play-calling EVA, but it was sure as hell good enough to win the game 9 times out of ten (did i already use that euphemism?). I cannot remember a game with so many missed opportunities from our play-makers.
The only terrible coaching platform I'll listen to about last night would be in reference to Mullen possibly not coaching fundamentals well/enough in the off-season... Which I highly doubt anyone will even propose.... But, it sure as hell was not the play calling from last night.
(deep breath) There, rant over. Now, let the picking apart of my opinion begin! Yes, I know that I use and inordinate amout of parentheticals, rabiit trails, and commas.
BAAAAA... I still have some tufts of wool hanging on.
As I stated in an earlier thread, he routinely put our best players in positions to make the plays to win the game.... obviously, we all saw them fail. WTF else can he do? What approach to the game would you rather him take?
I dont think there was a single MSU player who had a "good" game on offense.
Yes, the 3 passes and out possession after the onside kick was a coaching mistake. But keep in mind, the only reason we even had the 17ing ball was because Mullen completely caught AU with their proverbial pants down.
I really think this game is on the players for not performing. Bumphis had the worst game he will probably have his entire career, yet mullen still managed to get him in position to make some plays. I specifically remember Mullen calling a one-on-one screen play where Bumphis apparently never even glanced at the screen pass, resulting in just one of our myriad of dropped balls. Yet, the very next play he ran an abbreviated reverse to Bumphis for at least 8-10 yards. I remember remarking to the guy next to me "Well I guess if he can't catch it, we'll just have to hand him the ball!" I'm not trying to rip on Bumphis, because I think he's one of, if not the, best player on our squad... He just had a really bad game. **** happens.
As for getting away from our calling-card "did you get my memo" running game of yesteryear... from what I saw last nigh, our RBs can be tackled by a stiff wind.... just think if we had dedicated ourselves to the running game and Auburn keyed-in on that (like I have seen every opposing team do to us my entire life). I think the only reason they had any decent runs is because we were opening it up in the passing game up so much that Auburn had to respect that.
Our "great" O-line looked pretty meager for most of the game. Also, Relf took some horrific sacks where the ball should have been thrown into the upper deck 3-WR progressions earlier... I can't remember how many times i said "throw the damn ball!" last night.... which leads me to ask, has he ever thrown the ball away when a play goes awry from the get-go?
Our D-Line, which from all I've heard and read is comprised of 8 All-SEC players (yep, stretching the truth) was almost non-existent. In fact, some of the most backbreaking plays from AU's offense, IMO, came from our d-line FINALLY getting some pressure on Newton... but then completely over-running containment on a QB, that we should know (better than any other team in the country, btw) that you don't want to let him beat you with his legs.
Broomfield (i think thats who it was) missed that pick-six.... Judging by last year, I would have thought he couldn't do anything but pic-six's.... no way he doesn't house that 9 out of 10 times.
Finally, Mullen orchestrated a pretty solid 2-minute drill to end the game. He then called the play that would put Berry in prime position to become the HERO of the game.... and what did Berry do with the opportunity?....He caught the ball.... then slammed it to the ground incomplete.... How many times is he gonna do that?
If Mullen's coaching was so terrible, it wasn't on the offensive play calling. Sure, It wasnt the best play-calling EVA, but it was sure as hell good enough to win the game 9 times out of ten (did i already use that euphemism?). I cannot remember a game with so many missed opportunities from our play-makers.
The only terrible coaching platform I'll listen to about last night would be in reference to Mullen possibly not coaching fundamentals well/enough in the off-season... Which I highly doubt anyone will even propose.... But, it sure as hell was not the play calling from last night.
(deep breath) There, rant over. Now, let the picking apart of my opinion begin! Yes, I know that I use and inordinate amout of parentheticals, rabiit trails, and commas.
BAAAAA... I still have some tufts of wool hanging on.
