Morning after take

[615dawg]

1. Cameron Newton is very good. He had an average night and is still very good. Wish he was wearing maroon.
2. Our defense is very good. If you were to have told us we would hold Auburn to 17 points (including 0 in the second half), everyone on here would have taken it. Manny Diaz is awesome.
3. That being said, and I know I might get ripped, but Chizik outcoached Mullen, plain and simple. Mullen has spurts of good (the onside kick was great), but overall for the game, I would rate this one of Mullen's worst games.
4. The receivers have to step it up. Period.
5. I was one of those who was not worried about the RB position. I am worried now. A receiver was our leading rusher last night, followed by a quarterback. 27 and 26 yards, respectively. If we do not develop someone that is a threat in the backfield, it will be a long season.
6. If you know of a high school kicker that can boot it to the endzone, send the information to the football office. Auburn's average starting position after kickoffs: their own 40. Memphis was their own 30, and that included 3 of 8 being inside the 20. This is a problem.
7. Despite the loss, I think we have a shot to be a good football team. Winning last night would have given us a shot at being a great team. We need to win 1 of the next 2 though, and that will not be easy. I felt like Auburn was our best chance of the three.
8. Russell looked horrible the few plays he was in. He looked as bad last night as he looked good against Memphis. Relf was servicable, but the receiver have got to catch balls that hit them in the hands.

 

[615dawg]

1. Cameron Newton is very good. He had an average night and is still very good. Wish he was wearing maroon.
2. Our defense is very good. If you were to have told us we would hold Auburn to 17 points (including 0 in the second half), everyone on here would have taken it. Manny Diaz is awesome.
3. That being said, and I know I might get ripped, but Chizik outcoached Mullen, plain and simple. Mullen has spurts of good (the onside kick was great), but overall for the game, I would rate this one of Mullen's worst games.
4. The receivers have to step it up. Period.
5. I was one of those who was not worried about the RB position. I am worried now. A receiver was our leading rusher last night, followed by a quarterback. 27 and 26 yards, respectively. If we do not develop someone that is a threat in the backfield, it will be a long season.
6. If you know of a high school kicker that can boot it to the endzone, send the information to the football office. Auburn's average starting position after kickoffs: their own 40. Memphis was their own 30, and that included 3 of 8 being inside the 20. This is a problem.
7. Despite the loss, I think we have a shot to be a good football team. Winning last night would have given us a shot at being a great team. We need to win 1 of the next 2 though, and that will not be easy. I felt like Auburn was our best chance of the three.
8. Russell looked horrible the few plays he was in. He looked as bad last night as he looked good against Memphis. Relf was servicable, but the receiver have got to catch balls that hit them in the hands.

 

[38843dawg]

This was absolutely Mullen's worst game since he has been here. And I also couldn't agree more with #5. For those of you who thought we wouldn't miss Dixon, please shut the 17 up. Obviously the knee injury has 17ed up Elliot, and he should never be on the field as much as he is, much less the starter. Our best option is to go with Ballard and Perkins. At least with those two Ballard gives who are hard strong runner, while Perkins give you the speed. And also had we stuck with the triple option more, instead of trying to air it out, then we would probably have seen better rushing stats.

 

[stateskills]

The play calling for Russell was terrible. Too many empty backfields.

The receivers have to catch the damn ball. He doesn't throw the pick if the pass before it wasn't dropped. (still a bad decision by Russell, I'm not making an excuse for him missing the DE dropping into coverage)

Also Bumphis really let him down on that third down drop in the second half. Russell never got a chance to get anything going due to drops.

 

[tenureplan]

While I don't agree with some that it was a horribly called game, I didn't like the QB subbing pattern in the second half...

Russell doesn't need to becoming in when we start on our 10. He did twice in the second half. We should be running from there, and Relf gives us our best chance with that.

Relf doesn't need to be running the 2 minute offense, he simply isn't an accurate enough passer.

 

[Predestined]

leave him out when we have decent position, then start him at the 10 on back to back possessions? Not a recipe for success for a young QB. I wondered if Relf was hurt, but then we start with good position next time and here comes Relf.

 

[Jacknut1]

I thought our running game would have been better if we stayed with it. We recover the pooch kick, 3 incomplete passes. Russell was put in twice on the ten yard line. 6 plays. 6 incomplete passes. Run the damn ball! Auburn was soft on the corners and we didn't take advantage.

 

[davatron]

5. I was one of those who was not worried about the RB position. I am worried now. A receiver was our leading rusher last night, followed by a quarterback.

Like I said in another thread, we had about 120 on the ground and that just isn't horrible. Yes it could be better and yes I would like to see one of the RBs step up and be "the guy", but I think Coac34 was right about Dixon in a sense-- we can replace but not his ability to make big plays. Sure would have been nice to hand the ball to AD last night and let him drag 3 guys to the endzone or a flatten a couple of DBs.

One point I'd like to add to your list is our lack of on-the-field leadership. Someone, probably Relf, needs to step up and be a leader.

 

[Fresno Bob]

...then I'm with you. I thought that was a fantastic call and perfect execution. Taking that momentum then throwing 3 straight passes really hurt an opportunity for y'all. I could understand going deep on 1st down, maybe, but at that point, go back to the running game. That was one of just a few turning points you get in a game and I just didn't get the strategy.

It's great to be "balanced" when you're up by 50 (I wouldn't recommend it when you're only up 31-10) but I thought your best chance was to keep running it...creatively, of course, but keep running. I liked that Ballard kid b/w the tackles the couple of times I saw him.

 

[patdog]

nm

 

[NewTweederEndzoneDance]

1. Cam Newton is a lot better than I thought he would be. He might very well be the 2nd best in the SEC this year. He is basically their entire offense. We really struggled to contain him on those pass plays where he pulled it in and ran. He isn't really a "home run" threat, but he kept the chains moving.

2. Relf has improved his passing accuracy a ton. Having said that, he's still not very accurate, and he has horrible pocket presence/awareness. He rarely ever saw a blitz coming and got rid of it. While Newton showed lots of poise and ability to know when to tuck it and run, Relf didn't show that at all. He is a good running threat, but in passing situations, we are in some trouble. Some of this has to do with our OL's horrible pass protection, which leads me to me next point...

3. Our OL is good at run blocking and not good at pass blocking.

4. Auburn's defense is not that great. A team that can sling the ball around will pick them apart. Having said that, they do have a pretty solid defensive front 7. That one guy disrupted and made play after play all game from the NT spot.

5. I feel bad for Berry. He feels horrible right now, but it's not all his fault. Granted, he has to make that catch, but there were plenty of mistakes throughout the game that put us in that position to begin with. Coaching, execution, decision-making, etc... Auburn really isn't any better than we are. What we lack is a QB who can be a leader and execute plays in clutch situations. That's not to say we need an all-American passing QB, or that we can't still be a pretty damn good team with what we have. It's just a dynamic that we lack as of right now.

 

[Coach34]

.

 

[rawdawg14]

I def. agree with #4...If you can't catch a ball that hits you square in the hands or chest, you have no business being a wideout, period. Here's hoping someone puts a pitching in front of those boys this week, set it @ about 80 go no pads and tell em catch it or get popped in the jaw....I also agree with #5 to an extent, we weren't just horrible running the ball, partly has to do with our OL getting ate up in the first half(in my opinion) but could improve...And to add to #5 anyone else out there notice how Hanrahan played tough as nails!? I'd like to see him have more opportunities to make plays like he did last night, especially the play he made on a poorly thrown ball, give him a shot thats all I am saying....Which brings me to #3, I don't really think it's that Mullen got out-coached, granted there were a couple of series I wasn't too thrilled with our play calling, but we catch just one of those dropped passes we win the game, we catch a dropped pick 6 on there 20 (I believe it was) we win the game...So, while I wasn't completely satisfied with the play calling, we were still in it and it was still our's to win, the boys just didn't execute last night...Coaching can only go so far, by that I mean coaching can keep you in the game and give you an opportunity to win (which it did last night, countless opportunities) but it's up to the players to execute, they just choked...

 

[IBleedMaroonDawg]

The two first half turnovers were the killer in my book, and both lead to scores. Relf bobbling the snaps may have been why we saw Russell when we were deep in our own territory in the second half.

I pretty much agree with everyone about the fact that we should have stuck to the run off tackle and wide.

Our WRs need to spend all week with a ball in their hands playing catch with themselves. I was glad to see it pissed Berry off that much. We have really missed that emotion in our players.

Mullen made mistakes but he is a second year coach and his has brought us light years with Croom's players (WestCoastKu). I'm not saying they aren't good, just not specifically brought in to fit Mullen's style of football.

We have ten more games.... some of you need to get a grip or go follow women's soccer or something. Nothing wrong with complaining and bitching about things you aren't happy with but damn, some of you.

I was very pleased with our defense after that first drive considering we could not get pressure on Cam till late in the game.



You might ask me why I am so calm. Because I know with what I have seen so far that our coach will not be riding around in the golf cart looking for sausage rolls this morning. He will have his staff in early looking at film to fix this ****. I never like a loss and am not a sunny side guy, I just still view all of this as a work in progress from our shitastic previous football regime. I imagine we will still see more face palm plays and games before it is all over.

 

[UpTheMiddlex3Punt]

Sure he was king of Division II, but his passing game and his job coaching receivers leaves a lot to be desired. There were a lot of people calling for him to get the job when Crooms left and many who say we should promote him to HC if Mullen leaves. I'd have to give the job to Diaz or hire from outside after last night's game. Diaz made the defensive adjustment and our offense never made their adjustment.

 

[LimpinDawg]

Things I learned from last night:

1. I wish we had a rented mule. He was the difference in the game. Every time AU needed a big play that bastard was always using his legs to make one.
2. We have a few idiot fans including the guy sitting behind me calling for Martinez and his defense to step it up.
3. Trooper Taylor is a *$+$%%$ retard! I mean constantly taunting the crowd about the cowbells and ****, really Trooper? I hope he tears his ACL giving someone a jumping chest bump and I would love to shove that damn towel he waves down his throat.
4. The biggest thing that I learned from last night (and by all means I should have learned by now) is to drop the wool coat cause we ain't going bowling this year. I see five wins at the most (Memphis, Alcorn State, UAB, Kentucky, and +@+%).
5. It was a cluster ++*# getting out of the stadium last night as theAuburn buses were already lined up outside the stadium blocking access for many fans to head out toward the junction causing mass chaos and probably many *** whippings due to our fanbase being already angry about the loss. Who ever was responsible...FU.
6. Traffic control after the game....not even gonna start.
7. The crop of chicks at MSU has definitely taken a step up since I was there! Cowboy boots with short skirts seems to be a nice combo for a MSU girl.

 

[AlCoDog]

Things I learned from last night:

1. I wish we had a rented mule. He was the difference in the game. Every time AU needed a big play that bastard was always using his legs to make one.
2. We have a few idiot fans including the guy sitting behind me calling for Martinez and his defense to step it up.

3. Trooper Taylor is a *$+$%%$ retard! I mean constantly taunting the crowd about the cowbells and ****, really Trooper? I hope he tears his ACL giving someone a jumping chest bump and I would love to shove that damn towel he waves down his throat.

4. The biggest thing that I learned from last night (and by all means I should have learned by now) is to drop the wool coat cause we ain't going bowling this year. I see five wins at the most (Memphis, Alcorn State, UAB, Kentucky, and +@+%).
5. It was a cluster ++*# getting out of the stadium last night as theAuburn buses were already lined up outside the stadium blocking access for many fans to head out toward the junction causing mass chaos and probably many *** whippings due to our fanbase being already angry about the loss. Who ever was responsible...FU.
6. Traffic control after the game....not even gonna start.
7. The crop of chicks at MSU has definitely taken a step up since I was there! Cowboy boots with short skirts seems to be a nice combo for a MSU girl.

I haven't wanted to punch somebody in the mouth that bad in a while. I hope he gets the hiv.

 

[Dawgzilla]

The Russell substitution in the 3rd quarter made sense, but for the fact that MSU was backed up at its own 10. I think the coaches should have called an audible right there.

Relf was not throwing with any accuracy at all. On the TD drive, every pass he threw downfield was too high, but the receivers did a decent job of going up to get the ball. His screen passes and quick outs were on target.

After the onside kick, Relf's throws were even worse. While I agree with everyone that State should have just run the ball, on first down Relf overthrew an open Bumphis. They just about had to pass on the next two downs.

When MSU punted, I figured they would bring in Russell to see if he could be more accurate, and maybe try to calm Relf down a little on the sidelines. Not that it matters, but I announced to everyone in my living room that Russell would come in on the next possession......But then that possession started on the 10. I'm in agreement that it would have made sense to stick with Relf there, but I think the decision had already been made and they weren't up for the change.

And, just for the record, Bumphis really let Russell down on that possession. First, on the 2d and 11 play he seemed content to step out of bounds at the 20 instead of fighting for 1 more yard to get the first down. Then he dropped the 3rd down pass.

 

[idog]

it was 2002-2009 all over again. we beat ourselves with turnovers and costly mistakes.

that said, if we protect the ball next week i think we make a game of it @LSU at night or not. without cam newton auburn doesn't score a point last night. LSU doesn't have a cam newton.

 

[Waterdawg]

If we got him, we would beat Auburn...more because Auburn wouldn't have him than Cam QB skills for us. The only thing that impresses me about Cam is his ability to scramble. Play good containment and sound defense, and Cam is render ineffective.

I honesty don't think the results would have been much different with Cam as our QB...especially with Mullen's plan to throw the ball.

 

[Sutterkane]

After the onside kick we had momentum and everyone in the world thought we would score. Relf felt the pressure and let a lot of passes fly way too high. Same thing with the potential game winning drive. He is simply too pumped up out there and can't control his adrenaline in clutch situations.

 

[BigMotherTucker]

LimpinDawg[/b]].
7. The crop of chicks at MSU has definitely taken a step up since I was there! Cowboy boots with short skirts seems to be a nice combo for a MSU girl.

Standard trailor ***** look... I like it!

 

[Dawgzilla]

Is that the pass rushers continued to run PAST Newton, allowing him to run, particularly with blitzes. They could not seem to find that happy medium where you pressure the QB without getting behind him. They either had no pressure at all, or else they had 1 or 2 guys run upfield leaving Newton plenty of running room.

 

[maroonmania]

because if you take him and put him on OUR team then we win that game last night and maybe by double digits. Auburn has no more surrounding Newton on offense than we do but he can RUN and THROW and makes them hard to defend. And Auburn has no better defense than us either, maybe not as good. Unfortunately for us we have one QB that is still not a passer that can run and another QB that probably will be good passer in time but is still VERY green and is really not much of a threat to run.

The most frustrating thing to me last night, and I heard Matt Wyatt say it post game as well, was that we tried WAY too much to use Relf as a pocket passer and he was all over the place with the ball. Relf is much more effective primarily running the read option game with a pass thrown in here or there just to keep people honest WHEN he is on the move. To me Relf appears to be one of those guys who is actually much more comfortable throwing when he is on the move. Don't understand why we are not rolling him out more on his passes.

 

[Requiem For A Dawg]

contemplating rushing the field and punching him in the face. Act like an adult you moron. There is no way he would ever be offered a head coaching job trying to act like a player instead of a coach.

 

[FlabLoser]

I thought our running game would have been better if we stayed with it. We recover the pooch kick, 3 incomplete passes. Russell was put in twice on the ten yard line. 6 plays. 6 incomplete passes. Run the damn ball! Auburn was soft on the corners and we didn't take advantage.

A WR and a QB were our leading rushers simply because we didn't hand the ball to a RB often enough.

 

[SyonaraStanz]

And, just for the record, Bumphis really let Russell down on that possession. First, on the 2d and 11 play he seemed content to step out of bounds at the 20 instead of fighting for 1 more yard to get the first down. Then he dropped the 3rd down pass.

The moreI watchBumphis, the more unimpressedI am with him. Hedrops easily catchable balls, he belongs in tap shoeson punt/kick returns, and he seems too complacent with stepping out of bounds when we lack one yard for a first down. He's got to tighten up and focus because he hasso much talent.