Thought this was interesting...

[YellowFeverDawg]

Found this on the Rivals main college football board. Someone asked about the outcome of our game with GT. Lots of responses like blah, blah toss-up. Then this:

www.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=2208&tid=116031200&mid=116031200&sid=880&style=2

<span class="nickname"><a rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;">YeeOleMiss5</a></span><font size="1">

RebelSports.net
Post #1225
Guntown
MyFanPage
Add Buddy</font> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding: 6px;" valign="top"><font size="2">Re: SEC folks? Will Miss St. beat GT in Atlanta?</font></td> <td style="padding: 6px;" class="" valign="bottom" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><font size="1" face="verdana"><a><font size="2" face="verdana">Reply</font></a></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> _________________________________________________ <font size="2">Mississippi State had the league's worst offense last year and then lost their best offensive lineman and any receiving threat they had in the offseason.

On defense, they lost Titus Brown, Avery Hannibal, and DC, Ellis Johnson. Besides absolute luck, their defense is what allowed them to win games.

But, Croom, however is not doing anything special. The media lovefest for him is rididculous. He's had ONE winning season in FOUR and continues to produce stagnant offenses. Furthermore, he's not the "great guy" everyone paints him out to be. This "strict disciplinarian" has had more players arrested than victories.

To wrap it up, Dixon is their only threat on offense, and he is too slow to get the edge. Georgia Tech's strength is their d-line, so I think they will pull out the W. Wesley Carroll and his 107 passing yards per game are nothing to fear.

</font>

 

[YellowFeverDawg]

Found this on the Rivals main college football board. Someone asked about the outcome of our game with GT. Lots of responses like blah, blah toss-up. Then this:

www.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=2208&tid=116031200&mid=116031200&sid=880&style=2

<span class="nickname"><a rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;">YeeOleMiss5</a></span><font size="1">

RebelSports.net
Post #1225
Guntown
MyFanPage
Add Buddy</font> <table width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"> <tbody> <tr> <td style="padding: 6px;" valign="top"><font size="2">Re: SEC folks? Will Miss St. beat GT in Atlanta?</font></td> <td style="padding: 6px;" class="" valign="bottom" align="right" nowrap="nowrap"><font size="1" face="verdana"><a><font size="2" face="verdana">Reply</font></a></font></td> </tr> </tbody> </table> _________________________________________________ <font size="2">Mississippi State had the league's worst offense last year and then lost their best offensive lineman and any receiving threat they had in the offseason.

On defense, they lost Titus Brown, Avery Hannibal, and DC, Ellis Johnson. Besides absolute luck, their defense is what allowed them to win games.

But, Croom, however is not doing anything special. The media lovefest for him is rididculous. He's had ONE winning season in FOUR and continues to produce stagnant offenses. Furthermore, he's not the "great guy" everyone paints him out to be. This "strict disciplinarian" has had more players arrested than victories.

To wrap it up, Dixon is their only threat on offense, and he is too slow to get the edge. Georgia Tech's strength is their d-line, so I think they will pull out the W. Wesley Carroll and his 107 passing yards per game are nothing to fear.

</font>

 

[Coach34]

although I think he may finally have more wins than arrests...

 

[rebelrouseri]

overall better talent than gt and will win. You need more than a good dline.

 

[dawgstudent]

Sherrill could have had choir boys but since he was known as a cheat and renegade, Mississippi State was known as having discipline problems.

 

[SLUdog]

whether you are right about Croom or not. If he wins 7 or more games you were wrong. (*I will add that I generally agreed with your assessments of our team and never thought Croom would manage a winning season.) I think we'll struggle to beat anyone that is average or better in the SEC or ACC. We will need to create turnovers again to win games. With another 7 win regular season we will hold most our recruits and have a good year. If we ever do find an offense Croom could compete for the SECW. This is big year for Croom's career and MState football. We can turn back to craptitude or take a step toward being a consistent program.

 

[patdog]

although the situation isn't as bad as he makes it out to be. I really don't think anybody knows what to expect from the MSU-GT game this year. New coach, new offense and new QB at GT, plus the fact we have few to none common opponents most seasons. I expect a good close game, but wouldn't be shocked if either team wins pretty easily.</p>

 

[Todd4State]

that game is when we face an unusual offense, we look completely retarded on defense. Just like the University of Houston.</p>

 

[Coach34]

he has made us better. And its really amazing what we are doing in recruiting right now, its like night and day...

However, the side of the ball he is responsible for is still the weak link of the team. We are going to be in almost every game we play this year, and they are going to come down to a couple of plays again. We arent going to pull away from anyone due to our conservatism, and our defense will keep us close. I dont look for us to put up the defensive points again, so it is going to have to come from the offense. And thats where we agree- this is a big year for Crooms as head coach at MSU. We have a team that could win anywhere from 5-8 games. We'll see where it falls

 

[Todd4State]

However, the side of the ball he is responsible for is still the weak ]Croom is responsible for ALL parts of the team. I know that he may be calling the plays, etc., but he is still the HC. If you are going to bash his offense, at least give him credit for at least putting together a pretty good defense, because he is respnsible for that as well.

 

[thelaw]

We have a team that could win anywhere from 5-8 games.

Thats what makes it so hard to predict: 5-8 games is a big window.

 

[patdog]

I don't think it's ever been a secret that he's been more involved with the offense than the defense or special teams. He should get credit for having a good defense, but it is troubling that our offenses have been so bad with a head coach with a background as an offensive coach.

 

[AssEndDawg]

we got lucky last year, but some of that luck we made for ourselves by not quitting. The Ole Miss game is a good example of that. Sure, the buffoon helped us out with the 4th and 1 call but had he made that one yard it wouldn't have been seen as bad to go for it and we still needed two TDs.

I don't know much about GT but I do know that a decent MSU team didn't lose a lot of players. We lost some good ones, but just not a lot in numbers (since most of those Seniors were run off in the early Croom years). Also, when it comes to the offense I try to keep in mind that we had a freaking freshman playing. As a coach you would be a little nervous about opening up the offense. Especially when you had such a good defense to rely on. I'm really hoping they show us something (although I'm not truly expecting it) now that we have a serviceable QB.

We could lose to GT, but that Ole Miss homer was just off base.

 

[Coach34]

that yes, as the head coach he gets credit for helping build a good defense...but he is majorly involved in the gameplanning with the offense. That armband he is wearing on the sidelines is offensive calls- not defense. Thats why he deserves the criticism.

 

[dogfan96]

a defensive player returning a pick for a TD isn't luck. Running a punt back for a TD isn't luck. Getting a stop when you need one isn't luck. Offense isn't the only way to score points, just the most conventional way.</p>

 

[patdog]

I'll do my part and pass on the discussion this time.</p>

 

[ArrowDawg]

.........as always that mine and other people's pessimistic assessments are flat-out wrong. Mississippi State football desparately needs another winning season this year, not just for Croom but for our program's future. We need it to build momentum, we need it to keep what's turning out to be a very solid recrutiing class, and we need it for the fan bases's sanity.

We have by most accounts an easier schedule this year, and we return most of the core of our players from an 8-win team. Now I may not personally be convinced that 2007 was a legit season, but we all better hope it was and that we naturally follow it up with another good one this year. If we don't, then 2007 was a fluke and we're going nowhere.

 

[DowntownDawg]

....because you and the Peach can't seem to differentiate between "making a play" and "luck." Luck happens in football, but true "luck" didn't aid us last year. The closest thing would be Orgeron's decision to go for it on 4th down, because that didn't have anything to do with anything we did, except stop them short on 3rd down. Luck resides in the LSU picture on down the page.

 

[Coach34]

we were fortunate...we absolutely made those plays to win those games. My point is that they wont continue to happen.

I look for the defense to keep us in games this season, but the offense is going to have to win them...

 

[saltybulldog]

[No message]

 

[DowntownDawg]

...but you basically said that you agreed with the rebel poster who said we were "lucky."

 

[Todd4State]

At the same time I was just pointing out that you also have to give him credit for doing some things right. Even though he has a crappy offense thank God he at least has brought in a pretty good defense. I think you got that, though.

Honestly, I don't think our play calling was all that bad, however, the execution was not always very good. That goes back to Croom in terms of making sure that they are prepared and also in terms of recruiting players that are good enough to run what he wants.

Also, I find it hard to believe that he's not involved with the defensive game plan as well. You claim that he is majorly involved in the offensive gameplan, but the truth is there is no way to know just how involved he is unless you're a player or a coach. I'm sure he is involved, I'm just saying we don't know to what extent. The armband doesn't convince me either because I'm sure every HC in the SEC has a clipboard or arm band with plays on it to.

 

[Coach34]

"The armband doesn't convince me either because I'm sure every HC in the SEC has a clipboard or arm band with plays on it to."

you would be wrong. Only the coaches that call plays or are very involved in the offense have armbands or playsheets. Brooks, Miles, Tubby dont have any type of sheet when they are on the sideline. When you see Meyer, Richt, Nutt, Spurrier and such with them, its because they are directly involved or actually calling plays. Same with Crooms.

 

[Big Sheep81]

Luck is when a muffed punt hops back up into your hands, or when a gust of wind blows a kick through/away from the uprights, or when your ex-father in law dies w/o taking your name off the deed to his land..................Turnovers happen when a player is where he needs to be.........around the football........ Last year defense and special teams made plays. They may not make as many this year. Luck may be a factor, but it will ultimately be decided by having a player in the right place at the right time. As far as the offense goes, 2008 could be the year they get their act together. Inconsistency has been the problem among the players and hard-headness the problem with MAC-COVEY. If the players get their act together and Big Mac doesn't then he should be on the road by 30 September.

 

[slickdawg]

We will miss Anthony Johnson more than we will miss Ellis. Had AJ kept his head on straight, we'd have the best secondary in the SEC.

I still like the mix of Marcus Washington, Jasper O'Quinn, Derek Pegues and Keith Fitzhugh back there. Johnson would be the best CB we've had since Smoot, but no, he couldn't stand the thought of it.

 

[DowntownDawg]

you would be wrong. Only the coaches that call plays or are very involved in the offense have armbands or playsheets. Brooks, Miles, Tubby dont have any type of sheet when they are on the sideline. When you see Meyer, Richt, Nutt, Spurrier and such with them, its because they are directly involved or actually calling plays. Same with Crooms.

....football Jesus. He says it, and therefore it must be so. He shalt not be questioned.

 

[Todd4State]

"The armband doesn't convince me either because I'm sure every HC in the SEC has a clipboard or arm band with plays on it to."

you would be wrong. Only the coaches that call plays or are very involved in the offense have armbands or playsheets. Brooks, Miles, Tubby dont have any type of sheet when they are on the sideline. When you see Meyer, Richt, Nutt, Spurrier and such with them, its because they are directly involved or actually calling plays. Same with Crooms.

</p>I guess JB Grimes makes play calls to because I've seen him wear one.

 

[dogfan96]

Luck is Clint Stoerner inexplicably putting the football on the ground instead of his hand to catch his balance and UT recovering and winning the game and ultimately the NC. THAT is luck.

 

[DudyDog]

Having 3 QB's hurt in one season and missing games.....is that considered "bad luck"?

If LSU had lost their top 2 QB's last year, can anyone name their 3rd stringer? Would they have still won the NC? What about Fla. the year before? Who was their #3 guy?

A few years ago we did that and simply didn't have anyone left that could run an offense. Last year we lost our first 2 QB's and put in a true freshman who found a way to win 8 games.

No team can withstand the losses we've had at QB and produce an effective offense. Nobody, I don't give a damn what anybody says. And anybody who says otherwise doesn't know **** about football.

 

[Coach34]

there Woody-

"A few years ago we did that and simply didn't have anyone left that could run an offense. Last year we lost our first 2 QB's and put in a true freshman who found a way to win 8 games.
No team can withstand the losses we've had at QB and produce an effective offense. Nobody, I don't give a damn what anybody says. And anybody who says otherwise doesn't know **** about football."

you would be correct if that had caused us to get WORSE. But losing QB's made our offense BETTER... if our QB doesnt get hurt, then we end up 4-8 at best. Sorry the truth hurts your point.

 

[dawgwhisperer]

<p align="left">than every one else. if auburn or lsu was in the exact same shoes as us with the same positions returning starters everyone would be licking their nuts right now, just like they already are. need an example?

auburn will have a new oc, a new starting qb and a new offensive scheme for a group of players that didn't put up a whole lot of points themselves last year. while msu does lose brown, blackledge and burks, the rest of the starting offense in pretty much the same. msu players will be more experienced in the same offense which should do better with a qb whos now had a chance to do a little growing up. msu offense may have sucked last year but i don't know of any team with an offense that would put up good numbers with a freshman qb, hell didn't notre dame have the top rated freshman qb in the country starting for them look how they came out. on defense, msu has some key losses in titus and anthony but auburn had some key losses also including groves which will hurt them. msu secondary ranked 7th in the nation last year and wven with the loss of anthony should still be one of the top ten units in the country. on top of all of this msu beat auburn at auburn last year and this year will get to play them at msu.

whats my point? if you replace msu with auburn, and auburn with msu in the above paragraph every sports writer in america and most state fans would say that state doesn't have a prayer in this years game. whether you agree or disagree i really don't care, but auburn is picked to win this game because they are aburn and we are msu. doesn't matter about the players, the coaches, which team lost the most from last year, the location where they play,... or anything else. auburn is picked to win because they are auburn. i hope one day people will drop that mentality and think of state as another tough school in a tough conference, instead of a bottom feeder. the worst part is its been this way for so long now alot of state fans are even worse than the media when it comes to this, hell i've been this way myself with good reason. i'm sure it won't change anytime soon but it would be nice.</p>

 

[Bulldog Backer]

although I think he may finally have more wins than arrests...

We have had two major incidents, resulting in the arrest, detention, or discipline of ten players in the last two years. There has been the occasional DUI, two in two years, because the SPD sets up checkpoints, but as for serious incidents, there have been two. I hardly equate that with Alabama, Tennessee, or some others. Also, for whatever reason, some other programs seem to be more adroit protecting their players. The Football team under Croom has raised the overall G.P.A. by over 2/3 point since his arrival, yet it is hardly mentioned.
</p>

 

[TR.sixpack]

Would all of you who think we got "lucky" feel better if the DB/LB would've gotten stopped on 1 yard line and let Dixon take it in?

 

[TR.sixpack]

we absolutely made those plays to win those games. My point is that they wont continue to happen.

For someone demanding 8 wins or more, you don't have a lot of confidence in our players.

Tell me why we won't to continue to make interceptions, fumble recoveries and critical stops.

 

[TR.sixpack]

one of whom wasn't particularly great (Hannibal) and our DC, and all the sudden we're in the dumper? I don't see it.

Also, Croom seems to think Sherrod will be a fine replacement for Brown, so it really just hurts our depth.

I think it's funny, a Reb fan goes out his way to denigrate our team and most of the glass-half-empty posters shake their head in agreement.