What's missing with this year's team...

[TaleofTwoDogs]

The Bama game just reinforces what we all seem to know - we are missing these key ingredients:


1) Playmaker receivers - YAC are almost non-existent (see Jones and Maze for examples of YAC). Seems like our receivers can only catch by turning into the ball and breaking stride. Separation from the defenders is also a problem.

2) Lock-down corners - 10 - 15 yard cushions are not going to get it done against top teams. Tackling is also hot and cold.


Sure, there are a number of other missing components but in spite of Relf's limitations, I think we are in the hunt for the West if we have the corners and a AJ Green type on the edge. Relf would definitely benefit by having a receiver with the speed to run under some of his throws. Simple analysis but true.

 

[MStateFan22]

Agree with #2. We need some better corners. Maybe Whitehead and Brassel can come in and help.

 

[boomboommsu]

1. While it would be great to have a AJ Green-type reciever, that's not really our problem, as almost all schools could say that, and many teams better than ours lack that type of reciever. And if we had one, teams would just double or even triple cover him. What we need is a better QB. The recievers we have are good enough for a much better passing attack, but they are not good enough to where we can just pick a reciever and a route and know he'll be open. We can run plays where someone will be open, depending on the coverage. But we lack a QB that can read that coverage and deliver the right pass. A better reciever won't change that.

2. We don't need a lock-down corner. Those are just too hard to come by nowadays, so it's just wishful thinking to expect to get even one, let alone two. But we do need league-average corners, and we don't have even one. Langston was supposed to be one, but has been a huge dissapointment.

 

[kired]

Maybe we should bring back Marcus Washington to teach them a CB can actually wrap up & tackle.

 

[FlabLoser]

1. While it would be great to have a AJ Green-type reciever, that's not really our problem, as almost all schools could say that, and many teams better than ours lack that type of reciever.

A repost of mine from BDJ. This was up to date as of 10/18:

I had a little time so I put this list together. The player listed are
the top 2 WRs on the team based on rec yards. I listed 3 for UGA since <span class="highlight">Green</span> has been suspended most of the season.


Auburn
Darvin Adams 6-3 192
Terrell Zachery 6-1 211

LSU
Toliver 6-5 206
Randle 6-3 201


Alabama
Jones 6-4 211
Hanks 6-0 184

Arkansas
Childs 6-3 217
Adams 5-11 182

South Carolina
Jeffery 6-4 237
Gurley 6-5 230

UGA
Durham 6-5 209
<span class="highlight">Green</span> 6-4 207
King (not Caleb) 6-1 180

------------------------

We lack size at WR that most good teams do in fact have.

 

[Columbus Dawg]

1. a pass rushing threat at DE
2. a true dual threat QB
3. playmakers at outside WR

Also, losing Marcus Green at TE really hurt and it would be nice to have more physical corners.

Bottom line: We have 3 losses to 3 of the 5 best teams in the country and 2 of those games were on the road. Not too bad in Year 2 of Mullen.

 

[LiamMcPoyle]

..

 

[cdhmsu]

Up the middle

 

[boomboommsu]

height in a reciever isbetter than not, but it takes alot more than just that. ask Antonio Hargro.

i never mentioned height. i was talking about ability. as far as height, we could add some fades and verticals that are just balls thrown up for grabs, with the tall reciever going up for it. but that play is a quick INT if the QB is an inconsistant passer who underthrows it.......which is exactly what we have at QB. so height doesn't mean crap for us right now.

 

[Todd4State]

What I think that shows is that we desperately need more outside WR's. That's why I want MSU to offer that WR from Oxford that's 6'5" and putting up 150+ yards every week (McNeal?) to go along with Morrow. We need to keep recruiting slot guys too, though.

 

[Todd4State]

Auburn certainly has more playmakers around him, but we would have given him a much better defense, and it's not like guys like Bumphis and Ballard are chopped liver.

 

[TaleofTwoDogs]

and 1 or 2 cover corners, then we would be right in the thick of things as far as the SEC West is concerned. Your points are definitely valid, but we could sit here all night discussing the short comings of this year's team. I'm just saying that we are a couple of skill players short of being near the top.....our 2, 3 & 4 star guys are giving a hell of a run compared to the 4 & 5 star loaded Alabama, LSU, Auburn & Florida.

 

[EClass04]

1. We need a QB that is not only a threat to run but also a consistent passer. Relf is just way too erratic when throwing downfield, and his footwork on pass attempts is non-existant.

2. While it wouldn't hurt to have bigger receivers, the main thing we need at the position is guys that can stay focused. We put way too many balls on the ground that should be easy receptions, but we're still young at that position, so I hope to see continued improvement there.

3. We have to get bigger, more athletic, and more physical at the CB position. We are too small in the secondary to play bump and run in this league, and I think that's why we play so soft. Banks has the size, but isn't physical at all and doesn't look to be fluid enough in the hips or have good enough feet to excel at corner. I'm sure he's playing because he's the best option, but he needs to go back to safety ASAP. Oh, one more thing: we must learn how to tackle at the CB position. It's somewhat funny yet embarassing to see the smallest guys on the field trying to blow a guy upand neverwrap up. All that happens is the guy bounces off and gains more yards......see Alabama game.