Saturday, October 10, 2009

The Mirror

It doesn't lie. It is devoid of emotion. It shows us things we may not want to see. It's, at times, not your friend....but if you seek improvement...it's your only savior. Enter "The Mirror" for the 2009 Bulldogs.

This is all BEFORE TODAY...where we gave up 45 points:

Total Rushing: 105th
Third Down Conversion Efficiency: 50th
Turnovers Lost: 105th (120th ranking worst in college football)
Fumbles Lost:100th (worst is 117)
Interceptions Thrown: Tied for 84th (out of 120)
Scoring Defense: 85th (120 is worst)
Pass Efficiency Defense: 65th (out of 120)
Third Down Conversion Defense: 33rd
TURNOVER MARGIN: 115th (120 is worst)
Fewest yards Penalized: 103rd (120th is the worst)
Fewest PENATLTIES: 115th (120th is worst)
Total Passing yards: Joe Cox 23rd
Scoring Offense: 60th
Total Offense: 86th (out of 120)
Total Defense: 64th (out of 120)
Time of Possession: 96th (out of 120)

NET PUNTING: Georgia= 4th. GO DOGS!!! Thank God we have another Butler.

Truly amazing that we've won a game.

Perhaps the most amazing stats:

RECRUITING CLASS:

2006:#4
2007:#13
2008:#5
2009#6
Projected 2010 : #2

RUN.
THE.
DAMN.
BALL.
YOU.
DOUCHE.
BAGS.

4 comments:

  1. "Run the damn ball." That's your answer? Run the damn ball? Have you watched a game all season long? If you take out the Samuel run against Arkansas, Georgia has a 2.94 yard per carry average. Here's how you can define our running game: a soft OL that does not open holes for mediocre backs. And when our running backs aren't getting stuffed at the line of scrimmage, they're fumbling. This is what you want for your offense?

    We need to do just the opposite. We need to put Logan Gray in with a 3-wide set and Chapas in the backfield to block, and throw it 70 times a game. Throw to the TE. Throw the occasional screen to the FB. If we want to run the ball, let Logan take off with it.

    Then we need to fire the entire strength and conditioning staff in the offseason (yes, the defensive staff, too) and get some trainers in here who can produce linemen that aren't soft as butter on the counter in August.

    If we focus on the run, then every remaining opponent will laugh their way to double-digit wins. Well, except for Tennessee Tech, who we would probably have to kick a FG in the last minute of the game to beat. WE. CANNOT. RUN. THE. DAMN. BALL.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I appreciate your comments.

    I certainly wouldn't advocate running the ball if I believed we just couldn't...and I only really advocate it FIRST so we can establish the run to open up the pass.

    I think the point I am making overall is that we have some of the best recruiting in the nation and we seem to be extremely low in a lot of key categories. Including the run game. Bottom line is discipline and coaching. Part of the coaching includes play calling.

    Run first, then throw. Just my two cents. If you believe 49 yards rushing is good enough, then fine. I don't. I think we can and should do better.

    ReplyDelete
  3. The key to "W's" in the SEC (as well as most other places outside of the WAC) is defense & a consistent ground game.
    not necessarily a circa 1975 Oklahoma wishbone, or even a GT triple-option, but whatever it takes to keep the oppponent guessing.
    Clearly, neither of these are strengths of the 2009 Dogs.
    But by at least committing to a rushing attack of 30+ attempts per game, we do a few things:

    * shorten the game. having our D on the field is not a good thing, so doing whatever possible to sustain long drives & eat clock is key.

    * this may sound strange, but it helps recruiting. kids all over the SE see Bama & Fla & LSU - even Tenn, & they see strong running teams. Spurrier's Fun n' Gun was an anomaly that only a genius like that could master, & the team that runs the best (and stops the run) wins the most - do some research.

    * help our other receivers, outside of Green. clearly, he is our most effective weapon & needs to be utilized even more. However, at some pt, teams are going to tire of him schooling their DB's, & will put a corner & safety on him 24/7. Luckily he's good enough to still make plays even with 2 guys draped on him, but Cox (or Murray, but for the Love of God, not Logan Gray -please) will need to find 2nd & 3rd options. Mikey Moore, Orson Charles, & Wooten are all talented but would be so much more effective when facing single coverage - often by a LB.

    So, in short, we will not win 10 games this yr, & even 8 would be a miracle at this pt.
    But by abandoning the run & trying to do our best BYU (or Hawaii, or Houston) impression isn't gonna cut it.
    I agree with "R" that our O-line is not close to playing to their potential, so make some changes there. Also, stick to 1 or 2 backs (Samuel & Ealey would be my choices) & give them a chance to at least try to find a rhythm. Work some Chapas & some screens into the mix and, at minimum, that will force opposing D's to stop blitzing every down & prep for the run.

    ReplyDelete