A few observations
The OL did, in fact, play well.
Yes there were occasional individual breakdowns (Morris whiff for a sack, Kennedy a breakdown or 2, etc) but they blocked and blocked well
On the TD drive they were dominant
Our best OL rotation at the moment includes Cade at RT. We get Carvin back at RG and we are set except for LT
Morris, for whatever reason isn't up to his standard yet. We played at least 3 at LT (including Cade) and none played that well
RB: Still go down far too easily and there were 2 outright DROPS on outlet passes that cost us drives
Gray is the better of the 2 and it isn't close
WR: Palmer had a bad, bad day, still believe the 3rd pick was on him, very, very weak and slow coming out of his break at the top of the route; Keeton flashed but then had a stupid, stupid penalty that cost us. Of the starters I felt that Johnson was the best.
I do believe we have to bite the bullet and let the kids have more gametime. Frankly, they can't be worse
QB: JG maybe does provide the intangibles that fans can't normally see like getting in or out of good/bad plays but he isn't consistent in it nor is he consistent at all in playing the position. If you can stand it, go back and watch the series with the 2nd pick 6. JG demonstrates the good and bad on the series, in spades. Early on, he is patient, goes through his progressions (you can literally follow them on one play) and looks like a skilled QB. At other times he just flat ass locks down on one receiver come hell or high water, like the 2 pick 6s. The first was just a lazy ass'd throw as Tillman is open for a 1st down if just throws a pros style out pass instead of the inside changeup he threw.
On the 2nd pick the route structure was similar to an earlier in the drive completion to Johnson down the left hash. 2 major differences: On the first MOTION and defense (I believe they screwed up the coverage) allowed Johnson to get open. On the 2nd KY was essentially in a 2 deep zone and JG either didn't recognize it or decided that no matter what, as it was successful the previous time he was throwing it to Johnson. I tend to believe the later based on the throw.
HOWEVER - What I WILL NOT excuse is the
TOTAL LACK OF EFFORT by JG post the pick - In short, he just stood around and half-assed attempted to get near the returner -- should be BENCHED for that alone!
He looked a bit like a pinball near the goalline but at least pinballs get HIT by the flippers! ZERO (0) EFFORT to get to the ball carrier!
You can safely conclude that I am DONE with JG at QB
Defense:
The DL (and OLBs) are good. Barron is getting a baptism by fire and while he may not be doing well he is, for the most part, not playing badly.
Bennett and Johnson are clearly our best OLBs with a clear drop off after those 2.
The interior line is essentially multiple plug and play parts that do clog up the middle
Henry T is very good
We were hurt badly yesterday by the injury to Banks. Crouch is better in the passing game but Banks is far superior in the running game. There is zero depth behind 27 and 11 now.
The secondary is shizzle.
The safeties flash at times but the rest only flash bad.
BTW, if Wilson had recognized the defense we were in a play or 2 before the FG they could have waltzed in for a TD
We essentially had only Crouch behind the LOS. There was nobody else between the DEs behind the LOS. I saw it ingame and went
The good news yesterday? We ere 2 for 2 in 4th down conversions - yeah!
I leave you with one question: I see GA playing a TRUE FR WR (7) and he is playing well. Our FR receivers (except for Hyatt at times) are not getting on the field. Is it it just a question of that large a tallent difference in recruiting or just poor coaching?
