Munson - Another weekend, one of those odd ones where lots of teams rolled up a lot of yards and points but still got beat.
LSU and
Alabama acted like they wanted to kill each other all night,
Florida State knocked off Boston College and Kansas rolled up several hundred yards as it chopped Nebraska up into little pieces.
Interesting to note Oklahoma State fell apart against Texas.. and a few other things.
Right to calls – Scott in Grayson was first up. His questions pertain to Rennie Curran and Marcus Howard (Scott considers them sparkplugs on the defense). In 2005,
Auburn had quite a time on our field, posing for pictures, laying down on the field, holding clumps of hedges in their teeth. Richt said he’d love pictures to use.
In addition to Curran and Howard, CMR pointed out Asher Allen and Geno Atkins as guys who really had big games last week. Both Howard and Curran are undersized but make up for it with intensity and fundamentals.
CMR said the seniors asked the fans for everyone to wear black Saturday. (8:14 pm)
Bert in Roswell noted Searles really chewing out Sturdivant for a holding penalty and said he thought Sturdivant is really having a great year. Also, keep an eye out for an early trick play from Borges. And they’ll probably want to get us back for last year. CMR said Searles gets really passionate getting after guys and keeping them going. Auburn’s strengths – defense is #1 scoring defense in the SEC this year. Offensively, they’re a team that loves to hammer the ball, come downhill with their backs then go with play action. A big part of our plan is to try to slow some of their momentum running the ball.
Munson – that Troy team didn’t want to slow down for anyone. CMR said they ran 86 plays officially (91 for gradable film, including penalties). Everyone seems to look over to the sideline for play signals. They’re unique in that regard. It keeps everyone on the same page instead of having the QB have to call signals at the line. They cut out the middleman, so to speak.
Doug in Cumming asked about the QB sometimes pointing to the other side. CMR said when he’s pointing across, it’s who we consider the MLB to be, identifying the defense and letting everyone know who to block. The QB & center are communicating to everyone else so we get combinations worked out.
Lee in Moultrie – this freshman class.. CMR mentioned Vance Cuff, who’s already playing. Also, Logan Gray, Aron White and others. Also, Justin Anderson, Chris Little and Ben Harden redshirting on the OL.
Grady in Commerce asked about playing Cox – CMR said Cox deserves to play and is good enough. In a way, CMR isn’t sure why we haven’t. Maybe it’s because lots of games have been nail biters and you’re afraid to take a guy out in a game like that.
Munson asked CMR about the all-black thing. Just the top (but if you want to wear all-black, that’s fine).
William in Chattanooga asked about injuries – CMR said S. Bailey is fine, T. Brown practiced today and might take contact Wednesday. K. Durham has been playing.
About Cox and Lester – anytime you can frustrate their QB and leading runner, that’s a big help.
Tim in Rome asked about the process in preparation for game. On Sunday, players don’t meet. Coaches go to church, grab lunch, then come in and grade film. CMR meets with offensive coaches and defensive coaches.
On Monday, we’ve gotten some lifting in, then a 6 period practice with work on kicking game. Tuesday, full pads and 1st/2nd down stuff and short yardage. Wednesday, 3rd down situations, Thursday – dress rehearsal. Every day – 20-30 minutes of kicking. Friday – mental stuff and meetings. Sometimes on Saturday – special teams depending on game times. Sometimes for coaches, they go out Thursday and Friday for recruiting.
Robert in Fla. – wants CMR to stay with aggressive game plan like we used vs. Florida. CMR said sometimes how aggressive a plan is depends on how its carried out. You can be aggressive as a coach by going for it on 4th down. We saw a passion we hadn’t seen in a long time vs. Florida. We were passionate vs. Bama & OSU. We have to have that to play this Auburn game.
Tanya in Hull wants to congratulate CMR & the team on the Florida win and on Moreno’s big game last Saturday. CMR expects lots of big plays in this game and lots of guys laying it on the line.
Munson repeated the “wear black” request at 8:36, coming out of commercial break.
George in Rome wants us to keep Moreno in rhythm even if T. Brown can come back. CMR – Moreno has done a great job. We don’t want him to lose his rhythm but don’t want to wear him out either. We think he can handle 20-25. In fact, Brown has more yards/carry than Moreno right now. We’re just thankful we’ll have two of our top backs ready.
Warren in Athens asked about Curran again. CMR said he really sees things well and react. He has made some of our better direct hits – where he hits a guy and there are no yards after contact, including one play on the Troy QB on a QB draw to prevent a first down. When you grade film, CMR asks Jancek if a guy is playing good assignment football. Jancek said Curran was grading out very high on assignments.
Jerry in Lincolnton asked about NaDerris Ward and Quinton Banks. Ward is the big TE out of Oakland, big target, good hands, starting to smooth out his routes and getting better on his blocking. He’d be further along except he had shoulder surgery last year. In a lot of ways, he’s like a true frosh. Banks is beginning to make the kind of plays we need. He can really hit, like Greg Blue. We have to work with him more on football position. He’s probably out this week but should play vs. UK.
Jamie in Cumming says if we get 25 carries out of Moreno we’re in great shape. He asked about black jerseys - to match the fans in the stands. CMR – everyone’s bragging about Moreno and they should be. The only thing he hasn’t done great was fumble. But he got spun around and their guy got his helmet right on the ball.
As for black jerseys, you can’t just order them up the week of the game.
Lake in Thomasville says watch the fake punt with Auburn. CMR remembers WV and Florida getting us on fake punts but doesn’t remember Auburn. Munson said he saw lots of teams running several steps then punting. CMR said that was the rugby punt. If the punter sees a team running back to set up a return, he has an option to return.
Jerome in Decatur wants CMR to lean on Searles and Garner on Auburn week. CMR says we do, for insight into Auburn’s mentality. Rivalry has been unbelievable, with the closeness of the games and total points scores. It’s uncanny how the visiting team has won way more than they should.
(8:50 pm) Karen in Augusta asked about wearing black and its significance. The seniors just want the fans do it and think it would look cool and think it would be a sign of unity. CMR asked them about significance – in honor of Munson? Uga VI? Just a sign of unity. Let’s go ahead and do it so the guys can feel the love.
Steve in Villa Rica notes Auburn and SC have done that running punt. What about coverage teams running down the field before the kick? Do we take too long to get punts off?
Most teams try to release their cover men as quick as possible. They have to protect first. Some teams – the snapper may release immediately if his man doesn’t rush. Lots of teams teach that. Our protection has been pretty good. The last two games we’ve been asking Mimbs to angle kick, away from two top returners, so we didn’t let him do his thing which is to punt it high and deep. Flowers had two returns for 80-some yards vs. Troy.
Tim in Vidalia says Troy was a better team than many expected. With Brown coming back and King redshirting, what’s the deal with Brown – getting carries or just running back kicks? We just have to see how he practices and comes along during the week. We’re hoping he’ll be able to be a gunner and several other things. He’ll certainly get some of the action running the ball.
RG from Homer asked about Drew Butler – redshirting, getting better and better. Not sure if he’ll get in the kicking race next year.
Munson – the Auburn series has been a great thing. CMR – the last two teams did a lot of things sideways but this team will be going north/south a lot.
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