Munson thought we were totally healthy before he found out about Jennings. Regarding
Auburn, Munson was amazed by Auburn’s RBs. CMR was impressed with Irons, and with
their OL.
Auburn had very good overall team speed. They’ve been recruiting speed. Their
LB corps is not super big but can really run. Ever their DL are fast. Their QB
got hot thanks to their running game. They fake the run really well and receivers
get open when your defense is flying to the ball to defend the running game.
Munson noted the crucial fumbles. CMR noted Auburn also had a couple of turnovers.
He also discussed our turnovers and noted they didn’t have to work...
UK had a short chunky RB that has played well in recent weeks. Rafael Little is
also one of the top return men in the nation.
With the division still on the line, the final home game and honoring the 1980
national champions, this is a very big home game. We’re going to need the fans
to get it going with the early kickoff. CMR then thanked the fans for how well
we were Saturday night. The recruits couldn’t stop talking about the fans. Even
with the loss, people handled it well.
Jeremy from Memphis thought Shockley played incredible and the night game atmosphere
was awesome. He’s also concerned about having to play 11 straight next year. He
was disappointed in the WR play, and that we’ve given up so many rushing yards
the last three games and the need for DL recruits. Richt was happier than anyone
with how DJ played. The staff has talked about DL play and recruiting. We signed
two good ones this year and we have guys who just have to grow into the
position. We’re a little inexperienced at WR. Sometimes you just have to get out
there and play before it clicks.
Barron in Cleveland told CMR to hang in there even with “experts” calling in.
CMR talked to the team Friday night and told them to just lay it on the line.
We lost a game by four and one by one. But we still have our goals ahead of us.
Munson wondered if all the teams in the West could run it. CMR laughed and thinks
Bama can, and we found out a couple of years ago
LSU could run it too.
I wondered about the 2-point play and how/why we couldn’t get one of those “fake”
timeouts that Auburn got two of? Richt said it looked like their OC was calling
time out though he thought only the head coach could do that; hard to tell though.
They were in the middle of the field so were near the coaches’ box. The noise
is so loud when they have the ball it is hard to hear. The coach can call time
and tape showed he was trying to. One official is trying to call time. When you’re
way down on the 3-yard line, its impossible to call time from the sideline. There’s
no player whose attention we could get. DJ could have called time but didn’t see
the play clock. We tried to get the ball moved back to the middle once we had
to kick it but would have had to call timeout to do that, so we intentionally
took another penalty for a better angle. We did not do a good job making sure
everyone knew we were going for two. Some of the guys on the kicking team didn’t
get the word and in the excitement of the score instinctively went on the field.
Matthew in Winder asked about missed tackles? What about doing Oklahoma drills?
And did we recruit Irons? CMR told the team at halftime Irons was running harder
than we were tackling. But their OL was blocking well which helped him get a head
of steam. We had a chance to get him when he transferred from SC to Auburn.
Munson noted we had times when our OL protected DJ. CMR didn’t think we could
protect as well as he did. One of their sacks came when DJ stepped up but slipped.
Chris in Blue Ridge was impressed with how Pope played. He was also concerned
about the pass interference called on Pope, which he didn’t understand and the
ESPN announcers didn’t either. CMR laughed and thought it was the best question
of the night. Their safety came up on him, both had their hands on each other.
Then the ball was thrown the other way and was uncatchable anyway. If a ball is
considered uncatchable, interference on the defense would’ve been waved off. CMR
wants to ask the officials if it’s the same for the offense. Both guys had their
hands on each other, extended. If a receiver is in front of them, it is legal
to “chuck”, and offensive players are trying to “swim” around them.
Sandy in Lilburn asked about Jennings’ injury. Monday, we were in full pads, Tuesday
we go in shells and everything is fine. Wednesday & Thursday we go in shorts
so we think we’re in good shape. We have a 15-period practice on Thursday and
in period 14 Jennings sprained his ankle.
Mitchell in Patterson wonders about QB for next year. Joe T will start way out
in front but CMR doesn’t think he’ll name him the starter just yet. The guys will
get to compete for the job.
Tommy in Arlington, TX thought Oliver played well. What are the chances of him
getting more time these last few games? And was there any thought given to going
for two in the 3rd qtr.? Oliver almost made the play for the ages. When they were
about to score, he punched the ball out and it almost went out of the end zone.
If it had gone out it would have been comparable to Michael Johnson’s catch.
We didn’t want to go for two early in the 3rd since people were scoring a lot.
If you go for two and miss then 2 FGs beat you.
Tyler in Athens (on cell phone) also commended Oliver. He has noticed
the last three games teams have run the ball well on us by pulling guards and
tackles. Have we considered pulling guards and tackles even with our zone blocking
schemes. When Auburn pulls linemen, they’re doing it for the same reason we do.
We added the toss sweep and scored on it vs. Auburn. We pull linemen and crack
with the WR.
Rick in Hoschton wondered about the defensive call on the 4th & 10 play. Was
it a missed coverage? Also, did we consider just letting them score? Also, have
we considered letting Thomas Brown carry it 30 times, maybe letting one back carry
it a lot?
We blitzed four LBs on their 4th down play. That same blitz had produced a sack
earlier. We busted a coverage with a safety out of position which left a big hole
in the middle. Thinking back, CMR thinks we should’ve let them score. But they
may have been smart enough to not. CMR thinks he might have taken a knee three
times to make sure there was no fumble.
CMR thinks Brown is a great back but so are Ware and Lumpkin. We believe in all
three of them.
James in Conyers wondered why we settled for the FG instead of taking some shots.
He also was complimentary of how DJ has played this year. First off, CMR is very
proud of how DJ is playing and hopes he gets a shot at playing for the SEC title.
We had a first down on the 25, in FG range. On the first play we get called for
interference, so we’re out of FG range, out of range to win the game. We run the
ball for 8, then for 7, so we’re back to the original line and in FG position.
If you drop back and throw the ball and get sacked, you’re out of FG range. We
decided to secure the lead. CMR would’ve been sick if we’d gotten sacked and been
out of FG range.
Brad in Atlanta noted Tuberville commented after the game he was surprised we
didn’t bring more pressure. We had two weeks to prepare and while we played hard
Auburn rolled up over 500 yards. Did we take a different stand this year, playing
close to the best and more zone? And why was Q. Moses not in the game on that
4th down? CMR doesn’t think we’re bringing less pressure than in the past. VG’s
philosophy was zone coverage even behind blitzes. We’ve got some blitzes where
you play man behind it. On that last play we just had one man get out of place.
Its sad that happened but there are lots of other plays than that one. Richt was
not aware Moses was not in the game on that play.
William in Social Circle kidded with CMR about how hoarse he is. Did CMR leave
one tool in the toolbag? Maybe he should’ve let some of the guys stay outside
and watch their mother of all celebrations. Stuff like that is why fans take losses
so hard. CMR knows its no fun to
watch someone celebrate. His thinking is if we don’t like it then don’t get beat
at home. To the victor goes the spoils.
Tom in Wrens wonders why we didn’t continue to go for two even after the delay
of game. The percentages go way down; its like 4th down on the 8 yard line. They’ll
play zone with a 3-4 man rush, with 7-8 in coverage, in a confined area. There
was still plenty of time on the clock. We just didn’t think the chances were good.
Munson: Be careful with
Kentucky. They’ve been acting like a football team lately.
CMR said we were anxious to get back on track.
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