The only problems I saw on Saturday was kickoff coverage, downing punts (they really let down Mimbs on one that should have been downed at the 2, and throw left, throw right, throw left again. The "New Look" offense just looked like different plays with the same predictability. Also Southerland on the wing doesn't thrill me. These are really picky though and I look forward to how the new formations and WR screens work out in the SEC.
The positives were Kelin Johnson's pursuit of the ball (they've given him a lot of freedom), Knowshon Moreno's ability to improvise, and obviously Mikey Henderson's widespread contributions at wideout and the sick punt return.
The biggest thing though was Sean Bailey's (re?)emergence as a go-to wide receiver:
| Rec | Yds | Avg | Lng | |||
| S. Bailey | 5 | 87 | 17.4 | 47 |
More than his stats I just felt like Stafford has found the go-to guy that he didn't have last season. Bailey was always a burner but looks like he has studied (and I'm not making comparisons) combo-guys like Laveranues Coles or even Hines Ward. These are receivers that corners can't cheat on either way. I know it's been one game but it looks like Bailey has really stepped up amongst a motley crew of receivers. I mean, where is A.J. Bryant? I thought he may have been the next Michael Johnson but now we can only hope he turns into the next LeBrone Mitchell.
Great observation on AJ Bryant. While watching the game I wondered where Bryant was, and it seems as though he has disappeared from the offense. From my count he currently sits behind Massaquoi, Bailey, Henderson, Wilson and Moore (and Gartrell?) on the depth chart.
ReplyDeleteAnd I really just hope Lumpkin's injury isn't enough to force us to burn King's redshirt...
Eh?
ReplyDeleteDid anybody else but me wonder where MoMas was during the game? I saw him make a big tackle and make an important catch on his knees, but he wasn't in the game much. I'm not complaining, but I pulled for him last year when everybody was blaming him for not making circus catches.
ReplyDeleteAnd how about all the upper deck seating for the cowpoke fans? Is that what we give non conference fans now? Fine with me.
I'm not so sure we'll see all the screen passes in every game. I think there are a couple reasons we saw so many in game 1. First, the O-line doesn't have to block as long and can get out in space a little. Second, Oklahoma State was playing a pretty large cushion, and refused to come up on the receivers. I gotta believe Bobo figured, as long as the Pokes are giving it up, we may as well keep running it.
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