The Back Alley Archives

What do you all think so far? I like the offense. They were a little shaky yesterday but for the most part look to be well practiced and confident as compared to last year where they looked tentative. Run defense is looking good, secondary could use some work. Granted we got our usualy amount of bullshit calls yesterday, but those penalties have got to stop. Giving up that fourth down was inexcusable. I hate games like yesterday where I am praying for the clock to run out. And at least we know we have a reliable kicker!

I feel better about this season now. However, I still think Alabama will be a loss. AU is looking winnable, although we tend to choke at AU. LSU and SC are winnable if we don't do stupid stuff like yesterday, but Lattimore will be a challenge. And I am not giving FSU a win at The Swamp.

Thoughts everyone?

Weis is a pleasant gift for Mr. Brantley, who should progress through the year. No knock on Demps and Rainey -- they are what they are -- but I wish we had us a big Rhett / Taylor type back who we trusted up the middle. OL still seems to be finding its way. Run defense does look good, doesn't it?

I think 9-4 is the over/under this year. If we can win 10 games in a transition year from Meyer/Addazio to Muschamp, that's a damn good year. What I hope is that they can win the East and be in the SECCG. And beat the Noles.

These guys are a lot more fun to watch than last year.

1) We seem to have trouble running between the tackles, especially on the right hand side.

2) Either we don't have WR's that can get open or Brantley is checking down to the backs too early.

3) Is Brantley afraid to throw over the middle for more than 10 yards? He throws into tight spots when there is an open man at least twice a game.

4) Secondary is young and we knew that going in but the front 7 are solid.

5) I'm concerned our punter may cost us.

I think we can beat Bama since they don't have a strong passing game this year, although they normally don't. I've never been overly impressed with Richardson. LSU on the other hand will be a difficult game. Bama will be very physical with us and I'm not sure we can handle playing LSU the week after because they look awfully strong on defense. I think we will wear down versus LSU and lose a game 17-10 or something like that. That being said, this is much better than last season.

The biggest thing I'm impressed with is how this team (offense in particular) is far more organized than last season. I still have reservations about the offense until we see the WR getting more involved. However, they are blocking and seem to be part of the overall scheme.

They should light up Kentucky this weekend, I'm surprised the line is only at 18 on the open.

Cheers!

That line opened at 11 Matt. It moved to 18 rather quickly.

[quote=TheTodd]1) We seem to have trouble running between the tackles, especially on the right hand side.

2) Either we don't have WR's that can get open or Brantley is checking down to the backs too early.

3) Is Brantley afraid to throw over the middle for more than 10 yards? He throws into tight spots when there is an open man at least twice a game.

4) Secondary is young and we knew that going in but the front 7 are solid.

5) I'm concerned our punter may cost us.

I think we can beat Bama since they don't have a strong passing game this year, although they normally don't. I've never been overly impressed with Richardson. LSU on the other hand will be a difficult game. Bama will be very physical with us and I'm not sure we can handle playing LSU the week after because they look awfully strong on defense. I think we will wear down versus LSU and lose a game 17-10 or something like that. That being said, this is much better than last season.[/QUOTE]

I would agree with 4 of your reasons. What's is up with the punter other than that one bad punt? Am I missing some info?

We do seem to be lacking in the WR department. And Brantley isn't throwing that much downfield. Is there a reason for this?

[quote=urapnes]The biggest thing I'm impressed with is how this team (offense in particular) is far more organized than last season. I still have reservations about the offense until we see the WR getting more involved. However, they are blocking and seem to be part of the overall scheme.

They should light up Kentucky this weekend, I'm surprised the line is only at 18 on the open.

Cheers![/QUOTE]

Completely agree. There is none of the "Oh crap, we have 5 seconds and I need to get off a play" panic like there was last year. They do look well coached and well organized. I read on CNN SI that Weis said that Demps and Rainey were the best two backs that he has EVER had! Holy Crap! That is big praise coming from a guy with Weis' credentials!

We really haven't seen much from the punter outside of one bad punt is what my concern is. The one time he was pressured to do well it was shankapotomus time.

I concur with Kyle. I think last game would have been very low stress if it weren't for the penalties and bad calls from the refs. I just like not getting that sick feeling in my gut every time the offense takes the field.

Bill is funny...last week when we had our first good drive, Bill said he wanted to marry Charlie Weis. Of course that stupid trick play changed his tune. But overall, it is a much more efficient and "organized" offense.

[quote=G8rMom7]I concur with Kyle. I think last game would have been very low stress if it weren't for the penalties and bad calls from the refs. I just like not getting that sick feeling in my gut every time the offense takes the field.

Bill is funny...last week when we had our first good drive, Bill said he wanted to marry Charlie Weis. Of course that stupid trick play changed his tune. But overall, it is a much more efficient and "organized" offense.[/QUOTE]

I agree with both of you - definitely more fun to watch.

I remember passing around Steve Addazio's Play Sheet last year. I wonder if that figure is out on the Interweb thingy anymore. I think I will look.

I found it! How do we post pics here now?

http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com ... -flowchart

Here we go. It's time to find out what the team is made of. Big boy football starts this week and it's a month long test. The Gators will be very successful if they can get through October with one loss. 2-2 wouldn't be horrible though, as long as we beat UGA of course. It's going to be a fun month.

[quote=TheTodd]Here we go. It's time to find out what the team is made of. Big boy football starts this week and it's a month long test. The Gators will be very successful if they can get through October with one loss. 2-2 wouldn't be horrible though, as long as we beat UGA of course. It's going to be a fun month.[/QUOTE]

I would agree. I think AU is beatable, Bama and LSU will be tough. Georgia, well, let's say I am not impressed. They have been our bitch since the 90's and I think that trend will continue. Remember, you can't spell ugly without UG.

Todd, I hadn't even noticed our punter until this week and after reading your post above. He is not too good. 30-40 yard punts at best? How is it possible that we can't get the best kickers in the state at least? Weird.

Yeah, I think AU is beatable and I Georgia is horrible this year. I think we can beat Bama but don't know if we will. Not counting on LSU as a win of course.

We apparently signed a top punter but a walk on is playing instead.