Now that I've vented and blew off steam and smoke, I'm ready to put this loss behind me (I like to keep losses in the "short-term memory" category--especially heart-breakers like this one).

Instead of killing myself and/or giving me a stroke talking about this game, I want to focus on next week. Ahhhhhhh "next week" --the best feel-good phrase to use following a loss!

Now that we're 3 games into the season, I feel that there are things that should be ironed out by now (and I hope the coaching staff feels the same way as I do).

After a rain-soaked, muddy mess of an opening game, a drubbing over a cupcake, and a reality-gut-check SEC rival game, I think Russell should be the starting QB. Yes he's inexperienced. But he's also proven, in every game thus far, that he gives us the best chance passing the ball down field. For what it's worth, I like Randall's ability to scramble. That's his best asset. But that's not going to get the job done for an entire game. Russell has the skills. They just need to be polished.

Starting a RS-Freshman isn't exactly what you want as the defending national champion--especially when a SR QB with past starting experience is still on your roster, but in our case, Randall hasn't out-played the "rough-around-the-edges-Freshman", and that's why I think Russell should get the nod.

Our running game has been ok. Not great, but not horrible either. I think that Vincent needs to run more north/south. When Broussard was in the game, and he was running up the middle, that's when our running game looked it's best.

As great an athlete as he is, Corey Webster needs to stay on defense. NOT because I don't think he can handle playing WR, but as a pre-season All-American CB, I want him as well-rested as he can be while our offense is on the field. We need our corners to be at their best for when we blitz. With Mario Stevenson injured, we're already down a man in the defensive backfield. We don't need to compound that by having Webster either playing tired, or on the sideline catching his breath with our defense on the field.

I know Webster adds depth and experience to the WR group, but you can't tell me that Webster gets more reps in practice than some of our less-played WR's such as Amp Hill and Brazell. Even without a healthy Skyler Green, Bowe, Davis, Doucet, Carter, Amp Hill and Bennie Brazell are more than enough WR's to get the job done. You can also split Addai or Vincent or even David Jones as other options over Webster.

Finally, I'd like to see our defense blitz more. I haven't seen the defense blitz as much as they did last year. When they have blitzed, they've been very effective. But right now, I think they're playing too much "straight defense". Too many missed tackles by the "D" as well. I'd like to see everyone attempt to WRAP FIRST instead of trying to make a highlight film by knocking someone's head off.

I'm looking for us to make a statement next weekend vs Miss. State. We need to welcome Croom to Death Valley--and that's by giving him the gift of being on the wrong end of the score.

:geaux: