First game, we don't know how good or bad Miss. State is until they play a few more. I pretty much agree with Red's post, but the offensive line play was a little concerning. Again though, first game out, on the road, in the conference............... To early to be pressing the panic button or buying tickets to the MNC game. Let's do like the team, one game at a time.
If I remember, I thought MSU was gouging the Defense a little bit on running the ball in the first half. That started worrying me, then they started trying to throw more and we know what happened with that. I'm just not that pumped up and excited as one should be with a 45-0 victory in the SEC. MSU stood us up in the 1st half and did have some success running the ball. They defense plugged our runs, so our O-line needs to get better instantly. Th o-line scares me. When somebody that can move like Flynn gets sacked 3 times(?) then the O-line is not in good shape. We weren't getting Henig till the second half. Dorsey didn't look all that great IMO, maybe I missed of it, but he had a couple of good plays. The times I tried to focus on him it seems like he would get stood up during the pass rush and made no progress on the QB. I was expecting more out of him. Maybe I overlooked him some and wasn't watching when he shed some blocks. I'm really nervous though about the Vtech game. It will be a low scoring game and hopefully Vtechs offense struggles more than ours. We have to control the Line on offense or we will lose 2 or 3 games this season.
Was anyone else cringing by the second half with how hard the MSU players were being hit? I kept begging Croom to take hobbling Henig out before they can't even stay on the field with Tulane next week... And in the off season, many here were worried that Lafell wouldn't be a blocker. Could you believe how badly he jacked up that Bulldog on Flynn's run?
OK, my thoughts... First of all...great to be at the game, and even better...great to finally meet some of my Tigerforums friends! I'll post pics later and let them identify themselves if they want to . Now, the game...positives first. (hard to believe there can be negatives with 45-0!!) On 'D'-----Dorsey! Need I say more? If the Heisman goes to the best "PLAYER" in CFB...give it to the man! Steltz=BEAST! He flies all over the field, and is a ball hawk! (But should've knocked down the last int.) Rummel pride, baby! We pitched a shutout, good pressure on Clara's All-American, Henig, and CAUGHT the interceptions for a change! Don't know how many sacks we got, but we were in Henig's face all night...he was scared. I think our defense lived up to the hype...albeit against a terrible offense. Secondary looks good as well, but it helps when the QB is bad...and scared! Oh, and Chad Jones can FLY! Offense, well...let's just say I liked the fact that a LOT of great athletes are involved. Flynn, when given time to throw the ball, looked pretty sharp...beautiful pass to Early for the TD...smart pass to Scott for the other TD. The RB's looked pretty good, although they didn't have much room to roam. Don't know if we chalk it up to field conditions, poor blocking, or just plain good defense from MSU. Honestly, I do think MSU was up for this game, and played well on 'D'. But the best aspect of the offense in my opinion? NO TURNOVERS!!!! (Can't say the same for MSU. :nope: ) Brandon Lafell gained a LOT of respect from me! I heard MSU's coaching staff asking that guy how many fingers they were holding up, and he said Wednesday!!!:rofl: I SWEAR!!!:hihi: And, seriously...Perriloux looked awesome. I know it was late and MSU was tired, but he looked like the most comfortable QB running that offense last night. Not trying to start a controversy, just calling it like I see it. I have NEVER been on his bandwagon, but I am now. Special teams...pretty impressive! I too wish we could at least try to down the ball inside the 20 instead of kicking it in the endzone by 5 yds, but when a guy punts from his endzone 3 times, and averages about 55 yds on those 3 punts...you have to be impressed...and punt ugly wasn't challenge by MSU.(No pressure on punter) Now the negatives...don't worry...it's pretty short.:hihi: Defense...I have no complaints, other than the previously stated...Steltz should have knocked down the 6th (his 3rd) int...it was 4th down from our side of the 50...and he intercepts a ball at the 5?:dis: Even with the long return, he wound up about where we would've wound up had he knocked it down. Special teams...just the above stated punting the ball into the endzone.o: DRIVES ME NUTS!! Now, offense...hmmmm. OK, I'll say that it's not what I was expecting, exactly. I guess I know about what kinda offense we were running, but I thought we came out tentatively...and unsure of ourselves...or the offense. I know we probably kept it vanilla, but I can't believe with the speed we have we couldn't ever get to the corner for a big gain. Can we not make holes?? Now for the QB...remember this is the "negative" section of my report, and I have already given the positives. I don't like the fact that Flynn runs the ball so much...he's not as good of a runner as I thought I remembered...not as fast. The only time I really thought Flynn looked comfortable was the drive to end half 1, and the drive to start half 2. And I think it's because he was throwing more. I just hope we turn his arm loose a little more in the future. We have to make some more holes for our playmakers! I kept expecting something huge, and it really never happened. The O line looked pretty bad, IMHO. Flynn was pressured a lot, and sacked too often. He could've been sacked 3 or 4 more times, had it not been for escapability...and even then, he usually didn't make much out of it. The defense, I have no complaints...none.:hihi: In closing, I'm happy with the outcome of the first game...conference game on the road, and we win 45-0. If you're not happy with that, you can't be pleased. But at the same time, I'm nervous about VT...although I already was! I just hope they can get some questions answered on offense in the next 8 days. There was a thread a while back about possibly RP and MF splitting time and QB, and I couldn't even think about it at the time...I can now. Overall, though...I think we're alright, and should probably be patient with the staff...and players...and let them gel in this system. I do believe they will, and it'll be fun to watch. I just hope it happens soon. If it does, and we can get past VT, I can honestly see us winning it all...our 'D' is that good! Geaux Tigers! I'll post pics in a little while...gotta get a boy to school!
The first half we played very tenative and MSU played with a lot of emotion and heart. Their heart was torn out of them by their QB. If they can find an decent QB they will be a decent team. Thier D looked pretty good, our looked very fast and awesome. Our coaches made some great adjustments at the half and we came out with that fire to put MSU away. Flynn looked very good in that first drive the second half. RP looked good also. The D took over the second half and gave Dixon very little running room. The only concern I really have is the right side of the O-Line. T. Brown dominated them.
After a night's rest, I agree with what a lot of people have said here, so I'll just add my main points: I was very happy with adjustments the coaching staff made. I'd have liked the team to be a bit more sharp the first half, but they adjusted in the second (and wore MSU down). So long as mistakes are corrected and adjustments made, I'm generally happy. MSU's defense was tired when our young uns came out, but Murphy, CJ, RP, etc. still impressed. I like our depth. Speaking of depth, our depth on defense is SICK. I'm not thrilled about everything I saw during the game, but see a bit of weakness where expected and scary-ass strength where expected. No real surprises last night, except the conservative game plan. I think a lot of us expected a little more than was shown by our new OC. I was impressed with special teams. Quite a punter, and nice coverage. Hope they continue to improve.
A solid start to the season. Pretty much unfolded like I thought ... shaky on offense and a dominating defense. Everything else has been said, so no need to repeat it. I hope we see Crowton's offense next week.
The offensive line made me nervous the first quarter but the defense kept me optimistic and it paid off. Flynn did look poised when he was passing......IMO. I went to bed at 24-0 and woke up this morning with smile when I found it came out to 45 - 0. dang it I wanted to see R.P. play!!! My ole butt can't hang no more....
One more key stat: NO TURNOVERS, esp. in the very wet first half. Yes, I was feeling bad for Henig taking in all that punishment. He should have been given a break earlier. Maybe that's due to Miss. St.'s shallow depth at QB. Overall, I am in a way glad that the guys covering the show like Mays were jumping on the LSU offense after the first half. I AM glad that some in the media starts to feel that maybe LSU is overhyped as No. 2. That will help to lessen the pressure on the team. I'd much rather see the team under the radar which would be less distracting. Everyone agrees that the o line needs work fast; the coaches I suspect knew that even before going into the game based on the summer scrimmages, when Miles made the remark that their defense did better than their offense. Hopefully yesterday's game help the new starters at the o line to get their first time jitters out of the way.
