Well, I have avoided reading any of your e-mails or other blogs in order to post this without being influenced, but I have to say that my overall reaction after Saturday's game was something along the lines of a long, slow exhale (while slowly wiping the cold sweat from my forehead).
After each game this year, I intend to post a list of positives and negatives to be taken from the game (looking both short- and long-term). Here are my thoughts from Saturday night:
Positives
1. Defense, especially in the second half: I loved how everyone, especially the secondary, flew to the ball. Holding GT to zero points in the second half was a heck of an accomplishment - particularly because it meant something. Overall, a B+ effort by the defense for the whole game.
2. Ndukwe's hit on Calvin Johnson: CJ might be the second coming, but he needs to learn how to hold onto the ball in order to really excel at the next level. Just a vicious hit by Ndukwe. I watched the game in NYC with my brother (and his DVR). How many times did I rewatch this hit? Let's just say the DVR feels like that record-setting porn star (500 in one hour?????).
3. Darius Walker in the second half: once DW decided to stop dancing in the holes, he made some really nice moves. He does not have breakaway speed -- he needs to realize this and get his 6 yards and be done with it.
4. 50% of Brady's throws: about half were absolute lasers, right on target (I'll deal with the other half below).
5. Anything involving Zbikowski: that dude is unreal. I think he's faster than last year (and meaner). He looks like he really wants to hurt someone. It's possible I may develop a man-crush later this year. Of course, doing so could mean death by Zbikowski, so maybe we'll keep that one hush-hush.
Negatives
1. Weis' playcalling in the first half: for a very long portion of the first half, it looked to me like Weis was trying to be too "genius" and not enough "winning coach." I'm not trying to be hypercritical here (everyone knows I love the guy), but he should have pounded the crap out of GT instead of trying those shot-put bombs with Brady.
2. The TD run right before halftime: although it worked, that was a stupid call. Brady barely got in - and if he didn't, the half was over. That is the type of play I could see calling if two passes did not work, but I hated the playcall at that point. Loved the result, hated the call.
3. Brady heaving the ball up in the air in the first half: There were at least two plays where I immediately yelled at the TV when he let the ball go. No rainbows, please, Brady (except on end zone jump balls).
4. The offensive line penalties: first game, so the big guys get a little pass here. But seriously -- STOP moving before the snap. Freshman or not, you've been doing this since you were 6.
5. The officiating: ridiculously uneven. I know everyone says we got the break with the helmet-to-helmet call, but that is bullshit. That hit was absolutely illegal and should be called. The one-sided nature of the rest of the penalty calls was disturbing.
OVERALL: very happy to get a win in a game that we almost certainly lose under Davie, Willingham (and probably Holtz at the end of his tenure). Hostile environment, prime time, etc., etc. Over-under on ulcers this year for me: 7.
I see no reason to revise the prediction of 12-0 at this point. Although I do think the USC game is going to be more difficult than I originally thought.
Let me know how you all saw the game.
10 comments:
Comments on the game:
I totally agree with the sense of relief after that game. We looked very tight on offense. I'm disappointed with the protection that the o-line provided since the GaTech defensive coordinator was practically saying he'd bring it, and since CW said he studied the tOSU debacle all summer.
I think Charlie took a page out of Tyrone's book by keeping Munir Prince in his pocket until he really needs him in the upcoming games. That guy is going to surprise either PSU or UM just like DW did against UM two years ago.
The early run defense scares me, especially when we play Michigan.
USC did indeed reload.
Charles Johnson, meet Ndukwe and meet Zibby. Those were two great hits in the first quarter!
In the end a WIN is a WIN. I just hope GaTech doesn't lay an egg in the next game to tarnish our win.
Comments on the post:
1) Great title. I love the reference to the morning after pill. Although I suspect you might receive a disapproving nod call from your local Catholic pastor.
2) "It's possible I may develop a man-crush later this year."
Paging Erik Estrada: www.geocities.com/donothq/80_erik_estrada.jpg
3) "Let me know how you all saw the game."
Mike, since this game was played in the South, please learn this word: Y'all.
:D
I think there was a nation wide sigh of relief after the game. I was pretty frustrated with the defense most of the first half, but they stepped it up in the second. I don't know if CW was trying to hold back on the play calling, but it seemed pretty unimaginative. Brady wasn't very accurate, either, on some of his throws. I was also yelling at the TV with some of those rainbows. The team definitely played a better second half. I am sure that CW will also be addressing all of the penalties on offense. That really took the wind out of the sails a couple of times.
I don't know if anyone else noticed this, but did anyone else find it ironic that Davie was talking about poor clock management?
Overall, I was glad that we escaped with the "W" in a hostile environment. GT lived up to the hype and I expect to see a different team offensively this weekend in SB.
Geaux Irish is right, hopefully GT doesn't fall apart next weekend. It would also have been nice if North Carolina could have beaten Rutgers...
Totally agree with the UNC comment. I would have liked to see our SOS improve, but at the same time too it's nice to see the Rutgers program moving in the right direction.
Also, regarding the talking heads, I was about to put a bullet in my head after listening to Brent and Bob do their babbling. That was horrendous!!! All that was missing was Eric Dickerson working the sidelines.
As for Davie's clock management comments, most folks remember his '98 LSU and '99 Purdue mistakes. The other one I remember was the '97 Navy game @ ND where we gave them :01 left with the ball almost in their endzone. They bombed it downfield and almost scored to break the streak. Thank goodness for Allen Rossum!!!
I seem to also remember a game against West Virginia @ ND that almost ended the same way as the Navy game.
One thing I forgot to mention was the kicking game. I wonder how Gioia's practice went yesterday? I don't think I would have wanted to face Weiss after missing those two FG's.
Weis probably beat the crud out of the O-line and their line coach for the mental mistakes. Too many holes in the blitzes.
Also, there will be some folks doing a lot of running at practice this week: Too! Many! Penalties!
On the fipside of Gioia, how about that punter?! Man, can that guy boot the ball?! 69 & 61 yd punts. Yikes!
I am currently having nightmare flashbacks to little Jimmy Sanson. How difficult is it to find a kicker?? Are you telling me that in all the high schools in America, there is not ONE GUY who can make a field goal and wants to go to ND?!?
Which guy was smaller: Joey Getherall or Jimmy Sanson?
Sanson gets my pick as the smaller of the two, primarily because he was such a renowned prick after making that kick against Texas his (and my) freshmen year. Getherall was a heck of a player for someone his size. "Little" as a descriptor for Sanson dealt with more than his physical ability.
The best way to introduce yourself to your new neighbor: scream so loudly at the TV that the dad of the girl moving into the condo next to you rings the doorbell to ensure you aren't being harmed in any way. I baked them cookies and took them over the next morning in apology. In my defense, my windows were open and so were hers, so I would like to think had it been a little further into the season that I would have been safe in my rantings.
Something to get us fired up for this weekend:
The Snow Bowl - November 14th, 1992
http://dietler.net/nd/videos/quickplay/?video=snowbowl
Post a Comment