Much Improved team this week

[OklahomaIrish 0]

There are so many contributing factors to winning a football game. We should be substantially better then last week for many reasons.

 

1. Secondary. The secondary was the 'primary' reason for concern but hasn't been a disaster and is improving quickly. Bennet Jackson looking pretty good and Mathias Farley solidifies the safeties. Russell needs a lot of work but he is getting it. Schumate is a good looking athlete. Each week this situation gets better.

 

2. Golson. He can play. No lack of talent, play making ability or confidence. The Purdue game really helped him. Honestly, he won't see as much pressure from Michigan State. Last week was a great experience for him. He made some nice plays downfield. Look for more as he gets more comfortable.

 

Still gonna have to call some time outs. Get over it. This takes time but gets better each week as well.

 

3. Cierre Wood. Healthy and rarin to go. He will add pop and confidence to our backfield.

 

4. Tuitt, Nix and KLM. No where to run!!

 

5. Return of Danny Spond. This is bigger then some people think. We actually had Fox lining up over there. More stability.

 

6. Eifert is healthy . Big game in the works.

 

7. Offensive line. We were exposed at right guard. That's a good thing. We can fix it. A lot of it was mental.

 

8. Time for some wrinkles. Count on it!!! I want the wheel route to Atkinson. I know Kelly has some good stuff in the works.

 

9. We are healthy. We played without Eifert, Spond and 7 other players in the 4th quarter against Purdue and won. We are building depth and now everyone is back except maybe Tausch. Brindza got his feet wet last week and can handle the load.

 

10. You guys add why we will be much better. I just feel it. We are growing fast because we are so young. Maybe this game isn't as close as people think.

 

11. Tommy Rees is our closer. Plays well under pressure and has two minute drill down. (edited per Piratey request)

Edited September 13, 2012 by OklahomaIrish

[bicyclops 0]

Don't think DeVaris will be back. Multiple people have referenced a high ankle sprain and you do not recover quickly from that. He may even be out for the better part of the year. I like Spond being back, but I question how close to 100% a lot of the other players will be after their injuries. Haven't heard anything new about Golson, other than his hand was bandaged in class. Hopefully he is fully recovered. I think we are a pretty banged up group right now.

[Rockets Revenge 0]

You forgot to turn it up to 11!!!

 

11. Tommy Rees is our closer!!!!

[IrishOrDie 0]

Is Spond starting in place of Fox?

[2lakes 4]

1. Golson: he played three great quarters last week. This week he plays 4.

 

2. Wood, Riddick, and Atkinson: fresh, better, and back (in the game plan).

 

3. Youth and inexperience: Russell, Jackson, Day, Nix, Schwenke, Ishaq, Tuitt, Springmann, Golson, Atkinson, Niklas, Koyack, Lomard, Nick Martin, Daniels, Smith, Ferguson, Brown, Brindza, Neal, Councell, Okwara, McDaniel, and Grace are getting significantly better with virtually every single snap and kick of the ball.

 

4. Oh, add Coaches Martin and Booker to that list of inexperienced guys getting better: Martin is reacquainting himself with the job of OC and Booker is learning as he goes with the Special Teams.

[97domer 89]

I am really hoping to see improvement this week, more than anything (well, second to winning the game.) I think you make some great points; here are my thoughts on the same...

 

1. Secondary.

If I'm being honest, I think our secondary takes a small step back. Fortunately, MSU has some new WRs and a new QB which should help. My concern is that, if MSU shows success in the run game, how well will our your secondary be at staying home and not giving up the big play?

 

2. Golson.

I agree that Golson looks strong for only having 2 games under his belt. I think we'll see just as much pressure from MSU and this is my biggest concern - I think MSU will have a field day with our O-line. Kelly is likely going to have a moving pocket for Golson, rolling him out, which isn't always a good thing.

 

 

3. Cierre Wood.

I'm most excited to see if Cierre Wood can make a difference in our running game. We couldn't do ANYTHING with our running game against Purdue. I think our ability to run against MSU is a key to the game. We can't win this game if we have the same running game against Purdue.

 

4. Tuitt, Nix and KLM. No where to run!!

AMEN Brother!!!

 

 

5. Return of Danny Spond.

I'm hoping that he has an impact; no real opinion on this topic though.

 

 

6. Eifert is healthy

This will be huge - our offense was a shell of itself with hiim out. He makes all of our WRs better. I would add that we need to stay healthy in this game.

 

7. Offensive line.

As mentioned before, one of my keys to the game.

 

8. Time for some wrinkles.

Here's where I disagree. I don't see too many wrinkles. I highly doubt that Kelly was purposefully holding back for the reason of 'saving' plays for MSU and future games. In fact, I would be really disappointed in him if this is the case - we needed a last-minute drive to beat them (combined with some luck), so there's no reason to hold anything back. I think he was holding back because Golson needs somewhat of a vanilla offense right now. I think we'll see a few small things added but nothing substantial until after the Michigan game when we have a bye week.

 

Also, I don't expect to see much of Atkinson unless he passed someone up on the depth chart in practice (unlikely.) MSU has a dominant D-line so things likely won't be much different than the Purdue game. Plus, we add Cierre which makes it even less likely Atkinson gets any significant number of carries.

 

 

9. We are healthy.

Love that we are building depth and love that everyone is coming back. Will be important to stay health.

 

10. You guys add why we will be much better.

I agree with you - we should see improvement in most facets of the game every week because of our youth. I hope we see an improvement in our special teams (inparticular punt returns and field goals.) I think (or maybe it's hope) that our O-line will improve. It's going to be a tough game to improve on with Gholston out there requiring double-teams.

 

Lastly, I wanted to share my opinion on Golson. I, for one, would be thrilled to see a similar game by Golson. I thought he couldn't have played better last week, minus the fumble (which was equal-parts bad play-call.) What he did last week that I was most impressed with and what I hope he continues to do:

- nice and conservative plays where he's throwing it out of bounds when in doubt

- not getting happy feet and relying on his legs too-early; rather, using his legs to avoid the sack and make a throw

- high-percentage throws = high percentage completions

 

I am amazed at what he was able to do last week with 0 running game.

 

Saturday should be fun - in the meantime, Go Bears, Beat Packers!!!

[piratey 6]

You forgot to turn it up to 11!!!

 

11. Tommy Rees is our closer!!!!

 

http://i.imgur.com/CgrMo.gif

[nd1989 216]

No opinion on Danny Spond???????? Did you see Carlo or Fox as our Dog? It was a joke! Both TD's last week were breakdown's at the LB zone coverage. I expect big improvements this week here. Enough to prevent at least 1 TD.

[Scotty88 0]

No opinion on Danny Spond???????? Did you see Carlo or Fox as our Dog? It was a joke! Both TD's last week were breakdown's at the LB zone coverage. I expect big improvements this week here. Enough to prevent at least 1 TD.

 

Exactly! Why was Carlo even in on that 4th down TD?

[OklahomaIrish 0]

I am really hoping to see improvement this week, more than anything (well, second to winning the game.) I think you make some great points; here are my thoughts on the same...

 

1. Secondary.

If I'm being honest, I think our secondary takes a small step back. Fortunately, MSU has some new WRs and a new QB which should help. My concern is that, if MSU shows success in the run game, how well will our your secondary be at staying home and not giving up the big play?

 

2. Golson.

I agree that Golson looks strong for only having 2 games under his belt. I think we'll see just as much pressure from MSU and this is my biggest concern - I think MSU will have a field day with our O-line. Kelly is likely going to have a moving pocket for Golson, rolling him out, which isn't always a good thing.

 

 

3. Cierre Wood.

I'm most excited to see if Cierre Wood can make a difference in our running game. We couldn't do ANYTHING with our running game against Purdue. I think our ability to run against MSU is a key to the game. We can't win this game if we have the same running game against Purdue.

 

4. Tuitt, Nix and KLM. No where to run!!

AMEN Brother!!!

 

 

5. Return of Danny Spond.

I'm hoping that he has an impact; no real opinion on this topic though.

 

 

6. Eifert is healthy

This will be huge - our offense was a shell of itself with hiim out. He makes all of our WRs better. I would add that we need to stay healthy in this game.

 

7. Offensive line.

As mentioned before, one of my keys to the game.

 

8. Time for some wrinkles.

Here's where I disagree. I don't see too many wrinkles. I highly doubt that Kelly was purposefully holding back for the reason of 'saving' plays for MSU and future games. In fact, I would be really disappointed in him if this is the case - we needed a last-minute drive to beat them (combined with some luck), so there's no reason to hold anything back. I think he was holding back because Golson needs somewhat of a vanilla offense right now. I think we'll see a few small things added but nothing substantial until after the Michigan game when we have a bye week.

 

Also, I don't expect to see much of Atkinson unless he passed someone up on the depth chart in practice (unlikely.) MSU has a dominant D-line so things likely won't be much different than the Purdue game. Plus, we add Cierre which makes it even less likely Atkinson gets any significant number of carries.

 

 

9. We are healthy.

Love that we are building depth and love that everyone is coming back. Will be important to stay health.

 

10. You guys add why we will be much better.

I agree with you - we should see improvement in most facets of the game every week because of our youth. I hope we see an improvement in our special teams (inparticular punt returns and field goals.) I think (or maybe it's hope) that our O-line will improve. It's going to be a tough game to improve on with Gholston out there requiring double-teams.

 

Lastly, I wanted to share my opinion on Golson. I, for one, would be thrilled to see a similar game by Golson. I thought he couldn't have played better last week, minus the fumble (which was equal-parts bad play-call.) What he did last week that I was most impressed with and what I hope he continues to do:

- nice and conservative plays where he's throwing it out of bounds when in doubt

- not getting happy feet and relying on his legs too-early; rather, using his legs to avoid the sack and make a throw

- high-percentage throws = high percentage completions

 

I am amazed at what he was able to do last week with 0 running game.

 

Saturday should be fun - in the meantime, Go Bears, Beat Packers!!!

 

I honestly don't think we give up 5 sacks this week. If we are having a breakdown in the offensive line we may indeed move the pocket. I really think we improve here.

 

New wrinkles??? I would bet the house. Not so much that we held it back, hey, we've only played 2 games, but something we add just for Mich State. I would bet the house, but my wife might get upset about that.

[OklahomaIrish 0]

Is Spond starting in place of Fox?

 

Danny Spond was a co-starter at the outside (dog) position. He just came back from injury and is the only dog we have that knows the position entirely. Councell is going to be great, but it takes time.

 

Fox is a middle backer next to Te'o and is adequate, but hopefully he stays there this week.

[IrishOrDie 0]

Danny Spond was a co-starter at the outside (dog) position. He just came back from injury and is the only dog we have that knows the position entirely. Councell is going to be great, but it takes time.

 

Fox is a middle backer next to Te'o and is adequate, but hopefully he stays there this week.

 

Thank God. Carlo and Fox are horrid in pass coverage. I've always heard nothing but great things about Spond so I'll be watching to see what he can do this weekend.

[piratey 6]

Thank God. Carlo and Fox are horrid in pass coverage. I've always heard nothing but great things about Spond so I'll be watching to see what he can do this weekend.

 

There is a problem at ILB when Fox is considered the best in coverage... Is Jarrett Grace ready, Kendall Moore? Anyone? I am tired of the Fox/Carlo crap coverage...

[OklahomaIrish 0]

Just confirmed something about the offensive line I saw on Irish Illustrated. Kawann Short sacked Golson for a 9 yard loss on 3rd and 8. This was a huge play. So what happened??

 

Golson had made the correct call as far as protection.

 

Mike Golic simply turned his man loose because he screwed up!! I remember the play and I was thinking, what the heck, it looked like Golic was trying to sabatage us. Golic admitted he just got it wrong. So I really think we make a good jump on the offensive line as far as protection.

 

According to coaches, Fox does a better job in coverage then Carlo. Carlo may do well against Mich St. if they try to hammer us all day. With that said, Grace looks like a superior athlete.

[nd1baby 0]

I think MSU are Carlo's kind of people. He'd like to mix it up with them.

[piratey 6]

Just confirmed something about the offensive line I saw on Irish Illustrated. Kawann Short sacked Golson for a 9 yard loss on 3rd and 8. This was a huge play. So what happened??

 

Golson had made the correct call as far as protection.

 

Mike Golic simply turned his man loose because he screwed up!! I remember the play and I was thinking, what the heck, it looked like Golic was trying to sabatage us. Golic admitted he just got it wrong. So I really think we make a good jump on the offensive line as far as protection.

 

According to coaches, Fox does a better job in coverage then Carlo. Carlo may do well against Mich St. if they try to hammer us all day. With that said, Grace looks like a superior athlete.

 

Golic is a 5th year kid and his 3rd year in the offense. How does he whiff that bad? My theory? If his name is Mike Colic jr instead of Mike Golic jr, he would've been a 2* recruit and playing center at Akron.

[JTennant 290]

I see Sparty dialing up some blitzes for Golson this week. I think they will scheme him a little bit since he is inexperienced.

[IrishOrDie 0]

There is a problem at ILB when Fox is considered the best in coverage... Is Jarrett Grace ready, Kendall Moore? Anyone? I am tired of the Fox/Carlo crap coverage...

 

Yeah. Everyone always talks about our inexperienced corners, but I think these two are the achilles heel of the defense and it certainly showed on that 4th down TD Purdue put up on us. I've always heard Grace and Moore were capable but have yet to see it.

 

Both could be good fits in this game if MSU is doing heavy run though. Carlo is pretty good at stuffing the run.

[corysold 0]

Golic is a 5th year kid and his 3rd year in the offense. How does he whiff that bad? My theory? If his name is Mike Colic jr instead of Mike Golic jr, he would've been a 2* recruit and playing center at Akron.

 

Mistakes happen, anyone can miss a block.

 

More concerning? The play where he appears to be running backwards to give Golson a hug. There is getting beat and there is getting mauled. That was worse than both.