From: Cole
Ok, I have given myself some time to digest the performances and arrived at several conclusions:
1) Our linebackers this season are not only small, but slow. Shaq Wilson is obviously still bothered by the hamstring injury because he was at least a step or 2 slower when he chased Newton on the long runs. Rodney Paulk is not as fast as he was prior to injuring his knee against N.C.State last year. He may have regained his straight ahead speed, but not all of his agility. We will need to play much better here to stop the Bama rushing attack.
2) clempsen showed us the blueprint on how to contain Newton the week before. Both of their defensive ends rushed through the tackles and not around them. Yes, this makes a sack less likely, but it does not allow the rusher to be shoved out of the way and give Newton a free lane to blow by our linebackers. Did we do this? Nope, we continually rushed to the outside, were moved out of the way and gave him all the space he needed.
3) Newton is by no means a great passer. To beat Auburn, you have to take away the run. I would have expected us to put 8 or 9 in the box and lean on Gilmore and whoever is at the other corner to hold serve. If we give up a long pass, then bummer. Better to get beat that way by making them attack our strength, then to get gashed on the run again. This would also have prevented our D from getting so tired.
4) Can Chris Culliver go a game without a personal foul penalty? Is he the 2nd coming of Carlos Thomas? Put him back at safety because his footwork is not up to par for a CB.
5) I have no earthly idea how someone who knows as much about football as Coach Spurrier does, could pull Garcia for Shaw in that situation. On the road at night at the end of the 4th quarter on a drive to tie the game? Garcia had not thrown a pick all night. Yes, he should have protected the ball better, but come on! Get the oline to block someone. Shaw will be great, but he stares his WR down like most freshmen do. Garcia would not have thrown that last pass to Jeffery in triple coverage. Hope his 2 INTs do not affect his mindset for the rest of the season.
6) Missed extra points kill ya. See UGA last season.
