Dad and I hung at the lake too long and caught the tail end of the gate at Manley. time for one bump and walked over to the dome. Settled into 321 for our group to watch what i had hoped would be a solid showing by our Orange.
Was immediately disappointed that Army didn't bring the cadets in full and didn't travel in the traditional gray uniforms. I remember as a kid getting goose bumps watching the cadets and midshipman and suffice to say everyone in our party was disappointed.
Almost as much as we were throughout the course of the game with our team. I felt that the kids were flat and unprepared. Really disappointed in the base D that Rocky started out with couldn't understand why it took him till half time to realize we need to load the box.
As to the O it was disjointed, never in sync the entire contest. Becks worst game by far. Not sure what he saw that kept him running LA off tackle and yes, he did get a TD and a few chunks runs but it was obvious that the underneath throws were there all game and he very rarely took what was given by Army. Rather he tried to force his will in both the run game and by taking shots down field. Im sure i will take heat for this but i felt it was his worst called game as OC since taking the reins.
Special teams were weak. Other than the kickoffs which are automatic we missed an extra point and almost muffed two punt returns. Pray that Pena is ok going forward as the kid back there now is a turnover waiting to happen. He has talent but he doesn't make good decisions and he is going to cost us.
D pulled it together in the second half and won the game for us. Rocky finally gave in, took away their bread and butter and the game was over. Felt that Bama played well with the limited snaps, Like what the back up LBs did and our D Back field was solid although Army didnt have much of a threat as the WR were average and the QB couldnt find his arse with a flash light.
Not sure what Dino was thinking at the end of the game leaving LA and Shrader in. Let alone running both of them. I mean really. Games over and you are running those two. Crazy and its decisions like this that make me wish he would 100% leave the game day decisions to his staff.
Here are some points based on what i witnessed.
We do not have a back up RB who can win games unless the true frosh gets more run. Hopefully they are saving his games, for the next run because if LA goes down we are in major trouble.
I jones being out is a blow. We are down our top two receivers. We desperately need Pena back. Not sure why Gil and or Long don't get more run but we are hurting in that department.
Glad to see Dan get significant snaps and make a nice play with the catch. Need to see more of him hopefully he is being saved for Clemson.
Going forward i hope that Beck gets his mojo back and is saving some plays for the big boys.
Our D needs to carry us as they are the strength of this team. We need to play with energy and brains next week or we will get destroyed. Hopefully the kids were just flat.
4-0 Next week is huge.
