**Buzz Buzz Buzz** - How did we get here?

Upon Further Review...

Gotta add to the thread, even though it is going to be less acrimonious (and maybe even less edgy/creative) until something big happens. Not sure whether this helps or just sounds like sour grapes. We shall see.

First of all, the game was VERY entertaining. I said that after the UGa game before I went all sober and resolute. I thought the environment in the stadium was a key. Great job, all. And to agree with many posters, Lagway is that kind of talent. Beck is a QB who had a pretty good game yesterday but he isn't that kind of player. Transcendent means a skill above the Xs and Os. And it isn't beyond credibility that the entire team is rallying behind his playing as opposed to what was the rut it was in.

Now to the more sobering aspects. Just like after the Kentucky game, the afterglow of a quality win is now in the wait-and-see mode as it relates to who did we actually beat. Kentucky came crashing down. It sort of feels that way with LSU. But still, this is a win against a well-respected team.

I am sort of conflicted with the play of the defense. The pass rush was WAY better than it has been in a LONG while. After that, I am not sure it is making the move to upper-echelon. I think the young players are progressing, but the older ones seem to be stuck. Shemar has some nice stats but I have been watching him a lot. He is either nursing a lower body injury (maybe still feeling the effects of last year's injury) or he is just not big/fast enough. I saw plays where he could have prevented a big play but was either out of position (runs), missed the tackle, or allowed the pass to be completed. Pup is alright but hasn't made many key tackles. I say this because of the Napier effect. He seems to want to play the vets (or walk-ons) instead of getting the future more reps. Yes, youth can make HUGE mistakes but again, we are mainly looking at the future and not the present...now.

The backfield is about the same, albeit full of injuries and so lacking depth. What I noticed in the Tennessee/UGa game was how the corners and safeties played and were there to affect plays (safeties especially). I just don't see it with ours. Bridges made some plays and that was good. After that, more "Shemar stats" than key plays, IMO. Yes, there were some plays on runs to the outside that were key, but not much in the passing game.

Now to the offense and what I need is some clarity. We are mainly a running team and we did not run the ball much. Take away the last TD run and Baugh's stats were very pedestrian. Jackson ran well. Why the game plan? The TOP was abysmal. If not for the pass rush and the home crowd...

Call it the old "fool me once/fool me twice" mantra, but I am going to watch intently...again...whether the team shows signs of turning the corner or merely hit upon the right combination for a quality win against a team that is...? Old Miss is going to be interesting to say the least. I do hope that the team...and Napier and Associates...are up to the task and represents. Is that too much to ask, or am I just peeing in the punch bowl?

 

"How did we get here?" indeed. We know it's mostly DJ the stud qb but Billy seems to have changed. I can't believe I typed that. Two months ago I was convinced he was a nitwit and now it looks like he's figured some things out. It was actually nice to see his on the field post game interview where he was smiling. Good for him.

What were the changes that SS eluded to? Portal and offensive coordinator?