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Impressions After 2 Games.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 4:30 pm
Posted on 9/9/13 at 4:30 pm
Franklin looks sharp. But he should considering the lack of talent on the teams we have played thus far. But considering last year it is a step in the right direction. I think we will see DGB targets increase against tougher opponents. You want everyone involved in games against lesser teams but when the talent of the opposition increases you go to your best players more. Instead of seeing 6-10 players targeted I think against SEC teams you will see more 4-6 players targeted. Lucas still struggles with drops. Washington can be a huge part of the offense. The guy is fast and runs solid routes and has reliable hands. The trio of Josey/Hansbrough/Murphy make for a dangerous running game that I have never seen at Mizzou before. The area I am most concerned with is pass rush. Our secondary seems to play solid and as a team we are forcing turnovers. With a more consistent pass rush I think things will improve. Who knows that could be solved once it cools off. What does every one else think?
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Posted on 9/9/13 at 4:57 pm to Mizzou23
At this point, the QB play is looking good. Franklin seems to be back and has added some technique to his play by not trying to run everytime there is a gap in the line. But, and this is a big but, Franklin needs to remember last year. Once we start SEC play, I hope he doesn't try lowering that shoulder too much on runs. He needs to use the slide and the sideline. The SEC D's will hold him up and beat him down again if he starts feeling invincable.
The two things that concern me alittle are both the D-line and O-line play after watching the lackluster performance Saturday. I think they have not jelled yet on either side of the ball. This being we're in a line of scrimmage conference now concerns me alittle. But it's only the second game of the season right? But Toledo is a team that Mizzou's line should have man handled. JMO. They couldn't even get a push for a one yard run for a first down. Henry barely made it into the endzone for that first TD. I know Toledo was stacking the line of scrimmage but it supprised me they couldn't get the push needed nor protect Franklin better than they did. i think eventually the O-line will come around, but the D-line is a mystery to me. We're gonna get slaughtered if those guys don't start stiffening up alittle.
It looks to me Mizzou has an unlimited amount of talent at reciever. As well as RB. But it all boils down to the lines picking up thier game. Vandy will be a tough game for Mizzou if both lines don't pck it up alittle and start showing more life. They have all the other tools to win though.
The two things that concern me alittle are both the D-line and O-line play after watching the lackluster performance Saturday. I think they have not jelled yet on either side of the ball. This being we're in a line of scrimmage conference now concerns me alittle. But it's only the second game of the season right? But Toledo is a team that Mizzou's line should have man handled. JMO. They couldn't even get a push for a one yard run for a first down. Henry barely made it into the endzone for that first TD. I know Toledo was stacking the line of scrimmage but it supprised me they couldn't get the push needed nor protect Franklin better than they did. i think eventually the O-line will come around, but the D-line is a mystery to me. We're gonna get slaughtered if those guys don't start stiffening up alittle.
It looks to me Mizzou has an unlimited amount of talent at reciever. As well as RB. But it all boils down to the lines picking up thier game. Vandy will be a tough game for Mizzou if both lines don't pck it up alittle and start showing more life. They have all the other tools to win though.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 5:15 pm to jafo
I'm encouraged by Franklin's play. Yes, against lesser opponents but frankly, his numbers weren't good last year against lesser opponents. At least he's doing what he's supposed to be doing. He's also on his toes with a little bounce in him. I have to wonder if that has also contributed to his improvising more.
The O-Line? I'm concerned but not quite as concerned. I think many of the times Franklin was forced to scramble they were due to coverage, not break downs on the line. Absolutely want to see continued improvement, but I haven't seen anything concerning...yet. Snaps are still good.
RB's? Love the 3 guys we have. Smaller backs so we might see more suplexes this year, but you always feel they may break one open at any moment. All 3 are capable. Would like to have the bruiser to mix it up. Would make it easier on those goal line possessions you talked about.
WR's? Shouldn't be an issue but I have to wonder why they weren't getting open against Toledo? Or was Franklin just not making the reads? I really think a number of his runs he sat in the pocket forever, was making his reads, so it seemed to me they just weren't getting open. Too many weapons here so they'll be fine.
D-Line? If it gives any indication, I think I read Brantley is now the starter. Not sure that he was before. If there's been a change, I'd assume it's because Pinkel wasn't happy with the play. They don't seem to get a great surge and they don't seem to clog up running lanes. This concerns me against a QB like JFF.
Ends? Ealy seems to have been non-existent this year. He got some pressures, but not a lot beyond that. We may have him another year, which isn't a bad thing because I think he's better than his numbers. Sam seems to be the most consistent and Golden had the highlight reel play.
Linebackers? We need Wilson back. Will leave it at that following the Toledo game.
DB's? Still soft. Toledo could have scored at will if they would have just continued throwing screens. We were giving them 5 and 6 yards a toss. Only stopped them when they decided to run the ball or go deep and put them in 2nd or 3rd and long situations. I don't know if that's a credit to the DB's or just thankful Toledo went away from what was working. Shaw may go 40/40 if we don't adjust. He killed us with the dink and dunk stuff last year.
The O-Line? I'm concerned but not quite as concerned. I think many of the times Franklin was forced to scramble they were due to coverage, not break downs on the line. Absolutely want to see continued improvement, but I haven't seen anything concerning...yet. Snaps are still good.
RB's? Love the 3 guys we have. Smaller backs so we might see more suplexes this year, but you always feel they may break one open at any moment. All 3 are capable. Would like to have the bruiser to mix it up. Would make it easier on those goal line possessions you talked about.
WR's? Shouldn't be an issue but I have to wonder why they weren't getting open against Toledo? Or was Franklin just not making the reads? I really think a number of his runs he sat in the pocket forever, was making his reads, so it seemed to me they just weren't getting open. Too many weapons here so they'll be fine.
D-Line? If it gives any indication, I think I read Brantley is now the starter. Not sure that he was before. If there's been a change, I'd assume it's because Pinkel wasn't happy with the play. They don't seem to get a great surge and they don't seem to clog up running lanes. This concerns me against a QB like JFF.
Ends? Ealy seems to have been non-existent this year. He got some pressures, but not a lot beyond that. We may have him another year, which isn't a bad thing because I think he's better than his numbers. Sam seems to be the most consistent and Golden had the highlight reel play.
Linebackers? We need Wilson back. Will leave it at that following the Toledo game.
DB's? Still soft. Toledo could have scored at will if they would have just continued throwing screens. We were giving them 5 and 6 yards a toss. Only stopped them when they decided to run the ball or go deep and put them in 2nd or 3rd and long situations. I don't know if that's a credit to the DB's or just thankful Toledo went away from what was working. Shaw may go 40/40 if we don't adjust. He killed us with the dink and dunk stuff last year.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 5:31 pm to reedus23
I think the D-line play compliments the secondary more than the other way around. It's flat hard to cover a receiver for very long. At some point there has to be pressure on the oppositions Qb much sooner.
I think they could learn alittle by watching a game from the Chiefs last season on D, and yesterdays game against Jacksonville. There were so many differences. One glaring difference was gap discipline. And also attacking those gaps. I think thats alittle of what Mizzou was missing against Toledo. They just seemed to be all over the place leaving wide open passing lanes. Thats part of gap discipline.
As far as the O-line, you look at it alittle different than myself. I think they could have done much better. Heat may have played a factor but Toledo's D was playing in the same heat to a slight disadvantage. I just wasn't impressed the with O-lines play. They just didn't seem to be opening the holes needed to effectively run the ball until the very end of the game, where I think Toledo's D-line finally ran out of gas.
The rest of the team, recieversand RB's are in good shape. As far as a big guy for goal line runs, why not a TE in the backfield. It's been done before and to some success. Not here that I can remember though.
I think they could learn alittle by watching a game from the Chiefs last season on D, and yesterdays game against Jacksonville. There were so many differences. One glaring difference was gap discipline. And also attacking those gaps. I think thats alittle of what Mizzou was missing against Toledo. They just seemed to be all over the place leaving wide open passing lanes. Thats part of gap discipline.
As far as the O-line, you look at it alittle different than myself. I think they could have done much better. Heat may have played a factor but Toledo's D was playing in the same heat to a slight disadvantage. I just wasn't impressed the with O-lines play. They just didn't seem to be opening the holes needed to effectively run the ball until the very end of the game, where I think Toledo's D-line finally ran out of gas.
The rest of the team, recieversand RB's are in good shape. As far as a big guy for goal line runs, why not a TE in the backfield. It's been done before and to some success. Not here that I can remember though.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 5:36 pm to jafo
The TE position does not seem to be in the game plan.
We are thin at LB and need to get some of the underclassmen some playing time before SEC play.
No pass rush because we do not blitz. Hard to get a pass rush when they keep the TE or RB in. 6 on 4 usually wins.
We are thin at LB and need to get some of the underclassmen some playing time before SEC play.
No pass rush because we do not blitz. Hard to get a pass rush when they keep the TE or RB in. 6 on 4 usually wins.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 5:50 pm to Mizzou23
We are hosed
Our Oline stinks and could not block Toledo. TOLEDO. I could go on about other areas of weakness but it is pointless. We will get into SEC play with this line and we will get to see a lot of Mauk. JF will be hurt again. I hope Josey does not blow out his knee again.
I just hope we can beat UK.
Our Oline stinks and could not block Toledo. TOLEDO. I could go on about other areas of weakness but it is pointless. We will get into SEC play with this line and we will get to see a lot of Mauk. JF will be hurt again. I hope Josey does not blow out his knee again.
I just hope we can beat UK.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 6:09 pm to jafo
quote:
As far as the O-line, you look at it alittle different than myself. I think they could have done much better. Heat may have played a factor but Toledo's D was playing in the same heat to a slight disadvantage. I just wasn't impressed the with O-lines play. They just didn't seem to be opening the holes needed to effectively run the ball until the very end of the game, where I think Toledo's D-line finally ran out of gas.
I don't know if I was impressed as much as maybe not as concerned as some other things. I do agree the DLine needs some work, but the backfield isn't getting a pass from me. Still seemed we were way too soft.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 7:27 pm to Mizzou23
Gary Pinkel needs to start offering scholarships to kickers.
Our secondary and LBs look suspect and have survived with timely big plays alone.
We miss Sheldon Richardson, it's clear when the interior of our d-line gets repeatedly gashed.
Franklin looks like he's finally healthy and playing with confidence.
Josey isn't going to be like he was before the injury, but I like what I've seen from Murphy and Hansborough.
Lucas still can't catch, but overall our WRs look like a pretty solid group.
Our o-line is better than I expected it to be, but remains unproven.
None of this really matters until we play a couple teams worth a damn though.
Our secondary and LBs look suspect and have survived with timely big plays alone.
We miss Sheldon Richardson, it's clear when the interior of our d-line gets repeatedly gashed.
Franklin looks like he's finally healthy and playing with confidence.
Josey isn't going to be like he was before the injury, but I like what I've seen from Murphy and Hansborough.
Lucas still can't catch, but overall our WRs look like a pretty solid group.
Our o-line is better than I expected it to be, but remains unproven.
None of this really matters until we play a couple teams worth a damn though.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 8:53 pm to HermannMIZ
quote:
We are hosed
Our Oline stinks and could not block Toledo. TOLEDO. I could go on about other areas of weakness but it is pointless. We will get into SEC play with this line and we will get to see a lot of Mauk. JF will be hurt again. I hope Josey does not blow out his knee again.
I just hope we can beat UK.
You have to factor in heat in that game. Almost 150 on the field. Try being 300+lbs and blocking in pads. I expected them to dominate Toledo too but I'll also be realistic playing on Turf with high temps while wearing black.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 9:30 pm to bayou2003
I don't think heat was the reason they got to JF so much. The D had to play in the same heat and we can sub some lineman just as easy as they can. We are in a major conference. Our second team should be able to be even with a MAC squad while our first string should manhandle them.
Our Oline will be brutal against a real Dline like UF SCe and UGA. Long year awaits
Our Oline will be brutal against a real Dline like UF SCe and UGA. Long year awaits
Posted on 9/9/13 at 9:50 pm to HermannMIZ
quote:
I don't think heat was the reason they got to JF so much. The D had to play in the same heat and we can sub some lineman just as easy as they can. We are in a major conference. Our second team should be able to be even with a MAC squad while our first string should manhandle them.
Our Oline will be brutal against a real Dline like UF SCe and UGA. Long year awaits
In 2010, Mizzou needed a miracle last play on our home field to escape San Diego State. The Tigers then went on to beat #1 Oklahoma later that year on the same field, by a wider margin. In 2003, Mizzou needed another miracle to get past Middle Tennessee State in overtime, 41-40, early in the year. Our Tigers later went on to drub #10 Nebraska 41-24 in Columbia that same year. In 2011, James Franklin and company struggled mightily against (gasp!) a MAC team, Miami of Ohio, to start the year in an ugly 17-6 victory. Frank the Tank and company would go on to beat the 5 star recruit-laden Texas Longhorns on that same field later that year and also win on the road in Aggieland.
There is a whole lot more parity in college football than you are giving credit for. Did I see things that we need to work on? Sure. But the division between Mizzou and Toledo is not as vast as you think we are entitled to. It's just not. Hell the gap between Toledo and Florida wasn't even as big as you probably thought it was supposed to be.
You need to ease up on the doom and gloom just yet and be at least somewhat happy with the win this weekend, any time you win is not something to be taken for granted. Toledo was picked as a contender to win the MAC this year and you have to be living under a rock not to realize that those types of teams have been routinely upsetting power conference teams right and left over the last several years. Hell there were lots of FCS team upset victims in Week One this year. We haven't been an upset victim thus far.
I'm no sunshine pumper, just a realist. Let's not project death and despair just yet. We just haven't seen enough about this team - or the rest of college football this year - to make that determination *yet*. Trust me, I know death and despair, I grew up living in Columbia in the 1980s and 1990s watching Mizzou football up close and personal. This is far from that yet. Give it some time before you stick your head in the microwave this year.
This post was edited on 9/9/13 at 9:51 pm
Posted on 9/9/13 at 10:09 pm to Mizzou Fan in Da ATX
Man I wish I had your optimism. I hate being wrong but I will take it if it happens.
Posted on 9/9/13 at 11:20 pm to Mizzou Fan in Da ATX
Agree DA ATX I cannot hardly stomach a visit to TB right now with clowns gloom and doom junk. This team is better then last year, whether that continues or equals more SEC victories is an unknown but this should be a bowl season.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 12:32 am to Mizzou Fan in Da ATX
Well said.
If being a fan of Mizzou has taught us all anything it's that it's never as bad as it seems, and it's almost never as good as it could be.
I've been battling my own bout with the negativity this year, but it's only because everything's in the short term memory. This bye week will be good for everyone. I'm sticking my my prediction.
Drop one we shouldn't, win one nobody expects.
If being a fan of Mizzou has taught us all anything it's that it's never as bad as it seems, and it's almost never as good as it could be.
I've been battling my own bout with the negativity this year, but it's only because everything's in the short term memory. This bye week will be good for everyone. I'm sticking my my prediction.
Drop one we shouldn't, win one nobody expects.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 7:30 am to HermannMIZ
The OL pass protected VERY well against Toledo. Franklin was sitting back there all day. He had time to look at all WRs before deciding to take off.
The run blocking was stagnant but a lot of that was due to Toledo selling out to stop the run. Henson stayed very vanilla with the run which didn't give the OL much help.
It appears the staff is trying to keep some major components of the offense this year off of game film until the SEC season starts.
The run blocking was stagnant but a lot of that was due to Toledo selling out to stop the run. Henson stayed very vanilla with the run which didn't give the OL much help.
It appears the staff is trying to keep some major components of the offense this year off of game film until the SEC season starts.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 11:14 am to notsince98
quote:
The OL pass protected VERY well against Toledo.
My definition of good Oline play and just about everyone else on here differs I suppose.
They gave up 4 Sacks
We rushed for 172yds on 47 carries for an average of 3.66. I just don't see how we can say that is very well much less even good. We are not playing against and SEC defense. I hate to see what it will be like when we face a real D with some teeth.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 11:39 am to HermannMIZ
quote:
My definition of good Oline play and just about everyone else on here differs I suppose.
They gave up 4 Sacks
We rushed for 172yds on 47 carries for an average of 3.66. I just don't see how we can say that is very well much less even good. We are not playing against and SEC defense. I hate to see what it will be like when we face a real D with some teeth.
I think your reading comprehension could use some work.
Either way, 2 of sacks came against Mauk. Also, they weren't sending 3 guys to get sacks. They were sending 5-6 guys to get to the QB and contain the running game from the ends. Pass blocking was good. The run game was already covered.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 12:08 pm to notsince98
I agree not. I think I mentioned it earlier, but as far as pass blocking, I recall a number of occasions when Franklin was able to sit in the pocket and go through a number of reads before he took off. I remember thinking, someone has got to be open because Franklin was getting through at least his 2nd and 3rd reads before running. Not sure if it was just great defensive backs, poor routes or poor reads, but I hardly blame the OLine on those. The run blocking, as you said, was meh but we'll see if they mix it up in SEC play.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 12:17 pm to reedus23
quote:
We rushed for 172yds on 47 carries for an average of 3.66.
Numbers are skewed as sacks take off rushing yards. Take off the sacks and we ran 44 times for 190 yards. Average of 4.3 yards.
Posted on 9/10/13 at 1:28 pm to HermannMIZ
quote:
Man I wish I had your optimism. I hate being wrong but I will take it if it happens
Its not so much optimism as it is the real skill to being a Mizzou fan in any sport: learning to live in, and enjoy, the moments that don't suck. All the things you describe could well happen, I really don't know at all what this season entails. What I do know is I'm able to fully enjoy this weekend and the next two weeks saying "Thank the Lord, we didn't embarass ourselves against Toledo, nothing's wrong yet." That's the key to having fun with Mizzou.
For example, that 2010 San Diego State game. Even though we won, considering that game and the Navy bowl game the year before were our recent history, lots of people were still flipping out and seeing only doom and gloom after that game. Turns out there was indeed a close, wild game to agonize over validly that year, but it was the bowl game choke against Iowa, not a win over SDSU. Time will tell when to despair and when not. The simple way to deal - and enjoy - is if the scoreboard still says Mizzou came out on top some way, some how, I'm fine with it.
Consider that the Mizzou basketball team that went 14-0 in the Big Eight in 1994 did so by winning various overtime games, one point wins, and had an opponents shot rim out at the buzzer in the last game. Nobody remembers how close it was or thinks about how bad the season would have been if all those balls had bounced the other way (hint: it would have been like Mizzou's basketball season last year instead). All anyone remembers is that the 1994 team found ways to win, did win, and won a lot.
Does it sting my pride somewhat to have to think we had to have an interception in the endzone and a random fumble return to be assured of beating Toledo? Sure, I'd rather have blown them out. But I'm stoked as hell we DID make those key plays, cuz if there's one thing Mizzou is good at its breaking your heart on fluky plays. Any time that *doesn't* happen, I have a great week.
This post was edited on 9/10/13 at 1:33 pm
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