Munson first asked CMR about the wind in Starkville. CMR says DJ has such a
strong arm the wind won’t usually affect. DJ did a great job in a wet, windy
environment.
Defense did well too, after their first drive. After that, they didn’t anything
until late in the game.
Anderson will return to practice Monday.
Munson was surprised we didn’t run the ball well. CMR says this is the best
DL we faced to date. Sometimes we were just one guy away from making a good
play that would’ve gotten us started. Plus we didn’t have positive run yardage
from DJ.
CMR knows everyone watched it. CMR had a TD club in Columbus but did get home
for the 2nd half. Everyone was impressed with how Tenn. came back.
Munson knows we can’t have penalties in Knoxville. CMR notes we cut penalties
in half and special teams had no penalties. The penalties on the offense came
at bad times. But if we have those a couple of weeks from now we’re in trouble.
Richt laughed when I opened the calls suggesting it was time to challenge the
OL again, a la Bama 2002. CMR thought we might win and lose some battles on
the line vs. Miss. St. but we lost a few more than he expected. The MSU defense
does not get enough credit. CMR also said the coaches and team have talked about
the “man enough” speech and joked that its too bad we couldn’t get Coach Dye
to go on the radio and talk about it.
Richt took the occasion to wish Munson happy birthday. (At the end of the
show, Richt confessed that Dee Matthews of Albany was the one who clued him
in that Munson had a birthday coming up! Several callers took the opportunity
to wish Munson happy birthday during the show.)
Luke in Acworth asked about the offense overall. CMR has higher expectations
for this group than for any other group. We lead the SEC in total offense and
are second in rushing and scoring. CMR thinks it is very close to taking off.
He’s also very excited about the incoming recruiting class. It’s a tribute to
how players of the past have succeeded and to the assistants coaches.
Kevin in Athens is glad to see Lumpkin knock a few guys over. CMR is thrilled
with how Lump is coming back, and with his pass protection. We think he’s full
speed and ready to go. The RB pecking order is not cast in stone. We thought
it might be 40-40-20 with the top 3 but now almost 1/3 apiece. If they stay
healthy it could be a big year rushing the ball.
Jim in Cumming wondered about black leggings and something on place kicks. On
the first FG, the blocker off the line off the right side was moving off the
field. Actually, CMR said he was sliding out in case a block was needed. Then
he runs out in case the kick is blocked and a tackle is needed to save a TD.
The black leggings are not worn in the warmer climate. Plus, there are some
nice sleeves Nike has to go with the new jerseys.
Shane in Cornelia asked about our secondary, noting Tenn. has a Leonard Pope
type player too. CMR notes we start three seniors in the secondary. Plus Tra
Battle has plenty of experience and Paul Oliver is growing up quickly.
Dave in Tifton wanted to thank coach for his integrity and class, saying the
last few years have been a breath of fresh air. Don’t forget Gerald Riggs when
thinking about Tenn. Can we take that pounding?
First, about the red zone, we didn’t get enough push a couple of times, then
jumped offsides when we were going to try again. Today we spent 30 min. in the
red zone. We started drives today from the 20. Then we did it with the #2s,
since the defense hasn’t had any red zone stops (but not many tries by opponents
in our red zone). Its about attitude.
As for Riggs – you have to gang tackle a back like him. It will be a big job
by our DL keeping the OL from getting to our LBs and the safeties may have to
help out.
Chris – what about Russ Tanner? CMR says he & Schnetzer have been alternating
series, both this year and last. CMR added we’ve been as healthy as we’ve been
this time of year since he’s been here. That keeps guys fresh and keeps morale
up.
Tim in Danielsville asked how we’d fare vs. USC. CMR says he’d be thrilled to
have a chance to find out because it would mean we probably got to the Rose
Bowl. It looks like USC will get there vs. whomever shows up to play them.
Levi in Macon wonders about FG blocking. He remembers Boss and knows Milner
is 6-4. CMR reminded him of the rule change last year. If a guy running and
jumping lands on anybody, it’s a penalty and probably a first down. If you stand
and jump its OK. CMR also reminded the caller
LSU lost to
Auburn last year when
they got called for that. Lots of teams, including us, are now scared to try
it because of the risk.
Chris in Athens asked Mahelona of UT, who seems to be like Pollack in some ways.
How do we game plan for him? CMR says it’s a tough decision. If you game plan
the nose guard too much, the LBs stay free and getting clean shots. We’ll have
to use a mix. They have a lot more than just him; their whole DL looks like
NFLers.
Zach in Athens asked about penalties. If it happens in practice, guys jump out
of practice and do up/downs. From a game, the whole unit will do up/downs in
practice. We went from 10 to 5 penalties but sometimes the timing matters. If
you jump offsides on the 1 everyone notices it. These are effort-type penalties
but we have to be smarter.
Mitchell in Baxley asked Munson how long he plans to keep going. Munson always
says another year or two. CMR says its like Coach Bowden, he’ll never retire.
Do we use blocking sleds? CMR says we have sleds and use a blocking circuit.
The sled is part of it. We do that to simulate different kinds of blocks. Only
the QBs are not involved in that.
Munson noted Tenn. had some turnovers late vs Fla. CMR said those were special
teams mistakes. Munson also thinks the UT tailbacks start really deep behind
the line. CMR thinks sometimes those guys are so quick to the line they can
see the blocking. We line ours up 7-8 yds. behind the line.
We had 12 different WRs catch the ball, in a game that was close much of the
way and there was no mop up time. We’ve used lots of rotation at every position
except QB. When a guy knows he will get it and play, he practices a lot harder.
Brent in Adrian asked if we thought of installing 10 new plays. We do add plays
here and there, but if you put new plays in every week, you don’t always get
good at anything. You have a better chance to be good if you repeat what you’re
doing. We have lots of plays – probably more than we need. We have some new
twists whenever we go into a game.
Munson asked about the pass to Ware. CMR said we ran the play before, but the
protection broke down. As he came out of his fake, a DL broke through but DJ
broke the tackle, then he came out looking like he would run. The CB covering
Ware thought DJ had crossed the line, but DJ hadn’t and hit Ware wide open.
A QB like DJ can do that.
Candace in Columbus (newly converted Dawg fan who married into the Dawg
Nation) wanted to know why Pope was suspended last game. CMR said he broke
one of our rules. We’re not in business to embarrass anyone but he needed to
sit one game. He made a mistake, was remorseful about it and has taken care
of it. We have no problem putting him back in since he’s a fine young man.
Robert asked about Tyson Browning, and about letting Bobo call more of the plays
so CMR can focus more on special teams (citing what Beamer does at VT).
CMR says it has been hard to get Tyson in the games. He’s practiced hard despite
the situation and loves his teammates. He’s got talent and deserves to play
more. CMR also says he doesn’t know enough about special teams and thinks Beamer
does it because he has experience there. Bobo has been handing the one-minute
offense. We haven’t scored but that’s because stuff has been happening like
in other areas of the offense.
The week off – good news for Munson is that the most physical practice was today
and everyone came out of it fine.
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