Hmm .. CMR could hear the intro music (coming out of first commercial break) but Munson was late.
Munson asked CMR if it was possible for a team (like Ole Miss) to change in one week by toughening their practices. CMR admitted they were tougher than us on both sides of the ball. Very rare to come out of a game like that where you get knocked around, and get a punt blocked.
Sonny in Evans thinks we’ve faced adversity in the face the last two weeks and came though. But its obvious we’re struggling as a team. The light at the end of the title is we started 5-0 twice under CMR and went on to win the SEC title. Sonny also talked about Fla. running the ball right at Tenn. Sonny thinks we need to consider a pre-game motivational speaker since the players don’t seem to heed the coaches’ warnings.
Oh yeah, Sonny also still remembers a Tenn. player (Jason Allen) sticking a T flag on the 50 when they pulled the upset two years ago. CMR says some of our pro players will be at the game due to open dates. CMR doesn’t think we’ll have a problem with the team getting excited. We’re already more focused on Monday than we’ve been the last couple of weeks. Richt also commented that maybe his halftime talks have been effective since our backs have been to the wall the last two weeks. Hopefully this week we can show our Georgia fans and the nation the best we can be.
Richt confirmed to me they landed at the airport about 4 am - probably just after the flight I was on that came in from Tupelo, and they got back to Athens about 6:15. The players seem to be handling that well. Not sure what he thought when I suggested the motiviation for the OL might be “resupplying” Pat Dye and getting some radio host to interview him..
Joe (overseas, in Japan) seems to think our receivers are one catch away from blowing a game open, and the defense seems one play away. But we’re straddling a fence the other way too. CMR thinks the guys still have the confidence and energy to play well, but we better get going fast to defend the SEC title.
Fred in Fla. also had questions on the OL, particularly zone blocking schemes. CMR mentioned that sprint draw. But he really thinks the problem on the sprint draw is we’ve been too quick to go from a double teaming a DL and going to an LB. You want to block the LB but you have to get movement on the lineman first. That would create a seam the backs need to hit the play in there. The sprint draw isn’t necessarily a quick hitter, but we show a pass set, let the linemen rush and let the back read it.
Blake in Atlanta is concerned about WR drops, and wonders if it is more coaching or talent. Not every guy catches every single pass, but we’ve dropped more than our share. We’re not doing anything different than he remembers doing at FSU. Reggie Brown used to drop lots of passes, but once he gained his confidence he hardly dropped one. Our WRs are mostly young. We have one senior (Raley) but he hasn’t played a whole lot. They’ve got to get it going and hang on to the ball.
CMR had a question for Munson – has his movie group checked out the new football movie (Facing the Giants)? All Munson wanted to know was whether CMR got to kiss the girl at the end of the movie. (CMR has a bit part in the movie)
Jimmy in Douglasville wanted to know about how guys graded out, and about motivation. CMR tries to emphasize building good habits, though he knows fans think about motivation. We have to continue to work hard on that stuff. Grading has not been outstanding. Some guys have been outstanding but there is lots of work to do. This game, our guys ought to be motivated whether CMR says anything or not.
Bert in Dunwoody back-tracked to the SC game, asking about a set with Lump & Brown we ran with Joe T early in that game. Also, what about quick screens to WRs. We were running zone reads from either direction in that game. It doesn’t matter what QB is in the game on that play. Not a bad idea to try those quick screens.
About Goodman, he made one big catch but then we threw it to him a few more times and he dropped one or two.
David in Augusta talked about making sure we’re ready Saturday. CMR stressed again we need to make sure our fundamentals rise with our motivation.
Chip in Cumming thinks we’re better running out of the I than the shotgun. Plus, we’re getting too predictable with the screen to Ware. CMR pointed out differences between the shotgun zone read and running plays from the I, including the sprint draw. Lots of times, we were just outnumbered in the running game. That’s where throwing and catching comes into play. Our WRs have to threaten one on one coverage enough to get other teams’ safeties to back out a little bit.
Lee in Gainesville noticed Air Force gave Tenn. problems with the option. CMR said there’s no way we could master it in one week. Its so far removed from what we do. Air Force is so effective with it because hardly anyone runs it anymore. It is very hard to practice and simulate with scout teamers, too.
Dusty in Augusta said most callers don’t know the difference between a trap and play action, and mentioned a prospect in Bleckley County. CMR reminded the caller he can’t discuss recruiting on-air. Also, he mentioned that every Wednesday the staff watches tape of prospects. They’re currently watching HS juniors. This is a big weekend.
Todd in Fitzgerald asked about WRs rotating in and out, and catching passes from different QBs. Most teams rotate WRs almost every play. With the pass routes and the running most need to come out for a breather after 3-4 plays. If one QB throws with more zip they have to know who’s in the game.
Kyle in Chattanooga has to deal with a family of Tenn. fans, so this game is very important to him. What about the DBs trying to strip the ball instead of making the tackle? CMR agrees you have to secure the tackle before trying to rip the ball out. On a gang tackle that’s fine. The caller also pointed out how well Brannon Southerland is playing and CMR agrees with that. He’s blocking well, running well in short yardage and has soft hands catching the ball.
Chuck in Norcross mentioned the roast to Munson. This is usually an elimination game for UT in the SEC East, and has bitter memories of the 90s when UT dominated. The 2004 game should serve as reminder how important this game is. The caller mentioned the importance of running, and CMR also pointed out how important the kicking game is. When we’ve won the kicking game, we have won the game.
Jeremy in Memphis is scared that we were dominated on the lines in the Ole Miss game. CMR agrees we got knocked around in that game. Jeremy thinks this game reminds him of the
LSU game last year when everyone thought we’d get dominated. He also asked for more DL & LBs. CMR said we’ve been fortunate – we’ve been able to redshirt some young DL & LBs who are already in the program, getting stronger. But you never have enough.
Bob in Grayson asked about Blake Barnes. CMR would have loved to get Barnes into the Ole Miss game but the chance never came.
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