1. We couldn't find a consistent running game. Without that, you can't do anything efficiently on offense. Blame it on who you wish, but that was our #1 problem on offense bar-none. 2. We couldn't cause turnovers... I mean seriously, did we even get 10 takeaways this year? I guess losing 2 playmakers like Webster and Daniels does that, but someone needed to fill the void. 3. Special Teams (kicking) It didn't cost us a game this season, so I can't complain, but Chris Jackson was below 50% on his FGs this year... That is... NOT very good, but he makes up for it being the best punter in the nation
I think Jackson's FG's may have something to do with Tiger Stadium. No one really hit field goals there this year. Maybe the poor field conditions caused this.
I agree with points 1 and 2 being major issues to work on for next year. But I gotta add one more.... 4. Negative Plays-- Whether it being a stupid personal foul for charging a guy well after a play is dead or taking a long sack instead of throwing the ball away. We had way too many negative plays that ended up killing drives.
1. Special teams were the weak link last year, but have done well this season. We do need to find a consistent long-range field goal kicker. Double duty punter/kickers often end up being less than their best at both. 2. Mental lapses this year were very bad. Dropped passes, penalties, and busted coverages killed us. This team must find some focus on doing their jobs properly. 3. Inability to put away a beaten team. This team needs to develop a killer instinct. 4. As deep as we were at running, back, it was not enough. We must maintain depth at running back, quarterback and receiver to compete in the SEC. We will continue to take key injuries, everybody does. 5. Jamarcus Russell is only a sophomore and has room to improve but he must do so this spring. He still scatters passes at receivers feet and behind them. He takes too many sacks for failure to throw the ball away. He has the tools and the talent, it is time to refine his game management skills.
I agree with every point but #4... we had all the depth at RB... Someone find me a RB that can break off 10 yds when he is getting tackled in the backfield... Our RBs had no chance this season
Our #1 problem on offense this year more than catching passes and running the ball was our offensive line. Some of it because of the mountain of penalties and others in run blocking and pass protection. Yes they had some good games, but they were still inconsistent at best. I think people realize how much better Reed and Peterman were on the right side than Livings and Johnson. Arkansas and Georgia ate their lunch. Part of the problem with running the ball is Russell is still having problems reading coverages and checking off at the line when teams showed blitz. I hope Miles opens up the QB race come spring time.
I agree with everything you said, but I'd say at this point, with the number of games he has under his belt, he shouldn't be making many of the mistakes he is still making. Arm strength has really been the thing that has bailed him out all year. One thing that kills our offense is his inability to change the play at the line of scrimmage. He doesn't show any more promise at being able to do that now than he did when he came into the Oregon State game. That scares me. Either he works on that and learns the game in the off-season, or I think the coaching staff has to look long and hard at signaling in plays for him at the line of scrimmage. You can't move the ball consistently in this league if ou can't adjust to the defense at the line of scrimmage.
I"d like to nominate Miles choice to play Addai against Appy. State as the stupid decision of the year. :angryfire The guy gets hurt against crappy N. Texas, so why even chance it against Appy. Just flat out stupid. Would have been nice to have him in that Bama game. Addai was a good blocker against the blitz and a good receiver out of the backfield. Maybe our defense wore out at then end of the year from being on the field too much, because of Addai not running that clock down. ??
JR's biggest problem is still his tendency to stare down his intended reciever. I don't know how this problem was not addressed this year, as it was the source of much struggle. UGA's secondary ate his lunch when he pulled that BS. Meanwhile, Shockley ate ours by looking off recievers and pump-faking. Does Jamarcus even know how to pump fake? Either way, until he learns how to do either of those, he will never be the dominant SEC QB that he has the tools to be. Never.
