Sunday, August 31, 2008

What We Learned This Weekend

About the 2008 Team...
  • That we need to solidify who is the #2 quarterback behind Rudy Carpenter. Sullivan had the second worst backup QB performance on the day next to Cal's Nate Longshore (who's approval rating at Berkeley is about 2 points lower than Dick Cheney's). Look for Samson and Stangel to get some major playing time when we're up on Nevada-Las Vegas by 35 at the half.
  • We said in our Deadspin Preview that Kerry Taylor would have a breakout season, and now you know why.
  • Our Defensive Line can hold their own. The return of Saia Falahola was a big boost last night, and Dexter Davis and David Smith are in midseason form.
  • We've got members of the secondary (Max Tabach, Rodney Cox) who can actually make open field tackles. Haven't seen that in a while.
  • We've given up run blocking for pass blocking. Nance averaged 2.7 per carry last night, making most of his gains outside of the tackles.
  • Our linebackers as a unit don't get enough love. With the additions of Brandon Magee and Shelley Lyons, the LB's now have the depth to headline our defense this season and beyond.
  • We have the pieces in place physically to be dominant. It's just preventing our own mental mistakes that will be the difference between 11-1 and 7-5.
(Photo Credit: Darryl Webb, East Valley Tribune)

2 comments:

Unknown said...

Read your Deadspin article and the part about Early Doucet was right on. I remember watching that game while I was stationed in Germany, screaming at the top of my lungs that it wasn't a catch, but I guess the refs decided to give LSU a sympathy td and the game.

Aaron said...

I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little concerned about the running game. Without Keegan our backs sorely lack big play ability.