As I have thought about the game some more, the following have come to mind:
1. The last minute suspensions and injuries on the offensive line may have had an even worse impact that first believed-especially from the tackle and tight end blocking perspective. The offensive line that played was simply not ready to play as a team. I believe that one of the problems with the running game was that the offensive line was not doing their job very well. I think it is true that Rainey and Demps seemed to be easily stopped on several plays. Part of that problem might have been that they were often hit in the backfield before they were really moving forward very well. Another problem that seemed to be originating with the offensive line is that Brantley had little time to throw before someone was on him from the end rush. This lead to him throwing the short passes rather than intermediate or long passes. I think that still another problem with Pouncey was that he was not comfortable with the patchwork offensive line so he had to think about what he might have to do to compensate-thus losing his concentration on the snap. Likewise, I think the porous offensive line caused Brantley to worry about the pass rush causing him to lose his concentration. 2. Although it is not without some risk, Brantley needs to pull the ball sometimes from the running backs and run himself. Often he would fake keeping it and run in the opposite direction of the play. Almost always, he was completely unchecked. This left their defense free to shoot linebackers to the play. 3. I was really disappointed with our kickoff game. We have to get the ball kicked higher and deeper. Our kicker is supposed to have a cannon for a leg but you could not tell it Saturday. The ball needs to at least go to the goal line, if not a few yards in the end zone. 4. I am sure that there were several persons that stayed home because of the heat. I was really excited to be there but the heat was oppressive. There were several in my area that left after or during the first half of the game and did not return. I of course stayed to the bitter end. I think that the AA should provide free ice during games like these and I think that the water fountains should provide chilled water. I also think that the AA should provide misting fans so that people could go cool off. I am expecting that we will improve dramatically next week. The good news is that we have a relatively light schedule leading into the Alabama game. There is time to correct most of the problems. -- GATORS: ONE VOICE ON SATURDAY - NO VOICE ON SUNDAY! 1996 National Football Champions | 2006 National Basketball Champions 2006 National Football Champions | 2007 National Basketball Champions 2008 National Football Champions | Three Heisman Trophy winners: Steve Spurrier (1966), Danny Wuerffel (1996), Tim Tebow (2007) - Visit our website at www.gatornet.us
