Sunday Morning QB With SVS- Week 1 Edition

[StarkVegasSteve]

Honestly just a great day. The first real football day of the year will never not get the juices flowing. Started splitscreening our game with Texas/OSU and ended the night watching Nico I Am A Leavin get absolutely waxed. So let?s get things rolling:

1. Good teams win and great teams cover. We did the job we were tasked with. At the end of the day you can win by 1 or 100 but it all reads the same. 1-0. The penalties have to be cleaned up. Just absolutely unacceptable, especially the unsportsmanlike conduct one. I do feel confident though that will be cleaned up.

2. Shapen was a little good and a little bad. I thought when we were at tempo and rolling he was really good. We still need to avoid having him in 3rd and medium-long situations because that is when he tends to try forcing passes or doing too much. I will say the INT wasn?t completely on him. Seydou has to fight for that ball. Also, the first TD pass was THE EXACT PLAY we ran against Arizona State last year when Seydou dropped it. Good to see that play work this time.

3. OL is going to be a work in progress. I thought it was a little like Shapen, when we were playing with tempo and going, they were pretty good. I never really saw them have any breakdowns, but early on we were just not getting any type of push. We should get Work back next accd to Lebby but Steen could be out for an extended period. Definitely something to monitor.

4. Booth and Bothwell are going to be a problem as a tandem. You could tell it really started to wear down Southern yesterday as the game went on and they just had no answer for either of them. Also liked Daniels is spurts. He had some puzzling decisions but had a couple of good runs.

5. The WR/TE were better than I expected them to be. It?s really nice to see Seydou taking a bigger role in the pass game. Loved what I saw out of Brennen Thompson, although I am still trying to figure out why he was angling for the pylon on long pass and not just going to the end zone. Liked what I saw in spurts out of Evans and Ayden Williams. Was hoping to see a bit more out of Rickey Johnson.

6. The Kamario package. The staff has made the decision that we are going with Kamario in short yardage. I think we?re going to use him like Tebow in his freshman year. I had heard that we had that package for Kromenhoek but it looks like we made the decision to keep the hits off him if Shapen was to go down. I liked how he hit the hole and didn?t have even indecisiveness about it. I hate that Ball has the holding that took a TD away from him.

7. I thought for the most part Hutzler called a good game. We weren?t ever out of position and I felt like we got pressure even without blitzing.

8. Will Whitson is going to be a problem inside. He disrupted USM all day and just terrorized whoever he was lined up across from. I also thought Jaray Bledsoe had some good moments. Puzzling that we saw none of Jamil Burroughs and he is someone people have kept mentioning coming out of camp

9. Far too much Nic Mitchell for my liking. I think the kid plays hard but it?s plainly obvious that Jalen Smith needs to be getting a majority of the snaps at LB. Overall I was a little disappointed in our LB group. Some of it may have been by design, but I don?t feel like they were very active with blitzing.

10. I thought our DB room played incredible if you compare them to last year. Good to see De?Ago back at DB this year and I thought he and Kelley played really well. The one USM TD that counted, I?m not counting the garbage time TD, was just a fluke that our DB batted into the air. Paul Rhoads has done a hell of a job with that group and helping out Bell. The Jett Jefferson injury is troubling though. Hopefully we get him back soon.

11. Really liked what I saw out of the safeties. Issac is going to be Issac but liked what I saw out of Jahron Manning as well.

12. KYLE 17 FERRIE. We might just have a kicker.

13. I have no way to confirm this but I think there were some suspensions that we didn?t announce yesterday and that?s why some guys were held out or held out for like a quarter or so. Jamil Burroughs and Jalen Smith are the two biggest ones that come to mind.

14. If you can be in Starkville next weekend, BE THERE. We need DWS rocking on Saturday. So get there early, tailgate and get drunk, be loud and let?s turn it into a party on Saturday night.

As always, HailState

[DEDawg]

Good write up. On Blake's pick, I really want to see him throw with more anticipation. That ball needs to be out before your WR comes out of his break. Great play by the DB, but if Blake throws it half a sec earlier it's an easy completion. Kelly Jones looks like an NFL guy to me, he was giving no room out there when we played man. Curious to see if his speed holds up when SEC play starts. I was very happy with our defensive approach, we played contain, kept things in front, swarmed to the ball and FINISHED. There were 4-5 plays I counted yesterday that I just know would have been a broken tackle for a long run last year. This year, the first guy rarely missed but when he did, there were 2 other players within 2 yards to clean up. We just look so much better coached and FAST.

Guys I didn't see do much yesterday that was disappointing, Smith, Burnside, and Burroughs. Want to see more Silvia (sp?) too. I think when we get Jett and Luke back we only get better. Steen may have lost his job already too. Our RB room is stupid loaded and WR didn't miss a beat without Akharayi, let's hope that keeps up. I really can't complain and think we have a real chance at winning next week. We lost to those guys by 7 last season on the road. We are better and they are worse than last year.

[EdwardDrayton]

Well done Steve.

Yeah. The INT was on Shapen. He never saw the backer; it was just unfortunate. Traore ran a sit route; not sure Shapen could've released it any sooner since he wouldn't know exactly where Seydou would stop and sit. And since it wasn't a comeback route, Traore had no momentum toward the ball. Just one of those things.

My son and I had a great time at the game and we'll be there next weekend with bells on. Lots to fix and improve if we're going to have a chance.

[1bigdawg]

On the replay, it looked like Shapen's view of the DB was blocked by linemen: just one of those things.

[MetEdDawg]

I thought Traore settled his route too close to the guy underneath on the pick. He passed the guy and basically turned immediately around next to him. I think he's got to give Shapen a little more space for that throw and fight for it better.

Defense looks better and I think there are extended stretches we made what I feel like is a competent and fairly well coached USM team look outmatched. I think many were afraid we couldn't do that and we did on both sides.

Next week is the real litmus test. I feel better based on our play and the play of some of our SEC opponents that we can get at least one conference win.

[BeardoMSU]

This seems good...

https://twitter.com/HailStateMuse/status/1962211645339406340?t=l-QbA2Al50-VEAq9EdhT9Q&s=19

[starkvegasdawg]

Clean up the penalties. Especially the stupid ones like illegal formation. Not a football guru, but I never understood why there were rules dictating formations. Line up how you want. I honestly didn't mind the personal foul when the guy wouldn't let go of his leg.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

Good write up. Thanks. But the statement “good team win and great teams cover” makes no sense and never has made sense.

[StarkVegasSteve]

Good write up. Thanks. But the statement “good team win and great teams cover” makes no sense and never has made sense.

It’s just a funny statement. Nothing more or less. I won a pretty good amount on us yesterday so really glad we covered.

[somebodyshotmypaw]

It’s just a funny statement. Nothing more or less. I won a pretty good amount on us yesterday so really glad we covered.

Got it. I just have it in my head that we “cover” if ASU beats us by 3. I want to win.

[Coach34]

Good job.

The OT's are taught to try and get as much depth as they can and that's why we kept getting the illegal formation penalty. That should be fixed by Saturday. It also looked like the OL got better after Steen got hurt and left the game. He tackled the DE on one play he got called for holding. He was not good at all.

Liked the run package for Taylor to get him some snaps.

We played better D when we got in a 4 man front. We didnt do alot defensively from an X's and O's perspective. Very vanilla. But we didnt need to. Much better looking on that side of the ball. The Nasty Bunch wasnt awful- they should win a few games this year.

Overall- an encouraging day

[Bdawg]

Both lines were of concern early. You need some studs for a 3 man front. We have to play more 4’man. RT Steen looked awful. Not sure what he has shown in practice, but we were better with him out. I now have less hair with all the penalties! Clean these up and we would have looked more in control of the game. Liked how we adjusted and came out and took the game over in the 3rd. We need to play 4 quarters next week like we did the 3rd this week, minus the penalties to possibly win. Huge game for Lebby and dawgs!! Wish we could run them into submission and return the favor from last year!

Edit: Corners were a pleasant surprise. Hope it translate to the SEC.

[BigDawg81]

Whitson is really good. All I heard was that corners were State weakest link. They proved the naysayer wrong. I know it was Southern Miss but even Southern Miss looks improved. Southern Miss will win some games this year. Arizona State is the real test and we will see exactly what State has after that game.

[Jarius]

Good write up. On Blake's pick, I really want to see him throw with more anticipation. That ball needs to be out before your WR comes out of his break. Great play by the DB, but if Blake throws it half a sec earlier it's an easy completion. Kelly Jones looks like an NFL guy to me, he was giving no room out there when we played man. Curious to see if his speed holds up when SEC play starts. I was very happy with our defensive approach, we played contain, kept things in front, swarmed to the ball and FINISHED. There were 4-5 plays I counted yesterday that I just know would have been a broken tackle for a long run last year. This year, the first guy rarely missed but when he did, there were 2 other players within 2 yards to clean up. We just look so much better coached and FAST.

Guys I didn't see do much yesterday that was disappointing, Smith, Burnside, and Burroughs. Want to see more Silvia (sp?) too. I think when we get Jett and Luke back we only get better. Steen may have lost his job already too. Our RB room is stupid loaded and WR didn't miss a beat without Akharayi, let's hope that keeps up. I really can't complain and think we have a real chance at winning next week. We lost to those guys by 7 last season on the road. We are better and they are worse than last year.


Burroughs did not travel. I’m assuming he was suspended because the other injured guys did travel.

[DEDawg]

Burroughs did not travel. I’m assuming he was suspended because the other injured guys did travel.
Interesting. I was wondering where he was. Him and Stonka were the 2 biggest surprises to not see on D

[DawgFromOxford]

Concerned about our sluggish offensive start in the first half as that was an issue last season. Concerned about penalties. Concerned about the O-line. Concerned about all the east/west play calling. Conveniently, all of these are correctable.

I thought everything else was pretty solid. Defensive speed is much better. Tackling is much better. Guys weren't running wide open through our secondary.

[bigbub50]

The illegal formations were annoying. Yes, technically the Tackles head has to be level with the Center's butt, but that happens all the time and is let go. The reason it was called was because Huff was working the officials (as he should). What was annoying is that we did not fix it the first time it was called.

I also picked up that the Oline looked better without steen. Not sure what the deal with him starting was unless he was just having a bad game. He looked out of shape and confused. May still be learning the offense. For what its worth, it looked like an upper body inury when he was coming off the field. We need him for depth. We are now extremely thin at OT. Work could play out there I suppose when he gets back.

I was annoyed when we gashed the buzzards defense on the third drive with 3 great runs and then ran 3 screens back to back.

Thompson in space is a problem. On his TD run that got called back, I know he took a bad angle, but he was absolutely electric. Maybe the quickest/fastest state player I have ever seen. We have got to find creative ways to get the ball in his hands from multiple positions. Dont shoot me for the bear comparison, but he reminds me of dexter McCluster (if you wanna stay alive, dont drink and drive. May be your last breaff) who went on to have a few years in the NFL.

On the straight drops our pass pro was decent. We had some leaks when we did the play actions that had the guards pulling. Blake has a cannon when he has time. He does get happy feet and I cant blame him playing behind our line last year.

With the kamario package, we have got to break tendencies and let him throw it some or give it on dives or speed sweeps. If sec defenses key on him, it will be stopped. But, he needs to run it 80% of the time. When the QB runs the ball, you are in a plus 1 blocking advantage (if the QB gives it, he doesnt block anyone, so your down one blocker).

Booth has put on good weight. He hasnt missed any meals in the off season.

The secondary was really impressive minus a cpl plays. We had more PBU's in the first half then we probably did all last year. With Jett out, depth at CB is not paper thin. Gotta stay healthy there.

Smith needs to start at backer and the D tackle from Coastal is a problem.

Last thought, just like last year, our 3rd and short dive plays (without the Kamaria package) were getting blown up. I think Fluff extended one, but that was all him, he had a guy on him in the back field. Lebby needs to break that tendency if we dont have the kamario package in during short yardage and find creative ways to get two yards. The dive is not getting it.

Me, dad, and son will be in the nose bleeds next Saturday above the band. Hope Im not going down the stairs when the lights go out. We cant wait. ASU is beatable. They looked about like us against a Division 1 AA opponent last night.

[Bothrops]

Burroughs did not travel. I?m assuming he was suspended because the other injured guys did travel.

We're gonna miss not having Kai McClendon on the DL.

[Ranchdawg]

A few of things that gotta be fixed before Az.St. game. Number one Shapen has gotta stop starring down his receiver that he is going to throw it to. Especially on swing pass or pass to the flat. If he doesn’t stop at least looking at one other receiver in the formation defensive backs are going to jump those passes and it will be 6pts going the other way.

Number two Oline gotta get some push. Don’t know how or if they can but Geesh if we can’t push an undersized defense line of USM then we have no hope at all against equal/better/bigger defensive line.

It was refreshing to see an actual field goal kicker have a chance at field goals at distances of 35yrds and further.

Also it was nice to see that USM still allows golf carts on campus game day. And nobody died, nobody got run over or got hurt. Unlike MSU where people had you believe that every game day golf carts were blamed for mortally maiming people or killing people.

[EdwardDrayton]

The ONLY downside Saturday was Southern's parking situation sucks worse than any football venue I've ever been to.

[Todd4State]

Some things:

We were in the road and that made it a little more challenging. Winning comfortably is a big positive to me because of that.

I'm not surprised that our receivers looked better than expected. This offense gets them open.

Curious to see if the 3 man fronts are better with Burroughs. Maybe, maybe not.

On that note, every time we think a DC is being vanilla they really aren't. I think we see what we are good or bad. If it works it doesn't bother me but I'm not expecting Hutzler to become Joe Lee Dunn all of a sudden this week.

Last thing- I hope we don't burn Kamario's redshirt on quarterback sneaks when Kromenhoek can do the same thing.

[Coach34]

We're probably not RS'ing Taylor

[DEDawg]

Some things:

We were in the road and that made it a little more challenging. Winning comfortably is a big positive to me because of that.

I'm not surprised that our receivers looked better than expected. This offense gets them open.

Curious to see if the 3 man fronts are better with Burroughs. Maybe, maybe not.

On that note, every time we think a DC is being vanilla they really aren't. I think we see what we are good or bad. If it works it doesn't bother me but I'm not expecting Hutzler to become Joe Lee Dunn all of a sudden this week.

Last thing- I hope we don't burn Kamario's redshirt on quarterback sneaks when Kromenhoek can do the same thing.

transfer portal has kind of eliminated red shirt being a thing tbh. if he can help the team, he will play

[Todd4State]

We're probably not RS'ing Taylor


transfer portal has kind of eliminated red shirt being a thing tbh. if he can help the team, he will play

That's fine but if we aren't then we need to actually let him play rather than just let him run a few sneaks. Kromenhoek can do that.

[StarkVegasSteve]

That's fine but if we aren't then we need to actually let him play rather than just let him run a few sneaks. Kromenhoek can do that.

You have to judge how ready he is. If he cannot diagnose coverages, run the full offense, etc then he needs to stay as the package QB because you don’t want Kromenhoek doing that, get injured, and then you are left with Taylor as the backup when he does not know the full offense. And just judging by Lebby’s statement yesterday, he does not have a full grasp of the offense.

You want to keep your backup QB off the field as much as possible. Especially with an injury prone guy like Shapen as the starter.

[EdwardDrayton]

Redshirting is too high risk in this new landscape. Just doesn't seem it has value any longer as a strategy.

[Coach34]

That's fine but if we aren't then we need to actually let him play rather than just let him run a few sneaks. Kromenhoek can do that.

He's not ready yet. But you can get him snaps in a simple package just like Fla did with Tebow to get him ready to compete and beat out Chicken Hawk in November once Shapen gets hurt

[HoopsDawg]

Redshirting is too high risk in this new landscape. Just doesn't seem it has value any longer as a strategy.

There?s a decent chance of 5 to play 5 becoming a thing soon anyway.

[BeardoMSU]

There?s a decent chance of 5 to play 5 becoming a thing soon anyway.

Yep. And juco wont matter either.

[Todd4State]

You have to judge how ready he is. If he cannot diagnose coverages, run the full offense, etc then he needs to stay as the package QB because you don’t want Kromenhoek doing that, get injured, and then you are left with Taylor as the backup when he does not know the full offense. And just judging by Lebby’s statement yesterday, he does not have a full grasp of the offense.

You want to keep your backup QB off the field as much as possible. Especially with an injury prone guy like Shapen as the starter.

That seems like overthinking it. If Lebby is that worried about Kromenhoek getting hurt then put Stonka in there and let him sneak it. Don't force a QB in there that isn't ready because no one really knows if he is special or not at this point. All we know is at this time he isn't ready.

Taylor could get hurt just as easily as Kromenhoek could.

[Todd4State]

There?s a decent chance of 5 to play 5 becoming a thing soon anyway.

It should be. Sitting out 8 games doesn't make any sense. Just give everyone 5.

[Todd4State]

Yep. And juco wont matter either.

JUCO already doesn't matter. If you go to JUCO you could technically get 7 years of eligibility. That's kind of crazy.

[bigbub50]

He's not ready yet. But you can get him snaps in a simple package just like Fla did with Tebow to get him ready to compete and beat out Chicken Hawk in November once Shapen gets hurt

The nickname king has done it again. Bravo