Monday Morning Thoughts

[StarkVegasSteve]

Sunday and Monday mornings are a lot better when you get a win. After the emotional roller coaster that was Saturday night I went back and watched the game yesterday afternoon.

1. Will is continually improving in this offense each and every week. He's going to continue to improve next year and depending on what we get back, next year could be a BIG year for this offense.

2. Marks could be a star. He's been bit by the injury bug the last couple of games but he's continued to go out there and grind for us. If we could find a way to get him 10-15 carries a game I really believe he can take that next step and be what Ealy is for OM.

3. Makai Polk. That's it. This kid is special.

4. We need to break down on sacks. I don't know how many sacks we've missed the last two weeks by flying in the backfield and the QB just side stepping to step up in the pocket and make the throw.

5. Arnett's D was a little bend but don't break this weekend and that was ok because of Calzada. They really gassed us at times between the 20s but when the field shortened up we really focused on the run and made Calzada beat us.....which he can't do.

6. We need to get Ruiz back ASAP.

7. Christian Ford and Austin Williams might be our two best possession receivers. They're not breaking any big gains after the catch, but they're going to come down with the ball.

8. We need to continue to find ways to get Tulu the ball. We also need to find ways to get the ball in the hands of Walley and Calvin. Those guys have breakaway speed and if you get them in open field they're going to make people miss.

9. The O Line is vastly improved and Mason Miller deserves a lot of credit for that. They still need to cut down on the mental mistakes, but they are improving each week.

10. Leach owns the Aggies.

[ShotgunDawg]

I'm interested to see how our offense looks against Bama.

We aren't going to win or keep it super close, but, if we can score in the 20s, I'm going to feel real good about where we're headed

[msstate7]

I'm interested to see how our offense looks against Bama.

We aren't going to win or keep it super close, but, if we can score in the 20s, I'm going to feel real good about where we're headed

This team shouldn't be judged on bama game. We're gonna be smoked.

This team should be judged on Kentucky. Kentucky will stick with the zone, so it'll be a great test for our offense. Kentucky will run it, so it's a good matchup for our defense. That game is our midsession progress report

[TrapGame]

This team shouldn't be judged on bama game. We're gonna be smoked.

This team should be judged on Kentucky. Kentucky will stick with the zone, so it'll be a great test for our offense. Kentucky will run it, so it's a good matchup for our defense. That game is our midsession progress report

I concur.

But remember UK just beat a team running the offense a lot of folks wish we still did.

This is going to be an interesting match up.

[Maverick91]

I love Leach's low key shade he threw at Jimbo during his post game presser when he was talking with Jackie. He told Jackie "I am glad it wasn't you coaching on the other side." lol just great.

[ShotgunDawg]

This team shouldn't be judged on bama game. We're gonna be smoked.

This team should be judged on Kentucky. Kentucky will stick with the zone, so it'll be a great test for our offense. Kentucky will run it, so it's a good matchup for our defense. That game is our midsession progress report

I agree. Just saying I'm interested to see our offense vs Bama

[msstate7]

I agree. Just saying I'm interested to see our offense vs Bama

Gotcha. The early drives are the ones I'll be interested in. Once they pull ahead by 20 points or so, I take nothing from those

ETA... I think we should play bama the exact same way kiffin did with the 4th downs. There's zero chance we beat them in a normally played game. If we hit 4 4th downs though, maybe lightning strikes. Who cares if we lose 55-7 instead of 38-13?

[StarkVegasSteve]

I was actually talking with a few buddies on Sunday and yea we know Bama is going to beat up on us but as others have said maybe if you can score in the high 20s, maybe keep it close for 2 and half quarters then you've got something to build on. After Bama there's not a team on our schedule who I look at and say there's no way we can beat them. Every team remaining has a glaring deficiency.

[Maverick91]

I concur.

But remember UK just beat a team running the offense a lot of folks wish we still did.

This is going to be an interesting match up.

With way more talent.

[Maverick91]

Sunday and Monday mornings are a lot better when you get a win. After the emotional roller coaster that was Saturday night I went back and watched the game yesterday afternoon.

1. Will is continually improving in this offense each and every week. He's going to continue to improve next year and depending on what we get back, next year could be a BIG year for this offense.

2. Marks could be a star. He's been bit by the injury bug the last couple of games but he's continued to go out there and grind for us. If we could find a way to get him 10-15 carries a game I really believe he can take that next step and be what Ealy is for OM.

3. Makai Polk. That's it. This kid is special.

4. We need to break down on sacks. I don't know how many sacks we've missed the last two weeks by flying in the backfield and the QB just side stepping to step up in the pocket and make the throw.

5. Arnett's D was a little bend but don't break this weekend and that was ok because of Calzada. They really gassed us at times between the 20s but when the field shortened up we really focused on the run and made Calzada beat us.....which he can't do.

6. We need to get Ruiz back ASAP.

7. Christian Ford and Austin Williams might be our two best possession receivers. They're not breaking any big gains after the catch, but they're going to come down with the ball.

8. We need to continue to find ways to get Tulu the ball. We also need to find ways to get the ball in the hands of Walley and Calvin. Those guys have breakaway speed and if you get them in open field they're going to make people miss.

9. The O Line is vastly improved and Mason Miller deserves a lot of credit for that. They still need to cut down on the mental mistakes, but they are improving each week.

10. Leach owns the Aggies.

Completely agree! Tulu once everything clicks for him. I think can and should be an every down WR. Dude, plays big and breaks tackle, and catches everything.

I know the chance of us beating bama is like negative points. But, it will be a huge win for us if we can come away from that game knowing we can complete. I HATE absolutely HATE morale victories, but I will take it against bama this year. Because everything post Bama is completely winnable.

[was21]

Agreed...that was actually a smart move by Kiffin on the fourth downs even though a lot of folks have been critical of it.

[Lord McBuckethead]

This team shouldn't be judged on bama game. We're gonna be smoked.

This team should be judged on Kentucky. Kentucky will stick with the zone, so it'll be a great test for our offense. Kentucky will run it, so it's a good matchup for our defense. That game is our midsession progress report

I still think you forfeit the game, allow our players another week to get healed up and then focus on winning the rest of them. I don't like forfeiting, but it does give us the best shot to stay healthy and work for 3 weeks on fundamentals and prep for the games we really need to win. KY and Ark.

[Choctaw Dawg]

Leach being 8-4 all time against aTm really pisses off the aggies, especially considering Jimbo has stacks of playsheets he's calling from on his sideline while Leach has that one napkin he looks at.

Bart Gregory said it yesterday: Jimbo has books of plays he uses, You know who else did? Sylvester Croom.

[Hot Rock]

I still think you forfeit the game, allow our players another week to get healed up and then focus on winning the rest of them. I don't like forfeiting, but it does give us the best shot to stay healthy and work for 3 weeks on fundamentals and prep for the games we really need to win. KY and Ark.

You don't get better by shying away from competition. Yes, they could blow us out but some say A&M's defense was the best we will see all year personnel wise.

I say go out there, play another game and get another game better. Being scared to play the game is not the way to ever get better.

[StarkVegasSteve]

I still think you forfeit the game, allow our players another week to get healed up and then focus on winning the rest of them. I don't like forfeiting, but it does give us the best shot to stay healthy and work for 3 weeks on fundamentals and prep for the games we really need to win. KY and Ark.

Absolutely not. You lock the damn gates and go look for a fight. Don't shy away from anyone. That's how you keep that "Po Ole Mississippi State" attitude. We have no shot, so we just shouldn't even bother playing.

[Coach34]

Dont be surprised when Cross and Polk declare for the draft in April

[TaleofTwoDogs]

I still think you forfeit the game, allow our players another week to get healed up and then focus on winning the rest of them. I don't like forfeiting, but it does give us the best shot to stay healthy and work for 3 weeks on fundamentals and prep for the games we really need to win. KY and Ark.

Forfeit the game! There is no forfeiting in football! (thanks to Tom Hanks for the inspiration)

I'm sure the traveling fans and ESPN would luv to see that happen.

[msstate7]

We aren't forfeiting the bama game, but if we secretly (hid from players) starting implementing our Kentucky game plan early, I wouldn't complain

[Maroonthirteen]

I thought Marks really stepped up this game. He seemed more elusive and faster. That made a difference on a few drives. Someone said he isn't 100% healthy. If true, he is going to be a great back when he is 100% healthy.

Also, tip of the cap to the coaching staff. The special teams play was clean. The missed FG was just poor execution by a young player. ALso, no turnovers. Huge.

[BayouDawg]

Dont be surprised when Cross and Polk declare for the draft in April

After the tech game I was worried about cross but he has been solid ever since. Made himself some money the other night.

[ShotgunDawg]

Dont be surprised when Cross and Polk declare for the draft in April

I can see Cross for sure, but I think Polk comes back for 1 more. He's just now getting his name on the radar

Helps that Rogers is back for 3 more years. Polk would be a late pick this year but possibly a top 4 rounder by coming back

[Tripp McNeely]

Dont be surprised when Cross and Polk declare for the draft in April

That'd be an awesome recruiting tool going forward, especially Polk! We gotta start having some NFL receivers to sell to recruits!

[confucius say]

This team shouldn't be judged on bama game. We're gonna be smoked.

This team should be judged on Kentucky. Kentucky will stick with the zone, so it'll be a great test for our offense. Kentucky will run it, so it's a good matchup for our defense. That game is our midsession progress report

Let's heat Vandy first. I'm taking nothing for granted with leach. He can lose to anybody or beat anybody

[gtowndawg]

Sunday and Monday mornings are a lot better when you get a win. After the emotional roller coaster that was Saturday night I went back and watched the game yesterday afternoon.

1. Will is continually improving in this offense each and every week. He's going to continue to improve next year and depending on what we get back, next year could be a BIG year for this offense.

2. Marks could be a star. He's been bit by the injury bug the last couple of games but he's continued to go out there and grind for us. If we could find a way to get him 10-15 carries a game I really believe he can take that next step and be what Ealy is for OM.

3. Makai Polk. That's it. This kid is special.

4. We need to break down on sacks. I don't know how many sacks we've missed the last two weeks by flying in the backfield and the QB just side stepping to step up in the pocket and make the throw.

5. Arnett's D was a little bend but don't break this weekend and that was ok because of Calzada. They really gassed us at times between the 20s but when the field shortened up we really focused on the run and made Calzada beat us.....which he can't do.

6. We need to get Ruiz back ASAP.

7. Christian Ford and Austin Williams might be our two best possession receivers. They're not breaking any big gains after the catch, but they're going to come down with the ball.

8. We need to continue to find ways to get Tulu the ball. We also need to find ways to get the ball in the hands of Walley and Calvin. Those guys have breakaway speed and if you get them in open field they're going to make people miss.

9. The O Line is vastly improved and Mason Miller deserves a lot of credit for that. They still need to cut down on the mental mistakes, but they are improving each week.

10. Leach owns the Aggies.

Thank you on #4! I coached youth football for 4 years and we worked on breaking down to make open field tackles every day (called it "buzzing" our feet). Keep them in front of you and make the play.

[msstate7]

Let's heat Vandy first. I'm taking nothing for granted with leach. He can lose to anybody or beat anybody

Lol, we ain't losing to vandy. If we do, I want him gone. Vandy is as bad an sec team as I've saw

[confucius say]

Gotcha. The early drives are the ones I'll be interested in. Once they pull ahead by 20 points or so, I take nothing from those

ETA... I think we should play bama the exact same way kiffin did with the 4th downs. There's zero chance we beat them in a normally played game. If we hit 4 4th downs though, maybe lightning strikes. Who cares if we lose 55-7 instead of 38-13?

If we're at the 5 and fourth and goal on an opening drive that took half the first quarter, we better take the 3.
Can't afford to not get points there. That deflated OM.

Also, I don't think Bama will be able to run on us as well as they did OM.

[Johnson85]

Agreed...that was actually a smart move by Kiffin on the fourth downs even though a lot of folks have been critical of it.

The one deep in their own territory was a bad call. I think the other ones were all the right call or at least not worse than kicking.

[Johnson85]

Sunday and Monday mornings are a lot better when you get a win. After the emotional roller coaster that was Saturday night I went back and watched the game yesterday afternoon.

1. Will is continually improving in this offense each and every week. He's going to continue to improve next year and depending on what we get back, next year could be a BIG year for this offense.

2. Marks could be a star. He's been bit by the injury bug the last couple of games but he's continued to go out there and grind for us. If we could find a way to get him 10-15 carries a game I really believe he can take that next step and be what Ealy is for OM.

3. Makai Polk. That's it. This kid is special.

4. We need to break down on sacks. I don't know how many sacks we've missed the last two weeks by flying in the backfield and the QB just side stepping to step up in the pocket and make the throw.

5. Arnett's D was a little bend but don't break this weekend and that was ok because of Calzada. They really gassed us at times between the 20s but when the field shortened up we really focused on the run and made Calzada beat us.....which he can't do.

6. We need to get Ruiz back ASAP.

7. Christian Ford and Austin Williams might be our two best possession receivers. They're not breaking any big gains after the catch, but they're going to come down with the ball.

8. We need to continue to find ways to get Tulu the ball. We also need to find ways to get the ball in the hands of Walley and Calvin. Those guys have breakaway speed and if you get them in open field they're going to make people miss.

9. The O Line is vastly improved and Mason Miller deserves a lot of credit for that. They still need to cut down on the mental mistakes, but they are improving each week.

10. Leach owns the Aggies.

I'd add:

11. This is the first game that made me think Heath might actually live up to his potential before he leaves. He's obviously had the physical talent, but I just didn't think he was ever going to really take advantage of it. The catch he made going out of bounds in the end zone was great. Out of bounds, but still did a great job of going up over the defender and getting it.

[msstate7]

The one deep in their own territory was a bad call. I think the other ones were all the right call or at least not worse than kicking.

If I were the coach facing bama with a much lesser team (like most everyone), I'd go for on 4th down every time we were beyond our own 40 and less than 5 to go. If you go in with this mindset, you can call plays on 3rd down to set up manageable 4th's

[Coach34]

That'd be an awesome recruiting tool going forward, especially Polk! We gotta start having some NFL receivers to sell to recruits!

Totally agree

[Maverick91]

I'd add:

11. This is the first game that made me think Heath might actually live up to his potential before he leaves. He's obviously had the physical talent, but I just didn't think he was ever going to really take advantage of it. The catch he made going out of bounds in the end zone was great. Out of bounds, but still did a great job of going up over the defender and getting it.

Agreed! I really hope whatever needs to click in his head over the next two weeks does. Because he could be a force if he wanted to.

[yjnkdawg]

We gotta start having some NFL receivers to sell to recruits!

THIS........ Your highly recruited receivers want a coach who can develop them to be the best that they can be at the next level. They also want proof (by players in the NFL) to demonstrate this. I hate to say it but OM has been able to show it, and we can't yet.

[Coach34]

I can see Cross for sure, but I think Polk comes back for 1 more. He's just now getting his name on the radar

Scouts already know who Polk is. Will depend what kind of feedback he gets after the season. He is on pace to have 100 catches and that will give him plenty of attention

[Todd4State]

I still think you forfeit the game, allow our players another week to get healed up and then focus on winning the rest of them. I don't like forfeiting, but it does give us the best shot to stay healthy and work for 3 weeks on fundamentals and prep for the games we really need to win. KY and Ark.

Tell the SEC it's for the Marc Curles screw job at Memphis. Maybe they'll start calling out games better after we cost them a bunch of money.**

[Turfdawg67]

Gotcha. The early drives are the ones I'll be interested in. Once they pull ahead by 20 points or so, I take nothing from those

ETA... I think we should play bama the exact same way kiffin did with the 4th downs. There's zero chance we beat them in a normally played game. If we hit 4 4th downs though, maybe lightning strikes. Who cares if we lose 55-7 instead of 38-13?

What?? Is that your subtle way of defending the coach of your "2nd" favorite team? A couple were definitely justified, but going for it on your own 30 down by 2 scores?!? 17'n stupid, arrogant or just plain quitting. Is Kiffen your newest man-crush? Awww...