Observations from Steve

Steve was on Bo this am and said from pretty good things about the offense.

> Zuber is the real deal. He has made the DBs up their game. He can cut your ankles with a juke. Guidry has also improved by competing with Zuber.

> The offense looks light years better than last year. Tommy Stevens is the real deal too.

> KT is staying. In fact expect some two QB sets with one of them lined up as a receiver.

> Nick Gibson had the best camp of his career. He's a solid backup for KH. Also expect two back sets utilizing both RBs.

Sounds like KT will have a role similar to what TS had at PSU while TM was QB.

Hopefully this is truthful and not just sunshine blown up our arses. If most of this is true then our offense could take a big jump which is needed if the rumors of defensive players suspended is true.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tbonewannabe

Hopefully this is truthful and not just sunshine blown up our arses. If most of this is true then our offense could take a big jump which is needed if the rumors of defensive players suspended is true.

---

I'm a joe skeptic for sure, but I do expect the offense to progress nicely this year. I just think the defense coming back to earth (esp considering gay and Autry) will offset the offensive improvement.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msstate7

I'm a joe skeptic for sure, but I do expect the offense to progress nicely this year. I just think the defense coming back to earth (esp considering gay and Autry) will offset the offensive improvement.

---

I agree but if our offense actually improves then even with defensive regression we should win 7-8 games. UM and Ark - we could have named the score and UK lost more on defense than us even considering Gay and Autry. UT is down several Oline plus Dline guys. We return almost our entire Offense except 2 interior Oline (they were really good but we actually have really good replacements) and a QB that didn't fit the offense no matter how great a runner he was.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tbonewannabe

I agree but if our offense actually improves then even with defensive regression we should win 7-8 games. UM and Ark - we could have named the score and UK lost more on defense than us even considering Gay and Autry. UT is down several Oline plus Dline guys. We return almost our entire Offense except 2 interior Oline (they were really good but we actually have really good replacements) and a QB that didn't fit the offense no matter how great a runner he was.

---

All this doom and gloom about the defense is b/c we were spoiled by what we had on the field last year. We will be back to an average SEC defense next year but our offensive output will be able to compensate against most defenses not named Bama, LSU and Auburn. And even then those defenses won't shut down our offense.

Man.. I'm just ready to see how TS and Zuber do.. We shouldn't struggle too much no matter what in the first 2 games. But won't truly know anything for another 5 weeks likely of how special they could be.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by BulldogDX55

Sounds like KT will have a role similar to what TS had at PSU while TM was QB.

---

I'm curious if they will use all combinations as passer and receiver. Both can run, both can throw, with Stevens possibly a littler better passer. I know Stevens can catch, not sure if KT can catch. He dropped the only pass in the Outback Bowl.

IF we will run formations with two running backs, then we may run a formation with Stevens/KT as QB, and both Kylin Hill and KT/Stevens in the backfield. The options!

At Penn State, there was a successful play (multiple times) where Stevens lined up as a WR, then at the snap to McSorley Stevens ran to the backfield, took the handoff for an end around, then ran or passed depending on what the defense was giving up. Like the RB pass but with a much better passer. And of course, the QB had the option to not handoff the ball to Stevens and either run it, pass it downfield, or pass it to Stevens in the flat.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TrapGame

All this doom and gloom about the defense is b/c we were spoiled by what we had on the field last year. We will be back to an average SEC defense next year but our offensive output will be able to compensate against most defenses not named Bama, LSU and Auburn. And even then those defenses won't shut down our offense.

---

I am not going to say yes or no to this but great defenses do that to people when you make them one dimensional. Last year we couldn't pass well enough to overcome it so hopefully we can this year.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Tbonewannabe

I am not going to say yes or no to this but great defenses do that to people when you make them one dimensional. Last year we couldn't pass well enough to overcome it so hopefully we can this year.

---

That's very true, but I don't think we will be one dimensional this time. (crosses fingers)

- Steve doesn't know if the offense will be better. He hasn't seen it.
- However, it's a FACT that we are more talented on offense this year. The QB & WR are a definite upgrade & the OL should be a push at worst.
- Let's wait & see what exactly the suspensions are on defense before we start thinking our defense will be worse because of them.
- In a perfect world, the best way to disguise the weakness of our DL is too get ahead in games & put opposing offenses in passing situations

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TrapGame

Steve was on Bo this am and said from pretty good things about the offense.

> Zuber is the real deal. He has made the DBs up their game. He can cut your ankles with a juke. Guidry has also improved by competing with Zuber.

> The offense looks light years better than last year. Tommy Stevens is the real deal too.

> KT is staying. In fact expect some two QB sets with one of them lined up as a receiver.

> Nick Gibson had the best camp of his career. He's a solid backup for KH. Also expect two back sets utilizing both RBs.

---

I keep seeing us using two te sets and two rb sets. This is completely different that what joe has done his entire career. He's a 1 te 1 rb guy 99% of the time. Maybe he's adapting. We will see.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by ShotgunDawg

- Steve doesn't know if the offense will be better. He hasn't seen it.
- However, it's a FACT that we are more talented on offense this year. The QB & WR are a definite upgrade & the OL should be a push at worst.
- Let's wait & see what exactly the suspensions are on defense before we start thinking our defense will be worse because of them.
- In a perfect world, the best way to disguise the weakness of our DL is too get ahead in games & put opposing offenses in passing situations

---

I agree on the more talent on offense.....
As well as the part about getting leads.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TrapGame

Steve was on Bo this am and said from pretty good things about the offense.

> Zuber is the real deal. He has made the DBs up their game. He can cut your ankles with a juke. Guidry has also improved by competing with Zuber.

> The offense looks light years better than last year. Tommy Stevens is the real deal too.

> KT is staying. In fact expect some two QB sets with one of them lined up as a receiver.

> Nick Gibson had the best camp of his career. He's a solid backup for KH. Also expect two back sets utilizing both RBs.

---

The only thing I want to know is....

Are we going to huddle for 5 seconds, come out of huddle, wait 3-5 seconds, look over to the sideline for 3-5 seconds, change our lineup, wait another 3-5 seconds, and then snap the ball???

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msudawglb

The only thing I want to know is....

Are we going to huddle for 5 seconds, come out of huddle, wait 3-5 seconds, look over to the sideline for 3-5 seconds, change our lineup, wait another 3-5 seconds, and then snap the ball???

---

Supposedly a lot of that time wasted was due to Nick being slow to process the calls and the pre-snap reads. To add to that, Kylin said in a 247 interview a few days ago that Nick was also having to help other players get lined up last year, which if taken at face value means we had a pretty major blind leading the blind situation going on pre-snap. If anything is better this year, it's going to be getting the call in and getting lined up with a QB who has 3+ years in the offense and everyone else being a year wiser.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homedawg

I keep seeing us using two te sets and two rb sets. This is completely different that what joe has done his entire career. He's a 1 te 1 rb guy 99% of the time. Maybe he's adapting. We will see.

---

He didn't change a thing last year, why would he now?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thf24

Supposedly a lot of that time wasted was due to Nick being slow to process the calls and the pre-snap reads. To add to that, Kylin said in a 247 interview a few days ago that Nick was also having to help other players get lined up last year, which if taken at face value means we had a pretty major blind leading the blind situation going on pre-snap. If anything is better this year, it's going to be getting the call in and getting lined up with a QB who has 3+ years in the offense and everyone else being a year wiser.

---

Seems the whipping post is Fitz for all things wrong with our offense last year. I’m not buying it.

Bleeding the clock to zero was on JoMo. It didn’t happen during the Mullen era with the same personnel.

Well you certainly recapped what he said. But that wasn?t my interpretation on somethings. For instance he did talk about KT being at home in Starkville but I?m almost positive He qualified everything he said on that subject with ?you never know? at the end.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maroonthirteen

Seems the whipping post is Fitz for all things wrong with our offense last year. I’m not buying it.

Bleeding the clock to zero was on JoMo. It didn’t happen during the Mullen era with the same personnel.

---

Joe is going to have a check to the sideline after the defense lines up almost every play, that much is on him. That may not be totally viable in today's SEC, but it's probably not going to to change at least for a while. But his PSU offenses moved much faster than we did last year, so it was obviously at least partially on the players.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maroonthirteen

Seems the whipping post is Fitz for all things wrong with our offense last year. I’m not buying it.

Bleeding the clock to zero was on JoMo. It didn’t happen during the Mullen era with the same personnel.

---

Uh, we weren't running ******* offense anymore.

They didn't look to the sideline at Penn State b/c McSorely knew what he was doing. I expect the same from Tommy.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thf24

Supposedly a lot of that time wasted was due to Nick being slow to process the calls and the pre-snap reads. To add to that, Kylin said in a 247 interview a few days ago that Nick was also having to help other players get lined up last year, which if taken at face value means we had a pretty major blind leading the blind situation going on pre-snap. If anything is better this year, it's going to be getting the call in and getting lined up with a QB who has 3+ years in the offense and everyone else being a year wiser.

---

Joe’s offense has always been very methodical before snapping the ball, trying to get into good looks. Even at Penn State. If it’s faster this season it’s because Joe has changed.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maroonthirteen

Seems the whipping post is Fitz for all things wrong with our offense last year. I’m not buying it.

Bleeding the clock to zero was on JoMo. It didn’t happen during the Mullen era with the same personnel.

---

Are you saying we didn't have terrible play clock management under Mullen????

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Really Clark?

Joe’s offense has always been very methodical before snapping the ball, trying to get into good looks. Even at Penn State. If it’s faster this season it’s because Joe has changed.

---

It wasn't hurry up by any means at PSU, but they weren't routinely snapping the ball with less than 5 seconds on the clock like we were last year either. Just glancing at a few 2017 highlights, they were usually snapping the ball between 10-15 left.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thf24

It wasn't hurry up by any means at PSU, but they weren't routinely snapping the ball with less than 5 seconds on the clock like we were last year either. Just glancing at a few 2017 highlights, they were usually snapping the ball between 10-15 left.

---

Exactly. I expect us to move with some urgency this time around.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishwater99

He didn't change a thing last year, why would he now?

---

That's just not true. He changed going into the Auburn game then again for the LSU game then again for Texas A&M. He didn't always change effectively and that's concerning, but it cannot he debated that he "didn't change a thing."

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homedawg

I keep seeing us using two te sets and two rb sets. This is completely different that what joe has done his entire career. He's a 1 te 1 rb guy 99% of the time. Maybe he's adapting. We will see.

---

I noticed Farrod mention two TE sets in an interview and it was very interesting to me because of what you mention and Joe being almost exclusively 11 everywhere he's been. Haven't seen the 21 talk. I just hope he's doing something he knows. He tried to run stuff last year out of his wheelhouse and it just didn't work. We hired him to run his offense, it's on him to get it going.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RiverCityDawg

I noticed Farrod mention two TE sets in an interview and it was very interesting to me because of what you mention and Joe being almost exclusively 11 everywhere he's been. Haven't seen the 21 talk. I just hope he's doing something he knows. He tried to run stuff last year out of his wheelhouse and it just didn't work. We hired him to run his offense, it's on him to get it going.

---

In Joe's Sirius XM interview on the SEC channel he said he was digging up some plays he hasn't run in ten years with this offense for this season.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishwater99

He didn't change a thing last year, why would he now?

---

I was at a practice .. and numerous times we had 2 TE in different formations.

If joe has ran 1 rb, 1 te sets his whole career and now goes 2-rb/2-te sets, that seems to indicate joe isn't as confident in our WRs as most here

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by fishwater99

He didn't change a thing last year, why would he now?

---

I don't agree with this. If he had tried to stick with the PSU offense he tried the first half of the season we would have gone 6-6 last year.

He realized he needed to run more "Mullen" with the personnel we had and he did. I'm still not happy about last year, but to say he doesn't change is just not true.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Maroonthirteen

Seems the whipping post is Fitz for all things wrong with our offense last year. I?m not buying it.

Bleeding the clock to zero was on JoMo. It didn?t happen during the Mullen era with the same personnel.

---

This. Fitz wasn't checking the play. Jomo was. But it's easy to blame fitz. Why not.???***

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msstate7

If joe has ran 1 rb, 1 te sets his whole career and now goes 2-rb/2-te sets, that seems to indicate joe isn't as confident in our WRs as most here

---

Why not that he has a better respect for SEC edge rushers this year, which was one of the biggest flaws in his offense last year he needed to correct?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TrapGame

Uh, we weren't running ******* offense anymore.

They didn't look to the sideline at Penn State b/c McSorely knew what he was doing. I expect the same from Tommy.

---

They did a check w me at psu as well. Now maybe they snapped it sooner. Don't know.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RiverCityDawg

That's just not true. He changed going into the Auburn game then again for the LSU game then again for Texas A&M. He didn't always change effectively and that's concerning, but it cannot he debated that he "didn't change a thing."

---

Well he's never ever changed from his 11 personnel. So if he does that to any reasonable % that would be a big change

You can't play hurry up on offense when your offense is inconsistent, plus why hurry up when you had a defense like we did last year. Fitz was a good college Qb, he had a serious ankle injury, but the fact remains he was an athlete playing Qb, times have changed now days. You need a smart guy who makes quick decisions, Joe may call the formation but he believes in his Qb to make the correct adjustments. Not sure Fitz was consist in this area, not sure how much studying the playbook he put into the process. just saying

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by thf24

Why not that he has a better respect for SEC edge rushers this year, which was one of the biggest flaws in his offense last year he needed to correct?

---

I really hope this is the reason. Still if our WRs are showing out every day in practice, seems odd to change sets to take one off the field

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homedawg

They did a check w me at psu as well. Now maybe they snapped it sooner. Don't know.

---

Yes, they did. I think you know good and well it isn't Joe's intent to routinely run the clock all the way down like we did last year, check or not.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Homedawg

This. Fitz wasn't checking the play. Jomo was. But it's easy to blame fitz. Why not.???***

---

I'm not sure there has been a single player that has caught more shit than Fitz. Say what you want about that kid, but lets be clear - we don't beat AU without him last year. He averaged 6.0 ypc over his career at MSU. S-I-X yards a carry in over 581 carries. Y'all may think that is easily replaceable, I'll wait a bit.

Just saying, the kid never lost to the confederates when he was able to walk, had 99 total touchdowns and close to 10,000 total yards in his MSU career, where he went 22-14 as a starter in the SEC.

So if you are going to blame the kid for clock management (which he never had a problem with before last year) at least put some respect on his name.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by HancockCountyDog

I'm not sure there has been a single player that has caught more shit than Fitz. Say what you want about that kid, but lets be clear - we don't beat AU without him last year. He averaged 6.0 ypc over his career at MSU. S-I-X yards a carry in over 581 carries. Y'all may think that is easily replaceable, I'll wait a bit.

Just saying, the kid never lost to the confederates when he was able to walk, had 99 total touchdowns and close to 10,000 total yards in his MSU career, where he went 22-15 as a starter in the SEC.

So if you are going to blame the kid for clock management (which he never had a problem with before last year) at least put some respect on his name.

---

Fitz gets trashed here daily. Totally unfair

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by msstate7

I really hope this is the reason. Still if our WRs are showing out every day in practice, seems odd to change sets to take one off the field

---

Having two really talented TEs in the same set adds an interesting wrinkle. Why not.