UT vs. UGA -- Thoughts

Thoughts on the Game:
OL -- Our OL played it's best game of the season. Both of our centers played exceptionally well vs. Mahalona and company. Sure, Inman is still struggling to kick out on the screens, and Jones blew some assignments that almost got DJ killed. But, the centers played so much better than I think many people I thought possible. On a good day this group could play with anyone.

[Photo: Tanner and Schnetzner prepped for Mahalona all week by eating nothing but Pineapples]

WR - This group is coming along. Freshmen don't make bigger plays on the road than Kenneth Harris did on the 40+ yard post pattern from DJ in the 4th Quarter. That crowd was out of control. Mo Mass is improving at a geometric rate, and even his blocking is coming along. On the other hand, Bailey seems to be regressing. He hasn't made a big play since....well...Boise? McClendon dropped the first ball of the year that mattered, but he still made some critical catches to move the chains. My starting WR corp for Vandy would be:
1. BMac - our best WR this year
2. Mo Mass
3. Harris
4. Bailey
All of that said, this group vs an elite secondary is still not a great source of confidence. UT's DBs other than Allen were marginal, and after Allen left they were really bad. Luckily, we don't run into any elite DB groups for several weeks if ever.

RBs - Their stats would be better if we ran the ball from the I formation more often because Southerland is flat out killing linebackers this year at Fullback.

[Photo: Southerland is neither man nor beast. He's Manimal.]

QB - DJ is playing good steady ball and moving the chains. He had around 250 yards of total offense vs. the Vols. The fumble was a great strip by Mahalona. DJ wasn't doing his normal "hold it like a loaf of bread" routine on that play. As for the INT...well...QB's throw INTs. It happens. Through 5 games, DJ has only 4 turnovers (3 INTs and 1 fumble) vs. 11 TDs (8 passing/3 rushing). That's an outstanding ratio and beats Greene's stats his SR year though the same point.

TE - Has there ever been 2 tight ends this good on one team?

[Photo: Did I ever tell you that Leonard Pope is 8'3" tall and weighs 600 pounds? He sweats Gatorade and once breast fed a flamingo back to health.]

DL - I haven't seen everyone's DL. But if there's a better group than this one, I haven't seen it. Hopefully, big Gerald's head is ok. His medical reports are starting to sound like Brock's with the concussions. This group could play with any OL in the country.

LBs -- Coach Janeck has these guys ready to play. If one drops, he just slides another one over. Yes, we're thin on numbers, but the time spent cross training these guys for multiple positions is paying HUGE dividends. No stars. All production.

DBs -- Demario Minter came up huge in this one. He finally gets the first INT of his career. If there's a better safety in college ball than Greg Blue, who is it.

[Photo: Minter's INT was his first]

Special Teams -- Thomas "T-Money" Flowers (as the ladies call him...no I'm not kidding) put on a show for the punt return for TD. Gordon Ely-Kelso played so well, that I think he should get to go skinny dipping again with the Dean's daughter or anyone else he wants.

Overall - a great win. It could've been better, but I'm pretty pleased.

PWD

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