Tigers X - Number one Source to Talk Auburn Tigers Sports
Pat Dye Field => War Damn Eagle => Topic started by: Townhallsavoy on October 09, 2011, 08:46:17 AM
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It just wasn't meant to be this year. We are a young, inexperienced, chaotic football team that creates its own declivities and stifles its own progress. The coaching staff may have done its best to find the right players, or they may have done a piss-poor job distinguishing between who can compete in the SEC and who cannot.
Either way, this Auburn season is pretty much a wash.
If you love college football, there is still much to watch and enjoy as numerous top teams compete for the BCS championships.
As for Auburn, if you want to put yourself through the pain and agony of death, stay awake for our remaining games; however, I think the best course of action may be to just sleep this one through.
"Aye, there's the rub."
Auburn...
- Zero productivity from the quarterback. This is the only area that truly concerns me. This is the only area that makes me frustrated. This is the only area that makes me want to slam an ax into the hood of my car. This is the only area that makes me want to kick a hole in a window. This is the only area that makes me want to punch my neighbor in the face.
- The running game? Good. The defense? Much improved. Special teams? Good. The passing game? Putrid.
- I don't have to tell you too much about it. The numbers speak for themselves.
- Trotter was 8/19 for 81 yards and an interception. 44 of his yards came on one play to Stallworth. I'm going to take that away because I think it was an anomaly not indicative of Trotter's true ability. (Try and stop me!) Trotter was 7 of 18 for 37 yards and one interception.
- And as a fan, I know this is entirely selfish. I know I'm owed nothing, and that I should watch the games, trust the coaches, and give my opinion at the end of the year. But I am glad that Chizik proved to me that Kiehl Frazier is not the answer this year.
- Frazier was finally allowed to throw. And he went 2/4 for 18 yards and 2 interceptions.
- So what it boils down to (cough Clint) is that we don't have a (Moseley cough) quarterback.
- Did Moseley do something to piss off the coaches? I wouldn't be surprised. I know he pretty much threw a fit when Trotter got the nod, so maybe that solidified his position as the scout team quarterback.
- But where is he? I wish I knew as much about football as Malzahn and Chizik. I really do. But I don't. So all I see and all I know is that Trotter is AWFUL. Capital letters awful. Frazier can run, but his throwing is AWFUL. Capital letters awful.
- So if Moseley and Trotter were neck and neck in the quarterback competition, why is Moseley not getting a chance to play? If Trotter and Moseley were essentially tied at the beginning of the season and Trotter performed very well at the beginning of the season, why is Moseley not getting a chance now that Trotter is dispensing green, odorous fart clouds every game?
- Because what I see on the field is a team that is progressing. It's a frustrating season because we're young. But our defense is stepping it up. Our defense may not be perfect, but if that busted play doesn't happen, the 2nd half is 21-14 up until the end of the 4th quarter when our offense started giving away points. Of course the busted play did happen. But it may not have been so bad if our offense was doing something besides giving the ball away.
- Our defense may have struggled stopping Tyler Wilson, but unless you're named Alabama, who isn't struggling stopping Tyler Wilson?
- This is potentially 2008 all over again. I don't think this team gives up. But who out there honestly thinks that we have a better shot at scoring points against LSU and Bama than getting shut out?
- What about next week? "Oh well, Florida's struggling too so we could win." We could. But what are their strengths? Running the ball with fast, speedy backs (with whom we struggle). Stopping the run on defense (our only hope is our running game). Playing man-to-man coverage (our receivers can't get open and even if they did, who's going to throw the ball to them? And would they catch it?). And hitting a big play downfield every now and then (See Joe Adams and his 92 yard run).
- So we're hoping to beat Ole Miss and Samford. Maybe squeeze one out against Georgia in Athens.
- Of course, the defense looked absolutely hopeless at one point too. So maybe Trotter will steadily improve, but I'm not putting my shitty moustache on it.
Alabama...
- It's like a formula. In big games, absolutely destroy the competition by being physical, running the ball, dominating on defense, and playing it safe with the quarterback. Then have the ball bounce your way. Boom. 38-14. In not-so-big games, play slow, lose interest, aggravate fans, but come away with a 34-0 win that some people complain about.
- Fuck you.
LSU...
- This is still to me the #1 team in the nation. LSU matches up perfectly with Alabama. Strong, bruising run game. Safe quarterback play. A few big play receivers. A solid defense. Good special teams.
- But LSU gets the nod because of that Honey Badger kid. #7 is a terror in cleats. He's the fastest guy on the field and has a knack for finding the football. Then he takes it.
- That big play ability from Tyrann Mathieu makes me think LSU's defense is unbeatable. Unless Lee starts throwing interceptions for touchdowns, I don't see this team losing to anybody.
Oklahoma...
- Very impressive. But very overrated.
- The team isn't overrated. Oklahoma definitely deserves to be #2 at year's end. But I saw more Texas buffoonery than Oklahoma dominance.
- Texas had terrible quarterbacks. Oklahoma capitalized. Which is good. That's what good teams do.
- Texas had a decent running game but relied too heavily upon it. Oklahoma capitalized. Which is good. That's what good teams do.
- Texas had a terrible pass defense. Oklahoma capitalized. Which is good. That's what good teams do.
- However, to rank Oklahoma #1 after this game is ludicrous. It would show that the voters don't watch anything but their own rankings. Oklahoma was impressive, but were they as impressive as Alabama vs. Arkansas/Florida? As impressive as LSU vs. Oregon/WVU/Florida?
- Nope. Oklahoma is the #3 team in the nation.
Texas...
- Time to get rid of Mack Brown. Oklahoma doesn't need rebuilding years like Texas does. Now, Brown is going on his second straight rebuilding year which includes a blowout to his arch-rival
- Texas could do better. Like Nick Saban. Yeah. Offer Saban 8 million per year. That would do it.
Miss St...
- Aaaannnndddd now Dan Mullen realizes he should have looked for another job in the offseason. This team is toast. More than toast. They're now rivaling Ole MIss for worst team in the SEC West. Down 3-0 to UAB at halftime? I mean, what kind of a good coach struggles against UAB?
- God forbid you lose to UAB. Surely no coach worth his salt would do that. That would definitely ruin your career and make you the laughing stock of the NCAA. You could never recover. It would be like the tragedy of 9-11. So tragic that the rebuilding process would take years. As a college football coach, you'd be knocked into oblivion.
- How embarrassing for Dan Mullen.
Final Thoughts...
- It could happen.
- Oklahoma. LSU/Alabama. Stanford. Wisconsin. Boise St. Georgia Tech.
- Five of the six BCS conferences could produce an undefeated team, and Boise St - the BCS buster - could be undefeated as well.
- Oklahoma has looked dominant. The SEC will always get in. But what about Stanford? Their closest game was a 45-19 blowout against UCLA. What about Wisconsin? Their closest game was a 48-17 blowout against then top ten ranked Nebraska.
- We could argue strength of schedule and conference prowess all day long, but it doesn't change the fact that we're using subjective means to determine the championship game. Wisconsin and Stanford are both blowing out the competition. It'd be one thing if they were struggling to get by their Pac 12 and Big 10 Plus foes, but they aren't. They're doing what we'd expect Alabama or LSU to do against those teams. They're doing what Oklahoma should do against those teams.
- So how can we leave them out?
- Of course, as all seasons go except 2004, these teams will start slipping up. Some pissant will upset a top 3 team when we all least expect it.
- But the scenario is still alive for now.
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This is potentially 2008 all over again. I don't think this team gives up. But who out there honestly thinks that we have a better shot at scoring points against LSU and Bama than getting shut out?
I really don't have the stomach to go through that again and I think there will be some give up as the players know that trotter can't do it.
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We'll be lucky to cross midfield against LSU.
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Trotter was 8/19 for 81 yards and an interception. 44 of his yards came on one play to Stallworth. I'm going to take that away because I think it was an anomaly not indicative of Trotter's true ability. (Try and stop me!) Trotter was 7 of 18 for 37 yards and one interception.
You should actually take yardage away from his total here because there was not a defender within 30 yards of Stallworth, yet Trotter lobs up a wounded duck causing Stallworth to stop completely and turn around for the ball. This allowed the defense to catch up...otherwise, it would have been a TD and Auburn would have been right back in the ball game.
One thing you missed was the horrible play of Benton. This is his 3rd year and he hasn't done shit. I don't care what kind of potential he has, he needs to sit on the bench and not come into the game. If Blake would have been available tonight, the 2 drops Benton had would have probably been caught. One was a HUGE 3rd down play that cost us at least a FG. The other bounced off his hands and was intercepted. Neither were Trotter's fault...which is surprising...
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I didn't even watch it.
I watched Duran Duran and some dude named Shaggy.
I haven't seen the first highlight.
It's remarkable how much easier I breathe today.
What happens is what's gonna happen. Nothing I can do about it.
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We'll be lucky to cross midfield against LSU.
Come on now: Were either gonna be chasing one of their running backs or someone who intercepted. :facepalm:
Or a term I heard a few times last night: " As they drag the Auburn linebackers for more yards."
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Trotter is getting worse and worse. Not a hint of improvement. The play on the field seems to be speeding up, not slowing down for him.
He got ZERO help last night, not that it would have helped much, but could have. Hell, even Lutz had his head up his ass last night.
Dyer was trying too hard to make the big play, instead of lowering his head to get the tough 5 yards, resulting in negative or no gain plays.
Clearly, Frazier has a LOOOOONG way to go before he is the guy. I still think that we'd be better off just letting him have the offense, and being an option run offense.
God, how bad must Mosley be if it's not even a consideration to let him have a shot? Is it possible he's a gamer, and the light would suddenly come on if he we're thrown in the fire? We may never know, but the QB situation is about as bad as it could be. Dare I say WORSE than 2008. Hell, Trotter isn't even injured like Todd was, he's just not capable, and we clearly haven't anyone even worthy of consideration behind him.
The defense? Tackling still atrocious. Scheme wise? Better. Seem to be playing with a more aggressive philosophy. DB play? Against that group of WRs and QB, I'd say they weren't all that bad. They are clearly being coached to play the ball now. T. Bell made a couple off nice plays, but got burned badly too.
Gus is completely handcuffed. He came in with the only viable Off. plan he could. Stupid mistakes and penalties put that plan in peril, not that it had much of a chance anyway. We needed to play flawlessly on Off. to even have a chance. Playing from behind the sticks was a recipe for disaster.
Oh, this just in, UF doesn't have a QB. They come in to Jordan-Hare looking for a break, in bad need of a win, and I suspect they smell blood. Their front 7 aint bad. This could be a huge turnaround game for either UF or Auburn. We get them at home, at night...no excuses for not having whatever weapons we do have honed and ready. This game has to be pivotal for both teams. Both 4-2, both really hoping to better the .500 mark this year. After this game, which would give either team it's 5th win, UF has Vandy and Furman left as almost sure wins, while Auburn has Ole Miss and Samford that are the closest things to "sure wins" left.
In reality, there's not much difference between 6-6, and 7-5, but somehow or other 7-5 just looks a lot better, and you get a chance to get to the 8 win mark in a bowl. 6-6 leaves you with the prospects of a losing season still. This is a HUGE game this week.
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Read the Creed, bitches. We don't have to win now. We need to be nice to Trotter because he's been there a long time. Complaining just makes Chizik mad. And it's Tuberville's fault anyway.
Coaches know how to fix Auburn's passing problem. It's not brain surgery. It's called recruiting to fill the miserable holes left by recruiting in 2008. Seasoning recruits with talent in red shirt and special teams work, conditioning until the youngsters were up to weight and muscle mass, and letting senior players teach the recruits what are called the ropes hasn't been done. In spite of what some of us thought, it can't be passed over without penalty. The process takes time and talented players. Having one of those elements isn't going to satisfy the, "make it better right now," fan syndrome. If Auburn fans and writers could relax a little bit, all this would take place without a lot of mess, and take place much quicker. Replacing Trottrer with Moseley or Frazier might help, but it would not be the cure that's needed. And it would treat a player that's paid the price for more intelligent treatment, very poorly. What's needed is time, Coaching, and patience. And by the way, why do you think, as some with probably leaked information do, that Coach Chizik is seemingly reluctant to replace Trotter? Because he knows that will not do anything but abuse a kid that's paid the price for better treatment.
I once had a cat. Actually my girlfriend had a cat. It got run over by a car. It was mangled. Back leg hanging by a string. Eyeball bulging out. Defurred from the road. But alive. And shreiking. I put that cat in a bag. I got a shotgun. I shot the bag numerous times. (The cat clawed its way out and appeared on her doorstep several days later and had to be shot again, but that's another story).
I could have let the cat with the mangled leg and protruding eye gimp on with half of its fur skinned off from the road rash. I thought it was kinder to execute the damn thing.
Want to be kind to Trotter? Put him out of his misery. Figuratively, of course.
As for the "recruiting" comment?
Blake's a gamer. He's hurt. Not recruiting.
Lutz is one of the better tight ends in the SEC. Not recruiting.
Trotter was a major pickup, one of the better passing QBs. Not recruiting.
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Here's my idea for next year..........Were going to have 5 four star or better running backs on our roster. (Dyer, McCalleb, Mason, Blakely and Grant) I say we run the wishbone with Frazier at Qb....Championship.
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Here's my idea for next year..........Were going to have 5 four star or better running backs on our roster. (Dyer, McCalleb, Mason, Blakely and Grant) I say we run the wishbone with Frazier at Qb....Championship.
Gus can run the option (veer/inverted veer/midline/speed option) now.
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Here's my idea for next year..........Were going to have 5 four star or better running backs on our roster. (Dyer, McCalleb, Mason, Blakely and Grant) I say we run the wishbone with Frazier at Qb....Championship.
Don't forget Yeldon.
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Don't forget Yeldon.
and Robinson.
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" As they drag the Auburn linebackers for more yards."
LMAO.
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Trotter is getting worse and worse. Not a hint of improvement. The play on the field seems to be speeding up, not slowing down for him.
He got ZERO help last night, not that it would have helped much, but could have. Hell, even Lutz had his head up his ass last night.
Dyer was trying too hard to make the big play, instead of lowering his head to get the tough 5 yards, resulting in negative or no gain plays.
Clearly, Frazier has a LOOOOONG way to go before he is the guy. I still think that we'd be better off just letting him have the offense, and being an option run offense.
God, how bad must Mosley be if it's not even a consideration to let him have a shot? Is it possible he's a gamer, and the light would suddenly come on if he we're thrown in the fire? We may never know, but the QB situation is about as bad as it could be. Dare I say WORSE than 2008. Hell, Trotter isn't even injured like Todd was, he's just not capable, and we clearly haven't anyone even worthy of consideration behind him.
The defense? Tackling still atrocious. Scheme wise? Better. Seem to be playing with a more aggressive philosophy. DB play? Against that group of WRs and QB, I'd say they weren't all that bad. They are clearly being coached to play the ball now. T. Bell made a couple off nice plays, but got burned badly too.
Gus is completely handcuffed. He came in with the only viable Off. plan he could. Stupid mistakes and penalties put that plan in peril, not that it had much of a chance anyway. We needed to play flawlessly on Off. to even have a chance. Playing from behind the sticks was a recipe for disaster.
I agree that the plan by Gus was perfect last night. But as the game wore on it became evident to me that the QB shuffle was an exercise of futility for the entire team. It must have seemed like grass drills in the third quarter and stadium steps in the fourth by all of the extra effort that never allowed for any rythym, not even for Dyer and OMac.
And if Moseley were the victim of a similar plan I wouldn't give him much more of a chance than Trotter, who does seem to be regressing. I only know that after watching that Year of the Quarterback special on ESPNU, I started feeling better about the QB situation. So I had a false sense of security even though I was aware that Trotter was not a high percentage passer and little threat to run.
Frazier is a bigtime threat as a runner yet still has high school instincts as a passer. I have no idea what Moseley brings although we are led to believe he has a bit of an attitude with skills comparable to those of Trotter. All three of these guys have a nice high school pedigree achieving a great deal of success.
Today I have a different outlook. I still think the No Huddle is the best offense for this team. I still think Malzahn can and will dial up the ideal play at precisely the right time with a variety of wrinkles capable of keeping us in virtually any game no matter the odds. That much hasn't changed for me. He is a top notch play caller. The system can take most any QB not named Cam Newton and keep our team in most games.
It will not however teach a QB not to force balls into double coverage, stare down receivers or telegraph passes to obvious select few that can get open and catch a ball. Gus cannot throw a pass and Trooper can't catch it. So I guess I'm down to being critical of the actual development, which I'm well aware is an unpopular subject especially considering the results of last season and now several recruiting classes on board with talent abound leaning toward the offensive side of the ball.
The starting QB position on this level in this conference is just difficult to master as well as a kid like Tyler Wilson of Arkansas i.e. He just seems to know where his receivers are or will be and delivers the ball with confidence while taking numerous hits. The OC has been working with him in the pocket to minimize some of the punishment and I don't think Petrino can expect better results from a QB on this level.
I don't have any answers. We went from Burns to Todd to Caudell/ Trotter, CHECK...we were completely wowed by perhaps the most gifted QB for one season that has ever played the game, okay at least at Auburn. well okay in this conference...Cam Newton is magnificent!
In the past weeks I have thought about everything from the absence of Darvin Adams to the promise of Carr, Benton, Reed, Stallworth, Mason, Denson and even the Spring injury of Sammie Coates only to concede that someone still has to have the presence and poise to stand in there and deliver the ball with some zip and a good deal of accuracy against other highly recruited athletes and I am left only with the elements of youth and inexperience as an alternative to simply blaming the lack of development at select positions.
And when it comes to being critical of individual players I only have to refer back to Kodi Burns to realize that I'm only one Auburn fan with an opinion and these are just kids playing a game. I don't necessarily feel that way but it helps to soothe some of the sting in a loss as I temper my inclination to lay the blame on a kid that is obviously bent on succeeding for many reasons other than just to satisfy me as a fan.
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I agree that the plan by Gus was perfect last night. But as the game wore on it became evident to me that the QB shuffle was an exercise of futility for the entire team. It must have seemed like grass drills in the third quarter and stadium steps in the fourth by all of the extra effort that never allowed for any rythym, not even for Dyer and OMac.
And if Moseley were the victim of a similar plan I wouldn't give him much more of a chance than Trotter, who does seem to be regressing. I only know that after watching that Year of the Quarterback special on ESPNU, I started feeling better about the QB situation. So I had a false sense of security even I was aware that Trotter was not a high percentage passer and little threat to run.
Frazier is a bigtime threat as a runner yet still has high school instincts as a passer. I have no idea what Moseley brings although we are led to believe he has a bit of an attitude with skills comparable to those of Trotter. All three of these guys have a nice high school pedigree achieving a great deal of success.
Today I have a different outlook. I still think the No Huddle is the best offense for this team. I still think Malzahn can and will dial up the ideal play at precisely the right time with a variety of wrinkles capable of keeping us in virtually any game no matter the odds. That much hasn't changed for me. He is a top notch play caller. The system can take most any QB not named Cam Newton and keep our team in most games.
It will not however teach a QB not to force balls into double coverage, stare down receivers or telegraph passes to obvious select few that can get open and catch a ball. Gus cannot throw a pass and Trooper can't catch it. So I guess I'm down to being critical of the actual development, which I'm well aware is an unpopular subject especially considering the results of last season and now several recruiting classes on board with talent abound leaning toward the offensive side of the ball.
The starting QB position on this level in this conference is just difficult to master as well as a kid like Tyler Wilson of Arkansas i.e. He just seems to know where his receivers are or will be and delivers the ball with confidence while taking numerous hits. The OC has been working with him in the pocket to minimize some of the punishment and I don't think Petrino can expect better results from a QB on this level.
I don't have any answers. We went from Burns to Todd to Caudell/ Trotter, CHECK...we were completely wowed by perhaps the most gifted QB for one season that has ever played the game, okay at least at Auburn. well okay in this conference...Cam Newton is magnificent!
In the past weeks I have thought about everything from the absence of Darvin Adams to the promise of Carr, Benton, Reed, Stallworth, Mason, Denson and even the Spring injury of Sammie Coates only to concede that someone still has to have the presence and poise to stand in there and deliver the ball with some zip and a good deal of accuracy against other highly recruited athletes and I am left only with the elements of youth and inexperience as an alternative to simply blaming the lack of development at select positions.
And when it comes to being critical of individual players I only have to refer back to Kodi Burns to realize that I'm only one Auburn fan with an opinion and these are just kids playing a game. I don't necessarily feel that way but it helps to soothe some of the sting in a loss as I temper my inclination to lay the blame on a kid that is obviously bent on succeeding for many reasons other than just to satisfy me as a fan.
This man is one verbose mutha....
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Me in 1st Quarter: Why don't they let Frazier throw the ball?
Me in 2nd Quarter: OK, the know he's going to run with it when he gets in there, let the kid throw it down the field!
Me in 3rd Quarter: Oooooohhhhhhhh. Now I see.
Me in 4th Quarter: Cool! Pop Up Video is back on!
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Bama fan:
You're the same team you were last year and the year before. What you see is Chizik ball. It's who you are and what you're going to get.
The difference last year was y'all lucked into Cam -- or bought him. He turned out to be so good that he covered up and made you forget about all the shitty play going on around him. He's not coming back. There isn't anybody like him coming. Look at Florida after Tebow.
It's not just Trotter. He sucks but you could put McCarron out there and he wouldnt do any better. It's just shitty football all around Cam could hide that. Nowhere to hide now.
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Some of that feels true.
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Bama fan:
You're the same team you were last year and the year before. What you see is Chizik ball. It's who you are and what you're going to get.
The difference last year was y'all lucked into Cam -- or bought him. He turned out to be so good that he covered up and made you forget about all the shitty play going on around him. He's not coming back. There isn't anybody like him coming. Look at Florida after Tebow.
It's not just Trotter. He sucks but you could put McCarron out there and he wouldnt do any better. It's just shitty football all around Cam could hide that. Nowhere to hide now.
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Some of that feels true.
Meh. Cam would hide some deficiencies in any team. He was/is that special of a player.
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What's needed is time, Coaching, and patience. And by the way, why do you think, as some with probably leaked information do, that Coach Chizik is seemingly reluctant to replace Trotter? Because he knows that will not do anything but abuse a kid that's paid the price for better treatment.
Trotter is the bagman?
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Bama fan:
You're the same team you were last year and the year before. What you see is Chizik ball. It's who you are and what you're going to get.
The difference last year was y'all lucked into Cam -- or bought him. He turned out to be so good that he covered up and made you forget about all the shitty play going on around him. He's not coming back. There isn't anybody like him coming. Look at Florida after Tebow.
It's not just Trotter. He sucks but you could put McCarron out there and he wouldnt do any better. It's just shitty football all around Cam could hide that. Nowhere to hide now.
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Some of that feels true.
Whatfuckingever.
When the opposition wants to convince you your coach sux and should be fired, it's not because they think he sux and you should hire better.
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Whatfuckingever.
When the opposition wants to convince you your coach sux and should be fired, it's not because they think he sux and you should hire better.
Um...errr...What? Mike Shula?
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Um...errr...What? Mike Shula?
Loved Mike Shula. They did him wrong. He deserved a 10 year extension.
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Loved Mike Shula. They did him wrong. He deserved a 10 year extension.
THIS. Man, did Bama ever screw the pooch letting this guy go.
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THIS. Man, did Bama ever screw the pooch letting this guy go.
He IS Cam Newtons QB coach at the Panthers!
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He IS Cam Newtons QB coach at the Panthers!
I knew there was a reason Cam has been kicking some NFL ass. Stupid Bammers.
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I knew there was a reason Cam has been kicking some NFL ass. Stupid Bammers.
Shula: Hey, Cam! I sure am glad that I didn't have to coach against you in college!
Cam: I know! You might have gotten fired even earlier! Ha Ha Ha Ha! (Awkward Silence) So, your still gonna help me out, right?