THE GOOD
Seth Adams again played a pretty good ball game. Quick look at some stats as to where the Rebel's rank in the SEC.
Scoring offense: 12 @ 21.2 pts/gm
Scoring Defense: 11 @ 33 pts/gm (just above UT)
Pass Offense: 4 @ 250 yds/gm
Pass Defense: 12 @ 255.6 yds/gm
Turnover Margin: 11 @ -3
Rushing Offense: 12 @ 119 yds/gm
Rushing Defense 12 @ 219.8 yds/gm
Total Offense: 8 @ 369.4 yds per game
Total Defense: 12 @ 475.5 yds/gm
Now just think were the Rebels would be without the great play by Seth this year. The Rebels are dead last in passing defense, rushing defense, and total defense and offensively rushing offense. Last year with Schaeffer at the helm the Rebels were one of the worst passing offenses in the Country. Its now the only category were the Rebels are not in the double digits.
But as good as Seth's day was, (228 yards 1 TD) he also threw a costly interception and is at least half to blame for the quarterback center exchange fumble. So the game ball goes to the offensive line. Aside from a few costly penalties the line had a pretty solid day. They lead a 158 yard rushing day and most importantly gave up zero sacks.
THE BAD
Well the Rebels still can't tackle anyone. Gave up 328 yards rushing and 45 points.
Failure to make adjustments. Under Eddie the Rebels have developed a trend of playing well in the first half when they've had all week to come up with a game plan. Then at the half or subsequently there after the other team does this crazy thing called "make adjustments" and pick up our blitz or switch to a hard count or switch coverage's or something. Our staff then freaks out because they don't know what to do. It doesn't fit the game plan we made before hand and we play back and they destroy us. And we absolutely fall apart late in the game. It happened in fourth quarter against Georgia, start of the second half against Florida, with five minutes to go in the first half against Missouri, the second half against Vandy, and the second half against Memphis. Luckily against Memphis they were in just a little too big of a hole or we'd be 0-5.
Failure to make adjustments. Under Eddie the Rebels have developed a trend of playing well in the first half when they've had all week to come up with a game plan. Then at the half or subsequently there after the other team does this crazy thing called "make adjustments" and pick up our blitz or switch to a hard count or switch coverage's or something. Our staff then freaks out because they don't know what to do. It doesn't fit the game plan we made before hand and we play back and they destroy us. And we absolutely fall apart late in the game. It happened in fourth quarter against Georgia, start of the second half against Florida, with five minutes to go in the first half against Missouri, the second half against Vandy, and the second half against Memphis. Luckily against Memphis they were in just a little too big of a hole or we'd be 0-5.
THE UGLY
Throwing your own players under the bus and making them your excuse. After loosing to Georgia Eddie said to the Clarion Ledger, "I know our scheme is good,. I like our scheme. I'm involved in it. I know exactly what we're doing. We just have to do it right and when we get there, we have to make plays. If the guys can't make the plays, then we've got to recruit some guys that can make them." He even referred to guys as, "a walk-on and a couple of third-team linebackers."
At the Monday press conference he was given the chance to recant any of that. Instead he decided to name players by name. "They ran us over a couple of times. We look at Kendrick Lewis,Kendrick was a wide receiver last year, and this is more of a physical type league.He isn’t the only one. I’m just using him as an example. Ashlee Palmer came in, who is a good linebacker for us. He came in as a wide receiver/defensive back. He is playing linebacker, so it’s taking those guys a while to adjust to all the tackling and the physical game."
Far be it that Ashlee Palmer is actually the best linebacker on the team and forth in the SEC in tackles. Of course Eddie's got a raise last year because of his recruiting prowess. But then he just said we don't have enough guys who can make plays? He's had the opportunity to dole out 75 plus scholarships in his tenure? That's all but ten you're allowed? So who's fault is it that we don't have the players he wants? Oh wait that's right the "I'm In" crowd will tell you that its all still Cut's fault because of those ten scholarships and leaving the cupbard bare despite that Eddie's had three years to restock it.
He also talked about how he felt , "we need bigger stronger guys." I don't think that's necessarily the problem Eddie. Chris Herring Strong weighs in the 270's and I doubt that you'll find many linebackers bigger than he is. He managed one tackle against Georgia and that's your first team starting middle linebacker. Wasn't he your hand picked successor for Patrick Willis. Now I think Strong's a great athlete and will be a good player. I just don't think its at linebacker at least not without dropping 30 more pounds.
But that's not the biggest problem. Its calling out your players in the press. Eddie needs to take a lesson from Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy. Gundy got lampooned for this but you don't tell me his players respect him for it? For not taking credit after a big victory but instead telling reporters to criticize him not his players. Eddie instead says his system that gave up 300 plus rushing yards is perfect; its that he doesn't have good players. I'm sure that sat well in the locker room.
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