Florida’s receivers were bad all year too. I remember remarking out loud a while ago how the Gators receivers from the last couple years had glue on their hands, and would pull down literally everything that came their way. I had wished Georgia Tech could grab a few like that (I think this was before the triple option).
Then this year they drop multiple touchdown passes. Urban Meyer was right when he called out the WRs in preseason to step up, and they sure didn’t. I had taken receptions for granted so long watching Florida that I forgot even big name schools can have bad years.
Shipley had a couple drops, or at least didn’t vacuum the ball in from the tips of his fingers on a tough catch like he really needed to with the backup QB in there. Keeping Colt in there for practice is an interesting way to look at it (and not like TMQ is always right), but on the other hand Gilbert settled down after a few possessions and it looked like the receivers went back to square one all over again.
Rimbo
1762
Short answer: yes, has been like that all year.
Long answer:
I think part of it is that Gilbert throws a very different ball from what Colt throws, and there was definitely an adjustment period for the receivers. My evidence for that is Marquis Goodwin’s relatively good success rate for catching balls – he’s caught more of Gilbert’s balls, being on the 2nd team and all. I think that’s also why you saw John Chiles and DJ Monroe getting legitimate offensive snaps: They’d been working with GG more.
THAT SAID, we’ve had trouble with receivers ALL YEAR. Dan Buckner was looking pretty reliable the first few games, then he started having the dropsies about 5 games in and never recovered. Malcolm Williams was starting to catch balls the last few games, but choked on the big stage last week. Kirkendoll has been up and down all year; never consistent, and usually dropped more than he caught. Goodwin’s a true Freshman. Chiles just switched positions from QB and is still learning routes.
The biggest problem is we lost our #2 and #3 receivers from last year; Quan Cosby’s a Bengal now, and Brandon Collins – suspended due to academic issues – just went full retard. On top of that, we lost our 3 best TE’s – Jermichael Finley left early for the NFL, Blaine Irby got the Joe Theismann treatment (WARNING: painful to watch), and our 3rd-stringer also has been out all year with some kind of injury. Greg Smith, our “starting” TE this year, is a guy who had started out as a pass-catching TE in HS, but to meet various deficiencies on our OL had been moved in all the way to OG as recently as last year. He had to re-learn how to be a TE who could be a receiving threat this year.
Our offense this year was basically McCoy and Shipley and a salty – if wimpy – OL. And nothing else but a bunch of Freshman and a lotta moxie.
robsam
1765
Just saw this on ESPN after getting home. I was sort of afraid of this when Carroll left, but there were no rumors. Kiffen has connections there of course, and would you rather coach against Cal, Oregon, UCLA etc or Florida, Bama, LSU, Auburn on a weekly basis. I’ll be pissed if he leaves, but not shocked. It’s definitley going to set Tennessee back about three or more years…unless we get Leach, who I wanted last year, or even Gruden, who I also wanted.
Hahahaha. You know, it’s a dick move, but it couldn’t happen to a more deserving team (apologies to robsam).
This strikes me as a really dumb move by kiffin. He’s burning bridges and tarnishing his rep. If USC has abad run and he gets canned he’s going to find it hard to land another gig.
I was thinking the same thing, but I’m not sure if that’s true. I mean he wouldn’t be able to get an SEC job or anything, but someone would still take him most likely. He’s banking a lot here though, especially considering sanctions are probably on the way and the program was already in decline.
Wow, huge year for off-field drama. College football doesn’t normally have this much of a silly season, does it?
It almost seems like Kiffin will build even more of a “bad boy” rep going to USC.
Leach and Gruden would be a good win for the SEC in terms of coaching entertainment, or even Leavitt (although obviously not as good of a coach). Leach seems like the obvious fit after working for Kentucky for a while.
robsam
1770
hahahaha. Really? Fuck you. (apologies to Robert Sharp).
robsam
1771
Leach was the guy I wanted last year, I’m just afraid he is damaged goods for another year or two before someone will hire him.
You know who is probably really enjoying this, in a quiet, smug, only in his own home sort of way? Phillip Fulmer. heh
Also, Al Davis was right about something??
Do they get to keep Monte? Haha.
Kiffin is such a moron, like Rex Ryan. Ugh. Oh well, have fun at USC while it lasts. What a dumb move.
— Alan
robsam
1774
Monte and Orgeron are for sure going.
Today was the first day of school at Tennessee for the kids that graduated HS early. I bet that was one helluva first team meeting.
Rimbo
1776
Looks like Norm Chow’ll be joining Kiffyikins and Monte in LA as well.
He did not even have time to learn the words to “Rocky Top”.
Small riots/gatherings at UT campus, apparently.
robsam
1779
Yeah, it’s funny to me, I guess because I’m 42, when I was 22 I would have been leading the mob. I’ve been trying to put down mini-riots on Facebook all night too, I don’t know who has embarrased me more, Lane or my over dramatic Tennessee fans on Facebook. heh
robsam
1780
Starting to hear some underground buzz about Will Muschamp being the new coach. I don’t think the sources are strong yet, but it’s coming from places that surprise me.
Also, the crowds gathering and burning things on campus reports are true according to my niece and nephew on campus.
