Beating FSU any time is great, but the dramatics behind our last two victories have been nothing short of glorious and refreshing.
For years, we've had to suffer, being on the exact opposite side. Now? We get to have the last laugh, and trust me, I have 8 long years to catch up to my fill of laughter with the FSwho fans.
However, now that the storm has settled, we have some major clean up work, namely Play Calling, ST, and OL coaching.
Play Calling-
The Good:
Perry is a gamer.
The Bad:
Perry is still being handled with training wheels.
This game shouldn't have been this close, honestly. There were many exploitable alignments that FSU gave that we just didn't take advantage of. Posters on the "Game Day Discussion" thread were begging for us to get the ball the TE. Why? B/c FSU was selling out on the run, leaving one-on-one match ups with our TEs against their undersized LBs with the middle of the field more open than Superhead in the early 2000's!
As much as the defense willed us to victory, there were many head scratching offensive play calls that left us flabbergasted that could've easily snatched defeat from the jaws of victory. I think we've learned that it's time for Richt to either switch from his Blockbuster Video approach to the new age of Netlfix (shout out to
@k9cane for that analogy) or simply hire a real, innovative OC that will best utilize both Perry and J Will's strengths while covering their weaknesses.
As much as we love some Coach Hartley, and he deserves a pay raise for his recruiting ability and development of the TE's, he ought not to coach another ST possession!
ST-
The Good:
Feagles is one the bench
The Bad:
Nothing has changed
Our ST could easily be the reason why we are 4-1 instead of 5-0, and this is not a one year itch. Our ST cost us games toward the end the season last year, as well. Whether it was a shank'd punt from Mr. Feagles, the ever so inopportune missed kicked from the Jersey Shore cast-off Michael Badgley, or lanes not being opened for kick returns, our ST has been less than stellar (and that's being very diplomatic in calling this unit out).
Now I see why Searles has lasted no longer than 3 yrs at all the schools he's coached at.
OL-
The Good:
Finally moving Donaldson back at guard
The Bad:
Giving up 5 Sacks 14 TFLs and avg. 3 ypc (ouch)
Remember when J Harris became no good b/c he was always in fear of getting hit w/ that OL....yeah, we're that bad again. Perry has now been sacked, I believe, 10x now in 2 1/2 games. That's no good. The fact that our OL can't generate a decent and consistent run game, and now we have teams literally chomping at the bit to crowd the L.O.S b/c we can't make them pay for it. Can Richt help with this? Of course...throw more quick screens. Throw more running back screens. Run some motion, run a real RPO...but the fact is, our OL has not been good no matter who was at the helm, and that's an indictment on their position coach.
So what have we learned? We've learned that this team is on the precipice of being really special. Year's past, it was our offense that would hang 35 ppg on an opponent, just for the defense to give up 38. Defense wins championships, but so does a competent offense and special teams unit. Richt is starting to show he's willing to play the best players regardless of class. Perry was a beginning of him moving out of his comfort zone. Moving Donaldson back to guard is another start. I also think Hightower should be starting over Cager. No way nephew (shout out to
@Brooklyndee) drops the first TD on 3rd & goal in the 3rd qtr or that gimme slant in the 4th that would've put us up 8.
All in all, I like this team. Yes, we need to finish strong, obviously; but if Richt can secure our remaining recruiting targets (which should now include a punter), renovate his playbook (maybe add, I dunno, motion from time to time or a real RPO system), and get someone else to run ST's, we have chance to be really special for years to come.
Just my .02
