The House of Blue

Well said. My dad and I just had this discussion. He is not a pocket passer. Need to utilize him in rollouts and use him the way Auburn used Cam Newton last year. While Morgan does not have blazing speed, he is athletic enough to make defenses be aware of him as a running threat. I never thought Cam was that fast, but he was big and could take off at any time. Morgan is very similar and should be used as such for this offense to be successful. It will also help a banged up offensive line that is struggling right now to get much of a push.

The playbook and offense is fine. Sure, there can be some tweeks to the playcalling to better utilize the skillset of the players but the offense is fine. Remember under Woodson we went spread a lot.

Perhaps newton would be better in a power spread attack like Florida ran under Myer or like what Petrino ran at UL but that isn't happening.

We stopped throwing the ball the second half and relied on the running game. Play action is part of a pro set but we have not used it all that much.

I've been screaming about the power running game since before the season. Morgan can be a good qb if Randy continues down this path. Drops have killed Morgan, if Roark would have caught that easy pass it would have been another TD and a big chunk of yardage.

I'm going to make a bold statement right now after watching Miller. If Murphy isn't back within 2 or 3 weeks he will never get his position back. D. Miller will do fine, the more he plays the better he gets. By the end of the 3rd quarter he was playing fine. Some positives are D. Miller didn't get Power-bombed by any 230lb De's like in the WKU game at that position. He laid the trap block that sprung Clemons for 87. He is by far the most athletic Lineman on the field. Some people are harping about he should redshirt, that's retarded. I just hope our coach's keep calling plays that match Morgan's strengths. Play action off of the Power running game leads to big chunks of yardage and is a High TD percentage OFF as long as we can keep WR on the field that can catch. A lot of people were screaming about wanting a vertical passing game back a few weeks ago well now we will if Randy and Joker doen't decide to go right back to about what got us beat the last few weeks. One more big difference was adding Tyler Robinson. Great blocker. The power running game will only make the screen game better as well. This OFF will only get better. I've never been a big fan of the dink and dunk off anyway. The Power running game is the number 1 ingrediant in the "PRO STYLE" off. I couldn't be more excited for this to happen, if it does... GO CATS...

Once the OL is healthy, and the run game starts clicking, Morgan and the passing game will come around. His problem on short and underneath routes is his wanting to throw the ball with great velocity. He needs to develop touch on those passes. And, he needs to settle in and trust those around him. I think that comes when the OL is back to 100%.

I agree with a lot of what is being said and see signs that this offense can be effective. We are working in young players. Miller at OL looks good. Clemons at RB is going to be a stud. Robinson should get a couple of receptions a game. Also, let's not forget that Newton is beginning to find himself as a runner and vertical passing threat. Sometimes addition by attrition is a great thing. I think the coaching staff has decided that Roark should not be in the WR rotation any longer. I don't recall seeing him in at WR after the drop. He is fine special teams player, but not a WR. This will benefit the rest of the offense. And how about 16 point in 2 games. That is strong regardless of the competition. Go Cats!!!

When did we stop throwing the ball in the second half? I remember a beautiful toss n catch in the second half. One could argue the running game opened up due to Morgan making throws (and more importantly catches made)

How the hell are people STILL bitching and complaining? Morgans stat line in the first half wasn't all that bad! With the exception of missing King in the endzone Morgan played ok. Roark holds onto that ball and Morgan was something like 9-18 104 yards and a TD. We looked good in the second half, and again had it not been for some misques in the first half and the F getting completley caught of guard we go into halftime up 23-13 or 23-7 if Guy wraps up one tackle.

Woodson IS going to help Morgan learn to better check progressions. Morgan will improve on his field vision, and to find the open man. You could tell that the game had slowed down for him in the second half and IMO will continue to do so. I want to be clear, I am not really high on Newton. I haven't been since his FR year, but he is capable of doing what is needed to win anywhere from 7-9 games IMO.

There are alot of things that need improving to get there and it's not all on #12. The playcalling (more screens, less reverses, quick slants and hitting RBs in the flats handout of the backfield) is a huge area of opportunity. (not Newtons fault) the WRs must improve on improve running running, and for the love of GOD catching the ball (not Newtons fault) the O line mist get healthy and keep improving continuity (not Newtons fault) The TEs must be involved in the passing game (not newtons fault) and maybe the Wild(insert last name if whomever runs it) into the offense to take some pressure of Newton (again, not Newtons fault)

I wanna be clear, I am not a big fan of Morgan Newton. I haven't since his FR year, bit he has enough areas of improvement as it stands to continue to pile on things that are not his fault.

Here's a crazy idea or thought...how about trying to support the football team rather year it down every week? Is it too much to ask to be positive about the things Morgan DID DO yesterday instead of the constant barrage of things he didn't and the massize list of things he's taking the heat for that are clearly not his fault?

Here's am even crazier idea...How about being happy and excited about the fact that we are 2-0 despite some struggles, that we are heading into a game with Loserville that we should without question win, and that we will more than likely be 3-0 and halfway to 6 wins and a 6th straight bowl game.

1. Agreed. I don't know how they can continue to give him meaningful snaps.

2. He's going to be great, no doubt. We've had some pretty good backs around here lately. If he could be 90% of the player Rafael Little was, I'll take it.

3. Our D is solid already. The line, which was my biggest concern, looks decent. The D will have to carry the team this season, at least for a while.

How can Newton be a junior in college and have 10 starts under his belt and not know how to throw a ball 5-10 yards? The kid either knows how to do this or is very unlikely to learn by now.

I agree about his feet. His foot work is really bad. It is not a coincidence that the two best throws I have seen all year are when he has a called play and just drops back and sets and throws with authority (one to King and one to McCaskill). His issue is all mental. He just doesn't see the field or make good decisions with the ball. I think his touch issues are due to him not really seeing what is going on. He is never really in control when he is asked to make reads. He doesn't have that skill set. Just change the offense and call every play for him with a reliance on the running game and a few deep throws but try and use more than one receiver and don't play Roark at WR any more. Joker needs to get to a winning season any way possible.

Two things:

1. He is nervous - I think that's why he forgets his form, moves his feet, etc. I think that if you look at Newton when he's throwing routes in practice he looks good but when the pads start poping his form breaks down. I do not think he is scared necessarily... maybe anxious is a better word. He does not mind the contact at all but I think he may worry about making mistakes which creates anxiety, thus his form breaks down.

2. Throw more short outs - They did that a few times and it seemed to work well. It does not take touch, he can unload the arm and not have to worry about touch. This may also set up some "double-move" routes allowing the receivers to go long which is what Morgan likes. This ability to go deep also keeps the saftey's back not allowiong them to help on the running game.

He is not that kind of QB. He is more like a classic Big 10 QB who will throw a hand full of passes, hand off, and run the ball. He is not going to be a big time passer and we need to adjust.