Breck Bronc
09-18-2004, 04:06 PM
SoCal, I made damn sure to get to the Orange Bowl this afternoon since the game wasn't on live TV anywhere in the country, even if it's retarded to play a game at 1:00 pm in the scorching South Florida heat and humidity. The Broncos are going to be in for a rude awakening tomorrow against Jacksonville if it's anywhere near as hot and humid as it was today in Miami.
Anyway, the 'Canes came out with a strong effort today and I saw a lot of good things and only a few bad things.
The Good
- Devin Hester is a freaking beast on the punt returns. I hope we never see Roscoe Parrish return another punt while Devin is healthy and available. The second punt return touchdown of the game was a thing of beauty. Too bad the stupid refs called him for the ticky tack unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for holding the ball out during the last 10 yards.
- Antrel Rolle continued his excellent play from the FSU game, though he did drop an easy interception and sure touchdown. He had a nice fumble recovery return that lasted seemingly forever; that entire play must have taken 30 seconds from the snap to Antrel running out of gas inside the Tech 15 yard line. Rolle also had a couple more tackles for losses. He had the best chance since Woodson in '97 for a defensive player to win the Heisman. And we all know there's no chance he'll win the Thorpe Award, which will go to an Oklahoma player, it doesn't matter which one.
- Brian Monroe had another solid game punting, even if he didn't have to punt too much. It's nice to have a real punter again after last year's debacle with the true freshman Monroe.
- The first string defense just doesn't look like they're going to give up any points this season. The defensive line has lived up to the hype much better than the '02 defensive line did. The linebackers, especially Tavares Gooden and Rocky McIntosh, have not missed a beat from last year’s unit led by Vilma and Williams. Beast Beason was also strong out there. Threat and Merriweather don't seem to be a drop off from Taylor and Sikes. I'm still in awe of this defense.
- Everitt and the rest of the tight ends did well once again. I haven't seen Kevin drop a ball so far like he did during the spring game. He and Olsen are going to be important in the tougher games later in the season.
- Tyrone Moss had a very good game pounding away at the defense. I like his style of running; he’s like a bowling ball out there. The only thing I see Moss lacking is the breakaway speed like a Edge James, Portis, or McGahee.
The Bad
- When Kyle Wright came at QB in the second half he got a real nice ovation from the crowd. He then proceeded to look like a deer in the headlights during that series, getting sacked twice and then throwing at the feet of his receiver on third down. His second series was better, where he threw an absolute rope into the hands of Leggett that Lance dropped.
- Speaking of Leggett, he had two drops on his two chances to catch the ball. I hope this was just nervousness from his first college action. He seems to have the size and speed to be the next star WR after Andre Johsnon, I just hope he can catch the ball. I’m sure he’ll be much better now with his first experience.
- The referees were terrible, but that comes with the territory of being Miami. I've seen a ton of garbage unsportsmanlike conduct penalties so far this season all over college football. The NCAA has gone too far in limiting the emotion the kids are allowed to show. If things keep up like this in the future, players won't be able to clap their hands after a good play or slap their teammate on the helmet. Damn, I hate the NCAA.
No matter how bad Houston is or isn't, it's going to be tough coming back to play on Thursday on the road against hostile fans. The defense probably won't give the Cougars anything, actually I'm sure of that, but I hope Brock and the offense continue to play like they have since the fourth quarter of the FSU game. LSU has been beaten, now all we need is USC or Oklahoma to lose and we'll be in good shape, as long as Berlin keeps the turnovers to a minimum and Frank Gore stays healthy.
Anyway, the 'Canes came out with a strong effort today and I saw a lot of good things and only a few bad things.
The Good
- Devin Hester is a freaking beast on the punt returns. I hope we never see Roscoe Parrish return another punt while Devin is healthy and available. The second punt return touchdown of the game was a thing of beauty. Too bad the stupid refs called him for the ticky tack unsportsmanlike conduct penalty for holding the ball out during the last 10 yards.
- Antrel Rolle continued his excellent play from the FSU game, though he did drop an easy interception and sure touchdown. He had a nice fumble recovery return that lasted seemingly forever; that entire play must have taken 30 seconds from the snap to Antrel running out of gas inside the Tech 15 yard line. Rolle also had a couple more tackles for losses. He had the best chance since Woodson in '97 for a defensive player to win the Heisman. And we all know there's no chance he'll win the Thorpe Award, which will go to an Oklahoma player, it doesn't matter which one.
- Brian Monroe had another solid game punting, even if he didn't have to punt too much. It's nice to have a real punter again after last year's debacle with the true freshman Monroe.
- The first string defense just doesn't look like they're going to give up any points this season. The defensive line has lived up to the hype much better than the '02 defensive line did. The linebackers, especially Tavares Gooden and Rocky McIntosh, have not missed a beat from last year’s unit led by Vilma and Williams. Beast Beason was also strong out there. Threat and Merriweather don't seem to be a drop off from Taylor and Sikes. I'm still in awe of this defense.
- Everitt and the rest of the tight ends did well once again. I haven't seen Kevin drop a ball so far like he did during the spring game. He and Olsen are going to be important in the tougher games later in the season.
- Tyrone Moss had a very good game pounding away at the defense. I like his style of running; he’s like a bowling ball out there. The only thing I see Moss lacking is the breakaway speed like a Edge James, Portis, or McGahee.
The Bad
- When Kyle Wright came at QB in the second half he got a real nice ovation from the crowd. He then proceeded to look like a deer in the headlights during that series, getting sacked twice and then throwing at the feet of his receiver on third down. His second series was better, where he threw an absolute rope into the hands of Leggett that Lance dropped.
- Speaking of Leggett, he had two drops on his two chances to catch the ball. I hope this was just nervousness from his first college action. He seems to have the size and speed to be the next star WR after Andre Johsnon, I just hope he can catch the ball. I’m sure he’ll be much better now with his first experience.
- The referees were terrible, but that comes with the territory of being Miami. I've seen a ton of garbage unsportsmanlike conduct penalties so far this season all over college football. The NCAA has gone too far in limiting the emotion the kids are allowed to show. If things keep up like this in the future, players won't be able to clap their hands after a good play or slap their teammate on the helmet. Damn, I hate the NCAA.
No matter how bad Houston is or isn't, it's going to be tough coming back to play on Thursday on the road against hostile fans. The defense probably won't give the Cougars anything, actually I'm sure of that, but I hope Brock and the offense continue to play like they have since the fourth quarter of the FSU game. LSU has been beaten, now all we need is USC or Oklahoma to lose and we'll be in good shape, as long as Berlin keeps the turnovers to a minimum and Frank Gore stays healthy.