Thoughts on the state of the team...

[JasonB]

Let's start on defense because there is obviously less to talk about there. The defense as a whole is good enough to win. The weakness is obviously the secondary. Acker is a plus player, he is fine, the rest are average. At corner, we are going to be in good shape next year with JR returning. i would look for Montes and posten (17) to start pushing as the season goes on. 17 is not the fastest, but this is three forced fumbles in two games? Parks is adequate as the second corner, but I think the others will push for time, especially if the season goes down hill. Robinson and Gray are a significant drop after Parks. At safety, Randolf is going to be a very good player for us. I would look for him to start pushing for PT after the bye.

I know there is concern about graduation for next year at LB and DL, but we are three deep at those positions right now. It won't have as much as an impact as graduating the oline did this year.

Now for the offense, obviously a huge discussion.

Gilbert is incredible in practice. I have seen it all. But obviously something is giving him issues when he steps into games. Even his mechanics are awful in the game, and picture perfect in practice. The mechanical breakdown is probably the reason why his accuracy is so bad. He refuses to throw the ball across the middle of the field. Sometimes you have some guys who are great in practice and don't show up in games. Maybe he is just one of those guys. Kind of a Ryan Leaf type - measurables, looks great in practice, but can't do it with the lights on. He is a great kid, and obviously not a knucklehead like Leaf was, but maybe it is just one of those things.

I actually think that is the problem we have in general right now on offense - we have a lot of skill position players that have great measurables, but nobody is producing.

I think that GG will have a short leash from here on out. I think Jones has had enough and is going to give people opportunities to play. If GG throws an egg the first quarter against TCU, he will be benched for Preston. And if Preston can't do it, he is going to be benched for Birchum. Jones' mannerisms on the bench during the game indicate the frustration level. The FG was a prime example of it. He is looking at his card for a 4th and two play, and just thinking, okay, we can't run it, my QB can't throw a ball over the middle or get a good touch pass in, so in disgust he waves the FG team in. That play call was an indictment of where GG is in Jones' estimation.

Slot receivers are okay. DJ is having a rough season, but we know the potential is there. JJ is a good receiver, but is not getting looks because of QB play. Depth-wise, Darious Joseph is next in line to step in for DJ next year, and Sims has good athleticism even though he is still learning the position and a step slow in practice. Both of those players have the ability, but you also watch Joseph in his routes, and he doesn't go all out all the time. When he does the 5 yard stop, he doesn't do anything to drive the defender off the ball. he jogs the route, turns around, and the defender is still on him to easily defend the pass. Part of the reason that GG is throwing those short passes 100 MPH is because our receivers aren't getting the separation. Sims has similar concerns in practice. We see Walker and loftin showing up in the games because they actually run the routes hard, even though they are way behind in terms of athleticism and upside.

Outside receiver is a major issue. Holman made several catches in the second half, but you watch him and he just doesn't get the position yet. His adjustments are horrible, which was really evident on a play where GG scrambled to his right, was trying to get Holman's attention to come back to the ball, and he wasn't even looking back at the QB.

Thompson is also just not a receiver. He is just fast. That deep ball where he doesn't even look back until he reaches the 5, that is just not instinctual. And then on the other deep balls, he completely underestimates the throws and slows his routes down. He just doesn't get the game.

I think that we will see Ace, Deiter, Waid and Stewart get opportunities over the bye week to take the starting spots on the outside. All of them have good athletic ability. Deiter is not a fast guy, but has size and really understands the fundamentals of the position. Even if you have to limit the routes on his side of the field, it is probably worth giving him a run out there. Stewart has star potential, I am surprised we have not seen him yet on the return team or at wideout. they must be trying to redshirt him. Ace has all the skill in the world, but is inconsistent in practice. Waid hasn't been seen in the game, but is really fast and has good size. It is time to see if some of those players are gamers. If we don't see Thompson and Holman sharing reps or demoted by TCU, that is going to be pretty disappointing.

On the line, Rice and Lowe at the least will have opportunities to grab spots. I wouldn't be surprised to see Collins moved back to guard and the right tackle position to be opened up to competition this week.

There is a lot of justified frustration with the offense right now, and there are a lot of different pieces that need to be fixed in order to get the thing working. The OL is a separate concern, but at QB and WR we have some pieces on campus to be able to make changes and get things moving in the right direction this season. I expect to see several changes in place by the time of the TCU game. As an SMU fan, I would be really disappointed if some of these other players don't get a shot.

[Stallion]

"Outside receiver is a major issue. Holman made several catches in the second half, but you watch him and he just doesn't get the position yet. His adjustments are horrible, which was really evident on a play where GG scrambled to his right, was trying to get Holman's attention to come back to the ball, and he wasn't even looking back at the QB."

I was going NUTS on that play. That could have been a big play with a competent receiver. Also the Thompson deep ball. The ball was thrown outside away from the DB and Thompson is just lost. I have described Holleman play against Baylor as "running around in a Fog." There have been plays like that all year. Thanks for reminding me. That's why I truly believe this is more than a Gilbert issue. Think about some of the catches made by Sanders, Robinson and Johnson over the last few years-WRs are not fighting for the ball like those guys

[Gotcha]

Good post, however, we know that when Jones makes a decision, he rarely changes due to his ego being the size of Texas. His selection of GG as the starter prior to him attending 1 practice speaks volumes (see last year's QB decision). Also, Jones is good buddies with GG's dad. GG is in unless he's injured. Come hell or 3 point offensive showings.

One other issue, QB mechanics change when hit. In practice, red shirt or blue shirt means don't touch. In games, the QB jersey is the same as everyone else. Hits on a QB do make a difference.

[Charleston Pony]

agree with a lot of those points. good timing to have 2 weeks to prepare for TCU. we'll see of there are new faces seeing playing time. I agree some guys might be on a little shorter leash for TCU, but who knows what's going through the coaching staff's heads?

[ALEX LIFESON]

"Outside receiver is a major issue. Holman made several catches in the second half, but you watch him and he just doesn't get the position yet. His adjustments are horrible, which was really evident on a play where GG scrambled to his right, was trying to get Holman's attention to come back to the ball, and he wasn't even looking back at the QB."

I was going NUTS on that play. That could have been a big play with a competent receiver. Also the Thompson deep ball. The ball was thrown outside away from the DB and Thompson is just lost. I have described Holleman play against Baylor as "running around in a Fog." There have been plays like that all year. Thanks for reminding me. That's why I truly believe this is more than a Gilbert issue. Think about some of the catches made by Sanders, Robinson and Johnson over the last few years-WRs are not fighting for the ball like those guys

Agree with all of the above. As for Ace Holloman, don't hold your breath. Ace is fat, lazy, and out of shape. Many of our receivers seem to be on a morning jog, and no idea where the ball is or that the qb is running around for his life...come back to the qb, help him! Our inside guys have been bounced around and bullied, they look like high school kids out there. Darius Joseph doesn't have a clue, and is afraid to get hit. We have a mess here fellas.

[jimhagle]

I would think Lagasse has to be in the mix next year at receiver.

[Rebel10]

I noticed JasonB will not saying anything about the poor coaching wherever it may be. I guess it is all the players fault and no fault belongs to the current coaches on staff. I guess all play calling was mostly correct.

[Charleston Pony]

where is Jason Wolfe when you need him...a few more guys with guts

[03Mustang]

As for Ace Holloman, don't hold your breath. Ace is fat, lazy, and out of shape. Many of our receivers seem to be on a morning jog, and no idea where the ball is or that the qb is running around for his life...come back to the qb, help him! Our inside guys have been bounced around and bullied, they look like high school kids out there. Darius Joseph doesn't have a clue, and is afraid to get hit. We have a mess here fellas.

Time to change your avatar. He brought these guys in. It's his fault first.

[Ponymon]

Agree with all of the above. As for Ace Holloman, don't hold your breath. Ace is fat, lazy, and out of shape. Many of our receivers seem to be on a morning jog, and no idea where the ball is or that the qb is running around for his life...come back to the qb, help him! Our inside guys have been bounced around and bullied, they look like high school kids out there. Darius Joseph doesn't have a clue, and is afraid to get hit. We have a mess here fellas.

Do you mean all of these "hidden Gems" are still just that? Look at our current recruiting class. It is full of "Hidden Gems"!

[davidpaul123]

Youre right, the WRs don't make Gilbert's job easy. We need to seriously consider shaking things up there and finding guys who get open. We definately need to see more Dieter.

[SMU_Alumni11]

I'm glad people are understanding of GG I still can't get the Baylor game with all those drops everywhere. If I were a QB I would be so frustrated with the WR. That Houston coach doesnt seem to be anything more than a money taker... I'm so glad it's a bye week.

[JasonB]

I noticed JasonB will not saying anything about the poor coaching wherever it may be. I guess it is all the players fault and no fault belongs to the current coaches on staff. I guess all play calling was mostly correct.

Us losing to A&M had nothing to do with strategy or play calling. We weren't as good.

You have to be playing evenly matched teams before you get on the coaches for play calling.

[fifty]

So we lost 2 games we had no business winning... Where is Panic Pete when you need him? And BTW since recruit rankings are seemingly so important, do you want a 5star or a 3star at QB?

[#1PONYUP]

June needs a quarterback that makes quick decisions, gets the ball out in 2.5 seconds or less. In order for this to happen the receivers have to be open and able to be delivered an ON target pass. Gilbert's passes have been very inaccurate over the first few games and needs to improve drastically if there is any hope to have a passing game. I go back to the Hawaii quarterbacks like Colt Brennan and Timmy Chang, both had quick releases and were able to pass through a multitude of passing windows with a variation of throws...wether it be side armed or whatever doesn't matter, get the ball out quickly, through the small windows, and accurately. If it can't be done, pass the baton and allow someone else a chance to help the offense move the ball. If a quarterback on the roster simply can't, line up in the "I" formation, and hand the ball to Zach Line. Play to the strength of your team and put the ball in your play-maker's hands. It sounds simple and easy, but that's why June gets paid what he does and that's why these kids are division one athletes. Figure it out or go home.

Heres to a better offensive output versus TCU and to giving the defense some help early on.