Upon further reflection, it strikes me that both the OC and DC hires indicate several things, most of which point Back To The Future.
Saban sees what we’ve all seen — a lack of physical mentality on both sides of the ball. Soft DL. No running game whatsoever when the opposition’s D knows it‘s coming. Only long plays when they’re caught by surprise and inflate an average that is purely a mathematical construct, giving no indication of the true effectiveness of the running game.
Nothing consistent.
Nothing within light years of when the entire stadium knew Derrick Henry was getting the ball somewhere inside the tackles and the bad guys still couldn’t stop it.
Can you imagine Rolando McClain, CJ Moseley, or Reggie Ragland, or Barrett Jones, or Landon Dickerson, or Cam Robinson, or Evan Neal, or Jonathan Allen, or Quinnen Williams or any number of other stud interior linemen whining about anxiety? That Will Anderson would is truly embarrassing.
The cause of anxiety is fear. The cure for fear is preparation, in the weight room and the film room, dating back to January post-bowl off season. Minkah Fitzpatrick spent more time in film study than the coaches, and I can’t picture him being anxious or afraid of Godzilla.
I’m not sure whether the OL can shoulder its part of the burden. Some on TF think the problem has been mis-evaluated talent. Others think it’s been the attitude of the coaching staff. I don’t know. Regardless of who thinks what, the OL will determine whether we turn the corner this year or next.
I’m looking forward to a change in mentality akin to the change between the 2007 Independence Bowl against Colorado and the 2008 Kickoff game against Clemson — where we were about a 9 point dog, and Made Them Quit. Then did it again a couple of weeks later in UGA’s Blackout.
In the second half, both Clemson and UGA were turning down hits.
I don’t know if that’ll happen or not. It’s the goal.