Game Day Notes of a Numbskull
Home Stuff:
1. The Altona device linking the Toshiba laptop to the TV via HDMI worked without a hitch. The picture was vivid HD so a joy to watch the game.
2. George Foreman grilled bison burgers served on wheat buns, homegrown brandywine tomatoes, "live" lettuce, vlasic pickles, mayo-horseradish, and Spanish oinion slices was good. Belgian-Style wheat ale with choice of very strong brewed Lipton tea used to slow down the beer drinking as neither of us like being outright drunk. Sides of battered fried brussel sprouts, raw carrots, raw celery, potato strips dipped in maize batter spiked with hand squeezed jalepano juice then baked golden brown, and finally a salad of peas, corn niblets, kidney beans, and finely chopped shrimp mixed with a self-made mango, orange, jalepano sauce. It all went down pretty well.
Game Stuff:
1. I'm a Poole to the core, but even I have to admit his tentative running contrasted sharply with Lanes "get the h3ll out of my way" style. So crow eating time i suppose, Lane will probably take Poole's spot as some predicted here and I must confess certainly looks that way.
2. I knew Montana would bring a stronger defense and a game long hardnosed playing style. The score doesn't reflect how hard a game this was for our boys. Montana came to play and were it not for a few errors on their part, this game would have been closer to the 27-24 or so squeaker some had projected.
3. That kid, Peter Nguyen can run. Thank goodness our boys didn't give him much room most of the game. That VW sized kid has wheels and a Camaro'396 cid engine for an engine. I've never seen an Asian run so fast.
4. Bray had more time to throw than I've seen to date. He should have had more yardage but some drops hurt that. The OL couldn't produce running lanes but they pass blocked pretty well. Unless they can open running lanes, we're going to die a hard death in the SEC this year.
5. At times coaches seemed to be berating Bray an dhe looked reigned in (notice how he shcecked his gestures back after a good play?) and his face looked frustrated mixed with apprehension. I got the feeling he was not being allowed to play the way he wants to and felt restrained. I hope they don't kill this guy's spirit.
6. Trumaine Johnson wasn't much of a factor it seems but he's only one man. I did see that he is quite speedy but both Hunter and D. Rogers were able to give him the slip quite often.
7. Our defense looks better but not enough consistent pressure on the QB. However, the UM spread offense was well run so the Vols had to be VERY mindful of it. the good thing is they seem to swarm to the ball better than last year. I think Cincy is going to test us big time and give us a harder time than Montana, much harder.
8. Lots of empty seats in the stands. Not sure if it wa sthe storm or failed ticket sales, or both. Well, next game, I and others will be there to park our botties in some seats and hopefully orangify the stadium.
9. Finally, thank you Montana Grizzlies for a well played game, being a classy team, and thank you Griz fans for visiting Tennessee. My hope is you have a fine season which I think you will. You got a time that has no quit in them even when beaten and presumably left for dead. You may call yourself Grizzlies but you got energizer bunny written all over you cause you don't quit.
