WSG's CORNER

Welcome back to the Corner folks...it's been a looooong week, let's get to it. First, a few words about the Charleston Southern game:

In short, we kicked their ass, but that was a foregone conclusion. The real stories of that game run much deeper than the final score. We need to look between the lines and underneath the boxscores. Let's keep it simple by assessing (i) who's hot, (ii) who's not, (iii) who was a pleasant surprised and (iv) who sucked goat balls.

WHO'S HOT:

➤Riley Cooper: Blew up for 5 catches and 105 yards, but let's see him do it against Tennessee. He has a history or starting off well against inferior competition and then fading. Hopefully that won't happen this time, there aren't too many options after him so it better not.

➤Aaron Hernandez: The best offensive player on the field not named Tebow. Period. What is most impressive about him is what he does after the catch. On that 28-yd TD reception he got open, caught the ball, juked a few guys and then dragged some more into the end zone. He is sick and has first round NFL talent. We are going to lean on him heavily this year -- homeboy simply cannot get hurt.

➤Running backs: All looked good, but of course, we played against Our Lady of Lourdes Academy. Demps is the best of the three, he's got the right mix of blazing speed and toughness...and also has good hands. Moody was very impressive and might be the best pure runner of the crew. He's less likely to bust one (but that doesn't mean he can't) but also less likely to get hit for a loss. Conversely, there's a lot of boom or bust with Rainey. He is either making the flashy play or going down in the backfield. Anyways, one more observation on Rainey...he almost got caught in that long TD run...historically, he gets caught. For some reason, as fast as he is, he can't keep that top end speed over 40 yards. Unlike Demps who stays at top speed throughout -- although Mr. Rainey has more shake. I did notice though some very Percy-esque one step cuts at full speed by Demps...that is just so effectively devastating. No wasted motion just a little R2 and boom he's out!

WHO's NOT:

➤Defense: This is supposed to be the all-world best D ever and Charleston Southern goes for a ton of yards on us? This startled me a bit...but then I heard from Meyer that he only played 2 or 3 base defenses (i.e. no blitzes, no special packages, no different looks). And we did have 30% of our starters out (Janoris the "Taser" Jenkins, Lawrence "Marsh-mellow" Marsh and Jermaine "I wanna get high" Cunningham). So let's cut them some slack on week 1. Especially disappointing were Will Hill (please put Ahmad back in the starting lineup), Joe Haden (you're supposed to be a 1st round pick, I don't care what defenses were called, you don't let some no name from Charleston Southern beat you -- and it happened more than once) and Dunlap (zero sacks and no pressures against that kind of competition...let's get it together boys).

➤Receivers: The drops by Deonte and BJ were inexcusable. When we look back on this season and start calibrating stats those two TD drops might have cost Timmy the Heisman. I know it sounds ridiculous but it's true. More importantly, if that happens at LSU we have some real issues. They need to tighten up...I think they are both better than that and will show it as the year moves along. Also, can I get an APB out for David Nelson...wtf?

➤Caleb Sturgis: If you kick the ball out of bounds one more time during kickoffs I swear to got I am going to put my sambas on and kick you in the ass until it feels good.

PLEASANT SURPRISE:

➤Jonathan Bostic: That guy looks like he should be starting for the Steelers right now...talk about a prototypical NFL linebacker body. I predict that he'll be starting next year and might even get some significant time this year as we move along, especially if we incur some injuries. He led the team in tackles and looks like a real player.

➤ Adrian Bushell: This redshirt freshman CB is a baller...he has a little Janoris in him...keep an eye out in the future.

➤Omarius Hines: I thought the best freshman receiver of the bunch would be Frankie Hammond but he was upstaged by Omarius Hines. Omarius has been battling a leg injury that kept him out of spring practice but looks to be 100%. He is also jacked and I mean Bo Jackson jacked...find a picture of him and you'll see what I'm talking about. Odds are though that this was just a game 1 fluke and we'll hear little from him the rest of the way...I still expect Frankie Hammond to be at the head of the freshman class when it's all said and done.

SUCKED GOAT BALLS:

➤Deonte Thompson: I hate to beat a dead horse but you're supposed to be our #1 receiver and you come out of this game with zero catches and a colossal drop? You will have many, many more chances to make up for it and I hope you will. Otherwise we are in big trouble. Let's go Deonte...time to go baby!!!

UF vs. Troy

We should start off by saying that this is not going to be a complete walk in the park. This has been said before but it's true...Troy has a lot of talent...NFL talent (more highly rated prospects than most of the SEC by some accounts). And while they don't have the depth and overall talent level to keep up with us, they do have some playmakers that we should be wary off. They also bring with them a high powered passing game so the secondary better be ready. I am talking to you Joe Haden and Will Hill...let's go boys, you're better than that. To circle back on a prior point, Ahmad Black needs to be in the lineup. The Thrill looked a little bit lost out there and missed some tackles, something A. Black never does. Anyways, we need to get these guys off the field asap. None of this bend but don't break....let them drive and then we get a late stop or turnover crap. If we're going to be the dominant defense that everyone thinks we are...we need to stop people cold...3 and out...no BS. I want so see some sacks, some press coverage (no corners playing 10 yards off the ball) and some big hits and turnovers.

On offense, I want the boys to maintain the consistency in the running game that we showed last week. All the backs looked great and we need to keep that up. More importantly, lets air it out and let some of the starting WRs make some plays. Time to open up the playbook a little bit before Tennessee comes to town. That means some more option stuff, some deeper routes, more Hernandez...lets get it cracking. I want to keep Timmy in the pocket as much as possible too. He'll have plenty of times to run and make plays when we need him in SEC play but for now, I want him safe and slinging it for now. Putting forth nice game film for those NFL Scouts. Was it me or did he seem to have a little more zip in his throws last week? Also, let's keep an eye out for the Wilson/Patchan battle to start on the O-line. Wilson got the nod last week but Patchan will be hard to keep off the field.

Here's my message to the boys this week: Godspeed fellas, go out there and play your championship hearts out. Remember, you represent Florida...the orange, the blue and the fuck you!

On a side note: The Corner was impressed by both UM and FSU this past week. They look like they finally have some players, in particular Benjamin from UM and Fortson from FSU were very impressive. As were both QBs...but no one was as impressive as Greg Reid. Wow, it really hurts to lose that 5 start stud last minute. He was all gator from jump and went over to the Noles in a moment of weakness. Honestly though, probably a good decision for him as far as playing time, he wouldn't have started for us with the two all-american caliber corners we have. But he would have gotten significant playing time at the nickel and would be a starter next year. Some people just aren't into attending championship factories though.