I'll be more than surprised if we don't see Robby get a pretty dramatically 'diminished' role tomorrow night. I don't care if Hugh played nice about 'touches having to be had', Payton's high volume reps work in the passing game is about as clear an imperative as you can conceive. I'm also led to believe this diminished role (or 'different' role?) may have been communicated to Robby.
As to ways that Montgomery and Hugh can help Payton bust out of any fear factor or tentativeness that slipped into his head, I've seen coaches and OC's have some success by deliberately calling early game plays for QB runs. Let your QB 'feel' the fight of competition, get a little blood in his mouth, before you ask him to stand composed in the pocket. It brings the man out in you and exorcises the coward. If memory serves, PM called just that in the UMass early downs.
Finally, some, but certainly not all teams deliver a major 'fooler' stinker game early season. The poster season on this point for me would be 1994. LSU comes to town, and I don't think Patrick Nix and that offense could have moved the chains or scored a TD if the teams played TWENTY quarters. Took SIX picks and three of 'em pick sixes to win that game. Fans were ready to see Dameyune, Nix just didn't have it.
Next week in Starkville, a big step forward. AU crushed Moo U with some deep verticals to Sanders, and Nix looking damn competent.
One week later, and the massive win in the Swamp happened. That was arguably the most coherent, brilliantly called offensive plan and in-game calling by Tot Bowden I've seen by any Auburn team in the modern era.
I've also seen early season SUCKING continue in moderate to heavy sucking some seasons.
You just never know. But we'll have a better idea in College Station Sep. 23rd.
E5
As to ways that Montgomery and Hugh can help Payton bust out of any fear factor or tentativeness that slipped into his head, I've seen coaches and OC's have some success by deliberately calling early game plays for QB runs. Let your QB 'feel' the fight of competition, get a little blood in his mouth, before you ask him to stand composed in the pocket. It brings the man out in you and exorcises the coward. If memory serves, PM called just that in the UMass early downs.
Finally, some, but certainly not all teams deliver a major 'fooler' stinker game early season. The poster season on this point for me would be 1994. LSU comes to town, and I don't think Patrick Nix and that offense could have moved the chains or scored a TD if the teams played TWENTY quarters. Took SIX picks and three of 'em pick sixes to win that game. Fans were ready to see Dameyune, Nix just didn't have it.
Next week in Starkville, a big step forward. AU crushed Moo U with some deep verticals to Sanders, and Nix looking damn competent.
One week later, and the massive win in the Swamp happened. That was arguably the most coherent, brilliantly called offensive plan and in-game calling by Tot Bowden I've seen by any Auburn team in the modern era.
I've also seen early season SUCKING continue in moderate to heavy sucking some seasons.
You just never know. But we'll have a better idea in College Station Sep. 23rd.
E5
