GANO!!!!!!

What the heck, man?!!! Skins lose a heartbreaker. We had a number of opportunities to win the game but we blew it. Here are my thoughts:

1. Ride the Love Torain. Torain was unbelievable. He racked up like 120 yards in just over a quarter. The guy runs hard and seems to have great vision in the zone blocking scheme. He seems to know what hole to hit and when to hit it. O line deserves a lot of credit for the monster holes they created.

2. GANO!!!! The guy blew it! He was on shaky ground coming into the game and then he missed a 34 yarder and like a 20 yarder. He barely made the extra point. That's an easy 6 points that if we get, could have been the difference in the game. Won't be surprised if we start trying out kickers this week.

3. Playcalling. I loved the commitment to the run game. However, we should have used the run to set up play action. It was obvious going into the second half that the TB defense would bring more guys down into the box and make a commitment to stop the run seeing how they were gashed in the first half. We didn't adjust. Our first few drives, we continued to try and run and it wasn't going to work. Would have loved to see on our first offensive play in the second half to show run, do play action, and try for a deep ball.

Also, I did not like in the first half, when we were inside the TB 10 yard line, after running the ball effectively down to that spot, we line McNabb in shotgun and spread the field and do a shovel pass to Moss. Why get cute? Just pound the ball down there. We had been effective with it the entire first half and don't get cute with it.

4. HOLDING!!! On the TB touchdown with a few minutes remaing there was OBVIOUS holding on Orakpo. I recognize that there is probably holding on every play. However, what bothered me on that play was that Orakpo and the tackle were not jumbled up with the rest of the O and D lines. They were by themselves as Orakpo tried to go around the tackle. It was clear as day and shocking that the ref missed it. The ref told Orakpo that he was busy looking down field. That is not his job! That is why there are back judges! Terrible blown call that changed the scope of the game.

5. Botched extra point. After celebrating a last second drive that culminated with a McNabb to Moss 4th down TD, we botch the extra point. Given our issues with the kicking game the entire day, I did not expect the kick to be automatic. Still, it was VERY disappointing. The snap was a little high and the ball is wet but that is part of what Hunter Smith is paid to do. HOLD THE FREAKIN' BALL!! He blew it!

In the end, there were positives but we again found ourselves on the short end of the stick. I loved the effort. Moss was actually a little emotional after the game so I like that these guys showed heart and fought hard. It's clear they care even though they are not going to the playoffs. What I really want to see though is consistency. We play well one game and then suck another game. The inconsistency even shows up during the game. One drive will be flawless and then the rest of the half we suck. Also, we seemed to change our identity yesterday. We have not committed to the run as much as I would have liked this year but then that's all we do yesterday. I recognize we had been down to our third and fourth string RBs the last several weeks so that played a part in it. Still, I just want to see consistency.

I do think the team is headed in the right direction and I think another off season where the coaches can bring in their guys that can run their systems and have the players work another year in the systems will make a big difference.

Will be interesting to see if the coaches allow some of the younger guys play in the last three games to see what they offer. Wouldn't mind seeing Kevin Barnes, Terrence Austin, Perry Riley among others in there to see if there is a spot on this team for them next year.