Written by Ell
| 23 September 2008
With the total domination of the Hawgs on Saturday there are plenty of candidates for UH this week. Bama hasn't dismantled a competitive (cough, cough) team like that in what seems like ages. For the record, I am still not convinced Clemson is any good. They do play in the ACC, after all.
John Parker Wilson - I can't believe I just typed his name either. Scottnola, Ell, NXOJKT, and countless others have heard me rant and rave about "that QB" for three years but he actually showed me a little something Saturday.
His numbers were pedestrian to say the least, 6-14 for 74 yards and a touchdown but sometimes numbers aren't the most important thing. When a play wasn't there Wilson dumped the ball (unlike MSU last year - my God, I will never forget that play!) and went to the next down.
JPW also has not locked on to one receiver this year, a la DJ Hall last season, and has spread the ball around. Sure, McElwain is probably telling him to do this but I can't imagine Major Applewhite called every play to go to Hall as the first option. While our passing game hasn't been Hawaii-esque, it has been affective in spots due to defenses not being able to concentrate on one guy.
All of this being said, there is one play in particular that earned Wilson a mention in this column. Late in the 3rd quarter (best I can remember - I was a few in at that point) after a Hawg defensive lineman hit him late after a pass and then decided he would talk trash about it, JPW hopped up and placed his arm around the nice man from Arkansas and pointed to the scoreboard while reminding the previously mentioned gentleman how impolite it is to taunt when you are getting your tale whipped.
At that point I saw a kid who has been afraid to step up and take the reigns of his team show a little swagger. Quarterbacks should be a little cocky. They should be confidence inspiring, even when the chips are down. Wilson hasn't been that guy. Hopefully that changed Saturday.
Earl Alexander - Only two catches for 38 yards but if EA can be consistent he would team up with Julio Jones to give us a WR tandem that most NFL teams would envy.
Brandon Fanney- Another week, another solid game for Fanney. Seven tackles with two for a loss from his Jack position.
Kareem Jackson- Jackson only had two tackles in large part because nothing ever gets thrown his way - a huge compliment for a corner. Jackson ability no doubt played a part in the interception fest that the other Bama defensive backs participated in on Saturday.
