[socalstanfan1]

Josh really moved the ball on the field goal drive at the end of the first half. Why can't we see more of that???

Partly because teams don't play a prevent defense until the last couple of minutes of the half or the game.  I think that is part of the reason for Josh's success in these late-half situations.

But I agree with doug's comments earlier: Shaw's fear of making a mistake has infected his QB, and playing afraid to make a mistake never conducive to playing well.  I'd like to think that Shaw, as well as Josh, will have a chance to learn from these road losses.  But I'm not sure that he will.  If we come back and win a few more games on the strength of our D, and make it to a respectable bowl game, Shaw will be able to chalk the losses up to just a young, inexperienced QB learning on the job, and tell himself that things will be better later.  I'm sure there is some truth to that.  But Shaw and Hamilton need to also look in the mirror and consider their role in both the losses this year.

As an aside: I'm basically not paying much attention any more when Shaw hypes a young player.  All through the Spring we heard about the X factor of Kelsey Young, and how Ricky Seale would push for playing time.  And all fall we heard about how nobody had ever picked up the offense as quickly as Kodi Whitfield, and how great Remound Wright looked, and how both Peat, Murphy, and Garnett were prodigies.  Has any of these guys really played a significant role this season so far?  I'm not saying that they necessarily should; minutes should go to the players who earn them.  But why hype these guys then basically have them be non-factors once the season begins? 

[socalstanfan1]

Josh really moved the ball on the field goal drive at the end of the first half. Why can't we see more of that???

Partly because teams don't play a prevent defense until the last couple of minutes of the half or the game.  I think that is part of the reason for Josh's success in these late-half situations.

But I agree with doug's comments earlier: Shaw's fear of making a mistake has infected his QB, and playing afraid to make a mistake never conducive to playing well.  I'd like to think that Shaw, as well as Josh, will have a chance to learn from these road losses.  But I'm not sure that he will.  If we come back and win a few more games on the strength of our D, and make it to a respectable bowl game, Shaw will be able to chalk the losses up to just a young, inexperienced QB learning on the job, and tell himself that things will be better later.  I'm sure there is some truth to that.  But Shaw and Hamilton need to also look in the mirror and consider their role in both the losses this year.

As an aside: I'm basically not paying much attention any more when Shaw hypes a young player.  All through the Spring we heard about the X factor of Kelsey Young, and how Ricky Seale would push for playing time.  And all fall we heard about how nobody had ever picked up the offense as quickly as Kodi Whitfield, and how great Remound Wright looked, and how both Peat, Murphy, and Garnett were prodigies.  Has any of these guys really played a significant role this season so far?  I'm not saying that they necessarily should; minutes should go to the players who earn them.  But why hype these guys then basically have them be non-factors once the season begins?