Golden Coolie Questions

[Prodigal Cat]

Who are your MVPs. Offense, Defense, Special Teams.
Also pick Most improved and give 3 players that flashed for the next season.

[coloradocat]

Which player from offense and defense that wasn't a starter this year are you most excited to see step up next season?

[Common Cat]

It's that time. Let's get this train moving. Recording Monday. Send your questions in.

[BleedingBLue]

What do you expect from the UNM game?

[coloradocat]

Which game, besides Cat/griz, will show us who this Bobcat team is and how far they can go in the playoffs?


(I'd say UC Davis. If they stay healthy there's a chance they come into their Senior Day against us with only one loss, the week before in their ESPN2 game against Missoula, looking to bounce back and prove they can hang with the big boys. If we can beat a good, hungry tier 2 BSC team on the road the week before Cat/griz, it bodes well for an extended playoff run.)

[Camo_Cat]

Which game, besides Cat/griz, will show us who this Bobcat team is and how far they can go in the playoffs?


(I'd say UC Davis. If they stay healthy there's a chance they come into their Senior Day against us with only one loss, the week before in their ESPN2 game against Missoula, looking to bounce back and prove they can hang with the big boys. If we can beat a good, hungry tier 2 BSC team on the road the week before Cat/griz, it bodes well for an extended playoff run.)

Great pick, @coloradocat! I think that game will be very important in determining what kind of team we will have. I would also pick the Idaho game on Oct. 12. Idaho has a brutal schedule early on - Oregon, Wyoming, Albany, Davis. If UI could poach 2-3 wins from those teams, they will be a legitimate playoff contender heading into Bozeman.

[kennethnoisewater]

Which game, besides Cat/griz, will show us who this Bobcat team is and how far they can go in the playoffs?


(I'd say UC Davis. If they stay healthy there's a chance they come into their Senior Day against us with only one loss, the week before in their ESPN2 game against Missoula, looking to bounce back and prove they can hang with the big boys. If we can beat a good, hungry tier 2 BSC team on the road the week before Cat/griz, it bodes well for an extended playoff run.)

I think it's somewhere in that time frame too. Being a road game in November, I like that pick. Last year we saw real promising things early. I want to see that this team can stay healthy and stay on track after 7-8 games, AND win on the road. Hopefully that's the last game of 2024 outside of Bobcat Stadium.

[Long Time Cat]

Which home game besides Cat/gris do we have the best chance to lose, or at least it's close?

Which receiver becomes Tommy's go to guy this season? (He is going to pass more, right?)

[Common Cat]

On Monday we will record again, talking offense. Send your GC questions.

[BleedingBLue]

Assuming Tommy can stay healthy all year, could this offense be one of the best the FCS has ever seen?

[canyoncat]

Will Tommy be able to curb his run first mentality and learn to trust his recievers. Can he learn to get down or go out of bounds when running instead trying for that extra yard. If he can do that this team may be something special.

[rfischer94]

As soon as I heard that Bobby Daly was going to be the defensive coordinator, I was confident that our defense was going to take a step forward. I'm even more confident in this when I heard Rylan Ortt say he would "go to war for Coach Daly." What are you expecting from the defense this season? More consistency? Better tackling? Would love to hear your thoughts. Thanks for the great content -- I've missed you both over the summer and am glad you're back behind the mic!

[RockyBearCat]

GC Question --- How many offensive linemen will make all Big Sky team at the end of the season?

[BobcatBuiltTexan]

Looking at last year what was our biggest weakness and do you think we addressed that weakness sufficiently this off season?

If everything aligns and we win a natty this year so you think vigen stays or chases the pay day?

Looking at our 2 deep do we have the ability in our 2s to handle a potential injury to a starter?

[CodyCat]

What are Coach Vigens greatest strengths and weaknesses. And can he overcome said weaknesses to take the next step at MSU?

[catatac]

Do you think the coaches are going to actively build depth behind Tommy and give other QBs meaningful snaps in games? Maybe not the first game, but after than we have several games where we honestly should win if Tommy didn't play. Given that, do you think they would start JT and\or others, or at least let them lead the O for some possessions early in the games?

[smith427]

Are there any new uniform combinations/styles either of you are hoping to see this season?

[coloradocat]

Do you think the coaches are going to actively build depth behind Tommy and give other QBs meaningful snaps in games? Maybe not the first game, but after than we have several games where we honestly should win if Tommy didn't play. Given that, do you think they would start JT and\or others, or at least let them lead the O for some possessions early in the games?

Number 1: Tommy will start every game if healthy.

Number 2: Going into year four Tommy still has a lot of developing to do as a QB. Vigen has hinted towards this in his "ordinary vs extraordinary" comment. I think the primary focus will be on developing Tommy in games. This may not mean keeping him out there once the game is in the bag but it could mean more drives where we try different things to get Tommy comfortable doing them live rather than just finding the most efficient way to score. We may see more punts in the first half of the season as a result of drives stalling out as we're working through things. (Note: I had this same expectation last year so we'll see if we actually do it this time around.)

Number 3: If there is a clear QB2 I can see him playing most/quite a bit of the second half of easy games and possibly even the first half of a couple. If there is no clear winner for that spot by Utah Tech #2 and #3 may just split series in the second half of easy games.

Ultimately, as much as we need a strong backup and need to protect Tommy, we need a championship winning level Tommy, not a "go on a huge run to Frisco" Tommy. His continued development matters more than anything else. If Tommy gets hurt we're not winning a title anyways so we need him to reach the level to get us back to Frisco and win it this time.

[catatac]

Do you think the coaches are going to actively build depth behind Tommy and give other QBs meaningful snaps in games? Maybe not the first game, but after than we have several games where we honestly should win if Tommy didn't play. Given that, do you think they would start JT and\or others, or at least let them lead the O for some possessions early in the games?

Number 1: Tommy will start every game if healthy.

Number 2: Going into year four Tommy still has a lot of developing to do as a QB. Vigen has hinted towards this in his "ordinary vs extraordinary" comment. I think the primary focus will be on developing Tommy in games. This may not mean keeping him out there once the game is in the bag but it could mean more drives where we try different things to get Tommy comfortable doing them live rather than just finding the most efficient way to score. We may see more punts in the first half of the season as a result of drives stalling out as we're working through things. (Note: I had this same expectation last year so we'll see if we actually do it this time around.)

Number 3: If there is a clear QB2 I can see him playing most/quite a bit of the second half of easy games and possibly even the first half of a couple. If there is no clear winner for that spot by Utah Tech #2 and #3 may just split series in the second half of easy games.

Ultimately, as much as we need a strong backup and need to protect Tommy, we need a championship winning level Tommy, not a "go on a huge run to Frisco" Tommy. His continued development matters more than anything else. If Tommy gets hurt we're not winning a title anyways so we need him to reach the level to get us back to Frisco and win it this time.

Agree with all that (Even though I typed JT, but meant JR, as in Jordan Reed), except the part in bold. Who knows. Heck, Tommy was just a backup, like all the other backups on this roster before he got thrown into the fire and turned out to be a huge gamer that got us to Frisco and damm, who knows what he could have done had he not gotten knocked out in the first drive.

Just saying - one of these backups might be an absolute stud, gamer. I've seen flashes.

[Common Cat]

Defense tonight. Send them in!