The Bobcat Nation

Several players are already done, the victims of Saturday's full-contract scrimmage, which was played under sunny, snowless skies.

Starting nose guard Andy Matakis suffered a torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and will have reconstructive surgery on May 3 in Bozeman. The injury - one of several knee ailments the Bobcats have suffered recently - will have Matakis out until mid-October "at the very, very least," Kramer said.

Later Saturday, Matakis' backup, Louis Saucedo, suffered a sprained MCL (medial collateral ligament), the same injuries starting offensive linemen Zack Wolf and Brant Birkeland experienced in the days leading up to the scrimmage.

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articl ... otball.txt




There is a lot of emphasis on the nose, and now he is out for at least the 1st part of the season. That injury can be a career ender... This injury can really mess up the whole defensive scheme.

Yeah. I posted this article also. Guess this is the main reason I HATE the spread offense. Would you lead us through a discussion on cut blocks and the rules about chops inside the tackles?

Cat Grad wrote:Yeah. I posted this article also. Guess this is the main reason I HATE the spread offense. Would you lead us through a discussion on cut blocks and the rules about chops inside the tackles?

I have no idea as to what Matakis' injury has to do with a spread offense Injuries happen, its not the strength coaches fault, its not the turfs fault, its not due to cut blocks, its plain and simple just BAD FRICKIN LUCK

As for cut blocks... I seriously doubt that Coach Mac would be telling the OL to be cut blocking their own teammates.

The Cats never cut block each other in practice, but scrimmages when it is live even on the QBs? I cut a lot of players, and I never hurt anyone. It is bad luck when a guy gets hurt, and that is part of the game.

mquast53000 wrote:The Cats never cut block each other in practice, but scrimmages when it is live even on the QBs? I cut a lot of players, and I never hurt anyone. It is bad luck when a guy gets hurt, and that is part of the game.

Finally some levity

What does a scrimmage accomplish other than making the booster clubs and a few moms and dads happy I'd rather go run or watch combines like any good track fan anyway What did Kramer say Hollenbeck benches and squats when he was in Glasgow?

Cat Grad wrote:What does a scrimmage accomplish other than making the booster clubs and a few moms and dads happy I'd rather go run or watch combines like any good track fan anyway What did Kramer say Hollenbeck benches and squats when he was in Glasgow?

WHAT The scrimmages accomplishes a ton. It helps develop depth, it allows for game time evalutation and experience, it gives new starters a chance to gel with the rest of the team, it gives youngsters a chance to show what they can do, it allows the coaches to see how the 3-4 will work and players a chance to adjust to it. A scrimmage works out the kinks, it allows the coaches to invoke new wrinkles into the offense when you have a kid like Lulay, or devlop a better run attack with a veteran OL.... I dont know why I am even responding to this statement.

Anytime a team gets a chance to play 11 on 11 its a good thing and always a learning experience. If your concerns are stemming solely from injury worries, then as a team, you have much much bigger problems.

I was just reading some of the feedback from the scrimage this weekend and thought I would throw in my two cents (having just returned home from the game).

Offense had it's way over the defense for the most part without their top QB playing, not a good sign for the Defense. Both QBs looked good. Coppack had his first pass dropped by Murray on a long 3rd down play in the first series that should have been caught. With that Coppack would have had great numbers, as it was, his competion percentage was still much higher than Carpenter. Coppack throws a better long ball. With Murray's speed, would be a major problem for the defense. Carpenter made plays (the short shovel pass and the long run both were great and made his numbers). But I felt Coppack passed better and ran solid. What's funny is probably both throw as well or better than Travis (not that Travis doesn't throw well. Travis just has that ability to run and make plays that is special.

Murray had 6 catches but dropped some balls that he should have caught. He does cause problems for the Defense with his speed but needs to catch the ball consistently. That first long pass was in his hands! The Defense was just not there.

The 3-4 doesn't look good, especially without the dominate nose. The OL had an easy day. The QBs were rushed about twice but no sacks that I can remember. The LBs are good, but during a real game they will be taking a lot of direct blocks on running plays because the front 3 do not tie up the OL. Since the LBs are smaller and fast, this will wear them down over a game. They are just not protected from the big guys. Also, the Nose will get hit from one guard or the other on runs from the side. With all three (Rodgers, Matakis, and Big Lu) having knee issues, that is not a good omen.
Big Lu was big, but no pass rush. Just stood there on a pass. I was impressed Chris Kolone, much bigger and stronger than I thought a Freshman would be. He played out of position (middle when Matakis and Lu went down). He will be a stud starter for four years. He is just a big guy that moves well.
The Defensive backs were not dominating. There was only one interception, but that was on a penalty and should not have counted (holding). The refs threw the flag, they just reset the ball without the yards.
The strength of the defense was the LBs, but most plays were still for a gain. There were not a lot of 3 and outs by the defense or turnovers. There were no fumbles that I remember.
Gathing looked really good for being totally out last year. Groves was very good. JD will have valid backups this year.
The TEs were non existant. One should have had a TD (wide open, ball in their hands and the following hit knocked it loose). It should have been a catch.
The OL was solid as was to be expected. People moved around a lot and started different groups. This should be the most solid group (with the top six - Bolton, Fig, Jensen, Birkland, Wolf, and Hirst - being studs). Birkland and Wolf were out with knees that should heal. Hirst is getting better from the knee and Jensen is getting better for having a broken leg and for barely being able to run a week before spring started. Fig was OK, even with his high ankle sprain not allowing him to practice the several days before the scrimage. Only Bolton was turely healthy and they were still better than the DL. Next Fall they should all be healthy and good.

In summary, O looked improved even with the drops. The D has some room for improvement.

BobcatLionFan wrote:
In summary, O looked improved even with the drops. The D has some room for improvement.

I know it's easy to say this, but we are pretty banged up on the D side of things. The defense all starts with the pass rush. Give ANY quarterback in the league 6+ seconds to throw, he will more than likely find someone. That may be a credit to our OL, or a result from a banged up DL.

I'm guessing with so many big men down, the 4-3 may come back out of the closet. Or do we even have 4 healthy DLs?

Not to be nit-picky, but I am pretty sure it was Mike Brown, not Murray, that dropped that first long pass. Murray dropped a couple in GTF, but I think he caught most everything thrown his way on Saturday in Bozeman.

Brown came back and looked very good on other passes later in the scrim.

HelenaCat wrote:Not to be nit-picky, but I am pretty sure it was Mike Brown, not Murray, that dropped that first long pass. Murray dropped a couple in GTF, but I think he caught most everything thrown his way on Saturday in Bozeman.

Brown came back and looked very good on other passes later in the scrim.

Gotta agree here as that one was right in front of me, it was Brown. And while he definately had a chance to catch it, it was a difficult catch as it was just a bit long. He laid out and got hands on it but just couldn't haul it in.

CelticCat wrote:

BobcatLionFan wrote:
In summary, O looked improved even with the drops. The D has some room for improvement.

I know it's easy to say this, but we are pretty banged up on the D side of things. The defense all starts with the pass rush. Give ANY quarterback in the league 6+ seconds to throw, he will more than likely find someone. That may be a credit to our OL, or a result from a banged up DL.

I'm guessing with so many big men down, the 4-3 may come back out of the closet. Or do we even have 4 healthy DLs?

Sorry to Murray, Brown was the one. But the catch should have been made. It was a nice pass that was there. From watching from the student side, he didn't lay out that much. It was a pretty play that didn't get made. If you are going to win games, you make those plays.

On the DL being banged up, you have to remember they were going against a very banged up OL (Fig had not practiced that week, Hirst is still recovering, as is Jensen. Birkland and Wolf did not play). That left even a banged up DL a chance that wasn't taken. The depth just isn't there and with Matakas very possibly out next fall (ACLs just take a LONG TIME) there is concern.

On the Defense, a good defense makes turnovers (fumbles and inteceptions). There just weren't any.

BobcatLionFan wrote:

CelticCat wrote:

BobcatLionFan wrote:
In summary, O looked improved even with the drops. The D has some room for improvement.

I know it's easy to say this, but we are pretty banged up on the D side of things. The defense all starts with the pass rush. Give ANY quarterback in the league 6+ seconds to throw, he will more than likely find someone. That may be a credit to our OL, or a result from a banged up DL.

I'm guessing with so many big men down, the 4-3 may come back out of the closet. Or do we even have 4 healthy DLs?

Sorry to Murray, Brown was the one. But the catch should have been made. It was a nice pass that was there. From watching from the student side, he didn't lay out that much. It was a pretty play that didn't get made. If you are going to win games, you make those plays.

On the DL being banged up, you have to remember they were going against a very banged up OL (Fig had not practiced that week, Hirst is still recovering, as is Jensen. Birkland and Wolf did not play). That left even a banged up DL a chance that wasn't taken. The depth just isn't there and with Matakas very possibly out next fall (ACLs just take a LONG TIME) there is concern.

On the Defense, a good defense makes turnovers (fumbles and inteceptions). There just weren't any.

Oh, someone asked about the recruit (or guy standing on the sideline in streets) was, One was Wright from Vista High School in San Diego (listed as already being signed).

In the opening series, Brown dropped Carpenters 1st pass up the sideline. It may have been good for a TD. I think Force was out of position to make the play on a reception.