Offense

[wbtfg]

BOBCATS BEHIND THE SCENE: Bailey Retools Offense
MSU Bobcats Bobcat Football News : 2004-08-12 : Bozeman, MT
By Bill Lamberty


MSU offensive coordinator Don Bailey looks to boost MSU's offensive output
As Don Bailey begins his fourth season as Montana State's offensive coordinator, he knows exactly what his unit needs to raise its level of production this season.

The 'Cats, according to Bailey, need 'it'.

"We need to find guys with 'it'," Bailey says, "guys with a chance for something good to happen every time they touch the ball. That doesn't mean they score a touchdown, but 'it' means Jason Gathing's going to be tackled for a three-yard loss and finds a way to get back to the line of scrimmage, or 'it' means Ricky Gatewood getting 100 yards (receiving) in every spring scrimmage."

Bailey sees among his current group of offensive skilled position players the need to enhance athleticism and speed, characteristics that typically lead to big plays. He believes the Bobcats have addressed those needs in the recruiting process the last two years, but "We need to get better in terms of big play ability," Bailey said. "That's one thing that we've lacked, having a 100-yard receiver week in and week out, or a 100-yard yard rusher. That doesn't help your stats. So I want us to be much more explosive this year."

Bailey is counting on the likes of Gathing and Gatewood to a set of offensive skill players that should simultaneously be more explosive and more consistent. Both arrived at MSU as junior college transfers last year and redshirted. "Jason and Rick are the kind of athletes we're looking for," Bailey said. "They have both been in our system for a year, and they both had excellent springs."

While Bailey is not worried about the receiver situation sorting itself out -- the 'Cats will replace all three starters, but four lettermen, two redshirts, and a talented JC transfer will compete for jobs -- he lists finding a number one running back as a top concern. "We need to find a starting tailback, but that's not something I dread this year," Bailey said. "It's exciting. We have three quality running backs, and the competition will be excellent. They're all capable. It will be fun to watch."

Bobcat head coach Mike Kramer feels the tailback combatants -- redshirt Jason Gathing and junior college transfers Morris Milton and Justin Domineck -- are more than just capable. "All three are home run guys," Kramer said. "They can each score every time the ball is in their hands, and that's an element we need to introduce into our offensive attack."

Much of MSU's offensive success this year hinges on the play of the youthful offensive line. With returning starter Joe Hirst lost to a knee injury this year, Bailey and offensive line coach Jason McEndoo look to seniors Dusty Daws and Joaquin Echauri and redshirt freshmen Adam DeCock and Peder Jensen to stabilize the two tackle positions. The inside of the line is safe in the hands of centers Zack Wolf and Lawrence Figueroa, and starting guards Jeff Bolton and Brant Birkeland.

"We need to find both starting tackles during camp, but we'll play the best five guys up front, no matter who they are," Bailey said. "We may have to shuffle guys around. We have guys that have been in the program, so there is some experience there."

The Bobcats open camp next Tuesday with practice at 2:30 pm on the MSU practice field.

http://www.msubobcats.com/news.php?sid=h&nid=558

[raincat]

For the umpteenth time, this season will demonstrate the absolute importance of a dominating offensive line. You don't throw deep without protection, you don't get 100+ rushing with blocking, etc. Even more important, the offenive line can control time of possession, and we need to keep the defense off the field as much as possible this year. While I know there is real enthusiasm about our defensive front seven, count me as an agnostic. I agree there is real talent, but we are VERY small and not real deep. The biggest guy on the two deep chart is listed at 255. Our two deep middle linebackers are listed at 205 and 195. They cannot stay on the field all day and play "bend-but-not-break" defense. In a war of attrition they will be erased. Our W-L record will be a direct reflection of how many times our offensive line takes command.

[raincat]

correction: you need blocking to run....duh.

[Cat Pride]

I've never liked Bailey's play calling. Anytime an OC predicates his offense on having a guy break 5 yard slants for TDs or 3 yard runs up the gut for 50 yard TDs is not a good sign. I hope that Travis has the grasp of this offense enough to call his own plays in the huddle and audible more - ala Payton Manning does for the Colts. This could possibly eliminate some of the boneheaded drive killing mis-calls by Bailey. IMO, we need an OC who has, as Bailey put in the article, "it".

But prove me wrong this season Don, please.

Go get 'em Cats!

[Cat Pride]

For the umpteenth time, this season will demonstrate the absolute importance of a dominating offensive line. You don't throw deep without protection, you don't get 100+ rushing with blocking, etc. Even more important, the offenive line can control time of possession, and we need to keep the defense off the field as much as possible this year. While I know there is real enthusiasm about our defensive front seven, count me as an agnostic. I agree there is real talent, but we are VERY small and not real deep. The biggest guy on the two deep chart is listed at 255. Our two deep middle linebackers are listed at 205 and 195. They cannot stay on the field all day and play "bend-but-not-break" defense. In a war of attrition they will be erased. Our W-L record will be a direct reflection of how many times our offensive line takes command.

Fantastic post rainy. From what I've heard, McEndoo is the real deal. He will definitely have his work cut out for his this fall in filling injury voids.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

For the umpteenth time, this season will demonstrate the absolute importance of a dominating offensive line. You don't throw deep without protection, you don't get 100+ rushing with blocking, etc. Even more important, the offenive line can control time of possession, and we need to keep the defense off the field as much as possible this year. While I know there is real enthusiasm about our defensive front seven, count me as an agnostic. I agree there is real talent, but we are VERY small and not real deep. The biggest guy on the two deep chart is listed at 255. Our two deep middle linebackers are listed at 205 and 195. They cannot stay on the field all day and play "bend-but-not-break" defense. In a war of attrition they will be erased. Our W-L record will be a direct reflection of how many times our offensive line takes command.

You can still have a deep game if you have a good running game/run blocking line. Play action (assuming our RB's are the real deal this year) should be used a lot this year. Last year we didn't have any speed on the outside so with the additions of Gatewood/Guinn we should be able to go down the field more. I'm sure they will also roll the pocket more if the tackles are not up to par early. There are lots of things you can compensate for on pass blocking to free up an extra second or so. Plus with Lulay's ability to run with the ball .. it will keep the DE honest as well. If they pin their ears back and go after him they better get him or he is off down the field. RUNNING GAME FIRST. Good teams can run the ball and play good defense. The passing game will come as a result of our ability to run the ball.

[VictorG]

Anytime an OC predicates his offense on having a guy break 5 yard slants for TDs or 3 yard runs up the gut for 50 yard TDs is not a good sign. I hope that Travis has the grasp of this offense enough to call his own plays in the huddle and audible more - ala Payton Manning does for the Colts. This could possibly eliminate some of the boneheaded drive killing mis-calls by Bailey. IMO, we need an OC who has, as Bailey put in the article, "it".

What, how'd this get here?....................Oh wait! For a second there I thought I was reading one of my posts on Egriz..............about the Griz OC, only with the names changed to protect the innocent!!!

[wbtfg]

It will be interesting to see how well Junior Adams does communicating his knowledge/instincts to our current receivers. If he does well, I really think that we will have a very strong passing and running attack (assuming the OLine holds up).

[Cat Pride]

It will be interesting to see how well Junior Adams does communicating his knowledge/instincts to our current receivers. If he does well, I really think that we will have a very strong passing and running attack (assuming the OLine holds up).

Great point wbtfg! I think our receivers will be greatly improved with Junior there versus that "kid" who was coaching last year.

[wbtfg]

That "kid" is now the secondary coach. Hopefully we don't see a huge drop off after losing Rushing and Robinson over the past few years. Also, it sounds like Charles Smith (Former Fres. St. receiver and Eddie's brother) will help out with the secondary as well.

[Cat Pride]

What do you know about him. I hope our secondary doesnt perform like our receivers did last year. I didnt think much of him as a coach.

Then again, I am just a slouch in the stands - what do I know.

[wbtfg]

I don't know anything about Brock Berryhill other than what I've read online.

Berryhill moves to the secondary this season after coaching Bobcat receivers that made a dramatic in-season turnaround last fall. A 1996 Boise State graduate, Berryhill coached the secondary at Southeast Oklahoma State in 2002. He also worked as linebackers coach at Tulsa in 2000-01, and was Cal Poly’s secondary coach in 1999. He served as a graduate assistant at Arkansas (1998-99) and Boise State (1996-97), and has served as recruiting coordinator in his previous three stops. “Brock has an extensive coaching background on the defensive side of the ball,” Kramer said. “He did an excellent job with our receivers last year, and is moving to a more familiar position this season. He has a wealth of experience, and as the son of a coach really understands what this profession entails.”

http://www.msubobcats.com/news.php?sid= ... &archive=y

[Cat Pride]

Thanks. Sounds like he is better suited on the other side of the ball this year.

[Catdad39]

For the umpteenth time, this season will demonstrate the absolute importance of a dominating offensive line. You don't throw deep without protection, you don't get 100+ rushing with blocking, etc. Even more important, the offenive line can control time of possession, and we need to keep the defense off the field as much as possible this year. While I know there is real enthusiasm about our defensive front seven, count me as an agnostic. I agree there is real talent, but we are VERY small and not real deep. The biggest guy on the two deep chart is listed at 255. Our two deep middle linebackers are listed at 205 and 195. They cannot stay on the field all day and play "bend-but-not-break" defense. In a war of attrition they will be erased. Our W-L record will be a direct reflection of how many times our offensive line takes command.

You may be an agnostic about our front seven, but every team in the league would trade for OUR guys. Our middle linebackers are not 205 and 195 ( Mollohan is 210 and Eggart weighs 215) Cooper is at 230 with Marudas around 218. Gluhm and Lowe are in the 230 range and very strong and quick. Clark, Sebestyn and Matakis are 250-260. They are plenty big enough for our scheme. The linebackers have to man up on a back and slot reciever which that old style 240 lb run-stopper will never get done. We play too much man to play those big bodies in there. If you ask OUR offensive lineman to compare blocking our line with our opponents and they will all tell you that are guys are much tougher. They can MOVE and they are strong. They love to block those big bull rushers. That makes for an easy day. I appreciate your concern, but there is a definite reason that our coaches recruit certain body types for our defense. We have led the Big Sky in defense for 3 years running. That should say enough right there! If we stay healthy, we will be tough again on defense.

[BozoneCat]

Good reply, 39. I believe that our front seven will be much better than last year, which is a good thing since our secondary just will not be the same. They will be good, but I can't see any way that they can replace players like Ioane, Thomas, and Qualls without some drop in production. Hopefully, we won't have to count on our safeties to come up and run-stop quite so often, because Kane was unbelievable at that. A little too good for my taste. I like what our coaches have done with the speed factor on defense, there is not a team in the country that can compete with our team speed on defense. I would like to see a couple big bodies on the roster to plug up that middle against run teams, though. This is what we will encounter with a run through the playoffs, and if you keep counting on the strong safety and Cooper to come up and stop the run, sooner or later it will burn you. It just wears the defense down over the course of the game. Watch tape on the McNeese game from a couple years ago. Their drive in the 4th that won the game was all about just running it down our throat and daring us to stop it. We finally just wore down on that drive, like we did late in the 2nd against the friz last year when Hilliard ran it all the way down the field against us. I think that a couple 285+ pounders would have helped absorb that type of physical weardown in those games. Ultimately, it is hard to argue with the success our defensive coaches have had the last few years. Not a single one of our losses can be blamed on the defense..... back to the topic of this thread. Well, my feelings about Bailey are well documented, no need to rehash them. God, I hope he proves me wrong for a change this year...

[CARDIAC_CATS]

For the umpteenth time, this season will demonstrate the absolute importance of a dominating offensive line. You don't throw deep without protection, you don't get 100+ rushing with blocking, etc. Even more important, the offenive line can control time of possession, and we need to keep the defense off the field as much as possible this year. While I know there is real enthusiasm about our defensive front seven, count me as an agnostic. I agree there is real talent, but we are VERY small and not real deep. The biggest guy on the two deep chart is listed at 255. Our two deep middle linebackers are listed at 205 and 195. They cannot stay on the field all day and play "bend-but-not-break" defense. In a war of attrition they will be erased. Our W-L record will be a direct reflection of how many times our offensive line takes command.

You may be an agnostic about our front seven, but every team in the league would trade for OUR guys. Our middle linebackers are not 205 and 195 ( Mollohan is 210 and Eggart weighs 215) Cooper is at 230 with Marudas around 218. Gluhm and Lowe are in the 230 range and very strong and quick. Clark, Sebestyn and Matakis are 250-260. They are plenty big enough for our scheme. The linebackers have to man up on a back and slot reciever which that old style 240 lb run-stopper will never get done. We play too much man to play those big bodies in there. If you ask OUR offensive lineman to compare blocking our line with our opponents and they will all tell you that are guys are much tougher. They can MOVE and they are strong. They love to block those big bull rushers. That makes for an easy day. I appreciate your concern, but there is a definite reason that our coaches recruit certain body types for our defense. We have led the Big Sky in defense for 3 years running. That should say enough right there! If we stay healthy, we will be tough again on defense.

Couldnt have said it better myself. The defense is suited for speed and playmaking ability. An interesting example of smaller stud LB's could compare would be Donnie Edwards of the Chargers. He's only about 220 but a darn good LB because he can RUN and has good football instincts (i.e a FOOTBALL PLAYER).

[raincat]

We got decent run support last year from a secondary who also played exceptional pass defense. Most of those guys are gone. When you look at our defense against the rush we struggled against the good teams. Peterson of Cal Poly rushed for 111, Adams from UNC rushed for 103, Mitchell from ISU rushed for 112, Robinson from NAU rushed for 161, the two g* running backs combined for over 200. Even Chournos from Weber rushed for 142. All this on a team who went 7-6 and kept the defense on the field much longer than they should have. All that speed you get from the type of defenders we recruit deteriorates the longer they stay on the field, and I contend this defense will struggle to be as good as last years. The primary topic of my post was the offensive line. They can't let it happen again this year or we can plan on similar results.

[Catdad39]

We got decent run support last year from a secondary who also played exceptional pass defense. Most of those guys are gone. When you look at our defense against the rush we struggled against the good teams. Peterson of Cal Poly rushed for 111, Adams from UNC rushed for 103, Mitchell from ISU rushed for 112, Robinson from NAU rushed for 161, the two g* running backs combined for over 200. Even Chournos from Weber rushed for 142. All this on a team who went 7-6 and kept the defense on the field much longer than they should have. All that speed you get from the type of defenders we recruit deteriorates the longer they stay on the field, and I contend this defense will struggle to be as good as last years. The primary topic of my post was the offensive line. They can't let it happen again this year or we can plan on similar results.

We are on the same side! I love the fact that we both love the Cats! I agree with you on the offensive line...actually the offense, in general, has to have more ball control ability for sure. We have put our defense on the field way too often and too quickly. That accounts a lot for the total yards rushing against us. We are tough to score on with our style. I like the fact that our style of defense usually allows us to pressure teams late in the game. I believe we still have endurance because we are a little smaller and more compact. Look at our ability late in games. Even the Griz could feel the pressure on Ochs when it counted. It is fun to debate and even more fun to cheer those Cats together. We definitely have to get some great play from the O-line (I hope we can) and the secondary has to hold up under pressure. Otherwise, our "streaks" of championships and leading defenses will be in serious jeopardy.

[CARDIAC_CATS]

We got decent run support last year from a secondary who also played exceptional pass defense. Most of those guys are gone. When you look at our defense against the rush we struggled against the good teams. Peterson of Cal Poly rushed for 111, Adams from UNC rushed for 103, Mitchell from ISU rushed for 112, Robinson from NAU rushed for 161, the two g* running backs combined for over 200. Even Chournos from Weber rushed for 142. All this on a team who went 7-6 and kept the defense on the field much longer than they should have. All that speed you get from the type of defenders we recruit deteriorates the longer they stay on the field, and I contend this defense will struggle to be as good as last years. The primary topic of my post was the offensive line. They can't let it happen again this year or we can plan on similar results.

Yeah, thats kind of our style though it seems on defense. We had such a good secondary/pass rush that most teams did run more on us I think than they passed. We also get after the QB A LOT and that results in a lot of moderate to good gains sometimes by the running backs. But when teams get down to the 30 everything usually changes and we play more of a solid/conservative scheme as we don't have the full field behind us to defend. I would like to have one 300 pounder we could plug in towards late 2nd and early 4th quarter that would plug the hole/take up 2 defenders as well. That is something we could maybe look to do in the future? It seems like the CATS like 4 FAST/STRONG type DL up front so they can stunt/go after the passer .... if the pass blocking breaks down then BAM .. our guys run down the QB.

I also agree with the OL/OFFENSE. If we can get our running game going and save our defense/rest them the defense will be even better this year. I'm hoping these RB's are the real deal as well as Gatewood and Guinn. Should be fun to watch this year.

[gtapp]

Did anyone notice that Kramer recruited a 290 lbs high school D-Lineman and added two big (275 lbs+) JC D-Lineman this year. I wonder why the change in strategy?