All aboard.....

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 9:51 am

My game thoughts from yesterday:

1.) Bailey needs to go, and quick. I came into this season with an open mind as far as Bailey was concerned, but his play calling was absolutely atrocious yesterday. It appears that he has learned absolutely nothing this offseason. I agree with many posters that we should have run the ball a whole heck of a lot more, you pound teams like that and wear them down. The cherry on the sunday for me was when Bailey called a 3-yard pass over the middle on 4th and half a yard. First, if Travis doesn't get that, we are in REALLY big trouble. Second, if you decide to be ballsy and call a pass on that play, at least try to catch them off-guard and throw a deep ball. A 3 yard pass does nothing at all that running a QB sneak doesn't. I was so completely and thoroughly disgusted with the play-calling yesterday, I wanted to puke. Please, Kramer, get rid of this guy before he ruins another offense!!!

2.) Travis played terrible, probably his worst game as a Bobcat. All Kramer ever does is talk Travis up and tell everyone how amazing he is... well, he needs to call Travis out after this performance. A leader like Travis has to come back in a big way the next week, so we'll see if he can't make some big, BIG improvements by next week. His throws were all over the place, he was lucky this game was against Adams State and not anyone in I-AA. Travis is lucky he didn't end up with at least 2 INTs, and most teams probably would have picked him off 4 times in this game. When he did make a decent throw, players were dropping balls left and right. We have a LOT of work to do this week.

3.) I was not too impressed with our running game, either. Part of that, I would attribute to not running the ball enough and giving our guys chances to make plays. Running backs and O-linemen need to get in a flow, and I didn't think they were given the chance to do that. Domineck looked good on some runs, but not great overall. His TD run was a really nice run. I still think Milton is the guy. He looked good on his limited runs, and I think that if we can get him healthy for next week, he will get the start. He is just so much quicker than Domineck. Overall, I wasn't too impressed, but I thought that I saw a lot of things to be positive about, too.

4.) You can pretty much pick apart every single facet of our offense, but in trying to remain positive, I have to keep in mind two things: First, this was the first game for a lot of young guys, and it showed. They looked nervous when they came out, and then played like it. Hopefully, those jitters will be much more controlled next week. Second, this was the 3rd game for Adams State, and it showed. They played like a team that has already made their first-game mistakes, and you have to think that the experience of those first two games really helped them get ready. Also, this was their biggest game of the year, a chance to prove themselves by playing up a division. You know how that can go.

5.) Defense was solid, but not spectacular. This is just nit-picking, of course. The front 7 played great, and I think the experience of playing an option team this week will help us a great deal next week against Cal Poly. After getting a feel for the option in the first quarter, this defense only gave up about 70-80 yards the rest of the entire game. I don't care who you are playing, that is pretty amazing. Our corners did exactly like I thought they would. We were giving them big cushions at the line, and I too thought this was probably just putting them in a position to excel instead of a position to fail. They didn't give up any big plays, and provided solid coverage most of the day. Adams' QB was not very good, but I think this secondary will be just fine. Great tip by Austin and INT by Force to start the game, it was a great way to begin the season and set the tone for a defense that will be the best in the Big Sky for the 4th year in a row. Too bad Kwiatkowski doesn't coach offense, too...

We have a lot of room for improvement, and I am looking forward to see what our coaches can do with these guys this week. If we play like that against Poly, we will lose and lose bad. I have 100% confidence that every single player on the offensive side of the ball has a ton more talent than they displayed this Saturday, so I know they have it in them to show that this week was just a good learning experience.

As for the friz, I could care less who they schedule. They have a pretty solid schedule this year, as they usually do, but they also play just about everybody at home. That doesn't prepare you well for conference games and the playoffs. I like our schedule, I think it provides us with good challenges every week and also puts us in a position to play games every week that will help us prepare to defend our Big Sky titles and make a run in the playoffs. The friz didn't play great this weekend again, and I would guess that if they played either of their first two on the road they would have lost. I guarantee that if Ochs keeps playing the way he is, he will be out for the year by week 5. He took 2 hits that knocked his helmet all the way off - great coaching to put a kid with a history of concussions in a position like that. His numbers look pretty good so far, but I still think that when he hears footsteps, he is a mediocre-at-best QB. I am pretty confident that if he is still playing when we get them, our front 7 will dominate that game and Ochs won't do much with Bobcats at his throat all day long.

P.S. - Let's see if Sh*t-for-Brains feels compelled to post this over at efriz. He is seriously a disturbed individual. For some reason, he thinks it necessary to plagiarize just about every post we over here make, in addition to every single article that mentions even one discriminating line about the Cats. Not to mention, he thinks it necessary to post BAC's name every chance he gets because, let's face it, he was so amazingly clever in deciphering his hidden identity. I'm so proud to see our tax dollars paying for this out-of-work grease monkey to stay online every day... just sad, really.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:05 am

Another thought:

There are going to be quite a few guys carrying balls around campus this week. We put a lot of balls on the ground, which is absolutely unacceptable.

MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:14 am

I have been on this train for 3 years. I even wrote a letter in the exponet right after we lost in Northern Arizona two years ago. We had RJ and the running game was still only 5th in terms of yards in the BIg Sky. It made me so mad that he kept calling plays up the middle when they had the best linebackers in the conf. When we ran outside we had success and yet apparently he couldn't recognize that.

I think he makes the passing game more complicated than it needs to be. So many slants and timing routes in the middle of the field. Travis has to not only time is pass right and lead the reciever he has to look ahead of the reciever to make sure there is not a safety or linebacker sitting on the route waiting to make the pick. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. I've been a QB and those passes are very tough. I like what other teams do when they do more button hooks and things like that. Then the Qb can throw to a spot and not lead the reciever. These type of routes are much easier to throw and they open up things like a stop and go and out and ups. Geez maybe bailey needs a copy of the new madden to find some better plays.

MSUcantouchus · Post by **MSUcantouchus** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 10:18 am

Like somebody said though, Kramer held back alot of plays so Cal Poly would get a look at them. But on the other hand maybe we need to practice them.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 11:23 am

peedintunnel wrote:I have been on this train for 3 years. I even wrote a letter in the exponet right after we lost in Northern Arizona two years ago. We had RJ and the running game was still only 5th in terms of yards in the BIg Sky. It made me so mad that he kept calling plays up the middle when they had the best linebackers in the conf. When we ran outside we had success and yet apparently he couldn't recognize that.

I think he makes the passing game more complicated than it needs to be. So many slants and timing routes in the middle of the field. Travis has to not only time is pass right and lead the reciever he has to look ahead of the reciever to make sure there is not a safety or linebacker sitting on the route waiting to make the pick. I hope you understand what I am trying to say. I've been a QB and those passes are very tough. I like what other teams do when they do more button hooks and things like that. Then the Qb can throw to a spot and not lead the reciever. These type of routes are much easier to throw and they open up things like a stop and go and out and ups. Geez maybe bailey needs a copy of the new madden to find some better plays.

Those types of throws are more difficult and do take more time, but nothing a college QB shouldn't be able to execute. There were some bad offensive calls yesterday, but you have to look at it from the CATS/OL point of view. Early on we tried running and our OL wasn't getting the job done (NO HOLES) ... so Bailey turned to the passing game (which I'm sure after watching them we need practice on). The running game should come around faster than the passing game so I'm glad they ran more pass plays and that we came out with the W. At not time during that game (even though we played as bad as we possibly could on offense) did I have any inclination that the Bobcats would lose the game. Slant patterns can be very lethal if executed with precision. Also, another reason that an offense calls slant patters is to get the ball off quickly. If your OL is struggling, then it makes sense to call slant patterns with the quick 2-3 step drop of QB etc.

So I think before everyone gets on Bailey is to remember that I'm sure they wanted to 'practice' a lot of precision passing type plays that require repetitions on Adams State as it was their first game and one they should have won.

I also agree that Morris Milton will be the featured RB for the Cats by game 3. That guy hits the hole way faster and has homerun speed. Domineck is more powerful and should be used down in the red zone more I would think. I also think Domineck isn't in the shape he needs to be right now. Gathing I haven't seen play yet to give him credit.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 1:45 pm

I think we should do what the Eagles did last year (Phillly Eagles). They cycled their three running backs, Staley, Westrbrook and Buckhalter. It was a triple threat, and with the talent we have at RB, any given back could prove to be effective. Plus they all run with different styles, so that could very well keep the defense on their toes. We did that the second half, with JD and Milton, and I saw Gathing in once or twice I think. Our running in the second half was pretty effective.

I won't even talk about the passing game. I'm just glad I'm not a receiver after Saturday's performance, cuz if I was a coach, there would be some words.

Playcalling hasn't been the worst, but it definately hasn't been good. He is a subpar playcaller, but a lot of the problem Saturday was just lack of execution. Bad throws, bad catches. If we execute properly, we could have had many big plays.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:03 pm

I've been lobbying for Nick Howlett to come over from carroll for about 3 years now. I REALLY like the plays that carroll calls. I think Nick Howlett is a big reason why carroll always does so well.

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:04 pm

You have to say this for Baily though....he sure is a hell of a lot better OC than Kramer is.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Sun Sep 12, 2004 8:17 pm

I don't think there was any offensive game plan yesterday. It looked like they were there to just run a lot of things and see what would work...and see what needs work. I think they found out! I look for more of a game plan next week since we should have films of our opponent against a more familiar team like ISU. I think it's too early to get on the dump Bailey bandwagon for that reason. He has never really had a full compliment of experienced linemen, receivers and running backs to work with in four years, so he had to work with a partial team almost every year. I don't think there will be any excuse next year however, because almost everyone is back offensively.

mjc · Post by **mjc** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:07 am

Do we have a Fullback??? Is it Grant Elliott the younger brother of the former Fullback Ryan???

Did he every carry the ball or come in to block????

Also, did we throw to Blake Wolf (TE) once or twice?????

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 7:58 am

mjc wrote:Do we have a Fullback??? Is it Grant Elliott the younger brother of the former Fullback Ryan???

Did he every carry the ball or come in to block????

Also, did we throw to Blake Wolf (TE) once or twice?????

Yes,Yes and NO,NO from what I saw.

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:07 am

I wondered the very same thing cardiac. I am also wondering why on earth, Bailey wouldn't try to put in Tyler Lulay on the offense. Realistically, being brothers, they are probably more confident throwing the ball to each other, than the "newer" guys. I dont' know, maybe I am just trying to make sense of it all. I think it was a really pathetic showing, and if they don't get their stuff together by this weekend, we are going to have one hell of a long season. They played like the team in 2000! Thank god for the defense!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 8:29 am

grizhatr wrote:I wondered the very same thing cardiac. I am also wondering why on earth, Bailey wouldn't try to put in Tyler Lulay on the offense. Realistically, being brothers, they are probably more confident throwing the ball to each other, than the "newer" guys. I dont' know, maybe I am just trying to make sense of it all. I think it was a really pathetic showing, and if they don't get their stuff together by this weekend, we are going to have one hell of a long season. They played like the team in 2000! Thank god for the defense!

They will get it together. Adams State was disrupting the timing/flow early on and it caused some major problems with our experience. Plus I think we were running a bland offense. But you are right, if we don't get it together in a hurry, Cal Poly is gonna smear us all over the field. We need to get the 12th man going this weekend and get our team fired up. If we can come out and get some rythm running/passing we should be fine. Look for the big play this weekend as Cal Poly runs the flex defense, should be some big holes in the middle from time to time as they blitz their LB's. I'm thinking Morris/Beal will/should get some catches popping out to where the blitzing LB's had just been. I also think on aggressive defenses like Cal Poly that you throw the screen pass often! If they are gonna blitz then let them through and do the screen pass.

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 9:52 am

Cardiac, I hope I come back here next week at this time, and you can say, "I told you so". I like your positive outlook. I usually am a positive person, however... .

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 11:20 am

grizhatr wrote:I wondered the very same thing cardiac. I am also wondering why on earth, Bailey wouldn't try to put in Tyler Lulay on the offense. Realistically, being brothers, they are probably more confident throwing the ball to each other, than the "newer" guys. I dont' know, maybe I am just trying to make sense of it all. I think it was a really pathetic showing, and if they don't get their stuff together by this weekend, we are going to have one hell of a long season. They played like the team in 2000! Thank god for the defense!

I talked to Dennis Lulay saturday and he said that Tyler is redshirting. I don't think the staff was worried about losing this game. I think, like others that the offense and defense schemed just enough to get by. We will probabaly see more "scheme"and planning for next weeks game.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:09 pm

Yes, and I may have been imagining it, but I didn't see Lulay leave the pocket at all in the first half, and there looked to be good opportunities to run? I was wondering if Kramer told him to stay put and let the receivers work the kinks out?

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 12:36 pm

Good thoughts all around. I think that personally, I was more upset because I just saw more of the stupid play calling that I have seen from Bailey over the course of the last three years, not specifically just because of this game. Bleedin' hit it on the nose in another thread - I don't think he is necessarily a horrible OC, as he has proven quite successful at other schools, but I think his offensive mentality differs from Kramer's and it causes what looks like trying to pound a square into a circle.

As to Cal Poly, I am very optimistic about this game, regardless of how we looked this last weekend. I think there will be huge improvement all around, and I think that if Idaho State can hold them to 21 offensive points with their crappy defense, we will hold them to a maximum of 14 points, although they will be lucky to get that many. Our defense got a huge advantage by playing an option team this last week, and I think they will shut them down. The onus is going to be on the offense to most importantly not turn the ball over, and to sustain some drives and keep the defense off the field. I bet Bolton will kick this week, and I think he will do very well - I didn't think it was necessarily a good decision to put him out there for a 48-yard FG for his first kick as a collegian. I think he will prove very solid this year, call me crazy. I think that some part of the horrible-looking offense had to do not only with most of the guys not having any experience, but a few are transfers and have never even physically been in an atmosphere like Saturday's. I think Travis, as a born and proven leader, will come back and play much better this week and lead the Cats to a 14-point victory.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:24 pm

I hope you're right Bozone. I'm thinking it will be much closer, with us edging them out. 17 to 14.

P.S. Cal Poly scored 35 against Idaho State.

theblackgecko · Post by **theblackgecko** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:32 pm

BozoneCat wrote: As for the friz, I could care less who they schedule. They have a pretty solid schedule this year, as they usually do, but they also play just about everybody at home. That doesn't prepare you well for conference games and the playoffs.

In defense of the Montana schedule, 3 of 4 NC games are part of home/away deals. They did thier thing as Maine, and will do their thing at SHSU and Hofstra. When are the Bobs planning on going to Adams State, Cal-Poly, SDSU? Is Col. State planning a return trip to Bozeman? It does work out that Montana has quite a few home games this year, but I like home/away deals better than paying a DII team to come to your place, then going to a IA team for the bodybag game.
Anyway, I agree with most of your points. I would take a bit of the pressure off Lulay, and put it on the recievers. There were a lot of dropped balls, which isn't Lulay's fault.
Cal-Poly has two games under the belt, including a road win over a BSC team. Montana State only has a win over a mediocore DII team. I have a feeling the game will be close. As is usually true in football, both teams need wins this weekend, and both are capable to getting them. I'll take Montana State by a field goal.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 13, 2004 1:38 pm

theblackgecko wrote:
BozoneCat wrote: As for the friz, I could care less who they schedule. They have a pretty solid schedule this year, as they usually do, but they also play just about everybody at home. That doesn't prepare you well for conference games and the playoffs.
In defense of the Montana schedule, 3 of 4 NC games are part of home/away deals. They did thier thing as Maine, and will do their thing at SHSU and Hofstra. When are the Bobs planning on going to Adams State, Cal-Poly, SDSU? Is Col. State planning a return trip to Bozeman? It does work out that Montana has quite a few home games this year, but I like home/away deals better than paying a DII team to come to your place, then going to a IA team for the bodybag game.
Anyway, I agree with most of your points. I would take a bit of the pressure off Lulay, and put it on the recievers. There were a lot of dropped balls, which isn't Lulay's fault.
Cal-Poly has two games under the belt, including a road win over a BSC team. Montana State only has a win over a mediocore DII team. I have a feeling the game will be close. As is usually true in football, both teams need wins this weekend, and both are capable to getting them. I'll take Montana State by a field goal.

Field goal? You haven't seen our FG kickers kick yet?

I'll take MSU by a 8 points .. TD and a 2 point conversion. I have a feeling our kickers are gonna turn the corner though. They both do have some definate leg. Just need to get the sighting down and they could be very good. Martel field IS a tough place to kick though with the wind.