Offense? where?

LongTimeCatFan · Post by **LongTimeCatFan** » Thu Oct 28, 2004 6:33 pm

I think this is the first game (SDSU) that I've seen our offense do a better job than our defense. We definately have a lot of work to do with our defense for this week. However, I must ask this question. Who is calling the plays when we go "no-huddle?" Is it Kramer or is it Lulay because it surely is not Don Bailey. We didn't huddle much at all Saturday and our offense looked the best it has all season. So one would assume that Bailey is calling the shots when the Cats huddle. Right? I might be wrong. It is also obvious that when Bailey is suposedly calling the shots, the offense looks like a bunch of middle schoolers. Examples: 3rd and a taxi ride and he calls a run. Yeah, that's gonna get you a first down...... 3rd and 2... call a pass and it gets deflected when we've been grinding the ball down the field all day. Again, this isn't rocket science. We should pass on a long 3rd and run on a short 3rd given those scenarios and I know what some of you are saying... that it's too predictable. So what if those are predictable. They are predictable because they would be the right call. On the other hand of predictability.... we always run the same 3 plays and any defense can pick up on that pretty quick. How much longer must we endure Bailey and his outdated play calling? Its time for a change.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:29 am

I have never been a fan of Bailey, but something has changed in these last 3 games. The O is opened up. Now if that is due to Kramer or Bailey, I dont care. Its working.

Next years O has a chance to be extremely potent. We lose Figeroua and Blake Wolf, that is it - albeit Blakes shoes will be tough to fill. The last thing we need for next year is to change coordinators with all these guys being seniors and juniors next season. So unless Kramer is gone, I dont see any reason to dump Bailey.

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 7:55 am

I agree completely Cat Pride. Things are much better than they were in the first three games and the numbers reflect that. I have no idea but I am guessing the no huddle was Kramers way of 1) trying to loosen up the players and 2) not letting Bailey overanalyze every play and make the wrong calls. I think Bailey and Kramer put together a list of things they want to try during the week leading up to game day and make quicker decisions on the field. It looks like Travis is really thriving in this setting and if Bailey thought this up I will give even him all the credit in the world.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:33 am

Most non-huddles still have their plays called from the sideline. It is not left up to the QB to go adlib. The plays are to diverse. Also when Lulay was knocked out, in the 2nd half that is not when you want him taking on extra responsibilities.

If you will watch, the plays still take as long to run, QB looks to the side for the play (it just that the players are in their general positions), the coaches on the side listen to the coaches up above first, then "sign" the play into the game. Lulay only then passes it on to the players in similiar coded phrases. The just don't get to the ball and Lulay starts calling a play.

No huddle does a couple of things, keeps the defense from changing personnel, major formations and limits blitzing (since the offense could just go immediately if they start changing on the fly). It also keeps your plays simplier because you are for the most part staying in the same formations also (with strength on the right, etc). If you have a lighter/faster team, it tires out the larger players on defense more because they don't get breaks.

Baily is still calling the plays, it's just now more agressive and the players are making the 3rd down conversions and more yards and the 1st down.
Baily's calls are good (whether we want to give him credit or not) and Lulay is playing exceptional (gone are the passes behind players and at their feet or above their heads).

The offense is running it's best since 1984 per the stats. That is impressive.

Go Cats

FootballFan · Post by **FootballFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:35 am

The reason the offense has improved is Travis is playing better! Take Travis out of the mix and how bad would the offense be. What other weapons do the cats have on offense if Travis wasn't playing? Tell me what Bailey has to do with that? Has the offense changed?

Bailey is adequate at best as a coordinator. If the cats ever want to get past a first round playoff game they will have to improve drastically on offense. I don't see that ever happening with Bailey as a coordinator! Come on, he's been here 4 years and what has changed? Has the offense shown improvement each year? No! That's why we are talking about it right now.

If they were to get into the playoffs this season, can they score points against a good quality playoff defense? I don't see that.

If you are happy with mediocrity on offense stay with Bailey (I believe thats all you will ever have). If you feel the offense needs to elevate its overall game to make a run in the playoffs, make a change, he needs to go!

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 8:44 am

Isn't it great.

5 years ago no wins and the 10 years prior was all downhill football. Beating MU has a pipedream.

Now the talk seems to be playoffs are expected and how do you win it all.
MU game is not a for sure loss, MSU is on the same footing.

The stands have 12,000 instead of 4,000. Even at the start of hunting season.

The players, coaches, and Fans have ALL gotten much better and it's fun to talk about the next step.

Post by **kmax** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:02 am

BobcatLionFan wrote:Isn't it great.

5 years ago no wins and the 10 years prior was all downhill football. Beating MU has a pipedream.

Now the talk seems to be playoffs are expected and how do you win it all.
MU game is not a for sure loss, MSU is on the same footing.

The stands have 12,000 instead of 4,000. Even at the start of hunting season.

The players, coaches, and Fans have ALL gotten much better and it's fun to talk about the next step.

Way to put it in perspective BobcatLionFan, indeed it is a great time to be Bobcat Fan. Now the Cats just need to keep up the momentum and not become stagnant which is what these types of complaints are more geared towards.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 9:31 am

FootballFan wrote:The reason the offense has improved is Travis is playing better! Take Travis out of the mix and how bad would the offense be. What other weapons do the cats have on offense if Travis wasn't playing? Tell me what Bailey has to do with that? Has the offense changed?

Bailey is adequate at best as a coordinator. If the cats ever want to get past a first round playoff game they will have to improve drastically on offense. I don't see that ever happening with Bailey as a coordinator! Come on, he's been here 4 years and what has changed? Has the offense shown improvement each year? No! That's why we are talking about it right now.

If they were to get into the playoffs this season, can they score points against a good quality playoff defense? I don't see that.

If you are happy with mediocrity on offense stay with Bailey (I believe thats all you will ever have). If you feel the offense needs to elevate its overall game to make a run in the playoffs, make a change, he needs to go!

Of course if you take Lulay out the offense is going to change .. he is a 'special' player. He has been playing all year with a totally 'new' crew to throw too. IN A SPREAD OFFENSE. That is the reason this team started off so slow this year as it takes time to get the timing/routes/chemistry down in a system like that. Is Bailey responsible for the last 3 games (385/430/465 total yards in those) .. you bet he is. The bobcats are running the same type plays as they were early in the season (but have now added some extra ones in there) but are NOT dropping the ball now. Bailey has also started to use the middle of the field more now as well, which really helps this team.

I cannot say this enough. The players have to execute on ANY FOOTBALL team for an offensive coordinator to be successful. Is Bailey responsible for a lot of that .. YES, but he can't really control early season timing/chemistry/drops as well either. Even Gatewood said early in the year he was having trouble adjusting to the large crowds/pressure out there and he just needed to settle down and relax and have fun. I think this team is coming together as ONE (i.e. thank you Eddie Sullivan) and are actually having fun out there playing the 'GAME' now. They do not seem like they were pressing like they were at the beginning of the year.

And KUDOS for our pass blocking as well these last 2-3 games. Lulay had ALL DAY last week and he will eat up teams when he has that.

This team is growing, so I think there shouldn't be any blaming of any of the coaches or players on this team. If they were digressing, then yes ... we all would be bringing up red flags. The offense will only get better as the year goes on .. why wouldn't it? These are all new skill players this year. You can finally start seeing that the talent is there.

FootballFan · Post by **FootballFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:01 am

Defense! Special Teams TD's. That's the reason the Cats have been co-champions, beat the Griz, and made the playoffs! The offense certainly hasn't been the reason. They have scored a total of 3 TD's in the 2 victories over the Griz! Not impressive and not good enough to win unless you have a dominant defense.

The last time the cats lead the league in offense was under Hysell and McElwain! The way I see it, the cats are no better on offense now then they were when Hysell was head coach. Lulay is better than any QB Hysell had, but after that?

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:29 am

FootballFan wrote:Defense! Special Teams TD's. That's the reason the Cats have been co-champions, beat the Griz, and made the playoffs! The offense certainly hasn't been the reason. They have scored a total of 3 TD's in the 2 victories over the Griz! Not impressive and not good enough to win unless you have a dominant defense.

The last time the cats lead the league in offense was under Hysell and McElwain! The way I see it, the cats are no better on offense now then they were when Hysell was head coach. Lulay is better than any QB Hysell had, but after that?

Co-Champions .... okay, you just exposed yourself Football fan. This team/offense is getting better each and every week. If you cannot see how the spread offense/weapons are starting to show up, then I guess you just don't. The Cats are 5-2 and their only 2 losses are to 7-0 Cal Poly and CSU (BOTH GOOD TEAMS). In case you have missed some of the games this year, THIS year it has been BOTH the offense and defense that has won games for us at the END. The offense has actually come down when it counted and won the last 3 games for us.

Turnovers/penalties need to stop, but this offense is GELLING right now. This offense could be SCARY if they cut out the penalties/TO's. I mean they put up 475+ yards last week and had 8+ penalties and 3 or so TO's?

Post by **SonomaCat** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:34 am

All of the Bailey critics could be perfectly right -- I don't pretend to know one way or another. However, I have enough faith in the direction the program as a whole has gone under Kramer to trust him to know whether or not he needs to fire his offensive coordinator. I imagine things are a little more complicated on the inside of the program than simply calling plays like a video game and then letting everything run on autopilot until it is time to choose the next play from the pulldown menu.

It used to be said that the best coaches were in the stands. Today, that statement has to be expanded to include the internet as well.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:36 am

It is always said that Offense is for show and Defense wins. The defense for the past couple years has been very good and will be next year also. It's almost a given with the coaches at MSU and the athelites and speed they are getting (what is it, ALL the LBs were running backs in High School, which means speed).

But a big part of winning is heart during close games. And the Bobcats team this year has shown heart over and over.

The offense is also much much better as it has moved along. Can it get better? there is probably a little room, but 400+ yards passing probably will not happen again as it gets into winter.

The team is an entire group. Defense is great, but the Offense is getting there. I think people are use to getting on Bailey and don't want to see the improvements. Between now and 5 years ago, it's day and night. Both Defensively and Offensively.

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 10:45 am

FootballFan wrote:Defense! Special Teams TD's. That's the reason the Cats have been co-champions, beat the Griz, and made the playoffs! The offense certainly hasn't been the reason. They have scored a total of 3 TD's in the 2 victories over the Griz! Not impressive and not good enough to win unless you have a dominant defense.

Thank you for proving the point that this offense is coming into its own. Cats are 5-2 losing to Cal Poly and Colorado St. WITHOUT scoring on defense and exceptional special teams play.

Not to say the defense isnt playing great, but they dont have to hold every team to 3 and outs all day long and our special teams dont need to take back a punt or KO for TD for this team to win. Lulay and the boys on offense have shown they can take some pressure off the Cats defense.

In years past, if the game was going to be a shoot out, our chances of winning were slim to none. Now, if a shoot out comes about, I like our chances.

FootballFan · Post by **FootballFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:12 am

Fact or Fiction - were the Cats co-champions or not? Proud of the 3 narrow wins over 3 of the 4 bottom teams in the league! The cats win 3 of the 4 next league then I will be a believer.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:24 am

Whether they win 3 of 4 or lose 3 of 4. It's great to be a bobcat fan and enjoy where the team has come to.

Sometimes it just great to root for a team (i.e. Boston Red Sox). There are thoses that enjoy the ride and others that only see the failure.

Both type of fans get something from it.

It's better to just agree we disagree and move on.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:49 am

I'm not out to hang Bailey or anything, but as good as our offense is starting to become-we have yet to break the 30 point barrier. If we stop missing field goals and stop having so many drive killing penalties it will help.

It will be fun to have an experienced quarterback and receivers at the same time-we're just starting to see that now I think. This is potentially the most talent at the offensive skill positions we seen in a very, very long time.

My big concern this weekend is our abililty (or lack thereof) to run the ball. Our inablility to run against SDSU almost spelled doom because we weren't able to burn clock in the 4th quarter with a big lead. SDSU is built to stop the run, because where they're from that's what they see, but NAU will be tough to run on as well. SDSU had a slow secondary-NAU's is very fast. SDSU didn't intercept us-though a couple were close-NAU most certainly will-especially if Lulay has to put it up 50 times.

Post by **kmax** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 11:58 am

BelgradeBobcat wrote:I'm not out to hang Bailey or anything, but as good as our offense is starting to become-we have yet to break the 30 point barrier.

Guess we know who left early at the Portland State game.

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 12:59 pm

I will admit that I am not a Bailey fan at all. HOWEVER, Lulay has begun to really shine the past few weeks. In the no huddle, Lulay has been far more relaxed, comfortable, and effective. Lulay has gone to the hot receiver. He has had the time to look for the holes that are being left open for us. Look at the number of receptions of each player.

All of them: Domenick, Wolf, Sullivan, Gatewood, and Guinn. That is five weapons that can get the job done. The best part is, is that they are blocking downfield for each other like no other past team has. Guinn has laid some viscious hits on people. Wolf has shown some incredible hands and speed lately. Gatewood and Sullivan have surpassed Guinn as far as I am concerned. As a matter of fact I have been very leary of Guinn from the get-go, but he has made some critical grabs when necesary.

During the early season, several people wanted Milton in the backfield. I have thought from day one that JD would be the featured back, and I think the PSU game answered that one for most of us.

Some one brought up the point of Lulay and Co. all being back next year. I think to change boats in the middle of the stream would be a tragedy for this offense. The crew is becoming more and more comfortable each week and god only knows what a whole off-season will bring.

The offensive line has been doing a job that has exceeded any one of our expectations so far this season.

I AM SO OPTOMISTIC FOR THESE LAST FEW GAMES.

Let's try to keep Bailey at least until Lulay is out of school.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 1:20 pm

kmax wrote:
BelgradeBobcat wrote:I'm not out to hang Bailey or anything, but as good as our offense is starting to become-we have yet to break the 30 point barrier.
Guess we know who left early at the Portland State game.

How could I forget that-of course I didn't leave early against PSU!

Let me rephrase: we have yet to break the 30 point barrier in regulation

LongTimeCatFan · Post by **LongTimeCatFan** » Fri Oct 29, 2004 5:17 pm

Cat Pride wrote:

WITHOUT scoring on defense and exceptional special teams play.

I believe that the first Bobcat TD scored this year was an interception run back vs. Adams State

Offense? where?

How much longer do we keep Don Bailey

Offense? where?