5 things to watch as Ragin' Cajuns head to camp

[Just1More]

I guess I'm not unlike many... in that I'm extremely curious how our defense will shape up. I know we have a better than normal chance of being really really good offensively. But, how we've shored up... and improved... with personnel on defense and special teams coverage (the defense's close cousin)... is where I'm left waiting to see the Hud and staff skills come into play. Can they take the pieces, recognize the skills available, coach them "up", and make a formidable defense to compliment this year's offense? What can Willis and staff bring to us in the immediate? I can't wait to see.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Agree it is a big, big ????

[johnnyusa3000]

There's no "generally" about it. No collegiate football coach, at any program, removes a redshirt, or even selects one athlete over another, for "ticket sales". They have enough to take into consideration regarding what will deliver success on the field, to factor in some fractional "ticket sales" concept. Besides the fact, you maximize ticket sales by mastering success on the field. You don't have to ever complicate what you think took place by who the coach is playing by considering their "ticket sales" potential. At no point will you have a conflict. The athlete that sells tickets... or the group of athletes that sell tickets... are always one and the same with those the coach chooses for maximum game day results on the field.

And Hud will... undoubtedly... select the active roster for success on the field.

Why don't you type "ticket sales", one more time. I am not even that worried about ticket sales like some people are. If we broke the record with this dud home schedule, we are on the right track. It is just a potential bonus that this recruit could bring. I am much more concerned with having the best guys on the field.
Also, it is impossible to know the situation of every coach. Some may really need the ticket sales.

[RedCajun]

We have no shortage of linebackers, that's for sure. If Alexander stays healthy, he will be starting.

OK good. I was a little concerned with lb depth after the 2 highly regarded Florida recruits didn't make the grades

[Boomer]

I am glad to see Coach has Torrey Pierce as the #2 back, I found him to be better than Effrem Reed last year, and he deserved more carries. He is alot more shifty, plus i think he is hard to find because of his height.

---Again I will mention that Torrey comes from John Curtis and they run the veer --You get the dive or the pitch---Nobody I would imagine had ever seen his best attributes (ZIG ZAG) can't forget the first time in the Spring Game year before last when he carried to the middle and popped outside --that is when I predicted he could play and really help---just wonder about his true speed!!!

[Hudsheen#Fired]

---Again I will mention that Torrey comes from John Curtis and they run the veer --You get the dive or the pitch---Nobody I would imagine had ever seen his best attributes (ZIG ZAG) can't forget the first time in the Spring Game year before last when he carried to the middle and popped outside --that is when I predicted he could play and really help---just wonder about his true speed!!!

I remember coming away from that spring game really thinking he could play. He isnt scared to get hit either

[Just1More]

Why don't you type "ticket sales", one more time. I am not even that worried about ticket sales like some people are. If we broke the record with this dud home schedule, we are on the right track. It is just a potential bonus that this recruit could bring. I am much more concerned with having the best guys on the field.
Also, it is impossible to know the situation of every coach. Some may really need the ticket sales.

Don't get offended... I was only giving my opinion that no college football coach decides to play someone in direct response to a ticket sales (there's that "one more time" LOL) drive... and especially not Hud. I don't know who among us is "worried" about ticket sales... but I am very interested in how we do in that area. This year's home slate isn't going to take any credit for improving it. Greater overall interest in the program should. Most of us long term fans aren't football opponent snobs to the extent LSU is. I want to see us playing better opponents for a lot of reasons... but I believe in taking care of whoever, wherever, whenever... and if someone is a supposed "inferior opponent"... we should prove it.

Again, I'm not smarting you... but coaches get better ticket sales by other means than showcasing players that they think will entice specific fan demographics. They are way too concerned with what it takes to succeed on the field.

[Just1More]

Agree it is a big, big ????

And that isn't to imply they won't be very good. We simply have a lot of new faces and assignments... to know. I'd rather be reconstructing a defense than an offense... by a long shot. A defense comes together... with good personnel and coaching... light years faster than an offense. They are going to get seriously tested in our opening contests. As everyone knows, we, as a mid major, get these contests scheduled early in our season by the edict of the money.

In the past, we would take an offense that was 3 and out... or at least couldn't maintain possession and keep our D sufficiently off the field. A big key to managing a top 30 program is to sustain offensive drives. "That" will substantially support our defense. I think we have that possibility this year. We are a scoring threat, even early in the season, against anyone. But, more importantly, we are capable of managing the clock. That will hugely help our new defense maintain their best efforts in these contests.

I know how impressed we all are with what Hud did in his first two years. But honestly, he has only scratched the surface of his abilities "with this program". Most don't even judge a coach in year 1 and 2. I see assets in Hud that won't show up until year 4 and 5. This sounds a bit silly... but this program could improve every single year for 10 straight years on a serious upward slope. This whole "thing" has only barely gotten started.

[CajunEXPRESS]

And that isn't to imply they won't be very good. We simply have a lot of new faces and assignments... to know. I'd rather be reconstructing a defense than an offense... by a long shot. A defense comes together... with good personnel and coaching... light years faster than an offense. They are going to get seriously tested in our opening contests. As everyone knows, we, as a mid major, get these contests scheduled early in our season by the edict of the money.

In the past, we would take an offense that was 3 and out... or at least couldn't maintain possession and keep our D sufficiently off the field. A big key to managing a top 30 program is to sustain offensive drives. "That" will substantially support our defense. I think we have that possibility this year. We are a scoring threat, even early in the season, against anyone. But, more importantly, we are capable of managing the clock. That will hugely help our new defense maintain their best efforts in these contests.

I know how impressed we all are with what Hud did in his first two years. But honestly, he has only scratched the surface of his abilities "with this program". Most don't even judge a coach in year 1 and 2. I see assets in Hud that won't show up until year 4 and 5. This sounds a bit silly... but this program could improve every single year for 10 straight years on a serious upward slope. This whole "thing" has only barely gotten started.

Very few defenses stop the new wide open spread offenses. The most you can hope for are turnovers and containment. Even the mighty BAMA folded last year.

I am hoping to win the turnover battle and field position. Win those and a good kicking game will result in very successful seasons. I doubt there will be many 17/14 wins in the SBC.

[zephyr]

We have no shortage of linebackers, that's for sure. If Alexander stays healthy, he will be starting.

I still hope that Anderson is moved to the outside if Molbert is healthy and playing well. In that case, it could make it very hard for Alexander to start at OLB given that Tig will be there. I'm sure we will see him play a lot but to start will require him making big strides in camp and during the season. Was he available in the spring because if he was, I didn't hear of him doing a whole lot to separate himself from some of the other guys?

[Hudsheen#Fired]

I still hope that Anderson is moved to the outside if Molbert is healthy and playing well. In that case, it could make it very hard for Alexander to start at OLB given that Tig will be there. I'm sure we will see him play a lot but to start will require him making big strides in camp and during the season. Was he available in the spring because if he was, I didn't hear of him doing a whole lot to separate himself from some of the other guys?

according to someone above, he said foquier (or however you spell it lol) will be starting
so if true the starting LB's will be Anderson, Molbert, Foquier

[BeauCajun]

according to someone above, he said foquier (or however you spell it lol) will be starting
so if true the starting LB's will be Anderson, Molbert, Foquier

Per discussion last night, Molbert will be a back up. Insert Tovell if I remember correctly.

Alexander was out for the spring with his knee.