The Book 2008 Football

[HoustonCajun]

_ I'm sure we were misaligned quite a few times there coach. What about our players getting blown 5 yards off the ball and the fact that our LB's couldn't shed a block? Do you think that had something to do with the record yardage given up last Saturday? I sure do. There's no misalignment that could explain that ten yard hole in the middle of the line that Fletcher looked surprised to be running through. _

I think sometimes what is more disheartening than the actual loss is Bustle's response to the loss. It is like he has no clue as to what happened or how to correct it. We lose to McNeese and to ULM for like 4 years in a row and it is just like water off a duck's back. He doesn't appear to understand MUST WIN games like those two. I'm sure as a coach he wants to win more than anyone. It is just the way he refers to things, how he appears lost as to what happened and how to correct them that befuddles me. He says nothing to inspire the average fan, particularly after losses like USM or even the McNeese and ULM losses. From what I have read recently, a player or two have commented that he doesn't really inspire them either, which has more importance and presents more concern. We'll see how this team responds vs. Illinois next week, then our home opener vs. Kent State. I feel for the players who have put so much into making this a successful season.

[Corndog308]

"I just saw them trying to do the right things today," UL coach Rickey Bustle said of his players. "We played hard (against Southern Miss). We just played bad. I thought we moved the ball well at times offensively, which is hard to do when you turn it over. Defensively, we had too many misalignments."

Pardon my politically incorrectness, but this dude is retarded. He is not taking responsibility for this loss. Some coach we have. Oh yeah, uh......we just played bad. OMG!!!! This guy needs to take responsibility for this loss. And our players sure as hell did not deserve his responses. Misalignments? Bustle, it's because of COACHING!!!! Get your s&#t together for these kids, because it seems that they have never given up on you.

[Sonsissymia]

_ I think sometimes what is more disheartening than the actual loss is Bustle's response to the loss. It is like he has no clue as to what happened or how to correct it. We lose to McNeese and to ULM for like 4 years in a row and it is just like water off a duck's back. He doesn't appear to understand MUST WIN games like those two. I'm sure as a coach he wants to win more than anyone. It is just the way he refers to things, how he appears lost as to what happened and how to correct them that befuddles me. He says nothing to inspire the average fan, particularly after losses like USM or even the McNeese and ULM losses. From what I have read recently, a player or two have commented that he doesn't really inspire them either, which has more importance and presents more concern. We'll see how this team responds vs. Illinois next week, then our home opener vs. Kent State. I feel for the players who have put so much into making this a successful season. _

you mean your anxieties about the coaching staff weren't completely assuaged by the line "coaches yelled at players walking on or off the field"?

[NOCajun]

_ you mean your anxieties about the coaching staff weren't completely assuaged by the line "coaches yelled at players walking on or off the field"? _

If anything, the players should've been yelling and screaming at the COACHES!!!

[Orpheus]

_ We played like crap. I don't need you to come here to point it out. I like how you wait til AFTER the game to start running your mouth. _

Oh come on Zephyr, you have to admit after that great game your Cajun's defense played, this is just too funny...

"The entire D has bulked up tremendously this year and they have gotten faster. Next, once we had our entire unit on the field for the last 3 games of last year, they allowed a little over 300 yards a game in total yardage. This ocurred once they all got on the field at one time. I believe this D will be faster, stronger, bigger and much more aggressive. Do I think they will turn into LSU's D? Of course not. I do expect them to be a different unit though."

[zephyr]

_ Oh come on Zephyr, you have to admit after that great game your Cajun's defense played, this is just too funny...

"The entire D has bulked up tremendously this year and they have gotten faster. Next, once we had our entire unit on the field for the last 3 games of last year, they allowed a little over 300 yards a game in total yardage. This ocurred once they all got on the field at one time. I believe this D will be faster, stronger, bigger and much more aggressive. Do I think they will turn into LSU's D? Of course not. I do expect them to be a different unit though." _

Yes Oriface, you are correct. What do you want us to explain? We played like crap, got blown off the ball all night and didn't recover. What else would you like me to say? Maybe your intelligence level doesn't allow for you to make that assessment on your own. Sorry for the confusion.

[NewsCopy]

LAFAYETTE — The University of Louisiana apparently found the appropriate remedy for a 30-point, season-opening loss.

UL completed three consecutive days of practices Saturday morning during an open week that precedes the Cajuns’ Sept. 13 contest at Illinois.

“It was a good three days, just what the doctor ordered,” said UL coach Rickey Bustle.

Bustle said Hurricane Gustav altered the original schedule that had the Cajuns resuming practices Tuesday.

UL’s players were free to make their own arrangements for the storm following last Saturday’s 51-21 defeat at Southern Mississippi.

The Cajuns experienced no problems from the storm, said Bustle.

The rest of the story

By BOB ARDOIN
Special to The Advocate

[anhil8tor]

I wonder what they are doing to gear up? Running sprints? Spotting the running back 5 yards then trying to catch him enroute to a 65 yard touchdown? Giving their best Ron Landry impression.

[NewsCopy]

  After spending three consecutive practices focusing on itself, UL's football team finally looked ahead to its next opponent on Sunday night.

With Hurricane Gustav long gone, the focus is now on Illinois, which was ranked 24th in the most recent AP poll and played last season in the Rose Bowl. Led by junior quarterback Isiah "Juice" Williams, the Fightin' Illini (1-1) play host to the Ragin' Cajuns (0-1) at 11 Saturday morning at Memorial Stadium in Champaign, Ill.

"He's a heck of a player," UL coach Rickey Bustle said of Williams. "He's such a great athlete. He's really developing."

The rest of the story


Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 8, 2008

[Just1More]

What is everyone's take on seeing MD and Brad McGuire alternating series against Illinois? Is that a possibility? Is it practical? Is it time to alter our approach in this "get er done or say goodbye" year for Bustle? Is it time to put in Brad and move MD to a two back set and/or additional receiver? (if asking that question irritates you... sorry, it is just a question).

Would Illinois be the time and place to experiment? Or do we stick with our pre-existing football season strategy on offense and grind it out... hoping it clicks?

Of course, if our defense doesn't figure things out... who QBs may not really matter much. What say you guys?

[CajunRage]

In no way do I think that Des is not an able quarterback, but I think we could have done things much differently. I believe we wasted a good quarterback in John Hundley as well as the open field playmaking ability of Des. Even last year, look at the offensive spread we could have had. Chery and Smith on the outsides, Des in the slot, Fenroy in the backfield, with Hundley taking snaps. Run no tight ends with Wallace in the other slot or next to Fenroy.

I'll take my shot at Bustle here. That would involve an offense with more than 4 plays though, so I'm not sure how Ricky would take it.

With all that being said, offense is not the problem right now. If we can't stop a team from running for 400+ when they are held to 40 the next week, we aren't going to beat anyone.

[zephyr]

_ In no way do I think that Des is not an able quarterback, but I think we could have done things much differently. I believe we wasted a good quarterback in John Hundley as well as the open field playmaking ability of Des. Even last year, look at the offensive spread we could have had. Chery and Smith on the outsides, Des in the slot, Fenroy in the backfield, with Hundley taking snaps. Run no tight ends with Wallace in the other slot or next to Fenroy.

I'll take my shot at Bustle here. That would involve an offense with more than 4 plays though, so I'm not sure how Ricky would take it.

With all that being said, offense is not the problem right now. If we can't stop a team from running for 400+ when they are held to 40 the next week, we aren't going to beat anyone. _

I think you will see a much better MD the rest of the year. I think you will find that he has improved his passing game although he didn't show it at USM. I do NOT think that McGuire is an option to start or even see significant PT right now as he is a freshman that was limited in offseason due to injury.

In regards to Hundley, he is probably a very good passing QB but unless Bustle is to change this offense, Hundley did not fit in well at all. He is not a runner and the zone option running game is what we employ. Look at every other qb that we have on our roster. They are at the very least able to move around and keep D's honest. Now, if Bustle had any imagination I'm sure he could have employed a similar system to what Florida ran with Leak and Tebow but I'm not going there. I just think that Hundley was in the wrong system.