The Book 2008 Football

[Just1More]

_ This is Des 's second year as starting QB and we only played 1 game. I only hope he stays healthy all year, because he will put up more points this season than we have seen in many moons. By the end of the season we will look at how ridiculous this thread was. The offense is not the problem. Des will be The Man. _

It isn't an indictment of MD at QB (at least by me who started the thread). I completely agree that defense is the sore spot. If you cannot stop the other team from scoring, you sure better have an incredible offense. We'll see if the passing skills improve (along with everything else required)... I am neutral on whether we have that figured out yet or not.

If anyone believes we are going to have a winning record with two great runners, and no passing threat, they need only look at last year.

Do you think it's ridiculous that Mike might actually be a greater asset as a tailback or slot receiver? He is Man enough to play whatever role is best for the team... I can assure you of that. It was only a question among ourselves as to whether one of our differently gifted QBs might add a wrinkle we need this year.

Des will be The Man regardless of whether he is the "only" QB this year or not. I hope he stays heathy for the rest of his life.

[Just1More]

_ Well said. All stones should be thrown at our woeful defense and porous OL. Des is way down on our list of problems. _

No stones need be thrown at any players... and none for certain at MD. It was a question of whether we could add another offensive threat, while blending in some playing time with one of the other QBs. I do not, however, consider Mike's role as any more precious than other players in other positions... OL... defense... WRs... LBs. If coaches find a wrinkle here and their by swapping some of those guys out... I sure hope some of you guys don't get wound up about that too.

[Just1More]

What exactly does "writing off the season" infer... do you get a tax deduction?

Yes, way too early.

[Frenchie35]

Did any of you get anything out of this interview? If you did you read more into it than I did. A bunch of lame excuses for a poor performance. Time for these coaches to pull the gloves off......then again maybe they have.

[MetryCajun]

_ Did any of you get anything out of this interview? If you did you read more into it than I did. A bunch of lame excuses for a poor performance. Time for these coaches to pull the gloves off......then again maybe they have. _

I was thinking the same thing. The coaches said we played poorly, then praised a bunch of players. If so many players played well, why did we get skull drug? I also noticed the people he gave props to were new players. I have a feeling the coaches are laying the groundwork for the "we are young" angle.

[RaginCajun77]

Yes it is too early to write this season off, but here is what needs to happen for us to find some success:

1. D-Line has to improve and do a better job of shedding blocks and closing the running lanes.
2. Their is no excuse for arm-tackling. If you arm-tackle you run the bleachers.
3. Gang tackling. Every player on defense should be swarming to the ball carrier.
4. RUN & PASS!! We have a good rushing attack but we have to be able to pass the ball downfield to continue to keep the running game going. Defenses will continue to stack the box until we show them we can throw the ball.
5. Minimize turnovers on offense.
6. Create/Get turnovers on defense. If the ball hits the carpet jump on it.

[NewsCopy]

 UL's football team got three pieces of good news on Tuesday.

First, Hurricane Ike veered to the west and appeared to be taking a path away from the Louisiana coast. If that happens, the Ragin' Cajun players and coaches would avoid having to change their travel plans for Saturday's 11 a.m. game at Illinois.

Secondly, the Cajuns learned that senior running back Tyrell Fenroy was cleared after going to the doctor on Monday. Fenroy, who needs nine yards to become the program's all-time leading rusher, missed the second half of UL's 51-21 loss at Southern Miss on Aug. 30 with a head injury.

Fenroy was unavailable for comment after Tuesday's practice because he had a night class.

"He was practicing today," UL coach Rickey Bustle said. "He's good. He's been released."

Thirdly, senior linebacker Brent Burkhalter finally became eligible . . .

The rest of the story

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • September 10, 2008

[DestinCajun]

I was thinking the same thing. The coaches said we played poorly, then praised a bunch of players. If so many players played well, why did we get skull drug? I also noticed the people he gave props to were new players. I have a feeling the coaches are laying the groundwork for the "we are young" angle. _

I'd settle for fewer TOs and tackling some people. Deja vu all over again.

[ulforlife]

I'm tired of excuses. I won't read articles like this if that's what it's about.

[CajunZ1]

_ I'm tired of excuses. I won't read articles like this if that's what it's about. _

While I agree with you, what else are they going to say? As a coach, you can't say things like, "We are not a good football team right now. We're not physical, and we're completely 1-dimensional on offense. If I don't win the ULM game, this is my last year here." Followed by, "and this is what I/we will do to fix it..."

Although that maybe would be refreshing to hear, I don't think it's realistic to expect it.

Wouldn't it be nice if Bustle acted like this was his do-or-die moment as a coach?
Maybe show some fire (<--get it!)?