The Book 2008 Football

[zephyr]

_ Thank goodness some of you are not the head coach. Not starting Des in this game would be a bad move and a slap in the face to a hard-nosed QB that has given his all for this program. I am not against Mcguire getting playing time, but Des is the reason we are even thinking about a bowl game. Let Des start and see how it goes. If he cannot get it done we all know he will pull himself out for the good of the team. _

Thank You!!

[ULGrad@HOU]

Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! (jmo)

First of all, I don't think Des will pull himself out for the good of the team. He is a fantastic competitor, that is what makes him want to stay in and try even harder. Listen, he deserves many accolades for what he has done on the field and with his leadership, but that is so blind to allow a player, as great as he may be, especially at QB position to decide whether to stay in or not. This call must be made by the coaching staff for the best chance to win the game.

Secondly, Des's strength is running the ball. Period. He is hurting the team by forcing throws and causing turnovers. If he cannot run effectively, then we must put in someone that at least can pass the ball down field. We are too one dimensional. When healthy, Des is it, no doubt. But for best chance to win, we will need one of the other RS freshman to step up. I'm ok with Des starting and seeing how the game plays out, but the coaches should be well prepared to put in another QB, and not when the game is out of reach like last week. This is not a knock on Des. I cannot stand foolish decisions based on loyalty to the player (see Jim Haslett). This is about the TEAM winning the game, no matter who is playing.

[ManAboutTown]

_ Wrong, Wrong, Wrong! (jmo)

First of all, I don't think Des will pull himself out for the good of the team. He is a fantastic competitor, that is what makes him want to stay in and try even harder. Listen, he deserves many accolades for what he has done on the field and with his leadership, but that is so blind to allow a player, as great as he may be, especially at QB position to decide whether to stay in or not. This call must be made by the coaching staff for the best chance to win the game.

Secondly, Des's strength is running the ball. Period. He is hurting the team by forcing throws and causing turnovers. If he cannot run effectively, then we must put in someone that at least can pass the ball down field. We are too one dimensional. When healthy, Des is it, no doubt. But for best chance to win, we will need one of the other RS freshman to step up. I'm ok with Des starting and seeing how the game plays out, but the coaches should be well prepared to put in another QB, and not when the game is out of reach like last week. This is not a knock on Des. I cannot stand foolish decisions based on loyalty to the player (see Jim Haslett). This is about the TEAM winning the game, no matter who is playing. _

Micheal had tons of success throwing the ball earlier in the season because of a few reasons. 1 - Derrick Smith was healthy and gave defenses another option to worry about. 2 - Jason Chery was full speed ahead, and stretched the field (which also helped the ground game) He is now hampered by a minor hammy injury. 3 - The line was 100% (mike as been under tremendous pressure when dropping back in the last few games)

You DO NOT sit you're leader, and offensive engine in the biggest game in our programs History in over a dozen years! If he can walk and is willing to fight with this team, you give him the nod. Period. There is no other option. First and foremost, he deserves it; and secondly, I'll take Des at 75% than most other QB's at 100%.

I think these guys have one more miracle left.

[ULGrad@HOU]

The success we had early at passing was solely due to the running game having already been established and the defense keying on trying to stop it. Des had some nice throws, mostly within 15-20 yard range, and the wideouts made great runs. NOW, we no longer can establish the run because we only have Fenroy running and they know it. The offensive engine you speak of is broken. We need either, someone who can run the ball at the QB position, to keep the defense guessing or we need to establish the passing game in order to lessen the pressure on Fenroy. Don't get me wrong, I like Des and his strong leadership skills. But, the scene has changed with injuries and we need to change with it. No player deserves to play, if it hurts the team as a whole. Sorry, but that will just send us spiraling down, just like the stock market.

I think this team has a lot of heart and will come out fighting. Let's hit Troy in the mouth, and not let up!

[ManAboutTown]

_ The success we had early at passing was solely due to the running game having already been established and the defense keying on trying to stop it. Des had some nice throws, mostly within 15-20 yard range, and the wideouts made great runs. NOW, we no longer can establish the run because we only have Fenroy running and they know it. The offensive engine you speak of is broken. We need either, someone who can run the ball at the QB position, to keep the defense guessing or we need to establish the passing game in order to lessen the pressure on Fenroy. Don't get me wrong, I like Des and his strong leadership skills. But, the scene has changed with injuries and we need to change with it. No player deserves to play, if it hurts the team as a whole. Sorry, but that will just send us spiraling down, just like the stock market.

I think this team has a lot of heart and will come out fighting. Let's hit Troy in the mouth, and not let up! _

You're point is well taken. There's nothing I can really argue against. I still think the passing game has taken hits because of nagging injuries, and poor playing calling at key moments. Granted, defenses have been able to key on Fenroy, and the ground game did alot to set up the pass, but vertically we are limited because of the extra gear that has been taken away from Chery and the absence of Smith, and the shuffling up guards and tackles. JMO

[Just1More]

_ Thank goodness some of you are not the head coach. Not starting Des in this game would be a bad move and a slap in the face to a hard-nosed QB that has given his all for this program. I am not against Mcguire getting playing time, but Des is the reason we are even thinking about a bowl game. Let Des start and see how it goes. If he cannot get it done we all know he will pull himself out for the good of the team. _

I hope that "thank goodness" includes you. I thank goodness that the coaches don't listen to any of us, including you.

MD should start if the coaches think that's our best chances of winning this game. But there is no way they leave it up to any player (only) to "pull themselves". The coaching staff better bring their pure football coaching skills with them to Troy and save any other BS for a Hallmark Christmas Card later this year.

But, I am forwarding this concept to our AD to see if that rock floats in his bathtub... "We should allow our coaches to stay on board until THEY decide they are not performing up to the job".

[LuLu]

Excuse me, have we forgotten DEFENSE! ? Twenty eight points is enough to win a ball game! It's not the offense that is the problem, it's the D E F E N S E!

It's not the quarterback, it's the D E F E N S E, especially pass defense! Linebacker defense. IT's the D E F E N S E ,,,, nothing more .... D E F E N S E.

[ULGrad@HOU]

_ Excuse me, have we forgotten DEFENSE! ? Twenty eight points is enough to win a ball game! It's not the offense that is the problem, it's the D E F E N S E!

It's not the quarterback, it's the D E F E N S E, especially pass defense! Linebacker defense. IT's the D E F E N S E ,,,, nothing more .... D E F E N S E. _

Of course we need the Defense to play better, and that is a good point. But if you are talking about the last game (29 points), 22 points were scored in the last qtr, after we were already out of the game. The lack of offense and turnovers is what gave the ball back to Troy, and they took advantage of that by scoring, leaving us with trying to catch up. Oh, and that is definately not our strength. We need to control the game with our offense to have a chance and I guess that is where we differ some on how best to do that. I can't wait for the day, when the defense is strong enough depend on game in game out. Actually, on that point, strong defense is where most games are won, in my opinion, and strong offenses are fun to watch. Geaux UL!

[CajunFun]

...we were the better team Saturday night.

Not to dispute what you say, but I thought the score determined the better team...

[RCAJUN90]

_ If you noticed, Des' status is PROBABLE, which means he will PROBABLY start. _

Call me crazy. Actually I've been called a lot worse on this board but I have a very good feeling about this game. When we beat Troy at their house we will prove that we are bowl eligible!

[Boomer]

As they leave tomorrow----can somebody list our 2 deep depth chart???

[MetryCajun]

_ I hope that "thank goodness" includes you. I thank goodness that the coaches don't listen to any of us, including you.

MD should start if the coaches think that's our best chances of winning this game. But there is no way they leave it up to any player (only) to "pull themselves". The coaching staff better bring their pure football coaching skills with them to Troy and save any other BS for a Hallmark Christmas Card later this year.

But, I am forwarding this concept to our AD to see if that rock floats in his bathtub... "We should allow our coaches to stay on board until THEY decide they are not performing up to the job". _

I wouldn't listen to me either. If I was coach I would have Chery as a DB!

This issue of sitting Des is silly. He is the leader of the team. What kind of message would Bustle send if he said pregame " we are going to bench our captain and go with our QB of the future for the most important game in the history of the program. Lets all get behind McGuire and thank Des for his 4 years of service." If that did happen I would be embarrassed to be a Cajun fan. Also, I would bet money this would not go over real well with the players and recruits.

Des is hurt, but he is not a cripple. He can probably still outrun most of his teammates. Let him start and see how it goes. If he is hurting the team, I have no doubt in my mind we will see McGuire.
As for my comment about Des pulling himself. I said that based on what was said at the QB club meeting. I know Des would do anything to win this next game...even bench himself.