Different personnel calls for tweaking the 2009 offense

[NewsCopy]

  When the UL football team takes the field in the fall, there will be plenty of new faces in the offensive backfield. That's because the Cajuns saw two record-setting seniors - quarterback Michael Desormeaux and running back Tyrell Fenroy - exhaust their eligibility in the fall.

Just don't expect a totally new philosophy on the offensive side of the ball from UL, one of the nation's top rushing teams over the past four years. The Cajuns will continue running the ball, but at a slighty lower frequency than they did with Desormeaux.

"We're going to take the ball out of the quarterback's hands a little more," said offensive coordinator Ron Hudson. "We've got some tailbacks that can bang and a mature offensive line, so we can do that.

The rest of the story

Joshua Parrott • jparrott@theadvertiser.com • March 19, 2009

[zephyr]

It only seems logical and I'm glad to see the coaches taking the ball out of the QB's hands a little bit so we don't run them down like Mike did the last couple of years. I'm still confident in our RB's as none of them are Fenroy but collectively, you may see even more production.

[ManAboutTown]

You hear it all the time: Run the ball + Play good defense = Success.

We have the personnel on defense, the size and experience on both lines, and depth for the first time in a long time. Even though we have some new faces in key spots, this team is built to win. IMO, this will be the best season to evaluate Ricky Bustle.

[zephyr]

_ You hear it all the time: Run the ball + Play good defense = Success.

We have the personnel on defense, the size and experience on both lines, and depth for the first time in a long time. Even though we have some new faces in key spots, this team is built to win. IMO, this will be the best season to evaluate Ricky Bustle. _

After this season's difficult ending and bowl rejection, I think a lot of people were upset because they felt that was our best bet to get to a bowl looking to this year and next as rebuilding years if you will. I completely look at it the opposite. The fenroy and Desormeaux years were rebuilding years hopefully helping to establish a winning attitude and bring guys in who can show others how to win. My expectations for this upcoming year are greater than last years due to the reasons you spoke of. The D will be MUCH better than its been and it was playing well last year until the injuries took over. While we are going to run the ball a lot this year, it is no secret that we NEED the passing game to open it up a bit and create some balance. Mike was not a very good passing QB so this made it more difficult. I believe that we have a much better schedule in place this year that allows us to be successful. I WAS predicting 7 wins before the KSU home game announcement as that now puts things a little more in doubt for me. However, it can be done and I'm glad we open with Southern which will help orient some of the newer guys to the college game and speed at a much smoother pace than sending them to LSU or something. We should be very excited about this upcoming year and coach Bustle needs to show the fans something if he wants to stay.

[anhil8tor]

I've been telling people that I EXPECT at least 7 wins this year and they think I'm crazy. Its kind of comical that nonchalant fans believed all we had was DES and FEN. Des and Fen were great but we are in ALOT better position this year.

Two home to start. Two home to close. All our home games are winnable. Get on board now guys.

[ManAboutTown]

_ After this season's difficult ending and bowl rejection, I think a lot of people were upset because they felt that was our best bet to get to a bowl looking to this year and next as rebuilding years if you will. I completely look at it the opposite. The fenroy and Desormeaux years were rebuilding years hopefully helping to establish a winning attitude and bring guys in who can show others how to win. My expectations for this upcoming year are greater than last years due to the reasons you spoke of. The D will be MUCH better than its been and it was playing well last year until the injuries took over. While we are going to run the ball a lot this year, it is no secret that we NEED the passing game to open it up a bit and create some balance. Mike was not a very good passing QB so this made it more difficult. I believe that we have a much better schedule in place this year that allows us to be successful. I WAS predicting 7 wins before the KSU home game announcement as that now puts things a little more in doubt for me. However, it can be done and I'm glad we open with Southern which will help orient some of the newer guys to the college game and speed at a much smoother pace than sending them to LSU or something. We should be very excited about this upcoming year and coach Bustle needs to show the fans something if he wants to stay. _

Exactly. Success creates confidence. This team will have that this coming year. The schedule plays a big part in my spring analysis that we'll be a winning team. We got hit with the injury bug hard last year, so karma should be on our side this year. I think we can win 7-8 games.
Also, going out on a limb here.. The Sun-Belt beats a big program every year, and we're due.. Baton Rouge would be a hell of a way to make a splash..

[HoustonCajun]

_ Exactly. Success creates confidence. This team will have that this coming year. The schedule plays a big part in my spring analysis that we'll be a winning team. We got hit with the injury bug hard last year, so karma should be on our side this year. I think we can win 7-8 games.
Also, going out on a limb here.. The Sun-Belt beats a big program every year, and we're due.. Baton Rouge would be a hell of a way to make a splash.. _

I, too, think we will have a pretty salty team this year. In any event, a minimum 7 win season and bowl game should be minimum standards for Bustle to remain as head coach. No more excuses.

[Clutch0364]

_ I, too, think we will have a pretty salty team this year. In any event, a minimum 7 win season and bowl game should be minimum standards for Bustle to remain as head coach. No more excuses. _

Lets be honest here...they won't fire a basketball coach after 5 years of disappointment do you really believe that they would get rid of a football coach who has had 6 wins 3 of the last 4 years? Lets be honest with ourselves nothing is going to change around here until someone in the administration decides to make some tough decisions.

[CajunNation]

<<< Now with a strong group of skilled receivers and tight ends, the Cajuns will look to stretch the field and utilize more of the play-action pass to keep opposing defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage to stop the run.......

......Late in Wednesday's practice, the sophomore showed he can stretch the field, hooking up with a wide-open Jawanza Mitchell for a 60-yard touchdown pass. He's not as good of a runner as Desormeaux, but McGuire does have a stronger and more accurate arm. >>>

[Just1More]

_ <<< Now with a strong group of skilled receivers and tight ends, the Cajuns will look to stretch the field and utilize more of the play-action pass to keep opposing defenses from crowding the line of scrimmage to stop the run.......

......Late in Wednesday's practice, the sophomore showed he can stretch the field, hooking up with a wide-open Jawanza Mitchell for a 60-yard touchdown pass. He's not as good of a runner as Desormeaux, but McGuire does have a stronger and more accurate arm. >>>


_

That's right. I have no doubt our offensive line is going to do big things for our running back committee... but if we start spreading the field with pass completions to TEs, route running WRs, and a few deep route runners... I'm going to have a mighty big grin. It will resemble football... and who knows what will happen when we actually use all of the legal options at our disposal on offense... can you say "bowl"? Oh no... I'm probably going to get in trouble talking bowls... you know how we start losing when fans get too optimistic. (smiley face with eyes rolling skyward in a sarcastic smirk)

[zephyr]

_ That's right. I have no doubt our offensive line is going to do big things for our running back committee... but if we start spreading the field with pass completions to TEs, route running WRs, and a few deep route runners... I'm going to have a mighty big grin. It will resemble football... and who knows what will happen when we actually use all of the legal options at our disposal on offense... can you say "bowl"? Oh no... I'm probably going to get in trouble talking bowls... you know how we start losing when fans get too optimistic. (smiley face with eyes rolling skyward in a sarcastic smirk) _

OK sportsnote!!!