Questions concerning the 2009 football team

[Just1More]

_ I know that this is a very experienced OL coming back this season, but I don't think it's as much of a strength as some of you do. If this offense will, in fact, throw the ball more this year, then that will require the OL to pass block a whole lot more...and their pass blocking hasn't always looked so hot over the past couple seasons.

I'm just hoping that it's because their previous offensive style didn't require them to concentrate on PB schemes, blitz pickups, etc, and that it's not a size/strength/ability issue. If that's the case, then they should ultimately be an asset. If it's not the case, then it may be a long season.

Either way, I think it could be/should be considered as another question mark going into this season. _

Our OL were run-blockers from necessity, not because of a lack of pass blocking skills. The only time we dropped back was on third and long in the past 2 years and the defenses were prepared. Our QB was a terrible drop back and throw from the pocket passer. Terrible. It had absolutely nothing to do with our OL's pass blocking skills. Our QB never stayed in the pocket and never released the ball at the critical moment.

What I witnessed in the past 6 years of happy-footed QBs is that they had no idea of how to throw a timed route pass. Our QBs in the past 6 years rolled out and the release point was never a timed route pass... our QBs either had to see a single designated receiver establish separation or they took off running. We have had to throw half the playbook out the window and just saddle up the on the gifted legs we've had. They carried us pretty far, but you talk about hand a defense a simplified assignment.

If our new group of QBs, who I can guarantee you did not succeed in highschool with their legs alone, can throw to a spot, we will see something we haven't seen in years. I am not concerned about our OL's pass blocking skills if the timed route passing finally inches up from dismal to adequate. That balance opens up everything.

[Boomer]

How about the end of the Ark. St, game???? great passes ---in fact really big time---I think that was the game with a sub qb!!!!

[rhineaux]

_ Our OL were run-blockers from necessity, not because of a lack of pass blocking skills.

I didn't say that we didn't pass because the OL couldn't Pass Block. But, you could make the argument that many of them were recruited to UL because their size and agility allowed them to thrive in this system, perhaps despite what flaws they may have had in their pass blocking abilities.

The only time we dropped back was on third and long in the past 2 years and the defenses were prepared.

So, defenses aren't going to be expecting a drop back/pass this year on 3rd and long? Regardless of whether they run or pass on 1st and 2nd downs, the D is still going to have the advantage on 3rd and long.

Our QB was a terrible drop back and throw from the pocket passer. Terrible. It had absolutely nothing to do with our OL's pass blocking skills. Our QB never stayed in the pocket and never released the ball at the critical moment.

I don't think anyone, including Des, would say that Des was a great pocket QB. And I also would go as far as saying that he was recruited here in spite of his QB'ing abilities, because of other attributes he brought to the table.

What I witnessed in the past 6 years of happy-footed QBs is that they had no idea of how to throw a timed route pass. Our QBs in the past 6 years rolled out and the release point was never a timed route pass... our QBs either had to see a single designated receiver establish separation or they took off running. We have had to throw half the playbook out the window and just saddle up the on the gifted legs we've had. They carried us pretty far, but you talk about hand a defense a simplified assignment.

If our new group of QBs, who I can guarantee you did not succeed in highschool with their legs alone, can throw to a spot, we will see something we haven't seen in years. I am not concerned about our OL's pass blocking skills if the timed route passing finally inches up from dismal to adequate. That balance opens up everything. _

I will give you that one of the factors I didn't consider was the QB's pocket presence, or lack of one. If the QB is moving all around instead of staying in one spot, and the OL doesn't know it, then it reduces what little advantage they have.

I'm certainly not trying to stereotype these guys as bad pass blockers. As I stated before, the skill and technique might be tremendous, but they still may be at a disadvantage because of their lack of size. The point I want to make is that it's another unknown going into next year. And unfortunately, all of these unknowns are related. If the new QB gets nervous and can't keep still in the pocket, then it's going to make the OL look like they can't block well because the defense is always in the backfield. If the OL can't block well, then it's going to make the QB look like he can't pass well because he's always going to be hurried. If the new RBs can't get to the holes and/or read the defense well, then its going to make the OL look like they can't block well because we'll only average a couple yards a rush.

[MetryCajun]

_ Our OL were run-blockers from necessity, not because of a lack of pass blocking skills. The only time we dropped back was on third and long in the past 2 years and the defenses were prepared. Our QB was a terrible drop back and throw from the pocket passer. Terrible. It had absolutely nothing to do with our OL's pass blocking skills. Our QB never stayed in the pocket and never released the ball at the critical moment.

What I witnessed in the past 6 years of happy-footed QBs is that they had no idea of how to throw a timed route pass. Our QBs in the past 6 years rolled out and the release point was never a timed route pass... our QBs either had to see a single designated receiver establish separation or they took off running. We have had to throw half the playbook out the window and just saddle up the on the gifted legs we've had. They carried us pretty far, but you talk about hand a defense a simplified assignment.

If our new group of QBs, who I can guarantee you did not succeed in highschool with their legs alone, can throw to a spot, we will see something we haven't seen in years. I am not concerned about our OL's pass blocking skills if the timed route passing finally inches up from dismal to adequate. That balance opens up everything. _

In the games I have seen over the past few years, I have noticed a big disparity in pass protection. Most of the teams we play have all day to sit in the pocket, while our QB's are usually running for their lives. I believe a couple of years back CajunNation? put a stopwatch to the pass protection. It showed our Qb's had on average 1 second less to pass than our competitors. That is huge! I would bet that held true for last year too. I am not saying our line stinks, but they have a lot of improving to do.

[Zeebart21]

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[zephyr]

_ Our OL were run-blockers from necessity, not because of a lack of pass blocking skills. The only time we dropped back was on third and long in the past 2 years and the defenses were prepared. Our QB was a terrible drop back and throw from the pocket passer. Terrible. It had absolutely nothing to do with our OL's pass blocking skills. Our QB never stayed in the pocket and never released the ball at the critical moment.

What I witnessed in the past 6 years of happy-footed QBs is that they had no idea of how to throw a timed route pass. Our QBs in the past 6 years rolled out and the release point was never a timed route pass... our QBs either had to see a single designated receiver establish separation or they took off running. We have had to throw half the playbook out the window and just saddle up the on the gifted legs we've had. They carried us pretty far, but you talk about hand a defense a simplified assignment.

If our new group of QBs, who I can guarantee you did not succeed in highschool with their legs alone, can throw to a spot, we will see something we haven't seen in years. I am not concerned about our OL's pass blocking skills if the timed route passing finally inches up from dismal to adequate. That balance opens up everything. _

Your contention is duly noted. As a matter of fact, the OL is one of the reasons I was giving this team a chance at 7 wins months ago of course to be ridiculed by some as being the optimistic acceptor of mediocrity. However, the OL is not throwing the passes, running the ball and running routes. I think the concern at the other positions is very reasonable. Also, I'd bet that we will have a better offense next year with a good but younger line and more experience in the skill positions than this year with lack of experience at skill slots and an experienced OL. What do you think?

[RaginFan2]

_ .. _

Now why'd you have to go and bring that up again???

[HoustonCajun]

_ Not being an expert has never kept you from offering an opinion. Neither has it stopped me, so here's mine.

Our offense cubbard is not bare, nor is it even understocked. We have several really good looking players at the backfield positions affected by 2009 graduation. The thing that's really lacking in them is "game experience" which creates these question marks about their possible production.

The big advantage we have is a deep, big and seasoned offense line for the new guys to play behind. It's led by not less than 2 starters in Fisher and Bustle who are already touted for multiple all-star honors.

Like someone said elsewhere about the D - if we can just avoid the number of injuries we had last season on defense, we will be better by that fact alone. If we also add better play by the defensive line with the bodies we now have there, it could be really interesting. _

Fenroy was not a highly recruited player, nor did he start his freshman year. He came off the bench following injuries to other players and the rest is history. He also played with a rushing QB who also ran for over 1,000 yards a season. We will now have a more balanced team, an actual passing QB and a bevy of running backs that should, with the best OL in the SBC, provide us a solid offense. Hopefully, a single back will step us to replace Fenroy and a running back tradition will be started. Add to that good wide receivers that will hopefully include Ladarius Green (rather than at tight end) and our offense should be pretty formidable. With returning O Coordinator(s) for the first time in a while and a revised offensive attack based on our current personnel, I am optimistic that we will do pretty well offensively.

[RaginCajun77]

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I bet you that picture file tries to micromanage the other picture files.