Athlon: 2009 University of Louisiana Ragin' Cajuns Preview

[NewsCopy]

It has been four years since the Ragin’ Cajuns entered a season without career rushing leader Tyrell Fenroy and dual-threat quarterback Michael Desormeaux, and filling those two holes remains the biggest issue the team faces. Sophomores Brad McGuire, who saw limited action and started one Sun Belt Conference win when Desormeaux was injured, and Chris Masson battled through the spring for the quarterback job before McGuire suffered a sports hernia in the final week of drills. Masson was impressive in the spring game The rest of the story Athlon Sports

[zephyr]

Everything mentioned is true. This is certainly going to be an interesting year.

[DestinCajun]

It looks a lot like what us "glass half full guys" have been saying. We've got enough in the depth chart to at least be optimistic going into the season. And no, my glass is not half full of Everclear.

[RaisingCajun08]

While the article was pretty accurate, I think once again we are building up our expectations. Other than the offensive line, this team is unproven.

Maybe for once, this team will be able to exceed our expecations?

[Hardcore]

I, for one, expect really big things from our DEFENSE. This will be the 3rd year under Fouquier....We have depth @ every position and I don't expect another barrage of injuries like we had @ one position last year. Also expect to see more blitz packages....

[zephyr]

_ I, for one, expect really big things from our DEFENSE. This will be the 3rd year under Fouquier....We have depth @ every position and I don't expect another barrage of injuries like we had @ one position last year. Also expect to see more blitz packages.... _

While I agree that this D should be vastly improved, I don't think its going to be any kind of shutdown D that some are expecting. The D Line still has to come out this year and prove it can get to the QB and penetrate in the running game to disrupt running lanes and help out the linebackers before I start calling for big things. If not, we are still going to give up almost 200 on the ground and put a ton of pressure on the DB's. However, like you said, we should get more sacks and more turnovers with a healthier team and some playmakers at crucial positions.

[zephyr]

_ While the article was pretty accurate, I think once again we are building up our expectations. Other than the offensive line, this team is unproven.

Maybe for once, this team will be able to exceed our expecations? _

I for one am not building up my expectations but rather, sensing that this team can accomplish some different things this year. I feel like we could play fairly well this year but only win 4 games or we could win 7. I know everyone hates to hear this but my expectations are going to be much higher for the 2010 team. That will hopefully be the best team we've had around here is years.

[CajunZ1]

I know everyone hates to hear this but my expectations are going to be much higher for the 2010 team. That will hopefully be the best team we've had around here is years. _

I agree with this.

The problem is though that Bustle's contract is up after 2009. So do you give him a 1 year extension to play out the 2010 season even if he only wins 5 games in '09?

That will be a very tough decision. I believe 2008 was "our year" to get it done. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV), Bustle may end up paying for it after this season.

[KACajun]

_ I agree with this.

The problem is though that Bustle's contract is up after 2009. So do you give him a 1 year extension to play out the 2010 season even if he only wins 5 games in '09?

That will be a very tough decision. I believe 2008 was "our year" to get it done. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV), Bustle may end up paying for it after this season. _

NO MORE EXTENSIONS....I'm hoping Bustle gets the job done but if he doesn't win at least 6 games he has to go.

[zephyr]

_ NO MORE EXTENSIONS....I'm hoping Bustle gets the job done but if he doesn't win at least 6 games he has to go. _

So what if he wins 6? I can almost guarantee you that it won't be more than 6 maybe 7 tops. There also exists the possibility that he only wins 4 or so with the youth at crucial positions. Throw into the mix that teams like Troy and ASU are going to be loaded with FAU a contender and teams like MTSU being more improved and that doesn't bode well for a team trying to replace some of the best its had at their respective positions. For all those "I'm tired of mediocrity" people out there, I'm only here to tell you that this year will likely not deviate far from that in terms of wins and losses. If you are looking for the breakout, signature season, don't look for it this season. So, that puts us back to the question of whether you will want him back with 5-6 wins. For me, if that is the case, I don't want any more 3+ year extensions and I want to see what the team looks like on the field. I want to see if the level of play is as high as it was last year from weeks 2-9.

[Clutch0364]

_ So what if he wins 6? I can almost guarantee you that it won't be more than 6 maybe 7 tops. There also exists the possibility that he only wins 4 or so with the youth at crucial positions. Throw into the mix that teams like Troy and ASU are going to be loaded with FAU a contender and teams like MTSU being more improved and that doesn't bode well for a team trying to replace some of the best its had at their respective positions. For all those "I'm tired of mediocrity" people out there, I'm only here to tell you that this year will likely not deviate far from that in terms of wins and losses. If you are looking for the breakout, signature season, don't look for it this season. So, that puts us back to the question of whether you will want him back with 5-6 wins. For me, if that is the case, I don't want any more 3+ year extensions and I want to see what the team looks like on the field. I want to see if the level of play is as high as it was last year from weeks 2-9. _

Without a 7-8 win season I think he should be gone. He has had his time and if by now he can't put a team on the field that can win at least 7 games then we need to find someone that can.

[rhineaux]

I agree with this.

The problem is though that Bustle's contract is up after 2009. So do you give him a 1 year extension to play out the 2010 season even if he only wins 5 games in '09?

That will be a very tough decision. I believe 2008 was "our year" to get it done. Unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your POV), Bustle may end up paying for it after this season.

Actually, I think it expires after the 2010 season. A crappy year this year means a buy-out. Parrott knows for sure though.

_ So what if he wins 6? I can almost guarantee you that it won't be more than 6 maybe 7 tops. There also exists the possibility that he only wins 4 or so with the youth at crucial positions. Throw into the mix that teams like Troy and ASU are going to be loaded with FAU a contender and teams like MTSU being more improved and that doesn't bode well for a team trying to replace some of the best its had at their respective positions. For all those "I'm tired of mediocrity" people out there, I'm only here to tell you that this year will likely not deviate far from that in terms of wins and losses. If you are looking for the breakout, signature season, don't look for it this season. So, that puts us back to the question of whether you will want him back with 5-6 wins. For me, if that is the case, I don't want any more 3+ year extensions and I want to see what the team looks like on the field. I want to see if the level of play is as high as it was last year from weeks 2-9. _

66 days until kickoff. Excuses already flowing. Just once I'd like to go into a season, any sport, and not have questions about how good a team might be, or have people cautioning against getting excited because they might suck.

Did you seriously drop a "youth" excuse? I thought the defense was supposed to be so much better because all of the "youth" got valuable playing time last year? I thought the offense was going to be good because of the better talent at skill positions and the experience on the O-Line? I thought that losing players wasn't going to be as big of a deal anymore because they're recruiting better athletes now.

If Bustle wins 6 or less this year, the relationship should end, with the only potential savior being whether or not he limps into a bowl game. He's never won more than 6. He's had teams go 4-2 and 5-3, only to finish with 6 wins. Another 6 win season this year will be the 3rd since reaching that mark in 2005.

If he wins 6 and stays, and happens to win 8 next year...then to me, you're in the same position as with Robert Lee, if he's successful this coming season. You have a coach without a contract, who is coming off a successful season, but has never shown the ability to be above average on a consistent basis. Can't go year by year because that hurts the stability of the program. Can't go long term because he hasn't shown that he fully deserves it.

If he wins 6 and stays, and happens to win 6 or less next year...then all you've done is prolong the next, hopefully more successful, stage of Ragin Cajun football.