Cajuns not hiding behind injuries

[HoustonCajun]

_ Absolutely. Yet I think many people would agree that the defense was not the problem last week, outside of the final drive in the fourth quarter. It was the offense's inability to sustain drives and get into the end zone. I don't think there's anything wrong in saying that FIU was hurt without Hilton and that the Cajuns were hurt without McGuire and Green. If it did not, then they would not have beaten out others for playing time. _

Wasn't there also a last second drive to end the first half that resulted in a field goal? That is 6 points and two last minute drives that should not have been given up. I agree, however, that our major problem was the offense's inability to sustain drives and get into the endzone.

[Parrott]

To me the difference between 2009 and 2008 is that this year there are capable backups. Gautier is the best the pure runner on the team (QB) and Luke is in my opinion just as good a (TE) last year the injuries required players changing positions just to field a team.

There is better depth than last season. But Aubrey and Green were often used on opposite ends of the field at the same time. Now you're left with Aubrey and Matt Desormeaux, moved from fullback, with no Green, Brandon Williams or Dusty Mack. Gautier is talented but is still young. He only got two carries last week.

On the defense: It went into a prevent scheme at the end of the first half and allowed a field goal. Still not sure why that change was made given how well it had been playing.

[Turbine]

Gautier is talented but is still young. He only got two carries last week.

I was thinking use him exactly like McGuire was used under center (a known run) that was Gautiers propensity in the Fall.

[CajunProud]

_ This story wasn't written to give another excuse. Bustle didn't make a big deal about the injuries but said it did mess with the consistent. And it did. It was written to let people who didn't know how it hurt not having McGuire and Green last week, and I believe that there are numbers in the story that supported that. _

Sorry if you miscontrued my post Josh. It was not a comment on the story itself, but was rather a frustration induced response as I can already hear some people using this as a reason to keep Bustle.

I think you do an excellent job. As a matter of fact, in my 30+ years following the Cajuns, I don't ever remember anyone doing as fine a job of covering them as you do. Keep up the great work.

[Parrott]

No problem. I just wanted to point out that I didn't write the story to give any excuses. The absence of McGuire and Green, in my opinion, was a factor in last week's loss and wanted to present some of the facts to back that up.

Many thanks to the kind words. I take a lot of pride in what I do and appreciate the opportunity to cover a DI program on a daily basis.

[RaginWaldo]

If Bustle was smart enough to Utilize the strengths of his players instead of downplaying them by their weaknesses then our team would be much more successful. do you think not letting mcguire throw the ball would affect his mentality about throwing? RB's strategy and thought processes just really dont impress me.

[Just1More]

_ Absolutely. Yet I think many people would agree that the defense was not the problem last week, outside of the final drive in the fourth quarter. It was the offense's inability to sustain drives and get into the end zone. I don't think there's anything wrong in saying that FIU was hurt without Hilton and that the Cajuns were hurt without McGuire and Green. If it did not, then they would not have beaten out others for playing time. _

I didn't think the OL played very well, but the biggest disappointment was the playcalling. It seemed like we ran good plays on first and second downs... but then forgot that good plays pick up good yardage on third down. I've also never seen a team lose more momentum than the Cajuns when they get inside someone's 10 yard line. The team looks like they don't feel confident and the coaches seem to lose all sense of what to do. It's strange. It seems to be more mental than ability. It's just strange. I know this thread is about injuries, but I saw more than missing McGuire and Green in the offensive decisions and determination.

[jazzpop]

_ Absolutely. Yet I think many people would agree that the defense was not the problem last week, outside of the final drive in the fourth quarter. It was the offense's inability to sustain drives and get into the end zone. I don't think there's anything wrong in saying that FIU was hurt without Hilton and that the Cajuns were hurt without McGuire and Green. If it did not, then they would not have beaten out others for playing time. _

It was an interesting headline for an article that listed all the injuries and the issues relating to them.