Bradley, UL receivers shine in injury-impacted scrimmage

[NewsCopy]

UL’s receiver group — led by Ja’Marcus Bradley — had an especially strong day when the Ragin’ Cajuns’ scrimmaged Saturday, coach Billy Napier suggested after the team ran roughly 145 plays in its indoor practice facility.

It was 12th of 15 practices and the second of two full scrimmages so far this year for the Cajuns, whose spring finale — free and open to the public — will be held Saturday afternoon at Cajun Field.

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[KajunKrazy]

Overall yesterday the offense dominated the defense. Lewis probably had the best day at the QB position. However very close between he and JD.

[ManAboutTown]

The gross misuse of Bradley’s talents last year was a disgrace. Tightend was the only thing more misused.

[Just1More]

The gross misuse of Bradley’s talents last year was a disgrace. Tightend was the only thing more misused.

A lot of folks on here, and I suppose the at large fan base, have no grasp of how poorly used our talent was the last 3 seasons. It actually started creeping in long before the last 3 seasons. Some could see how poorly our staff used Elijah after Zoe graduated... but they were clueless as to the balance of talent and play calling that sucked the root out of our football tree. We all saw how a coaching staff could step in on a Swiss cheese defense and make it servicable. But the common fan couldn't take his eyes off our QBs... thinking every failed play (or successful one) was due to "that QB". It was a combination of everything on the field. And no QB can succeed with a fifth grade offensive game plan and anything but crisp fundamentals by every athlete on the field.

Any program that includes a passing attack... and doesn't use their stretch WR, inside slot route genius, and clutch TE as a chip block/checkdown receiver... is Stupid with a capital F.

And if Napier has 3 of 4 receivers all within a 10 foot circle at the apex of a pass play... I want him run out of Lafayette. We been there done that.

[MetryCajun]

A lot of folks on here, and I suppose the at large fan base, have no grasp of how poorly used our talent was the last 3 seasons. It actually started creeping in long before the last 3 seasons. Some could see how poorly our staff used Elijah after Zoe graduated... but they were clueless as to the balance of talent and play calling that sucked the root out of our football tree. We all saw how a coaching staff could step in on a Swiss cheese defense and make it servicable. But the common fan couldn't take his eyes off our QBs... thinking every failed play (or successful one) was due to "that QB". It was a combination of everything on the field. And no QB can succeed with a fifth grade offensive game plan and anything but crisp fundamentals by every athlete on the field.

Any program that includes a passing attack... and doesn't use their stretch WR, inside slot route genius, and clutch TE as a chip block/checkdown receiver... is Stupid with a capital F.

And if Napier has 3 of 4 receivers all within a 10 foot circle at the apex of a pass play... I want him run out of Lafayette. We been there done that.

Good QB’s succeed with almost any game plan when they play teams of equal or lesser talent. We saw glimpses of that from all three when we played bad teams. What everyone needs to be fixated on this year is the OL. They improved slightly last year in run blocking, but were still below average in pass protection. I agree with you that we have the talent at WR. We just need our OL to give us an extra second so some of the crossing and seam routes can be run properly. I am concerned considering we are breaking in two new OT’s. Has anyone seen this group? And who are our starting 5?

[Just1More]

Good QB’s succeed with almost any game plan when they play teams of equal or lesser talent. We saw glimpses of that from all three when we played bad teams. What everyone needs to be fixated on this year is the OL. They improved slightly last year in run blocking, but were still below average in pass protection. I agree with you that we have the talent at WR. We just need our OL to give us an extra second so some of the crossing and seam routes can be run properly. I am concerned considering we are breaking in two new OT’s. Has anyone seen this group? And who are our starting 5?

I haven't seen them and don't know the projected starting 5. But you are 100% correct above. Under Hud, we only saw solid success against bad programs. And although we edged out wins with equally unheralded teams... we pulled a huge vacuum against good programs. It was always a requirement that a gifted athlete run for our lackluster wins. Jump ball passing presided over some lesser opponents... but lost against some ok teams... and caused brutal beat downs by good teams.

Our fans p, in general, harp too much about QBs. It's a given that the QB is the most vital skill athlete. But the offense is an orchestra. Even a great soloist sounds like ____ when the rest of the orchestra plays out of tune. A decent soloist can sound fantastic behind a great orchestra. But if the spotlight is on the soloist... the audience says "they suck... they really need a better soloist... I wonder who the backup is... it's time to give him/her a shot..."... and the pinhead conductor plays along. "Our soloist just wasn't executing... the cymbal player executes much better... we're going to a cymbal player philosophy... we'll probably put 6 cymbals out front and bang cymbals really hard... and be victorious. There's an "I" in violin... actually there's two... I think... but there's no "I" in cymbal... I think it's a "y"... but I'm a conductor... we aren't supposed to be able to spell."

[Cajunsmike]

Good QB's succeed with almost any game plan when they play teams of equal or lesser talent. We saw glimpses of that from all three when we played bad teams. What everyone needs to be fixated on this year is the OL. They improved slightly last year in run blocking, but were still below average in pass protection. I agree with you that we have the talent at WR. We just need our OL to give us an extra second so some of the crossing and seam routes can be run properly. I am concerned considering we are breaking in two new OT's. Has anyone seen this group? And who are our starting 5?

I can't answer the OL ? but I seem to recall we have three starters from that unit returning and I believe the current staff is still planning on those three being key. One thing that I have gleamed from Coach's comments is that we have had some guys lose weight. He made the comment that weight statistics are overblown and athletic ability needs to be more of a focus. OL is a position in which I think some of our guys were a little heavy and that was a factor in their pass protection struggles. Both Coach Napier and Dr. Maggard have commented in recent interviews how much of a positive they believe the soon to be hired nutrition staff will be. That goes for all sports. I am as encouraged about that new focus on nutrition as anything going on with athletics right now.

[ManAboutTown]

The #1 focus since Nape arrived was to get the OL trimmed down and physically fit. Numerous comments have been made about this. In a recent after-practice press conference, the comment was made that the staff expects the offensive line to be the best unit on the entire football team. I have not been to practice this spring, haven’t seen any of this first hand. Just posting what’s been said from coaches.

[Just1More]

I can't answer the OL ? but I seem to recall we have three starters from that unit returning and I believe the current staff is still planning on those three being key. One thing that I have gleamed from Coach's comments is that we have had some guys lose weight. He made the comment that weight statistics are overblown and athletic ability needs to be more of a focus. OL is a position in which I think some of our guys were a little heavy and that was a factor in their pass protection struggles. Both Coach Napier and Dr. Maggard have commented in recent interviews how much of a positive they believe the soon to be hired nutrition staff will be. That goes for all sports. I am as encouraged about that new focus on nutrition as anything going on with athletics right now.

Thank the Lord. Only the P5 should brag about the shadows their OL cast. Outside of the top 40, you need to seriously look at the feet, strength, mind and work ethic of a decent sized lineman. That's not to say that a fat looking lineman can't be that guy. But coaches getting a boner over some 6'5" 300 pound tub of blubber is long over. Good to hear Napier come out and say it.

[Cajunfanatico]

I haven't seen them and don't know the projected starting 5. But you are 100% correct above. Under Hud, we only saw solid success against bad programs. And although we edged out wins with equally unheralded teams... we pulled a huge vacuum against good programs. It was always a requirement that a gifted athlete run for our lackluster wins. Jump ball passing presided over some lesser opponents... but lost against some ok teams... and caused brutal beat downs by good teams.

Our fans p, in general, harp too much about QBs. It's a given that the QB is the most vital skill athlete. But the offense is an orchestra. Even a great soloist sounds like ____ when the rest of the orchestra plays out of tune. A decent soloist can sound fantastic behind a great orchestra. But if the spotlight is on the soloist... the audience says "they suck... they really need a better soloist... I wonder who the backup is... it's time to give him/her a shot..."... and the pinhead conductor plays along. "Our soloist just wasn't executing... the cymbal player executes much better... we're going to a cymbal player philosophy... we'll probably put 6 cymbals out front and bang cymbals really hard... and be victorious. There's an "I" in violin... actually there's two... I think... but there's no "I" in cymbal... I think it's a "y"... but I'm a conductor... we aren't supposed to be able to spell."

For the record, I play a pretty mean Fallopian Tube.

[CajunPride]

If the nutrition staff has success with our OL, maybe they can give some pointers to the fans on Fan Day.

[cajun_lannister]

A lot of folks on here, and I suppose the at large fan base, have no grasp of how poorly used our talent was the last 3 seasons. It actually started creeping in long before the last 3 seasons. Some could see how poorly our staff used Elijah after Zoe graduated... but they were clueless as to the balance of talent and play calling that sucked the root out of our football tree. We all saw how a coaching staff could step in on a Swiss cheese defense and make it servicable. But the common fan couldn't take his eyes off our QBs... thinking every failed play (or successful one) was due to "that QB". It was a combination of everything on the field. And no QB can succeed with a fifth grade offensive game plan and anything but crisp fundamentals by every athlete on the field.

Any program that includes a passing attack... and doesn't use their stretch WR, inside slot route genius, and clutch TE as a chip block/checkdown receiver... is Stupid with a capital F.

And if Napier has 3 of 4 receivers all within a 10 foot circle at the apex of a pass play... I want him run out of Lafayette. We been there done that.

All we ran were go routes and these guys still won majority of the battles our WR core was far and above the best unit we had last 3 years .. can't wait to see what Napier can do with these boys