Player's demeanor vs last season

[Rainman66]

Having watched all the interviews, it seems to me that the players are more at ease then last season. By at ease, I mean confident in themselves and the coaching staff. The attitude and cULture are definitely different.

Also, watching Ja'Marcus Bradley interview and word association it was interesting he and the OL Dotson (I think) said the same thing about Coach Napier ..."Honest and good coach". All players want to feel like they are getting the best instruction and a fair shot. It also implies that wasn't the case in the past.

[CajunEXPRESS]

I'm a Napier believer, but you'd except a lot of what you're describing in both a dying staff, and one freshly born.

I'm not at all surprised how stressed out good players were last year. They of course didn't want to fail their coaches for the most part.

[Tell The Truth]

The cULture isn't ant different...still THUG HIGH on Bertrand...just watch the video!!!

[KajunKrazy]

They are definitely a much closer group according to the players.

[Cajunsmike]

They are definitely a much closer group according to the players.

Will they stay together during the tough times is the question that needs to be answered. Will they continue to prepare properly if disappointment comes after a tough loss. If that happens it is an indication you are building for the long term. We as fans won't know it that is occurring but the staff will. The staff will have a honeymoon from the fans in Year 1 so that will help.

[CajunEXPRESS]

Honeymoons are ahort lived today.

[Rainman66]

True, but at least this team seems to like each other. Honeymoons last longer when everyone gets along.

[cajun4life]

Well when we go bowling at the end of the year they will like each other a lot more.

[Cajunsmike]

Well when we go bowling at the end of the year they will like each other a lot more.

Should a 6 and 6 regular season followed by a bowl loss considered to be a disappointment. I would be as that would be the fourth straight losing season. Now I know we have lots of questions, particularly on defense so such a result would not surprise me. I also would not be too critical of the staff were that to occur as they are laying the foundation. Actually, I would not be critical at all but I would still be disappointed.

[MetryCajun]

Should a 6 and 6 regular season followed by a bowl loss considered to be a disappointment. I would be as that would be the fourth straight losing season. Now I know we have lots of questions, particularly on defense so such a result would not surprise me. I also would not be too critical of the staff were that to occur as they are laying the foundation. Actually, I would not be critical at all but I would still be disappointed.

I think 6-6 with a bowl game loss would be viewed as a disappointment by many, but I think the staff could point to it as improvement and an upward trend. No bowl game this year would be a disappointment in my book.

[Oiler]

If we don't win at least 7 games this year playing in the conference that we do, I'll be shocked.

[Policarp]

Our schedule overall is not that hard but we have practically no experience/returning starters from a bad defensive unit. 7 wins would be a minor miracle.

If we had schedules like USM et UAB....7 wins then becomes a possibilty. Southern Miss and UAB are the 2 teams that play by wide margin the easiest FBS schedules possibly ever.....both play the 3 worst teams last year in power rankings. 0-12 UTEP; 1-11 Rice; 1-11 Charlotte. (Rice beat UTEP for their 1 win). So combined 1-33 vs all other teams) Plus each play low ranking FCS teams. These are 4 extremely easy wins as long as they show up and not give the W away. Texas State is bad but they did win 1 more game vs these 3 combined and UL plays a team that won their FCS conference the last 2 years. Still a win but a team that with a less than solid effort by UL can beat us.