Playmakers on Offense

[CajunConnection]

_ Perhaps the site only has players who were on the team last fall. Walker joined the team in the spring after sitting out to get eligible in the fall. _

Mike- The listing has all the incoming freshman so Walker should be on. I hope he is. CC

[CajunSaint]

_ Mark Mcguire down as one in my book. _

i'll try again. ahem, mark macguire? didn't he play for the cardinals? lol

[Parrott]

Mike- The listing has all the incoming freshman so Walker should be on. I hope he is. CC

My sources tell me that everything is well with Rob Walker. Likely just an oversight.

[Cajunsmike]

_ Blaine Gauthier is back on the team, as are two others that were arrested, only Chris Richard has been dismissed. There is a good chance that Blaine and the others may be suspended for a game or so because fo this. But they will be back on the team for the opening roster. _

From what I understand, the three guys who were suspended will not miss any games. This is due to the community service they have performed. Their only mistake was not turning in the guy responsible for the situation.

[DrumRoll]

Butler gets my vote as one of the potential "surprises" of the incoming class...

[Boomer]

_ What's the latest on Blaine Geutier? Is he a member of this football team? _

Not only is he back---but should start---I would have one of the 3 new guys in as a running back and play games with Des as an H back( Damn good hands out of the backfield) and with Miller putting some time in on sets that enhance his ability(see last year)----I would have Green split just enough to drive people nuts on defense---A great Tweener---I like Falgout and the rest of the guys---no great threats, but they will catch in a crowd and I think we will be damn good on offense!!! I think that a great deal of help for the offense comes in the play of the defense and HOPEFULLY and FINALLY great field position from our kicker and punter!!!!

[ULGrad@HOU]

_
I'm still not sold on looking to the sideline for every offensive play... unless the QB has 100% backing to audible out based on whatever he decides is best. I'm tired of the puppit QB that has no decision-making responsibility. Are young men coming out of highschool that ignorant and lacking in leadership? The time that elapses looking over at the fat old men on the sidelines, is time lost in a huddle taking in the eyes and hearts of your friends that are actually playing the game. JMO _

Man, that is so right. I am not a fan of the line up, set, wait let me look over for the play scheme. You know, if it was so darn good of an idea, we would have won more games with it. It's not a benefit, so let it go. 90% of college teams don't do that cr^p. It's annoying.

[ULGrad@HOU]

_ Not only is he back---but should start---I would have one of the 3 new guys in as a running back and play games with Des as an H back( Damn good hands out of the backfield) and with Miller putting some time in on sets that enhance his ability(see last year)----I would have Green split just enough to drive people nuts on defense---A great Tweener---I like Falgout and the rest of the guys---no great threats, but they will catch in a crowd and I think we will be damn good on offense!!! I think that a great deal of help for the offense comes in the play of the defense and HOPEFULLY and FINALLY great field position from our kicker and punter!!!! _

Sorry, but no-way Blaine Gauthier should be the starter at QB. (no offense, JMO)

[zephyr]

_ I agree on all counts. If these coaches are worth their salt, we should be able to select and elevate a RB out of this stable. If he does not emerge, I blame coaching. As for the QB, I just want the guy that has a solid head on his shoulders and knows how to distribute the ball. I do not want a running QB. Mobile... yes... running... no. We have some of our best weapons in the receiving corps and we need a QB who knows how to toss a ball to the right spot. I could care less what name is on the back of that jersey at this point.

Every time a QB runs with the ball... even when he picks up yardage... is a failure on the offense. There are rare exceptions. Our QB needs to take every opportunity during a game to match his intellect against a guessing defense. He should use his brain to out match them... with what he knows to do... and they can only hope to guess. Everything opens up when that happens. Everything. It is past time our coaches coach a QB into running an offense... like Jake did... with his brain. I'm about to believe this coaching staff is addicted to the legs of our QB. That will get you to a 6 game max win year in and year out. I'll debate anyone on that one.

I'm still not sold on looking to the sideline for every offensive play... unless the QB has 100% backing to audible out based on whatever he decides is best. I'm tired of the puppit QB that has no decision-making responsibility. Are young men coming out of highschool that ignorant and lacking in leadership? The time that elapses looking over at the fat old men on the sidelines, is time lost in a huddle taking in the eyes and hearts of your friends that are actually playing the game. JMO _

You can coach running backs, or any player for that matter, however if they do not adapt to the coaching as well as others or do not take to the playbook and blocking schemes of the particular offense quick enough, how do you just blame coaching on their lack of growth. Kevis Streeter and Aaron Spikes are in town working out with the team and while they have likely started learning and studying the playbook, nothing makes up for repetition in live drills and action to absorb the information as second nature. These guys will have literally one month to do that. By the same account, Tyrell Fenroy came in and took to it quickly and started and flourished from his first moment on campus. I'd venture to guess that they "coached" him similarly to how they will prepare these young men. For these running backs now, preparation must meet opportunity and I feel strongly that they will do what they have to do to grasp the offense and present their best case for playing time. I do not think that you will see one back emerge however, but do not confuse a committee approach with lack of coaching or lack of talent.

We adapted this offense some years ago to meet the talents we had on offense which were versatile quarterbacks who could run and throw. I think that the QB's we have now are very similar to that of Jerry Babb who flourished his first two years in this offense. Desormeaux was a bit different as he was a much better runner but obviously not as talented passer. However, he had smarts, character, leadership and toughness to go with his athletic ability. I think that is why we went away from the triple option sets we saw often with Babb to running the single option zone read offense we now employ. I would much rather go back with the triple option sets using two of our talented backs in the backfield at one time while still allowing the QB to set up the run and take it when need be. None of our QB's should run the ball much more than about 10 times per game max but to say that we shouldn't utilize their mobility is not rational. These QB's are mobile and that is an asset not a liability. It proposes another variable in an offense that is geared to take advantage of spatial matchups and advantages. I'm not sure how or why you can say that having a running QB is a failure for an offense but that ideology is proved wrong in every conference in college football.

I'd say that Masson played pretty darned well last year given his inexperience and lack of options in both the running and passing games. He is given many more options this year with the athleticism we have at RB and the returning experience in the receiving corp.

[zephyr]

_ With the season right around the corner, I was thinking who I would consider our playmakers on Off. L. Green, Marlin Miller, Brad Mcguire come to my mind. Mason is a good QB and hopefully he will be one also. Which running back will jump out and be a playmaker. We will have many good backs that can do it and it will be great if it is more than one can answer the challenge.

CC _

Playmakers are obviously Marlin Miller, LG and Masson. Last year we had no playmakers at RB but that will be different this year. There is absolutely no way that we can be less productive at that position and we still managed to average about 130 on the ground. That number will go up. I think all three newcomers at RB are going to have their moments and I think that Streeter may end up having the biggest impact overall with his abilities in the punt and kick return games. We were terrible on special teams last year and he can hopefully manage to add another level of potency to our offense with great field position off of nice returns. I also think the RB's will be much more involved in the passing game this year as that is part of all of their skill sets and I think the offense will be that much more balanced.

On defense, I'd say that Nate Douglas and Bernard Smith along with Dwight Bentley are our playmakers there, or at least I hope they will be. Smith and Douglas are absolutely critical to our defensive production this year as they will likely be the leading candidates to accumulate some sacks and put pressure on the QB. Our defense will be as sorry as previous years if we do not pressure the QB and get tough in the middle. I'd bet Fourquier still wakes up from nightmares of watching Alfred Morris and Lance Dunbar (Oh wait, I forgot Southward and Harris from Troy) running all over us last year while most of their runs were simple A and B gap runs because our DL was blown off the ball all game long.

[RaginWaldo]

looks like Darryl Surgent will be #6
http://www.ragincajuns.com/ViewArtic...&Q_SEASON=2010

And I dont think James Butler (Hahnville WR Recruit) Will be a "suprise" unless you expect him to do some big things right out the gates.

I seen him and the QB (dont remember his name or where he was recruited) just destroy Destrehan HS in person and was extremely impressed and actually really excited to see he was going to be a cajun.

I really think this guy is one OF MANY hidden gems of talent that UL recruited. Regardless of what happens this upcoming year. I know for a fact the talent that is coming in will be a challenge for any opponent in the near future.

Here's my high hopefuls from the new recruits:
QB Blake Hollingsworth
RB Kevis Streeter JC
WR James Butler
OL Andre Huval
RB Aaron Spikes
WR Darryl Surgent
LB Jelani Smith TR
DT Benay Prior JC

I also think there is room for Suprise with the countless other prospects that have been recruited.

[Just1More]

_ i'll try again. ahem, mark macguire? didn't he play for the cardinals? lol _

My first read when Turbine posted it made me stop and think "why is he talking about Mark Macguire" - just spelled incorrectly - so here's one who did get your chuckle.