UL has big questions to answer for fall football season

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Filling that void: grueling practices in preparation for the 2010 college football season.

UL players report to preseason training camp Wednesday, officially kicking off the program's ninth season under coach Rickey Bustle. Fall practice starts Thursday.

Coming off another six-win campaign, their fourth in the past five years, the Ragin' Cajuns enter fall camp still seeking some answers to key questions before opening the season Sept. 4 at Georgia.

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Joshua Parrott
jparrott@theadvertiser.com

The rest of the story

[zephyr]

Nice article Josh. I agree what you said. Some of my thoughts:

You failed to mention Jordan Topp on the DL as a factor. I think he may be one of the biggest X factors we have. He's large but agile and can actually play either the DT or DE position although he's obviously going to be DT. He is always around the ball and I hope to see him filling holes this year that we've been unable to do for a while. He's also a threat for sacks at the position and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get 3-5 this year which would likely be huge.

Running game has questions but nonetheless, its going to be better than last year simply because we have a lot more talent at the position along with speed. We did not have that last year and I think by default, that the RB position will be much more productive this year.

Marlin Miller did not average much per catch because most of our passes were the bubble screens and such trying to mimic what Jason Chery was so good at doing and that is making plays after the catch. The problem is that teams are on to what we do and aware that play needs to be used less and you are right, we need to stretch the field a lot more. I'm not sure whether Wolfe is eligible or not for the fall but Lawson and either of the two freshmen will definitely have to emerge to really add that dimension to this passing game this year.

[cajunfan32]

_ Nice article Josh. I agree what you said. Some of my thoughts:

You failed to mention Jordan Topp on the DL as a factor. I think he may be one of the biggest X factors we have. He's large but agile and can actually play either the DT or DE position although he's obviously going to be DT. He is always around the ball and I hope to see him filling holes this year that we've been unable to do for a while. He's also a threat for sacks at the position and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get 3-5 this year which would likely be huge.

Running game has questions but nonetheless, its going to be better than last year simply because we have a lot more talent at the position along with speed. We did not have that last year and I think by default, that the RB position will be much more productive this year.

Marlin Miller did not average much per catch because most of our passes were the bubble screens and such trying to mimic what Jason Chery was so good at doing and that is making plays after the catch. The problem is that teams are on to what we do and aware that play needs to be used less and you are right, we need to stretch the field a lot more. I'm not sure whether Wolfe is eligible or not for the fall but Lawson and either of the two freshmen will definitely have to emerge to really add that dimension to this passing game this year. _

another thing to add to the running game is that those backs last year had no experience. Shankle and Booker could be very effective this year now that they have seen some game time.

And dont forget falgout in the passing game. I think he could have a huge year and I think Miller can be a big deep threat this year. With opposing defenses having to worry about Green, Falgout and Miller, we should have a great set of receivers next year. I think the 2 biggest questions for this football team is the O-line and the D-line. If the O-line can protect the QB, we will be able to effectively use this dangerous set of receivers and athletic group of RBs and if the D-line can put some pressure on the QB and get to the QB, that will cause more hurried throws by the opposing QBs which will cause more interceptions and sacks. So basically, IMO, the fate of our season depends on how well the offensive and defensive line do.

[zephyr]

_ another thing to add to the running game is that those backs last year had no experience. Shankle and Booker could be very effective this year now that they have seen some game time.

And dont forget falgout in the passing game. I think he could have a huge year and I think Miller can be a big deep threat this year. With opposing defenses having to worry about Green, Falgout and Miller, we should have a great set of receivers next year. I think the 2 biggest questions for this football team is the O-line and the D-line. If the O-line can protect the QB, we will be able to effectively use this dangerous set of receivers and athletic group of RBs and if the D-line can put some pressure on the QB and get to the QB, that will cause more hurried throws by the opposing QBs which will cause more interceptions and sacks. So basically, IMO, the fate of our season depends on how well the offensive and defensive line do. _

I don't think you're going to see Booker play much this season. He's disappointed the coaches his past two years here as they've continuously mentioned how talented he is but hasn't put it together. He's thin and injury prone and has never been able to consistently contribute. I think Shankle may very well enter the season as the starter and he has produced when healthy and given the chance. However, the two freshmen and Streeter are obviously our most talented backs and they add the dynamic component of quickness and game breaking ability.

The Line of scrimmage is very important for our success. I think the O-Line will be better than most think. These players have all played significant minutes over recent years and honestly, our line last year somewhat underperformed and it was considered one of the better ones in the country. I think these guys will run block every bit as good as last year's unit but the pass blocking is a concern. The D-Line is paramount in our success this year. They have to be more effective at getting to the QB and stopping the interior run. FAU, NT and Troy destroyed us last year by running all over us. We were not nearly as physical enough up front and they ate us alive by running in the A and B gap all game. This has to change.


Falgout has been very underrated as a playmaker his whole career. The problem is that he doesn't stretch the field at all and is not a deep threat. He works underneath and is very good against zone coverages. Marlin Miller will obviously be our big threat downfield outside of Green but we will need 1-2 more guys step up outside of them to stretch the defenses. That's where Lawson and possibly one of the freshmen step in. The freshmen are bigger types of receivers while both are over 6 feet tall and have good hands and speed. Rico Joseph could also be a bit of an X factor as he has the shiftiness to make big plays as well.

[cajunfan32]

The Line of scrimmage is very important for our success. I think the O-Line will be better than most think. These players have all played significant minutes over recent years and honestly, our line last year somewhat underperformed and it was considered one of the better ones in the country. I think these guys will run block every bit as good as last year's unit but the pass blocking is a concern. The D-Line is paramount in our success this year. They have to be more effective at getting to the QB and stopping the interior run. FAU, NT and Troy destroyed us last year by running all over us. We were not nearly as physical enough up front and they ate us alive by running in the A and B gap all game. This has to change.


Falgout has been very underrated as a playmaker his whole career. The problem is that he doesn't stretch the field at all and is not a deep threat. He works underneath and is very good against zone coverages. Marlin Miller will obviously be our big threat downfield outside of Green but we will need 1-2 more guys step up outside of them to stretch the defenses. That's where Lawson and possibly one of the freshmen step in. The freshmen are bigger types of receivers while both are over 6 feet tall and have good hands and speed. Rico Joseph could also be a bit of an X factor as he has the shiftiness to make big plays as well. _

I'm not to worried about the talent of the starters on the o-line. but more worried about the depth there. last year we had a lot of depth b/c most of the guys starting this year were back ups. If the other guys on the o-line play well and the starters dont get riddled with injuries, they will do just fine. Basically, Imo, the fate of our entire defense lies in the hands of the D-line. A D-line that can stop the run and put pressure on the QB will make the rest of the defense very effective.

I like the fact that falgout works underneath because that will make defenses worry about the threat of falgout in the short game plus green and miller going deep. and i completely someone else has to step up at WR and make a difference. I dont know who will be that player but we have enough talent there for someone to step up.

[Parrott]

Nice article Josh. I agree what you said. Some of my thoughts:

You failed to mention Jordan Topp on the DL as a factor. I think he may be one of the biggest X factors we have. He's large but agile and can actually play either the DT or DE position although he's obviously going to be DT. He is always around the ball and I hope to see him filling holes this year that we've been unable to do for a while. He's also a threat for sacks at the position and I wouldn't be surprised to see him get 3-5 this year which would likely be huge.

Running game has questions but nonetheless, its going to be better than last year simply because we have a lot more talent at the position along with speed. We did not have that last year and I think by default, that the RB position will be much more productive this year.

Marlin Miller did not average much per catch because most of our passes were the bubble screens and such trying to mimic what Jason Chery was so good at doing and that is making plays after the catch. The problem is that teams are on to what we do and aware that play needs to be used less and you are right, we need to stretch the field a lot more. I'm not sure whether Wolfe is eligible or not for the fall but Lawson and either of the two freshmen will definitely have to emerge to really add that dimension to this passing game this year.

Thanks for your feedback.

I didn't mention Jordan Topp as a major factor on the defensive line because I felt Dean, Smith and Douglas would be bigger factors. (Could argue Tucker and Pryer could be big keys, too.) Topp made some plays last year but also was limited at times due to injury. A back issue can be a tricky thing. Meanwhile, Dean made more tackles last season than any defensive lineman - and might be better suited to play at the three-technique DT. I believe Topp will be a factor, just not a bigger one than Dean, Smith and Douglas.

My question concerning the running game was focused on which player would emerge as the top ballcarrier. We'll agree to disagree that the running game is "going to be better than last year simply because we have a lot more talent at the position along with speed." Talent and speed doesn't automatically equate production in college football. But without a doubt the potential to substantially improve on last season is obvious.

In the passing game, Miller - and the other receivers, too - have to gain yards after the catch on those bubble screens. That will be easier if the defense actually has to respect the deep ball.