The Book: 2007 Football

[KingFish]

What have the Cajun football teams of the last decade or so done to earn our support? Many of us have supported them for years, and we've been repayed with consistently poor play on the field and weak leadership on the sidelines.

Who will hold them accountable if we don't? Authement? Walker? How long do we have to wait for that accountability?

I'm tiring of this argument: "you live in Lafayette so you should support the Cajuns" or "you own a business here, so you should support the Cajun football team" or "you graduated from UL and therefore must support the team." I understand the appeal of those arguments, particularly for those who wish to oversimplify the nature of support, but, as a fan AND supporter, I expect a little in return for my efforts.

Is that too much to ask?

[KingFish]

I would argue that the noise needs to be brought even on the opponent's first and second downs. Third down should be a time to elevate the noise level, not initiate it.

I've seen the same trend as you, hammer. I guess I expected 25,000 people or more to at least make a difference.

[DestinCajun]

The atmosphere was great last Saturday as it was for Ohio and Middle Tenn last season. The atmosphere, the crowds, the cheerleaders, the band, etc etc etc aren't the problem.

[KingFish]

Destin, please define a "great atmosphere" for me. I'd appreciate it.

Here's my definition: a great atmosphere disrupts the other team's game plan and play calling while simultaneously bolstering ours. Again, it's about the fans being pro-active rather than reactive.

[Choppie29]

_ There are a lot of people that sit on their hands at games. We have discussed that many times. However, recently I can see where less and less people are getting up to exhort the defense on in third down situations mainly due to the fact that our defense is terrible in stopping anyone from converting on third down, especially third and long. It is a trend that has continued from last year.

Agreed.

It seems since last year that no 3rd down and long is long enough. I am more surprised by a defensive stop than a 3rd and 18 conversion, but I am always on my feet for 3rd down, even if it is getting to the point where I am expecting a conversion.

The crowd last Saturday, as far as numbers were concerned was great. As far as being involved in the game.......that left much to be desired. As witnessed by the fact that someone was yelling "down in front" at me during the opening kickoff, which is a joke. The guy had a couple of young kids with him that probably couldn't see, so I gave him the benefit of the doubt. That being said, I would rather have a large crowd that isn't involved than some of the 10,000-12,000 attendance nights that we have had in the past, and will probably have Saturday. It seems Cajun fans have always needed to be given something to cheer about. They don't understand that they can help influence the outcome of a play by getting loud. It's been this way for years.

[srevere51]

_ I would argue that the noise needs to be brought even on the opponent's first and second downs. Third down should be a time to elevate the noise level, not initiate it.

I've seen the same trend as you, hammer. I guess I expected 25,000 people or more to at least make a difference. _

Yes, noise should be made at all times while the defense if on the field. We should never make noise while our offense is out there. Unless clapping after a play

[srevere51]

_ What have the Cajun football teams of the last decade or so done to earn our support? Many of us have supported them for years, and we've been repayed with consistently poor play on the field and weak leadership on the sidelines.

Who will hold them accountable if we don't? Authement? Walker? How long do we have to wait for that accountability?

I'm tiring of this argument: "you live in Lafayette so you should support the Cajuns" or "you own a business here, so you should support the Cajun football team" or "you graduated from UL and therefore must support the team." I understand the appeal of those arguments, particularly for those who wish to oversimplify the nature of support, but, as a fan AND supporter, I expect a little in return for my efforts.

Is that too much to ask? _

I like this guy.
Accountability should be held from the top to the bottom. The boosters need to get involved and light a fire under Authement(not that he cares), Walker, Bustle and company, and the players. A successful Football program generates a lot of revenue. We need to start running it more like a business.

I worked at Zea for the first 4 years they were open. In the restaurant business in Lafayette, if you dont put out your best product, no matter how good the service(except Lafonda's) people will not be loyal to that restaurant. It is no different as Lafayette is super trendy, our team needs to put their best out on the line, every play, every practice, every timeout if they do this, the fans will come. If not, I will still be there, I will just have to drink a bit more and drown my sorrows.

[RaisingCajun08]

I did not get a chance to watch this movie when it was in the theaters but I did pick up a copy from Blockbuster yesterday. I would recommend watching this movie. It sure put football & life into prospective. What a great movie and a great story.

[srevere51]

_ I did not get a chance to watch this movie when it was in the theaters but I did pick up a copy from Blockbuster yesterday. I would recommend watching this movie. It sure put football & life into prospective. What a great movie and a great story. _

Indeed, it was a fantastic movie.

[Choppie29]

No one was complaining about Mike the first two games when the O-line played well. The O-line didn't show up Saturday and Mike couldn't do anything. Fenroy and Mike both ran well against Ohio, they didn't do much against McNeese. Running the ball well gives us opportunity in the passing game. It's no mystery why we couldn't throw the ball Saturday and it starts with the O-line getting dominated.

Mike is a Junior this year and he will be our starting QB next year, so some fans had better get used to it.....and he will only get better.

I hate to see Hundley quit the team, but I doubt if anyone here knows the real reason why he quit. I wish him well.

[RaisingCajun08]

I read in the paper this morning that Fenroy and Wallace have not practiced this week. I know Fenroy is doubtful for this weekend and Wallace will problaby be listed as probable since he only has a deep bruse on his forearm.

Question is: Does anyone know who has been taking most of the snaps at RB this week in practice? My guess would be that the coaches would move Levier back to RB.

[DestinCajun]

_ Destin, please define a "great atmosphere" for me. I'd appreciate it.

Here's my definition: a great atmosphere disrupts the other team's game plan and play calling while simultaneously bolstering ours. Again, it's about the fans being pro-active rather than reactive. _

Great (game day) atmosphere -

Fantastic break from the hot weather, parking headaches, huge tailgaiting all around the stadium, over stadium capacity crowd, color everywhere - McNeese fans in Blue, Cajun fans in Red, both bands blaring away, lines from here to Eden at concession stands, restrooms overworked and all the fans ready to cheer the team on to victory. Oooops, well strike that last one.

As attendees we can't hardly ask for more than what we had last Saturday in terms of atmosphere.