The Book: 2007 Football

[Just1More]

_ Can I ask a quick questions and I mean this with the most respect? Why is everyone so into "local" recruits? There are many fantastic players outside of Lafayette and it seems to me UL should go after any and all players that will benefit the team local or not local. Of course I am biased but just thought I would ask. _

Fans in the area know about the local talent and often times know them personally or their families, have watched them play and swear they are the second coming of Walter Peyton and Reggie White. They do not know who else is outside of the immediate area (Louisiana) that is accessible to our program. The "headliner talent" is not very accessible to UL. Therefore, any time we are in a slump or there is unhappiness in the results, there are going to be people that say "we should have recruited so and so from Lafayette High or Crowley or Opelousas, look how good he's been at x D1AA school."

You are going to hear this from us (and I will include myself) bellyaching fans, because we have an itch and just don't know how else to scratch it. Sometimes, the local recruit that we passed on, would have made a fine addition. I personally leave it to the coaching staff, who get paid to spend a lot of time evaluating talent, specifically for their program. And although I am a certified paying fan and have every right to blather... I think they know better.

Some folks on here, like everyone else who finds themselves in our boat, are searching for answers. The "local recruiting" issue has always been a hot button to push. The only way that is going to stop is if we start having undefeated seasons.

I do understand your frustration... it appears as though the local talent criticism is directed at the out of area team members... not the case. It is just a bellyaching tool. We love everyone who contributes to the success of this program, and even those who only wish they could.

[ULGrad@HOU]

_ Can I ask a quick questions and I mean this with the most respect? Why is everyone so into "local" recruits? There are many fantastic players outside of Lafayette and it seems to me UL should go after any and all players that will benefit the team local or not local. Of course I am biased but just thought I would ask. _

I do believe that Louisiana, for it's population, has some of the most talented football players around. There are soooo many NFL players with ties to Louisiana, either high school or college. With that being said, we have to be able to get them to want to go to UL and they also have to have the grades to make it. I'm with you, get the best football players we can get, no matter where they are from.

[Arkstfan]

OK, here's another outsiders view.

"They passed you over" works fine if you are the Cowboys playing the Cajuns, but that doesn't work if you are the Cajuns playing the Cowboys. It isn't likely to work against ANYONE on the Cajuns schedule except for an LSU game.

I'm looking at your roster right now. I'm not totally up on my Louisiana and Texas geography but it sure appears that far and away the bulk of the roster is players who finished high school within fairly close distance of I-10/12 in Louisiana and Texas with a decent number of Florida kids thrown in to round out.

The logic of the argument fails. He acts as if UL isn't recruiting the area, clearly that's not the case. Is UL doing as good of a job evaluating talent? Got me, but it seems apparent that UL is recruiting the area which undercuts the whole idea that UL isn't.

[FormerPokeCenter]

Yes, Clearly, Gary Laney is wrong. You guys are doing just fine in your Louisiana recruiting. I'd pay him no mind. Obviously the UL football program is superior to McNeese and the UL athletes are superior to the athletes that McNeese has. Its very clearly some sort of bias issue he has.

I doubt any of the players from McNeese could crack the two-deep roster at UL.

[Zeebart21]

OK, here's another outsiders view.

"They passed you over" works fine if you are the Cowboys playing the Cajuns, but that doesn't work if you are the Cajuns playing the Cowboys. It isn't likely to work against ANYONE on the Cajuns schedule except for an LSU game.

I'm looking at your roster right now. I'm not totally up on my Louisiana and Texas geography but it sure appears that far and away the bulk of the roster is players who finished high school within fairly close distance of I-10/12 in Louisiana and Texas with a decent number of Florida kids thrown in to round out.

The logic of the argument fails. He acts as if UL isn't recruiting the area, clearly that's not the case. Is UL doing as good of a job evaluating talent? Got me, but it seems apparent that UL is recruiting the area which undercuts the whole idea that UL isn't.

Mark, Laney is highschool. While Dan McDonald was prepping us for the game with the history of the series, who to watch, what to watch for, interviewing players..... Laney was taking shots. He couldn't give an unbiased report on UL if his life depended on it. I wouldnt expect anything more of him. Good luck against the Volunteers.

Z

[DaddyCajun]

_ Yes, Clearly, Gary Laney is wrong. You guys are doing just fine in your Louisiana recruiting. I'd pay him no mind. Obviously the UL football program is superior to McNeese and the UL athletes are superior to the athletes that McNeese has. Its very clearly some sort of bias issue he has.

I doubt any of the players from McNeese could crack the two-deep roster at UL. _

No one is saying UL is recruiting enough in its backyard, but one thing that is not being said is it is easier to recruit a non qualifier to a Sub D1a school. This being said your Louisiana numbers should be higher. Grant our numbers should be higher also because if we did a better job at home it would be reflected in numbers and wins. Also, not said is in transfers from prominant D1a schools an athlete can transfer without losing a year to a Sub D1a school, thus boosting your talent level.

UL has not payed adequate attention to its sports programs much less its football programs over the last 30+ years since the basketball death penalty. That is not the case anymore! However it takes some time to turn around a rusty old ship. Serious strides have been made in many areas and are starting to show great promise, Baseball, Softball, womens basketball, mens basketball(aside from the last couple of years), track and field getting ready to take off, and golf and tennis are more than holding their own.

Great game McNeese, and thanks for the wake up our leaders needed it!!!

DaddyCajun

[Zeebart21]

No one is saying UL is recruiting enough in its backyard, but one thing that is not being said is it is easier to recruit a non qualifier to a Sub D1a school. This being said your Louisiana numbers should be higher. Grant our numbers should be higher also because if we did a better job at home it would be reflected in numbers and wins. Also, not said is in transfers from prominant D1a schools an athlete can transfer without losing a year to a Sub D1a school, thus boosting your talent level.

UL has not payed adequate attention to its sports programs much less its football programs over the last 30+ years since the basketball death penalty. That is not the case anymore! However it takes some time to turn around a rusty old ship. Serious strides have been made in many areas and are starting to show great promise, Baseball, Softball, womens basketball, mens basketball(aside from the last couple of years), track and field getting ready to take off, and golf and tennis are more than holding their own.

Great game McNeese, and thanks for the wake up our leaders needed it!!!

DaddyCajun

Daddy, don't get him wound up!!



Z

[ShowDog]

_ i am stunned that in so negative and derisive an article he actually referred to the university as "UL" a few times. _

What was derisive about it? It's the truth. We're so busy worrying about our name, a University named "McNeese" beat our brains out.

[ShowDog]

_ Yes, Clearly, Gary Laney is wrong. You guys are doing just fine in your Louisiana recruiting. I'd pay him no mind. Obviously the UL football program is superior to McNeese and the UL athletes are superior to the athletes that McNeese has. Its very clearly some sort of bias issue he has.

I doubt any of the players from McNeese could crack the two-deep roster at UL. _

Ha ha yeah right!

[AstroCajun]

_ Yes, Clearly, Gary Laney is wrong. You guys are doing just fine in your Louisiana recruiting. I'd pay him no mind. Obviously the UL football program is superior to McNeese and the UL athletes are superior to the athletes that McNeese has. Its very clearly some sort of bias issue he has.

I doubt any of the players from McNeese could crack the two-deep roster at UL. _

Ok, you've had your win. You've had you fun. Time for you to move on.

I wouldn't want you to suffer a let down this weekend.

And before you get all in a tizzy, your board is running our people on the "time to move on" bit too.

[Kal]

_ Fans in the area know about the local talent and often times know them personally or their families, have watched them play and swear they are the second coming of Walter Peyton and Reggie White. They do not know who else is outside of the immediate area (Louisiana) that is accessible to our program. The "headliner talent" is not very accessible to UL. Therefore, any time we are in a slump or there is unhappiness in the results, there are going to be people that say "we should have recruited so and so from Lafayette High or Crowley or Opelousas, look how good he's been at x D1AA school."

You are going to hear this from us (and I will include myself) bellyaching fans, because we have an itch and just don't know how else to scratch it. Sometimes, the local recruit that we passed on, would have made a fine addition. I personally leave it to the coaching staff, who get paid to spend a lot of time evaluating talent, specifically for their program. And although I am a certified paying fan and have every right to blather... I think they know better.

Some folks on here, like everyone else who finds themselves in our boat, are searching for answers. The "local recruiting" issue has always been a hot button to push. The only way that is going to stop is if we start having undefeated seasons.

I do understand your frustration... it appears as though the local talent criticism is directed at the out of area team members... not the case. It is just a bellyaching tool. We love everyone who contributes to the success of this program, and even those who only wish they could. _

You're totally right. Plus it's not always about how good a player is... but will he fit into our system? One guy might be a great pocket passer, but he doesn't fit our offensive style...mainly because we have a younger, smaller offensive line that won't block as well for a pocket passer. Therefore we may have to pass on him and pick up a decent scrambler instead.

[RealCajun70]

When your child has trouble in school do you give up on them? When a loved one is in trouble do you ignore them? When some one makes a mistake you hold a grudge or do you forgive them. Last week was last week, this week is this week. Sometimes sports are like a bad dream or movie that you cant control. If all you ever do is focus on the negative that is all you will get. The Troy game is the most important game now because it is the next game. Athletes are taught the 24 hour rule. You get 24 hours to celebrate a win and 24 hours to grieve over a loss. Pack the Stands and Support The Cajuns. We are Lafayette's Team.......2005 start season 1-5...result Sunbelt Champions! Remember and Believe