The Book 2008 Football

[awadelewis]

_ You are wrong. It is time to write off the season and Buscle along with it. We need a complete change in every way. All new staff with no holdovers. What Buscle is doing with Desormeaux is reminiscent to what Haslett did with Aaron Brooks. Nothing personal but they are both going to be gone at the end of the season.

Not at all as I don't think this season is a complete failure given one really bad game against a good team. The unknown is whether or not you see an improvement in the next set of games. One wonders if the coaching staff is good enough to get that kind of performance improvement out of this team. If you're right and Bustle and his assistants are the idiots that many people seem to think they are and we go 0-12 or 3-9, then they're gone next season. The difference from the past and reason why I'm optimistic about the program is that I don't think that would have happened with the previous administration. It would have taken 3 or 4 years of that type of performance before Dr. A. would have let his AD fire a head coach. So, I see reason to be optimistic for the program even if we end up having a really bad season this year.

However, it's still very possible that you'll see this team go 6-6 or 5-7. That, for good or ill, may be good enough for Rickey Bustle to keep his job until his current contract terminates. What I don't know is whether or not 3 or 4 years of that level of performance (given the past pathetic history of the program) would be viewed by the administration as acceptable enough for them to renew his contract in 2011.

I agree with you about Mike Desormeaux playing out of position. Any other BCS program in the country would have him playing either CB or LB on the defense. Some FCS schools might use him as a tailback. However, he does have the talent to be able to play at that level in a position that would be better suited to his talents. I think you think you're misjudging the individual talent on this team. We've got individual talent equal to or better than any of the upper level schools in the FCS and a lot of the mid-majors in the BCS.

[HoustonCajun]

However, it's still very possible that you'll see this team go 6-6 or 5-7. That, for good or ill, may be good enough for Rickey Bustle to keep his job until his current contract terminates. What I don't know is whether or not 3 or 4 years of that level of performance (given the past pathetic history of the program) would be viewed by the administration as acceptable enough for them to renew his contract in 2011.

That is exactly the problem. We have fallen so low, we are hoping for 5-7 or 6-6 for a successful season. And sadly, that may be enough for Bustle to remain. Mediocrity is our battle cry.

[HoustonCajun]

_ _

Josh, good article. But, I notice on the web site that once again LSU is top billing about their stadium damages and underneath the article are reports on:

The ASU game
Pre game
Fan Day
Media Day
Storm Report

Meanwhile, UL is the 3rd article behind LSU and high school football and under the article is:

UL Fan Day 2

I don't know what the actual print copy of the paper is like as I only see the website. Why would the website not mirror the paper for lead articles?

At what point does our local team get #1 status daily in our local paper, like LSU does in the Advocate? And, when can we expect the UL section now that football season has started? You indicated that was something you were working on for approval. Thanks.

[FallBallFan]

A make-over on D is definitely necessary. We "took" every play fake and proved that arm tackling is ineffective. We have some good personnel on the defensive side of the ball but time and time again they were slow to react and the front line was ineffective at firing off the ball usually allowing a USM O line to get into their body and control them.

Offensively, we did a lot of good things but four turnovers do not win ballgames. Telegraphing pass routes does not work at D-1 level. It seems from spring depth charts we have "changed" to put speed on the field. Well, Alabama beat a better, faster Clemson team with steady, mistake free ball. Look at the mistakes from our wide receivers and tightends. I would prefer we put the kids in there that give their heart, fight to the end but also put us in a position to win (no dropped passes, not fumbles after the catch, etc.)

This team CAN be a solid team but the selection of personnel should not be based on "locality" or perceived speed but on consistency and steady play. When the game is on the line, who do you want to go to battle with? The one shot wonder or the veteran from the previous wars?

This may be a swing year for our coaches so what do they do? Play it out with current "changed" philosophy or work the program for a possible (???) future upswing. A complete look at our skill position players must be done this week. Steady, mistake free ball while utilizing the entire offensive / defensive packace available can salvage / revitalize this team.

EVERY skill position should be re-visited. QB must read and throw (good teams stop one dimensional). WR must run correct route and catch. TE must block better as well as catch and hold on to the ball steady is better than flashy at TE). D-line must be hungry and better fundamentally (there are no press clippings for them to read - so go play) and all defensive players MUST want to tackle. The kids can play but a little "shift" between coaching and player expectations may give us a more consistent product.

[Damon]

Josh, good article. But, I notice on the web site that once again LSU is top billing about their stadium damages and underneath the article are reports on:

The ASU game
Pre game
Fan Day
Media Day
Storm Report

Meanwhile, UL is the 3rd article behind LSU and high school football and under the article is:

UL Fan Day 2

I don't know what the actual print copy of the paper is like as I only see the website. Why would the website not mirror the paper for lead articles?

At what point does our local team get #1 status daily in our local paper, like LSU does in the Advocate? And, when can we expect the UL section now that football season has started? You indicated that was something you were working on for approval. Thanks.

With the s***ty performance this past weekend, you expect the Advertiser to give them top headlines? Doesn't compute.

[Damon]

"I don't think we tackled very well," he said.

Nah, really!?!
Total Yards: 633

"I thought our special teams were good.

Punt Average: 34.8 yards - not very good to me

I thought we did something moving the football. It's just doggone turning it over a couple times.
"Setting them up at midfield made it tough."

Turnovers: 4
QBs (combined): 11/24 (45%) 131 yards (5.5 avg) 1TD 2INT

THANKS CAPTAIN OBVIOUS FOR YOUR INSIGHT INTO HOW WE LOST THAT GAME. I WAS CONFUSED UNTIL YOU SPOKE.

[shasta]

hey at least we are breaking records

[RaginCajun77]

hey at least we are breaking records

and not the good kind either...

[CajunRed]

_ Josh, good article. But, I notice on the web site that once again LSU is top billing about their stadium damages and underneath the article are reports on:

The ASU game
Pre game
Fan Day
Media Day
Storm Report

Meanwhile, UL is the 3rd article behind LSU and high school football and under the article is:

UL Fan Day 2

I don't know what the actual print copy of the paper is like as I only see the website. Why would the website not mirror the paper for lead articles?

At what point does our local team get #1 status daily in our local paper, like LSU does in the Advocate? And, when can we expect the UL section now that football season has started? You indicated that was something you were working on for approval. Thanks. _

After the way we played on Saturday, I for one was GLAD that we didn't get top billing! 1) We didn't deserve it, since we played like a high school team... and 2) maybe that way fewer people saw how BAD we ACTUALLY played!

But that's just ME!!

[HoustonCajun]

_ With the s***ty performance this past weekend, you expect the Advertiser to give them top headlines? Doesn't compute. _

It doesn't matter what our record is, UL should ALWAYS be the top headline in the paper. If LSU loses a couple of games in a row, do you think the Advocate will put UL up there, followed by high schools, then LSU? I don't think so. Why should it be different in Lafayette? Except that it has never been that way here. It is time for a change, regardless of our record or our performance. UL should be #1 in its own home town. Period.