Predict the Fizzlies Record.

tailbone · Post by **tailbone** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 5:35 pm

For those who feel that a relatively immobile QB can't be an asset....I would be very happy to see Drew Miller in the backfield again.
Swogger is more mobile than Miller was.
Relative lack of mobility isn't necessarily a bad thing, pocket passers often take advantage of the fraction of a second where scramblers take off - that fraction of a second is sometimes the difference between a big play (or a sack) and a play that ends in a more modest result. If Chambers (with his size and speed) is as good as advertized, that fraction of a second could haunt opponents.

Time will tell!

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 6:49 pm

tailbone wrote:For those who feel that a relatively immobile QB can't be an asset....I would be very happy to see Drew Miller in the backfield again.
Swogger is more mobile than Miller was.
Relative lack of mobility isn't necessarily a bad thing, pocket passers often take advantage of the fraction of a second where scramblers take off - that fraction of a second is sometimes the difference between a big play (or a sack) and a play that ends in a more modest result. If Chambers (with his size and speed) is as good as advertized, that fraction of a second could haunt opponents.

Time will tell!

Regardless of what type QB a team has, the rest of the 'O' has to click and the biggest question in my mind this year is the griz 'O' line. If they're getting blown out that fraction of a second won't matter, aka, Sack City. JMHO

BWahlberg · Post by **BWahlberg** » Mon Jul 10, 2006 10:22 pm

Swogger is acutally pretty mobile, I've seen him in both spring scrimmages and read some reports from people who went to the practices often. He's quicker than most would think, and he can actually accelerate really quickly. Also his release is incredibly quick, I was amazed when I saw him throw deep passes with just a quick flick of an arm.

Also Ferriter will be solid, but I really believe that Allen & Chambers will become the dominant WRs on this team.

CelticCat · Post by **CelticCat** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:56 am

I can accelerate very quickly too, but my top speed is pathetic. Plus every QB in the country looks mobile in practice, because you aren't allowed to tackle him. I will put money down that Swogger is in the bottom three BSC for scrambling yards.

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 8:37 am

CelticCat wrote:I can accelerate very quickly too, but my top speed is pathetic. Plus every QB in the country looks mobile in practice, because you aren't allowed to tackle him. I will put money down that Swogger is in the bottom three BSC for scrambling yards.

Works for me. If the O line is doing it's job Swogger wont need to scramble.

BR GRIZ · Post by **BR GRIZ** » Tue Jul 11, 2006 12:02 pm

El_Gato wrote:8-3; the losses coming @ Iowa, at home vs MSU, and one road loss to a Big Sky team.

Bobby better hope that they win at least their first playoff game or his 1-3 record vs the Cats and 2 consecutive 1st round exits from the playoffs at WaGriz will make everyone in Missoula forget about their trip to the title game in 04 and he will be gone.

Hate to burst all you die-hard Cat fans bubbles, but there's very little chance the Griz will lose more than 3 during the regular season. The good news is that with the same 8-3 record and a win over the Griz (and at worst a share of the Big Sky title), the Cats would HOST the first ever Cat/Griz playoff game in the second or third round. (I've been predicting the 2 games in one year scenario for 4 years now; it has to happen sooner or later! )

I hate to say it but I'm finding myself again agreeing for the most part with Gato. I thought he was pretty accurate with the Griz talent level and his Grisly Forecast last year, but then Bobby surprised me and showed me he could coach by taking that team to the playoffs. This may surprise some, but I did not become a Bobby fan until after the job he did with last year's team.

I also think the Griz will go 8-3 regular season, but think it will either be 2 road losses or a loss at home to Cal Poly. I think the Cats will field a good team this year but don't think they will win in Missoula.

I agree with Gato that if Bobby loses to the Cats again and the Griz lose in the first round Bobby will be gone. I really don't see that happening though. I base this on the fact that in 05 he overachieved with a not very good team by winning every game they should have and some games maybe they should not. During his tenure Bobby could have prepared his teams better for some games, but I don't think he has been outcoached to the point where the Griz have lost the game due to coaching since his first year (NDSU, MSU and Western Illinois). Talent and experiencewise this year's team is much better than last year's, and I think Bobby is finally coming into his own as a coach.

SwanCoug · Post by **SwanCoug** » Fri Jul 14, 2006 9:47 pm

Re/Max Griz wrote:Swogger is acutally pretty mobile, I've seen him in both spring scrimmages and read some reports from people who went to the practices often. He's quicker than most would think, and he can actually accelerate really quickly. Also his release is incredibly quick, I was amazed when I saw him throw deep passes with just a quick flick of an arm.

Also Ferriter will be solid, but I really believe that Allen & Chambers will become the dominant WRs on this team.

Wazzu Cougar fan and alum here. I was born in Bozeman though. I've seen every major Cougar QB in the last 30 years at WSU - names like Rypien, Rosenbach, Bledsoe, Leaf - Josh Swogger is the real deal in my estimation and has as much potential as any we've had. He rushed for over 500 yards in his senior year in high school - and the guy doesn't need to pivot on the run to launch rockets. He'll play on Sundays. He's an amazingly talented athlete. He won't win the game with running - he won't need to - but he can motor. The slam on his mobility comes from the fact he played his last three games as a starter with a partially torn knee and the last two, add a busted foot.

Griz Dude · Post by **Griz Dude** » Tue Jul 25, 2006 11:21 pm

As bad as I hate to admit it, I think the reason the Griz finished 8-3 last year was that they played every tough conference game at home, except for the Cats, in which they were soundly beaten. In other words, I think they would have lost to Weber and PSU if they played them away last year.

This season, they have a murderous away schedule in conference. They could lose to Weber, EWU, and PSU on the road. I think they will lose two of these three games. I predict that they will lose to Cal Poly at home. They will get thrashed by Iowa. The Cats also could beat them again, because Kramer seems to always get the best of Hauck. I am not sure Bobby thinks he can beat Kramer. The Griz under Hauck always play uptight football in the Griz/Cat game.

So, I predict four losses for the Griz this season. Five is possible. I also predict that Bobby will leave following this season, voluntarily or otherwise.

BozoneCat · Post by **BozoneCat** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 1:02 pm

Griz Dude wrote:As bad as I hate to admit it, I think the reason the Griz finished 8-3 last year was that they played every tough conference game at home, except for the Cats, in which they were soundly beaten. In other words, I think they would have lost to Weber and PSU if they played them away last year.

This season, they have a murderous away schedule in conference. They could lose to Weber, EWU, and PSU on the road. I think they will lose two of these three games. I predict that they will lose to Cal Poly at home. They will get thrashed by Iowa. The Cats also could beat them again, because Kramer seems to always get the best of Hauck. I am not sure Bobby thinks he can beat Kramer. The Griz under Hauck always play uptight football in the Griz/Cat game.

So, I predict four losses for the Griz this season. Five is possible. I also predict that Bobby will leave following this season, voluntarily or otherwise.

I don't think Hauck's teams have "choked" against the Cats in the two years we have beaten him - I think the Bobcats were better teams those years, plain and simple. Just like I think the griz were the better team when they beat us in Missoula two seasons ago. Homefield advantage has obviously also played a key role. Now, I don't think Bobby has necessarily done everything right in getting his teams ready to play in Bozeman (i.e., bussing the team over to Livingston, etc.), but I don't think he choked and I certainly guarantee you he thinks he is a better coach than Kramer is.

GrizinWashington · Post by **GrizinWashington** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:14 pm

I certainly guarantee you he thinks he is a better coach than Kramer is.

Shouldn't he get out of the business if he DOESN'T believe this?? If I felt my peers were better than me at what I did, I'd start looking for a new career right quick! I'd hope if you took a poll of the 9 coaches in the BSC and asked them who's the best, that you'd get 9 guys voting for themselves (although they'd never say it publically, of course).

Griz Dude · Post by **Griz Dude** » Wed Jul 26, 2006 6:22 pm

GrizinWash, I totally agree. Show me a coach who does not think that he is the best coach in his conference and i'll show you a FORMER coach.

Bozone, you brought up the Livingston debacle. This is a perfect example to support my contention that Hauck's Griz teams are wound way too tightly going into the Griz/Cat game, while Kramer's Cats play loose. It is very obvious to fans. And it shows on the field.

While Bobby may visibly puff up his chest regarding his coaching versus Kramer, I believe that he is very insecure about it down deep inside. I will tell you this much; Bobby has way more pressure to beat the Cats this season that Kramer does to beat the Griz. Believe it!

Eastcoastgriz · Post by **Eastcoastgriz** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 5:59 pm

El_Gato wrote:8-3; the losses coming @ Iowa, at home vs MSU, and one road loss to a Big Sky team.

The good news is that with the same 8-3 record and a win over the Griz (and at worst a share of the Big Sky title), the Cats would HOST the first ever Cat/Griz playoff game in the second or third round.

Unless the cats we seated 4 or higher, a win over the Griz with identical records does not get you home field. It’s my understanding, at the point (assuming both teams are not ranked in the top 4) who ever bids more for the game will host the game. I doubt the cats would out bid the GRIZ. It's great having a big stadium that we constantly sell out.

GOKATS · Post by **GOKATS** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 6:17 pm

Eastcoastgriz wrote:
El_Gato wrote:8-3; the losses coming @ Iowa, at home vs MSU, and one road loss to a Big Sky team.

The good news is that with the same 8-3 record and a win over the Griz (and at worst a share of the Big Sky title), the Cats would HOST the first ever Cat/Griz playoff game in the second or third round.
Unless the cats we seated 4 or higher, a win over the Griz with identical records does not get you home field. It’s my understanding, at the point (assuming both teams are not ranked in the top 4) who over bids more the game will host the game. I doubt the cats would out bid the GRIZ. It's great having a big stadium that we constantly sell out.

So....... we would have to kick your asses at home twice in the same season? As much as I'd like the 'Cats first playoff game to be in Bozeman, for some reason I don't have a problem with that..........

Griz Dude · Post by **Griz Dude** » Thu Jul 27, 2006 8:14 pm

As a Griz fan, I worry about losing Swogger to injury. God knows that it is difficult for a college QB to go through a whole season uninjured. Since the Cat game is late in the season, I believe the outcome will be based upon whether Swogger is playing. If he is, Griz win. If we have to use Berquist, I shudder to think what might happen.

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 10:59 am

Griz Dude wrote:As a Griz fan, I worry about losing Swogger to injury. God knows that it is difficult for a college QB to go through a whole season uninjured. Since the Cat game is late in the season, I believe the outcome will be based upon whether Swogger is playing. If he is, Griz win. If we have to use Berquist, I shudder to think what might happen.

I have a good friend who now lives in WA and he follows the Cougers closely - he said Swogger is not very good. He wasn't talking smack, he just said he watched every game swogger played in and he just flat out was not very good. Strong arm but that is it. Take it for what it's worth...

VictorG · Post by **VictorG** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 3:44 pm

Griz Dude wrote:As a Griz fan, I worry about losing Swogger to injury. God knows that it is difficult for a college QB to go through a whole season uninjured. Since the Cat game is late in the season, I believe the outcome will be based upon whether Swogger is playing. If he is, Griz win. If we have to use Berquist, I shudder to think what might happen.

In the practices I saw this spring Cole B. is way ahead of where he was last year. He's doing much, much better. Yes it is only practice but it's still a measuring stick and compare this years practice to last years practice and there is a big improvement.

Cat Grad · Post by **Cat Grad** » Fri Jul 28, 2006 9:03 pm

VictorG wrote:
Griz Dude wrote:As a Griz fan, I worry about losing Swogger to injury. God knows that it is difficult for a college QB to go through a whole season uninjured. Since the Cat game is late in the season, I believe the outcome will be based upon whether Swogger is playing. If he is, Griz win. If we have to use Berquist, I shudder to think what might happen.
In the practices I saw this spring Cole B. is way ahead of where he was last year. He's doing much, much better. Yes it is only practice but it's still a measuring stick and compare this years practice to last years practice and there is a big improvement.

Berquist is a great quarterback, considering his age! Swogger is hurt, and hurt pretty badly as all the Wazzu folks will tell you. His physical was a risk they were not willing to take. How Finniky handles Berquist will determine what they eventually do offensively--their main problems, in my estimation, are the intangibles of special teams.

I just don't see a Baby Hauck coached special team being able to get all the great moves we've seen them make over the last few years, and Lord only knows his family doesn't have the river boat gambler instinct that has served this "school" so well over the last decade and a half. If they call a direct snap this year, it'll probably meet with the same ill-fated success our special teams coaches have met with the last few years. I really think the coaches in our conference are ready for all the smoke and mirrors they've gotten away with to finally just line up and smash them in the mouth. One more time, I see this group losing at least four games this year--but they did last year

Griz Dude · Post by **Griz Dude** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:15 am

Berquist is a "great QB considering his age"? He is close to 21 years old, has been in the program for two years, and has started 7-8 games. He showed no accuracy or arm strength last season. I doubt that he will ever be the answer at QB for the Griz.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 10:27 am

Griz Dude wrote:Berquist is a "great QB considering his age"? He is close to 21 years old, has been in the program for two years, and has started 7-8 games. He showed no accuracy or arm strength last season. I doubt that he will ever be the answer at QB for the Griz.

I think you are right - especially given the fact that many of the Griz "faithful" were heard to be booing the offense's performance last year. That kind of thing can stick with a 20 year old.

I wonder if someone told Swogger and Chambers that they better throw every pass perfectly, and catch every ball thrown....or they can look forward to hearing some boo's.

I'm sorry, I've been corrected....they weren't booing they were shouting "Nooga".

Griz Dude · Post by **Griz Dude** » Sat Jul 29, 2006 3:28 pm

I assure you that the fans were booing the offense and play-calling, and not the players. I suppose the holier-than-thou Cat fans have never booed, right?