Keys to the remainder of the season (opinions wanted!)

Catdad39 · Post by **Catdad39** » Tue Oct 04, 2005 10:35 pm

I thought it would be great to hear what people thought about the keys to Bobcat success as we head into the stretch run of conference games. Here are mine:

1. We need to realize that we pass to set up the run, not the other way. I think our offensive personnel are much more suited to this philosophy.

2. We need to get a couple of guys back on defense (i.e. Mollohan and Lowe). Although Daly has filled in admirably, Mac is the "glue" to keeping everyone together. We have to do a better job of stopping the run!

3. Our secondary needs to stay aggressive. Keep the "short memory" attitude about a mistake and just make the next play! They have done an excellent job so far.

4. Lets get some help from other teams (like Idaho State knocking off the Griz this weekend for starters)

5. Everyone needs to really believe in this team. Coaches, players and even us here at Bobcat Nation! Stay positive and we will see results.

canyoncat · Post by **canyoncat** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 7:58 am

Need to defend run better. Pass rush needs to improve, a few timely blitzes will help. On offense we need to run the ball a little better earlier in the game so we can control the clock and keep our defense off the field a little longer. Stay focused on task at hand. Get healthy! I think if the Cats are able to do that we are in for a heck of a ride

GO CATS!!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:04 am

I think once we get further into conference you will start seeing more wrinkles (probably haven't showed it all yet) on blitz packages from the 3-4 etc. Probably will see some this weekend as well. I think they have been a little conservative on defense early on (bend but don't break) as they are new to the 3-4 system. Once they get it down, I would think we could expect more blitz packages being put in little by little (i.e. the Marudas blitz off the end on the last game that totally caught them off guard). If our offense executes, I think they will risk playing a little more vanilla defense (as long as we are in the lead and close) as the odds are we will outscore most teams in the Big Sky with our offense (until we hit EW that is).

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:34 am

I would like to see the Cats put the nail in the coffin sooner. There were a couple of points in the ISU game that they could have broken the Bengals’ back, but just couldn’t quite do it. We need to put these Wildcats to rest as soon as possible! We can’t let them hang around!

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 8:41 am

I think improving the run defense is critical. The opposing teams passing numbers haven't been impressive yet but that is because they have all chewed up big numbers on the ground and haven't needed to throw much. I also think health is a necessity. We need to get Clive and Mac back on defense ASAP. I also really miss any special teams big plays - i.e. kickoff or punt returns. Murray looked better against ISU but we haven't helped ourselves on special teams all year. Those types of plays are huge. Offensively I think we are getting better every week but we really haven't dominated like this team is capable of. They should be putting more points on the board than we have and I think we will. Finally, we have to win on the road to go where we want to go - that starts this week.

19CAT · Post by **19CAT** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 10:39 am

The way I see it we have to and will improve our run defense. Getting them to 3rd and 2 is alright but we need mor 3rd and 8, or 3rd and 10. The only time we have these is when the other team gets penalties. When we start making that happen then we will be able to set up our blitz packages and ease into it. If you don't take the time to read every post and where a casual observer, you would think we were crazy, myself included, because all you see is "blitz more" and "stop the run".

The other key that I think, is we need to come out and take the bull by the horms and make things happen for ourselves, i.e. causing turnovers, some long run backs on punt and kick returns.

Face it when the griz had there really dominating years in the Big Sky opponents were saying "well we can't stop their run, we can't let them pass, and we couldn't move the ball on offense, they pinned us deep every time and they started every series from the 50."

I think we can get this done, in my gut it feels like we are a half a click off blowing up right now. And after the first couple things fall into place the rest can't help it, it just snowballs and IF that happens watch out.

tetoncat · Post by **tetoncat** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 11:37 am

We need to eliminate the penalties that keep opponent drives alive. This has happened in several games when we had stops and momentum. We need to focus when ahead offensively. It seems they perform better when it is close but when we have the chance to jump out to that 3 score lead we have gone 3 and out way to many times. This week will be a big test to see if we can maintain our composure on the road and win the games we should. I still feel that we can win the league if we only lose one road game, maybe two if we win all home games. The tough ones will be PSU and EWU. EWU may not lose another game so head to head tie breakers will be huge.

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Wed Oct 05, 2005 5:41 pm

Get healthy and stay that way...especially on the O line. It was no coincidence that some key guys played last week that hadn't played earlier, and the running game was much improved. Krames said this summer that the O line was just plain nasty - I haven't seen that O line yet, but I would really like to. Thus, I agree, that we've been passing to set up the run - which is fine, but at BBQ-U this weekend, I'd love to see a similar game to that when RJ ran for a couple hundred yards about 4 years ago. Only this time, it can be JD.