The Bobcat Nation

This will probably be in the papers tomorrow, but you might as well read it here first. Just in from Bill Lamberty.

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Mike Kramer knows exactly what position he
gets the most questions about during the course of any season.
It's not quarterback. It's not even cornerback, or linebacker.
"The tight end," Kramer says with a hearty laugh. "Everyone in
Bobcat Nation thinks they're an expert on how we should use the tight
end, and everyone wants to know who is going to replace our All-America
tight end, Blake Wolf."
The answer, Kramer says, is easy. "Several people."
From a group of five players, each with solid and varied
physical attributes, Elliott Barnhart emerges as the leader. The most
experienced and complete player in the group, Barnhart saw action as
MSU's second tight end behind Wolf last fall as a true freshman. The
Broadus native caught one pass last year, but says the experience made
all the difference.
"It was a great experience," he said. "Everyone welcomed me. But
on the field it was a lot different than (high school ball in) Broadus."
According to Kramer, Barnhart's experience on the defensive side
of the ball in high school gives him a more complete understanding of
what the Bobcat offensive scheme tries to accomplish. "Elliott has a
good understanding of the game of football," Kramer said. "He's a
two-time all-state defensive player, and that really is to his benefit.
His academic standing is very equivalent to Blake (who was an four-time
Academic All-Big Sky performer), so he is a smart kid and a smart
player."
Barnhart agrees that his defensive experience helps as a tight
end. "Playing linebacker, it's read and react, because you don't know
what the offense is going to do," he said. "That's a lot like it is at
tight end."
Barnhart is far from Kramer's only weapon at tight end. Freshman
Nick Parker (Missoula Loyola), who redshirted last year, brings up-field
speed to the position, while sophomore Ty McDonald (Geyser) is an
outstanding athlete. In addition, Billings West recruit Joe Schreibeis,
like Barnhart, is a big target at tight end with the athleticism and
speed to make him a pass-catching threat.
"These guys all bring multiple skills to the position," Kramer
says.
And Barnhart is excited about one other shared trait.
"We're all Montana guys," he says with a smile. "That's pretty
neat."

BUMPS 'N' BRUISES: After a spring practice session when injuries
cascaded the Bobcat football program, the first three days of fall camp
has been uneventful.
Mike Kramer and his staff will wait out three-fall injuries.
Center Zach Wolf recovers from knee surgery, and his return is unknown,
and nose tackle Andy Matakis is expected to return sometime in late
October from spring knee surgery, as well. Both suffered knee injuries
in spring ball. Epikopo King has missed the early portion of camp with
an infected tooth and a leg injury, while Chris Davis injured a knee
during summer workouts and Brandon Bostick suffered a broken toe on his
summer job. All three could be out until late August.
Two Bobcat newcomers continue to await medical clearance.
Irregularities turned up in standard physicals for freshmen defensive
backs Arnold Briggs and Brian Waldon.

POSITION PONDERINGS: The Bobcat coaching staff made only one position
switch of significance during the early days of fall camp. Jason Gathing
moved from running back, where he played as a reserve last year, to
linebacker. He is listed as Nick Marudas' backup at the Rover spot in
MSU's new 3-4 alignment. Grant Elliott, who moved to linebacker from
fullback this summer, is listed as Mac Mollohan's backup at Will while
Epikopo King recovers from his ailments.

SEEING RED SHIRTS: As the Bobcats prepared to don shoulder pads for the
first time Friday, Mike Kramer declared that only kicker Eric Fisher
among MSU's class of true freshmen is currently considered likely not to
redshirt. "It looks like, barring something unforeseen, we'll be able to
redshirt all those guys in this freshman class, which will really
benefit us in the long run."

-msu-

"The tight end," Kramer says with a hearty laugh. "Everyone in
Bobcat Nation thinks they're an expert on how we should use the tight
end, and everyone wants to know who is going to replace our All-America
tight end, Blake Wolf."

Whatever is Coach Kramer talking about?

mquast53000 wrote:

"The tight end," Kramer says with a hearty laugh. "Everyone in
Bobcat Nation thinks they're an expert on how we should use the tight
end, and everyone wants to know who is going to replace our All-America
tight end, Blake Wolf."

Whatever is Coach Kramer talking about?

It's great to see Kramer looks at the Nation (even if he thinks we're screwy).

So to help him continue this thought and with some TEs getting hurt, I would move DeCock (or Jensen who is probably more atheltic) to TE as a nasty blocker when they are running or keeping the TE in for protection (if Bass is the RB at the time). Jensen could probably even catch the ball.

Then at other times, go without the TE and run a spread with Murry, Miller, Gatewood, Guinn/Rosey Spread out wide and send JD out of the backfield. Would be hard to defend (especially if our stud OL protects).

Again, just to help Kramer continue his kind thoughts about the nation being screwy experts.

Went to practice yesterday, and I liked everything I saw... well, except for our kicking. I hate to say it, but our kickers looked absolutely pathetic. They missed every FG they attempted (in game formation), and most of the kicks weren't even close. Bolton line-drived at least 2 of his attempts, which is just inexcusable. You can correct it if you just miss a little to the right or left, but a duck hook is a pretty big thing to fix. Let's all hope this Hastings kid gets his classes in order and arrives as the real deal, or we truly may have to go for two every time this year.

We have unlimited depth at LB and WR - it is almost scary watching how much talent we have at those positions. Siataga didn't practice, but I liked the fire I saw from him - he was doing 1-handed push-ups with the team after practice (yikes, at 300 pounds!), and was doing sit-ups like a man possessed. Eddie Smith looked really good, as did a couple other DBs.

More to come later...

Was Big Lou practicing? He wasn't on Sat when I was there.

HelenaCat95 wrote:Was Big Lou practicing? He wasn't on Sat when I was there.

Lou was in with the two's. I didn't see much of the D Line, so I'm not sure how Kolone and others performed.

Gatewood was out with a bit of a limp, while Murray was active.

From the little bit that I saw, there was a lot of run plays. The OLine looked good, Dominick looked a lot better than last year, and Mike Bass looked phenomenal.

From MSU.

Anyone can find these articles, but I like to see them here so we can get some feedback on the updates.

BOZEMAN, Mont. -- Tuesday and Wednesday were special days for
Bobcat football coach Mike Kramer.
As in, special teams.
"Yeah, it doesn't get any better than this for me," smiled
Kramer, MSU's special teams coordinator, who clearly relishes the
prospect of spending large chunks of MSU's practice time on the kicking
game.
Tuesday's practice and walk-throughs were largely devoted to the
kick units. Kramer is pleased with what he's seen so far, but also
cautious. "I never pass judgment until I see guys in a game," he said.
"It's a mindset, a mentality. You have to know what's important in the
drill to practice effectively, and that carries over to the game."
Kramer doesn't mince words regarding what he wants to see in his
special teams mainstays. "I want to see guys like Clive Lowe, Grant
Elliott, Clayton Curley, Ryan Cogley. My soldiers. Those are three
proven game-day guys. Everyone else has to earn my love."
While a host of players need to earn Kramer's love, his heart
flutters at the thought of a chosen few. "Ty McDonald, Wes Mauia, Eddie
Smith, Dan Ashley, those guys are in a group that could really step
forward."
While Travis Lulay is set as MSU's punter, the remainder of the
special teams' "skilled" positions remain up for grabs. "Tramaine Murray
has been good as a kick returner and Michael Bass as a punt returner,
but Jevon Miller will have a shot, and our Jim Thorpe (Ryan Force) is
waiting in the wings," Kramer said. "But I won't know until I see those
guys return in a game. When I see a guy that doesn't tiptoe or cut his
steps, he's our guy."
Montana State's field goal kicker has yet to be determined, but
a pair of newcomers remain in competition with returning redshirt Tyler
Bolton. JC transfer Jeff Hastings has impressed in his two days in camp,
Eric Fisher has shown a strong leg, and Bolton has shown more
consistency than last year.
"It's really more than numbers and charts and keeping track of
things," Kramer said. "It's like your first girlfriend. You just know."

-msu-