The Bobcat Nation

i been to both the scrimmages and some of the practices I see some of the younger guys completely beating some of the older guys out for starting spots. the young runningback out of San Diego california Evan Groves number 28 has shown me in the scrimmages that he is somthing really special the first fall scrimmage he was killing the D, second srimmage showed great footwork juking in and out of tacklers and the coaches still have him at 3rd string. Domineck looks alot slimmer and quicker than he did last year by far and bass could be a special player later in the year but we need to win now Groves is young but the kid can flat out play. peter jensen also from san diego number 53 i think was a started last year for us what the hell is he doing on second team adam decock he mentally not ready to step up and be a stud on our great O-line maybe i dont know everything thats happen at all times but is there anyone else that feels the way i do.

bobcatbaby wrote:i been to both the scrimmages and some of the practices I see some of the younger guys completely beating some of the older guys out for starting spots. the young runningback out of San Diego california Evan Groves number 28 has shown me in the scrimmages that he is somthing really special the first fall scrimmage he was killing the D, second srimmage showed great footwork juking in and out of tacklers and the coaches still have him at 3rd string. Domineck looks alot slimmer and quicker than he did last year by far and bass could be a special player later in the year but we need to win now Groves is young but the kid can flat out play. peter jensen also from san diego number 53 i think was a started last year for us what the hell is he doing on second team adam decock he mentally not ready to step up and be a stud on our great O-line maybe i dont know everything thats happen at all times but is there anyone else that feels the way i do.

I'm pretty sure that JD will be our starting tailback this year. Not only because of his running ability but because of his ability to pick up and block on the blitz. We dont' want our star QB getting pile drived into the ground and ruining our season. Pass blocking is a HUGE part of a RB's duty and if you have ever played the Madden NFL games you can really see that they have that built into the game. You can blitz off tackle and have full ride to the QB and then WHAM .. the tailback comes in and WHAM blocks you while the QB is throwing a nice deep strike over the middle to where your LB just blitzed from. Kramer likes 'multi functional' backs and JD is just that. Groves is a heck of a runner from what it sounds like, but there is more to the position than just racking up rushing yards. I'm sure Groves and Bass will both see some playing time thits year in twin back sets and some of those formations etc. I know your frustration on this, but if Domineck can break that run to the outside this year he will be the most COMPLETE back we have and thus deserve to be the starter in my opinion. He has to earn it though. The season remains to be played still and Groves/Bass can still take that spot (ahhh, isn't competition/depth a great thing!). Domineck is also a heck of a pass catcher out in space as well so that is another nice attribute he brings to the table.

The thing with Groves is, he is going to start next year, hands down. Him and Taito will fight for the spot, but they are both going to be SOPHMORES. You can't hand over the reigns to Groves, because JD has proven himself and has really worked hard in the offseason, and has improved greatly. He still runs very hard, and has added some quickness. My biggest compliment for JD is he can catch the ball very well out of the backfield, or even lined up in the slot. Bass will add the breakaway threat this year, JD will be the horse, and next year Groves and Taito will be the new faces for the MSU ground game, and I am excited to see what they can do!

As our starting quarterback so clearly demonstrated 3 seasons ago, the COACHES will put guys on the field who give us the best chance to win games, regardless of depth charts or experience or blah blah blah.

If JD starts some/all our games this year, it's because he is the running back who gives us the BEST CHANCE TO WIN. If Groves is that guy, then I'm confident the COACHES will have him in positions to make plays, whether he starts or not. Starting is overrated; I'm pretty sure Justin Green STARTED all the Griz games last season but I'm also pretty sure that Lex Hilliard was a much bigger factor on their season.

If we've got a team full of kids whose goal is WINNING (not starting), then we're in great shape. As an example, which of the following do you think Travis would prefer happen this season:

A) He gets 4000 total yards, smashing the career yardage record; Cats finish 7-4 WITHOUT a Big Sky title & no post-season game.

B) He gets 2000 total yards (not enough to break the record); Cats finish 8-3 with a Big Sky title and a chance to make a run at a National Championship.

I don't claim to know the kid well, but I'm guessing he'd take B).

El_Gato wrote:As our starting quarterback so clearly demonstrated 3 seasons ago, the COACHES will put guys on the field who give us the best chance to win games, regardless of depth charts or experience or blah blah blah.

If JD starts some/all our games this year, it's because he is the running back who gives us the BEST CHANCE TO WIN. If Groves is that guy, then I'm confident the COACHES will have him in positions to make plays, whether he starts or not. Starting is overrated; I'm pretty sure Justin Green STARTED all the Griz games last season but I'm also pretty sure that Lex Hilliard was a much bigger factor on their season.

If we've got a team full of kids whose goal is WINNING (not starting), then we're in great shape. As an example, which of the following do you think Travis would prefer happen this season:

A) He gets 4000 total yards, smashing the career yardage record; Cats finish 7-4 WITHOUT a Big Sky title & no post-season game.

B) He gets 2000 total yards (not enough to break the record); Cats finish 8-3 with a Big Sky title and a chance to make a run at a National Championship.

I don't claim to know the kid well, but I'm guessing he'd take B).

I actually talked to Lulay a few days ago, and asked him about the record. He says its on the back of his mind, the most important thing is to win conference and make a run in the playoffs. He also said it doesn't add any additional pressure, but he wouldn't mind his name being up there with the greasts on that list.

First, I'd keep in mind that we've never seen Groves perform in a game situation...there have been players before who always looked great in scrimmages but could never repeat that level of perfomance in actual games. It's a good point that we can't just choose the starting RB solely on the basis of their running ability. Domineck is very good at picking up blitzes and as a receiver out of the backfield, which are probably the reasons why he will begin the year as the starter over Bass and Groves. Bass and Groves will surely get their share of playing time, however. They're just too good to keep off the field.

bobcatbaby wrote: peter jensen also from san diego number 53 i think was a started last year for us what the hell is he doing on second team adam decock he mentally not ready to step up and be a stud on our great O-line maybe i dont know everything thats happen at all times but is there anyone else that feels the way i do.

Jensen might still be affected by his broken leg, it appeared that way during spring practice. He did start 9 games last year, and I don't remember him coming out ever, when the team was on a roll. If he's not ready, I hope Lulay has eyes behind his head because left tackle is important on his blind side. When you get the speed rushers at some of these schools (especially OSU) I don't know if DeCock is going to be the stud we need and the season will go as Lulay does.

A thought Bcatbaby - just because they are second team does not mean they won't play. This is especially true on the O and D lines. The hogs in the trenches sometimes need rest, therefore I am sure DeCock, Jensen and others will see their fair share of playing time.

I for one hope Groves isn't put in the situation where he has to play this year (injuries, etc.). I know we have one capable back in a quicker, slimmer JD, and Bass has impressed me. He will spell JD, and If he is our second leading rusher, I will be happy, becasue that means the O-line and RB's protected Lulay on Passing situations, and our recivers were open. Therefore, I am not worried about Groves "getting" playing time.