The Bobcat Nation

I'm not sure if anyone posted this or not, but J. Bolton is moving to center (due to bad snaps) and Birkeland is moving to guard.

Hopefully this doesn't come back to bite us.

wbtfg wrote:I'm not sure if anyone posted this or not, but J. Bolton is moving to center (due to bad snaps) and Birkeland is moving to guard.

Hopefully this doesn't come back to bite us.

Why would this come back to bite us?
The way we were has left scares on our A**es from the 10 bites (bad snaps) so far.
Berkeland Started 10 of the 11 gams last year at LG, which he sounds like he is moving back to. Brent is a good LG. Was all last year!!
Bolton probably will at least do the same as Brent for now at center and is a very football smart guy also. He might not have a problem snapping.

Don't see any down side (same starting five) and the upside might be LESS bite marks.

It's probably better for Bolton's career too.
I've heard Kramer say that he predicts that Bolton's best chance to make it in the NFL is at center.

Link or source? I did hear Atteberry say this morning that he would be talking with Kramer at the Bobcast about changes to the Oline but he didn't say what they would be. I will have to try to tune in and hear it.

I'm surprised that it wasnt Figs and Birk that switched is all. Figs is the backup center listed on the 2-deep.

Dont have a problem with Bolton at all though. Not only does MSU have the best OL in the conference, but he's also the most versatile center in the conference.

Has Jeff played an entire season at one position in his Bobcat career?

With J-Bolt at center, do you think there will ever be a situation where the Cats wont be able to sneak Lulay on 4th and inches and not get that first down?

Could be wrong, but I think Bolton played only RG in his Freshman and Soph years. Some fairly talented guy by the name of Telolo (probably spelled it wrong) was a fixture at one of the guard spots (I think LG). Telolo was very good.

Then last year he was slated to play RG again, but hirst got hurt. Fig moved over from center and Bolton moved over to play RT for 8 1/2 games (for Hirst). Then LT for 2 1/2 games because of Jensen's broken leg and Hirst coming back.

This year he was at LG because Fig was 1st team RG and Bolton might be able to adjust better?

He did play center in the spring so the rags say.

I think center is a great place for him if it works out because it gives him much more value for the NFL. He might not be tall (6'4") or fast (probably 5.2) enough for tackle there, and all the not fast enough or tall enough tackles and guards try for guard in the pros (so that spot is over populated). Center is not so much.

Mataio Toilolo was the guy I am sure you were referring to. Yes, he was very talented ON THE FIELD, but not so much in the classroom. Unfortunately his career was cut short due to that problem.

I think moving Bolton to center is a good move and he will certainly showcase his ability.

kmax wrote:Link or source? I did hear Atteberry say this morning that he would be talking with Kramer at the Bobcast about changes to the Oline but he didn't say what they would be. I will have to try to tune in and hear it.

It's in today's tribune. http://www.greatfallstribune.com/apps/p ... 10323/1006

The reason I hope it doesn't bite us is because it is possible that we may fumble more snaps w/ Bolton. Lulay and Birkland have been working on snaps all summer, into training camp and 3 games of the season. I hope that Bolton can come in and do a flawless job, but I think that's a tall order.

wbtfg wrote:
The reason I hope it doen't bite us is because it is possible that we may fumble more snaps w/ Bolton. Lulay and Birkland have been working on snaps all summer, into training camp and 3 games of the season. I hope that Bolton can come in and do a flawless job, but I think that's a tall order.

If Brent was doing fine, no problem. But 10 bad snaps in the 3 games. You can't not make a change for now. If they screw up only 3 times, that is better than what has been happening. Especially if those are not on 3rd down.

You can't worry about a change. To do the same thing over and over and expect different results is not a good approach.

You also don't just pick anyone. You pick the best option Whether that is Bolton or Fig or Verlanic. Also if Brent is healthy (which might be a cause for the problems) he plays because he is one of the 5 best linemen. I don't think they are sending Brent to Western Montana. He is still a key guy on that line.

Does anyone remember Bolton playing center during spring ball (not sure if it was this spring or last)? I do, and there were quite a few bobbled snaps and at least 2 balls that went over Travis's head and 10 yards behind him when he was in shot gun.

I'm not saying I don't like the move, but I guess I'm a little nervous bringing someone into a game of this magnitude (if we lose this game, we have no shot at an at-large bid) who has never played center in a I-AA game.

That being said, I have faith in Krames, and especially coach Mac. They have forgotten more about football, and o-line play than I could ever hope to learn. Hopefully, my doubts will be put at ease.

13 fumbles, gotta make some change.... i know they all weren't at center/.

wbtfg wrote:Does anyone remember Bolton playing center during spring ball (not sure if it was this spring or last)? I do, and there were quite a few bobbled snaps and at least 2 balls that went over Travis's head and 10 yards behind him when he was in shot gun.

Actually he played it during both springs. This last one he had no problems.
Bozeman Chronical artical mentions that he played there:

"C Zack Wolf and G Brant Birkeland did not play and are likely to miss the remainder of the spring with knee injuries. In their absence, Anaconda's Jim Verlanic played center, while Jeff Bolton, normally a tackle, switched over to guard and also played some center ..."

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articl ... uscrim.txt

It's easy to stay on the fence on this one, but a change has to be made. Doesn't mean Brent will not return there, but a change is in order. Bolton and Fig are both good choices. Actually I think Brent was hurting and that might have contributed to the problems.

BobcatLionFan wrote:

wbtfg wrote:Does anyone remember Bolton playing center during spring ball (not sure if it was this spring or last)? I do, and there were quite a few bobbled snaps and at least 2 balls that went over Travis's head and 10 yards behind him when he was in shot gun.

Actually he played it during both springs. This last one he had no problems.
Bozeman Chronical artical mentions that he played there:

"C Zack Wolf and G Brant Birkeland did not play and are likely to miss the remainder of the spring with knee injuries. In their absence, Anaconda's Jim Verlanic played center, while Jeff Bolton, normally a tackle, switched over to guard and also played some center ..."

http://bozemandailychronicle.com/articl ... uscrim.txt

It's easy to stay on the fence on this one, but a change has to be made. Doesn't mean Brent will not return there, but a change is in order. Bolton and Fig are both good choices. Actually I think Brent was hurting and that might have contributed to the problems.

why dont we put verlanic in? it is obvious that he is #2 depth wise at center, and playing the postation he has been playing all along = fewer problems with snaps

Hell's Bells wrote:
why dont we put verlanic in? it is obvious that he is #2 depth wise at center, and playing the postation he has been playing all along = fewer problems with snaps

2nd string in the depth chart is probably only for practice, not automatic for the game.

The real depth chart for center might be (or was) Birkeland, Bolton, Fig, Jensen, Verlanic (would be 5th)
Depth at guard (either) is Jensen and DeCock moves to LT.
The Press release actually lists Jensen as Bolton backup and says he can (means will) play anywhere.

It's almost better to think DeCock is the next one in at OL. Depending who comes out, there is shifting of players.

Verlanic will be OK in the future. however he is an undersized (246 lb) Freshman right now and would be playing against guys 50 pounds more and having to take on the pressure of calls in a big game. It's not a knock on Verlanic, it just what it is.

Depth at Either Safety is LeBlanc I would guess

We've seen depth at LB isn't the one immediately behind. Nick moved over, Curley moved over. Etc, etc.

Don't get hung up by Depth charts. They are just great discussion points for the Nation.

I think Travis is to balme for most of it. You look at the drops....Agressive D OK State, Cal Poly = Lulay backs out in a hurry drops the ball.

SFA- seemingly week D-line Lulay is feeling it no problem.

Just my thoughts.

Lulay has been there way to long in pressure games (GRIZ, all the comeback Vs last year). He's not going to be backing out on pressure now. If it was pressure, you would see him with over throws to open targets.

You look at the OSU game, he was a stud under pressure making throw after throw.

Just a mismatch and possibly Brent hurting I would guess.

Using the same reason puts the blame again on the center. Pressure defense means needing to get to your blocks quicker and or pick up blitzes. Sense of hurrying to get into position leads to the bad snap.

Don't be suprised if things are further shaken up on the o-line come sat. We may be in for more injury news.

peedintunnel wrote:Don't be suprised if things are further shaken up on the o-line come sat. We may be in for more injury news.

Would this be different from possibly Brent being hurt? It appeared to be in the Cal Poly game.

From time to time we hear about how strong the o-line is. Can someone please give me an example of a time in the last 2 or 3 years when the o-line has just lined up and given it to the opponents. As for the exchange on the snaps, whether it is Lulay or Birkeland does anyone really believe that Lulay will be graded poorly for the exchange. He does feel pressure. And even though he is one of the best ever in Bozeman, he has thrown poorly and does miss a lot of receivers. Does anyone remember all the throws to start the season last year and the year before that were high and behind receivers? He is a great one but let's not send him off to Canton just yet! Keep in mind it is never as good as ir seems and it is never as bad as it seems. There are still a lot of games to be played and it should still be a season with playoff games.