Where's The Love...?

SenorWeezer · Post by **SenorWeezer** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 8:56 pm

A week (or 36 hours for that matter) ago you could only find positive and supportive posts on this site about the players, staff, and program...now, the vast majority of you are whining and marking the end of a dismal season.

Folks, top level programs treat "lessons" like the 'Cats received from Cal Poly Sloooooo as just that, something to learn from. CP is a great program who beat us in every phase of the game on their home field. It isn't the end of the season!

There comes a time when you either Do What is Right or Do What is Easy. For those of you who choose the latter...keep on whining and blaming. For those of you who know we have a great program and that a supportive alumni/fan base have the power to influence positive direction of the program...let's Git R Dun!!!

suckitgriz · Post by **suckitgriz** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 10:07 pm

GREAT POST! I actually was just going to say the same thing. We will recover. We need to build from this. The Cats will be there in the end!

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Sun Sep 18, 2005 11:36 pm

I agree that we need to continue to be supportive, and that none of us fanatics are hurting as much as the players. But on the other hand, we as supporters of the team (both financially and in spirit) do have the right to be upset at the lack of results we've seen over the years against CP and in California games in general.

We'll all get over it in time, and one of the therapies we can all enjoy is this outlet afforded to us here at BN. As dangerous as it is to convey our grievances in a public forum like this, it should be expected and tolerated. There are always a couple days after every loss when this board really has a nasty vibe to it. By mid-week it's back to being optimistic with high hopes and guarded expectations.

We're all diehard fans and we all want the 'Cats to do the best they can. People just vent thier anger in different fashions. I doubt my girlfriend wants to deal with my brooding all weekend, so I take it here instead.

Anyway, I'll stop rambling now.

Slackjaw · Post by **Slackjaw** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 8:34 am

I think as fans we have the right to question what is going on. I have a real hard time understanding how one coaching staff can have the number on another coaching staff this many years in a row. We have had equall or more talent in all of the games played against cal-poly, yet we get it handed to us every year by them. It's almost like our coaches lose the cal-poly game film from the year before every year. I guess at this level of coaching I would expect the coaches to be able to game plan for a team they play every year a little better. I don't see our coaches ever figuring this team out so please stop scheduling them.

Kramer and staff are really good recruiters, but inconsistency in game planning has always been a problem. One game they'll look great, the next (CAL-POLY EVERY YEAR) not so good. Hopefully this loss to CAL-POLY is a wake-up call to this team and coaching staff, because with the talent this year's team has, anything but a deep run in the playoffs is a huge dissapointment.

Believe it or not I am an optimistic fan but after seeing the same results year after year I'm getting a little down.

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:34 am

I think the problem is that our team is constructed to play against a certain type of team...the ones we see in the Big Sky...big offensive lines, passing games and pretty much conventional defenses. When we have to completely change our focus to option, wide splits, angle blocking by smaller quicker linemen and a jail break defense...I think unless you have superior athletes with a lot of quickness and speed you have a really tough time scheming to beat that type of program.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:41 am

Helcat72 wrote:I think the problem is that our team is constructed to play against a certain type of team...the ones we see in the Big Sky...big offensive lines, passing games and pretty much conventional defenses. When we have to completely change our focus to option, wide splits, angle blocking by smaller quicker linemen and a jail break defense...I think unless you have superior athletes with a lot of quickness and speed you have a really tough time scheming to beat that type of program.

I think this is a BIG part of it as well. Very very good point Helcat. Big Sky teams have awesome QB's and big offensive lineman. You have to have both size and quickness to be able to game plan for these type teams as well. Quick mobile option attacks are not what we prepare for during spring drills/fall drills/during the season as we DON"T practice against it for very long. So I think just by playing an option team (any option team) we will be rusty from it. We had Adams State last year before the Cal Poly game and that seemed to help us a little against Cal Poly the next week. If NDSU runs the option (not sure if they still do), the Cal Poly game will be very good practice leading up to NDSU game etc. then. Going to be a tough game, but I guarantee you we score more than 10 points this weekend.

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 9:45 am

Helcat72 wrote:I think the problem is that our team is constructed to play against a certain type of team...the ones we see in the Big Sky...big offensive lines, passing games and pretty much conventional defenses. When we have to completely change our focus to option, wide splits, angle blocking by smaller quicker linemen and a jail break defense...I think unless you have superior athletes with a lot of quickness and speed you have a really tough time scheming to beat that type of program.

With that argument Cal Poly should win the NC, or you are saying that the Cats don't have very good athletes.

We were out coached and out played. The result is a 1-2 record, and the Cats have found themselves on the ropes 3 weeks into the season.

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:21 am

I've absorbed Saturday's game for a couple of days without commenting. I've found in the past if I respond when emotionally charged (I was an absolute jackass to be around on Saturday night; just ask my wife).

So, herer are my thoughts on what I watched and whwat I've seen posted since the game:

1) If any of you have ever coached athletes you know one of your jobs is to get them fired up to perform. But, even when you do your job sometimes they just don't do it! Was there questionable plays called at times? Yes. But, that happens in every game. Don't forget that Travis gets a set of plays sent in and he audibles at the line almost every play. So, I'm not going to jump on the "Bailey doesn't know jack" bandwagon just yet. The one thing I was really worried about before the SLO game was the fact that their defense disguises what they are doing until the snap of the ball. This translates into misreads/bad audibles from time to time. Also, we just did not execute at times; dropped balls at critical times, poor pick up of blitz schemes, poor pass blocking by running backs, an overall lack of "teeth" by our players. This last one shines the most for me on the night. We didn't have the ATTITUDE out on the field that we have had in the first two games. This is just not something that you coach. The players have to bring that them self.

2) Frankly, I'm disappointed in the reaction by a lot of posters on this site. One thing I've always enjoyed about being a Bobcat was supportive fans through all kinds of seasons. I've also been critical of Griz fans who turn on their players and coaches at the slightest whim of not excelling. To see some of you do that in the last days is sad. I'm wondering if you still feel the same way now as you did on Saturday about the direction of the program, leadership capabilites of our coaches, and where the team will end up this season?

3) Good teams play bad games at times. I am certain that we will play better; win or lose this Saturday. I know one thing for sure, I will be there yelling my fool head off for the 'CATS.....GO CATS!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:27 am

barechestcat wrote:I've absorbed Saturday's game for a couple of days without commenting. I've found in the past if I respond when emotionally charged (I was an absolute jackass to be around on Saturday night; just ask my wife).

I think a lot of us fans should have waited a few days before commenting on the Cats. That game was hard to watch and for sure a lot of the DIE HARD fans were venting. Most of those posts were emotionally charged posts from the FANS and the ones that post on this board are the some of the most staunch MSU fans you will find. I'm pretty sure every one of us will be cheering the Cats/Coaches/Players on this weekend that post on this board. I think for the most part the fans on Bnation were just in shock at what happened on that game on Saturday. They played a bad game .. PERIOD. College teams do it, NFL teams do it. Good teams can rebound though and I expect us to do that this weekend.

Cat-theotherwhitemeat · Post by **Cat-theotherwhitemeat** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:31 am

CARDIAC_CATS wrote:They played a bad game .. PERIOD. College teams do it, NFL teams do it. Good teams can rebound though and I expect us to do that this weekend.

I agree and I expect the Cats will come out with something prove against the Bison. This game isn't the end of the world, it wasn't even a conference game.

Post by **kmax** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:34 am

barechestcat wrote:I've absorbed Saturday's game for a couple of days without commenting. I've found in the past if I respond when emotionally charged (I was an absolute jackass to be around on Saturday night; just ask my wife).

Exactly, which is why I too have been absent for a couple days. Didn't even want to read the posts because I came on yesterday hoping not to see the sky is falling posts, but a quick look at the titles and that hope was dashed. The rest of your points are right on as well.

Time for the Cats--players, coaches and fans--to learn what they can from the Cal Poly game and then put it out their mind and focus on the rest of the season. Can't wait for this weekend already, I am pumped for another strong game from the Cats!

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:41 am

I don't see ANY Bobcat fan since Saturday who ISN'T supporting the team and/or the coaches.

Are there folks who are terribly disappointed/frustrated with our effort vs Cal Poly? Obviously. Are there folks who sincerely thought we were a superior team and that we'd show as much Saturday? Yes, and I was one of them. Are there folks who've now given up on this team and want some/all of the coaches fired? Not that I've seen, barechest. Have some folks been critical? Absolutely. Whether you want to look at it this way or not, most (if not all) of us have a vested interest in this program (and most have INvested in it, as well). Given that, I have no problem with folks HONESTLY analyzing the performance of EVERYONE involved, from the AD to the coaches to the players.

I haven't seen anyone give up on this team or state that they will no longer support them and I'm sure that I won't see that happen just as it didn't last November. What I'm seeing is the frustration of a bunch of folks who had high expectations of a great performance last Saturday; folks that are now worrying that we may not be as good as we hoped.

The fact is, we laid an egg against a very good team. The fact is that we are NOT so talented that we can beat a good team if we make too many mistakes. Even had we played a mistake-free game Saturday, there's no evidence that we'd have won; for me, THAT is the most concerning aspect of Saturdays loss. Those are very difficult pills to swallow when you spend 9 months building things up and ESPECIALLY given how well we played in games 1 & 2.

NDSU is the perfect barometer for this team, as I've stated previously. If we win or even if we lose but are competitive, this team still has the chance to beat anyone left on our schedule. I don't want to even contemplate what it means if we lose big again...

Platinumcat · Post by **Platinumcat** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 10:50 am

El_Gato wrote:I don't see ANY Bobcat fan since Saturday who ISN'T supporting the team and/or the coaches.

Are there folks who are terribly disappointed/frustrated with our effort vs Cal Poly? Obviously. Are there folks who sincerely thought we were a superior team and that we'd show as much Saturday? Yes, and I was one of them. Are there folks who've now given up on this team and want some/all of the coaches fired? Not that I've seen, barechest. Have some folks been critical? Absolutely. Whether you want to look at it this way or not, most (if not all) of us have a vested interest in this program (and most have INvested in it, as well). Given that, I have no problem with folks HONESTLY analyzing the performance of EVERYONE involved, from the AD to the coaches to the players.

I haven't seen anyone give up on this team or state that they will no longer support them and I'm sure that I won't see that happen just as it didn't last November. What I'm seeing is the frustration of a bunch of folks who had high expectations of a great performance last Saturday; folks that are now worrying that we may not be as good as we hoped.

The fact is, we laid an egg against a very good team. The fact is that we are NOT so talented that we can beat a good team if we make too many mistakes. Even had we played a mistake-free game Saturday, there's no evidence that we'd have won; for me, THAT is the most concerning aspect of Saturdays loss. Those are very difficult pills to swallow when you spend 9 months building things up and ESPECIALLY given how well we played in games 1 & 2.

NDSU is the perfect barometer for this team, as I've stated previously. If we win or even if we lose but are competitive, this team still has the chance to beat anyone left on our schedule. I don't want to even contemplate what it means if we lose big again...

El Gato,
Your last paragraph I agree with wholeheartedly!!!!!

tetoncat · Post by **tetoncat** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:04 am

We needed a few breaks to win on the road against a very good team. lets face it C.P. is never rated as high as they should be. We did not get the breaks and gave them many. 14 points from turnovers, pass interference to keep drives alive. Deflected passes caught for big gains. If we clean that up, its a close game regardless of our offense not playing well. We had good drives in the second half. Just could not put the ball in the end zone. We had at least two field goal opportunities that we passes up because we were far enough behind that they would not help. Add these and take away the turnover TD's and we are back to an 8 point game. I think we just fell apart after the fumble for TD and never recovered. Lets all remember at the beginning of the season many of us felt we would be lucky to get to conference with a 2-2 record. That is still attainable.

Post by **rtb** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:18 am

I agree that many of us, myself included, reacted too strongly to the loss. However, I think that is part of being a fan so I don't think anyone should apologize if they wrote something negative on Saturday or Sunday.

Now that the frustration is over, we need to ramp up for another exciting game on Saturday. Unfortunately I won't be able to listen to the game, but I have confidence that win or lose the Cats will be a different team than the one we saw in SLO!!

Somebody pointed out that before the season many of us expected the preseason to be rough and a 2-2 start would be huge. Even if we end up 1-3 I don't think it matter in the grand scheme of things. We can run the table in the BSC based on what we saw in the first two weeks. Do you remember how nervous the rest of the BSC was after our first two games? They should still be nervous as we can beat any of them!! I have faith the Cats will get the job done this year and win the BSC outright.

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 11:20 am

SteelheadBum · Post by **SteelheadBum** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:06 pm

I'm guilty of the poison pen (keyboard). Shameful behavior to be sure and I apologise to the team and fans. (Now for my lame excuse/justification) I just wanted MSU to win or at least give Cal Poly a hard fought game. We got beat hard mentally and physically in every aspect of the game. Too much good wine didn't help me focus either!! I'm still a loyal fan & alum though. Always have been; always will be. GO CATS!!

Heck, we all love the Bobcats but we have a right as Boosters & QB Club members (bill payers) to voice concern when our team lays an egg. Most teams lose some games each season so I can accept a loss here & there, but what burns my arse is when we lose looking totally FUGLY. The coaches and players all failed to prepare for Cal Poly. Inexcusable given the talent we have have on our team.

I see the CATS either blowing out NDSU or getting blown out by NDSU. No close game either way. The Cal Poly game either slapped the CATS back to reality or it permanently destroyed our will to win. If we get blown out by NDSU, we won't go .500 for the season. We need that attitude that we have something to prove to the world.

GO CATS!!

94VegasCat · Post by **94VegasCat** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:30 pm

I was a frustrated fan on here saturday as well and I apologize gentlemen.

All posts on this thread are right on. We need to remain positive. I think we can still run the table in the BSC.

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 1:37 pm

Most definitely the sky is not falling. This team is learning (again) that you can't take a play off, much less a game. They'll play hard the rest of the way.

Still...Saturday was a total mental breakdown, and if the kids lost focus, I put that on the coach(es).

Helcat72 · Post by **Helcat72** » Mon Sep 19, 2005 2:46 pm

I really didn't comment too much on how I was feeling but it was like a lot of you ...kind of despair Saturday Denial Sunday and hope for redemption today.

I always have had fears that we are not as good as we look on paper, (that's the way it has unfolded most years) but Travis has always bailed us out. This time even he was human. I just hope he can forget what happened last week and focus on NDSU. We will see what kind of character this team has this week because this game is a make or break game as far as the playoff picture goes. If we win it we are back in the picture...if we lose it we are faced with winning the auto bid or finishing with a good enough record to get an at large bid. With ISU, EWU, UM and PSU playing the way they are I don't see us winning at least 3 of the 4 with the precursor of a 1-3 pre-conference record.