A challenge to Bobcat Nation members...

El_Gato · Post by **El_Gato** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 4:59 pm

I've started and scrapped about 10 posts today.

I'm completely frustrated with our football program even though we are a win away from a share of our 3rd Big Sky Championship in 4 seasons.

I still believe that we have enough talent to beat the Griz this Saturday but I no longer believe that we will get an at-large bid for the playoffs, even if we won easily. I think yesterday's performance took us off the playoff radar; a hard-fought, narrow loss may not have eliminated us, but playing as if we were 1-4 rather than 4-1 certainly did the trick, IMO.

I think there are going to be a lot of tough questions to ask a week from today, win or lose vs the Griz. Since the season's NOT over yet, however, I've decided it's best to wait until next week.

With that in mind, I have a challenge for all the members of Bobcat Nation: I challenge all of you to come up with your opinion(s) on the 2 or 3 biggest items or areas that our football program needs to improve on in order to take the "next step" in becoming a LEGITIMATE National Championship contender. I will probably be running a few polls starting next week to "take the pulse" of those of us who obviously spend a lot of time watching/analyzing/enjoying college football.

I hope that you'll spend some time this week actually ANALYZING your views of the program, what's gone right, what's gone wrong, and most importantly, where do we go from here.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 5:32 pm

IMO: To get to the next level we need a coaching staff with a different mind set. Kramer is more of a salesman than a coach. Kramer has had only one year (out of 12) with more than 7 wins. The good coaches seldom win less than 7 and can repeat that performance every year.

Problem with this approach is that 1-AA football is a stepping stone for 'good" coaches. If you find one that can win 9+ every year he will be gone eventually and you will need to find another one who can consistantly win 9+. At least Kramer is not going anywhere soon and we can probably expect a reasonably competitive team every year. It will be interesting to see how he wins 6+ next year with a depleated offense.

Bleedinbluengold · Post by **Bleedinbluengold** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 5:45 pm

Everyone from coaches to players need to just simply get better. What ever they do to prepare for a road game should be questioned, and changed.

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 5:57 pm

I'll give four things that need to be improved.

1-Road games
We haven't done better than 3-3 on the road (in 2003) since 1984. Bobcat fans seem to travel well; I go to at least 1 road game every year. Most Big Sky venues are not that hostile (discounting Wash-Griz) and a team with good support (like MSU) should thrive in this environment. Sometimes turf and facilities can be a factor, but this factor should not make much of a difference. This part of the preparation falls on the coaches.

2-Recruiting
In baseball, the strength of the organization is based on the farm system. Teams like the Cardinals, Braves, and many others have great successes based on homegrown talent. Teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox rely almost completely on big-name free agents. The JC transfers are like the big name free agents; they work about 50% of the time and they only play for 2 years, or less as an effective member of the team. Our priority should be to bring up 4 and 5 year players through the system and build a reliable foundation, with as many Montana kids as possible, but we should try to get at least 75% or more of our players out of a 4-year system.

3-Coaching Philosophy
The coaches should focus on game preparation and in-game coaching. Something like what happened in the locker room at EWU should not be a distraction, but I think it was. The head coach should work more with game preparation and not as much as a salesman. Offensive and defensive staffs should prepare to utilize the strengths of their own personnel and make appropriate adjustments, in both practice and in-game situations. I have not seen this adjustment by the coaching staff and that blaring weakness was exposed at Eastern.

4-Fixation with the Grizzlies
For the team, they should forget about the Grizzlies until Cat-Griz week. The Cats need to focus on self-improvement and plan for the team that they play that week. This falls on the coaching staff. Forget about the Grizzlies and play the game presented that week.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 6:02 pm

bozbobcat wrote:I'll give four things that need to be improved.

1-Road games
We haven't done better than 3-3 on the road (in 2003) since 1984. Bobcat fans seem to travel well; I go to at least 1 road game every year. Most Big Sky venues are not that hostile (discounting Wash-Griz) and a team with good support (like MSU) should thrive in this environment. Sometimes turf and facilities can be a factor, but this factor should not make much of a difference. This part of the preparation falls on the coaches.

2-Recruiting
In baseball, the strength of the organization is based on the farm system. Teams like the Cardinals, Braves, and many others have great successes based on homegrown talent. Teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox rely almost completely on big-name free agents. The JC transfers are like the big name free agents; they work about 50% of the time and they only play for 2 years, or less as an effective member of the team. Our priority should be to bring up 4 and 5 year players through the system and build a reliable foundation, with as many Montana kids as possible, but we should try to get at least 75% or more of our players out of a 4-year system.

3-Coaching Philosophy
The coaches should focus on game preparation and in-game coaching. Something like what happened in the locker room at EWU should not be a distraction, but I think it was. The head coach should work more with game preparation and not as much as a salesman. Offensive and defensive staffs should prepare to utilize the strengths of their own personnel and make appropriate adjustments, in both practice and in-game situations. I have not seen this adjustment by the coaching staff and that blaring weakness was exposed at Eastern.

4-Fixation with the Grizzlies
For the team, they should forget about the Grizzlies until Cat-Griz week. The Cats need to focus on self-improvement and plan for the team that they play that week. This falls on the coaching staff. Forget about the Grizzlies and play the game presented that week.

1. Coaching Issue (as you pointed out)
2. Recruiting is a coaching issue (Kramer likes two year players and quick fixes)
3. Coaching Issue (What exactly happened in the locker room)
4. Coaching Issue

So, I guess you are proposing a new coach!

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 6:07 pm

gtapp wrote:1. Coaching Issue (as you pointed out)
2. Recruiting is a coaching issue (Kramer likes two year players and quick fixes)
3. Coaching Issue (What exactly happened in the locker room)
4. Coaching Issue

So, I guess you are proposing a new coach!

I think there are some changes necessary. I don't think Kramer needs to go, but he needs to reflect on his philosophies and effectiveness and make some adjustments. I don't think the staff is above reproach. I think there will be some changes, especially on the offensive side and maybe on the defense. Kwiatkowski should be safe, but I'm not so sure about Bailey. A special teams coach is absolutely necessary. For now, I'm not proposing a new coach. A complete change would not help this program at all. But there need to be a few philosophical changes.

BelgradeBobcat · Post by **BelgradeBobcat** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 8:27 pm

Restore our defense. Defense wins championships-in 2002 and 2003 our defense was the best in the league. We need to get it back to what it was.

Run the ball. The flag football offense of the past two seasons has been fun to watch at times, but we need much more balance. Couple a good running game with a top defense and you'll win more games.

Improve the stadium. We've heard lots of talk-now we need action. Our stadium is nice-it needs to be nicer-thus helping recruiting.

Easier schedule. Play the body bag game, and then play a down game or even two-especially next year when we're breaking in a new quarterback.

And for us fans-keep fillling the stadium every week. The sellouts were great to see. Can we keep it up in a non-griz home game year without Lulay at quarterback?

SteelheadBum · Post by **SteelheadBum** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:18 pm

1.) Bottom line is Coach K is still the man at MSU!!! Coach K has done way more good than harm to the football program. However, he really does need a Special Teams coach. Our Special Teams have been weak under his leadership. I think he should have learned his lesson when he tried to be the Offensive Coordinator.

2.) Coach K needs to learn to under promise and over deliver. For example, why not tell the fans and team that "we have a chance to be good but we need to prove it to everyone. The team we are playing today is much better than us. They (opposing team) look like champions but we will play anyone, anywhere, anytime just to get better." MSU always pays better in an under dog role.

2.) The stadium does need another upgrade. It's an arms race to be sure but it is a necessary evil. Also, the athletic training areas and practice fields need upgraded too.

3.) The running game needs to improve by bringing in a big, strong steamroller type back and more physical offensive linemen who love to run block (i.e. smashmouth, slobber knockin' types). Groves is a good back but not one who take the constant pounding like Ryno Johnson and other big Bobcats could & did. Groves also needs to learn to block better and catch the damn ball. SIDE NOTE: Paul Schaeffer (sp?) is still my hero (God rest his soul). How many times did he run the ball against the griz WITH a broken ankle??? Now that's BOBCAT TOUGH!!! Pound for pound, Paul was probably the toughest Bobcat ever. We have good pass blockers but they hat to run block. Get us some mean, nasty blockers who like to hurt defensive players.

4.) Let's bite the bullet every year and sign 90% high school players. I can't blame Coach K for taking the easy way (JC transfers) when he only gets a one year contract. I don't have a problem with D1 drop backs but they should have a minimum for two years eligibility AND good grades before coming to MSU.

grizzh8r · Post by **grizzh8r** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:22 pm

BB:

The defense has been restored somewhat IMO. We should be back near the top of the league next year on D, as we return all of our D-line (save Rogers) gaining Matikis and Macciola (sp?), and most of our secondary is back (lose Hunter and Grenfell). We do lose Mollohan, Marudas, and Curley, but return Daly, King, and Elliott.

Running game made great strides these last two games, I am not worried there.

Don't know if the staduim improvement will be there in the near future - a run in the playoffs this year was needed to do that, and our chances of that are slim right now.

I'm undecided on the easier schedule part. Maybe schedule UC-Davis/SDSU instead of CPSLO, thats all.

In total agreement with the last section. We need to fill that place every home game.

Uncle Rico · Post by **Uncle Rico** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:24 pm

bozbobcat wrote:I'll give four things that need to be improved.

1-Road games
We haven't done better than 3-3 on the road (in 2003) since 1984. Bobcat fans seem to travel well; I go to at least 1 road game every year. Most Big Sky venues are not that hostile (discounting Wash-Griz) and a team with good support (like MSU) should thrive in this environment. Sometimes turf and facilities can be a factor, but this factor should not make much of a difference. This part of the preparation falls on the coaches.

2-Recruiting
In baseball, the strength of the organization is based on the farm system. Teams like the Cardinals, Braves, and many others have great successes based on homegrown talent. Teams like the Yankees and the Red Sox rely almost completely on big-name free agents. The JC transfers are like the big name free agents; they work about 50% of the time and they only play for 2 years, or less as an effective member of the team. Our priority should be to bring up 4 and 5 year players through the system and build a reliable foundation, with as many Montana kids as possible, but we should try to get at least 75% or more of our players out of a 4-year system.

3-Coaching Philosophy
The coaches should focus on game preparation and in-game coaching. Something like what happened in the locker room at EWU should not be a distraction, but I think it was. The head coach should work more with game preparation and not as much as a salesman. Offensive and defensive staffs should prepare to utilize the strengths of their own personnel and make appropriate adjustments, in both practice and in-game situations. I have not seen this adjustment by the coaching staff and that blaring weakness was exposed at Eastern.

4-Fixation with the Grizzlies
For the team, they should forget about the Grizzlies until Cat-Griz week. The Cats need to focus on self-improvement and plan for the team that they play that week. This falls on the coaching staff. Forget about the Grizzlies and play the game presented that week.

Bozbobcat,
What happened in the locker room?

bozbobcat · Post by **bozbobcat** » Sun Nov 13, 2005 10:32 pm

The Cats were trying to prepare for the game and a volleyball tournament was going on in an adjacent room. The people in the next room were screaming and pounding on the walls, making game preparation very tough. Kramer said it didn't affect their play when he talked about it on the postgame. I hope that's a good answer.

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:17 am

I'm going to wait a week or so before I post anything about the Cats and improvements that need to be made. We pretty much just played a very bad game on offense (most of game) and then our defense was on the field again for extended stretches again.

It's time for Cat/Griz and we can still get a share of the Big Sky Title as well. So there is still a lot at stake this weekend and I want the CATS/LULAY and all the other Seniors to go out on top with a win against the Griz.

GO CATS!

jagur1 · Post by **jagur1** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:29 am

I know the kids and fans like the body bag games and the AD needs the money. But, if you stop the 1-A game and start playing a 1-AA at home (even Southern Utah) you'd have one more W and be in the playoffs. You'd think that would be more important than some money and the kids would be just as happy with a shot in the playoffs. The Cats would be 7-3 and still have a chance. Think about it. One simple little change and Kramer is still a god.

thuss · Post by **thuss** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:31 am

Offensive Coordinator. Dah

GavinDonos · Post by **GavinDonos** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 9:49 am

I'm about f'in sick of our one page playbook. Easterns playcalling was something to behold, with passing schems and draws that shredded our defense. We were able to bottle them up in the first half, but in the second half you could see them change their plan, and they started to roll down the field with little resistance.

We, on the other hand, abandoned a running game that was productive, and tried to rely on the same 5 play passing attack that has carried us (or killed us) since last year. Kramer needs to ball up and tell some of his friends on the staff that they either need to produce a bit more, or start lookin for another job.

Someone mentioned that our O was a flag football O. I agree with that, but it also seems that our D thinks that they are playing flag football half the time. I've never seen such puss tackling in all of my life. Our linebackers can destroy someone with a crushing hit, but the 8 other guys out there just kind of fall down and reach for the ballcarrier as he blows by.

Just plain pathetic for a team that is supposed to be good.

I know one thing, I'll be damned if I drive 20 hours to watch that kind of crap product again. Don't get me wrong, I'm all for stepping to the plate to support our guys, but if they don't want to be at these f*%&% away games then why the hell should I?

catatac · Post by **catatac** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 10:31 am

I hear you Gavin, and it was frustrating to see so many of the guys playing their guts out while others were not. I remember after we turned the ball over when we were right on that edge of trying to mount a comeback - Jeff Bolton walked straight over to a bench in front of me, took off his helmet and slammed it down on the bench so hard, I can't believe it didn't shatter. The look on his face said it all...

WYCAT · Post by **WYCAT** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 12:05 pm

Good post Gato. I think waiting until next week is probably a good idea. Right now I am still too disappointed to put my thoughts together very well. I know I came into this season with some pretty high hopes and now that they have been shattered, it is time to step back and look at the big picture. I spent thousands of dollars this year and had some great road trips but don't feel like it was worth it (at least right now). Over time I am sure that will change and I will buy my season tickets next year and make at least 1/2 of the road games again. I would really love to be in on the making of the schedule next year. I think Jagur has a point, a couple of changes every year takes a team from 7-4 to 8-3 or 9-2 pretty easily. Next year is especially important since we will be breaking in a new QB.

nevadacat · Post by **nevadacat** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:31 pm

El_Gato wrote:I've started and scrapped about 10 posts today.

I have started a few myself and just closed the window. My frustration, too, is at about the maximum. So, taking El Gato's advice, I'll hold my tongue (or keystrokes, as it were) until next week.

This week is a time to focus on the Griz and giving them an ol' fashion' thrashin'!

CARDIAC_CATS · Post by **CARDIAC_CATS** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 1:43 pm

jagur1 wrote:I know the kids and fans like the body bag games and the AD needs the money. But, if you stop the 1-A game and start playing a 1-AA at home (even Southern Utah) you'd have one more W and be in the playoffs. You'd think that would be more important than some money and the kids would be just as happy with a shot in the playoffs. The Cats would be 7-3 and still have a chance. Think about it. One simple little change and Kramer is still a god.

I totally agree Jag. I know MSU needs the money, but I really wish they would have left the OK State game off the menu this year. That is why I really think the selection committee should look at that and how well we played against them. We are 7-3 minus that game with losses to 3 very good teams on the road. I don't think that is going to cut it this year though (you never know though, maybe someone in the selection committe will give MSU/Lulay a shot since it is his last year. Stranger things have happened -- see Cal Poly last year). I do hope Lulay and Co. go out in style with a win and a share of the Big Sky Title though.

SeeHarg · Post by **SeeHarg** » Mon Nov 14, 2005 4:18 pm

I've said it before and I say again...

the most important and easiest change that could be made right now is to take the butter off the table that the receivers sit at during the pre-game breakfast.

A challenge to Bobcat Nation members...

A challenge to Bobcat Nation members...

Re: A challenge to Bobcat Nation members...