Less than 3 Weeks

[oldrunner]

It's coming up on us fast.

It's a strange season in many ways, but we are certainly living this history. A shortened, spring season is strange enough, but consider that the BSC footbal schedule will not include any Teddy Bears, Puzzy Cats, Bungle Bees, or Wacky, Horned Hat wearing dudes. Strange indeed.

We will be playing those mighty Tiggers to the north twice and have some interesting games inbetween. I'm hoping that we can have crowds, even if it is limited.

I'm looking forward to seeing all of our new weapons on O and an awsome D. I have a really good feeling about this season and the fall season after that.

GO CATS!!!

 

[baller]

I think our "D" will be better than ever. It was very good last year and should be great this year with the greatest improvement coming in the defensive backfield, safeties and CB's!

The "O" is a complete unknown. So many new players that we have not seen before. Two new starters on the O-line so don't know if it will be better than last year. The running back position should be better just from more time for them to grow. Receivers are in the same boat, but if the transfer addition is as good as I hope then this area should go from very good to great. Tight end will be better just from aging but if Strom can play it might take a leap forward. The big question is at QB???? If any of the returnees end up being the starter I think it could be a long year while they grow into competent QB's. But if the transfer is good enough to come in, start and add experience, talent and skill then this position would be good enough to take us undefeated thru the regular season and a long run in the playoffs if... (1) there is a playoff and (2) maybe even to a national championship. More than any other position on offense or defense the fate of this team rest on the quality and abilities of the QB. I do think that no matter who ends up starting, they will be an improvement over what we had last year.

So this season is a huge question mark in terms of whether the team that will take the field this year will be good enough to meet all the expectations placed on it. I am optimistic and believe that the staff has found answers where they needed them and the returning starters will be better than ever and depth will be better than ever. So I see us reaching new heights this year, and I mean great heights, maybe even all the way!

 

[SWeberCat02]

It's a good sign that 10 days into practice the team hasn't had to put a pause on activities. Got to keep doing what they're doing to stay safe and healthy.

 

[purplehaze1]

We have a lot of new players on offense and also a new coordinator--another unknown. How will we be on offensive play calling? A step forward, backward or about the same? What differences do you expect to see?

 

[Chex]

We have a lot of new players on offense and also a new coordinator--another unknown. How will we be on offensive play calling? A step forward, backward or about the same? What differences do you expect to see?

I think with Hill, you can count on the defense being good. Last year’s offense could not put away teams. The style wasn’t meant to light up the scoreboard which is okay if you can have long possessions and wear out teams, but at times where a TD drive could have put it away, the offense would stall and it usually fell to the defense to close it out.

I am hoping for a passing game that can keep the defense honest. It will be interesting to see what the new QB and OC bring to the table, but it looks promising.

The new place kicker is a question mark, too. Hopefully, he can step right in and do well.

 

[oldrunner]

We have a lot of new players on offense and also a new coordinator--another unknown. How will we be on offensive play calling? A step forward, backward or about the same? What differences do you expect to see?

With an improved O line, our running game should be even better. If our passing game is as good as the players we have, then it should be improved as well. I guss the question then becomes; What about the play calling and the offense itself? I think we will just have to wait and see. If we are not much improved on O, it will not be due to the talent that is there. My feeling is that we will do well.

 

[the dan]

I’m feeling very bullish about the offense. Randall Johnson just has to be as efficient as Constantine throwing the ball for the offense to take a huge leap. Constantine was a statue in the pocket but now we have a QB that can keep a defense honest with his scrambling and the ability to run a legitimate read option. The possibilities for the run game are endless.

It’s clear he has a very strong arm too so we should be able to get the ball downfield more often which just opens up more space.

We’ll see how he is with his accuracy and ability to read the defense, but even if those are just average I still the think the offense takes a huge leap forward. Pair a mobile QB with Davis/Smith/Jackson in the backfield and Shaheed, Cooley, and Grimes stretching the field and it shouldn’t matter who’s calling the plays.

 

[SWeberCat02]

I’m feeling very bullish about the offense. Randall Johnson just has to be as efficient as Constantine throwing the ball for the offense to take a huge leap. Constantine was a statue in the pocket but now we have a QB that can keep a defense honest with his scrambling and the ability to run a legitimate read option. The possibilities for the run game are endless.

It’s clear he has a very strong arm too so we should be able to get the ball downfield more often which just opens up more space.

We’ll see how he is with his accuracy and ability to read the defense, but even if those are just average I still the think the offense takes a huge leap forward. Pair a mobile QB with Davis/Smith/Jackson in the backfield and Shaheed, Cooley, and Grimes stretching the field and it shouldn’t matter who’s calling the plays.

I agree, the offense will be better for the reasons you give. A more mobile QB will be big and whoever the QB is will have a wealth of weapons around him. Play calling can't really be any worse than what we've had the past two seasons.

 

[oldrunner]

My feelings on play calling are that it seems much better when you have a kick azz O line. It just makes everything seem like the 'RIGHT' play. When everyone in the stadium knows that you will be running, they know where you will run it, they know who will run the ball, and you still get 5 to 10 yards, it's going to make the OC look like a genius. When you have that, all passing plays are a shock to the defense and therefore more effective. I hope that is what we will see.

My bet is that we will still see a 60/40 run/pass split. If the passing gets real efficient we might even see a 55/45 split. If we ever get to 50/50 I would be surprised. That is just how winning football is played and even more so when you have a defense like ours. :thumb: :thumb: