Fall Camp

[CodyCat]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Going group by group it’s hard to see, at least initially on paper, how they’re going to be better than last year.

Interior DL- I can see being as good or better than last year

DE- maybe as good? Grebe isn’t easily replaceable but I can definitely see Eiden, Crews, Parsons and company taking that next step and replacing that production. But I’m not sure about being better than last year necessarily.

LB- Grebe and Daily look to be solid, maybe really good. But we had quite the duo to start the year last year with McCade and Danny U. So again, maybe as good? I’ll be pleasantly surprised is they’re better than last year.

CB- plenty has been talked about how talented but young they are. They very well may be better, but Powdrell and Johnson were a good duo. I’m sure they could be better as a group, but one that I’ll have to see before I buy into it too much.

Safety- I think Dowler could have a big year and I’ve heard good things about Taki, but replacing Ortt and Polidore is no small feat.

Add in losing a DC that we all know was very good last year and I’m just not sold the D will be better.

I hope they are. I’m no insider, but I just haven’t quite understood the talk about them being better this year. I’ve heard it from multiple people though, so it could be something I’m not seeing.

I also have to see it to believe it. Ortt was the best player MSU lost from last years team. He was the glue of the Bobcat defense. Replacing him is a tall tall task.

[TomCat88]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

[kwcat]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

From what I’ve seen the talent, cooperation and speed at corner are better. Concerned about physicality of which the coaches alluded. Size is an issue. We will see how that portion of the unit gels.

[SparkCat]

Tommy was great for MSU and the offense we ran. Tommy had a great senior year, however, that team did not win a national championship. Tommy also, despite his accomplishments will not be the greatest quarterback that MSU has ever had, and that is not a knock on him. The way some post about him on here, you’d think he walks on water.

Tommy is the only player at MSU to ever win the Walter Payton award. I am guessing he has won more games than any other QB in MSU history. He probably has more playoff wins than another MSU QB. And probably more awards than any other QB in history.

My bigger question is what prompted you to make such a proclamation that he isn’t the best? Did you need to make sure no one would dare draw that conclusion? Makes no sense to me.

I appreciate the passion for Tommy’s legacy. I was thinking more about the near future and potential upcoming QBs, not diminishing his past achievements, and I did not make that clear. Tommy easily was the best athlete on the field any given Saturday last year. My walk on water comment was a bit of a low blow, however, many get jumped when they have a difference in opinion about that position. Basically, I sure hope we can recruit or develop a quarterback that is better at that position at our current trajectory we are on. Plus, it was 0330 when I posted that and I chose violence.

[Norsky19]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

Faster than Danny?? I don't think anyone covered sideline to sideline better than Danny did. Very quick. Who out of the new group is quicker?

[kwcat]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

Faster than Danny?? I don't think anyone covered sideline to sideline better than Danny did. Very quick. Who out of the new group is quicker?

Don’t know about 40 times but I do think each of the linebackers in the position are as fast as Danny was. I don’t think either of them has the ball awareness yet that Danny had when he shifted gears. Hopefully that transition happens this year. because as of now there is still a noticeable difference between Danny’s better performances and current players. That comes with instinct and repetition.

[tetoncat]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

Faster than Danny?? I don't think anyone covered sideline to sideline better than Danny did. Very quick. Who out of the new group is quicker?

Don’t know about 40 times but I do think each of the linebackers in the position are as fast as Danny was. I don’t think either of them has the ball awareness yet that Danny had when he shifted gears. Hopefully that transition happens this year. because as of now there is still a noticeable difference between Danny’s better performances and current players. That comes with instinct and repetition.

Danny at peak was excellent we just didn't get a good enough sample of that vs the best teams. We have to compare this year's players to those on the field in January.

[TomCat88]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

Faster than Danny?? I don't think anyone covered sideline to sideline better than Danny did. Very quick. Who out of the new group is quicker?

Both Grebe and Daily are faster than both of those guys. They ran low 11 100m and like everyone else at MSU they’re faster now. That’s not to say Danny and McCade aren’t faster but both Grebe and Daily are just faster. I anticipate that they will both be quicker this year.

[TomCat88]

The speed is really going to jump out at people. I just rewatched the UIW game and their speed was insane. I think MSU is similar to that this year.

[TomCat88]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

Faster than Danny?? I don't think anyone covered sideline to sideline better than Danny did. Very quick. Who out of the new group is quicker?

Don’t know about 40 times but I do think each of the linebackers in the position are as fast as Danny was. I don’t think either of them has the ball awareness yet that Danny had when he shifted gears. Hopefully that transition happens this year. because as of now there is still a noticeable difference between Danny’s better performances and current players. That comes with instinct and repetition.

Danny at peak was excellent we just didn't get a good enough sample of that vs the best teams. We have to compare this year's players to those on the field in January.

Interesting you mentioned January. I was looking at the title game numbers for a story and noticed that MSU only gave 5.8 yards per play after the first two series of the game, while the offense was getting 8.0 per play after its first two series. Basically, the first quarter. Trouble was, MSU was down 14-3 after that.

[Travelingcat]

The speed is really going to jump out at people. I just rewatched the UIW game and their speed was insane. I think MSU is similar to that this year.

Hope you are right. My memory from the Oregon State game a couple of years ago was that we were just totally outclassed in the speed department to the point that our scheme was kind of irrelevant. I'm going to Eugene with realistic expectations, but if we are really a lot faster, at least we'll have a chance to make a game of it.

[TomCat88]

The speed is really going to jump out at people. I just rewatched the UIW game and their speed was insane. I think MSU is similar to that this year.

Hope you are right. My memory from the Oregon State game a couple of years ago was that we were just totally outclassed in the speed department to the point that our scheme was kind of irrelevant. I'm going to Eugene with realistic expectations, but if we are really a lot faster, at least we'll have a chance to make a game of it.

No, no, no. Don't do that to yourself. MSU probably isn't going to tip its hand with SDSU coming in the next week. I'm sure they'll play hard, but unless Oregon is vastly overrated, I don't expect a close game at all. Oregon will almost certainly still be faster than MSU.

Dowler is much faster than Ortt, Taki is as fast as Polidore. McMillan is the fastest player MSU has ever had and would probably win the 100 and 200 in the BSC track meet. Gray is faster than Jackson. Daily and Grebe are faster than O'Reilly and Danny U. Danny was fast/quick.

[kwcat]

Is the scrimmage open tomorrow?

[RICO CAT]

Is the scrimmage open tomorrow?

No, not open to the general public. Only to Bobcat Quarterback Club members.

[Cataholic]

I think MSU’s defense will be better this year. I love Jody Owens coaching the linebackers. I got to watch him work his guys through some drills Tuesday and was mesmerized. If he sticks around and becomes MSU’s DC and the stars are aligned when Vigen is heading out, I wouldn’t even open up an interview process.

I’ve been seeing this a lot lately. And I want it to be true as much as anyone.

But what is the basis for it?

Collectively, the players are better. The primary returning players Eiden IV, Brott, Eckhart, Crews, Parsons, Marsh, Sharbono, Grebe, Daily, Uluilakepa, Dowler, Carr, Gray are all better than they were last year.

The team speed is better overall, especially in the secondary. Dowler, Taki and Gray are faster than Ortt, Polidore and Jackson. Grebe and Daily are both faster than O’Reilly and Danny. The corners are a lot faster than last year. Speed isn’t everything but MSU’s biggest weakness was its speed and that bore itself out late in the year in the UCD, USD and NDSU games. MSU is incorporating the speed and talent it amassed in the 2024 class this.

The overall depth and versatility is better. The coaching is better.

Faster than Danny?? I don't think anyone covered sideline to sideline better than Danny did. Very quick. Who out of the new group is quicker?

Both Grebe and Daily are faster than both of those guys. They ran low 11 100m and like everyone else at MSU they’re faster now. That’s not to say Danny and McCade aren’t faster but both Grebe and Daily are just faster. I anticipate that they will both be quicker this year.

Great observation. Grebe and Daily were still learning last year and overran tackles or missed reads. They have all the physical tools to be great players. They will be much comfortable this year.

[BelligerentBobcat]

The speed is really going to jump out at people. I just rewatched the UIW game and their speed was insane. I think MSU is similar to that this year.

Hope you are right. My memory from the Oregon State game a couple of years ago was that we were just totally outclassed in the speed department to the point that our scheme was kind of irrelevant. I'm going to Eugene with realistic expectations, but if we are really a lot faster, at least we'll have a chance to make a game of it.

No, no, no. Don't do that to yourself. MSU probably isn't going to tip its hand with SDSU coming in the next week. I'm sure they'll play hard, but unless Oregon is vastly overrated, I don't expect a close game at all. Oregon will almost certainly still be faster than MSU.

Dowler is much faster than Ortt, Taki is as fast as Polidore. McMillan is the fastest player MSU has ever had and would probably win the 100 and 200 in the BSC track meet. Gray is faster than Jackson. Daily and Grebe are faster than O'Reilly and Danny U. Danny was fast/quick.

Danny wasn’t as fast, but his instincts were so good that it made him seem a lot faster than he was. Hopefully Daily and Grebe can get to that level as well, then we’ll really be humming.

[Colter_Nuanez]

[kwcat]

Is the scrimmage open tomorrow?

No, not open to the general public. Only to Bobcat Quarterback Club members.

Thanks I will be there myself. Didn’t know if the general public could come so thank you.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Great listen. Sounds like Lamson is the guy.

[Colter_Nuanez]