Defense

wbtfg · Post by **wbtfg** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:07 am

MSU football: Bobcats look to build on defense

By TIM DUMAS, Chronicle Sports Writer

Twenty-nine days remain until Montana State begins its season of change.

After last year's November stumble (3 games, 3 losses), the final outcome is expected to be better this fall.

But no matter what happens come Thanksgiving week, the Bobcats will enter the 2005 campaign with a different look.

Mostly on defense.

The biggest changes involve both alignment and philosophy.

According to head coach Mike Kramer, the Bobcats will use three linemen and four linebackers instead of the four linemen, three linebacker set they employed last season.

Additionally, the secondary will play zone instead of man-to-man.

"It's totally different from what we've done," Kramer said Monday after returning from Spokane, where he spent time with his ailing father. "Now we're the attack-er. The issue is, we need three physical guys to play on the defense line."

Finding that trio shouldn't be difficult; Kramer has seven big bodies to choose from.

As last season ended, most of MSU's D-linemen were either hurt - and rarely practiced - and/or too light (245 pounds or less).

The Bobcats have since bulked up.

Projected starters Aaron Papich (tackle, 287 pounds), Louis Saucedo (nose guard, 325) and Ryan Cogley (end, 258) each give Kramer increased girth.

And it doesn't stop there: Behind them are Daryl Rogers (255), David Siataga (295), Chris Kolone (295) and Joe Rothenberger (285).

"Those seven guys form the core of who we are," Kramer said.

Andy Matakis played at 250 pounds last year and is expected back in early October from an spring ACL injury

Behind the line, Kramer has moved Clive Lowe from defensive end to outside linebacker, and two-time leading tackler Mac Mollohan returns to the inside.

Speedy sophomore Epikopo King saw action in six games as a backup, but , should start inside at weakside linebacker while Nick Marudas plays Rover.

Kramer will not use a nickel back because of the extra linebacker. That means the above foursome will be on the field more, and on kick coverage less.

"We have to be real careful conditioning-wise as to what we ask our linebacking corps to do," Kramer said.

Instead, a tight end or a defensive back may be used on kicks, and occasionally a wide receiver.

Washington State transfer Jevon Miller did so with the Cougars in 2002 and tackled Joey Thomas on the 7-yard line when MSU played in Pullman. That was the last time Thomas returned a kick for the Bobcats.

This year, when MSU's linebackers are on the field, they'll be blitzing.

"Rather than play man and blitz occasionally, we're going to play zone and blitz all the time," Kramer said. "We're going to take the three biggest guys (linemen) and drive them into gaps and free up smaller, quicker linebackers to come through the opening.

"We'll blitz so much that it'll be a standard part of our defense."

The one part of the defense that has a familiar ring is the secondary.

2004 starters Ryan Force and Andre Fuller return at safety and cornerback. Kahiam Hunter missed the 2004 season, but was a nickel back in '03 and tops the 2005 depth chart at the other corner spot.

Behind Hunter are two well traveled corners, Eddie Smith and Derrick Davis.

Smith was a tailback at St. Mary's (Berkeley, Calif.) High School and began his college career at Oregon before transferring to San Mateo Junior College, then to MSU. He saw action in two games last season due to a severe hamstring injury.

Davis started three games for the Bobcats in 2002 as a true freshman, but was dismissed from school the following spring for what Kramer called "conduct unbecoming." Davis is back as a non-scholarship player with two years of eligibility.

"He served his penalty and now he comes back humbly as a walk-on," Kramer said. "It's been an odyssey."

Toph Grenfell will start at the other safety position with redshirt freshman Luke Holden behind him. Holden was last year's scout team defensive player of the year at corner, but missed the spring to jump with the MSU track and field team.

Kory Austin and New Mexico transfer Chris Davis, one of the fastest players on the team, are just behind Fuller on a seasoned depth chart.

A big change from when two freshmen (Fuller and Austin) and a sophomore (Force) started.

"At the end of the fall last year, our secondary was our weakness by far," Kramer said. "We are now better in our secondary physically than we've been since the 2003 season (when Joey Thomas, Kane Ioane, Jay Hackett and Kenneth Qualls were seniors).

"Whether they can play as well as those guys ..."

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 8:12 am

I love the end, with the "whether they can play as well as those guys". Woulda, coulda, shoulda. I wonder if this is the year the defensive coordinator's head is on the chopping block? Maybe this new scheme is a last ditch to save his job? I used to think he was an ok guy, but recently, I think he is all about the "look" of a defensive coordinator.

mquast53000 · Post by **mquast53000** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:07 am

grizhatr wrote:I love the end, with the "whether they can play as well as those guys". Woulda, coulda, shoulda. I wonder if this is the year the defensive coordinator's head is on the chopping block? Maybe this new scheme is a last ditch to save his job? I used to think he was an ok guy, but recently, I think he is all about the "look" of a defensive coordinator.

I think that Coach K (d-coordinator) is a really good coach, maybe even the best coach on staff. Since he has been in Bozeman he has had a great defense every year. Last year we loss to many guys due to injuries at the end of the season. I think that most of us remember that our defense was putting up outstanding numbers before the last 3 games of the year. Coach K will surprise some people with his defensive production this year, and that is what is going to carry the Cats to the conference title!

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:11 am

Also remember how many guys were playing out of position in the secondary last year. Force was playing corner - he is suited as a SS. Fuller was playing corner - he is suited as a FS. Grenfell was our starting FS - he will be backing up Fuller this year.

The one positive to come from the collapse last season was the development of some serious depth for this season. Finally Kramer has a depth chart to work with on O and D.

For the record, Kwiatkowski is the best D-coordinator in the conference. MSU is lucky to have him on staff.

HelenaCat95 · Post by **HelenaCat95** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:17 am

I agree - Coach K is a fantastic Defensive Coordinator.
My only question is that in the article is says that Fuller will be starting at corner, and everything we've discussed on here is that Fuller will be starting at safety - can anyone clear that up?

Cat Pride · Post by **Cat Pride** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 9:28 am

HelenaCat95 wrote:I agree - Coach K is a fantastic Defensive Coordinator.
My only question is that in the article is says that Fuller will be starting at corner, and everything we've discussed on here is that Fuller will be starting at safety - can anyone clear that up?

I recall Fuller playing FS with the #1 defense at the GF scrimmage. He did do some work at CB too, but that was mostly due to lack of bodies (Eddie Smith wasnt cleared to play at the time, D. Davis wasnt back in school yet, Chris Davis wasnt in school either).

Post by **kmax** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:27 am

grizhatr wrote:I love the end, with the "whether they can play as well as those guys". Woulda, coulda, shoulda. I wonder if this is the year the defensive coordinator's head is on the chopping block? Maybe this new scheme is a last ditch to save his job? I used to think he was an ok guy, but recently, I think he is all about the "look" of a defensive coordinator.

Your kidding right? Last year you were calling for Bailey's head cause the offense was sputtering, now you want Kwiatkowski's job cause the defense had three bad games when injuries were mounting at the end of the season.

Robcat · Post by **Robcat** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:28 am

I am excited about the new defense. However, I have one question. I was at a QBC meeting last fall and I swore that Kramer said he hates playing zone. Too many people out of position. So why is he going to a zone in the 3-4 defense?

It appears that he has the horses, but do they have the sense of field to play a zone?

Just a rookie asking questions.

grizhatr · Post by **grizhatr** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:42 am

I didn't say that I wanted his head, just a comment. Geesh. But, I totally agree with RobCat's post. I have heard Kramer say that he doesn't like zone either. What gives was the main reason for the post. The article was exciting to see the size a lot of these dudes have put on this summer, but again, I am just real curious. We seemed to have done real well with the exception to the end of last year playing man to man. Isn't it going to be a big change with the new defense?

Post by **kmax** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:51 am

I have never actually heard Kramer say that he hates the zone, though I don't doubt that he said it. I have however heard him and others talk about how, especially in I-AA ball where quality depth at some positions is often a problem, you have to play to your strengths. I see this simply as a realization that our strength is no longer in a quick, strong front four that put enough pressure on the QB to not need alot of blitzes. Our strength is now in the linebackers, and keeping them on the field will be important. Part of doing that, as the article pointed out, will be going away from a nickel package needed for man coverage but would be taking one of our better players in a linebacker off the field for a more inexperienced DB.

BobcatLionFan · Post by **BobcatLionFan** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 10:57 am

Always read these things with a little skepticism. Kramer wants to do three things with this type of article.

1) Light a fire under some of the players. Saying you are 2nd team right now and you have to fight to get to 1st where you belong.
2) Get MSU in the paper to get people excited about the upcoming games and season.
3) Send some misinformation to other teams who read the paper. (there is always one coach on each team that is hire that is able to read and thus assigned to check out changes to teams on their schedule,

)

On the first, I was surprised about Rogers not being 1st, as with Kolone being 2nd. I would expect both of those to be starting, if the fire job works.

Same with Grunfield at Safety. That can change, but must be won. The corners could be easily different from the starters indicated. There will be competition there with the kid coming from New Mexico and Smith. Don't count those two out of the starting set to fast. Only the LBs look set.

You have to earn a spot, Rogers was out during the Spring, Kid from New Mexico wasn't here, etc. If they step up, good things can happen to our D. Kolone was a stud in the spring, so I think he might be close to earning that spot.

The Blitzing was an interesting comment. I would guess they will send one of the four LBs most of the time, just which one goes is the problem for the OL.

As for zone, if the right mix gets in (with the speed of Smith and the kid from New Mexico to stay with the speed guys at WSU and PSU), I would look for man to man more). if not, then zone is more reasonable due to lack of great speed. You need speed at both sides to work man to man.

gtapp · Post by **gtapp** » Tue Jul 12, 2005 5:38 pm

BobcatLionFan wrote:Always read these things with a little skepticism.

No kidding. Check out the weights listed. Cogley at 258. This guy has trouble staying at 215 and overnight he is 258. Yeah and Travis is 275#.