Weber St. Postgame Analysis

[083190]

If the section remains vacant, the area should be reallocated and the tickets sold. That side is not in the shade and a number of people would love to have season tickets over there.

[nevadacat]

Roll punt. I like it, but there has to be some consistency to it. Coach K has promised the past two weeks that problems would be solved. I'm still counting on the coach to get it figured out. The fake was the perfect call, nicely done.

I'm ambivolent about the roll punt. When I first saw it, I thought, "What the heck is that?" But, I grew to like it as Lulay seemed to have mastered it well. I think it has the potential to force the receiving team into making mistakes and it has a more serious fake threat.

This year, it has been an unmitigated disaster. The question is whether it's worth stopping because we can't do it, as 94VegasCat puts it, with "consistency."

I read frequent posts calling to scrap it becasue "no one else does it." So what? There was a time when no one ran the Veer, Run & Shoot, or Air Coryell offenses. I'm sure that in their infancy, people weren't too thrilled with them, either. But they came into their own as they were refined. Remember the good ol' days of the Wing-T and Wishbone offenses? Dinosaurs.

Who knows, maybe traditional punting will go the way of the dinosaur? (Doubt it.) In 20 years, the "Kramer Roll" will be the accepted style. (Doubt that too.)

At this point in time, I'd abandon it for the season if it were possible to change to a traditional punt formation smoothly over a 4-day period. That may be a tall order this late in the season. It's almost cost us 3 of our 6 wins.

But, I wouldn't throw it in the trash forever. It has its merits, and enough of them to keep it in the playbook for the future, particularly if one can find a triple-threat stud like Lulay to do the work.

[SonomaCat]

You will note that those fashionable offenses you noted above went away as soon as the opponents figured out how to stop them ... and now most everyone is back to a standard "pro style" offense. Similarly, it didn't take opponents long to figure out how to defend the roll punt.

The roll punt is a good tool to have for certain circumstances, but the fact that very few teams use it all the team IS quite relevant -- they know that it is very difficult to do well, and that is has some huge downsides (like being easy to block, as we seem compelled to keep proving). Even Lulay had a few blocked when he did it.

If it worked well, more teams would do it ... just as many teams adapted to new offenses that worked.

I say use it occasionally ... but have the ability to kick the ball a long ways high in the air ... especially deep in your own territory (aka a Bobcats 3rd quarter).

[bcats]

Saturdays game was certainly an edge of your seat thriller and I am happy with a win. The defense looked good. I didn't think Weber had a chance in the first half because of dominant play. What is great about this D is there is no dropoff from our second team at a lot of positions. Kinkelaar played great spelling Papich and he isn't the only one. Our front seven are as good as any team in AA and they are deep. I would have liked to seem them sub a little more and keep guys fresh. In the first half it wasn't necessary because Weber was going 3 and out but the second half the D got tired. Force played great like always but he seems to be the only DB who cares for any contact. Their coverage is usally spectacular and that is more important than ther tackling ability.

Offense just seemed a little off. Plays were there and we didn't really make them. We could have blown Weber out early if things just gelled a little better. The running game needs to improve so the passing game doesn't become so predictable. Rolo double clutched a lot of balls and receivers weren't really getting open. We didn't turn the ball over and that was key in this game. Throw away the third quarter and we looked like a good team. Notice I didn't say Great.

Special teams is pathetic and for them to be this bad this late in the season is really troubling. The roll punt shouldn't be used when punting out of you own end zone. Any Pop Warner coach could tell you that. When a team is looking to block the punt they have to love that it will take the long snapper(needs major improvement) 2 seconds to get the ball to the punter. Then he is going to roll 3 yards and spend another 2 seconds getting to the same exact spot where all you have to do is outnumber the two blockers 4 yards in front of the punter. You know they can't fake from that spot they have to kick it. You have to give the other team some credit and figure that they might too have some players and coaches who can do there jobs. The Bobcats haven't played a high school team all season long so why assume that the opponent has no idea how to stop the roll punt. I doubt teams really even have to parctice and prepare against it. It sucks and should only be used every so often to throw a team off. I doubt that you can even find a 6-man (no offense) team that uses the roll punt all the time like we do. Coaches have to understand when something isn't working and go away from it at some point in time.

As a side note I have to say the attendence numbers were way higher than 10,000. I sat in the players comp section and it was full and loud. At half I ran into some cousins who were sitting on the booster side and said there was room over there so I moved. It is the first time I have watched a game from this side and I wasn't impressed. The north side is much louder and friendly. Is this just because of the bad play by the Cats in the 3rd quarter? I don't know. There were certain fans who were loud and seemed to grasp the concept of what this game meant but I think others could have cared less and just like to visit. MSU should cut student tickets and start filling those seats that seem to never fill back up after half time. Either that or force everyone back into the stadium when the half begins because when the game is on the line the crowd needs to loud and crazy. Just my opinion.

[tetoncat]

Don't you have to have a ticket to get into the tailgating area now. If so, then they should have to go into the game. If we are not going to require that then change the rule on the tailgaiting. If students want to just go party that is up to them but leave their ticket open and available for someone who wants to go and is told we are sold out.

[Cledus]

Was anybody else a little puzzled by Rolo being too afraid to just tuck and go? I understand the starting QB shouldn't be running towards the hit and looking for contact, but at the same time I think the moment he realizes a play is busted he needs to run like people are chasing him.

He's not exactly a small person. He stands more than 6' and weighs more than 200. If little 'ol Mason isn't afraid to mix it up, I would think Rolo could take off and, at a minimum, use the slide or head out of bounds.

Some other things puzzle me about the game. The stats say the Cats only got 5 sacks but it sure seemed like there was 10 or 12 to me. I seem to remember about three different times when there were back-to-back sacks.

7 penalties for 99 yards? I actually thought the team was a lot better on reducing the penalties this week. That's 14.1 yards per penalty on average. To me it didn't seem like the equivalent of a personal foul every time the Cats were flagged.

When Beach made the interception, did anybody else see the guy on top of the score board going ape chit? I was worried for a moment because I thought he was going to fall off. Take a look next week. That's a long ways down from up there.

No matter how you choose to analyze it, the game this week was indeed strange.

[GavinDonos]

Was anybody else a little puzzled by Rolo being too afraid to just tuck and go?

I was frustrated by this until I saw him run that 2pt conversion in. I remember it was so wide open the whole crowd started screaming for him to run it in... took him about 30 seconds to charge from the 6 yard line to the end zone...

That dude is sloooooow.

I thought there were a few times where he should've thrown it away, but I don't know how many time we're gonna see Rolo bust any flashy escape-type runs.

[Helcat72]

I appears to me as if Rolo is always looking downfiled so if anyone opens up 10 yards away (TE's) he doesn't see them until he figures it's about time to hit the dirt or run.

[HelenaCat]

I agree Helcat. I also saw Groves come out of the backfield wide open numerous times and Rolo did not see him. I also felt like he was looking way downfield too much/too long. I did not feel like our O-line was doing that great a job in pass protection either and the very long routes did not help much here either.

[catsrback76]

Crowd - great student support, but the booster side needs to rev it up. Is there a rule against standing up in the gold seat section. With three minutes left it seems people were still on their seats.

How bout we worry about forcing our senior citizen fans to stand up after we get all the students to fill their end of the stadium? Honestly, every section including the Pepsi Zone was overflowing, except the section and a half of student seats that were empty that the Marching Band had to themselves. Meanwhile there are sizeable mobs of students anchored in the tailgate lot.

In my opinion the student support needs to step it up... tailgating issues or not. Just think how loud the student section would be if they saved the tailgating for the right times (before & after the friggin game).

Sorry, but I am with Blue and Gold on this one. THE BOOSTERS SHOULD STAY HOME if they can't even clap on a play. I had my 4 thundersticks and the lady next to me said, "I hope you know when to use those".

I showed her... I thundersticked the whole game until she left and sat with her dead family 2 rows below. Football is about rooting and having a hollar, not a TV set mentality with your hands under your butt! Wake up boosters, BOOST SOMETHING!

[083190]

Can I get an AMEN?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[bcats]

Crowd - great student support, but the booster side needs to rev it up. Is there a rule against standing up in the gold seat section. With three minutes left it seems people were still on their seats.

How bout we worry about forcing our senior citizen fans to stand up after we get all the students to fill their end of the stadium? Honestly, every section including the Pepsi Zone was overflowing, except the section and a half of student seats that were empty that the Marching Band had to themselves. Meanwhile there are sizeable mobs of students anchored in the tailgate lot.

In my opinion the student support needs to step it up... tailgating issues or not. Just think how loud the student section would be if they saved the tailgating for the right times (before & after the friggin game).

Sorry, but I am with Blue and Gold on this one. THE BOOSTERS SHOULD STAY HOME if they can't even clap on a play. I had my 4 thundersticks and the lady next to me said, "I hope you know when to use those".

I showed her... I thundersticked the whole game until she left and sat with her dead family 2 rows below. Football is about rooting and having a hollar, not a TV set mentality with your hands under your butt! Wake up boosters, BOOST SOMETHING!

I completely agree. I sat the first half in section 113 and everyone there seemed to understand that when the games are big you stand up and make some noise. I sat on the boster side for the second half and couldn't believe how quiet it was compared to the other side. Make some noise and enjoy a football game. If you want a tea party go somewhere else and let people who can create some noise sit in your seat.

[bobcatgrad2005]

I always find it ironic that the boosters seem to make the most noise when they are calling for the firing of a coach.... not in the last :30 of a basketball game or on 3rd down.

[Egg Salad]

I think the boosters can do whatever they want. They are shelling out big bucks for that right. If you want them to stay home, they'll stay home with their fat wallets too. Would I like to see more noise at games? Damn straight. I'm not going to get pissed if other people don't want to.

[Cledus]

I was there cheering for every play. I had my Thunderstix, too. Two for myself and the two I bought for my nephew.

So I'm an opinionated person. I don't see why I can't cheer for the Cats and still not like the coaching staff.

You may not agree with anything I say but it's not fair to imply I never have anything positive to say about anybody or anything.

[bobcat92]

I thought Kramers comment was interesting regarding Rolo. He said in his radio interview that Rolo would be kicking himself when he sees the number of receivers that he had open. Kramer also said the Rolo had never played against a man to man defense. I found that hard to believe.

What about the fake punt. Gazarro(sp.) did a hell of a job top pick up the first down.

The game was definitly a strange tempo one.

I am sure we will make adjustments and be ready for UNC.

[bobcatmaniac]

I always find it ironic that the boosters seem to make the most noise when they are calling for the firing of a coach.... not in the last :30 of a basketball game or on 3rd down.

Not all boosters are sitting in the gold zone. Some of those seats are corporate. (It is pretty obvious to me!) Me (booster) and my family (boosters) always sit on the sunny side of the stadium and scream!

[CPACAT]

Our special teams suck. It was embarrassing watching our special teams. False starts on kickoffs. A blocked punt for a saftey. Confusion on the field, which caused us to burn a time out. An obvious running/trick play on fourth down. Bad snaps. Two missed fields goals. It was appalling. Does Kramer even practice these plays? Does he show up for practice and teach the kids these plays? I am still saying all this falls on the coaches and Kramer himself. If Kramer wants a Rugby kicker, maybe he should contact the on campus Rugby team and have some tryouts.

I absolutely agree. In my mind, the worst part was after the safety, when we kickoff from the 20, we get a delay of game call. THAT WAS TERRIBLE.

Thank God we won.

Bad snaps on punts and field goals/ extra points, missed blocking assignments on punts leading to blocked kicks, a penalty on the fake punt pass, all season long using timeouts on special teams, but worst of all a delay of game on a kick off after the safety.

What the hell is going on?

I have never in all my years of watching and playing football seen a delay of game on a kick off. It is BULLs&!t and unexcuseable. If they don't get their crap together on special teams it won't matter that we have won all of these games because the Grizzly special teams will hand our A$$es to us.

I am not opposed to the rugby kick when they execute it. It has been effective at times. However our execution and preparation on special teams has been very very poor.


I am glad we won and it showed a lot of character. It reminded me some of the 1984 Cats and how they pulled some games out of their A$$. I was furious at that delay of game but winning does help. I just hope they get it together.

I am now done venting and glad we were able to come out with a win. I have to give credit to Weber. They gave us everything we wanted with nothing on the line for them.

See you all on Saturday. Go Cats Go.

[SonomaCat]

I thought Kramers comment was interesting regarding Rolo. He said in his radio interview that Rolo would be kicking himself when he sees the number of receivers that he had open. Kramer also said the Rolo had never played against a man to man defense. I found that hard to believe.

What about the fake punt. Gazarro(sp.) did a hell of a job top pick up the first down.

The game was definitly a strange tempo one.

I am sure we will make adjustments and be ready for UNC.

Keep in mind that this was the third game that Rolo had played in at all (presumably he wasn't/we aren't counting high school), so perhaps there is a learning curve that Jack will benefit from during this game.

[grizwiz]

Box score: http://sports.yahoo.com/ncaaf/boxscore?gid=200610280117

They list the attendance at a little over 10,000? There were sure a heck of a lot more people there than homecoming which was listed as a sell out. My guess: they had a buy one get one free promotion for the Pepsi zone-and that section was absolutely packed-but they only count tickets sold so the promotional tickets weren't counted?

Whatever the number it was a nice hunting season crowd. If the weather holds, next week's crowd will be bigger.

23,000+ and still counting

Cats are pulling off a good season - - Good job Cats