The state of affairs for D2 football out west is very sad to say the least.  Although Menlo does have SUB PAR facilities I think that would have less to do with them being able to compete at the D2 level than the amount of funding they could muster up.  Down here at SE Oklahoma our facilities are better than Menlo's but they are also nothing to rave about either (I'd take Maxwell Field at the Catdome over our field anyday).  We have one of the lowest budgets in all of D2 (certainly in the Lone Star), but because of our proximity to the Dallas Metroplex we are able to get some quality kids that allow us to compete with all the LSC schools and dominate the Oklahoma schools (LSC North).  If Menlo had enough funding to support their recruiting and game travel I'm sure they would be able to survive in D2 because of their location.  KIDS WANT TO PLAY FOOTBALL and more than anything want to get some athletic aid to do so.  Menlo could also make a killing from the Juco's out there as well.  There are so many kids who play football in California and end up going juco first, but as stated earlier there just aren't very many opportunities after that if you aren't a D1 kid.  Most of those kids can't afford D3's so many of them are stuck with no where to go.  If Menlo, Eastern Oregon, and Azusa went D2 it could make for a nice D2 league out west  with Humbolt, Western Oregon, Central Wash, and Simon Frasier (which I heard was getting back into the GNAC).  Now the likelyhood of that may not be great but I don't think it's too far fetched to see Menlo get into D2 in a few years.  It makes much more sense for them to play D2 than D3 if they can get enough funding to support the travel.  They were already traveling all the way to Spokane so it can't be too far fetched to see them travel to Monmouth, Ellensburg, British Columbia or Humbolt.  Or travel to Colorado or New Mexico and play schools from the RMAC. 

With all the talk about the NAIA schools, what is the word on Southern Oregon???  Did they shut down their football program???  They could be in the same boat as far as the liklihood of them being able to go D2 

I'm going with the 2009 Cats!  I just don't think the '92 team would have seen the type of spread option offense with the capability to throw as well as the '09 Cats.  Coach Smith might have got a few fades caught on em by those tall outside kids they had this year (Patterson/Slezak).  And I think the real factor would be the speed of the '09 defense.  It would be pretty tough for them to run the option against a disciplined and speedy defense.  It would be a close one but I say '09 31-21. 

I don't think that Brett is going to give up coaching unless he gets a shot back in the NFL.  He's a great coach with a bright future and since the seasons don't conflict he should be roaming the sidelines @ the catdome in 2010.  I'm sure he's still going to be looking for a GA spot or trying to advance his career in coaching as well.  Casey will find a place to play as well as long as he still wants to play.  I got a chance to see him play indoors and he was just as good there as he was on the big field when we played together.  As for Taylor Summers, I don't think that he is playing in the UGNFL or whatever since the league never played a game.  Good to see that Brett is back playin ball I know he missed it for the season he was out, and he never really got hurt in San Jose he was on IR so they could pay him and keep him on their roster.  If they didn't then they would've either had to cut him (and potentially play against him) or pay him practice squad $ which isn't nearly as good...

Hello NWC!  Haven't been on the Post Patterns in a while.  Great feature on Taylor Avritt, he's a great kid and a very hard worker.  He's worked for every snap he's gotten and should have a good impact next year for his Sr. Campain.  Missin the Catdome, but should be back for summer camp again coming up in June.  VERY interested to see what Pacific does in the NWC next year, obvsiously they will have some growing pains but seems like they have a good staff put together up there... Sounds like the coaches at Linfield are after some good kids from what I'm hearing!!!

I would like to also tell eveyone that the two cats in the Tricities won their first game 44-41 against the Billings (MT) Outlaws.  George Carter had 4 catches for 42 yards and 1 TD and T. Ford had 3 grabs for 22 yards and also 2 solo and 2 asst. tackles.  We head down to Wyoming tonight so wish us luck!!!

P.S. Joe Wiser (former PSU QB) also worked out with us last night so we may have another NW kid with us!

Man it has been forever since I've posted!!!  It's nice to see everyone into Casey and Brett's situation.  I know everyone wants to see these guys in the League as do I but someone said it perfect when they said that DIII guys are usually given one strike.  It really sucks but a guy with 4.67 40 speed is a dime a dozen and given the competition level I don't see many NFL teams drafting a small school receiver that isn't a blazer.  (You have to remember that there aren't very many GREAT DIII DB's)  On that same token I think a lot of scouts are also reluctant on QB's in that situation because of the speed of Defensive linemen in the NFL.  Hopefully if they don't get drafted they will be signed as free agents.  The thing is if these guys really want to make it there they just need to PLAY at a higher level of competition.  I think that too many guys get obsessed w/ making to the NFL that they don't look at their other options.  The CFL is a great league no doubt but did you realize that AFL (arena 1) players can make much more money than Americans in Canada???  They also have more exposure in the states that would help any player.  I think that both these guys should get a shot, but they have to perform when they get a chance for private workouts.  I know from experience that if you do well at those you get a chance...Good luck to both those guys just KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN!!!

Man it's been a while since I've been back to this board!  Finally got down to a game and watched the cats overpower the loggers.  I guess that's what they get for talking all that smack, but you really don't NEED to be intimidated to get your butts kicked right???  I thought the Linfield attack looked pretty dang good and their defense was lights out the whole game!  Would like to see a few more traditional running plays to keep teams out of dropping 8 but I thought ol' Kotler did a pretty good job with his touches I think he does a little more too if he hangs on to the two dropped passess.  Big ups to Kaluza for having a heck of a game as well as the rest of the crew.  Hopefully they get more of a test versus the Oaks of Menlo because I just don't see Willamette being much of a game and they need a tough test before this long playoff journey.   It was good to see all of those fellas keeping the work ethic going and really playing hard on every play.  Keep up the good work cats 

This weekends game at the catdome should be a great one!  I'm very curious to see how the new UWSP receivers will do against our veteran DB's.  I think it will be much tougher for Borchart to run around like he did in last years game.  The Cat D-line is much improved from last years squad and think that they will do a much better job of keeping him in the pocket.  I think that will the be key for the Linfield "D."  He seemed to have more success against us last year when he was able to use his legs to buy time.  The real question is HOW IS ANYONE going to keep up with the Linfield offense.  Look for the big three (Casey, Haze, Keck) to really burn it up this week.  I also think that the O-line will have a better day opening holes for Mr. Kotler and Lasswell  I'm waiting for those guys to have a BIG day, maybe a game sealing 59-yard scamper like someone did in last years game!!!  Cats 42 Pointers 14
Catdome baby!

Does anyone have a scoop on the Linfield Rushing game???  I know they didn't run the ball all that much, but from what was shown was our OL able to push the pile?  I think that it will be key for the Cats to have a stable ground game against the Pointers.  Got to keep them honest, I know that the Cats have able backs, but there has got to running plays called for them to do any work.  If anyone can tell me about how it looked against WOU that would be great!

Man sounds like the Cats did just what I thought they would against WOU!  Talked to some guys from the Cats and they sound like they have a heck of a game plan for the ol' Pointers.  I didn't realize that L&C was going to cut out their NWC games!  That seems pretty dumb if you ask me, why would they play their non conference games instead???  It's not like they had anymore of a chance against those teams!  I don't see how they are at greater risk of injury, football is a violent game and there is always a chance for injuries, I think that L&C should just do a little more to attract players to come there.  For example, they should make it a little easier for student athletes to get into their college...I mean they aren't an ivy-league school for pete's sake!

Wow, out a couple of days on the board and look what at all the fun I miss!  Talked to a couple Cats this weekend while they were watching the game and pretty much everyone's diagnosis of the game was the same.  WOU was much bigger and more physical than Willamette, BUT I don't think Willamette is all that good yet.  That offense takes time to perfect and with all the new players I'm sure it isn't where it will be at the end of the year.  As for WOU "bringing it" I hope they do because the Cat WR and Brett will be picking those blitzes apart!  I see draws and screens in the mix so Mordy and Lasswell could get loose!!!  Look for Keck and Haze on some specially designed plays I'm sure coach Locey will put a couple of those little wrinkles in.  I say the cats take it 42-21 with 14 of WOU 21 coming in the 4th quarter.  The wolves may make it closer if they grow their grass real long like UWSP!
I also think that the Cat's "D" is much better than Willamette and Brandon Tom, Greenberg, and Kettler will NOT get pushed around by anyone.  Remember how big and physical UWLX was supposed to be right???

woufan just for the record Casey Allen is not a 10.6 guy in the 100m, but he has much better football speed anyway!  The only legit 10.6 guy on Linfield's team is my man Chris Boock a tough shut down corner. 

Haze will for sure still return at least punts.  I think that it would be beneficial for him to only return maybe the opening kickoff or the halftime kickoff.  Masters isn't going to be in uniform this season because of a serious condition regarding his leg.  Pete Cruickshank and Johnny Anderson should be the leading canidates to return kickoffs for the cats.  I'm getting real excited for this season to start, can't we just line it up against WOU already!!!

The Linfield offense has a lot of threats that can go the distance, but I just feel like Haze has that special burst of explosion that the team may need a little more of this season.  Keck, is a very elusive runner and Casey is a big physical guy who will go up and get the ball but there isn't really that proven big play threat out of the backfield or a true speedster like Carter was last season so I just think Haze is better off being that big play guy for the offense.(not saying the other receivers aren't)  However, he for sure should be getting plenty of reps with the defense because he is a great cover guy as well as a tackler.   Either way the kid is a stud and will do well wherever he plays. 

Man Foss you asked the question of the year so far for Cat fans!  If you remember 2001 Haze came to Linfield as a CB, and only since his return in 2003 has he been playing receiver.  If you ask me I think that the Cats would benefit more if Haze played mostly offense and gave some spot duty at CB.  You know in games where teams are gonna throw the ball quite a bit or have a couple of stud WR's.  Haze is just such an explosive threat when he gets the ball that it would be foolish to have him play mostly defense.  I really believe that the competition for that other CB spot will produce a very good player at that position.  I just feel like it would be tough on my good friends body to go both ways for the whole year.  Of course there could be plenty of games where the starters only play until the 3rd quarter so it's really tough to say.  If anyone could do it, it would be Haze but I just want him to stay healthy so he can be the amazing athlete he is.  When guys are as great as he is it is easy to see when they are wearing down.

Give Jenkins a break 6 years in school is a lot! How bout we just think of him for the great game he had in the stagg, and quit wondering if he's gonna come back.  You can't miss all fall camp and a bunch of  games during the season and be ready for playoffs  Linfield is just fine at RB, let those guys battle out for the job and the cream will rise to the top.  I really feel that Mordechai, Lasswell, Cruickshank, and Johnny Anderson will get it done this year.  It's not like they are gonna run the ball 35 times a game anyway.  You've got the best receivers in the land at this level and one of the best QB's at any level so do the math...My condolences to the player's family who passed away.  Anytime you lose a team mate like that it has got to be the toughest thing in the world.  Good luck to you guys this season and give it your all for your fallen team mate...