FB: Northwest Conference

[pineconefan]

DOC -
I think coaches need to recruit the best available athletes and then adjust the system to match the talent.  Linfield did a very good job of that when they went from a power rushing game to wide-open passing attack when Matthews was QB.  That continued through Elliott and Scharer. 

Whitworth went the other way this year, based on the available weapons.

I am sure Linfield can switch back to a more balanced attack quickly behind a strong RB and dominating o-line.

[Gray Fox]

DOC -
I think coaches need to recruit the best available athletes and then adjust the system to match the talent.  Linfield did a very good job of that when they went from a power rushing game to wide-open passing attack when Matthews was QB.  That continued through Elliott and Scharer. 

Whitworth went the other way this year, based on the available weapons.

I am sure Linfield can switch back to a more balanced attack quickly behind a strong RB and dominating o-line.

I agree.  This is especially true in D3.

[MonroviaCat]

I am sure Linfield can switch back to a more balanced attack quickly behind a strong RB and dominating o-line.

I think they need to.  Heck, I didn't find the air attack that great this year.  I mean we put up some good numbers early in the season but the passing game has not been spectacular for several weeks which is due in part to Masters upping the running game and in part to Defenses figuring out the scheme some (and playing some better teams on occassion) but also just do to dropped balls, inaccurate throws, etc.  Actually the thing that disapoints me about this season is the fact that while the Defense got better pretty much each week, the offense really did not (the running game improved but the passing game declined).  I think the Cats probably have some good backs in the system already but they need to revamp the offensive scheme to make better use of them (just my opinion of course). 

[RFB]

OK....

How does a renowned air attack recruit a tailback who wants 20-30 touches a game? LINFIELD can't promise too much with the present scheme.

Maybe the scheme needs to be changed to show more balance. With the 2004/2005 teams it just didn't matter because Linfield was heads and shoulder just better in the talent department. As the gap as closed being one dimensional is setting the team up for failure in the long run. I'm pretty confident that Linfield would not have a tough time attracting some stud running backs if they show them the commitment.

[downtown48]

Just want to make sure that this doesn't fall on the RB's backs totally either.  The offensive line has a lot to do with the running attack as well.  I think over the last four or five years we've grown tired of getting down and dirty and actually run blocking and imposing your will on defensive lineman.  We'd rather sit back pass block all day and throw in the odd one yard debacle in the run game and wait for that instant gratification 75 yard bomb and go sit on the sidelines...we need some hogs that enjoy kicking someones ass all day as they pancake them over and over again...

[D O.C.]

Yep, you don't even have to touch somebody very long with those quick outs to the 2004-2005 athletes RFB referred to. They would take that ball the 75 yards you mention. Tyler Matthews used to scare the heck out of me with those bombs he used to launch. He required a little more protection.

[bluenote]

OK....

How does a renowned air attack recruit a tailback who wants 20-30 touches a game? LINFIELD can't promise too much with the present scheme.

D O.C.....you've got to be kidding me!? Every good passing team has a great running game! That's Football 101

[bluenote]

Just want to make sure that this doesn't fall on the RB's backs totally either.  The offensive line has a lot to do with the running attack as well.  I think over the last four or five years we've grown tired of getting down and dirty and actually run blocking and imposing your will on defensive lineman.  We'd rather sit back pass block all day and throw in the odd one yard debacle in the run game and wait for that instant gratification 75 yard bomb and go sit on the sidelines...we need some hogs that enjoy kicking someones ass all day as they pancake them over and over again...

I have to agree with you here 48. If you want to see some holes...watch Oregon play, their O-line is great.

[downtown48]

They also run the ace back spread...it can be done you just have to nut up and block somebody and the back needs to stick his nose in there...You don't see Jonathan Stewart dickin' around in the hole...he hits it and gets to the second level!

[menlodaddio13]

Did someone actually mention Menlo, come on, that was a pretty good whuppin the little school to the south gave the loggers.  Next year is not a breakout year but will much improved as 18 starters will be soph/Juniors and were doing our best to keep em around.  Sure helped the heads finishing that strong.  I know it wasn't last years UPS but, Menlo has had 20+kids out of uniform till this game I only counted 6.  What difference having all hands on deck.

[speedybigboy]

Did someone actually mention Menlo, come on, that was a pretty good whuppin the little school to the south gave the loggers.  Next year is not a breakout year but will much improved as 18 starters will be soph/Juniors and were doing our best to keep em around.  Sure helped the heads finishing that strong.  I know it wasn't last years UPS but, Menlo has had 20+kids out of uniform till this game I only counted 6.  What difference having all hands on deck.

Daddio13, congrats on the win, that should have an effect on keeping some of the guys around.  2 of us actually picked them to win in our pick 'em pool.

[menlodaddio13]

Ive talked some kids and parents and the negative talk is all but gone, amazing what getting some kids back and beating a reasonably talented program will do.  We saw some really encouraging stuff this week, would sure like to play another one, but its best to end a high note.  We had a really good looking batch of recruits there as well it was the right weekend to have em down thats for sure.  Nothing like a double Haka game to send em off wanting more.

[Tuxguy]

My first thoughts after the weekend loss that keeps me from wondering who we will play in the playoffs...please bear with me with all the posts since the game for the NW conference championship II.

509 -  I will answer you at the end of my post.

A summary as far as this years team, I feel we had the athletes to complete with just about anybody and some weeks showed it.  Not quite sure what really happened in some of the games this year.  I witnessed moments of brilliance along with lapses of same.    It is hard to put my finger on any one thing that would have made a difference (except for the turnovers that keep haunting us)...not quite sure how you fix/coach that.

Of course we all know the running game the last few years has been a problem.  And for a few games it looked like the coaches had made the necessary adjustments moving Masters, an exceptional athlete, to a new position where he could make a major contribution, which he did until injury sidelined him.  An unfortunate injury before the biggest game of the year.

The defense got better each and every week.  A dominating performance the last few weeks including the game against Whitworth only giving up 3 points in the NW conference championship game.

D.O.C.
As far as running backs go I think we can promise a top recruit 20+ touches a game.  The way I see it you build your team around the athletes you have.  We all know it takes a combination of the pass attack and the run.....and I'm talking 100+ yards on the ground.

509
We (all posters from D3.com NW conference) welcomed you at the beginning of the year to the board.  We welcome all posters no matter what their affiliation.   At times not recommended for the weak of heart. We Wildcat fans have always been good at dishing it out, but we can take it when warranted.....

Learn from it!

GO WILDCATS!!!!!

[coco]

Linfield fans,

We all know what the problems have been the last two years.    Here are some revealing numbers:

2001 - 9 games      1,766 rushing yards
2002 - 12 games    2,625   (David Russell and Marty Williams)
2003 - 12 games    1,880
2004 - 13 games    1,756
2005 - 11 games    1,245
2006 -  9 games     1,025
2007 -  8 games     1,088

2003 was a great passing team; yet we still averaged over 150 yards per game rushing.    In 2005, I would say that with a better rushing attack, we might have won a 2nd Stagg Bowl.  We relied way too much on our awesome passing attack that year.   2005 was a HUGE drop in rushing.   2006 and 2007 have only furthered that downward trend.


George

Interesting numbers, George.
David Russell and Marty Williams were a thing of beauty on the football field.

It sucked that we didn't have Masters last week, but we need someone to keep him company, too.

Tux, my feelings exactly.

[Gig Harbor Cat]

OK boys lets recap our Senior class of Cats

Any or all of them that have been in the program for four years or five --

1- Are proud owners of a National Championship ring
2- Multiple league champions
3- Took care of business in regards to the Wildcat Streak
4-Plus I imagine there are a boatload of individual honors that can garner the walls of their man rooms for a lifetime after they leave the program.

But then again we all know that you never really leave the program--that is what
CATDOME is all about.

Great job 07 Cats--You Rock   See you down the road at the BWC

Phone it in

GHC