poodoo
09-04-2006, 06:37 PM
We fans generally tend to look at the skill players and what they do during football games. A football game, though, is so often won or lost "in the trenches." Unfortunately, we were soundly beaten on both sides of theline last night. That was my biggest disappointment, as I had expected much improvement from both the offensive and defensive lines. I had expected better protection for Woodson and bigger holes for our running backs. I had expected much better defense against the run. Neither happened, and that was the game in a nutshell, as I see it.
Don't get me wrong. I still expect it to happen this season. Yet, it was just so disappointing that our lines were not further developed for the Louisville game. The talent and depth are greatly improved, though. I expect the coaches to be grading a lot of film and for there to be some changes on the starting lines Saturday. Unfortunately, Coach Brooks said last night that heralded defensive tackle Myron Pryor had to leave the game (in the first half, I believe) with turf toe and that he is not expected to be able to play this Saturday.
I hope playing a couple of games in Commonwealth (and against less strength and speed than what they faced against Louisville) is what these guys need (besides a really good week of practice, of course). I hope they are fast learners, for they were certainly "schooled" by the Louisville linemen, several of which were new starters.
Coach Brooks mentioned how we were badly beaten on both sides of the line. He also mentioned our need to be MORE PHYSICAL and to play at a FASTER TEMPO, something he had been trying to get across to the players.
FWIW,Brooks also mentioned how this team is a group of great guys (and Imet many of them Fan Day and would certainly agree).Ironically, former Cat linebacker Marty Moore, on the postgame call-in show, said that these guys (the guys on both the lines and the linebackers, in particular) are playing "too soft" and not aggressively enough, and simply must be "NASTY" on the field. Let's hope we see some more NASTINESS from our Cats on the football field, particularly on defense and the offensive line. GO CATS!
Don't get me wrong. I still expect it to happen this season. Yet, it was just so disappointing that our lines were not further developed for the Louisville game. The talent and depth are greatly improved, though. I expect the coaches to be grading a lot of film and for there to be some changes on the starting lines Saturday. Unfortunately, Coach Brooks said last night that heralded defensive tackle Myron Pryor had to leave the game (in the first half, I believe) with turf toe and that he is not expected to be able to play this Saturday.
I hope playing a couple of games in Commonwealth (and against less strength and speed than what they faced against Louisville) is what these guys need (besides a really good week of practice, of course). I hope they are fast learners, for they were certainly "schooled" by the Louisville linemen, several of which were new starters.
Coach Brooks mentioned how we were badly beaten on both sides of the line. He also mentioned our need to be MORE PHYSICAL and to play at a FASTER TEMPO, something he had been trying to get across to the players.
FWIW,Brooks also mentioned how this team is a group of great guys (and Imet many of them Fan Day and would certainly agree).Ironically, former Cat linebacker Marty Moore, on the postgame call-in show, said that these guys (the guys on both the lines and the linebackers, in particular) are playing "too soft" and not aggressively enough, and simply must be "NASTY" on the field. Let's hope we see some more NASTINESS from our Cats on the football field, particularly on defense and the offensive line. GO CATS!
