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Topic: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Topic: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

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colobobcat66
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Member Since: 9/1/2006
Location: Watching the bobcats run outside my window., CO
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Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 10:41:48 AM

Had a great time in NOLA, met some students and OU fans, some great Troy folks and even a local guy on a streetcar who knew more about OU and MAC football than many loyal fans. The game itself make me want to throw up-I didn't. But overall a good experience. After the game and after reading Solich's comments on the game, I'm thinking even more about how to take Ohio football to the next level. He clearly reconizes that it is not where it should be. There's been a lot of discussion led by a certain party about the importance of scheduling up, others point to a new conference affiliation, others new coaches, some want different kinds of recruits (yeah-5 star ones), etc. And of course, we are fighting the growing number of fans are being more vocal about moving down and concentrating on BB. The new IPF adds some new pluses, for sure. Can you folks give me some quick thoughts about what you think is most important for moving forward?

Last Edited: 12/20/2010 11:02:56 AM by colobobcat66

Robert Fox
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Location: Knoxville, TN
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 10:50:52 AM

Out of curiosity, where did you read Solich's comments? I have seen only one quote from him. Is there more?

colobobcat66
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 11:02:13 AM

Robert Fox wrote:

Out of curiosity, where did you read Solich's comments? I have seen only one quote from him. Is there more?

In the game quotes on Ohio Bobcats and they're in the Times Picayune article listed on this site as well.

Ted Thompson
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 11:10:12 AM

To get into the Top 75 or Top 50, I think you need better O-line play. When Ohio plays decent competition, the O-line has to be able to do something. Also, consistency at the QB spot. It seems to be a struggle each year for the first 3-6 games to figue out who that is. Does Ohio beat UConn in 2009 if Theo is the guy from the get-go? Does Ohio beat Marshall this year if its clear who the QB is? Those games need to turn into wins to help Ohio move forward.

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Casper71
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 11:37:16 AM

Like ColoBobCat, I had a great time in NOLA (except for the game). Here are my highs and a few lows:

Leaving Cincy with my wife Friday, ran into Ben Russell (recruit) and his dad. He will graduate from Oak Hills and be a Bobcat next fall. My grandkids go to Oak Hills and I found the young man very classy.

The drive in from the Airport Friday night was crazy...lots of traffic and an accident but we made it to the Hilton!

NOLA is a great town for a Bowl! Lots to do and see and my wife and I really enjoyed the day Saturday. Even saw and talked to Boo's mom and some other relatives on a streetcar. Again, very classy people!

Also, when we arrived at Will call our tickets were NOT there but the staff simply gave us a couple of tickets without any question or hassle. Very nice of them, kudos.

As for the game, I've seen this before with Bowls were you have southern and western teams versus midwest and east coast teams. I would say ours was the opposite of the NIU vs Fresno game. I'm sure NIU was more accustomed to the weather than Fresno. Obviously, they were prepared and focused. On the other hand our players had been home for a while, just assembled and had LOUSY Ohio practice weather (thank God for the Walter donation). And obviously NEITHER the coaching staff or players were prepared properly (poor game plan from the start and no visible adjustment until it was already out of hand) and totally lacked focus (poor blocking and tackling). We just never seemed to have the right people on the field in the right alignment and confusion seemed to reign on our side all night.

All in all it was a great trip with the exception of the game. I even saw Mr.m Schaus in the elevator sunday morning and had a brief chat. Thanked him for the way the staff handled the tickets. His only comment about the game: "we didn't play very well". I certainly agreed with that assessment.

In closing kudos to Troy for being prepared and taking it to us and their band which (in a different than ours) was pretty good.

As I have repeatedly sai, we just need bigger, fast and stronger players to compete at a higher level. I don't even care about Top 25 rankings but I would like to at least be in the Top 50-75. We are definitely NOT there yet.

Next year the theme should be: UNFINISHED BUSINESS!

colobobcat66
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 11:47:51 AM

Yeah, we need some players who are fast like our cab driver to the airport-83 MPH in traffic on I-10 in a 60 zone. Definately the most dangerous part of the trip!

Casper71
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/20/2010 12:04:45 PM

Colo...be thankful you weren't driving. The GPS we had sucked! Getting to the Hotel was daunting at night (I guess I am showing I am over 60). Funny thing is driving around town Sunday and getting back to the airport was like an enjoyable drive in the park!

Monroe Slavin
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/24/2010 3:55:34 PM

First, we need a defensive line that DOMINATES. Have we ever had that?

Next, we need more imagination and better adjustments from the coaching of the offense.

Next, we need a power running game (fullback, multiple back sets, etc.).

Next, we need an offensive line that gets it done.

We also need a qb who can pass and who's moderately mobile. I'm guessing that we might find this from the lads currently on the team..otherwise, recruits.

Some studs at linebacker and d-secondary wouldn't hurt, also.

Where's the band?!
WHERE"S THE BAND?!

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Alan Swank
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/24/2010 4:07:19 PM

Speed/quickness.

Bcat2
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/25/2010 8:42:09 AM

Ohio knew how to lose, was quite good at it. Now Ohio is at the next level, contending. At the end of the season the cats are running into teams from the next level. Two things will be required for Ohio to take the next step; better athletes (coaches with superior athletes suddenly become a lot smarter) and team leadership that will demand their teammates get bigger, stronger, and faster through the time the coaches can't..

I believe steps are being taken to the next level. Take time, takes longer to build something right. Patience, I know there will be better units on the OL, LB, DB, Receiver and at RB next year. Should be enough to be better overall which is all I ask, progress. I expect all three areas; offense, defense and special teams to be stronger. Got Frank.

"Do not pray for easy lives. Pray to be stronger men." JFK

Pataskala
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/25/2010 10:47:06 PM

To get to the next level, you need to have highly-skilled players about two-deep at just about all positions. I'm not sure we'll ever be able to recruit enough highly-skilled players on both offense and defense to take us to the next level. But it can be done with lesser-skilled players. On offense, you need players (linemen as well as backs and receivers) who are versatile enough to run multiple sets with misdirection, jet sweeps and other plays that keep the defense guessing -- the "have fun" factor that Franshaw mentioned after the Akron game, but was missing from the five losses. On defense, you need to have hungry players who wrap up hard and scrap for the ball on every down. In '09, the D caused 20 INTs and 17 fumbles; this year, it was 17 and 8. Just need to bring your A game all the time.

We will get by.
We will get by.
We will get by.
We will survive.

T-Rodge
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/26/2010 9:08:12 AM

Bcat2 wrote:

Central Mich, Marshall, Kant st, and Troy are teams from the "next level"? I have to laugh!! B2cat- your excuses keep piling up and not even one of them is strong enough to punch it's way out of a wet paper bag..... with scissors in it's hand.

“Sometimes when you bring the thunder, you get lost in the storm...” – Kenny Powers
"Bears Down", on their knees.

UpSan Bobcat
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/26/2010 12:49:51 PM

With the exception of Kent State, all of those teams were at a higher level. They've won league championships and bowl games and with extreme regularity. We're a long ways from that.

T-Rodge
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RE: Not a rant, just some questions about the future

Posted: 12/26/2010 4:48:33 PM

UpSan Bobcat wrote:

With the exception of Kent State, all of those teams were at a higher level. They've won league championships and bowl games and with extreme regularity. We're a long ways from that.

USB, When did Marshall win CUSA or a bowl game, except the one vs us?? With regularity?? Please
Troy is from the sunbelt- That is a "higher level"??
C Mich- Yeah they were good, but we had three shots at them and came up empty.
Kant played lights out for one game.

Last Edited: 12/26/2010 4:54:19 PM by T-Rodge

“Sometimes when you bring the thunder, you get lost in the storm...” – Kenny Powers
"Bears Down", on their knees.

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