2010 the season

[KUlawJack]

Re: 2010 the season

Did anybody else listen to WNAX pre-game on Saturday? They had interviews with both Coach Bubak and Coach Meadows about their planning for the afternoon. Coach Meadows relayed some information that I found very interesting. He basically said that their plan against Montana was to make things as simple as possible in the passing game - screens and outs, only passes down the field vertically, no routes over the middle, and nothing too complex. Said specifically that they weren't asking TOB to make any checks, any reads, no audibles, just go out and perform what play is given to him. I think his exact words were "just play quarterback".

I'm openly admitting that I'm not a great football mind, but my thoughts are it's hard to blame TOB when he wasn't given the opportunity to fully use his tools and that of a normal college QB - a great arm and the ability to read what the defense is giving you. We can't be upset that we didn't check out a three straight runs in the 2nd half as Montana stacked the box if we don't have the audible calls in the package. We can't be upset that we didn't call the right hot route on the blitz if it wasn't an option.

The bigger question at hand would be though, why wasn't any of this included in our plan? Is TOB not skilled enough to succeed in those situations? Is it because he is a Freshman and lacks that experience? Did our coaching staff feel overconfident that our defense would win the game for us? Did they not trust our players to make the proper reads/plays? All questions that I, and most of us on the board, can't answer. But I don't think we can put all the blame on the QB by what we see on the field - it sounds like he might have been working without a few tools in his toolbox for most of the year.

That could very well be. I didn't hear that stuff from the coaches on the radio. It seems strange to not allow the QB to make a simple line check to have the O-line step left or right and pick up a blitz off the corner that the QB sees coming. I don't know why you wouldn't let a QB audible if he knows they are bringing the house on a run blitz and we have lead draw dialed up three times in a row and he can see it. I don't understand that. When the safeties and LBs cheat up that far, let him call a slant on the outside and zing that thing out there. No one is left in the middle of the field, something we saw a lot of in the second half.

I understand wanting to keep it simple, but at some point, does it hamstring you into a corner? Just thinking out loud. Not trying to start a riot.

[jackrabbit1979]

Re: 2010 the season

That could very well be. I didn't hear that stuff from the coaches on the radio. It seems strange to not allow the QB to make a simple line check to have the O-line step left or right and pick up a blitz off the corner that the QB sees coming. I don't know why you wouldn't let a QB audible if he knows they are bringing the house on a run blitz and we have lead draw dialed up three times in a row and he can see it. I don't understand that. When the safeties and LBs cheat up that far, let him call a slant on the outside and zing that thing out there. No one is left in the middle of the field, something we saw a lot of in the second half.

I understand wanting to keep it simple, but at some point, does it hamstring you into a corner? Just thinking out loud. Not trying to start a riot.

I agree completely. Maybe I'm taking Meadows pre-game remarks a little too literally, but he gave the impression that the game plan didn't include many of these options for TOB.

[jackmd]

Re: 2010 the season

I understand wanting to keep it simple, but at some point, does it hamstring you into a corner? Just thinking out loud. Not trying to start a riot.

That simple philosophy allowed Montana to put 9 in the box, press the outside receivers and overwhelm our O-line and consequently TOB. An out or a swing pass are tougher to make when you have a couple of 6'6" D-lineman in your face while two or three 240 lb LB's are bearing down on you. That said, their points in the first half came on miscues by TOB and the passing game. The same as they did against Cal-Poly and Minnesota. So, as a coach where do you settle on the happy medium?

I'm never going to forget that game and all that had to happen for us to build such a big lead and then all that had to happen (or not happen) for us to blow such a big lead.

Good news, I didn't have to drive home from Montana and next weekend is wide open for pheasant hunting. The 2010 team is going to be better than the 2009 team.

[98Jack]

Re: 2010 the season

Were any of you there? Do you know how loud that place was? Take the loudest thing you know and then make it ten times louder. I think it would have been hard to make checks in that kind of enviorment. How many offsides did we have? 4 or 5. I think checks would have made that worse.

[SD-STATE]

Re: 2010 the season

Were any of you there? Do you know how loud that place was? Take the loudest thing you know and then make it ten times louder. I think it would have been hard to make checks in that kind of enviorment. How many offsides did we have? 4 or 5. I think checks would have made that worse.

I wasn't there, but I know how loud it is there. You sir, have a valid point.

[KUlawJack]

Re: 2010 the season

Were any of you there? Do you know how loud that place was? Take the loudest thing you know and then make it ten times louder. I think it would have been hard to make checks in that kind of enviorment. How many offsides did we have? 4 or 5. I think checks would have made that worse.

Good point, but that's why QBs use hand signals. A lot. And I take it you mean false start penalties.

[KUlawJack]

Re: 2010 the season

Good news, I didn't have to drive home from Montana.

This is exactly what I was thinking on Saturday afternoon. That would have been miserable.

[Jacks99]

Re: 2010 the season

Very good discussion, thanks for the added depth.

As for 2010, do most feel that 2010 is going to be better?

I think the offense can only be more consistent, even with a newer line, which will be the weak point. Hopefully TOB is that QB that make's the receivers better faster. Having him all but a lock will help.

With so many key defenders leaving, it they may take a step back but pass coverage should be outstanding if they stay healthy, which would help the D-line look better against the pass.

I don't think we lose any key special team positions, Montague being the most obvious.

Overall I'm not ready to get my hopes, but but having 4 extra playoff spots and a lot of "should" win home games will help. Just need to pull of a few road games.

[Prairiehaas]

Re: 2010 the season

Road schedule will be more difficult with UNI, SIU and NDSU away. And yes, there are some big holes to fill up front on offense and defense. But, the coaching staff has proven that they get a great deal out of a team that isn't as strong "on paper".

I want to believe the Jacks will be as good or better in 2010. Of course I am wearing the blue tinted glasses.

[SpeedRabbit]

Re: 2010 the season

Jacks will be more experienced on defense in the secondary where it counts the most.. Our QB was battle tested this year which will make him better.. More speed coming in from the WR position which will not allow opposing defenses to load up on the running game.. Could be a stellar year in 2010

[SpeedRabbit]

Re: 2010 the season

Easy sometimes to point the finger at Meadows.. If anyone knew going into Montana that we were going to score 48 points we all would have said take it.. Bottom line is that we had a 27 point lead with 5 minutes to go in the 3rd quarter.. Their stud WR killed us after that.. Why didn't we double him to take him out of the game?? A guy jammin him off the ball and then a safety over the top.. Makes sense to me.. Easy to 2nd guess all these decisions after the fact..

[KUlawJack]

Re: 2010 the season

SIU has a ton returning next year. I expect them to once again be the top dog in the MVFC, but I fully expect us to be right in the battle for #2 with UNI, who will be decimated by graduation. I am sure they have plenty in the cupboard though. Never know how things bounce, but that's what I am thinking right now with the huge number of returning players we have. I also look forward to seeing some of the younger offensive linemen who have been so highly touted.

I fully expect to see Minett over 1,500 yards next season. I don't mind if we play ball control on offense again, because I think the D will be stellar. We return at least 8 starters on D. That is huge in our league.

The more I type, the more I am excited for it. When does tailgating start?

[Jacks99]

Re: 2010 the season

Another item to ponder:
A few years ago, it seemed the Jacks had that never die and come from behind mentality (usually out of necessity) that Montana used. It seemed like Kardoes was a big part of that mentality. It would be nice to see that return again and maybe a more mature TOB will help tha.

I may also be more just a product of so many large margin or comfortable games, but you could probably say the same for Montana.

[SpeedRabbit]

Re: 2010 the season

will be a long winter thinking about it but the guys will prepare and spring ball will be here before we know it.. Minnett will be the workhorse and Wr's will surprise people

[JimmyJack]

Re: 2010 the season

will be a long winter thinking about it but the guys will prepare and spring ball will be here before we know it.. Minnett will be the workhorse and Wr's will surprise people

The defense will be very good again, too. Returning: Domino, Steffen, Basham, Thompson, Fischer Kjerstad, Brodie, Wise, Jeske, General (we hope), Matthews

We'll miss those linebackers and Danny Batten, of course. But new guys will step up. Feldner, Kool (the other one), Lien, and Tracy seem like the likely candidates. If he recovers well from his injury, Chase Douglas should see time on the D-line.

I'm excited to see what the defense can do next year. I'd expect that with so many experienced players returning, our defense will be at or near the top of the MVFC again next year.