Sunday, November 19, 2006

A Step in the Right Direction


A few weeks ago it seemed that the 2006 season would be chalked up as one of the biggest failures in Bulldogs history. We as fans expected the Dogs to win somewhere between eight and ten games. Looking back maybe we were being a bit unrealistic. Although Dwayne Wright would be returning we would field a new QB and lose two of our best defensive players (Richar Marshall and Garrett McKinytyre). At the time many of us disliked Paul Pinegar for the many mistakes he made to end the 2005 season (yes, I am included here). Many of us also felt that although Marshall left we would be fine in the secondary because McCauley would be there with our four star recruit Mays. Unfortunately things did not work out and the 2006 season became a learning process for many young Bulldogs. However, the fact these Freshman and Sophomores are getting ample amounts of playing time will only help the Bulldogs between now and the beginning of 2007. Having so many young players in the game will only give them experience and make them stronger come 2007.


Every college football team goes through harsh times, yes even USC. There is no way to counter losing so many valuable pieces to a team. A large percentage of college teams have down years following the loss of a strong QB in their program. I feel that maybe we as Bulldog fans jumped the gun on losing Pinegar. Brandstater was supposed to be a bigger stronger QB but had very little experience on the field of play. There is no way to simulate gametime and experience is the biggest factor for a college football player. I am sure many of you were calling for Damon Jenkins head up until yesterday. If you noticed Jenkins made two very good plays on the ball, one of which he nearly intercepted. When the receiver did catch the ball Jenkins was right there to hit him. Jenkins is coming along because of the exprience he is getting playing against teams with speed such as LSU. This time next season I am willing to bet that Jenkins will be a much stronger lock down corner than any of us had thought he could possibly be. Haynes and Harris are both absolutely great talents and when you add Bell and Jefferson to the mix the Dogs have a strong nucleus in the secondary for years to come. To be able to bridge talent together is one of the most important aspects of college football and if it means having a down season from time to time then as fans we should accept that. If in 2007 the Dogs come out and win nine games while upsetting teams here and there that would be a very successful season.

2007's success is unfortunately going to fall on the shoulders of two men: Pat Hill and Tom Brandstater. It is no secret Pat wants Brandstater to be our starter. In the off-season Brandstater is going to need to work on his skills as a QB. He is going to have to develop a better sense of vision and touch. If the Dogs can get Brandstater to play decent (not great) they will become a dangerous team. Our running game is going to be great, that has been the one mainstay of this team. Brandstater is going to need to step his game up. Pat Hill on the other hand is going to have look deep into this team and make the decision that Tom truly is the right man for the job. If Hill sees the talent and feels that Tom will get the job done then I am finished bashing him. I want the Dogs to win and if we can win primiarly rushing the ball then I say give the ball to Miller and Harding over and over again.

Last night was a step in the right direction for the Dogs. While we will miss the sixteen departing seniors (along with Dwayne Wright) we have a great nucleus to start all over with. In college players come and go, some much more detrimental to the team than others. What we as fans have to remember is that we have a great program here in Fresno and we will have a competitive team for many years to come. Even in a down season we generally should have won six to seven games up to this point. Yes this has been a down year but if we don't have odd mistakes and unusual breakdowns we are playing to finish eight and four, a record most of us would definitely take in a down year. Next year maybe the breaks will go our way and the injuries will not tear apart our team as they have the past few seasons. Whatever happens the Dogs will be competitive right down to that final snap, making the fans, the city, and the university proud that we are Bulldogs.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Talked to # 66 this morning. He is one of #52 "OSO" Pacheco's roomates. He stated that they moved OSO to center at the beginning of the year and that he was Kyle's backup at center. Right after the LSU game Hill and his staff decided to redshirt him so as not to waste his sophmore year since he did not redshirt in 2005 as a true freshman. After Young was susupended Hill considered using "OSO" for the last four games but decided it would be a waste since there was nothing to gain bu blowing OSO'S sophmore year. #66 stated that "OSO" practiced with the 2nd team all year at center. The roomate reminded me that "OSO' is 19 years old and has one heck of a future ahead of him, and not to be suprised to see him as the starting center next year in 2007. One teammate next to him stated he is much to strong. physical and talented to be on the sidelines next year. Another teammate also stated that he weighs 290 and the strongest true sophmore in the weight room.
A smart move by coach Hill.

's

nsc said...

I didn't know that but I have to say the more strength we have out there on the football field the better. I think we definitely have a chance to be a great team again in the near future as long as the QB problem is fixed.

Anonymous said...

Denman,Kezerian,Pacheco live two houses down from me. They are roomates and what a bunch of true gentlemen. I am proud that they are Bulldogs and so respectfull to all of us. Top quality men!!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry NSC, but Pat Hill will never--take it to the bank--never take us to the top. He made us believe we could be world-beaters, BCS contenders. He is a liar.

My heart has been broken too many times. You may jump back on his bandwagon, but I will not. A lack of discipline has cost us many big games we could have won--this year it was an INSANE touch of a blocked field goal--and it always comes down to coaching.

The only nationally competitive thing Pat Hill has brought to us is the coaches pay: $1,300,000.00, without even a WAC title to show. PH is all about promotion, not coaching. We can do better.

Steve Burnes

nsc said...

Steve it isn't Pat Hill that makes me believe we will be competitive again, it is the talent of the players we have returning that makes me believe in this team. I am not on the Pat Hill bandwagon, I am just tired of speaking out against his decisions because it isnt changing anything. Pat believes in Brandstater and for the life of me I cannot figure this out. I just hope one of these younger guys can get a chance over the off season and maybe the Qb situation will be fixed by 2007.

Anonymous said...

NSC...yes, I love out team, and the upside potential. "Just wait'll next year!"

Steve Burnes