I have been so busy that I have not had time to post much lately, but I certainly want to wish the ‘Cats well on the eve of a new season, so I am making the time to post.
Against the Cardinal, we have a decent shot. I think those red dudes are a fine team and should indeed be favored. They are, in fact, the kind of team we aspire to be. But odd things happen in season openers and something tells me the ‘Cats will be prepared and opportunistic on Saturday. That does not mean I am going to set my expectations for the season at too grandiose a level, but there is some talent on our team (and yes, some question marks, too).
I was impressed that Fitz named a starting QB last week, even though it took me by surprise when he did it. All the reports – at least everything I had read - indicated that no one had clearly won the starting job, and in the past Fitz would usually go with a 1A/ 1B approach in such circumstances. I was expecting more of the same, but then he named Thorson the starter and he didn’t even wait until game week to do it. To us former Kremlinologists who read volumes into the smallest of details, this marks a significant (and hopefully positive) change in Fitz’s approach to handling the media.
I have to admit that I was rooting for Zack Oliver, yet I am not unhappy about starting Thorson. Actually, I am quite eager to see what he can do and how he reacts against the Stanford D. The choice of Thorson builds excitement in the fan base, and we need all of that we can get.
As for other areas of the team, our cornerbacks, safeties, and defensive ends give me hope. I wonder if the overall quality of our defensive backs will allow us to play more man coverage, as opposed to giving receivers the usual 8-10 yard cushion on the sidelines. If so, then our base defense goes from a cover 4 to a cover 2, which would represent a major shift in our defensive philosophy and would be something the Cardinal would not have anticipated based on watching tape. That would be cool.
Anyway, between watching Thorson and seeing what kind of defense we play, there are many interesting aspects to this game. It seems like a fun way to start the season.
Go ‘Cats!
Against the Cardinal, we have a decent shot. I think those red dudes are a fine team and should indeed be favored. They are, in fact, the kind of team we aspire to be. But odd things happen in season openers and something tells me the ‘Cats will be prepared and opportunistic on Saturday. That does not mean I am going to set my expectations for the season at too grandiose a level, but there is some talent on our team (and yes, some question marks, too).
I was impressed that Fitz named a starting QB last week, even though it took me by surprise when he did it. All the reports – at least everything I had read - indicated that no one had clearly won the starting job, and in the past Fitz would usually go with a 1A/ 1B approach in such circumstances. I was expecting more of the same, but then he named Thorson the starter and he didn’t even wait until game week to do it. To us former Kremlinologists who read volumes into the smallest of details, this marks a significant (and hopefully positive) change in Fitz’s approach to handling the media.
I have to admit that I was rooting for Zack Oliver, yet I am not unhappy about starting Thorson. Actually, I am quite eager to see what he can do and how he reacts against the Stanford D. The choice of Thorson builds excitement in the fan base, and we need all of that we can get.
As for other areas of the team, our cornerbacks, safeties, and defensive ends give me hope. I wonder if the overall quality of our defensive backs will allow us to play more man coverage, as opposed to giving receivers the usual 8-10 yard cushion on the sidelines. If so, then our base defense goes from a cover 4 to a cover 2, which would represent a major shift in our defensive philosophy and would be something the Cardinal would not have anticipated based on watching tape. That would be cool.
Anyway, between watching Thorson and seeing what kind of defense we play, there are many interesting aspects to this game. It seems like a fun way to start the season.
Go ‘Cats!
