Bullpride08

Not quite. Don't minimalize the accomplishment. In Seth's final year they went 342 for 542, for a .6309 average. During Mac's last year they went 350-532 for a .6579 average. To get that average up to Coach Mac's, Seth's team would have needed to hit 15 more FT's through the course of the season. That's significant considering we lost five games by 3 pts or less that year- Wright State, ECU (in regulation), Houston, Charlotte, Tulane. Also if you took out out walk-on Brandyn Flower's stats, since he didn't walk-on until mid-way through the season so you really can't fault Mac of this one. Flower's was 2-8, and that would have brought our team up to a tad more respectable 66.4%. Still better than any year under Seth.

Oh is that right. UL has a streak of 8 straight BCS wins. In that bunch includes Syracuse, FSU, North Carolina, Kentucky, Mississippi.... Did you know this year UL beat UNC 34-0, and absolutely annihilated them. UNC had 220 yards total offense, and never came close to scoring, while UL had 475 yards total offense, and missed a FG. FSU played UNC a week later, both games in Chapel Hill, and FSU won 38-19. FSU racked up 443 total yards, but UNC racked up 369. MIND YOU THIS IS A UNC TEAM THAT JUST BEAT NCST PRETTY GOOD- 12TH RANKED NCST!!!!! UL has been a model of consistency this year. No one can stop them, and they have simply walked over everyone. They beat ECU this weekend 59-7, and had almost 600 yards total offense to ECU's 210 total yards (consider WVU beat ECU 56-23, and the yardage wasn't nearly as disparaging). They've outscored their opponents this year 173-28. If any non-BCS team ever had a shot at beating Miami it's UL! Right now they line up four Parade All-American players on offense- Eric Shelton, Brian Brohm, Michael Bush, and Lionel Gates, not to mention the Montrell Jones was a USA TODAY 2nd Team All-American, and JR Russell has turned into one of the best WR in America. UL has some sick talent. If their OL can block they've got the kind of talent on offense that even 95% of BCS programs dream about! I am telling you UL is ready for the bigtime, and this Miami game could be their coming out party. I'll put it to you this way, if Miami plays like they did against GTech, Houston, and LaTech, then I think UL wins this one big.

Do your **** research you big baffoons! Our FT shooting did improve from the Coach Seth era to the Coach Mac era. In 03-04 we shot .657 With Seth: 02-03 we shot .632 Seth also had both Kohn and Swift. Whereas a few guys that really destroyed Mac's average, like Baxter and Barber were not with the team later in the year. Also, two last minute walk-ons also hurt Mac's average, with Flowers, and Graham not living up to their bargain. Take away those four guys, and every Bull improved his FT shooting average. Second, we haven't signed Denard Abraham, so before you crap on him let's see what he does, or where he goes. WE are also pursuing some bigger name recruits. Third, Coach Mac doesn't have a ton of height, but if you did a bit of research you'd realize he puts a heavy premium in ball movement, and shooting. He likes bigmen, but only those that can do a bit of both to go with their rebounding abilities. Those type of players are in short supply, and Coach Mac will not compromise. Fourth, The Brandenton kid, isn't really a Brandenton kid. He's from Compton California, and is just listed as a Brandenton kid because he was down at the world training headquarters of IMG. He went their to improve his game, but he's worlds, and timezones from being a Floridian. Now that we got the truth in the open, I think its easier for all to criticize or eliminate their criticism.

That's not true at all. You go into Nebraska with what they call the "Sea of Red", and have 90k shouting NU fans, and try to win in that atmosphere. It was both team's first game of the year, well Nebraska actually had a warm up, and it was USM's first game for the season in Lincoln. Texas Tech accomplished their feat in Lubbick, and NU's QB went down middle of the third, the back-up subsequently threw 3 INT"s in a row. Nebraska's loss takes some luster off USM's win, but it hardly tarnishes the victory. I don't care if NU is 1-10, and your playing them the last game of the season and your team is 10-1, they're still a dangerous team in that situation when you play them in Lincoln, NE.

Well you submit to the University to formally withdrawal. Which is what Brouce Mompremier did, and then in the spring he can re-enroll with zero penalties. However the NCAA states a player must complete something like 20 credit hours a year to maintain eligibility, that means to be eligible next fall BM would need to take at least 12 hours in the spring. Another idea is he could enroll in some mid-semester classes this fall if he was cleared which would get him credit hours and not put him so far behind the eight ball.

A number of USF people have stood next to Matt Grothe and all agree that he's over 6ft. The assessment is he's probably 6ft and 1/2 inches tall, but not a full 6-1 at this point. I wouldn't put him in the midget category. He still may grow, he's actually grown since last season. That size isn't bad at all.... Carlton Hill is definitely 6-3. That should satisfy all.

He dropped out over two weeks ago. He wasn't even in school for one month. He can simply get an "I", and transfer to another school. Because of the transfer rules he would have to sit out next fall anyway unless he transfered to 1-AA.

Gary, Actually it's been said that it is a combination of #2, and #3. The learning disability was known well in advance, and UF made the necessary efforts to get him eligible and accomodations to work with the disability. However, no one can make a judgement on Mike's academic prowess or whether that was what made him leave since he was only in class for less then a month. They promised to play immediately, they promised to play him at End, then they said he would be eligible and they had some redtape that wasn't completed so he had to sit out a few weeks at the beginning of fall practice. He then had some run in's, and some situation that made him uncomfortable....its seems to have compounded, and that was enough to get out before it got ugly. It should be interesting to see what Mike does. USF was by and large his second choice, he said it numerous times before. He's good friends with the Verpaele Family, and Danny's now on the team, and STARTING (which sends a good message to him), Kevin's coaching, and I thought I heard the Verpaele family moved to Tampa. However, his Uncle is the AD at Vtech (the #3 school), and that could be a safe guard. Or Mike could go someplace real, real close to home like UCF. It should be interesting.

Honestly Fan, BB was close, Altron wasn't in the same zip code. You must fathom that before his junior year started Cann was considered one of the top 25 players in the NATION, and the #1 player in FL. BB was never quite at that level, he was ranked about #48 in one top 100 after his senior year, BB could never shoot or pass as good as Cann. Many had Cann as a five star recruit BEFORE the knee injury. If Cann was to return this year, and pick up where he left off last season averaging 19.5ppg, 10rpg, and 6.5 apg his name would jump to the top of list, and possibly contend Keith Brumbaugh as FL's #1 player! Actually the only player recently that USF signed who had similar accolades as a junior was Yusuf Baker. Baker tore his knee in his junior year, and rehabbed all summer, but before that first tear he was considered a top pick for Mr. Basketball, and UF was in his hip pocket. No knock on BB or Tron, and no one knows how well Cann will return from his knee injury, but if Cann is even 85% of the player he was before the injury, its still a great snag for USF.

Uhh, Bulliever, they went to their first ever post season visit last year. Their record last year was the 2nd best women's basketball record EVER at USF. We had a freshman all-american playing, and she's returning. As well as we get back sensational JUCO player Rae Rae Sayles. Sayles was the leading scorer on the Bulls starting last season until she had a season ending injury in the fifth game. With her and Dickson manning the guard/forward position it will be probably the most lethal scoring combination in the entire C-USA. If we can get some decent rebounding and shot blocking this team should build on last year's success and make successive post season appearances. Having Dickson, and Sayles for two more years should build a lasting foundation for Coach Fernandez, possibly one that could push us into that top 25 level.

I beg to differ.  TL was a late bloomer no doubt, not to mention grades, test scores, and private issues came into play- many didn't think he would be eligible and would go JUCO.  Once he got the clearance the flood gates opened up on TL.  Seth had stuck with him so TL stuck with us.   Wagers can elaborate further, but TL was very hotly pursued once staff's knew he could play college ball. However, TL wasn't as bigtime as Cann was during his soph, and junior years. Cann at one time was considered one of the top 3 in FL, and top 40 in the nation before the major knee injury.

I like USF's chances if he calls, and we pursue. He's tight with the Verpaele's and with both brother's playing and coaching, plus Danny already starting as a freshman that could bode real well for Mike. He'd have to sit out a year if he went to FAU, or FIU now, and his other big school is Vtech, where his Uncle is the AD. However he's tight with his family, and having the entire Verpaele Family in Tampa should be just the ticket. We'll see, but it could be a good sign. He could play LB, or DE.

By the way for the know nothings and internet experts it should be brought to their attention that many, many strides have been made in the penalty departments. For instance, we called two punt block formations against USM, both times the blockers had shots at the ball, but they took the CORRECT angles this time versus what they did against SC, and TCU- even partially blocked one. Another was everyone had their shirts tucked in for USM....obviously Jim got the message, maybe Woolard spoke with him about it, maybe he didn't like it, but the change occurred. Another situation was the offsides, illegal procedure penalties were to a minimum against USM- which means players were better prepared. Half the penalties that were called last Saturday were pass interference-1, holding-4, face mask-1, illegal substitution- 1, illegal procedure-1, off-sides-1, personal foul-1. Of those penalties 6 of the penalties Leavitt has absolutely no control over and are simply in the heat of the battle. I watched on the big screen Sarosi's hold, he's got to think about that, the guy had no shot at Julmiste, he must disguise his hand use better. The battle at the LOS starts at the snap, if your going to hold, do it in the beginning because 95% of the calls occur as the players are converging on the QB. Get the advantage at the beginning not the end. Anyway, its a compilation of mistakes that killed us against USM. As I've stated this week, if PJ hits a wide open CJ Lewis, Travis Lipp in the end zone, wide open Reugger on the three yard line, wide open Peyton on a slant, and a wide open Garris on a WR screen, then USF would have won by at least 1 TD, and PJ would have only had 1 INT! It's a game of inches, and a few pivotal plays, we didn't make them and USM did.

So you're saying FIRE JIM LEAVITT. This isn't a new revelation, we've been relatively bad in the penalty area for quite sometime. In your words he needs to answer to the new AD. Let me guess how that conversation will go: Doug: "Jim, what's with all these penalties, I mean dammit man can't you get a grip on the holding penalties, and illegal procedures?" Jim: "I hear ya Doug, but we went 8-3, and were in a bowl game." Doug: "I don't give a ****, if I see more than 5 penalties in a game your fired." Listen, if we end with a losing season, and penalties are a residual effect of many of the losses then Jim needs to answer for his losing. When reflecting on those losses he has no one to blame but himself because often it was a situation where our football team beat themselves. But to say Jim isn't coaching properly, or Jim doesn't conduct practices right, or Jim doesn't know discipline, or Jim's out of control is asinine! Jim is a strict disciplinarian, and he pushes control. He will never get fired solely on the fact we are a highly penalized team, we were highly penalized in 2002 and went 9-2, now that we're still highly penalized at 2-2 everyone is freaking out. If Jim's ever shown the door its not because he can't control penalties. It will be because coaching or recruiting, or institutional control problems have gotten the better of him. Jim's been lucky with recruiting the past five years, however there are a few guys on this team that he might have run his luck out with. It might be time Jim tightens the recruiting reigns, going to the Big East will help because now we'll get more of the cream of the crop, not the bottom of the barrell- more guys that are business orientated, and have a strong work ethic and desire. Think of it that way, not as if Jim's got to answer to Woolard because his teams are so often penalized.

There are many kids that commit, and come to USF who are not worthy of a much loftier ranking, and sometimes their demotion is appropriate. I can say for one thing that Carlton Hill is the real deal. Now listen, here's the catch, Hill could be one of the best athletes in the entire nation. He's 6-3 210lbs, runs the 200m in under 22.00, and the 100m in under 10.9...he has an amazing physique, and is a glidder the way he runs. However, Hill's still a bit raw at QB. His potential is endless with a rocket arm, and great legs, but he's a bit raw. If you were rating him right against America I would say Carlton Hill is undoubtedly a 4 star athlete, but probably a 2 star QB recruit. Watch out for Grothe he's amazing.

You should fire Leavitt.....since you know they don't teach. jeez, when a team isn't 11-0 the boards become ridiculous. It's called youth, and its difficult to coach out the sophomorish, and high school antics.

Halls run of 26 yards was after the score was 20-3, and USM dropped into a more traditional package. I wouldn't say a prevent defense they just backed off expecting us to pass more to try and come from behind. Hall rattled off the run when there wasn't 9 men in the box. Thereby proving the point that in the early going if we could have established a modicum of a passing offense then Hall could have had a bigger night. Now if you asked why we didn't catch him in pass paterns out of the backfield in the early going more that would be more legitimate. Johnny Peyton should touch the ball more, but he's also one receiver, and we've seen four guys that have stepped up as well in front of him in Bain, Green, Garris, and Chambers. Only so much balls to go around especially when PJ is only hitting about 45% of his passes. Peyton did have 5 catches for like 55 yards, and would have had a six for a TD if he caught that nice slant that PJ threw (one of the good passes PJ did throw that was dropped). Peyton's skills are evident, so are Chambers. Garris' hands are a bit suspect but his speed and elusiveness is amazing. Get these guys the ball and good things will happen but you need to look at PJ. We will not win many games throwing 3 yard passes to those guys. We must extend the field and go down field and PJ must make those passes.

I think you need a major shot of reality, and some happy pills.

Covered? Huh, he had a wide open Ruegger, CJ Lewis, Bain, Peyton, Lipp, and Garris that PJ just absolutely missed fired on. They were extremely wide open, he hits those WR's the score might be different, and he would have only had 1 INT. The passes were not that difficult. Smazza, we could have won it if PJ was on...if your going to comment make the correct comments or expect people to come back and attack you especially someone who has a son on this team. PJ was way off, and your right we are only going to go as far as his arm will take us. PJ's got potential, but he's got a ways to go before games like TCU will be the norm. Saturday Night the WR's were more open then they were at TCU, because USM sold out to stop the run....yet we didn't consistently capitalize and force them to play us honest. Therefore we could never get our running game on track, and PJ continued to mis-fire more than he made.

THEY DID AND THEY STILL STUFFED HIM. JEEZ GUYS IF YOUR GOING TO TALK SMACK THEN AT LEAST WATCH THE GAME. WE CAME OUT IN A POWER SET WITH TWO TIGHTENDS, RAN THE BALL TWICE AND GAINED ZERO YARDS. We ran often out of traditional power sets, but you can't do shi* when they stack the box begging you to throw the ball. There is only so much a team can do with 7 men to block 9!

Big Difference Steve-o....Peyton catches most everything in practice. He's the real deal but a true freshman jitters sometimes get the best of them....however, if you ever watched Huey Whittaker in practice the guy had hands of stone. He'd make every third catch. Oddly, Whitaker did have the knack for the difficult to catch, acrobatic snags, but it was the mundane easy stuff that eluded him too often.

Beastie is on the mark....guys are not making plays this year. Particularly at MLB, safety, DE, and QB. We don't win regardles of the coaching staff without players stepping up and doing what they're called upon. The promising piece is seeing the coaching staff rotating players looking for the best combination which means they know what they want and they're not afraid to shift players around until they find it. 96, I think Hobbie has done some really good things this year. The next time I see him I'll give him some serious kudos. The is the year he seems to have turned the corner, the offense is really using more motion, the base formations are well aligned, the playcalling is better, so are the schemes... I still would like us to get into a huddle, or at least a semi-huddle when getting the plays in, but that's me. Sheriff, that's too bad about Warren. I thought he was a junior because Sat. night he was the only defensive player making consistent plays on special teams and defense.

Steve the optimism is for the future- 2005 and beyond talent wise. The fact still remains players must execute and make plays. Saturday Night we had more athleticism on the field than USM but players didn't step up and make plays! You can have all the talent in the world but if players don't make plays and coaching staffs don't respond properly then there is a problem. I see progress on our team because they are not afraid to shuttle in players to find the right players willing to make a contribution. I would be worried if Leavitt just stuck with starters but when I see guys like Royals getting benched, Devon Davis for McCollough, Balloon for St. Louis, Drametrice Smith for Verpaele, Gipson for Williams....conversely on the offensive side you see Hall ahead of Crossley, Garris and Chambers ahead of upperclassmen.... Those things show me promise because the staff is willing to put the best men in, or work to find the right combinations. It will force players to make plays and make themselves better players- but it will take time!

THAT'S HORSE SH**. I am sorry but its time to start calling guys out about comments. I have questioned offensive play calling in the past, but there is absolutely no way you can fault Hobbie or Smith the past two years because we don't have the QB. The fact is unless we go to a 100% option team, which I refuse to do because its a different mind set, and it would destroy recruiting, we can not become a 100% run team. Hobbie tried to get Hall going, he tried to get Crossley going but USM stacked 8-9 in the box and begged PJ to beat them. The opportunities were there, PJ made the reads, but he didn't make the throws. It isn't a case of not giving Hall the ball enough, if you gave it to him 30 times instead of 16 it just means he would have gotten 95 instead of 55 yards, most of it meaningless 2-4 yard pick-ups because USM sold out on the run! There was absolutely nothing the coaching staff could do other than hope and pray PJ made his passes. Hell they gave him short stuff and he messed them up, they have him intermediate routes and he missed them, they gave him deep routes and he missed them. If PJ throws for 50% we win this game. Hobbies a **** scapegoat. ARE ALL OF YOU FRICKIN BLIND, WE STARTED THE GAME WITH TWO TIGHTENDS AND IN AN I-FORMATION. HOW GIMMICKY IS THAT? WE TRIED TO GET THE RUNNING GAME GOING BUT USM STACKED 9 IN THE BOX....ITS CALLED SIMPLE MATHEMATICS AND IF SOME LEARNED A LITTLE BIT THEY'D UNDERSTAND ITS REAL HARD TO RUN WHEN WE'VE GOT 7 GUYS TRYING TO BLOCK 9!!!!!!! Nope, Hobbie isn't the greatest OC around, but he deserved zero blame Saturday Night. In fact the only bad call, or shall I say questionable call he made all night was, on 2nd and goal from the 4, after the muffed punt, he was running PJ on a sprint option to the short-side of the field. USM snuffed it out quickly. It's hard to fault him too much because if PJ hits a wide ass open Lipp on 3rd down we score a TD!!!! There's not gimmick in that, its called hitting wide open receivers. In our offense we must make some passes to win. We'll never be an option team and those are the only teams than can get away with running the ball 75-85% of the plays. Players are not playing plays on either side of the ball this year. Until they start stepping up and doing what they're told no coach can be blamed!

Talk about a profound statement. This season we've done more to lose our own ball games than our opponents have done to beat us- with only USC as a 50/50 proposition. There's talent, but some guys need to step up and man up. Make plays, shut up and play football.