Top 5 Reasons to be excited about the upcoming season

[Chicat]

1) Willie Tuitama

This one is pretty much a no-brainer. The flashes of brilliance we saw last year could translate into a very successful season for this sophomore. The fact that he admittedly was playing by the seat of his pants last year and that now he actually knows the playbook and has insight into the way the offense is supposed to run should only make the fanbase even more excited for this year's campaign. Honestly, the sky is the limit for this kid, and that may just be what we see this year. Is that putting too much on a very young guy's shoulders? Maybe, but if anyone seems to want to take on that kind of pressure, it's Willie T.


2) Coach Stoops and Coach Canales

Year three is oftentimes a make or break year for college coaches, and after two 3-8 campaigns, that couldn't be more true for this duo. This year there are no excuses. They've have the talent to work with and what appears to be a successful system, so now all they need to do is to put the right people in the right situations to execute that system. Where they most need to improve is in-game tactical adjustments, and that only can come with game experience. Well, over the past two years they've probably seen enough situations that lost us games to now know what to do to turn things around to our favor and start winning them. These two guys are winners, and they are going to show us that this year.


3) The Secondary

This one is also a no-brainer, but with as much proven talent as there is in the defensive backfield, a lot of teams are going to become one-dimensional on offense and that is going to lead to some great opportunities for the Cats. Forcing teams to run the ball on first and second down and face long yardage on third, will allow the nickel package to come in and look to pick off some passes and make some plays. We also have some very hard hitters on this squad, so look for the turnover advantage to swing wildly in our favor more games than not. And as we all know, the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game.


4) Team Speed

The talking heads say that speed kills, but unfortunately that seems to be something we lacked in past years and it killed us. Speed seems to be something that has been stressed in the past few recruiting classes on both sides of the ball, and I think we will see the dividends of that in the coming season. Along with the secondary as I mentioned above, we also have some great speed at the skill positions. I think our WRs and RBs, not to mention our LBs, can be put up there with some of the best in the Pac-10. Now it's all about using that speed to create opportunities. Stretching the field is going to be key this year, and with a QB who can put the ball just about anywhere, there is no reason why we shouldn't see 6 or 7 big time plays (30 yards or more).


5) Positive Thinking & Chemistry

I think we are all on the same page now. The players, coaches, and fans have removed the mental shackles of the Mackonuts era and are winners once again. Just reading these boards you can tell that no one who follows Arizona football is looking at this squad as the one which went 3-8 the past two years. Instead it's almost as if this team had a winning record last year and now is looking to jump into that upper echelon. That kind of mentality might be putting the cart before the horse, but when you see things like nearly 100% attendance at optional summer workouts and the way that the fanbase has embraced the potential of certain parts and players on this team? You just can't help but be excited at what could be. Also it seems like we have some warriors on this team once again. Kids that will give you 100% and never give up. That has certainly been missing in years past but now it's back and I have to give credit to the coaching staff for bringing in kids of character like Willie Tuitama. In my opinion, it starts at the top, and the decision makers have done an incredible job of making sure that they field a team of winners.

My prediction? 8 wins, 4 losses and an appearance in the Sun Bowl

I can't wait for this season to start. BEAR DOWN!!!

[azcat49]

One thing is a must though, and that is Tui must stay healthy.

[the real dill]

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.

[WayneNewton]

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.

Last couple of seasons? I can't remember the last time Arizona actually had a big, fast receiver that could actually catch the ball.

[Puerco]

Good stuff Chicat.

Here's my take:

9-3 if: Holmes/Long play and convert decent DL to good DL and LB's stay healthy
8-4 if: Defense isn't Desert Swarm-like (see above) and offense plays to its capability
7-5 if: Iinjury bugs hit either line or LB's
6-6 if: We don't find a go-to RB and establish a consistent ground game
Don't want to think about it: Tui goes down mid-season

[SCCat]

Last couple of seasons? I can't remember the last time Arizona actually had a big, fast receiver that could actually catch the ball.

Man! I've always been overlooked and underrated in my AZ career.

Signed,

Mike "Hands" Jefferson.

[PerpEph]

I hope these big, fast suckers turn out to be good. I expect that one of the three will turn out to be excellent.

The best part about these freshmen is that they, along with improved TE play, will take the focus off Mike Thomas... and that means trouble for opposing Ds. You let that little rascal get lost somewhere on the field and he'll burn you for big yardage.

I expect the passing offense to be very, very much improved this season.

Can one of the Experts please tell us what to expect from the three freshmen receivers, and also what to expect from A.J. Simmons and Travis Bell in terms of backing up Brad Wood?

Can any of the three receivers replicate Mike Thomas' FOY honors?

Thanks!

[HermosaCat]

Great Post Chicat! I can not wait for the season to start.

[Reydituto]

You must spread some Reputation around before giving it to Chicat again.

Great read Chicat. I'm fired up!

I think this is the year we see the Official Return of the Desert Swarm Defense. If Holmes and Long matriiculate and play as advertised, and if the DL can hold their own against the run, teams are going to have a tough time moving the ball on UA. I believe the linebacking core group of Larsen, Krog, Palmer, and McCovy are severely underrated, and if they are blessed with good health, the UA D will keep them in every game.

My conservative prediction is 7-6, 5th/6th place and a minor bowl game (Emerald Walnut/Vegas/Insight), as I am a Doubting Thomas when it comes to the O-Line. However, if they gel and the talent comes through there, I can see 1-2 more wins and your Sun Bowl prediction coming to fruition.

Man! I've always been overlooked and underrated in my AZ career.

Signed,

Mike "Hands" Jefferson.

:lol2:

Am I the only person disappointed in the fact this guy turned out to be a tool? I had such high hopes, but then again, that is a microcosm of the Wackovic Era. Never trust a man that times how much he grills each side of his steak ...

Perp, I wouldn't expect more than 1 of the Frosh WRs to have an impact this season, just out of sheer numbers, but yes, whomever that may be will help stretch defenses and open lanes for Money Mike & Steptoe to do what they do best.

[Cubix]

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.
Um hello?!!? Dean is the best of all 3:) He just had 2200 yards as a junior in NCAA 07!

[CatintheHeat]

Add Money Mike Thomas and Steptoe to the mix and UA has a formidable receiving corp.

[MojoJojo3155]

There is no doubt that Tui will have some nice stats this season. Tui for Heisman!!!

[WallyNoche]

Chicat Quote...
Willie Tuitama
Honestly, the sky is the limit for this kid, and that may just be what we see this year. Is that putting too much on a very young guy's shoulders? Maybe, but if anyone seems to want to take on that kind of pressure, it's Willie T.

Spot on description...Great post Chicat...:tup:

[kanobi]

5A) Reese and Turner give Tuitama legit homerun threats and will be physical mismatches against pretty much every DB they go up against. Kind of size/speed combo Arizona lacked the last couple seasons.


You forgot Delashaun Dean...I think he is going to be unbelievable.

[Chicat]

Last night I was watching a replay of the USC game from last year, and it struck me that if Tui was in there, we might just have made that game even closer. Our defense was terrific, especially in the first half, and if we could have just put a few more points on the board, I think USC would have gone into panic mode. All in all though, it was a great effort, and not the type of thing you saw when Whackovic was coaching. Those teams had no collective heart, but Stoops' teams are all heart . . . and now there's a lot of talent there too.

[ZonaDefender1]

1) Willie Tuitama

This one is pretty much a no-brainer. The flashes of brilliance we saw last year could translate into a very successful season for this sophomore. The fact that he admittedly was playing by the seat of his pants last year and that now he actually knows the playbook and has insight into the way the offense is supposed to run should only make the fanbase even more excited for this year's campaign. Honestly, the sky is the limit for this kid, and that may just be what we see this year. Is that putting too much on a very young guy's shoulders? Maybe, but if anyone seems to want to take on that kind of pressure, it's Willie T.


2) Coach Stoops and Coach Canales

Year three is oftentimes a make or break year for college coaches, and after two 3-8 campaigns, that couldn't be more true for this duo. This year there are no excuses. They've have the talent to work with and what appears to be a successful system, so now all they need to do is to put the right people in the right situations to execute that system. Where they most need to improve is in-game tactical adjustments, and that only can come with game experience. Well, over the past two years they've probably seen enough situations that lost us games to now know what to do to turn things around to our favor and start winning them. These two guys are winners, and they are going to show us that this year.


3) The Secondary

This one is also a no-brainer, but with as much proven talent as there is in the defensive backfield, a lot of teams are going to become one-dimensional on offense and that is going to lead to some great opportunities for the Cats. Forcing teams to run the ball on first and second down and face long yardage on third, will allow the nickel package to come in and look to pick off some passes and make some plays. We also have some very hard hitters on this squad, so look for the turnover advantage to swing wildly in our favor more games than not. And as we all know, the team that wins the turnover battle usually wins the game.


4) Team Speed

The talking heads say that speed kills, but unfortunately that seems to be something we lacked in past years and it killed us. Speed seems to be something that has been stressed in the past few recruiting classes on both sides of the ball, and I think we will see the dividends of that in the coming season. Along with the secondary as I mentioned above, we also have some great speed at the skill positions. I think our WRs and RBs, not to mention our LBs, can be put up there with some of the best in the Pac-10. Now it's all about using that speed to create opportunities. Stretching the field is going to be key this year, and with a QB who can put the ball just about anywhere, there is no reason why we shouldn't see 6 or 7 big time plays (30 yards or more).


5) Positive Thinking & Chemistry

I think we are all on the same page now. The players, coaches, and fans have removed the mental shackles of the Mackonuts era and are winners once again. Just reading these boards you can tell that no one who follows Arizona football is looking at this squad as the one which went 3-8 the past two years. Instead it's almost as if this team had a winning record last year and now is looking to jump into that upper echelon. That kind of mentality might be putting the cart before the horse, but when you see things like nearly 100% attendance at optional summer workouts and the way that the fanbase has embraced the potential of certain parts and players on this team? You just can't help but be excited at what could be. Also it seems like we have some warriors on this team once again. Kids that will give you 100% and never give up. That has certainly been missing in years past but now it's back and I have to give credit to the coaching staff for bringing in kids of character like Willie Tuitama. In my opinion, it starts at the top, and the decision makers have done an incredible job of making sure that they field a team of winners.

My prediction? 8 wins, 4 losses and an appearance in the Sun Bowl

I can't wait for this season to start. BEAR DOWN!!!

your forgetting the most important thing.. the u of a lawn during tailgates.. the chicks!!!!!

[Chicat]

your forgetting the most important thing.. the u of a lawn during tailgates.. the chicks!!!!!
Oh yeah? What position do they play?

:devil:

[NorCalCat]

Oh yeah? What position do they play?

:devil:


Tight End.....obviously.

[1139Fremont]

It's been posted earlier at Collegefootball News per the link below, but one of my greatest pleasures is watching Tempe Normal underachieve. Per the article that names the biggest over hyped schools and guess who's #3, ASWho that's who:

"3. Arizona State – The Sun Devils have long been one of college football’s most schizophrenic programs, underachieving when big things are predicted..."

They expect big things this year. I expect a big flop. It's fun to watch the melt down at Tempe abNormal.


http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/OverratedTeams.htm

[Chicat]

It's been posted earlier at Collegefootball News per the link below, but one of my greatest pleasures is watching Tempe Normal underachieve. Per the article that names the biggest over hyped schools and guess who's #3, ASWho that's who:

"3. Arizona State – The Sun Devils have long been one of college football’s most schizophrenic programs, underachieving when big things are predicted..."

They expect big things this year. I expect a big flop. It's fun to watch the melt down at Tempe abNormal.


http://www.collegefootballnews.com/2006/Columnists/RC/OverratedTeams.htm

I think the Cats finish ahead of ASU this year. I honestly do. And I think we beat them at the end of the season to knock them out of contention for a bowl berth.

Good thing Dirk Diggler got that contract extension so he can continue to underachieve in style.

[KrazyCatFan]

Tight End.....obviously.

as opposed to ASSU chicks that play wideout?

[catgrad97]

I'd feel a lot more like you guys about this upcoming season if the coaches, or any of us, had a clue yet about:

a) If/when Gabe Long will be eligible;

b) Who the starting running backs and their backups will be; and

c) Whether or not Kyle McQuown can punt worth a darn.

Even an affirmative two out of three, IMHO, gets the Cats to a post-Christmas bowl. But until those questions are figured out, I'll just hope for 6-6 and ANY bowl, thank you very much.

[Chicat]

G, from what I've read right here, the answers to your questions are as follows:

Supposedly Long will be eligible and it will be announced any day now (someone I think said something about August 1st?).

Chris Henry will be our starting running back and he will be ably backed up by
X and Longbons. And don't sleep on the walk-on JC transfer (whose name escapes me at the moment).

I don't think our punting will be as stellar as last year, but hopefully it will be serviceable . . . and not utilized nearly as often. ;)

[JohnnyUtah]

Don't worry Chicat, I fixed your post for you:


[QUOTE=Chicat]1)

My prediction? 8 wins, 4 losses and a Sun Bowl victory


:)

[Chicat]

Thanks Johnny, but I didn't want to get too greedy.

Of course I was thinking "12-0 and a BCS National Championship", but that seemed a little like I was writing for HuskyDigest. ;)

[uabeatsasu]

Watch when Ting intercepts at goal line. Thomas and AJ wide open in endzone, Steptoe at one yard line with no one in between. This was 3rd and goal third quarter SC up 14. The only receiver covered was the one RK threw to.

[Chicat]

Yeah, watching that play again last night had me cringing all over again. Just another reason why I'm glad we have Tui.

We did have them on the verge of pooping themselves for a while there, didn't we? I have a lot of confidence that we will give USC a real run for their money this year, and I could definitely see us squeeking out a win.

[kylecollins]

Last night I was watching a replay of the USC game from last year, and it struck me that if Tui was in there, we might just have made that game even closer. Our defense was terrific, especially in the first half, and if we could have just put a few more points on the board, I think USC would have gone into panic mode. All in all though, it was a great effort, and not the type of thing you saw when Whackovic was coaching. Those teams had no collective heart, but Stoops' teams are all heart . . . and now there's a lot of talent there too.

I don't think Tui really would have changed much. That was one of RKs best games. UNtil the play uabeatsasu is talking about atleast.

[Chicat]

I don't think Tui really would have changed much. That was one of RKs best games. UNtil the play uabeatsasu is talking about atleast.
I don't know. There were some frustrating three and outs in the first half. One I remember distinctly was the one where we threw three screen passes in a row after we had been running the ball pretty well up until that point. The first screen was obviously called by the coaches, but then the second one was an audible by RK, even though the SC defense didn't look like they were going to blitz. The linebackers were keyed in on Bell coming out of the backfield. Even the announcers said something to the effect that his decision-making ability left something to be desired, and you could see it clear as day on that pass.

[WallyNoche]

Chicat Quotes...

Supposedly Long will be eligible and it will be announced any day now (someone I think said something about August 1st?).
Accurate assessment...IMO

Chris Henry will be our starting running back
Accurate assessment...IMO

I don't think our punting will be as stellar as last year, but hopefully it will be serviceable . . . and not utilized nearly as often.
Accurate assessment...IMO

I think Chicat's real last name is Livengood? ;)

[Cubix]

I like how a lot of sites have Folk as Pac 10 1st team punter :lol:

If Long gets in, I will **** my pants, but I hope none of you expect him to be great when he comes in. Even if he is as-advertised, he wouldn't start till like the 5th game or so, I am sure he is in horrible football shape.

[Chicat]

I am sure he is in horrible football shape.
Why? Guys work out on their own, and I'm sure he's had access to the weight room.

[tbqcat]

I like how a lot of sites have Folk as Pac 10 1st team punter :lol:

If Long gets in, I will **** my pants, but I hope none of you expect him to be great when he comes in. Even if he is as-advertised, he wouldn't start till like the 5th game or so, I am sure he is in horrible football shape.

An out-of-shape Long is better than most anything that has been playing on that defensive line the last four or five years.

[MojoJojo3155]

An out-of-shape Long is better than most anything that has been playing on that defensive line the last four or five years.
Yaniv Barnet is a beast. You wouldn't be making these kind of statements if you've seen Yaniv during workouts, in person, trust me. If there were only one DT on the D-line, my vote would be for Yaniv over Long.

[tbqcat]

This is why I said most anything in my previous post.

[jAZ]

My prediction? 8 wins, 4 losses and an appearance in the Sun Bowl
Starting today my prediction is 12-0. I'll revise that week by week as needed.

~uber-homer

[Cubix]

Why? Guys work out on their own, and I'm sure he's had access to the weight room.
There is a HUGE difference from what happens with a personal trainer than the constant energy you need on the field. You CAN be in good shape, but I have heard reports that Long has put on a little weight and looked pudgy. We will see.

[Whitus004]

There is a HUGE difference from what happens with a personal trainer than the constant energy you need on the field. You CAN be in good shape, but I have heard reports that Long has put on a little weight and looked pudgy. We will see.

REALLY!! You know someone who has actually seen him! I always thought of him as a "big foot" "loch ness monster" because no one ever has any proof of his existance.

[sporto]

"looked pudgy"

Pudgy (fat) and defensive tackle go hand in hand.
As Martha Stewart would say "it's a good thing". Unless, of course, he is Jabba the Hut pudgy. ;)

Bear Down!

[20yrSTH]

I saw Gabe Long up close at the next to last spring scrimmage. From the back this guy looked like a muscular cement truck! I ask you, why would he let himself slide physically as the season gets closer?? If he wears the uniform, he will be formidable. I could see them platooning to keep the legs fresh. P.S. the only Loch "Ness" Monster is going to be visible in the defensive secondary!:lol2:

[Cubix]

I saw Gabe Long up close at the next to last spring scrimmage. From the back this guy looked like a muscular cement truck! I ask you, why would he let himself slide physically as the season gets closer?? If he wears the uniform, he will be formidable. I could see them platooning to keep the legs fresh. P.S. the only Loch "Ness" Monster is going to be visible in the defensive secondary!:lol2:
That's good.

It's not a matter of letting yourself go, it's just if you aren't doing something for a couple of years, you tend to lose your intensity. It is good if he has kept at it, as that would be really impressive in my book.

[WallyNoche]

Cubix Quote...
If Long gets in, I will **** my pants

Cubix...Call Mr. Whipple...

[catgrad97]

Plus, athletes like Gabe Long and Jawann McClellan tend to go a little flabby when forced to focus on shoring up academics.

These guys would be in the weight room and the gym, respectively, during their class time if their professors didn't miss them. Stressing over academics for encapsulated periods of time takes away a certain 'edge' from these guys' physiques.