BOBCATS BEHIND THE SCENE: Bailey Retools Offense
8/12/2004 12:00:00 AM | Football
As Don Bailey begins his fourth season as Montana State's offensive coordinator, he knows exactly what his unit needs to raise its level of production this season.
The 'Cats, according to Bailey, need 'it'.
"We need to find guys with 'it'," Bailey says, "guys with a chance for something good to happen every time they touch the ball. That doesn't mean they score a touchdown, but 'it' means Jason Gathing's going to be tackled for a three-yard loss and finds a way to get back to the line of scrimmage, or 'it' means Ricky Gatewood getting 100 yards (receiving) in every spring scrimmage."
Bailey sees among his current group of offensive skilled position players the need to enhance athleticism and speed, characteristics that typically lead to big plays. He believes the Bobcats have addressed those needs in the recruiting process the last two years, but "We need to get better in terms of big play ability," Bailey said. "That's one thing that we've lacked, having a 100-yard receiver week in and week out, or a 100-yard yard rusher. That doesn't help your stats. So I want us to be much more explosive this year."
Bailey is counting on the likes of Gathing and Gatewood to a set of offensive skill players that should simultaneously be more explosive and more consistent. Both arrived at MSU as junior college transfers last year and redshirted. "Jason and Rick are the kind of athletes we're looking for," Bailey said. "They have both been in our system for a year, and they both had excellent springs."
While Bailey is not worried about the receiver situation sorting itself out -- the 'Cats will replace all three starters, but four lettermen, two redshirts, and a talented JC transfer will compete for jobs -- he lists finding a number one running back as a top concern. "We need to find a starting tailback, but that's not something I dread this year," Bailey said. "It's exciting. We have three quality running backs, and the competition will be excellent. They're all capable. It will be fun to watch."
Bobcat head coach Mike Kramer feels the tailback combatants -- redshirt Jason Gathing and junior college transfers Morris Milton and Justin Domineck -- are more than just capable. "All three are home run guys," Kramer said. "They can each score every time the ball is in their hands, and that's an element we need to introduce into our offensive attack."
Much of MSU's offensive success this year hinges on the play of the youthful offensive line. With returning starter Joe Hirst lost to a knee injury this year, Bailey and offensive line coach Jason McEndoo look to seniors Dusty Daws and Joaquin Echauri and redshirt freshmen Adam DeCock and Peder Jensen to stabilize the two tackle positions. The inside of the line is safe in the hands of centers Zack Wolf and Lawrence Figueroa, and starting guards Jeff Bolton and Brant Birkeland.
"We need to find both starting tackles during camp, but we'll play the best five guys up front, no matter who they are," Bailey said. "We may have to shuffle guys around. We have guys that have been in the program, so there is some experience there."
The Bobcats open camp next Tuesday with practice at 2:30 pm on the MSU practice field.
The 'Cats, according to Bailey, need 'it'.
"We need to find guys with 'it'," Bailey says, "guys with a chance for something good to happen every time they touch the ball. That doesn't mean they score a touchdown, but 'it' means Jason Gathing's going to be tackled for a three-yard loss and finds a way to get back to the line of scrimmage, or 'it' means Ricky Gatewood getting 100 yards (receiving) in every spring scrimmage."
Bailey sees among his current group of offensive skilled position players the need to enhance athleticism and speed, characteristics that typically lead to big plays. He believes the Bobcats have addressed those needs in the recruiting process the last two years, but "We need to get better in terms of big play ability," Bailey said. "That's one thing that we've lacked, having a 100-yard receiver week in and week out, or a 100-yard yard rusher. That doesn't help your stats. So I want us to be much more explosive this year."
Bailey is counting on the likes of Gathing and Gatewood to a set of offensive skill players that should simultaneously be more explosive and more consistent. Both arrived at MSU as junior college transfers last year and redshirted. "Jason and Rick are the kind of athletes we're looking for," Bailey said. "They have both been in our system for a year, and they both had excellent springs."
While Bailey is not worried about the receiver situation sorting itself out -- the 'Cats will replace all three starters, but four lettermen, two redshirts, and a talented JC transfer will compete for jobs -- he lists finding a number one running back as a top concern. "We need to find a starting tailback, but that's not something I dread this year," Bailey said. "It's exciting. We have three quality running backs, and the competition will be excellent. They're all capable. It will be fun to watch."
Bobcat head coach Mike Kramer feels the tailback combatants -- redshirt Jason Gathing and junior college transfers Morris Milton and Justin Domineck -- are more than just capable. "All three are home run guys," Kramer said. "They can each score every time the ball is in their hands, and that's an element we need to introduce into our offensive attack."
Much of MSU's offensive success this year hinges on the play of the youthful offensive line. With returning starter Joe Hirst lost to a knee injury this year, Bailey and offensive line coach Jason McEndoo look to seniors Dusty Daws and Joaquin Echauri and redshirt freshmen Adam DeCock and Peder Jensen to stabilize the two tackle positions. The inside of the line is safe in the hands of centers Zack Wolf and Lawrence Figueroa, and starting guards Jeff Bolton and Brant Birkeland.
"We need to find both starting tackles during camp, but we'll play the best five guys up front, no matter who they are," Bailey said. "We may have to shuffle guys around. We have guys that have been in the program, so there is some experience there."
The Bobcats open camp next Tuesday with practice at 2:30 pm on the MSU practice field.
Wednesday, June 10
Friday, March 27
Monday, March 23
Friday, March 13
