2012 Prediction

[Gaeilge1]

Above all else the issue this year with regard to the success of the team will be depth, particularly on the lines. One of the major things that led to last year's stellar play was the depth throughout the team. The only position where you saw a noticeable dropoff in production when a substitution was made was at the QB spot. The depth on both lines, particularly defensively, last year allowed the Griz to remain both healthy and rested. Thus as the year progressed the team got stronger and more dominant.

While I do not think we will see a serious dropoff with the 1's this year, and will be deeper and more experienced at QB, depth will be a big big issue particularly if there are injuries the first part of the year.

Still think though that 9-2 or 8-3 are realizable.

 

[Grizmayor]

Above all else the issue this year with regard to the success of the team will be depth, particularly on the lines. One of the major things that led to last year's stellar play was the depth throughout the team. The only position where you saw a noticeable dropoff in production when a substitution was made was at the QB spot. The depth on both lines, particularly defensively, last year allowed the Griz to remain both healthy and rested. Thus as the year progressed the team got stronger and more dominant.

While I do not think we will see a serious dropoff with the 1's this year, and will be deeper and more experienced at QB, depth will be a big big issue particularly if there are injuries the first part of the year.

Still think though that 9-2 or 8-3 are realizable.

I hope you're talking about Kemp's horrible perforance against Western Oregon, cuz other than that, the backup QB's were just as good, if not better (statistically, JJ was definitely a better scrambler), than Johnson. Montana got lucky on a couple of dropped interceptions in one game, but our QB corps is solid in my eyes.

 

[Gaeilge1]

I agree with you Mayor, particularly going into this year. Certainly the Western Oregon game was on my mind but so were some of the interceptions thrown by Montana early last season. My point was simply that production at the QB position was noticeably different when JJ went out last year as compared to other positions. One could argue that the other time you would notice a difference was when Jabin was not used in the return game. Other than that however overall production rarely suffered and in some instances improved when a substitute came into the game last year. That is the depth I was talking about.

In 2012 we have improved depth at QB and RB, similar depth at WR, LB and possibly Safety. However we will be developing depth at OL, DL, CB, K/P & Returner's. This is pretty much the opposite scenario when compared to 2011.

 

[AZGrizFan]

I agree with you Mayor, particularly going into this year. Certainly the Western Oregon game was on my mind but so were some of the interceptions thrown by Montana early last season. My point was simply that production at the QB position was noticeably different when JJ went out last year as compared to other positions. One could argue that the other time you would notice a difference was when Jabin was not used in the return game. Other than that however overall production rarely suffered and in some instances improved when a substitute came into the game last year. That is the depth I was talking about.

In 2012 we have improved depth at QB and RB, similar depth at WR, LB and possibly Safety. However we will be developing depth at OL, DL, CB, K/P & Returner's. This is pretty much the opposite scenario when compared to 2011.

The Western Oregon game (rightly or wrongly) was more than likely treated like a scrimmage. They sleep-walked through most of the first half (except McKnight, who was nails) and then put them away in the 2nd. Personally I thought Kemp played better than Johnson (except that one horrible pass that was picked off)...I just don't put much stock in what happened in that game. I prefer to think of how the backups played in the UNC game... :thumb:

 

[hoopmaster111]

UNC game was more indicative of how Kemp can play than the W Oregon game. That int Kemp threw against W Oregon was the only int he had.

Keep in mind Kemp was healthy for the UNC game and was playing with a shoulder injury in the W Oregon game. Still, managed to go 7-17 and 90 some yards throwing. From what I saw on film, he picked up some crucial 3rd down completions in that game, and if i remember correctly Pflu was upset at Moutra for dropping a TD pass from Kemp.

So tired of people doggin this kid. He has done well with limited opportunities at three different offensive positions! Because he's so athletic and versatile he is a nightmare to defend. The opponent has no idea what the Griz Offense is going to do when he is on the field. Limiting him to one position takes that advantage away much like it would have taken the advantage away from Villanova with that Matt Szcur guy or Sam Houston State with the guy they utilized at both WR and QB in their playoff run.

 

[mtgrizrule]

UNC game was more indicative of how Kemp can play than the W Oregon game. That int Kemp threw against W Oregon was the only int he had.

Keep in mind Kemp was healthy for the UNC game and was playing with a shoulder injury in the W Oregon game. Still, managed to go 7-17 and 90 some yards throwing. From what I saw on film, he picked up some crucial 3rd down completions in that game, and if i remember correctly Pflu was upset at Moutra for dropping a TD pass from Kemp.

So tired of people doggin this kid. He has done well with limited opportunities at three different offensive positions! Because he's so athletic and versatile he is a nightmare to defend. The opponent has no idea what the Griz Offense is going to do when he is on the field. Limiting him to one position takes that advantage away much like it would have taken the advantage away from Villanova with that Matt Szcur guy or Sam Houston State with the guy they utilized at both WR and QB in their playoff run.

:thumb: :clap:

 

[AZGrizFan]

Limiting him (Kemp) to one position takes that advantage away much like it would have taken the advantage away from Villanova with that Matt Szcur guy or Sam Houston State with the guy they utilized at both WR and QB in their playoff run.

That may be true, but imagine how good Kemp could be if he concentrated on one position? :thumb: :thumb: :thumb:

 

[mtgrizrule]

As for Kemp, the GRIZ were beginning to utilize him quite a bit, then he got hurt. Did he even get better than 60% healthy after his injury? I am guessing not, he was understandably tentative after the injury. That was a nasty injury, and one could tell by his play, he just could not do what he was capable of doing, after it.

 

[Grizmayor]

UNC game was more indicative of how Kemp can play than the W Oregon game. That int Kemp threw against W Oregon was the only int he had.

Keep in mind Kemp was healthy for the UNC game and was playing with a shoulder injury in the W Oregon game. Still, managed to go 7-17 and 90 some yards throwing. From what I saw on film, he picked up some crucial 3rd down completions in that game, and if i remember correctly Pflu was upset at Moutra for dropping a TD pass from Kemp.

So tired of people doggin this kid. He has done well with limited opportunities at three different offensive positions! Because he's so athletic and versatile he is a nightmare to defend. The opponent has no idea what the Griz Offense is going to do when he is on the field. Limiting him to one position takes that advantage away much like it would have taken the advantage away from Villanova with that Matt Szcur guy or Sam Houston State with the guy they utilized at both WR and QB in their playoff run.

Montana Passing vs. N. Colorado
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
N. Montana 7/10 138 13.8 1 0
G. Kemp 7/8 112 14.0 2 0
S. Smithwick-Hann 0/2 0 0.0 0 0

Montana Passing vs. W. Oregon
C/ATT YDS AVG TD INT
J. Johnson 11/16 103 6.4 0 0
G. Kemp 7/17 93 5.5 0 1
N. Montana 6/9 56 6.2 1 0
S. Smithwick-Hann 0/1 0 0.0 0 0
Team 24/43 252 5.9 1 1

For the Season:
PASSING GP Effic Cmp-Att-Int Pct Yards TD Long Avg/G
Jordan Johnson 13 133.5 205-343-9 59.8 2400 21 80 184.6
Nate Montana 8 127.7 26-42-1 61.9 274 2 51 34.2
Gerald Kemp 10 139.0 16-28-1 57.1 218 2 32 21.8
S. Smith.-Hann 3 0.0 0-3-0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Antwon Moutra 14 81.5 1-3-1 33.3 41 0 41 2.9
Jabin Sambrano 14 0.0 0-1-0 0.0 0 0 0 0.0
Total.......... 14 131.6 248-420-12 59.0 2933 25 80 209.5
Opponents...... 14 111.1 241-435-19 55.4 2668 17 81 190.6

If you notice... Montana threw one INT at Idaho St. He had a couple picks dropped against Sac. St. I believe.

 

[hoopmaster111]

I'm not knocking Montana (he did well too) or anyone else. I appreciate the skills that all Griz players bring to the program. They are all talented otherwise they would not be a Griz.

However, I especially like the versatility Kemp brings to the offense. In that UNC game Kemp didn't just impress throwing the ball on target, but he also had quite an impressive game rushing too. Didn't he have two TDs on the ground? Additionally, if I remember correctly, he led the team in receptions the following week against ISU.

I just really appreciate what options Kemp brings to the table. How many other players threw for a TD, rushed for a TD, and caught a TD pass last season?

 

[Brock Landers]

As much as I like our QB depth, I wouldn't put much (if any) stock into performances against UNC :lol:

 

[jcu27]

Looks like some people are blind. JJ played way better than any other QB and when a backup came in, you could tell the offense was worse. Maybe you guys should go back and watch the games again. Kemp=shit QB, he could be used for wildcat formations, but that's about it. Nate Montana can't throw a ball accurately for anything. If we played a season with him starting, I bet you anything it'd be terrible. JJ is a great qb, I think McKinney will be too. Also SSH will probably be a good QB. But Nate Montana and Kemp should never get in that position again.

 

[ordigger]

Absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for this team to go 8-3, 9-2 or 10-1 for obvious reasons. Or even 11-0.

 

[bisonboone11]

Absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for this team to go 8-3, 9-2 or 10-1 for obvious reasons. Or even 11-0.

What are the obvious reasons? Is it the loss of players or the sexual assault distractions? I'm an NDSU fan and I am not that up-to-date on what's going on in Missoula. Also, is everyone pretty sure Jordan Johnson will be sticking around? From the little bit that I saw him, I was pretty impressed.

 

[AllWeatherFan]

The only thing I'm sure about is how hard it's gonna be to deny NDSU a two-fer. That defense is hellish.

 

[reinell30]

Absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for this team to go 8-3, 9-2 or 10-1 for obvious reasons. Or even 11-0.

OK Morayarty...what's up with those negative vibes??

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

7-4 or 8-3, worse if JJ is gone.

You should see QB Trent McKinney... :thumb:

The kid is a flat out stud, runs like a quick RB and throws with zip/accuracy... I like him A LOT

 

[reinell30]

7-4 or 8-3, worse if JJ is gone.

You should see QB Trent McKinney... :thumb:

The kid is a flat out stud, runs like a quick RB and throws with zip/accuracy... I like him A LOT

I sure hope he gets a chance to play this year so we can all see his abilities.

 

[ordigger]

Absolutely IMPOSSIBLE for this team to go 8-3, 9-2 or 10-1 for obvious reasons. Or even 11-0.

OK Morayarty...what's up with those negative vibes??

Because if we go 8-3 we qualify for playoffs probably one game at home, so perhaps 8-4 or 9-4, etc
If we go 9-2 we probably get at least two games at home, again probably 10-3, or 11-3, etc.
If we go 10-1 we have a seed, and a good chance to make that record 14-1 or 13-2.
Same with 11-0....probably 14-1 or 15-0.

So no negative vibes.....its just IMPOSSIBLE to go 8-3, 9-2. 10-1. or 11-0....pretty obvious to me.

 

[IntuitiveGriz]

How does that koolaid taste? Need more sugar? :thumb:

Are you denying that player-for-player, the University of Montana shouldn't field more talent than any other school in the Big Sky Conference?? The offense goes as the O-LINE goes. We had a left tackle who lived off his reputation as an all-conference guard the past two seasons and killed us his junior year (just watch the LAST two plays in the loss to the Bobcats), and blocked in a phone booth for two seconds his senior year. Roper takes a lot of shit from you yaks, but if I was getting hammered on a regular basis by D-ends and blitz's (and our starting QB was sitting on the sideline for the season because of a whiffed block), I'd be a little surly too. The O-line came together against Weber with Lapan at tackle, stunk against W. Oregon, but lit it up in Bozeman and against Northern Iowa, then laid an egg when Sam Houston abused them. If this bunch of young men can be molded into an attacking unit and not a bunch of belly bumpers, I think we'll be tough to beat. No koolaid needed here Lent.

A coach shouted early at the OL from the sideline at the scrimmage that it looked like a (girly) pillow fight out there, and to start hitting somebody.

Coach Delaney also commented after the scrimmage that they need to run it better, so they will be addressing that.