1st and Ten – Ring This – Throughout head coach
Sonny Lubick’s coaching stint in Fort Collins, the power zone running
game seemed to define the Rams’ offensively. Even when gunslingers like
Bradlee Van Pelt and Justin Holland were playing pitch and catch around
the field, runners like Cecil Sapp, Damon Washington and Kevin McDougal
added the power and about 20 to 25 carries per game. In 2004, the Rams
didn’t have that threat. In 2005, Kyle Bell brought that aspect back to
the Ram offense. Although Bell wasn’t a well known name to many around
the MWC, he made sure that teams knew exactly who he was by season’s
end. The junior-to-be finished the season with 1,166 yards, one of the
best single season performances in Ram history. But, more importantly,
he helped give the Rams back their identity as an offense. Well, he’s
going to need to be more of the offense in 2006, and every team in the
MWC knows it. Or, should know it. With Justin Holland graduating and
Caleb Hanie taking over at quarterback, the pressure is on Bell to pile
up the carries, especially early in the season. Consequently, if Hanie
can keep eight guys out of the box with good play action and waggle
throws downfield, then Bell could be even more dangerous as the season
progresses. The key to another bowl trip is going to be Bell’s running
ability.
2nd and Seven – You Run on me, I’ll
run on you – The MWC has its share of good running attacks, and
varied ones at that. Utah’s spread. Air Force’s option. CSU’s power
zone game. TCU’s multiple spread option. At some point, you better
stop one aspect of it. Colorado State didn’t do that at any point last
year, including struggling against Navy in the Poinsettia Bowl. The Ram
defense gave up 201 yards per game, ranking somewhere near the bottom of
the NCAA rankings. If there’s one focus for this team, this defense,
it’s got to be stopping the run. Uh, like you didn’t know that
already.
3rd and Three – Needing Nading –
Although the defense struggled throughout the 2005 season, one player
who gained attention with his play was Jesse Nading, soon-to-be junior
defensive end. Following in the large footsteps of former Rams Clark
Haggans and Joey Porter is one thing, but holding this unit together
with young players dotting the two deep is another. The Ram DE has to
be a dominant factor off the edge and help take away any perimeter
rushing game. He’s only 252 pounds, but he’s the best defensive player
at CSU.
4th and One – A shot of Johnny Walker
– Last year when the Rams threw the ball, it was going to David
Anderson. And, with very good reason. But, Anderson is off to the NFL
in 2006, leaving second leading receiver Johnny Walker, and perhaps the
biggest game breaking threat on this squad, as the team’s go-to
receiver. Anderson was so good at making the clutch catch and he was
the guy that former Ram QBs Bradlee Van Pelt and Justin Holland looked
up in a big situation. The Rams need for Walker, he of the 41 catches
last season, to be Hanie’s guy this fall. He’s a wonderful return
specialist, but the Rams need an additional 65 to 70 catches
from Walker. Just a little shot of Johnny Walker can work wonders.