OGDEN — By now everyone has heard of Ron McBride the football coach. Did you also know he was sort of an architect?
In the nine months since McBride took over the Wildcats' program, he has laid out a solid foundation for the future with a very experienced coaching staff, several talented recruits — and he's ignited the city of Ogden with excitement and enthusiasm for the upcoming season. Not bad for a 65-year-old.
"What else am I going to do?" McBride asked at his press conference.
With McBride's infectious smile and quick wit, he's ushered in a new era of Wildcat football. It's been said that there hasn't been a buzz around Weber State like this since former coach Mike Price brought the "West Coast Offense" to town and lit up the scoreboard in 1981.
While the coach and everyone associated with the program will tell you everything is on track for the home opener on Sept. 3 with Western State, a few questions remain to be answered.
Can Weber State forget the losing frustrations of 2004? In addition to the numerous recruits, McBride inherited a team with 35 returning lettermen and 17 starters from a year of 1-10. McBride says the 2005 season carries a clean slate.
"I don't worry about the past. I'm just here to focus on what my team is doing now," McBride said.
Texas Tech senior transfer Sione Havili likes the returning core of players and believes the program can erase the past and win immediately.
"We're all excited. We have some high expectations. The most important thing is we want to win that first game, not looking too far ahead," Havili said.
WILDCATS' STRENGTHS: The backfield is key to McBride's offensive scheme, thus it is among the deepest positions. Weber State has eight running backs on the depth chart at tailback or fullback, and the 'Cats will use them to run the ball down opponents' throats.
Quarterback Ian Pizarro was impressed with his backfield's performance in Thursday's scrimmage.
"It doesn't matter which back it is, every one of them wanted to put the ball in the end zone," Pizarro said. "We ran the ball really well. It makes my job a lot easier."
The receiving core should also be much improved with the additions of Utah transfer Lynzell Jackson and J.C. transfer Terry Larsen. McBride said the duo, with senior Wiley King, will create a trio of playmakers. The kicking game should be a strong spot. Senior Joe Johnson, also known as "Shoeless" Joe, was selected to the second team all-Big Sky last year, a bright spot in a dismal year.
The other strong holds are on the defense. Players agree the secondary is better personnel-wise than it has been years. Brady Fosmark should also anchor a strong defensive line with teammates Shane Barkdull and Derek Johnson. Fosmark, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound senior from Clearfield, was a consensus All-American in 2004. He was named the Big Sky Co-Defensive Player of the Year. He enters his final season with 24.5 sacks, just one shy of the Weber State record.
WILDCATS' WEAKNESSES: Following the scrimmage, Pizarro said one area of concern was the offensive line's pass protection.
"The quarterbacks got sacked five or six times. Not only the offensive line, but the running backs and tight ends also need to pick up blocks on blitzes. That's just a mental mistake. We can get that fixed before Sept. 3," Pizarro said.
Coach McBride has also expressed concern over the inconsistent play of the defense, occasionally playing well and then the next day missing easy tackles.
"You don't like to see that," McBride said.
Free safety John McBride agreed.
"I think the defense maybe took a step back a little bit, we weren't as focused," the safety said of the scrimmage. "But we'll get things together."
Lastly, the 'Cats need to choose a back-up quarterback. Those in contention include JC transfers Shawn Woods and Dustin Long, along with returned missionary Brad Leggat.
"I'll wait to let Ron (Haun) make that decision, but it looks to me that (Woods) will be a pretty solid guy for us. He has done some real good things all through camp," coach McBride said.
HOW MANY WILDCAT WINS? After everything is diagnosed and analyzed, McBride like to keep things simple:
"If I can get down there in the fourth quarter had have a chance to win, I'm happy. I don't know how many wins we're going to have or how many losses we're going to have," he said.
E-mail: ttoone@desnews.com