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Post-Oregon State Thoughts

Well, here are some more extensive thoughts.  They are still short and I apologize, but finals are closing in on me and time is becoming less abundant. 

(1) Defense.  Let's get the non-bad out of the way.  Defense played alright but seemed to be getting a bit gassed towards the end of the game because they were on the field so long.  Oregon State had the ball for 34 minutes and change. 

There were a few problems locating Rodgers in the backfield because the dude is so small.  Even though Rodgers broke 100 yards and had a 5.3 yard average, the defense kept the game winnable. I don't think this was the defense's best performance, but nor was it the worst. 

I think Gregory wanted to shut down the run and force Moevao to beat us, but that gameplan wasn't exactly completed since Cal couldn't entirely shut down Rodgers.  That's too bad, because Moevao looked horrible today.  He threw about 3 INTs today, 2 of which were dropped by our defenders.  If we had only shut down Rodgers and forced Moevao to win the game then we might have won.

Star-divide

(2) Offense.  I guess I'll put it all together. 

Receivers - there were some drops although mostly due to big hits, nevertheless those were catchable balls that were dropped.  There were also probably some wrong routes thrown in there too.  It's clear that the coaches wanted to get Tucker involved on offense early on.  They clearly targeted Tucker deep on a few early plays but couldn't connect (remember the looonnnnggg pass that was dropped by Tucker?). 

OL run blocking - not so great.  Pretty inconsistent.  Sort of hit and miss.  Best had a 7.7 yard average today which is BEAST MODE-ish but once you take away Best's one big run of 65 yards, he only had a 3.5 yard average which is sub-par for college football and a player of his caliber.  But I place his poor rush average on the shoulders of the OL because they're the ones that are initially responsible on run plays for making a hole.

OL pass blocking - not so great.  Riley was pressured a lot.  Sacks were given up - and these were non coverage sacks meaning guys were just getting to Riley quickly.  Riley does do his part.  He does step up into the pocket which helps... but he also has to get the ball out quickly which is something he's not great at. 

QB play - eh.  Riley was 11/25 today for a 4.7 yard per attempt average.  His YPA is horrible.  His completion percentage is bad.  But let's think... there were a few drops.  There were a few balls just inches off the hands of WRs.  So I think his completion percentage is making him look a little worse than he performed today, but don't mistake that statement as me saying Riley did well today.  Riley certainly wasn't great today.  His mobility is fairly useless when he doesn't scramble for yardage, or doesn't complete passes on the scramble.  I mean, the whole point for putting Riley in the game was so his mobility can bring something more to the offense.  Today though, Riley's mobility didn't really bring anything to the offense (I think he only scrambled for a gain once).  I dare to say that Longshore would have been a better option today if Riley wasn't going to be productive off the scrambles because Longshore at least gets the ball out prior to the rush getting to him (for better or worse).  Getting the ball out quickly is one area which Riley could improve and would help avoid sacks. 

(3) Special Teams

Anger seemed to be off today which resulted in a punt return TD.  Our kickoff coverage wasn't great.  And the kickoff return blocking wasn't good (aside from Best's long kickoff return). 

The fake punt was a good idea though.  I think we all knew that we were going to go for it.  It's a shame Worrell Williams bobbled the snap though.  The play looked like we would have gotten the first down.  On TV Tedford went right over to Sundberg after that play so perhaps Sundberg erred on that play instead of Williams.  Not really sure though...

Fire Alamar?  THA1 made special teams look pretty good for the past few years - that's for sure.  But now that he's gone, I think our mediocre special teams has been exposed again.  Maybe it is time for him to go.  I don't know.  I've stayed out of this debate because I haven't done extensive studying of special teams philosophy or Xs and Os.  I'm definitely not so quick on the trigger to fire coaches as some of us ... but perhaps he needs to go.  On the other hand, if he was so bad, then why has Tedford kept him on staff?  Perhaps we're all wrong about Alamar?  Perhaps he's a decent coach but he's just sort of had a long bad run of under-performing units despite his best efforts? 

(4) The future.

So Riley is starting against Furd.  Good idea or bad?

Hell, I don't know.  Frankly, Riley has been uninspiring for a while.  Many Riley supporters claimed it was due to Riley/Longshore splitting snaps but Riley got 100% of the snaps for the Oregon State game practices. 

Again, I suppose the whole "Riley's mobility" argument can come into play as to why Riley should start.  But as I said earlier, his mobility hasn't exactly been helpful lately. 

Should Longshore start because he's a senior?  No.  The best players should play and playing time shouldn't be determined by seniority.  Since Riley is starting, I guess Tedford feels that Riley gives Cal the best chance to win.  That or...

Perhaps Tedford is now playing for the future.  Cal's Rose Bowl chances are officially done.  Our Holiday Bowl hopes are there, but we need some definite luck to get there.  We're looking at the Sun at best I think (realistically speaking). So perhaps Tedford is now playing for the future and trying to get Riley more PT. 

I really do think it's peculiar how Tedford named the starter so early - merely hours after the game.  Perhaps Tedford wasn't wholly disappointed with Riley's performance today.  I mean, Riley wasn't great.  But considering the circumstances (drops, tons of QB pressure), Riley can only do so much.  Perhaps Tedford thought Riley did "okay" with what opportunities he had and that Riley didn't do completely horrible enough to re-open the QB competition. 

On second thought, I guess Longshore would get eaten up even worse than Riley with our crappy OL.  I mean, Longshore does get the ball out on time.  That is perhaps his best trait.  But the OL this year is nothing compared to the 2006 and 2007 OL.  So Longshore would have even less time this year to throw than he did in the past.  Perhaps Tedford thinks that that amount of time isn't enough for Longshore, and that despite Longshore's ability to get the ball out quickly that he still wouldn't have enough time. 

Final Thoughts.

Well, we're 6-4.  Like I've said many times before, most of us thought we were going to have an 8 or 9 win season.  The 9 win season is out the window.  We can still pull and 8 win season which would be a decent finish for this team considering how this team has been decimated at its base (the OL) and how bad the offense has become.

Speaking of the offense, it really seems to have gotten worse.  I don't think it's entirely or wholly because of the QB swapping.  There was a lot of QB swapping prior to season and it didn't seem to affect Riley in the Michigan State game.  So why is the offense regressing? 

Well, lack of WR experience for one, but also Injuries... Injuries... injuries.  Guarnero out.  Tepper out.  Teofilo out.  Even Malele has been a bit banged up.  Thank god Mack came back this year.  Imagine how bad our OL would have been without him there.

What we've seen from this offense thus far (post-injuries) is a horrible offense.  It's bad.  It's our worst offense in the Tedford era.  This offense might have been "okay" had we not sustained so many OL injuries.  But now, many injuries later, it's just plain bad.

It's so bad, I'm doubting our chances against the Furd.  I hate to say it because I like to be optimistic, but the way the Furd played against USC tonight, and how bad our OL has been lately... we may not get The Axe back this year. 

And oh what a game Big Game will be.  Cal will need the win to guarantee bowl eligibility (we're already bowl eligible but not guaranteed a spot).  Furd needs the win to become bowl eligible.  This Big Game will mean a lot.  It's sort of scary how much it'll mean.  Praise be to Tedford that the game is at home.

And if Cal loses Big Game... fans will undoubtedly question Tedford's abilities.  The "fire Tedford" folks will come out of the woodwork.  People will say we shouldn't keep him around unless we want to be mid-level Pac-10 team.  People will say that keeping Tedford around will be accepting less than perfection.  Those people will spout many reasons why Tedford should go. 

But will they remember the circumstances of this year and last year?  Will they remember that prior to Longshore's injury last year this team was a BCS Bowl team?  Will they remember that this year we had significant injuries at 3/5ths of the OL which essentially derailed the season?

These people who will call for Tedford's firing want Cal to be as dominant as USC.  They are not alone.  We all want to be as dominant as USC (without the cheating of course).  But the difference between those fans calling for Tedford's head and those who won't is the fact that the latter will understand the circumstances of the situation.  Cal cannot be as dominant as USC until Cal is as stacked with talent as USCInjuries affect Cal more than USC because Cal doesn't have the depth to replace our injured starters.  Cal doesn't have a three-deep filled with blue chip, 5 star, All-Americans like USC.  

Tedford will get us to a BCS bowl (even though he essentially did in 2004), but it takes time, patience, better facilities, better recruits, and a supportive and understanding fanbase who will cut him some slack when a season gets derailed by injuries instead of firing him.

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The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 3:11 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

I'm hoping Cignetti

calls a lot of quick slants and curl routes (like the old niners offense) which helped a talented (but diminuitive) niners O-line with rapid 3 and 5-step drop patterns. If receivers expect low passes thrown in front of them the DB’s won’t have time to make a pick even if they are covered. Plus, if they can break a tackle they are g-o-n-e gone, bitches.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 3:46 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

perfect receivers for this O

would be Ross, Boateng, and Tucker (in that order). Ross looks strong and agile enough to break a tackle and juke his way for large YAC numbers.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 3:48 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Perfect receivers for this O

would be Jerry Rice and John Taylor

The Bear Will Not Quit
The Bear Will Not Die

by joshiemac on Nov 17, 2008 4:37 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I miss JT

he could throw it, too on the fake reverse. Jerry, I believe, had a TD pass as well.

I don’t watch that many niner games anymore…but I bet Michael Robinson and Arnaz Battle don’t throw it very often.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 4:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

That Monday night game he had against the Rams was epic.

The Bear Will Not Quit
The Bear Will Not Die

by joshiemac on Nov 17, 2008 5:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

maybe that's not a good idea after all...from wiki:
The West Coast offense requires a quarterback who throws extremely accurately, and often blindly, very close to opposing players. In addition, it requires the quarterback to be able quickly to pick one of 5 receivers to throw to — much more quickly than previously used systems. Often, the quarterback cannot think about the play, but instead reacts instinctively — and thus is often under the control of the offensive coordinator, calling the plays for him.
Also, the West Coast offense requires sure-handed receivers comfortable catching in heavy traffic, and the system downplays speedy, larger receivers who are covered easily in short yardage situation.

“WCO” systems also rely on agile running backs that catch the ball as often as they run. Roger Craig was a leading receiver for the 49ers for many years and was a 1,000 yard rusher and 1,000 yard receiver in the 1985 season. Finally, receivers must follow precise, complicated routes as opposed to innovation; so subservient, intelligent players are valued more than independent, pure athletes.

Fast and agile running backs — check.
physical receivers — check.
who are capable of catching in traffic — ummm.
accurate QB capable of making rapid decisions — maybe.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 4:07 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

How about………“who are capable of catching while wide open” ??

I left my heart at the Durant Food Court

by dballisloose on Nov 17, 2008 4:30 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Seriously, what is up with all these dropped passes? I don’t remember a season when we’ve had so many dropped balls…..well, even last year Hawkins dropped a TON of passes and he still made it to the NFL. But its one of the most heartbreaking things, knowing that you’re not going to get a ton of shots at the end zone because the o-line is beat up, when we do get a shot we hope that the WR will hold on to the ball. So frustrating, lack of concentration/discipline/pinetar, whatever it is.

I left my heart at the Durant Food Court

by dballisloose on Nov 17, 2008 4:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I know...I think it's hard to catch a football thrown hard

think about playing catch with a friend. It’s tough. Add in big, mean sonsabitches who are trying to take your head off…and I can at least understand how that happens.

Still…one would like to think that D-I receivers who are going to school to catch footballs should catch it.

“You tough it you catch it.”

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 4:38 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

should be "touch it"

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 5:08 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I think if it’s at least two hands, you’ve got to catch it. All Tucker needed to do was pull it in at that point instead of trying to readjust it in his hands. They’ve been catching footballs for years, and they have GLOVES!

by CaliforniaCMB on Nov 17, 2008 9:35 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

I’m with Carp on this one. We don’t have an o-line right now. Until that unit gets healthy our offense will continue to struggle. It’s why unless Riley starts throwing INTs or is entirely ineffective, it doesn’t make that much sense to put in Longshore. There’s no protection.

by The Hombre on Nov 17, 2008 5:10 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

the one thing Cal can't do

is wait for receivers to run Martz-esque patterns out of the shotgun formation. Some teams (like Green Bay) ran the West Coast O out of the ‘gun but they did have Brett Favre. These need to be rapid outs/slants/RB swing passes. Blitzing linebackers open up a huge hole in the middle of the field. The quick slant pattern is susceptible to the INT by a LB playing zone…but if they blitz like hell (see OSU, USC) they’ll have nobody home. Pretty soon the D will be confused and then the run game will be open and so will the 15+ yard pass plays.

I would love to see on 3rd and 2 or 3 a play-action naked bootleg out of the “22” formation where Riley can throw it to Morrah or run it himself.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 5:19 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Tedford's on KNBR right now...I'll report soon

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 5:34 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

thanks for the update!

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 17, 2008 6:06 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Thanks for the dictation...

…does that make you Blog Dictator?

Sheriff of the Welcome Team.
Welcome.
But Stop Arguing Nate vs. Kevin.

by Spazzy Mcgee on Nov 17, 2008 6:21 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

We’ve needed one of those for awhile, no?

by BearsNecessity on Nov 17, 2008 6:22 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

lol...I could have done a JO:

Not much to report here. Tedford’s pleased with progress of receivers. He says everyone around Riley is young as well. Follett’s awesome. I hate covering Cal because I’m a closet ’furd fan. Blah blah blah.

The Maharg makes me look like an idiot.

by carp on Nov 17, 2008 6:24 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Some thoughts on OSU

I tried posting earlier, but it got vanished. How bout that. I’ll try and summarize this time.

1. Defense. They did everything to give us a chance to win. 21 OSU points were off either special teams (kickoff & punt return) or defense (late INT). They held OSU to 14. We scored 21 on O. There it is. My only complaint is giving up way too many 3rd and long conversions. Other teams must salivate if our D does well on 1st & 2nd down.

2. Offense. Inconsistent again across the board (except for the running game). OL: bad. Receivers: bad. QB: bad. And way way way too many 1st down plays going for 0 or negative yardage. We are not a good 3rd and long team.

3. Special Teams. Wow. Just horrible. Gave up 14 points and kept us perpetually in a long field. OSU seemed to start every stinking drive beyond their 35, while we almost never started outside our 15. This season has shown we are simply not a long drive offense. Starting inside our 15 is death.

What this means for the Big Game is some nervous stomachs.

Go Bears!

by SoCal Oski on Nov 17, 2008 6:27 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

This was a damn good post..

… especially your thoughts on Tedford. You’ve put into words exactly what I’ve been thinking. The people who (seriously) are considering getting rid of JT are being seriously short-sighted and, in my opinion, haven’t really taken the mitigating factors into account. It will be a dark day for Cal football if Tedford goes any time soon.

by Mister Pie on Nov 17, 2008 7:48 PM PST reply actions   0 recs

Seriously.

So, basically, you gotta Go Bears!

by ragnarok on Nov 17, 2008 8:26 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Mister Pie is totes for serial.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 17, 2008 8:31 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Mister Pie is serial about ManBearPig.

by sec119 on Nov 17, 2008 10:32 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

Half man, half bear, half Mister Pie.

Please disregard the above ramblings as those of a clearly delusional fan.

www.CaliforniaGoldenBlogs.com

by TwistNHook on Nov 17, 2008 10:39 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

cereal?

In other words, Go Bears!

by royrules22 on Nov 18, 2008 1:00 PM PST up reply actions   0 recs

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