This is the open thread for tonight's Monday Night Football matchup featuring DeSean and the Iggles taking on Andre Carter and Washington.
Now, to the stories of the day. JO has some post-game quotes from players and coaches. While defense was one major topic (particularly the 4-3 package run several times), another was the Wildcat. Tedford, Vereen, and Best all had things to say about what they'd like to see in future variants of the play.
Tedford:
On the Wildcat formation
It’s a combined effort with everyone. We’re going to go in with some part of it every game. It’s in our package. The players do really like it. I heard Shane and Jahvid are starting to come in saying, "Let’s do this, let’s do that." They enjoy it. It’s fun. It spreads people out. We’re not going to live on it by any means. But it’s part of the offense that we’re always going to carry in some way, shape or form.
On what the team does with the Wildcat
There’s a lot of different parts to it. We probably ran three different parts of it today. It depends on what you’re looking for out of it, if you’re looking for misdirection, if you’re looking to spread the field, if you’re looking to get guys out of the box. Every week, we do something a little different with it. But Shane and Jahvid both have a real good feel for it back there. You utilize it for a lot of different reasons.
Vereen:
On what he would do with the Wildcat formation
It would be crazy. I know it would work, though. I’d probably throw in there a little more pass plays for us, maybe a couple options, zone reads. You never know. We could do a lot of stuff.
On the Wildcat formation making it hard on opposing defensesMe and Jahvid are the main running force, especially when he gets the ball, they’re on their toes, ready to go. And then when we throw something at them that they’re not ready for or pound them with the downhill game, it definitely keeps them on their heels and keeps them honest.
Best:
On what he would do with the Wildcat formation
I’d definitely add some kind of option with me and Shane.
On whether he would like to throw out of the Wildcat
Shane’s the thrower. He can do all the throwing.On why the Wildcat is effective
We got Isi out there and they have to honor the sweep with Isi. And if they don’t, then we still burn it down the sideline with that. So it just keeps the defenses honest.
After the jump I have tv coverage info for Cal-OSU, injury updates, Pac-10 power rankings, the rest of the weekend in Cal sports and more.
- Cal-OSU will kick off at 4pm and be broadcast on CSNBA and Fox Sports.
- JO's Sunday night update has some injury updates: Derrick Hill is day-to-day and D'Amato is healing up, meaning the kicking duties will be open for competition this week.
- Cal is fifth in Ted Miller's Pac-10 power rankings.
- Daily Cal on how missed tackles cost the Bears on defense against WSU. Derrick Hill was thrilled when Cal switched to the 4-3 to get more one-on-one matchups against Wazzu's O-line. Daily Cal has more on the inconsistent play by the defense.
- No. 15 women's volleyball took care of business this weekend, taking down no. 16 Arizona in four sets and sweeping ASU.
- Rough weekend for no. 20/25 men's soccer: after losing to both UCLA and SDSU last weekend, they again fall to no. 2 UCLA 1-0 and suffer a 2-0 loss to SDSU.
- No. 23 women's soccer didn't fare much better: they fell to Washington 1-0 and lost 2-1 in OT to no. 20 WSU.
- No. 2 men's water polo comes back from a 6-5 deficit to defeat no. 5 Pepperdine 13-7.
- Women's field hockey wraps up its season with a 5-3 victory over UC Davis.