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NFL.Com 14 Best College Coaches

168

This is pretty messed up

14. Mike Riley, Oregon State

Career record: 88-73
NFL draft picks the last five years: 9
In addition to being one of the best coaches in college football, you’d be hard pressed to find a nicer coach in the sport than Riley. He might not yell and scream like others on this list, but he’s a sharp offensive football mind and knows how to get the best out of players who often aren’t as talented as those they line up against. Plus, how many top-notch coaches ride their bike to work everyday?

Link

How I read this: he’s really nice to the media, and he rides his bike to work every day, so we want to rank him high.

I mean they do nothing to back the claim that he’s one of the best coaches (for example, have they seen his time management, inability to get the right players on the field, putting players at the wrong position, mismanaging timeouts, having won meaningful games, etc?). Sharp offensive football mind? Maybe 10-20 years ago that was true. The game has changed, and Riley is stuck in the 90s.

At least they’ve given me the blueprint on how to get AB voted best blog in America. (a) Smile like a lunatic (b) talk like I have a learning disability even though I don’t (c) bike to work (d) be nice. Really it’s the latter—the media has a raging boner for this guy just because he’s nice to them.

 

168 COMMENTS

    • I think this is another product of the overblown line that you cant recruit to OSU, so the writers think a break-even conference record at OSU is a great accomplishment.

      And I agree that the writers have to like a guy who basically …likes them and is so DARN nice.

  1. And coaching related:
    We were talking about Nall going MLB (or OLB?) instead of TE. But I think the disservice being done is putting James at DE instead of MLB. I know Banker is phasing out the MLB in most of his sets. But James is perfect for that position. And I think Barnett is a better DE. James is certainly capable and could be good at DE. But Barnett brings better leverage, and James can run side to side from the middle.

    • And for those of you wondering, I still love Clute. I just wish we would line up in a two back set with him as a slobber-knocker FB most of the time. His hands have shown to be suspect over the short middle. But let him hit people and catch that one pass in the flat for a first down or TD every now and then.

    • Ummm… okay?

      It’s not the kid is unknown… or even local.

      But I like the attitude. I think we need more of it. I always think of the certain UCLA hoopster who told the story about getting a letter from Denny Crum back in the day. It essentially said, “Keep your grades up so that you may have the honor of playing here at UCLA.”

    • I actually think that makes sense. The Cubs have some promising young guys coming up and they need to get them time. Barney is a great defender but his bat is terrible.

      • It is. But his glove is good. And I can’t imagine his locker room presence isn’t a plus.

        But it’s the Cubs. They have scapegoats, not championships.

        • Put it this way… if he was the only one batting 2 and change all time, would they be looking for another 2B?

          I’m not even going to bring up Sandberg, who obviously won them a whole bunch of championships.

          Oh… I guess I just did.

          • I mean if you have a stacked lineup he would be a good addition as a solid middle infielder. But the Cubs need to retool around their prospects and Barney is not a great fit for that.

          • I agree with the sentiment, but I tend to think the Cubs, if anyone, need Billy ball. I can point to at least six other position players they need to ditch before they need to ditch a solid infield glove.

            If they had a line-up that beat up pitchers, then he might be ripe for a change if they had a prospect who could field and lead as well. They might have that now, making my point moot. But they seriously need to shore up their management decisions for the typically power/producing positions first.

          • They’re playing Javier Baez at 2B in the minors, so he will be up soon. That is a big upgrade over Barney. They can bat Castro/Baez/Rizzo and suddenly have the makings of a lineup.

            Unfortunately Barney couldn’t hit. I’m surprised he lasted so long. A team will likely acquire him as a defensive replacement/pinch runner once rosters expand. Doubt he ever starts again, though. OBS under .600 is really really rough.

          • I agree with everything except that it’s the Cubs we’re talking about. I’m also surprised Barney made it this far. But he has value other than the bat. The Cubs as an organization seem to keep stop-gapping positions instead of making a team. I just don’t understand what the hell they’re doing being a major league organization. They’re in friggin Chicago. They should act like it instead of wanting to be some glorified AAA team.

            Oh… wait….

    • Honestly, I can’t see much beyond those parameters besides about eight or nine who have taken upgrade-type moves. So I guess #23 (+ about six or so for up-and-comers who are and will be forever better) is about right.

      So we can call it at #25-30? I know the last four years have been pretty brutal, but that seems to be about his ceiling.

    • “Football and basketball players don’t work any harder than anybody else; they just happen to have the blessing of an adoring public who is willing to pay for the tickets and willing to buy the products on television that come with the high visibility.”

      This is true.

      “We have both a legal obligation and a moral obligation to do for female student-athletes and male Olympic sports athletes just exactly what we do for football and basketball student-athletes. I don’t think it’s even debatable.”

      This is very far from true. In legal terms, Title IX only speaks to the opportunities available to each SA. The Supreme Court says that money is not a factor so long as there is equality at each school based on each school’s general population.

      Is there a moral obligation? Meh… that’s debatable. I don’t know of many SAs with even partial ships complaining about their lot in life. Come to think of it, I don’t know of many football players who complain about it either.

      If it comes down to pay, then tuition should be included.

      Sorry Stanford.

      • Interesting, re: SA and Title IX.

        Title IX applies to high school SA as well. Curious what you think about SA in high school? Should females have the same (or at least similar) opportunities, facilities, uniforms, transportation, etc?

        :::opening ramble door wide for Jack:::

  2. How many people (other than myself) on this site automatically skip over all of Jack’s posts. What sucks is his has about 90% of all the posts on this site. I guess we could all be like Jack if we had his life which I picture consists of living in mommy’s basement, sitting in a beanbag naked, eating Cheetos, with orange powder all over his tiny shriveled up penis.

    • If you have something to say, then say it. I only beat on people who call me out or say something out of bounds. Go down the list of people here. If I have called them out I say WHY I CALLED THEM OUT. If you can’t do the same, you’re failing in a big way. Be precise and be somewhat polite. We’re not exactly polite here, but polite is as polite does.

      • I guess I’m saying there are bigger and much better moves that organization can make in order to make themselves pretend to be professional. I would have no problem with this move if they were looking for the missing link. I would have no problem if it wasn’t the fifth best option on their board.

        I guess I’m a bit of a Cubs honk since they were on TV (WGN) all the time when I was a kid. I’m not a fan per se, but I do want them to be viable for the history and tradition of baseball.

  3. WAAAaaaay OT,…

    I went fishing for king salmon out of Port Townsend this past weekend. I only have a 14′ skiff…will eventually upgrade as financially prudent to do so. Anyway, I see signs for a salmon derby going on that weekend. But I think to myself, “what are the odds?!”

    First drop yielded a 29# chrome bright hen.

    When I came back in, the derby leader was a 19.5 pound fish.

    They all laughed at my no-derby-ticket plight as I weighed in my fish “just for fun.”

    The jackpot was only $1,000. Would have gone into the boat fund….guess I’ll be playing with my little dingy that much longer.

  4. This is the third night in a row we’ve dined on this beautiful fish! I’ll probably smoke up the rest, like I did with my daughters 15 pound king from last weekend.

    Its eggs are currently curing in the refrigerator, and will most likely be recycled into Cowlitz summer steel this weekend….haven’t decided on that or another round of PS King fishing.

  5. Just returned from a Brewers baseball game – rookie league – Max George was playing for the Grand Junction Rockies team. I saw him make two dazzling plays at shortstop – one of which initiated a double play. He then hit a home run during his next at bat – 2nd pitch.. He is not a very big guy – looks about 14 years old. Oh well.

    The majority of each team is made up of players from, I think, the Dominican Republic.

  6. Oh.. sorry… I thought you were almost funny for sec… tubesteak?

    Yeah.

    I can’t go with that. That makes absolutely zero sense. Am I supposed to go off on some rant about someone who can’t even get a joke right?

    Come on people! Even Ducks aren’t this Duckpid.

    Or maybe they are.

  7. Jack is getting as old as a sock that was worn during a 3 hour work out and lost somewhere in a dorm room causing the entire room to become musty smelling. Get new material and post less of your opinions.

    On another note, I’m actually ready for the season to begin!! Won’t be able to make it to the home opener due to a family wedding, and my brother flies out the day of the San Diego state game…so not sure if I’ll be going to that game either. :/ ah well!!

    • Please… do be precise.

      I want to know what old material I’m using. This is most important. Am I pretending to be a past OSU coach with a propensity to be dull and to just call out… umm… someone named Jack… as my last and only desperate trick?

      Yes… Jack’s schtick (my word… because none of you fucks would ever come up with such an elegant word) is just getting old. Woe is me!!! It’s just all about my tired eyes, me wanting to whine and my weak will. He is just so superior to me.

      Friggin bullshit all the same.

  8. So… let’s stop right now and take a tally.

    Let’s list everyone who has posted here. Let’s tally their topic/s. Let’s see who has actually been on topic.

    I haven’t yet looked. But I imagine it will be the same as just about every other “let’s pretend we can take on Jack” thread.

    Please just listen sometimes. (that sentence was oh so much more direct and oh so much more vulgar before I edited it… 30 seconds ago).

    Don’t be the stupid who proves me right.

  9. I am still interested in this tubesteak phenomenon.

    Please master Gobeavers92, please tell me what I can do to make this… what you say… tubesteak smothered in underwear… a reality.

    Please sir… You are the only one who can provide us with a goddamn explanation as to what the fuck that even means.

  10. What the hell people?

    Are you just going to take this?

    I can guarantee one thing. If you don’t populate your blog, someone else will do it for you.

    I just don’t know what to say right now. I’m pretty much embarrassed.

    So I will post under another name so as to not draw attention to me. That seems to be the overwhelming consensus for all the world’s problems. Maybe I’ll post under more than one name. But the point is that I won’t be me. I may be someone named gobeavs92 or someone named iluvbeavers.

    Come to think of it….

    Anyway… see if you can figure out who I am.

  11. I just flew in from Reno, and boy are my arms tired.

    I also wanted to say that Jack is a tool. He’s my tool. But let’s not go off on that. That’s for later.

    Tee hee. TOOL!

    I have a five dollar special related to my former position directing beavers… and other animals in cages.

  12. It’s incredible that you gloss over this “he’s a sharp offensive football mind and knows how to get the best out of players who often aren’t as talented as those they line up against.”

    I assume you disagree with this statement and you might further argue it by requesting facts to back it up. Each coach in that list got a blurb – they aren’t going to run a full analysis to support their claims.

    It’s a great thing for Oregon State that Mike Riley is so highly regarded in the industry. These sportswriters don’t have a bias for or against OSU so they see stuff you obviously do not. The Time Management issues that you point to often, the personnel decisions, losing games we should win – every fucking coach in the country probably has instances that can be pointed out by their fan base.

    You love Mike Leach but I can point to scenarios where if Mike Riley was the coach you would flip out – see their bowl game performance last year.

    Mike Riley is a really good football coach. Probably not the best in College Football, but the best Oregon State can get and actually retain. Plus he doesn’t appear to cheat. To say otherwise and attack his demeanor is pathetic.

    He has had us very close to making a Rose Bowl on two or three occasions. How many coaches in the PAC 12 can say that over the last 10 years?

    • The Rodgers brothers had OSU close to Rose Bowl, and Riley/BDC have been living off that since. Give Riley credit for recruiting/signing them (two of the rare, true “diamonds”) but Riley/Banker pissed away those opportunities with an “over-complicated defensive gameplan that required players to think too much,” which was again repeated in the EWU opener (according to Banker).

      • My fervent wish for the upcoming football season has nothing to do with the Oline, with playing in the Rose Bowl, not even hoping the Beavs defeat the first teams they play; rather, it is that the tv cameras are not going to zero in on Mark Banker doing charade-like gestures to the defense as though they 1) understand what the hell he’s doing and 2) it makes any difference.

    • That he’s a “sharp offensive football mind” isn’t really a great point. That you’re completely willing to call OSU players not good is interesting. The point is that when they are good or great, Mike Riley’s sharp offensive football mind starts to show. When they’re not, it doesn’t.

      It’s as simple as that.

      And that doesn’t even begin to touch on the defensive side… the side he played in college.

      Sportswriters do have a bias for and against OSU. They love the hell out of the coach and disrespect his team by saying it’s just not that good. There is a very real disconnect in that dichotomy. And when that disconnect runs up against impossible losses, people just disregard them as “everyone does it.” When the occasional impossible win occurs, then Mike Riley is the bee’s knees who can do so much with our pathetic team.

      He’s a decent coach. He’s probably better than that on the college level because being a good coach means being a great mentor is (or should be) valued more highly. Riley has “great person” written all over him. He does not “great coach” written anywhere on his person. Another part of being a good or great coach is drawing the talent to play for you. But apparently you think our athletes suck, and if not for the glorious coaching skills of Riley they would just be 28 years bad.

      We were close to making the RB on two occasions… not “or three.” David Shaw, Jim Mora and Todd Graham can claim the same close-but-no-cigar results over the past two years alone. Mark Helfrich will likely join that group this year. I believe you’re only talking about current Pac coaches with your last question, which makes the pool… umm… only Mike Riley beyond four years ago. But you can certainly answer with four or five more former coaches to your “how many” question.

      He is not the best we can get or retain. He is the best the current AD (and many boosters) CHOOSE to have and retain. There are better (few) and worse (many) out there for the same price point… hell, for less. But that price point is the rule that proves the exception. It’s rigidly in place only to support a fallacy. Just slide it up a little. Then we’ll see how smart that fallacy appears. Now slide it up like you really want to be a competitive player in college football. If you’re fine playing for also ran and accepting the annual gamut of excuses, then yes, we get what you think is acceptable. But don’t pretend that what is acceptable to you is in any way the best of anything. That’s not a high bar you’re setting there. You think we’re eating steak and take offense when people like angry says, “Yeah, you’re eating steak. But it’s not graded as choice, let alone prime. But yeah… you’re eating one big steak.”

      • OT… Jason or GWH… or whomever…

        Does anyone have a tried and true marinade for tough beef and/or game? I tend to leave the good stuff to a dry rub and a slow roast or quick sear. I have great go-to marinades for fish, chicken and pork. But, other than corning tough cuts, I don’t have and can’t really find a great overnight cure.

        • I should say that I like overnight cures. But if anyone has a four hour marinade coupled with an injection or something like that, I’m open to suggestions.

        • Injecting your marinade will provide a more even chew as opposed to marinading a tough steak for days which can lead to more of a mealy/mushy piece of meat. Salt in your marinade is what’s doing the tenderizing so experiment with your ratios. Ultimately you’ll never get a tough piece of meat to be super tender, just palatable. Also pounding your meat thin and making strips to grill fast can help, and cutting it against the grain to shorten the fibers too. All tricks of the trade which I’m sure you already know. If the flavor is off also then consider tossing the meat altogether, I mean who needs meat that is both tough and has lackluster flavor? You could also make it into sausage.
          Lastly, ask yourself why is the meat tough in the first place? My elk steaks have never been tough unless I’ve messed up in the cooking process. If my beef is tough then I find a new source.

          • Sausage is a good idea. I just end up with those leftover pieces after all the good cuts are eaten and wonder what to do. More often I end up experimenting with this and that, so that may be part of the problem.

            Yeah… made the mistake of forgetting a cut that was only supposed to be in a papaya based ade… until the next day. Blech. Also have used too much salt… juicy, but salty as hell.

            I’m talking about the tough cuts prior to treatment, not after cooking. I can always stew them low and slow or corn them for a week. But I’m wondering if there’s a way I can just take take them out of the ade and slap them on the grill for a perfect taste. I guess cutting/pounding them thin and going with the short marinade would be one way.

            Oooh! how about the pound/bread/deep-fry?

          • I have some great sausage mixes for offal involving a lot of herbs, spices and root veg. I wonder if that works for these cuts too… or maybe even mixed in.

          • A lot of those tougher odds and ends from my elk and deer will end up in cans. Salt and a couple garlic cloves…so good.

  13. Anybody want to play the prediction game? Or is it too early?

    Sat, Aug 30 Portland State Corvallis, OR -W (1-0)
    Sat, Sep 06 Hawai’i @ HI -W (2-0)
    Sat, Sep 20 San Diego State Corvallis, OR -W (3-0)
    Sat, Sep 27 USC @ USC -L (3-1) (USC has a bye leading up to this game, not that it would matter)
    Sat, Oct 04 Colorado @ CO -W (4-1)
    Thu, Oct 16 Utah Corvallis, OR -W (5-1)
    Sat, Oct 25 Stanford @STAN -W (6-1)
    Sat, Nov 01 California Corvallis, OR -W (7-1)
    Sat, Nov 08 Washington StateCorvallis, OR -W (8-1)
    Sat, Nov 15 Arizona State Corvallis, OR -W (9-1) (ASU Plays big Notre Dame game the week before-hoping they blow their wad that week)
    Sat, Nov 22 Washington @UW -L (9-2)
    Sat, Nov 29 Oregon Corvallis, OR -W (10-2)
    Pac-12 Championship Levi Stadium -L (10-3)

    I always am optimistic before the season starts, but in reality, you can probably tack on 2-3 more losses and remove that Pac-12 Championship game. It’s not a terrible schedule though, other than the USC and UW games being on the road. But I don’t think home field would have factored in those games anyway (it didn’t last year), so might as well play them on the road.

    • All hinges on the OL health but I can see the season going that way. Being so senior heavy and hopefully the addition of Garrett and his “Energetic Attention to Detail” helps prevent those stupid slip ups. I’ve felt 2014 would be the year since Mannion took over 4 years ago. If Riley eeeever gets a Pac 12 championship it’s now or never. I think this is the year they beat the holes. Maybe lose to USC at the Coliseum and then get redemption beating them in the PAC 12 champions?

      • I had those same thoughts a couple years ago, but I was also not anticipating Cooks or Crichton leaving early. With those two missing I have a hard time seeing this being the year we win the Conference.

        • Totally agree on the loss of those 2 and how it tempers the optimism a bit. I always start off overly optimistic anyway. The things that push expectations back up for me is:
          1) I think we’ll have the saltiest D we’ve had since that #1 rush defense
          2) I think we have the best overall talent on the OL we’ve had in years (IF they can stay healthy.)
          3) With Brennan, Brasfield, Perry, and now the addition of Garrett I think coaching has slowly upgraded year by year. And all the rhetoric about Garrett’s attention to detail, new perspective, and mostly it seems he’s really helped Mannion speed up his footwork and mechanics to slow the game down for him…

          Now or never

          • All very good points, but I also know I’m overly optimistic before that one game every year where we just don’t bring effort. We have the QB. We have an OL that can play (IF they can stay healthy). We have a stable of backs who can run. The TEs are solid verging on great. And I never worry about WRs. The back seven on D is experienced, and the front line has some girth and athleticism for once.

            I should expect 10 wins from this team… including the bowl. I want more, but like everyone else, I’m probably off by a count of two and knwo it from past experiences.

    • I think (and sincerely hope) we beat the Huskies this year. After last year’s dumpster fire, you gotta think we’ll be showing up with a serious chip on our collective shoulders.

      Re: Oregon- I think the absence of Kelly gives us a small chance, now and moving forward. We were close last year, but Crichton was absolutely huge in that game, putting the pressure on Mariota. Highly doubtful we get pressure like that this yr. The Ducks also sold out to cover Cooks, and seemed baffled that we had RBs on the roster. I’m not hopeful, especially with that CB of theirs coming back. Seriously…Crichton leaves early despite a serious shot at improving his stock and cashing out, and the Ducks have a possible 1st-overall pick decide to come back. (Not to mention Mariota). Luck o’ the Beavs.

      It’s been a long time since we’ve beaten Stanford. I predict a tough, close game. Think we can pull it out though- only if we avoid coaching fails.

      Arizona State will be very tough this year. In addition to the Notre Dame game the week prior, we also have the benefit of homefield – weather – advantage. A frigid, hopefully rainy mid-November game could be a big benefit vs the Arizona kids. Still have a bad feeling about that game though.

      I’m also optimistic, but less so. Very tough conference this year IMO, though we benefit greatly by missing UCLA and AZ.

      9-3, no P12 champ game.

    • Portland State W
      Hawai’i W
      San Diego State W
      USC L
      Colorado W
      Utah W
      Stanford L
      California W
      Washington State W
      Arizona State L
      Washington L
      Oregon L

      7-5 and go to the Kraft Emerald Nut Fight Las Vegas Sun Bowl

  14. Not sure how the offense will look this season. The OL still looks like a question mark. But my main point of contension is with the Receiving corp. I just don’t see the depth there nor the production. We are small at wideout, and I question the durability along with its skill. Hamlett was freed up alot by the coverages paying attention to the wideouts, and this year they can roll coverages to him without having to double any wideouts. The running game is same as its been the last few years, unless a Brown and Haskiens can beast it out.

    Tell me how you see the offense this year, where will the production come from?

    • I think the biggest problem with our run game last year was playcalling…

      We really need Mullaney and Bolden to step up.

      But – barring major O-line injuries- I would expect a pretty strong run game this year. We should use a lot of double TE sets to get Hamlett and Smith on the field together. Might be interesting to have some 2 RB packages, with one of the RBs (probably Woods or Brown) getting more involved in the passing game.

      • Regarding O-line injuries, it seems the slow drip of info has started, “Frankly, I’m worried about our offensive line,” Riley said. “Our offensive line with our five starters, we could be really good … But we’ve got three of those starters that have had injury deals (recently)” and this about Isaac, “… I anticipate him being ready. I would think he might be ready for the first game, but maybe not.”

        Very hard for me to understand how this injury with Isaac has drug out so long that there is no certainty one way or the other of his availability…….even for just the first few games. Luck ‘o the Beavs? Poor diagnosis/treatment? A gamble on treatment regime which went bad? Who knows.

        http://www.oregonlive.com/beavers/index.ssf/2014/07/oregon_state_offensive_lineman.html

        As to two TE sets and the use of two RB’s, I’m with you alex. While Woods may be the better receiver, for straight “ground pounding” I lean toward Ward and maybe one of the newer guys.

        • Injury deals? That’s a new one

          Regarding Isaac, I agree it’s a little unnerving to hear uncertainty about when he’ll be available, because those situations rarely work out in the “best case scenario” category. At least I don’t think it should hurt the team too much to miss him vs Portland State. We should be able to survive Hawaii also, so hopefully, if he needs extra time to rest, at least it will give reps to other guys on the line to build some depth for later in the year.

          Either way, with Issac being one of the captains and top players on the team, we really can’t afford to miss him for long

        • He also mentioned Bays might not be ready for camp. Also Mitchell is on the mend. I don’t know if our depth there is good enough to overcome those injuries.

          But most of all I have no confidence in the receivers. Mullaney is serviceable, but he might have to be a Hass, and I am not sure he is durable enough, his production fell off the table last season with his turf toe. I am not sold on Bolden. I don’t see the separation or the breakaway speed, nor do I see him having big YAC. I think the one guy that could save them is Villamin, but he hasn’t even gone through a whole year of practicing.

          • I think the WRs will be fine if not outstanding as a whole. Remember we also have Jarmon and Gilmore. And if none of those guys produce, I think Guyton will be big time as quickly as a frosh. He has some seriously scary talent to go along with great size.

          • We also have Rahmel Dockery in the mix. Not sure if he’s the type of guy to come in amd challenge for playing time his first year in a new system though. I dont thnk he ever actually played for Leach during his WSU time

          • Just watched his highlight reel too. Wow, that kid is fast. Wonder if being away from the field for a couple years has helped him prepare for college ball or if he’ll take a step back? You’re right though, he looks like a game changer in return situations. I didn’t like what I saw from Bolden last year and wouldn’t mind a new look so he can focus on being a receiver.

          • Yes I like Jarmon, hopefully he will be reliable. However, I am not sold on Gilmore who I see as a Cummins clone. Maybe he will be productive by the time he is a Senior? But all these kids are small and I wonder about the durability of the position, which in turn effects the the production.

      • I agree the playcalling was admittedly poor. Riley said he gave up on the run way too early, and was blinded by Manion’s fast start. The fact that he was too stubburn to call more run plays makes me nervous.

        • I think Mannion will play well, and the RB stable has the best depth in years, perhaps ever under Riley. I don’t think it has the top end talent (Jackson, Quizz) but it has the depth and should produce 1,200+ easily if OLine stays healthy. Will Mannion have to dink and dunk to TE’s? Will Jarmon or Villamin become a deep ball revelation later in the season? That will be important to presenting a balanced attack in the back end of a difficult schedule.

          Somedoby at Pure Orange predicted this offense could be like the 2009 offense with Canfield, and I think that’s possible. Combined, Ward/Woods/Brown should be able to match Quizz’s production or close to it to compliment the passing game.

          I think DTs will play well – Grimble boosts line and its the most effective it’s been in years, oh but for Chricton to still be here….I think DTs are going to create opportunities that DEs may not quite be capable of capitalizing on in the way Chricton could have.

          CBs should play relatively well

  15. The fly sweep was not invented by Riley. He does know one style of offense but he is not innovative, not much for adjusting, and poor at time management. Riley and genius do not belong in the same sentence. He is very much like Steve Marriuci with a strength of building self confidence in quarterbacks. Nice guy. Decent guy. Good character guy. Delegater. Schmoozer. Antileader.

    • On my way home from work tonight i listened to the local sports radio guys (1080thefan) interview coach Graham from ASU. It was my first time really hearing him speak and I came away totally impressed. He takjd about his program improving every year and how theyre not happy anymore with a 6-7 win season. Their goal is to win the conference and just finishing over .500 isnt good enough if you want to keep your job in this league. You need to produce wins now amd coaches dont get a 4-5 year window to prove themselves worthy anymore, and they shouldnt. He also talked about there being too many lower tier bowls in college football. He then talked about mistakes he made last year, complicating his team defensive strategy prior to the pac 12 championship with Stanford, and how he now realizes he should have just kept it simple and let his players play their game. Basically everything he talked about was contrary to the Riley philosophy we’ve adopted at OSU. He seemed like the type of coach I could get behind as a fan. I really like his no excuses approach.

      • Yeah I thought Graham was a big douche when ASU made that hire, knowing nothing about him accept for being the chronic big promise guy who moves out in the middle of the nigh without telling anyone as soon as a new offer presents itself.

        But as soon as he got in there he immediately hammered in a discipline and academics first mantra. Transformed Erickson’s standard “It’ll take some dirt bags who’ll serve some time in the offseason, but we’ll win some football games” team into a higher character, more workman like group. Not that it matters as I’m just some punk behind a keyboard, but I was wrong and he’s earned some respect from me.

      • All of Jacks posts basically start out at -2. I think it drove him nuts for a second but he’s accepted it and now just doesn’t pay attention. Silliness and tomfoolery

      • imho – someone (I have no idea how – you geeks probably do) sets up a query that automatically sends a -1 to Jack’s postings.If anybody cares,a good test would be for him to post nothing in the text box at 2 a.m., (not an unusual time for him) and see what happens. This was also noticeable last year when anyone dissed BDC – which was often, a -1 came up almost immediately.

        • Not sure a test is needed, I just counted 8 entries by Jack which received ZERO votes either way, went back only to 7-23 at 2:25pm.

    • Dammit Jack…..I look forward to buying Phil Steele’s magazine every summer, but after reading this it’s pointless. I was getting tired of Phil’s endless recycling anyway…..I think most of us know by now that the Beavers ended their season losing streak in 1999,

  16. RAISE THE BAR OREGON STATE!!! Tired of 7 win seasons being fine. Tired of BDC never stating a 5 year plan to reach an upper echelon. Too much content with mild mannered ways and making mediocre or worse bowls. Let’s win with passion and get and stay in the Top 25 as a constant baseline for the program and breakthrough to that BCS Bowl level in the the new playoff era. Have a plam to draw more high quality recruits. Get adamant about taking that next step NOW. Don’t see it happening to be jonrst under BDC so I think he needs to be replaced with new blood that is hungry and different. Riley does not need and should not get extensions for less than 8 wins. Update the contract with very good pay for 9+ wins and no extension shy of 8. It can be win-win and is what OSU needs to not be fine with average or mediocre results. Set a target, reward it and don”t make two or more losses short of that come off as practically as good. It is not and that is why we spend so many years trying to take a tangible step forward. Coming close isn’t enough for expectations every year. Take a bite and relish taking that next step forward.

  17. On Eric Moreland’s twitter today. Props to him for overcoming the odds and finding an NBA team as an undrafted rookie. Not sure if this means he’s a Sacramento King? Probably has to wait until the team announces it before he says. Kings fans seem to universally want him on the team though.

    “Eric ?oreland ?@EricMoreland15

    Great news!! I’ve chosen my NBA home.. It’s truly a blessing and all glory to God! Thank you lord!!!”

    https://twitter.com/EricMoreland15/status/492807607774478337

    • I almost posted that the other day, great to see. There’s some good competition down there, Kenny Stills, and Ruthers WR Coleman who’s 6’6″. Colston shoudl still be an effective player (remember he came same time as Hass and is probably one reason Hass didn’t stick with the team. Seems like a long time ago.) I have not doubt Brandon will compete well, and Brees should be smiling this season with Grahm, Stills, Colston, Cooks…..such a great opportunity for Cooks. Brees is nowhere near retirement and Brandon could have several productive years there with playoff experience, and leverage in his next contract.

    • Also great to see this note:

      “Cornerback Champ Bailey and linebacker Victor Butler received the majority of the first-team snaps during walkthroughs and team drills. This could be altered throughout camp, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see these two ultimately landing as the starters.”

      Could be three Beavers starting at some point this season at CB, LB, and WR.

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