1. Moving Frahm to the inside is a positive. Many of us thought he should have been a tackle from the start. This is another instance where the staff was proven wrong. Do I think Frahm will be a major player inside? No. But I do think he can play a bit part as a backup and maybe contribute five serviceable plays per game.
2. Wheaton has come on strong and secured the split end job barring injury. This is a good thing. His emergence takes the offense from serviceable/good to the next level, possibly even potent if Katz can orchestrate it.
3. The wide receivers, as a group, are the strongest part of this team. I’d like the Beavers to take advantage of that by incorporating more 3, 4, and even 5 WR sets. Why not go with an attack spread through the air and play to your strongest attribute? Langsdorf and Riley have changed with the times (e.g. incorporating the fly sweep, wildcat, etc), but they always seem reluctant and conservative in their implementation. It makes me think we won’t see many interesting WR sets, but we should, so long as Katz can run it without being overwhelmed. Knowing your roster and playing to strength is an excellent way to overcome deficiencies, while remaining stubborn and true to a (somewhat outdated) “pro offense” that chains some of your best athletes to the sidelines greatly benefits the opposition.
4. The offensive line, for the second year in a row, is the major concern. You should be worried about the names we’re hearing of late: McAndrews, Ellis, and Lamb are being mentioned as possible starters, and that portends bad fortune ahead. Thank God it’s April. There is still enough time for the universe to align properly.
5. The starting defensive line is good, but depth is an issue. Devin Kell is garbage and currently fighting a fellow maladroit in Andrew Seumalo for the backup left defensive end position. John Braun is the backup right end. He has some ability and should be moved to left end should anything happen to Miller. We simply cannot have Devin Kell or Andrew Seumalo on the field at any point in their tenure at OSU. People will say that is harsh. Well, if it’s any consolation, I’d be equally harsh on myself if I were trying out for DE. I’d simply accept that some people are not meant to play the sport and go home–these two should do the same.
6. McCants–For the 3rd spring in a row we’ve heard the raves. Ha ha. Come on, I am not falling for this again. While I do concur the man has shown glimpses, until he is performing at a high level/on a regular basis and in real games I am not going to take the bait. Under the bright lights, this guy crumbles like feta on a Greek salad. Still can’t help but chuckle when I think of the Steven Jackson comparisons…
7. Word is that Hekker is kicking the ball well. I sure hope so. The ire of this blog on many occasions, my wrists could use the rest and my liver could do without the gin and tonic.
8. Took eight bullets to get to the “QB Battle”–I think that says it all, right? Katz is the starter, so please beat writers, let this die.
9. On a positive note, I’ve come around a little bit on the Ungas. I thought they weren’t good enough to make a DI roster, but I concede the point; they’re good enough to be third string.
10. They don’t go into effect until 2011, but I’m already worried about the new rules regarding the wedge formation and taunting and how they are going to screw us in (a) games where we play powers like TCU, USC, etc, and (b) away OOC games (e.g. phantom PI call on Laybourn at Utah).
As always, feel free to discuss anything football related in the comment section.
I’m in agreement on the 4 and 5 wr sets. You HAVE to take advantage of your stregths – field James Rodgers, Markus Wheaton, Bishop, Gwacham, et al, and SOMEBODY’s going to be open. Every completion doesn’t have to be a down field bomb, just several yards, with the team moving in a fast rhytym. That would be difficult to stop. Put Quizz in a slot. Roll out Katz. Do an entire series this way, with no huddle. Christ, that would be a challenge for any pac-10 team to defend.
I think Wheaton is going to take a starting spot before mid-season, which is something for this conservative coaching staff. But he’ll earn it, and it will pay off.
I’m concerned about both lines, the O-line more so. But for the D line switchers, I’m really skeptical. Frahm’s better off there, but will get overpowered on most plays. Take a bunch of ineffective players and move them to your D-line? The coaching stall sells it like its taking advantage of players greatest strengths for the team, but watch – the players won’t be effective, and not the coaching staff won’t do that with WR sets….
I think McCant’s WILL improve this year. He wont’ be an every down back, because nobody will take major carries from Quizz, but he’ll provide some nice support, and some effective running – think whathisname from the 2006 USC victory who ran for an even 100 yards when Bernard was out.
I hope to god they’ll let Hekker throw some passes out of punt formation this year. ST has gotten stale, especially when you have former Qb/athletes like Hekker and Poyer (who does KO returns and could throw a pass to James Rodgers on the opposite side of the field on a return). The “pro” mindset extends to conservatism on special teams in my opinion. This is college ball, and you have a few guys with some unique ability – use them for chrissakes.
Regarding the WR sets, that is the style I am envisioning. A lot like the Patriots, who last I checked were a “pro” team. Why not run that?
Clinton Polk is the guy you’re thinking of. I liked him. Not the most talented guy but got the job done when called upon and seemed like a nice fellow.
The strange thing about Hekker…the Beavs last fake punt/throw was in 2006 versus Boise State. Loomis threw it. Then they get an actually QB back there and they don’t throw? It’s just odd.
Our wide receivers are going to be really good, and to think on top of those guys you also have halahuni and reese both of whom can catch the ball, and halahuni is tough to take down.
I to am a little conserned with our oline and depth at dline, but I think when Phillip comes around that will help out a lot only looking for 1 guy to fill the rg spot from last year with all the experience everywhere else.
Dline depth is going to be a slight issue, but I am willing to bet we have the 1 defense against the run regardless, because our defense schemes so much to stop that, I just hope dends can get to the quarterback which should be better than last year.
My questions for you guys are how is molesi and Fred thompson going to impact this team? Do you see them getting time? The only other player I see coming in getting time this season is Akuna, which I can’t wait to see how he fits with our d.
Also, with this years recruiting going on what would you like to see us pick up? Me personally I would think tackle/big athletic lineman should be #1 priority followed by defensive end and everything from there kinda equal, wherever the best athletes are that have interest in playing here. Whats your opinion?
1. “How is molesi and Fred thompson going to impact this team?”
Love them both, and think both are all conference before their careers are over. Molesi might go on a mission, in which case he becomes a crapshoot.
2. “With this years recruiting going on what would you like to see us pick up?”
An elite corner would be a nice, pardon the pun, cornerstone.
After that, defensive end, a Center, and we have to start thinking about a legit replacement for Quiz.
Ban on wedge blocking goes into effect this year.
It seems like every year we are one piece of the puzzle away from being really good. This year there are several question marks, with the biggest being: OLINE. I’m tentatively opptimistic about our young/inexperience LB core. DLine will be just fine, I think.
I’ll have to see RM in action to believe the hype…he was ridiculously ineffective most times he touched the ball.
Good post Angry.
“It seems like every year we are one piece of the puzzle away from being really good.”
I don’t think it “seems” it; it’s a definite thing.
1. I’ll believe it when I see it, but it sounds really good so far.
2. I’ve always thought Wheaton would be the split. Now I think he’s going to be a star.
3. We have the best flanker in the Pac 10, and I think our split and slot (and depth) are going to vie for the best also.
4. The names I’m starting to hear are Kelly, Pohl and Lyons. The only reason I hear Wilder and Timi mentioned is because Philipp is out.
5. Maladroit is a bad word because it speaks to character. Square pegs would be a better description since they’re just filling a hole they probably won’t fill. I expect Glover to make a mark when he gets here. Mana Rosa would be a huge disappointment to me if he doesn’t see the field this year. He is such an outstanding physical specimen that his talent would just be wasted.
6. I’ll believe it when I see it. I’ll hope for the best and expect the worst.
7. He’s a punter. I think we need to recruit one next year.
8. I never had any doubt. Now Riley’s making noise like even Lomax will pass Lalich on the depth chart. I doubt that will happen, but the talk of Vaz surpassing Lalich has shifted to this latest chatter.
9. I like Uani. I’m still not sold on Feti.
10. I don’t think we’ll be affected by the new rules. We’ll get screwed by others.
Wow, Cal the only Pac-10 team represented in the 1st round. USC…the mighty are falling. Can’t wait for these Kiffin years…
I worry about depth on the O-line but our first string won’t be terrible, the problem is that they won’t be great. I agree about the strength of our WR’s but our unremarkable o-line play will mean that Katz will be pressured and have to make solid decisions during those moments. We all know that QB’s struggle during the first year in Riley offense, expect X amount of TD’s and X+2 amount of INT’s. I fear that we will not be able to effectively get the ball to our WR’s and resort to short passes making it even harder to read for our QB when opposing defenses creep up. The next step will be the bubble pass 5-10 times per game like in 2007, rendering it ineffective.
I think Wheaton needs to start over Catchings and will the whole season. Wheaton is so much better and doesn’t have a problem with drops, how ironic is it that a guy with a drop problem is named Catchings.
The D-line is a place of worry more so than LB. I think LB will work itself out as the season progresses but the D-line is frightening. I think that the Frahm move is actually an awesome move. His speed inside while Paea draws a double/triple team will cause problems (this from a guy who hated Frahm last year). I hope that the Glover guy can contribute if not we have no one to play one DE spot but Gabe Miller will turn out awesome.
McCants will improve but won’t be a magical player. I would be happy if his performance is 300-400 yards with a 3.5 YPC avg. That said, he better be a bruiser who pounds guys in the mouth, it will make Quizz that much better.
The rule changes will be interesting to watch, not sure how it will affect the Beavs but the crap-10 refs will find a way to royally screw it up during at least one game.
“I fear that we will not be able to effectively get the ball to our WR’s and resort to short passes making it even harder to read for our QB when opposing defenses creep up. The next step will be the bubble pass 5-10 times per game like in 2007, rendering it ineffective.”
This is a great point and a very real possibility. A lot of dump passes the past few years…
Nice, Oregon State gets to beat up on Notre Dame again!
Moore is so so much better than Claussen.
Ha ha, Cory Chavous talking about Pankey’s terrible angle on Gerhart. Classic.
He would know. He became a safety because of bad angles.
McCants reminds me of Ryan Cole part deux. Amazing physical specimen, terrible upright runner. I do not think there is a specific play in the OSU playbook that calls for a 230 pound back to run into the backs of his own lineman and fall down, but McCants and Cole both perfected it. I believe McCants has more fumbles in career than Jacquizz on about 1000 fewer carries. Hey, I can will go for the McCants hype he if can just get 8 touches in a game, gain about 40 yards and not fumble the ball!
This talk of McAndrews starting at tackle has me frightened. He’s played what, 2 downs in 3 years? Took 20k in scholarship money to do it. UGH. Anyone familiar with the concept of “opportunity cost” will understand how much this player has set the program back.
Riley’s comment:
“We want to get our five best players out there,” Riley said. “We are not unhappy with those guards. But you have to throw the work of the guards in with the work Wilder is doing. We’ll be throwing this around for a while before we make a decision. We are very impressed with Wilder. He’s the guy we always thought he would be.”
So, it’s not a done deal, but it sounds close.
McAndrews has been beaten on the edge by Taylor Henry the entire spring. Last year the ends got him all spring as well before he went down with what seemed like his tenth wrist injury.
To make matters worse, if McAndrews starts that will mean three of our five offensive linemen are walk-ons. What is with the patch work? Can we please get some well-groomed scholarship players in here? Is this really the best we can do after 37 wins over 4 years?
“Angry, the recruits will come once we win consistently.”
Oh really?
Then why is Wilder McAndrews being mentioned as a starter!? Either Groom Enger and fast, or put Pohl at guard and move Philipp to tackle.
This is the kind of stuff that makes me rage and think this coaching staff are a bunch of ass clowns.
You have to wonder what Jesse Severson is watching:
“Bishop, a 6-foot-3, 199-pounder from West Salem, caught 13 passes and started four games last season and provides athleticism and good hands, which seems to be a major theme among this group of WRs.”
Good hands is the exact opposite of what Bishop brings…he’s inconsistent in catching the ball. That is is one and major drawback.
http://media.barometer.orst.edu/media/storage/paper854/news/2010/04/28/Sports/Spring.Football.Wideouts-3913957.shtml
The OSU media is so bad. I read a blog today by a major publisher that had at a minimum five typos in it.