It's easy to sit back in one's chair and scream, "Hardin should be able to cover Austin Pettis!" We base these beliefs off watching other games. We see the ease with which Oregon, Alabama, and even lesser teams like Arizona State play defense. But the fact remains, Hardin couldn't cover Pettis, nor could he tackle the Kellen Moore on a CB blitz, nor could he cover anyone against TCU. Okay, so that is the problem. What is the solution?
The same is true with the staff. We all see that Banker can't scheme for running QBs. Problem: obvious. What is the solution? How do we get rid of Mark Banker and get someone better? Or, how do we as fans make Mark Banker see the light? The guy is such a stubborn dinosaur that he'll play 11 Brandon Hardins before listening to fans' ideas. And let's once and for all debunk the notion that the Beavers shouldn't fire Banker because the successor could be worse. Talk about illogical and conveniently negative thinking–should a battered woman stay with her husband because the guy she dates next might hit her harder? Come on already.
And what about this recruiting problem? Recruiting is the heart of any program, so as a fan is it fair or even accurate to sit back and say, "4 star talent doesn't want to come to Corvallis" and remove all blame from the head coach? Is a fan (and media, who are huge culprits in this) who falls in love with the walk-on-success story doing their team justice? The problem here is obvious, but what is the solution?
What about the attitude of the team? Boise State and Oregon State get the same player, yet they don't get near the same results. That attitude trickles down from the head coach. Look at the numbers below. I compiled the ever-controversial "star" argument for OSU and Boise State's starters.
Offense:
| Player | Star Rating | Player2 | Star Rating2 |
| Ryan Katz | 3 | Kellen Moore | 3 |
| Jacquizz Rodgers | 3 | Doug Martin | 2 |
| James Rodgers | 2 | Austin Pettis | 3 |
| Aaron Nichols | 0 | Titus Young | 3 |
| Joe Halahuni | 3 | Tyler Shoemaker | 2 |
| Brady Camp | 2 | Tommy Gallarda | 2 |
| Michael Phillipp | 4 | Faraji Wright | 2 |
| Mike Remmers | 0 | Brenel Myers | 2 |
| Grant Johnson | 0 | Nate Potter | 2 |
| Burke Ellis | 0 | Will Lawrence | 2 |
| Alex Linnenkohl | 3 | Thomas Byrd | 2 |
| Average Star Rating | 1.82 | Average Star Rating | 2.27 |
Defense:
| Gabe Miller (DE) | 4 | Ryan Winterswyk (DE) | 0 |
| Stephen Paea (DT) | 3 | Billy Winn (DT) | 3 |
| Brennan Olander (DT) | 0 | Chase Baker (DT) | 2 |
| Taylor Henry (DE) | 2 | Shea McClellin (DE) | 0 |
| Keith Pankey (LB) | 3 | Byron Hout (LB) | 3 |
| Tony Wilson (LB) | 2 | Aaron Tevis (LB) | 2 |
| Dwight Roberson (LB) | 3 | Jamar Taylor (CB) | 3 |
| James Dockery (CB) | 3 | Winston Venable (NB/LB) | 2 |
| Brandon Hardin (CB) | 2 | Brandyn Thompson (CB) | 2 |
| Lance Mitchell | 3 | Jeron Johnson (S) | 2 |
| Suaesi Tuimaunei | 2 | George Iloka (S) | 2 |
| Average Star Rating | 2.45 | Average Star Rating | 1.91 |
That's a 2.14 to 2.09 overall roster average. What does this data say to you? To me it says we have the same talent as Boise State, and shouldn't get absolutely man-handled. It says the problem is attitude, will, and all the intangibles that come from mental fortitude. Riley understands these things exist as he talks about them, but he doesn't know how to implement the mindset. That is the problem. But what is the solution? How do I as a Beaver fan get a sports psychologist hired on this staff? Preferably one who can recruit. I jest.
As fans all we can do is truthfully write about and discuss the problems and try to put pressure and criticism where it is due. But fans cannot even agree to do that. While this blog is active, it's overall sentiment is a voice in the wilderness compared to mainstream Beaver fans' thought. The average fan is content with a fifth tier bowl game, moral victories, and heart-warming walk-on success stories. And that brings up my final question: why are the majority of fans content with mediocrity, determined to see the light in disappointing situations, and willing to glorify sub par effort, talent, etc? Probably because they have self-worth tied to the product coupled with being unable to get over some losing streak from 15 years ago. That's the problem, but how do we change that mindset when human nature tells us that pointing out flaws only makes people more resistant to change.
These are trying times. The Beavers failed in the spotlight yet again, and I'm left reading the same old optimist sentiment stating that this is the norm and things will change. When?
Preach on, brother.
We hear so much about how Peterson is a classy guy who holds his team to very high standards of conduct…and yet year in year out they end up looking like a Dennis Erickson-couched Miami team. Ask Oregon about Boise State cheap shots. What’s the deal? Is that just some PR garbage?
Officiating was terrible- and YES we did get a touchdown off of two penalties that didn’t look flagrant…but those were just compensation for the horrendous penalties that weren’t called. And the beauty of make-up penalties is it gives Boise State or other biased observers grounds to claim that “there were bad calls on both sides, so it was fair.”
Hardin needs to get better acquainted with the bench…so does Robinson.
We need to run Jacquizz around the corner way more often. What happened to those screen passes to Quizz on the corner that we ran every other play last year?? Yes we ran them too much last year, but we could desperately use some of those now. Up the middle again and again and again just isn’t cutting it.
COULD NOT AGREE MORE!!! BANKER NEEDS TO TENDER HIS RESIGNATION!! It is all about attitude. The Beavers are WAY too PASSIVE. ASU was stopping UO plenty last night. Made them punt frequently and often even early in drives. It IS about attitude. Both UO and ASU were playing DELERIOUSLY last night and that is a GOOD thing. Lewis of ASU I belive is a rookie and he was running like a man possessed. Compare this to Wheaton who seems like he could be capable but may be a little afraid of contact because the coaches rarely call his number. I belive we would be much more efefctive in our running game against good competition if we ran the Wild Beaver much more often. Wheaton is headed one way and quickly and whether we fake to him and Quizz keeps or Wheaton gets it I believe we almost always pick up atleast a few yards on these plays and sometimes 8, 10, or 14 yards. Instead we do the same Quizz is stuck behind blockers and can barely get his feet going before tacklers arrive. Katz still tries TOO MANY deep balls that are little more than prayers and KILL drives. Instead he should look for alot more 10-12 yard routes and if it isn’t there immediately then dump to Quizz for 2-3 yards and 6 or 7 or so if he breaks a tackle or two. Katz has awful 3rd down conversion and awful completion percentage (averaging about 40% percent). Riley needs to do whatever it takes to get this close to 60% and we can win hopefully the majority of our remaining games. But if it stays at 55% or lower we will lose the majority of our remaining games. Banker and Riley both don’t seem to be good “electrifiers” of their players or good at bringing out more leaders on the team that are fired up and getting the team in a unison that is dynamic. Banker needs to go ASAP because he has not produced anywhere near a good defense. I believe almost anyone would be better at this point. I don’t think contracting Riley through 2019 was smart either. Even Al Reser thought it was a little long. Maybe 2016 at most would have been much more prudent. But a MAJOR attitude team and playing more POSSESSED is EXACTLY what this team needs most. We have too many passive personalities and we need to play much more ON FIRE! Riley needs to be MUCH MUCH MORE like Jim Harbaugh of Stanford. Tough and knock you in the teeth and going for 2 sometimes just because of ATTITUDE! Until the Beavers have a culture change and get back some of that Erickson and Harbaugh like mentality we will not get any further at all and we likely will have already peaked. A big shift in attitude and toughness and holding teams on 3rd downs is way overdue. It is about attitude and bringing about the reality you want through force of will. The Beavers don’t have enough will and do not seem close at grasping it currently. A major SHOCK to the system/program needs to occur and the Beavs need to forge a new identity through grit and sheer determination. They just always seem to step onto the field as the same Beavs though and that will not work. They must CHANGE attitudes drastically!
Out of curiosity, who would we look at as a DC if Banker left?
How about Rocky Long?
My vote: Matt Wallerstedt
Military background, Master’s degree, business degree, and has pulled some great upsets and impressive defensive stats with sub par talent.
That’s assuming he would want a Pac-10 job over a MWC job. He’s going to be a hot commodity soon.
This is the perfect time to get a candidate like him. A move to the Pac 10 is a move up for him, and it likely optimizes the talent the Beavs do have, while motivating others to “over achieve.” I think this is necessary given the recruiting reaches on D the past few years.
Maybe it was me, but I thought they even came out on to the field kind of la-de-da yesterday. I mean I thought I would see some emotion and craziness being on national TV and all.
On a side note, it looks like Dennis Erickson is willing to listen to save his job, new offense basically torn the Ducks up last night except for some poor decisions in the passing game.
I agree all the way through.
Have to ask though, cause I do not recall the answer myself, does Gabe Miller’s 4-star come from being recruited on offense or defense?
May skew the data a wee bit if it is his rating as a HS TE or even LB.
Miller was a DE in high school. He moved to TE at OSU. I think he was recruited as an “athlete”…Jack Beav can probably confirm.
Miller was a very good LB at Lake O… better than Will Storey by a little because of his size. I think he should go back to it rather than have his hand on the ground. He would be unblockable with a head of steam.
THE COLD HARD TRUTH!!
CALIFORNIA has BAD intentions! With Pod Scheduling all CA schools can be GUARANTEED that they play eachother every year. Thus they have no need to be in the same divisions. The main concern of the 6 proposed North schools is that power politics would be majorly skewed, CA will control almost every decision and the future fates of teams, and the commish would largely be a CA puppet much like the Big 12.
If CA’s main concern was always playing eachother than Pods satisfies that. Then you could either Zipper, or Bay to North or CA zipper, with pods, and satisfy the main issue of the 6 currently proposed North teams who really should understand what CA is actually after..COMPLETE CONTROL! Any of the WISE proposals of these 6 teams splits the power politics atleast something close to evenly and fairly so POWER is not controlled through one division and CA only. CA would still play all other CA teams every year as long as there are pods. So before any of these 6 proposed North teams even consider signing off on ANYTHING, they should realize FULLY that CA is not just happy playing every other CA team every year like they said it was all about. They in fact want all the POWER and CONTROL!
There is no way around this fact since the evidence clearly shows that pod scheduling would mean all CA teams play every other CA team every year! If they still want something easy for the novice an to understand and our intent on a N/S split than Bay To North with pods would work. Scott’s original plan was a MUCH better and wiser one for a few reasons. It splits travel, recruiting and the power politics much better and would keep stability problems from occuring. Any system with pods will protect this conference and give EVERY team what they have stated is most important. The only question should be if we want to zipper with pods or Bay to North with pods. The current proposal with pods sets us up for one division and CA controlling almost ALL the politics at the expense of the other and leaves us with basically a puppet commish. We need to understand this fact plain and simply!!
Anyone know if we redshirted Akuna? Seems like we have a hole or two at LB…
I heard he had a hip pointer in fall camp. I couldn’t say what he’s worth for this season. He has to be better than a certain LB who disappears for 95% of the game.
As a professional in the field of sport psychology, I wish that something as simple as a compliment sandwich (+ situational remark, advancements needed regarding the situation, + remark regarding future situations) could address the athletic needs of our university without creating defensiveness among the empowered. Unfortunately it’s not usually that easy in big business.
Sport psychologists have difficulties regarding all aspects of their work due to stigmas and a lack of knowledge regarding the field. Frequently coaches are unwilling to acknowledge the need for services, players unwilling to accept them, and society unwilling to recognize their importance. Because of this, practitioners must go directly to the top and ensure that the directors of the athletic department implement theses changes on a universal scale.
With the state of the economy, most AD’s immediately turn to the lack of financial means. They may do their best to utilize the resources that their university educates (interns) or discredit the need for professionals all together. (OSU has a basic, individualized sport and exercise psychology makeshift program, but nothing intended to manage the applied psychological aspects which see practitioners working directly with athletes to enhance mental performance.) University departments must be made aware that the public expects what will soon be deemed minimal services for all their student-athletes. Though it’s currently somewhat of a secret covert operation, more then 1/2 of the Pac-10 universities (Utah has fantastic resources) offer these services to the majority of their athletes. With the cost of a singular sport psychologist being under 6 figures and the ability to employ many “interns” under this director for minimal costs, it’s understandably negligent for the Beavers to continue any longer without giving their student-athletes and surrounding public the means necessary to succeed at all levels.
As for recruiting, it is somewhat unethical for me to judge the merit of someone’s psychological capacity for the purposes of informing the coaches to who’s worth a scholarship. I assume that it’ll change though and become the norm overtime as a quantifiable means of collegiate and professional measurement. Though I must say that I see exponentially greater mental advancements with elite athletes then I do with their physical counterparts.
Thanks for the post. That is good information. What I am hearing is the Beavers could have a sports psychologist and inter/staff for under $100,000. Considering they spent $8,000 on paint, that should be doable.
Gameday in Eugene (again).
I’m sure we all figured they’d be in Eugene if both Stanford and UO won yesterday.
Guys, Roberson is out vs ASU.
Why is Roberson out? I didn’t see him getting injured during the game?
Anyone else think that Quizz is in a funk (I know the O line sucks but I think something else is up here)?
Final thought, anyone think we will throw more short routes that lend themselves to quick releases? Routes that are easy decisions and quick would allow Katz to build some confidence, I think he is afraid to pull the trigger on his throws and when he does he purposely throws them a little off to avoid a pick. He can thread the needle but he is afraid.
We need to get him the ball in space – swing wide to the flat or behind the LOS and let him work. We run a one back, minimal mis-direction offense, and our O-line has to be GOOD for it to work. They have fallen short of “good.”
We need more than 1 RB getting carries. That doesn’t work in college or the NFL. A fullback would be nice, too.
I realize Quizz got a lot of yards the past two seasons with this setup, but I’ve always felt the RBs would do better with help.
My Dad made this comment after the game when we were talking, and after watching a few other big games for the last few weeks. The Beavers are about the only team that plays one back, literally the entire game. What does that say to these other guys. There was a game a few years ago, or last year?? Quiz got hurt, and Riley called a time out instead of just putting someone in for a play to spell him. Wow. Bush league.
Riley’s system is inherently a one back system. He gets that extra blocker in the field with the H-back. It also works when 3 WR’s are on the field because it should help pull a LB/Safety out of the box when we throw the ball well. A 4-2-5 matches up very well with our system because they get a NB on the field to cover the extra wide out while keeping the safeties in the box. That is why Halihuni can do so much damage, because he outmatches a NB. TE option routes should murder teams that use a NB to cover him.
That said, Darkins (a converted LB) does go in at FB quite a bit. They like to shade him strong/weak usually instead of the I-back. I am willing to bet Darkins gets 10 snaps a game at least, he just doesn’t touch the ball. A trap play with him once or twice a game should make him a threat.
Yes, but what I was getting at is that every successful NFL/college team has at least two backs who receive carries. I understand the system, but I don’t understand not getting other running backs involved.
As far as the FB, I’ve only see him in short yardage. I’ll have to look more closely. I don’t want to see Darkins get carries, but an I formation would be nice to run out of once and a while.
I don’t disagree with having a successful second back. I would love to see a back that can sub for Quizz who has power that can change the pace of the game. That guy only needs 8-10 carries a game but that should be more than enough to help our team out. That said, Quizz needs to get going above all else before we can say anything about modifications to the run game. Our run game has been non-existent. I do think a rare trap play by Darkins could actually do damage because it is unexpected. Maybe a pass to the flats to him also would work. These type of plays make him a threat to get the ball not just block, it makes us less predictable. When he is on the field we are either running up the gut or in max pass protect.
This is actually more along the lines of what I mean (and my old man). They literally are so shitty at RB that they can’t give ANYONE any real carries…all teams do. So if Quizz goes down? Run and Shoot, no backs?
Here’s my frustration of the season: why all the shotgun on 2nd-and-10? We usually pass, so the defenses have been prepared, or we have run ineffectively. Lining up in an ace form, the defense would have to equally respect running and passing. I could see it being used to help Katz avoid the rush, but the tradeoff doesn’t seem worth it.
I think Banker has got to go and have been saying that for a long time. He is too damn stubborn and just doesn’t make adjustments at all. He will keep trotting Brandon Hardin out there even though he will keep getting burned. Problem with the defense is a lot of guys are playing out of position(Hardin) so they are put in a position where they will fail and continue to do so. That is on the coaching staff. There is no positive in keeping Banker he is clueless time to find someone who actually gets it. Definitely would like to see Matt Wallerstedt become the new D-Coordinator.
As for the offense Ryan Katz has got to be better and just make plays. He seems to be afraid a lot of the time to take chances . He is double clutching a lot or just will take sacks he has got to get the ball out to his receivers and let them make it happen.
The O-Line also seems to be under performing quite a bit not giving Quizz any room to run at all. Katz not being able to make plays through the air probably contributes to that
For those of you trashing on Ryan Katz, stop and think a moment.
Three games: 1 AQ team and two more top-10 teams….0 interceptions. That is unbelievable. Who here saw that coming? We haven’t played great football, but a pick here and there and our reasonably close games turn into blowouts.
Katz has shown excellent judgment year to date. If he’s not confident he can make a throw, he is completely justified in looking for a better option or trying to scramble. He needs to work on accuracy- especially with the long ball- but he has surpassed my expectations and really just needs his O-line to take the next step.
Katz has been fine, but he does need to progress rather than regress (last game).
Katz looks down field, 20 yard or more, or nothing. He HAS GOT to check the ball down better, and not as a scrambling last resort. The read progression seems to take forever, mostly because he’s holding his first read too long. 1…2…dump.
Katz is going to be great, but we need him to be better right now. We get nothing out throwing three home-run balls 40 yards downfield, then punting. Time and time and time again.
I agree that Katz has looked good but he is not without faults. Instead of INT’s he has been sacked. He has an extremely low completion percentage. The coaches need to give up on the long ball routes and bring the WR’s in for shorter stuff like they did with Moevao and Canfield. He may have the arm but he lacks the confidence to make the throw. I think he is purposely overthrowing the WR because he is afraid of the INT. Those long balls are him getting rid of the ball.
I think at this point Katz is so afraid of throwing an INT that it almost hurts him, he needs to throw one and get it over with. I think that after he throws one he will realize it is okay and that if he can complete more short throws and thread the needle a little more he will be pretty damn good. His completion percentage sucks because he is gun shy.
Finally, he knows our defense sucks and that his INT’s will ultimately become TD’s. That pressure also reduces his confidence.
Does anyone else feel the coaches missed 3 obvious challenge situations? The Boise 1st down that wasn’t, Wheaton’s catch, and I forget what the third one was right now. The broadcasters were pretty adamant about all three, though, and I agree, they were all worth looking at.
Yes. But none worse than the spot on third and long that gave BSU a first down and evenutal TD. That spot was off by a yard…even Herbie commented on it.
Definitely, I mean it seems to be another illustration of the coaching staff not having that aggressive instinct or maybe they are a step slow in their communication? If you have a challenge use it somewhere! Also, use those damn time outs. Do you ever see Riley truly dressing down a ref?
Cliff commented that Riley went nuts on the refs, but we just didn’t see it on TV. That sounds very Orwellian to me.
The staff seems like a gaggle of Luddites, slow and behind the times, from recruiting to coache’s challenges.
I think Cliff has swallowed the kool-aid a little bit being so close to the program and spending time around Riley. He has forgotten what a true sideline meltdown should look like! We should have seen at this one on the James Rodgers spear, but we have comments from Riley after the game that seem almost apologetic. I do not care if it was intentional or not. The BSU guy led with his helmet and no penalty was even called. All teams were cautioned against this starting the year. Apparently, it was not a top proiority in Coach Petersens BCS quest!
Cliff does seem out of it. In ranking the Pac-10, he said that Oregon State is 6th and Arizona State 8th. I don’t believe an objective person could write that and look at themselves in the mirror.
Angry,
Do you think that with Riley being such a good guy, he gets a lot of leeway with the media? I remeber last year, I sent an e-mail to Ted Miller after he was blathering on about the great coach Riley and I asked when Riley was going to be held accountable for the slow starts and Miller cut me down big time about being ungrateful. Being nice can get you pretty far in life, not sure about in football coaching though!
I’m obviously not Angry, but I most definitely think so.
Riley would be much more of a pleasure to interview than Kelly, but who’s going to win more games? (rhetorical question)
Definitely. Plus, beat writers don’t want to fracture relationships–then they don’t get to break stories.
Jim S, just an FYI: if you leave the question mark off a question it actually implies a rhetorical. Then you don’t have to note it.
I know a lot of BSU apologists are saying that it was an accidental hit on James by BSU. Note that Collins got called for an accidental hit helmet to helmet. Regardless of accident, it is a penalty anymore. Make the damn call. Anyone see the irony in the phrase wac officials.
I said it on the other forum, Riley should have charged the field and made a real scene when Quizz was pushed 15yd wo his helmet. I gotta believe that if the top guy would show some emotion this team might get out of its lackadaisical funk.
Don’t know though if even that would get Paea to perform up to his hype.
I’m more annoyed with fans than the coaches. They seem happy these games were “close” (note: only in score, and they were two possession games, so that isn’t exactly close). The optimistic fan is killing this program by justifying two score defeats as acceptable, moral victories.
Please don’t count me in that crowd. We have got to win these games if we’re ever to be considered relevant on the national stage.
I am so sick of the “we finish strong” or “we coach players up.” Bullshit. How about we compete for 12 games, and why can’t we use spring/fall camp to coach kids up. ENOUGH of these pathetic starts!
Right. But also realize that Boise State gave us two touchdowns via personal fouls. Those drives were dead. Then the punt return. The game could/should have easily been 49-10. The idea that that was a close game is so delusional. Did it FEEL like a close game??
I posted some stuff about how the team is absolutely getting dominated statistically on another site and got scolded for being a talking head and that final score is what matters and that the Beavers showed a lot of toughness in keeping these games close. Really, it has been sort of a fluke that the scores stayed respectable and they even won one of the games. I dont think the team can stay turnover free every game and they will not dominate the return game every time either. Something has to improve on defense and that will give the offense more touches.
Teams that win the turnover and penalty battle usually win. The beavers are 1-2 despite winning those battles…
I do think our D looked better. We had two PI calls that were terrible, and the worst spot of the year…all on third downs outside of field goal range. I believe these all resulted in BSU points.
KMoore delivered some great passes into great coverage. Not sure how we would have defended some of those plays any better…sometimes great offense > great defense.
That being said…”Fire Brandin Hardin.”
Your blog just got Jacquizzed on
We can all probably agree QB is the most important position on the field. Moore plays like a 5-star, Katz plays like a 2 star at this point. I can’t get on Katz too much, because he’s showed signs of “getting it” quicker than past QBs.
That being said, why can’t we ever land a guy like Moore? The closest guy on our roster to that type of QB (i.e. “heady”) is Vaz.
Another thing I don’t quite understand is why our underclassmen are coddled. You see freshman and sophomores starting and dominating all over the country. On second thought, I do understand it–when you recruit mediocre talent it takes 2 or 3 years to develop. So frustrating that these guys can’t recruit. It always comes back to that.
We do get guys like Moore all of the time, they just don’t usually pan out. Moore was under recruited and ended up at BSU because of his brother. Moore actually wasn’t expected to be very good, backup at best. BSU looked into that guy. He got the starting job and never looked back. Kinda goes with Riley’s quote that players leave BSU as 5 star players.
I agree with the lower talent recruits needing time to develop. Its interesting if you look at it though. More Frosh and Soph players are starting now than ever before. I think it is partially due to Pete Carroll, he is one of the pioneers of starting young players. Teams that recruit talent get away with it, we don’t. Look at the last three Heisman winners, all sophomores. I actually think there might be an NFL rule change in the future that allows players to be eligible for the NFL sooner than 3 years removed from high school.
I’ve been studying the offense real hard trying to determine why it sucks so bad compared to two years ago. Is it mainly because our O-line simply can’t block worth a good goddamn? I don’t see any misdirection, nobody out in space trying to slip a tackle, no creativity. If I have to watch Quizz run right into the back of the nonmoving scrum that the left side of our line has become and fall down for no gain again, I’m gonna lose my mind. It’s times like these I get all weepy and sentimental about the Erickson offense…counter traps, more timing plays, screens in which blockers actually threw blocks, that kind of thing. Does anyone think Ken Simonton did it all by himself because he had magic legs, something we attribute now to Quizz so the O-line can just phone it in? No, Simonton had lineman pulling and throwing trap blocks all over the place. It’s difficult to defense such an offense even if you know what’s coming. Say what you will about Erickson, his offense was fun to watch and I didn’t have a sense of doom on every other play.
Speaking of problems, ASU sure seemed to have Oregon’s spread rushing attack figured out. I know ASU is fast and aggressive on Defense, but does anyone know what specific base formation on defense they were running? Oregon won the game, but the did not win by running the ball.
We have a need on defense, and specifically at linebacker.
We have a 4-star linebacker sitting on the bench.
Start Akuna, it’s not like he can be worse than what we’ve been playing with, especially if Dwight is out for a game or two.
They’ll probably start Doctor and try to save Akuna’s redshirt. He’s a bit thin.
I think they should start Collins over Doctor. No knock on Doctor, but Collins is bigger, stronger and has 11 starts, although at safety, under his belt. I would rather have the football game experience on the field. In addition given ASU’s passing attack, I would want him on the field to support in coverage as well.
Absolute must win this weekend! Time to kick into high gear Beavs! Atleast every game is a sellout this year with maybe WSU just a tad short. If we had a top 50 defense we would be a far better team. Quit trying so many unrealistic long balls and get Katz’ completion percentage close to 60%. That would be a good start and help us beat a much peskier ASU team this year. Quizz needs atleast 90 yards or we will likley lose but Erickson’s defense looks stingier. Will take a total team effort and playing with much more energy, passion and focused determination. GO BEAVS!
If we don’t win this game I am ready to totally pack in the season. I would bet that the only game that we have a shot at winning is wazzu. I know that ASU is much improved but given the talent in the Pac this year, ASU is still a bottom feeder. The season hinges on this game.
We always here about how this is a family program. And this is were I see a coaching failure affecting the ineptitude of what should be a talented offense.
The failure is in Riley not going back to calling the offense this year. His guy, Langsdorf, is not at the top of his game this season. Why? Because he has his first new born at home as a distraction. A valid distraction, but nonetheless, he shouldn’t be asked to call the offense this year. Its a family thing.
The following (alarming) stats are courtesy of the ESPN PAC-10 blog:
“The Beavers rank 119th in the nation in third-down defense. Opponents are converting 58.7 percent of third-down plays into first downs. Meanwhile, the Beavers’ offense is 115th in the nation in third down conversion percentage (26.5 percent).”
Note: there are 120 FBS teams.
These stats are of course only a symptom of the problems, not a cause of the problems. Still, these stats are truly alarming, or so it seems to me.
The stats show that the Beavs rarely convert on third down, while the Beavers’ opponents convert third downs at a very high rate. This means that OSU opponents will dominate OSU in time-of-possession and number-of-plays per game. And of course that is exactly what has happened so far, with the Beavers’ defense spending much more time on the field than the Beavers’ offense. It’s a recipe for losing football.
So the question becomes: how do Riley and his staff turn this around, and start winning the third down battles on offense and defense? Because if the Beavs can’t turn this around, we’re toast.
On offense, I think Ryan Katz needs to make smarter decisions on 3rd down. He needs to go through his progressions faster, and get the ball to the open receiver (including Quizz as a checkdown). Receivers ARE getting open — Katz just needs to find them and get the ball to them more consistently.
On defense, I think the Beavs need to be less predictable, need to blitz and stunt to put more pressure on the passer, and need to do something about Brandon Hardin (either get him to play better, or replace him).
What do you think?
“What do you think?”
That an offensive line comprised of 4 walk-ons (now 3?) is not going to cut it in DI football. I’ve seen Ryan Pohl play; I know he’s better than Burke Ellis. Apologies if that blows up some fan/coaches’ heart-warming Rudy story.
This staff seems intent on teaching lessons about work ethic. Of course the walk-on works harder; he has less talent and has to. It doesn’t mean that he is the better player. There’s a reason both the QB is under pressure and a Heisman RB has no lanes. Occam’s Razor, my friends.
The defense can’t get off the field because they get no pressure. QB can scan the field all day, and if the WRs are covered, he can outrun the LB. The secondary has been good, contrary to what people think.
Agreed that the O-line needs to play better, and that walk-ons may not be up to the task. In that regard, I was very glad to see Michael Phillips playing against BSU. But I still think the Beavs could improve their 3rd down performance on offense just by Ryan Katz doing a better job. This seems like an easier fix to make — but maybe I’m just overly optimistic about Katz’s talent and his ability to make such quick improvement.
As for the defense, sounds like we agree on the (obvious) need for more pressure on the QB. But do you disagree about Hardin?
Sure, Hardin has physical talent. But I’m concerned that Hardin does not have the mental focus and discipline and toughness to make the big plays. I’m thinking of: (1) the easy pick-six that Hardin dropped in Q1 of the Louisville game; (2) Hardin’s failure to tackle Kellen Moore on a corner blitz that gave Hardin a wide open shot at the QB; (3) Hardin’s bonehead play, pushing Young out of bounds, and then leaving him wide open downfield for an easy touchdown.
I fear that Hardin is the kind of guy who will just keep disappointing Beaver fans with mistakes like this. Personally I’d prefer a guy like Jordan Poyer, who seems to be more disciplined. Sure, Hardin is bigger and stronger than Poyer. But I think Poyer has much better hands, is mentally tougher and more disciplined, and will make fewer dumb mistakes. Do you disagree?
I saw Hardin make great plays last year. It makes me believe the problem is the pass rush, and like I said, Dion Sanders would get beat playing on this defense. Let’s not pretend the same thing doesn’t happen to Dockery. It does, with the most glaring being the Civil War TD pass.
CBs are going to get beat. When you have no rush, they’re going to get beat often. I know this just from playing pick up ball on the school yard. Coverage sacks do happen, but they’re rare and nothing to base a defensive scheme around.
All that being said, Poyer is a natural, and should be on the field at CB. Hardin at S, Collins at LB, etc, as we discussed a few weeks back.
Stats can be skewed. For example, against Boise St., we returned one punt for a TD, and had a few other large returns. This dramatically reduces the number of yards the offense can gain because we’re playing on shorter fields than normal, or losing entire offensive possessions because of our special teams TD.
Put another way: say a team returns every kick and punt for a touchdown. Their offensive stats would look terrible, since they would almost never be on the field. The team itself, however, would be pretty awesome.
Stats lie, especially to morons.
You are talking about one special teams play in one game. That won’t greatly skew out stats and still doesn’t explain our dismal 3rd down stats. We have 9 first down conversions all year. That is 3 per game, the little giants convert more 3rd downs than that in a half of a football game.
I can’t remember specifically but I do think Poyer did make a huge mistake last year. Also, Hardin’s coming out party last year was against ASU, here’s hoping to a repeat.
It’s spelled Deion.
I love seeing posts where Beav fans rip on those that have some critisism and some fear from what we have seen so far. Just saw one on Twitter. Called those that are critical of the losses BEATS? What? Basically, we played #5 and #3 and lost, so it’s no big deal.
True, if you are fine being in the Sun Bowl every GD year! Nut up, demand more from the Black and Orange.
I’m concerned with what I saw, and the tendencies. Also, what I saw in the WIN, didn’t thrill me either.
Agreed, I was worried more about our season after our only win than after our first loss.
Shall we start a poll as to when a player will commit to OSU that’s rated at least 4 stars and has no chance in hell of qualifying?
It seems like over the past several years when the fans start grumbling and or worrying about the lack of high profile recruits up pops a 4 or 5 star commitment which quiets them down real fast. Almost always the player never sets foot on campus but by the time that’s obvious things have settled down amongst the ones who dare question how recruiting is going.
IMO OSU is about 1 or 2 more poor recruiting classes away from being a sub-500 team again.
Once OSU slips below 500 it’s my belief that they’ll have a tough time getting back above 500 on a consistant basis.
This is Riley’s team now so the players he has to field is pretty much the result of his ability to recruit.
Perhaps his time would be better spent recruiting in Texas and OK rather than in Hawaii.
It’s becoming apparent that Harbaugh of Stanford can recruit, coach and get the best from his players.
Imo OSU needs somebody like that.
Interesting theory on the 4 and 5 star recruit. But just in this last class Mannion and Akuna qualified, so I don’t think it’s that simple.
I think there is some truth to what you say. OSU has to take riskier 4-stars because they are the ones without many options. OSU is the fall back for many Pac-10 recruits. If nobody prettier comes calling, they’ll accept the offer. That mentality should be different after a decade of winning. The question is, why isn’t it? Well, the school (and in this case head coach) do a horrible job of salesmanship.
Supply & Demand and Reser Phase 3
I was reading that Reser Phase 3 is currently expected to maybe startup around 2014. I also read that it may only add about 2,000 seats. To get between 55-56K it would take an upper level where the scoreboard is and that is probably atleast 15 years out. I am just hoping we get atleast 48K from Phase 3 and hopefully close to 50K.
DeCarolis said they probably overbuilt the club level. That can be fixed one of two ways:
1) Lower the prices for club seats a little and they will probably sell. Think Valley View success but a more modest price adjustment.
2) When Phase 3 eventually comes make a smaller club level on the other side, with less loge seating or something so that another hundred plus seats can be added instead.
I personally want them to flip the camera view to the others side for games once Phase 3 is built. That would reverse the Beaver logo on the 50 yard line. It makes sense as well. If the east side ened ups having the more prominent club level then they should get the best view and a Beaver they can see the best. I also think that we will show better on TV when the surreounding western footfills of the coast range are more easily seen if the TV cameras face that way.
My recommendation is build a little less club seats on the future west side. Build a few more hundred cheaper seats and try to get capacity to atleast 48,500. Beaver Nation will sell that out easy as long as prices are pretty good. Becasue it will probably be close to two decadeds before we finish out the horseshoe above the scoreboard it would be ideal if we could get seating to 50,000 with Phase 3. The Pac-12 is getting more prominent and exciting and there is still a decent chance that a Pac-16 could come by 2016 or sometime this decade. If that happens 50,000 will even be small if Texas or Oklahoma came to town.
But “if you build it they will come” is the saying so 50,000 should be our target. That way maybe they even consider CCG at the higher seed scenario down the road which would be awesome to see in Corvallis.
GO BEAVS!!
If we already have too much club level seating why build any in phase 3. I mean we are talking about an end zone, no need for club seating in a poor viewing area anyways.
Phase 3 is mirroring the new east side on the west side. I believe having club space is a good idea and most of that is just the internal design. Maybe not as much, but it too is mainly just a pricing issue. The outdoor club level or loge seats are probably what could be reduced some. My numbers may be off some on how many seats it would add to build the new west side around 2014. It may be 4000 seats and get us very close to 50,000 total. The last 5,000 or so comes when and if we add a double deck to the south endzone. (This is lumped in as Phase 3, Part B..but is unlikely for 15-20 years.)
Since the east side is our main home side the players and fans over there might as well we looking at their logo without it being upside down.
pretty table
Such are the words of our lunatic fringe fan base. ha ha ha. Jump off the bandwagon like you did in 06, 07, and 08. We don’t need you guys. You weren’t fans before 2000 and had nothing to with us winning or losing, just like to complain.
john d
“…You weren’t fans before 2000 and had nothing to with us winning or losing, just like to complain….”
I can remember when Gill was being built. How about you?
I doubt that people here are jumping off the bandwagon. If you look at the number of comments that this single write-up has garnered in two-days you will see that everyone is still hear. The difference is, we have expectations. I can still be a fan and have issues with the direction of the program. In fact, I would say that I am a greater fan because I am here and asking for more.
Oh, the Rose (Bowl) colored glasses.
To be happy with mediocrity is a nice, warm, cozy place to be. Makes coaches and AD’s happy too. Job security.
I’m never going to complain about my internet connection being slow or dropping ever again because I remember the days of phone modems, and it’s better now than it was then.
Get serious. This isn’t your wife asking you if she looks fat in a certain item of clothing. This is major college football.
I didn’t proudly wear my Beavs colors during the years of Fertig, Avezzano, Kragthorpe and Pettibone to just give up now. I will not be deterred by some Yankee Doodle Dandy fan.
Is it time to try putting some PISTOL offense into the mix? Alabama is averaging over 12 yards per carry when they use pistol. It gives the runner a chance to build up some speed. Quizz would probably get stuck behind the OL much less. UCLA and Nevada are also having good success using the pistol. You have to adapt or you will become less effective. I think the Beavs would benefit from practicing and using some pistol or atleast using the Wild Beaver more.
I was thiking the same thing, we need to change the offense to keep up with the times. I hate to say it but we are going to have to work more spread option plays into the mix. I hate the quacks and thier gimmicky crap but it works. And how about a different look at D 4-2-5. We have undersized fast players who would come off thier blocks quick and make plays.
Seriously, if calling a newer form of offense that has proven pretty effective “gimmicky” makes you feel better, go ahead. I’m sure the forward pass was gimmicky too when it came on the scene. Seriously folks, time to move on. The read option is just another system. It is not the end all be all, but gimmicky? It is not like the ball is hidden under a hat or in a jersey while players run in circles while flapping their arms. Perhaps your right – TCU, Florida, Oregon…etc are all just cheap parlor trick teams that use mirrors to win while the Beavers remain steep in awesomeness and good ol football tradition. Keep up the good fight Beavs, don’t let new ideas get in the way of tradition – cuz they are just gimmicky after all.
You know how many blog entries I have read over the last few years that state “when the Beavers figure out the spread, Oregon is finished” Well TCU seemed to make it work against the Beavs and it is now going on 3 seasons.
Sometimes fans embarrass themselves and they don’t even realize it.
Go Pistol! Oh wait, that is just another silly parlor trick talk.
I have from time to time used the term “gimmicky” when you are right it is probably not. The deal that pisses me off about it, no one can seem to stop it. That damn scheme isn’t a far cry from the old veer. There is a demonstrated system for stopping the veer. One the old blog I explained multiple times how to modify it to stop the new spread option but few programs seem to view it that way, in particular Mark Banker. Oh wait, nevermind he is amazed that the option is even a play. Louisville used the veer on us and beat us with it. Eight year old children know how to stop the veer, but Banker is lost.
I do think that Ohio State did a pretty good job figuring it out though…
Like I said, the read option IS NOT THE END ALL BE ALL – OR THE ONLY WAY TO FLY system. It is just one of many ways to move a ball down field. Ohio State, Boise State, ASU (last week) have all stopped it/us pretty well. It is not invincable by any means and that is not what I am arguing. I am just frustrated by hearing Beaver fans over and over and over refer to it as a gimmick, like something that only foolish people would ever try and it will be gone in the blink of an eye. Heck, Vince Young beat the mighty USC with it 6 years ago (estimate). It is not like it isn’t here to stay – at least for the the foreseeable future. Gimmicks come and go very quickly, because, well they’re gimmicks.
Like any new innovation, when it becomes apparent that it has some real value, inteligent folks take note. People of lessor means stay stuck in the mud about it with their arms stubbornly crossed refusing to recognize it. You guys are way to smart for that.
PS, the only team as dirty as BSU is ASU – keep your heads on swivels boys.
The Ducks run an option, which is pretty much the oldest play in college football. It’s innovative, not gimmicky. The Ducks are also a rushing team, which as you all know dates to before the pass. It’s the old modern twist on an ancient offense.
I’d be more inclined to call Boise State’s “trick plays” gimmicky, but that will just sound like sour grapes. But on a scale of gimmicks, Boise State has the Ducks beat.
Has anyone noticed that the slow starts end when the Beavers start school again? I don’t know if its a coincidence but it seems to be the theme. School started this week, we will see.
I thought it was supposed to be the other way around? Seems the critics of the schools that start so late thought that they get an unfair advantage because they can play 3 or 4 tough games, without even worrying about class. Then by the time you take an actual exam and are ineligible, you’re about done with your regular season, and you only are qualifying for that Bowl game.
Maybe the Beavers ought to make Summer School mandatory?
If anything on this site, you will hear us complain that Banker cannot figure out a way to shut down the damn spread option (and the Beavs have struggled against more than just the Ducks). We are frustrated that Riley and company are stuck with their pro style philosophy and have not changed with the times. Kudos to the Ducks for finding something that works!
Nebraska’s starting QB last year, the one that lit up UA in the Holiday Bowl is 3rd string this year, and a RS Freshman is starting because they basically have adopted the spread. Coaches new they had a rare commodity at QB (Taylor Martinez, see UW game) and revamped the O’ to suit the best athlete. They studied all the spread schools over the summer and implemented it.
That’s getting it done.
Coaches and their attitudes:
Hell, watching Harbaugh in that game vs. ND, I wanted to suit up and play. The guy fires you up.
So does NU’s coach Pelini (the whole staff is that way too)…
…After the first game of the season, giving up 17pts to Western Kentucky, he said there was literally nothing positive to take from the game. About 10 of those points were short field give aways by the offense, but Bo demands more.
…After a pathetic showing vs. South Dakota State last week (they were not into the game, you could tell), someone asked Pelini about the next weekend off, as they have a BYE before conference play starts, and he said, “They just had their weekend off”. I have a feeling it’s going to be some tough practices during the Bye week. That’s demanding better. The kids know it.
Any word on recruiting or where the staff spent time on the bye week? Should I still be optimistic about the Grant HS kids coming to Corvallis? We need a big haul of players this year.
Lindsay Schnell at O Live:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindbeaversbeat/2010/09/boise_state_suspends_venable_f.html
Half a game huh? Why bother. I love that the first comment is from a BSU troll, too. JR seems to be the recipient of lots of plays that should result in either penalties or ejections, and yet gets neither during the game. In the case of both (BSU and USC), they are the Conferences Golden Children and such actions during the game could result in a loss for their gift horse/cash cows and result in a lesser payday come Bowl Season…
Angry,
When’s the analysis comin for the ASU game? You are getting close to being OSU’s Nostradamus with predictions.
Jeez, I didn’t realize it was Wednesday already. “Publish or die”?
Yes, PUBLISH DAMN YOU PUBLISH!
Oregon State’s SCOUT website says the Beavers have offered a kid named Na’alii Robins; a 6-foot-2.5, 242-pound defensive end from the St. Louis School in Honolulu, Hawai’i. He is not ranked and has no stars. His 40 time is 4.9 seconds. Oregon State is his first and only offer. He’ll be visiting the campus this weekend for the ASU game.
It’s shit like this that keeps OSU from breaking out.
How many times must Riley dip into his Ploynesian pipeline of no-name, slow players that aren’t receiving any other D-1 offers for a reason?
Here’s his film:
http://hawaiisportsproductions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=151&Itemid=125
I’m not impressed. Arizona reportedly has interest (but doubt they offer).
Um… ok? He has a nice bull rush, but his hands and feet aren’t all that great. I hope he brings his teammate Sua-Passi (sp?).
Friend in Hawai’i tells me there’s a big OG/DT named Kaluhiokalani at Kamehameha that should have been on everyone’s radar by now. He’s confused and would like to know what scouts look for when they make analyses of these kids. He says this kid is amazingly strong and has great hands.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qxIdwQqXi-g&feature=related
This kid looks really raw. He looks like most of his push comes from his arms, not much from his legs. Overall, it looks like the kids arms and legs don’t work together well. He also doesn’t have good body placement when he makes a block. That said, his upside is that he is big and strong and prob can be developed well by coach Cav. We have a lot of projects though.
I think he projects better as a DT. The o-line tape is pretty funny. It looks like everyone schemes away from him for whatever reason. He’s just standing there looking for someone to hit.
I agree.
The Beavs are like the guy who goes to the supermarket and buys dented cans.
I suppose Robins could have worked on his game and conditioning during the summer and then came out on fire to begin the season.