2013

[LDopaPDX]

I know it's way too early to start a thread about next year... but c'mon, based on what we saw all season long from our underclass talent and the no quit attitude, there is a lot to be excited about.

Here are some critical points that jump out at me:

1. Retooling the LBs--- I believe we lose two starters and 4 roster LBs. Hamlin, Agen, and McCarthy all coming back. Our rushing D obviously really hurt us badly at times this season, and getting an impact transfer to shore up the second line of defense would be really helpful.

2. Retooling the DL--- 3 starters leave, but a lot of mix-in guys are returning including Pulu (x2), Day, Zylstra... Evan Cook could conceivably get another year but I don't think will. I've always felt Eastern needed to find a big strongside DE to lock down the edge, but we've continually gone for speedy, smaller guys.

3. Questions at receiver--- I'm not worried about this position *unless* Kaufman leaves (which I'd guess is unlikely). Shaq Hill, Johnson, and Ashton Clark are all back. It might be nice to have one more big receiver out there, but it looks like we have some young guys to fill the role.

All our other positions look as good next year as this year, and many corps will improve.

4. Starting the game better on D--- I don't know why we look so out of sorts early in games on D. I had to watch the game from home yesterday and Jay Walker (who I think understands football better than 97% of ESPN's talking heads) said "Sam Houston State isn't doing anything they haven't been doing each and every game. The Eagles just look like they didn't study the film." This was something that seemed to repeat a lot this season. Frankly, I think we worry too much about our LB issues and leave those guys way too far back off the line of scrimmage, but that's just me... I'm sure there are other ways to address it, but it needs to be addressed.

5. Tackling issues--- This just plays into our rush D problems, but it seems to surface an awful lot of the time. Again, Jay Walker pointed this out over and over yesterday, actually counting the number of missed tackles on given plays.

6. Running the ball and run blocking--- There were times our offense stagnated, and it was usually because we were got one-dimensional. We can't rely on Vernon Adams' scrambling to account for the bulk of our rushing yards. We need to have something to count on when we need some push, and a back that can make a tackler miss.

These issues aren't huge ones, just a few things to address next season. We obviously don't have a wheel to reinvent, and we're working towards being an elite, every-year type of football program. But if we want to reach the summit again, this is what strikes me as the predominant issues facing the program in the short-term.

 

[Rjones61]

I believe we are definitely going to need to recruit some stand out offensive lineman. We just got pushed around too much last night.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I believe we are definitely going to need to recruit some stand out offensive lineman. We just got pushed around too much last night.

Yeah, linemen are always critical. But we only lose one. And it's sort of a tale of two issues, we pass block very well, run block not so much. Also, have you looked at some of the young linemen in the program? Looks like we've done well recruiting the OL the last couple of seasons.

 

[clawman1]

It is my impression that the cupboards are pretty well stocked with young players. The one area we may be a little shallow would be linebacker. We also need guys who have the football sayey of guys like the Johnson bros., JC Sherritt, and not to overlook Grant Williams, and Tyler Washburn. That experience is hard to replace.

 

[ewunerd]

It is my impression that the cupboards are pretty well stocked with young players. The one area we may be a little shallow would be linebacker. We also need guys who have the football sayey of guys like the Johnson bros., JC Sherritt, and not to overlook Grant Williams, and Tyler Washburn. That experience is hard to replace.

That was my thought too. I think this was supposed to be more of a rebuilding year so next year we have the potential to be crazy good. We're starting to become the Griz where we don't rebuild - we reload. And we're gonna be winning a ton of games over the next few years.

 

[SloStang]

How many returning starters does EWU have in 2013?

 

[EWURanger]

I believe we are definitely going to need to recruit some stand out offensive lineman. We just got pushed around too much last night.

Offensive line? Not so much. We recruited the line heavily the past couple of seasons and there are some talented kids waiting to play. And some of those kids are massive. I'm not worried about the line at all. Big concerns to me are at LB and DE. We return all our CB's, plus Brown and Tonani at Safety.

On the offensive side, we obviously want Kaufman to come back, but there's a lot of young talent there...guys like Shaq Hill and Cooper Kupp. At RB, we'll have Brown back, plus Bronson, Talley, and Forte. Although with Brown RSing this season I am wondering if Talley or Forte won't use a RS since they both played as true freshman last season.

 

[Rjones61]

I believe we are definitely going to need to recruit some stand out offensive lineman. We just got pushed around too much last night.

Offensive line? Not so much. We recruited the line heavily the past couple of seasons and there are some talented kids waiting to play. And some of those kids are massive. I'm not worried about the line at all. Big concerns to me are at LB and DE. We return all our CB's, plus Brown and Tonani at Safety.

On the offensive side, we obviously want Kaufman to come back, but there's a lot of young talent there...guys like Shaq Hill and Cooper Kupp. At RB, we'll have Brown back, plus Bronson, Talley, and Forte. Although with Brown RSing this season I am wondering if Talley or Forte won't use a RS since they both played as true freshman last season.

I have no doubt that we have a good line. If you read my post, we need STAND OUT offensive lineman. I'm not asking for us to fill the whole line with them, that would be unrealistic. However, we should be looking for one or two real play makers. Some guys who can blow some holes for Bronson and Tally.

 

[eaglesfootball]

i see the defensive line as being our biggest need. is the younger pulu going to play lb or end, and is the delgado kid going to see the field next season? Would be good to get a transfer or teo at lb and dt.

 

[kalm]

How many returning starters does EWU have in 2013?

Can't find a recent depth chart but I count roughly 14.

 

[SloStang]

How many returning starters does EWU have in 2013?

Can't find a recent depth chart but I count roughly 14.

Thanks Kalm. Looks like another good year for EWU, especially if Kaufman comes back. That kid is next to unstoppable.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

How many returning starters does EWU have in 2013?

Can't find a recent depth chart but I count roughly 14.

That's about right.

 

[marceagfan5]

How many returning starters does EWU have in 2013?

Can't find a recent depth chart but I count roughly 14.

That's about right.

We lose 3 starters on offense - Edwards, Herd, and Post.
We lose 6 starters on defense - Ceja, Cook, Ena, Washburn, Johnson, Minnerly.

We will be fine on Offense, although all 3 seniors we lose were all americans at some point. I expect Hill and Cupp to step in to their shoes, but Ashton Clark had a great year this year, and should start opposite of BK.

On D, we will really need to sure up the D Line. Tonani will fill in for Minnerly like he did when he was injured this year. Mccarthy will be a good MLB and will now be a full time starter. We will need to find another LB as we are losing some good ones this year, including G. Williams, who was basically a starter as well. I think the biggest issue will be finding depth at the D Line.

I think our main challenge is going to be surviving our first 4 games next year. With a 12 game schedule (11 which count due to our drop down game) we will need to win a least 8 FCS games to make the playoffs, possibly 9. Looking at our non conference games, we will be heavy underdogs against Toledo, Oregon State, and probably Sam Houston to start the year. If we don't win one of those games, we are going to have to either run the table in the Big Sky conference, or win the conference auto bid next year to make the playoffs. It seems like every time we have a deep run in the playoffs, we try to schedule ourselves out of the playoffs the following year...

 

[LDopaPDX]

I appreciate the home-home with a legit FCS opponent like Sam Houston State, but damn, we don't ever get an easy road. Wouldn't SE Louisiana or Nicholls State made for a better opponent?

I talked about this with a number of Eastern folks a couple of weeks ago, and no one understands the schedules coming out these days. Oregon State makes sense, but Toledo? Why schedule a game against a team that could easily be top 25 FBS next year (but without name recognition), on the road 2/3 of the way across the country, for very little money? It's almost like our mentality is "who cares if it makes sense?" We have an opening, now that opening is filled, end of story.

Beyond that, our aversion to playing ANYONE out-of-conference at home, especially someone FCS early in the season when the weather is great, is tough to understand. I have no beef with playing Western Oregon- in a 12-game year, no less- but as the first non-con home game during the month of September in FOUR YEARS?!?!?!?

Think about that, we have not played a non-con home opponent in Cheney- even DIIs- in the last 3 seasons. If this was Eastern Florida or Eastern Hawaii University, that would probably be OK. But hell, this is the time of year when the weather is great, and evidence shows we draw best early in the season regardless of whether or not school is in session.

 

[marceagfan5]

If we could swap the Toledo game for a home game against an FCS opponent, we would have a nice schedule next year. Pay the $50K or whatever to someone in the Missouri Valley, or San Diego and bring them here. The Toledo game makes our schedule an absolute nightmare. We should be hosting S. Dakota as that should have been a home/home series, but we were taken to the house in that deal.

Smart teams will schedule 6 or even 7 home games in a 12 game year, we get 5, and 2 FBS teams. In a 12 game year we should play 1 FBS, 1 Drop down, 1 FCS road, 1 FCS home. Everyone wants the new stadium renovation to happen, they don't realize schedules like this will never help bring fans and donors in...

Funny thing is...I see South Dakota is looking for a game on 9/14, same day we play Toledo. We need to make that switch, maybe Toledo will buy us out...

 

[kalm]

If we could swap the Toledo game for a home game against an FCS opponent, we would have a nice schedule next year. Pay the $50K or whatever to someone in the Missouri Valley, or San Diego and bring them here. The Toledo game makes our schedule an absolute nightmare. We should be hosting S. Dakota as that should have been a home/home series, but we were taken to the house in that deal.

Smart teams will schedule 6 or even 7 home games in a 12 game year, we get 5, and 2 FBS teams. In a 12 game year we should play 1 FBS, 1 Drop down, 1 FCS road, 1 FCS home. Everyone wants the new stadium renovation to happen, they don't realize schedules like this will never help bring fans and donors in...

Funny thing is...I see South Dakota is looking for a game on 9/14, same day we play Toledo. We need to make that switch, maybe Toledo will buy us out...

Boy howdy! :nod:

 

[EWURanger]

Personally, I'd like to see Toledo buy that game out and us pick up another FCS game, even if it is a Big Sky opponent. Absolutely no issues with the Oregon State game, it makes sense both financially and from the perspective. But the Toledo game does very little for us in terms of exposure (MAC), and I doubt the pay-out will be much. Hell, if we're going to play another FBS let's just play an SEC, Big 12 team, or whatever and get the big pay-out.

I didn't have an issue with the 2 FBS games this season, because I knew we would be competitive in both, and mostly like beat Idaho. But Toledo is no Idaho, and Washington State isn't Oregon State. Very little chance we win either of those games...

Of course, Sac State did beat OSU last season, so you never know. :lol:

 

[sunday]

I know it's way too early to start a thread about next year... but c'mon, based on what we saw all season long from our underclass talent and the no quit attitude, there is a lot to be excited about.

Here are some critical points that jump out at me:

1. Retooling the LBs--- I believe we lose two starters and 4 roster LBs. Hamlin, Agen, and McCarthy all coming back. Our rushing D obviously really hurt us badly at times this season, and getting an impact transfer to shore up the second line of defense would be really helpful.

2. Retooling the DL--- 3 starters leave, but a lot of mix-in guys are returning including Pulu (x2), Day, Zylstra... Evan Cook could conceivably get another year but I don't think will. I've always felt Eastern needed to find a big strongside DE to lock down the edge, but we've continually gone for speedy, smaller guys.

3. Questions at receiver--- I'm not worried about this position *unless* Kaufman leaves (which I'd guess is unlikely). Shaq Hill, Johnson, and Ashton Clark are all back. It might be nice to have one more big receiver out there, but it looks like we have some young guys to fill the role.

All our other positions look as good next year as this year, and many corps will improve.

4. Starting the game better on D--- I don't know why we look so out of sorts early in games on D. I had to watch the game from home yesterday and Jay Walker (who I think understands football better than 97% of ESPN's talking heads) said "Sam Houston State isn't doing anything they haven't been doing each and every game. The Eagles just look like they didn't study the film." This was something that seemed to repeat a lot this season. Frankly, I think we worry too much about our LB issues and leave those guys way too far back off the line of scrimmage, but that's just me... I'm sure there are other ways to address it, but it needs to be addressed.

5. Tackling issues--- This just plays into our rush D problems, but it seems to surface an awful lot of the time. Again, Jay Walker pointed this out over and over yesterday, actually counting the number of missed tackles on given plays.

6. Running the ball and run blocking--- There were times our offense stagnated, and it was usually because we were got one-dimensional. We can't rely on Vernon Adams' scrambling to account for the bulk of our rushing yards. We need to have something to count on when we need some push, and a back that can make a tackler miss.

These issues aren't huge ones, just a few things to address next season. We obviously don't have a wheel to reinvent, and we're working towards being an elite, every-year type of football program. But if we want to reach the summit again, this is what strikes me as the predominant issues facing the program in the short-term.

I agree totally with your work here Dopa. My only question: was our inability to get off the field on defense at times a player deal or a coaching deal? I got blasted for my consistent tackling questions on the board. But I stand by those comments, sadly, while watching the game on Saturday. But was there better defensive packages, blitzes, or hidden coverages that we should or could have run that would have worked? SHSU in the 1st half rocked our world sending guys from all angles. I would have liked to seen more of that from us all year. But maybe with the tackling issue, that wasn't a safe bet.

Concerning D line: do we look for faster linemen (Oregon) or do we find tree trunk linemen?

 

[EWURanger]

I think we need to blitz more, but that's just me.

Concerning the D-Lineman, I think we have plenty of speed. The problem is that in the Big Sky you have so many different types of offenses to prepare for. It's not just a 5-wide and sling it conference anymore when you have teams like Montana running the Oregon Spread and Cal Poly running the Triple-Option.

We seemed to do really well in terms of getting to the QB against pass-heavy offenses, while at the same time we have had a hard time stopping the run. Teams like Montana just seem to run straight at us, and we can't stop it. So I think we need a mixture of athletic guys that can play the pass and some run-stopper types like Pulu. Even though his stats weren't through the roof, he really plugged up the middle at times.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I think we need to blitz more, but that's just me.

Concerning the D-Lineman, I think we have plenty of speed. The problem is that in the Big Sky you have so many different types of offenses to prepare for. It's not just a 5-wide and sling it conference anymore when you have teams like Montana running the Oregon Spread and Cal Poly running the Triple-Option.

We seemed to do really well in terms of getting to the QB against pass-heavy offenses, while at the same time we have had a hard time stopping the run. Teams like Montana just seem to run straight at us, and we can't stop it. So I think we need a mixture of athletic guys that can play the pass and some run-stopper types like Pulu. Even though his stats weren't through the roof, he really plugged up the middle at times.

I agree, I would've blitzed more. To me, our running D gets beat a little bit just by formation. We play our LBs 6 yards off the ball, meaning they have to fly upfield when they read the run. Against a lot of teams, no big deal, just keep it in front of you. But we knew Sam Houston State was going to run the ball far more often than they'd pass it.... that's the way they played all season long.

North Dakota State played the run dramatically different. Granted, GA Southern is different than SHSU, but they are variations on the same rush-first option strategy. The Bison pushed their LBs up to the line and overloaded the strong side with 2 men blitzing. They essentially matched power-for-power and dared GA Southern to run into the blitz. Nobody protected the middle of the field, all LBs played up with one safety in free.

Obviously, when you push that far up and blitz 2 or 3 into the rush, you run the risk of getting gashed through the air. But, really, so what? Make them make the plays... don't just give into bleeding a slow death by allowing a possession to drag on forever.