Are we getting better?

[clawman1]

In 2010 it seemed every game was a come from behind nail biter similar to what we've seen lately but you could see improvement in play on a weekly basis. Earlier this year the youth of the team was cited as part of our defensive problem, then there were the injuries. Now it seems the defense is holding its own and keeping us in games but the offense seems lackadaisical.
Are we getting better?

 

[Rjones61]

Yes.

 

[dudeitsaid]

I don't know...I can see improvements in certain areas. I though the defense had some really solid moments today, but also had some really bad misses. I was thinking about this same thing today, and have thought about it earlier this season as well. How many difference makers are there on this team? The 2010 team featured a dynamic RB, incredible WR corps, and some solid defensive playmakers highlighted by JC Sherritt. We have good talent throughout the team, but who is changing games, besides Cooper Kupp? We have great receivers besides Kupp, but I don't know that Bourne or Splendorio can take the team on their backs the way Kupp does. Who is the gamechanger on the defense? Raynes is a solid player. I thought Ebukam was going to be that force this year. But really, I can't think of anyone on the D that has the reputation and swagger of Sherritt, Peach, TJ Lee, Tevin McDonald, the Johnson twins, etc.

I love this team, but I don't see a championship caliber team on the field this year. They are not like the 2010 team. And I think the grit to fight to the end is a trademark of all the Baldwin led teams I've seen, and I really glad we have that mentality, because I think it's led to the wins we've had this year. Without that, we could very well have only one win.

I hope our Eagles can rise to the occasion. We are going to be tested over the next three games. I believe if we win one of the three, we are in the playoffs. But I think we have to win all three to get a seed. And I think all three will be tougher than anyone we've played this year, except maybe UNI and the UofO.

 

[luckyintheorder]

In 2010 it seemed every game was a come from behind nail biter similar to what we've seen lately but you could see improvement in play on a weekly basis. Earlier this year the youth of the team was cited as part of our defensive problem, then there were the injuries. Now it seems the defense is holding its own and keeping us in games but the offense seems lackadaisical.
Are we getting better?

You have been at the games; what's your take?

On TV sideline looks unfocused and satisfied. Limited view of course. Contrast to the way Temple looked on sideline against ND. Think the players are playing to the expectations of the coaches.

In the meantime: [youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E2VCwBzGdPM[/youtube]

 

[EWURanger]

It's hard to say, really. There have been so many different factors that have gone into the different results of each game. I do think the defense is improving, but it's difficult to see their full potential with so many injuries and we have been getting pushed around some with guys like Levoa and Lino out.

My bigger concern is on offense. Historically that's how we've won games and right now they're not performing on a level consistent with past teams. Having basically only one option at RB doesn't help, but we should still be running the ball better than we have when the QB is struggling or we're playing in bad weather. Not sure what to make of that, we have a veteran offensive line. Getting Wilson, Smash Williams, and McPherson back should help out some with that, whenever that might be. Interesting note on that; we've never had Jalen Moore and Jabari Wilson healthy at the same time this year. Williams looked promising early but has basically been injured most of the season. Not sure what's going on with McPherson. Bottom line, we need to be running the ball a lot better than we have been. That will help out a lot. We will need a much better offensive performance to beat NAU, even at home. I don't know if a QB change is in order as some have mentioned, but I do think thatbthe weather played a huge part in yesterday's game. Yeah, it probably cost Weber those field goals but it probably had a bigger effect on us. Our offense really struggles when we don't have the ability to stretch the field.

Penalties - one area that we have not been getting better in. It cost us drives yesterday and it seems like we ate penalized way more than any other team we play. Again, a lot of them have been on the offensive line. That's unacceptable when you basically have all Seniors playing.

I also think that, to some extend we have been playing to the level of competition the past few games. Every team is giving us their best shot. I'm not ok with eeking out wins every week, but at least we are winning. There hasn't been a game we've played this season where we haven't been competitive, save the Oregon game. I do think better things are on the way but we need a lot of pieces to come together for that to happen. And it needs to happen this week in practice.

 

[luckyintheorder]

This is what urgency looks like.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nW4Zf4RBsFw[/youtube]

 

[kalm]

It's hard to say, really. There have been so many different factors that have gone into the different results of each game. I do think the defense is improving, but it's difficult to see their full potential with so many injuries and we have been getting pushed around some with guys like Levoa and Lino out.

My bigger concern is on offense. Historically that's how we've won games and right now they're not performing on a level consistent with past teams. Having basically only one option at RB doesn't help, but we should still be running the ball better than we have when the QB is struggling or we're playing in bad weather. Not sure what to make of that, we have a veteran offensive line. Getting Wilson, Smash Williams, and McPherson back should help out some with that, whenever that might be. Interesting note on that; we've never had Jalen Moore and Jabari Wilson healthy at the same time this year. Williams looked promising early but has basically been injured most of the season. Not sure what's going on with McPherson. Bottom line, we need to be running the ball a lot better than we have been. That will help out a lot. We will need a much better offensive performance to beat NAU, even at home. I don't know if a QB change is in order as some have mentioned, but I do think thatbthe weather played a huge part in yesterday's game. Yeah, it probably cost Weber those field goals but it probably had a bigger effect on us. Our offense really struggles when we don't have the ability to stretch the field.

Penalties - one area that we have not been getting better in. It cost us drives yesterday and it seems like we ate penalized way more than any other team we play. Again, a lot of them have been on the offensive line. That's unacceptable when you basically have all Seniors playing.

I also think that, to some extend we have been playing to the level of competition the past few games. Every team is giving us their best shot. I'm not ok with eeking out wins every week, but at least we are winning. There hasn't been a game we've played this season where we haven't been competitive, save the Oregon game. I do think better things are on the way but we need a lot of pieces to come together for that to happen. And it needs to happen this week in practice.

Spot on as usual Ranger! 100% agree on the offense. :nod:

Weatheroy had a really great sequence yesterday with a big time open field tackle and a pass break up. Raynes was everywhere (I know he's supposed to be at Rover) but he's definitely our best play maker. The LB's are starting to make more plays at the line of scrimmage. It would be really great for our DT's to win some battles up the middle and free up Samson a bit more.

D is improving on paper and visibly.

 

[EWU98]

I am not sure how many of you were there yesterday. The weather sucked as much as I have seen it in Cheney in a long time you! Estatic just to score and win. No way can you judge this team with that type of environment except to be thankful for a W.....walk off the ledges.

 

[kalm]

BTW, did anyone else find the play calling strange at the end of the half. We call a timeout on 3rd down with a little over a minute left. The next play I'm thinking blitzing is a viable risk as if they beat it we still get the ball back with some time. Had we, there's a good chance we could have picked up the fumbled snap.

Then, when we do get the ball with 30 seconds left, West throws it underneath for a short gain and we let the clock expire with a timeout in the pocket.

I'm really surprised we didn't take 3 shots down the field throwing with the wind in that situation. Worst case is a long interception or a punt again with the wind. (Chances of a pick 6 are minimal and worth the risk)

Hindsight and armchair admitted.

 

[ewueagle2010]

I am not sure how many of you were there yesterday. The weather sucked as much as I have seen it in Cheney in a long time you! Estatic just to score and win. No way can you judge this team with that type of environment except to be thankful for a W.....walk off the ledges.

I was there and I can say that was the worst weather on a game day that I've experienced. I've been to all but one home game since 2009 and have dealt with single digit temps, rain, wind, fog and snow. But yesterday was some of the strongest winds coupled with rain that I can remember.

With that said, it's Cheney in November, and we need to learn how to deal with unfavorable weather.

 

[EagInTexas]

I am not sure how many of you were there yesterday. The weather sucked as much as I have seen it in Cheney in a long time you! Estatic just to score and win. No way can you judge this team with that type of environment except to be thankful for a W.....walk off the ledges.

Be that as it may, it is concerning that this doesn't seem to be a team that is playing championship level football heading into the final 3 games of the season. The defense has some glaring weaknesses and we haven't had good production from our starting QB in the last two games. Is it possible that, as fans, our expectations for this season were unrealistic? It's been great to win all those close games but I don't know if that's reflective of how good we are as a team or if the "no quit" mentality is just something very characteristic of a Beau Baldwin team. Maybe a little of both?

 

[LDopaPDX]

Football is often about form. Right now, we don't have it.

I have no explanation for why we are always so decimated by injuries. Our toughness issues certainly compound our problems in getting consistency.

I also still question what we're doing on defense. Safety play has been really bad; Todd Raynes being a rare bright spot. However, it isn't so much of a player issue... We play our safeties so far back that we wind up playing 9 against 11 on defense. It's not shocking to me when teams grind out first down after first down against us, it also kills our opportunity to generate offensive momentum. Compare what Weber did to us yesterday versus what we did to them; they pressed us everywhere to stop our run and short passes knowing long passes are hindered by weather. We play our safeties 15 yards back and let them hit us for 5 yards every play. We made one stop that didn't end in at least a FG try before their last drive, which ended on a dropped pass.

Offense has gotten progressive worse. Having a run game would help. How many times have we had a RB make a cut in the hole and make himself elusive this year? Maybe twice? Having Cooper Kupp is a bit of a double-edged sword. He's so good he is the entire focus of our offense. When a team can find a way to stop him, we don't have a lot of other options. Kendrick Bourne is awfully good as well, but he's been a bit inconsistent.

One thing we know is that our players and staff find ways to compete. I suspect we'll see our game get raised by a bunch this week. But we need to improve about 4 TDs to win the next few games, and that's a lot.

 

[EWUeag]

It seems to me that in the last few games, opposing defenses have exploited West's struggles at going through his progressions. If #1 isn't open, it's 50/50 on if he can find #2. Anyone agree/disagree?

 

[LDopaPDX]

It seems to me that in the last few games, opposing defenses have exploited West's struggles at going through his progressions. If #1 isn't open, it's 50/50 on if he can find #2. Anyone agree/disagree?

I'm not too worried about West. I think he's doing a good job. I wouldn't mind having Hennessy ready to go in case he has another unproductive game, though. It's a little hard to judge too much on the Weber game because conditions were so rotten. The Weber QB was certainly the better QB yesterday, but my God did his receivers make a lot of adjustments to make catches where our guys were woefully out of position.

Curious, Rashad Wadood was our best tackler at CB last year, and seems to have been pushed down and off the 2-deep. I had to look at the participation report to see if he even played yesterday (he did). What's that about? Seem like he might be a help in run stop.

 

[flyingnail]

Watching all the games this year it is apparent that we are an average team at best. Winning these last 2 game s was more about the other team losing it rather than us taking it away. For me ,West has grown to predictable, to flat footed and to slow to make up the differences. He's had excellent games early in the year however as of late seems to really be struggling. The defense has improved little and after yesterdays game don't understand why we even have a defensive backfield, completely lost back there. As for the last 3 games I think it would be a stretch to think we win 2 of the 3 playing the way we are right now. One last issue I've noticed this year as well is the lack of passion and completely flat sideline behavior, no fire and no crazies lightening the fire. Kinda wonder about the coaching chemistry this year as well, just seems to be missing something other Baldwin teams have had. Enough of my observations, GO EAGS

 

[DPEagle83]

I was wondering the same about Wadood watching yesterday. I couldn't recall his number, but it does seem like he dropped off the face of the earth and I didn't remember him being listed as injured.

I thought the defense did not look good between the 10 yard lines, but then stiffened up well. I don't know how many times we let Weber off the hook on third down.

 

[rickb2525]

Why is everybody is such a panic? This team is undefeated in the Big Sky and in complete control of there own destiny going into the last 3 games of the season.

This defense turned a corner starting in the 2nd half of the Cal Poly game. UNCO had two to 3 good offensive drives. The only thing that kept them in the game were 2 kick returns and a fluke tipped ball at the end. Most teams lose those games we didn't. We also held Weber State to 13 points yesterday now the weather was a factor in that, but it was also a factor in the great field position Weber got every time we were going into the wind. I am not saying the defense is a world beater, but its enough when we have an offense that averages 35 plus points a game and is the #1 ranked passing offense in the country.

The offensive stats speak for themselves every team can have a down week the difference is can that team find a way to win and we have done it two weeks in a row.

The last 3 games are going to be incredibly tough NAU is no joke, playing in Missoula is always hard no matter how much they might be down, and we should all know that PSU could be EWU of 2010.

Let's worry about winning the big sky first then we talk playoffs and championships. Its not easy ask the Grizzlies they dominated for 15 years and won only two.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Why is everybody is such a panic? This team is undefeated in the Big Sky and in complete control of there own destiny going into the last 3 games of the season.

This defense turned a corner starting in the 2nd half of the Cal Poly game. UNCO had two to 3 good offensive drives. The only thing that kept them in the game were 2 kick returns and a fluke tipped ball at the end. Most teams lose those games we didn't. We also held Weber State to 13 points yesterday now the weather was a factor in that, but it was also a factor in the great field position Weber got every time we were going into the wind. I am not saying the defense is a world beater, but its enough when we have an offense that averages 35 plus points a game and is the #1 ranked passing offense in the country.

The offensive stats speak for themselves every team can have a down week the difference is can that team find a way to win and we have done it two weeks in a row.

The last 3 games are going to be incredibly tough NAU is no joke, playing in Missoula is always hard no matter how much they might be down, and we should all know that PSU could be EWU of 2010.

Let's worry about winning the big sky first then we talk playoffs and championships. Its not easy ask the Grizzlies they dominated for 15 years and won only two.

I don't think it's an issue of panic; it's more of an acknowledgement that this team just isn't playing good football right now. Shit, Southern Utah beat the stank out of the same Weber team we got outplayed by (30-0). And they did it in Ogden. It's wonderful that we're winning these ugly games; it sure beats the hell out of losing them. However, playing so badly with the meat of our conference schedule to go is concerning.

I also have a hard time giving our D much credit just because they held Weber to 13 points. Weber self-destructed offensively a lot, having a TD taken off the board by a weird penalty mistake (the OL was downfield a good 20 yards). IF they had a better kicking game, we don't win. Let's not even start on the number of first downs they accumulated or how they managed to gain 100 yards more than their average in terrible conditions.

All of the talk on this board is just conversation. But it has to be alarming to the coaches that we have a lot more talent than teams like Weber or NoCo and are struggling mightily to beat them.

 

[rickb2525]

Playing good enough to win every week and at the end of the day thats all that matters. One game at a time.

 

[EWURanger]

Curious, Rashad Wadood was our best tackler at CB last year, and seems to have been pushed down and off the 2-deep. I had to look at the participation report to see if he even played yesterday (he did). What's that about? Seem like he might be a help in run stop.

He got moved to RB due to the injuries there. Apparently he played that position in HS. I remember him playing some in the UNC game, not sure if he played at RB yesterday or at CB. Seems like he could play both.