Areas of concern for 2016

[LDopaPDX]

My thoughts, in order of importance:

1. Defensive scheme-- we can't win games by playing miles off the ball and hemorrhaging first downs and yardage. We can't drop back and hope the other teams turn it over. We need to find ways to get upfield and create pressure. It seems like every year this is a pain point and every year it goes unaddressed. This was the first year where some of our coaching looked really bad, especially on D.

2. DL-- not enough talent at these positions, plain and simple. We must be able to break through when just rushing four. We need some guys who can schuck blocks and make plays. We can't be hoping for the linebackers to always clean up the mess.

3. Safety-- again, with the exception of Raynes, none of the others were of DI talent. Much of this problem, though, stems from the schematic issues where we never press up and force the action. When these guys start 15 yards off the ball, they are often out of the play before it even begins.

4. Toughness--- too many injuries, year after year. We can't build consistency when guys miss time over and over again. We need to keep our best guys on the field. I understand injuries happen to everyone, but our walking wounded each season indicates a systemic problem.

5. Explosive playmakers-- losing Shaq Hill robbed us of a downfield threat. We also didn't have enough playmakers at RB, and those who were capable were always injured. Simba Webster isn't a Shaq Hill 2.0. Taiwan Jones doesn't come around often, but we still need guys who can get into open field and make guys miss. Whether these playmakers are kick returners, RBs, or WRs is sort of irrelevant, we just need a guy who can create with his feet.

6. Kicker--- not something that gets mentioned very often, but inability to get 3 points when it's available is a killer. Again, we lose our starting kicker early in the year to an injury. We've got to find a guy with a 50 yard leg and the ability to be 75% from inside that range. We've had many of these in the past, but we tried three different guys last year and none could do it.

 

[Rontheoldwiseeagle]

My thoughts, in order of importance:

1. Defensive scheme-- we can't win games by playing miles off the ball and hemorrhaging first downs and yardage. We can't drop back and hope the other teams turn it over. We need to find ways to get upfield and create pressure. It seems like every year this is a pain point and every year it goes unaddressed. This was the first year where some of our coaching looked really bad, especially on D.

2. DL-- not enough talent at these positions, plain and simple. We must be able to break through when just rushing four. We need some guys who can schuck blocks and make plays. We can't be hoping for the linebackers to always clean up the mess.

3. Safety-- again, with the exception of Raynes, none of the others were of DI talent. Much of this problem, though, stems from the schematic issues where we never press up and force the action. When these guys start 15 yards off the ball, they are often out of the play before it even begins.

4. Toughness--- too many injuries, year after year. We can't build consistency when guys miss time over and over again. We need to keep our best guys on the field. I understand injuries happen to everyone, but our walking wounded each season indicates a systemic problem.

5. Explosive playmakers-- losing Shaq Hill robbed us of a downfield threat. We also didn't have enough playmakers at RB, and those who were capable were always injured. Simba Webster isn't a Shaq Hill 2.0. Taiwan Jones doesn't come around often, but we still need guys who can get into open field and make guys miss. Whether these playmakers are kick returners, RBs, or WRs is sort of irrelevant, we just need a guy who can create with his feet.

6. Kicker--- not something that gets mentioned very often, but inability to get 3 points when it's available is a killer. Again, we lose our starting kicker early in the year to an injury. We've got to find a guy with a 50 yard leg and the ability to be 75% from inside that range. We've had many of these in the past, but we tried three different guys last year and none could do it.

This is right on, Thanks

 

[ewueagle2010]

I would add "schedule" to the 2016 areas of concern. I normally try not to complain about something we have no control over, but next year may be the toughest schedule EWU has ever had.

Everything else looks spot on, Dopa!

 

[Jibjab68]

First let me say that I do not disagree with your analysis. However, I think Coach Baldwin and staff have already made some moves to address some of these concerns.

The 4-2-5 scheme on defense can play a variety of ways in the secondary and up front. Where we may have played a lot of Cover 2, 3 and quarters coverage with our safety's and cb's deep to avoid getting beat over the top, it is not out of the realm of possibility to see us in more of Cover 1 and 0 scheme with our corners pressed and pushing the action. I think we will see more of this because we will be more experienced.

The hire of Eti Ena to coordinate our front 7 and coach the DE's is a big move. I think he will help take our DL to the next level with his experience and coaching ability.

We have to big time athletes in Sam Inos and Dahontae Hayes coming off of their redshirt year at Safety. I wouldn't be surprised if coach Schmeds isn't counting on one or both to be impact players this upcoming season.

Toughness is being addressed right now. When the team came back from Christmas break the coaching staff let them know right away that this is going to be the toughest winter ball session they've ever had and then backed it up by starting super intense workouts that first Tuesday. I remember seeing multiple tweets about how hard it was. I remember Ketner Kupp tweeting about it being very rough. Since then, I've seen tweets and heard comments from some players that the workouts have continued in their intensity.

Speaking of explosive, Is Shaq Hill going to be back this coming year? I heard he may get a medical redshirt?

Kicker is the only area that I haven't seen a move in yet. Hoping that the current players improve and gain the coaches confidence.

 

[marceagfan5]

I think i'm willing to give 1, 2 & 3 a pass as we changed our defensive scheme last year and had a new coordinator, with a ton of freshman playing. I think another year under their belt and it will be much improved.

4. Toughness - I think we are fine. They started winter cond earlier this year to get right into it. I think we will be a tougher/healthier team next year.

5. Playmakers - First, pretty sure Shaq received a med red shirt and is playing this year. On top of that, our last two recruiting classes added a ton of speed, just give em some time..

6 - Kicker - who knows...

I think the crappy intangible here is next years schedule. We need to beat UNI at home and probably have to either win at NDSU or run the table in conference to have a top 4 seed.

 

[clawman1]

I think the crappy intangible here is next years schedule. We need to beat UNI at home and probably have to either win at NDSU or run the table in conference to have a top 4 seed.

Win at NDSU... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I think we have a better chance of beating the Cougars

 

[LDopaPDX]

I think the crappy intangible here is next years schedule. We need to beat UNI at home and probably have to either win at NDSU or run the table in conference to have a top 4 seed.

Win at NDSU... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I think we have a better chance of beating the Cougars

Yes, the schedule is a horrific burden. Not much we can do about it now, though. You just hope Chaves learns from the mistake and adjust accordingly.

I'd say this about toughness, I have no idea what transpires in the training room. I'm not sure it's a condition issue. To some degree, I think it is an attitude as it relates to managing injuries. If you tear something, break something, or get a serious concussion, you're out. Not much can be done about that. Those injuries happen and when they do, you just have to sit out.

However, I have a lot of concern with how often we hear about rolled ankles or sore muscles. These are painful injuries, but they are injuries of inflammation and pain. Inflammation and pain can be handled through medication. We need to have a mindset where players get on the field with those kind of injuries. There are very few injuries, IMO, that should result in missing one or two games. If the injury is severe, it'll take a long while to heal. But some of these others just need to be managed. Call me old school or whatever else, but we miss an inordinate amount of time to ticky-tack injuries.

Contrast that to the RB for Illinois State who rolled his ankle when we played them in the playoffs. He missed one drive and was back on the field for the second half. That is what is required.

 

[dudeitsaid]

I think the crappy intangible here is next years schedule. We need to beat UNI at home and probably have to either win at NDSU or run the table in conference to have a top 4 seed.

Win at NDSU... :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:
I think we have a better chance of beating the Cougars

Maybe...but Carson Wentz is not coming back as QB, and that dude was a stud. Some are predicting him to be the first QB taken in the NFL draft, and many others have him as a first rounder. My understanding is that the heir apparent isn't nearly the same quality. We can see from both our team and the Ducks season the impact a QB can have. If VA was on either team and healthy for the entire season, either team would've been a NC contender.

I know NDSU has a lot more playmakers than just the QB, and defensive tradition that is going to make them a force on that side of the ball every year. But I think our team is going to be stronger and more experienced next year, and could pull the upset. At the very least, I think it will be a competitive game, and hope ESPN sees it as the right College Football Kickoff national game.

I think WAZZU is going to continue to improve, and though our team can hang with the Pac 12, I think the Cougers will be on alert after losing to PSU this year, and they are going to play against us with a different level of intensity.

Call me a homer, but I think we beat UNI by a TD on the Inferno, lose to WSU, and beat NDSU in OT when their QB fumbles the ball on the goal line...again. :mrgreen:

 

[eaglesfootball]

for another area of concern, I would say offensive line. With the exception of a couple returning upperclassmen, none of whom were starters, we have no idea what we have. Add to that the fact that this year we had two players that are legitimate NFL prospects and still couldn't get a decent rushing attack going. Overall I was very disappointed with the play of our O Line this year. Unless the guys who redshirted this year are world beaters I'd say this is a very real area of concern.

 

[clawman1]

Unless the guys who redshirted this year are world beaters I'd say this is a very real area of concern.

That is why I'm afraid we can not beat NDSU. We have the skill players and more speed than anyone in to get it done but lack the size on the O and D lines.

 

[Rjones61]

for another area of concern, I would say offensive line. With the exception of a couple returning upperclassmen, none of whom were starters, we have no idea what we have. Add to that the fact that this year we had two players that are legitimate NFL prospects and still couldn't get a decent rushing attack going. Overall I was very disappointed with the play of our O Line this year. Unless the guys who redshirted this year are world beaters I'd say this is a very real area of concern.

I agree with this. Best is a fantastic coach, and our O-line will be ready.... eventually. A coach can only do so much and lack of experience on the offensive line is going to be a big hurdle.

If Jordan West is our QB next year, his tendency to stay in the pocket for extended amounts of time could get painful.

 

[Obzerver]

dudeitsaid, you mentioned, "Maybe...but Carson Wentz is not coming back as QB, and that dude was a stud. Some are predicting him to be the first QB taken in the NFL draft, and many others have him as a first rounder. My understanding is that the heir apparent isn't nearly the same quality."

*When Wentz went down his RSFrosh. backup went 8-0 and rushed for 5 td's...threw for 13 with 4 ints. Not sure how good he is or if he'll even be the starter but hope there is some other weakness we can exploit.

 

[luckyintheorder]

My thoughts, in order of importance:

1. Defensive scheme-- we can't win games by playing miles off the ball and hemorrhaging first downs and yardage. We can't drop back and hope the other teams turn it over. We need to find ways to get upfield and create pressure. It seems like every year this is a pain point and every year it goes unaddressed. This was the first year where some of our coaching looked really bad, especially on D.

2. DL-- not enough talent at these positions, plain and simple. We must be able to break through when just rushing four. We need some guys who can schuck blocks and make plays. We can't be hoping for the linebackers to always clean up the mess.

3. Safety-- again, with the exception of Raynes, none of the others were of DI talent. Much of this problem, though, stems from the schematic issues where we never press up and force the action. When these guys start 15 yards off the ball, they are often out of the play before it even begins.

4. Toughness--- too many injuries, year after year. We can't build consistency when guys miss time over and over again. We need to keep our best guys on the field. I understand injuries happen to everyone, but our walking wounded each season indicates a systemic problem.

5. Explosive playmakers-- losing Shaq Hill robbed us of a downfield threat. We also didn't have enough playmakers at RB, and those who were capable were always injured. Simba Webster isn't a Shaq Hill 2.0. Taiwan Jones doesn't come around often, but we still need guys who can get into open field and make guys miss. Whether these playmakers are kick returners, RBs, or WRs is sort of irrelevant, we just need a guy who can create with his feet.

6. Kicker--- not something that gets mentioned very often, but inability to get 3 points when it's available is a killer. Again, we lose our starting kicker early in the year to an injury. We've got to find a guy with a 50 yard leg and the ability to be 75% from inside that range. We've had many of these in the past, but we tried three different guys last year and none could do it.

Good post Dopa. Can't say I agree. Wish you would save posts like this until after signing day. There is plenty of talent. Ena will improve DL play immediately, the youth got a ton of experience last year, there is more speed overall on this team than ... EVER. I thought coaching was the single biggest issue last year and changes have been made. When talent doesn't translate on the field, it is usually the coaches. May be harder when the cupboard is full to coach. Won the Natty without an explosive playmaker in the backfield against a very good Blue hen team.

Agree that the OL needs to come together to have a reasonable season. Special teams in general was a C- last year. Schedule sucks. Think the players are "tough" as they can be, would emphasis bigger program recruits, those that have stayed healthy, probably few and far between of those not getting an FBS opportunity..

I expect Eastern to come out and win 3 of 4 of those early games, improve to middle of the pack or better on Defense and compete for a conference title once again. This team will be special in 2016.

 

[LDopaPDX]

My thoughts, in order of importance:

1. Defensive scheme-- we can't win games by playing miles off the ball and hemorrhaging first downs and yardage. We can't drop back and hope the other teams turn it over. We need to find ways to get upfield and create pressure. It seems like every year this is a pain point and every year it goes unaddressed. This was the first year where some of our coaching looked really bad, especially on D.

2. DL-- not enough talent at these positions, plain and simple. We must be able to break through when just rushing four. We need some guys who can schuck blocks and make plays. We can't be hoping for the linebackers to always clean up the mess.

3. Safety-- again, with the exception of Raynes, none of the others were of DI talent. Much of this problem, though, stems from the schematic issues where we never press up and force the action. When these guys start 15 yards off the ball, they are often out of the play before it even begins.

4. Toughness--- too many injuries, year after year. We can't build consistency when guys miss time over and over again. We need to keep our best guys on the field. I understand injuries happen to everyone, but our walking wounded each season indicates a systemic problem.

5. Explosive playmakers-- losing Shaq Hill robbed us of a downfield threat. We also didn't have enough playmakers at RB, and those who were capable were always injured. Simba Webster isn't a Shaq Hill 2.0. Taiwan Jones doesn't come around often, but we still need guys who can get into open field and make guys miss. Whether these playmakers are kick returners, RBs, or WRs is sort of irrelevant, we just need a guy who can create with his feet.

6. Kicker--- not something that gets mentioned very often, but inability to get 3 points when it's available is a killer. Again, we lose our starting kicker early in the year to an injury. We've got to find a guy with a 50 yard leg and the ability to be 75% from inside that range. We've had many of these in the past, but we tried three different guys last year and none could do it.

Good post Dopa. Can't say I agree. Wish you would save posts like this until after signing day. There is plenty of talent. Ena will improve DL play immediately, the youth got a ton of experience last year, there is more speed overall on this team than ... EVER. I thought coaching was the single biggest issue last year and changes have been made. When talent doesn't translate on the field, it is usually the coaches. May be harder when the cupboard is full to coach. Won the Natty without an explosive playmaker in the backfield against a very good Blue hen team.

Agree that the OL needs to come together to have a reasonable season. Special teams in general was a C- last year. Schedule sucks. Think the players are "tough" as they can be, would emphasis bigger program recruits, those that have stayed healthy, probably few and far between of those not getting an FBS opportunity..

I expect Eastern to come out and win 3 of 4 of those early games, improve to middle of the pack or better on Defense and compete for a conference title once again. This team will be special in 2016.

I don't know if the guys we bring in as freshman can really be expected to make a big splash in year one, so whether it gets posted now or next week isn't a big difference. We'll maybe see a couple of impact true freshman, but anyone else who is brought in as an immediate fix will need to be a transfer. And, FWIW, we never seem to hit the JCs, so whatever transfers we get likely won't come in for another few months.

The class looks great, and the future looks bright (so long as we avoid the cataclysmic scheduling). But there were some real pock marks on last year's team that need an immediate rectification.

 

[Eaglefanatical]

The OL will definitely be getting a baptism by fire early on in the schedule. Not concerned at all with the talent there; more so the fact that they aren't going to have a ton of time to "gel" before the season begins. This year's OL had basically been playing together for 4 years.