Coach Baldwin and "The Hit"

[FormerEag]

I was really impressed by how Coach B quickly and decisively handled the late hit and subsequent taunting. I understand that the play was bang bang and that we are talking about a Freshman in an emotionally charged first game. But Baldwin showed why he is such a great coach- most guys would have addressed all that later. Class act.

This picture just screams "coaching moment."

 

[9MFEaglefan]

I was glad Coach Baldwin handled the situation as quickly as he did. I don't think that's something that gets addressed later on, you have to handle it right there and then. No different than what he's done in the past when other players have made a bonehead play that cost the team. I've gotta think that Kreifels was just trying to lay some wood, but the way he reacted after getting heckled by the crowd is as dumb as it gets.

 

[luckyintheorder]

There was frustration that had been building on the sideline around the lack of officiating calls against Oregon's defense line encroachments and holds on the offense. You could see it with Coach B going after the ref at one point. This and pressure to make tackles for the defense and you get a young man we know can hit trying to make a play. Would like to hear from someone at the game how "polite" the Oregon fans were being. I think the mindset of the team was, OK; Oregon isn't going to let up, we need to compete and Kriefels reaction to the crowd was an extension of these factors. Coach B did the right thing pulling the emotion back at that point, I would contend there were a lot of other things including the demeanor of the coaches and other players that went into Kriefels act of defiance. In other words, don't be to hard on the kid. This was 7 months in the coming.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Sort of comical that anyone would bitch about this given West left the game following a late hit as well.

 

[clawman1]

There was frustration that had been building on the sideline around the lack of officiating calls against Oregon's defense line encroachments and holds on the offense. You could see it with Coach B going after the ref at one point. This and pressure to make tackles for the defense and you get a young man we know can hit trying to make a play. Would like to hear from someone at the game how "polite" the Oregon fans were being. I think the mindset of the team was, OK; Oregon isn't going to let up, we need to compete and Kriefels reaction to the crowd was an extension of these factors. Coach B did the right thing pulling the emotion back at that point, I would contend there were a lot of other things including the demeanor of the coaches and other players that went into Kriefels act of defiance. In other words, don't be to hard on the kid. This was 7 months in the coming.

Our encounters with Oregon fans at the hotel, in restaurants, around downtown Eugen, and to and fro the game was positive. A few said "thanks for coming" but most were neutral, none offensive.
Kriefels does not deserve a break, it was a STUPID move that had no upside only downside then to make matters worse he had to taunt the crowd with inappropriate gestures while being escorted off the field. Kind of proved the point that he acted stupidly on the field. Don't make excuses for John, he does not deserve a break in this case. I will be interesting to see how the staff reacts.

 

[LDopaPDX]

There was frustration that had been building on the sideline around the lack of officiating calls against Oregon's defense line encroachments and holds on the offense. You could see it with Coach B going after the ref at one point. This and pressure to make tackles for the defense and you get a young man we know can hit trying to make a play. Would like to hear from someone at the game how "polite" the Oregon fans were being. I think the mindset of the team was, OK; Oregon isn't going to let up, we need to compete and Kriefels reaction to the crowd was an extension of these factors. Coach B did the right thing pulling the emotion back at that point, I would contend there were a lot of other things including the demeanor of the coaches and other players that went into Kriefels act of defiance. In other words, don't be to hard on the kid. This was 7 months in the coming.

Our encounters with Oregon fans at the hotel, in restaurants, around downtown Eugen, and to and fro the game was positive. A few said "thanks for coming" but most were neutral, none offensive.
Kriefels does not deserve a break, it was a STUPID move that had no upside only downside then to make matters worse he had to taunt the crowd with inappropriate gestures while being escorted off the field. Kind of proved the point that he acted stupidly on the field. Don't make excuses for John, he does not deserve a break in this case. I will be interesting to see how the staff reacts.

I get what you're saying... it was a clear late hit and 15 yard penalty. But that's all it was, and those things happen every game. You can't throw the book at a kid for a single personal foul. I highly doubt he spent the play thinking "oh, I can't wait to late hit Vernon!" VA dove and Kreifels was already going in on him.

 

[EdubU10]

Would like to hear from someone at the game how "polite" the Oregon fans were being.

I gotta say, duck fans treated us the best out of any Pac-12 v. EWU game I've been to. Encountered nothing but positivity and welcoming attitudes in the tailgate and got a lot of kudos afterwards.

 

[eaglesfootball]

Sort of comical that anyone would bitch about this given West left the game following a late hit as well.

there were two very late hits on our qb's and I dont think what you are referencing was one of them. Jordan left the game because of cramps. As for Kreifels he needs to be more aware of the rule but do I think he was intentionally trying to hurt VA? Not at all and I watched the play probably 10 to 15 times on replay. I had a serious problem with what he did walking off the field but I hope that he will mature from this incident and come to the realization that a players actions effect the entire team not just the individual. I expect him to be in the dog house for some time but at some point as a coach you have to pick the kid up off the ground after something like this.

 

[Obzerver]

Wonder if the BSC has a say in any type of punishment? When we played WSU and that one player cheap shoted a couple of our WR's and the Pac 12, I think, sat him a half game. With an ejection(and the way he left the field) he may be sitting home next week if not from the BSC perhaps in house. Didn't look to me like it was intentional as his momentum would have been near impossible to stop.

 

[luckyintheorder]

There was frustration that had been building on the sideline around the lack of officiating calls against Oregon's defense line encroachments and holds on the offense. You could see it with Coach B going after the ref at one point. This and pressure to make tackles for the defense and you get a young man we know can hit trying to make a play. Would like to hear from someone at the game how "polite" the Oregon fans were being. I think the mindset of the team was, OK; Oregon isn't going to let up, we need to compete and Kriefels reaction to the crowd was an extension of these factors. Coach B did the right thing pulling the emotion back at that point, I would contend there were a lot of other things including the demeanor of the coaches and other players that went into Kriefels act of defiance. In other words, don't be to hard on the kid. This was 7 months in the coming.

Our encounters with Oregon fans at the hotel, in restaurants, around downtown Eugen, and to and fro the game was positive. A few said "thanks for coming" but most were neutral, none offensive.
Kriefels does not deserve a break, it was a STUPID move that had no upside only downside then to make matters worse he had to taunt the crowd with inappropriate gestures while being escorted off the field. Kind of proved the point that he acted stupidly on the field. Don't make excuses for John, he does not deserve a break in this case. I will be interesting to see how the staff reacts.

For arguments sake, will agree the arm waving was not appropriate. Do you think Kriefels intentionally speared VA in the head? Kriefels deserves what he got per the officials and the rules, beyond that were does the "punishment" end? How do you behave when embarrassed, angry and being booed by thousands? Thank you sir, may I have another? It's a hard game, played by young men and passion will overrule thought on occasion. Coach B took care of it. Is that enough for you?

 

[luckyintheorder]

Wonder if the BSC has a say in any type of punishment? When we played WSU and that one player cheap shoted a couple of our WR's and the Pac 12, I think, sat him a half game. With an ejection(and the way he left the field) he may be sitting home next week if not from the BSC perhaps in house. Didn't look to me like it was intentional as his momentum would have been near impossible to stop.

Deonte Buchanan.

 

[EWURanger]

Wonder if the BSC has a say in any type of punishment? When we played WSU and that one player cheap shoted a couple of our WR's and the Pac 12, I think, sat him a half game. With an ejection(and the way he left the field) he may be sitting home next week if not from the BSC perhaps in house. Didn't look to me like it was intentional as his momentum would have been near impossible to stop.

Deonte Buchanan.

You may be referring to this little gem. Watching this one again, it seems a lot worse than what Kreifels did.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Won't condone the late hit or the actions afterwards but can't help but feeling like there may have been a little embellishment on the part of VA. I may get blasted for that, but he does tend to flirt with disaster with the way he slides and I saw him take several almost identical hits during his time at Eastern.

 

[clawman1]

It's a hard game, played by young men and passion will overrule thought on occasion. Coach B took care of it. Is that enough for you?

Good enough for me?? It is not about any individual it is about Eagle athletics. Every player represents the entire athletic dept. His actions while departing the field were totally unacceptable and I don't think what we saw on the sidelines by BB will be the end of it. The consequences may be confidential and handled within the department and that seems appropriate. One thing for certain I do not want to be John Kreifels about now.

 

[HannahO]

It's a hard game, played by young men and passion will overrule thought on occasion. Coach B took care of it. Is that enough for you?

Good enough for me?? It is not about any individual it is about Eagle athletics. Every player represents the entire athletic dept. His actions while departing the field were totally unacceptable and I don't think what we saw on the sidelines by BB will be the end of it. The consequences may be confidential and handled within the department and that seems appropriate. One thing for certain I do not want to be John Kreifels about now.

In the grand scheme of things that young people do that are "ill -considered" or foolish or stupid or substitute a similar adjective, this strikes me as relatively minor. It's not criminal, it's not an off the field violation of team rules, he didn't throw a punch at the end of the game ( i.e. Blount), etc. He may have to sit out the next game by virtue of the rule (ejection for targeting = suspension for the next game) and he may do some extra "conditioning" at practice, but I think you're making way too much of this. Lighten up!

 

[joemon]

It's a hard game, played by young men and passion will overrule thought on occasion. Coach B took care of it. Is that enough for you?

Good enough for me?? It is not about any individual it is about Eagle athletics. Every player represents the entire athletic dept. His actions while departing the field were totally unacceptable and I don't think what we saw on the sidelines by BB will be the end of it. The consequences may be confidential and handled within the department and that seems appropriate. One thing for certain I do not want to be John Kreifels about now.

In the grand scheme of things that young people do that are "ill -considered" or foolish or stupid or substitute a similar adjective, this strikes me as relatively minor. It's not criminal, it's not an off the field violation of team rules, he didn't throw a punch at the end of the game ( i.e. Blount), etc. He may have to sit out the next game by virtue of the rule (ejection for targeting = suspension for the next game) and he may do some extra "conditioning" at practice, but I think you're making way too much of this. Lighten up!

I agree, I just finished watching the game and yes he should have been penalized but for everyone to get on him for waving his fingers around.....come on, it wasn't that big of a deal

 

[luckyintheorder]

HannahO: In the grand scheme of things that young people do that are "ill -considered" or foolish or stupid or substitute a similar adjective, this strikes me as relatively minor. It's not criminal, it's not an off the field violation of team rules, he didn't throw a punch at the end of the game ( i.e. Blount), etc. He may have to sit out the next game by virtue of the rule (ejection for targeting = suspension for the next game) and he may do some extra "conditioning" at practice, but I think you're making way too much of this. Lighten up!

Joemon: I agree, I just finished watching the game and yes he should have been penalized but for everyone to get on him for waving his fingers around.....come on, it wasn't that big of a deal

These. HannahO and Joemon. :thumb:

 

[EWURanger]

HannahO: In the grand scheme of things that young people do that are "ill -considered" or foolish or stupid or substitute a similar adjective, this strikes me as relatively minor. It's not criminal, it's not an off the field violation of team rules, he didn't throw a punch at the end of the game ( i.e. Blount), etc. He may have to sit out the next game by virtue of the rule (ejection for targeting = suspension for the next game) and he may do some extra "conditioning" at practice, but I think you're making way too much of this. Lighten up!

Joemon: I agree, I just finished watching the game and yes he should have been penalized but for everyone to get on him for waving his fingers around.....come on, it wasn't that big of a deal

These. HannahO and Joemon. :thumb:

I don't disagree with any of that, but to me the hand waving was a big deal. It would have been inappropriate in any game, but to do that kind of thing in a game like this was really stupid. Think about how much this game was hyped and the storylines leading up to it for the past 8 months. The story that the Oregon and national media wants to paint (and one that Vernon greatly contributed to) is clearly one of a young man just trying to overcome adversity (even if it's adversity he created) and a program that turned his back on him (even though it was kinda the other way around).

So, knowing all of that, why as a player would you do taunt the crowd after a poor play? There was even a lot of speculation amongst Oregon fans and media that a former teammate might try and take a cheap shot on him. Even if there is little factual basis, perception is reality. Nevermind the close relationships that Vernon still maintains with a lot of former teammates and even Coach B.

Yes, he was late. No, he wasn't trying to target Vernon. But his actions after getting ejected just stoked the fire and gave further ammunition for those that want this story to be told a certain way. That's the problem I have. You have got to be more self-aware.

As for John, I am sure that he will serve his suspension, get coached up, and get on with it. Just learn from the mistake and move forward.

 

[Seattle Eagle]

Again, not going to condone the late hit and especially not what he did after, but was it really a lot worse than this? You could make the argument that it was much more obvious that the QB was "down" in this play.
[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=63TUc_vv84k[/youtube]

 

[EWURanger]

It definitely looks like he led with his head from that first angle. Either way, the penalty is one thing. I'm more concerned with what he did afterwards.

In that situation, you accept the penalty, tell yourself "yep, I F'd up", and walk off the field.