Deserve Better

[scooter1]

Please bear with me if I seem to ramble on, but I have been a season ticket holder since 1987 (I believe Pokey Allen's second year at PSU). I've never had the resources to contribute much to the University, and my purchase of tickets for my wife and I has sometimes been a strain on our budget, especially when between jobs or during times of financial stress. But each and every year we find a way to get to know who's who on the field and often become attached to these kids during their tenure with the program. I never had the opportunity to play college ball (but did play a few years in H.S.).

So, I haven't posted much at all this year, and this is my final stab this season at trying to reconcile the depths to which we find our football program. I'm trying to put my finger on the reasoning behind such an abhorrent outcome over the last couple of years. Is it a big disparity in talent ? Are we too young to compete ? Are the Offensive and/or Defensive systems just not workable in the Big Sky ? Or are we being snookered at the coaching level ? When considering each of these I tend to come to conclusions that may or may not hold water. Maybe after bearing with me you can share your insights.

Disparity in Talent ? For the most part I can't see a discernible difference between the Viks and our Big Sky opponents. As a matter of discussion it seems to me that, if anything, we are equal or even better athletically than most teams we line up with. Several opposing coaches have said as much.

Too Young ? I hear Barnum and others constantly referring to how young this team is, but if you look at Northern Arizona for example, their team roster consists of several more underclassmen than Portland State's roster. And if you break it down even further NAU's depth chart on offence consists of 9 underclassmen compared to the Viking's 5 (defense similar).

Offensive and/or Defensive Schemes ? I suppose this could be the culprit, but Tim Walsh's triple option seems to thrive year in and year out, and it certainly doesn't fit the mold of a high flying, pass happy offense. Besides, two years ago we took the world by storm with essentially the same systems, although perhaps we have become a little more conservative since then (and as such maybe more predictable?).

Coaching OK, this is the big elephant in the room (and that's not a swipe at Barnum's girth). A couple of things here come to mind. One is a lack of imagination (or at least variety) in play calling. This could be due to the "Barney Ball" effect, trying to stay true to that hard nosed, blue collar style of play. That's all fine if you are disciplined enough to enforce your will. This doesn't seem to be the case on either side of the ball right now, but it didn't seem to raise it's ugly head the first two games of the season. Why ? Also, tonight's contest had our starting QB in the game until the very end (when we were behind by several TDs), and he was hit on the last play of the game so hard it could have ended his season.

I don't see even a glimmer of hope of winning a Big Sky championship in the foreseeable future, let alone having a winning season. It's going to be a shame if they pull the plug on football at PSU.

 

[bigskyconf]

Deserve better? Who deserves better? We have too many players who think they are better than they are, acting like they are so much better by getting in the faces of the opposition and getting stupid penalty after stupid penalty. Simply, we are 0-6. We are not better than anyone we've played as of now. We need to quit acting like we are.

We have a senior quarterback, a SENIOR quarterback, who hasn't played quarterback before this season, other than a few snaps as a freshman. Our SENIOR quarterback was our best down field threat as a receiver, but he is now playing quarterback, so we pretty much have no one to go to when we need to head downfield in a hurry.

We also have our senior quarterback playing the whole game so we are not even getting the young QB's any playing time this season. He will be gone next year and we will have break in another quarterback. He also zones in on one receiver. The opponent picks up on this, makes the adjustments at halftime, then go for the picks in the second half.

With no deep threat, the ingenuity of BarneyBall is reduced to runs and short passes. No trick plays, no deep catches, no surprises. By the third quarter, we have shown the opposition all that we have for the game. BarneyBall thus is reduced to BoringBall.

We're 0-6. Simply, we need to start getting ready for next season. I sound like a broken record every week so I'll get it out of the way early. Put Kraght back at receiver and bring Eason back in.

 

[Alan1]

scooter said: "Coaching OK, this is the big elephant in the room (and that's not a swipe at Barnum's girth). A couple of things here come to mind. One is a lack of imagination (or at least variety) in play calling. This could be due to the "Barney Ball" effect, trying to stay true to that hard nosed, blue collar style of play. That's all fine if you are disciplined enough to enforce your will. This doesn't seem to be the case on either side of the ball right now, but it didn't seem to raise it's ugly head the first two games of the season. Why ?"

First, PSU is a very undisciplined team. I suspect it is a reflection of the coaching staff in general and of our "FCS Coach of the Year" who himself was disciplined by the university for undisciplined behavior. Second, I think he lost the respect of the team, like Andersen at OSU, when he started a new kid at quarterback over an upperclassman who had done whatever had been asked of him. Third the team has absolutely no offensive identity. We don't run well. We don't pass well. We run junk. Walsh's teams did and do have an offensive identity. Mouse's teams did. Allen's teams did. Finally, BYU and OSU are simply awful football teams. They would be lucky to finish in the upper half of the Sky.

 

[bigskyconf]

I think he lost the respect of the team, like Andersen at OSU, when he started a new kid at quarterback over an upperclassman who had done whatever had been asked of him...the team has absolutely no offensive identity.

I think you're close here. The incumbent upperclassman quarterback for the Beavers coming in finished last season at the helm, even leading the Beavers to a win over the Ducks in the Civil War. He had experience and Andersen chose instead to bring in a new kid. For us, Kraght never played quarterback except a couple games as a freshman. Whoever got the job between Kraght, Eason and Alexander was going to be a fresh face at QB. If you look around the conference, EWU, Montana State and Northern Arizona all start sophomores and Montana starts a freshman and it doesn't seem like any of the upperclassmen on those teams are bitching about their senior not playing. You are right, we need to establish an identity because the conference is not going to wait for us to figure it out. Regardless of what the seniors might say, this season is lost and we would be best to start getting ready for next year and work on establishing an identity, otherwise next year will be just as awful.

 

[Alan1]

I think I am closer than you think I am.

tomthomas wrote: “ Quarterback position is going to be a tough call. I personally believe they both played well, but neither of them stood out to grab control of the position. Both of #4 Josh Kraght Picks were off of tips. He didn't throw the ball that bad. #6 Davis Alexander made a poor read and threw a pick that you would expect a Freshman to throw in the Spring Game. Davis Alexander also made some good reads and dropped the ball into spots that were impressive. It will be interesting to see how this plays out and with the addition of Cade Smith joining the mix, it will be an interesting Fall Camp.”

Colter_Nuanez565 wrote: “Portland State head coach Bruce Barnum has named true freshman Jalani Eason as Viks' starting QB, ahead of senior Josh Kraght."

faithinviks wrote: “Good move for the future but I feel bad for the guys who are seniors. They were all hoping for Josh with his experience and leadership. Eason is seen as a good kid but there are some feeling like we invested in the future at the cost to the present.”

Further, with this staff in charge next season, I expect the new season to be just like last season and this season. For a long, long time it has always been "wait 'til next year" around here.

 

[martymoose]

Penalties and turnover margin seem to me to be reasons for our 2nd and 4th to last stats in scoring offense and defense in the BSC.

Penalties and turnover margin are not related to athletic talent in my opinion. They are related to coaching.

 

[bigskyconf]

Further, with this staff in charge next season, I expect the new season to be just like last season and this season. For a long, long time it has always been "wait 'til next year" around here.

This is it. This is where I agree with you. I, too, am tired of all the "wait 'til next year" baloney. I want to actually arrive at that time where we all can come in and say "Wait 'til THIS year". Unfortunately, this year currently we are 0-6. There will be no playoff opportunity this year. There will be no shot at a conference championship this year. I say give the youngsters a shot to see what they can do, so we have a good idea of what can be fixed next year and what can't. This whole idea of going with a senior quarterback in a lost season will not help us get better next season. Also, one could argue that our best games were against BYU and Oregon State, and remember who was at QB and who was at receiver those two games. One more thing, last year Montana State went with a true freshman at quarterback. Both him and the team struggled mightily at the start, yet both improved as the year went on, to the point that they beat Montana in Missoula, a task that is not easy to do, especially with a freshman quarterback.

We don't owe the seniors anything. If anything, the seniors owe us the idea of playing the game the right way, setting a positive example to the youngsters, and stop with all the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties.

 

[Alan1]

bigskyconf wrote: "We don't owe the seniors anything. If anything, the seniors owe us the idea of playing the game the right way, setting a positive example to the youngsters, and stop with all the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties."

The play of the seniors (the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties) is, rightly or wrongly, a reflection of what they believe to be the coaching staff's attitude and behavior. It is a coaching failure. At any time the staff can stop the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties by simply benching the perpetrators.

 

[faithinviks]

@bigsky..."We don't owe the seniors anything. If anything, the seniors owe us the idea of playing the game the right way..."

I told myself I wasn't going to weigh in for quite awhile. I too was very frustrated after this week. It has been obvious hearing from a few of the kids, watching the poor interaction/teaching of coaches on the sidelines, and seeing the same type of play calling that leadership truly is the issue. But as we discussed on another thread we are not going to replace coaching with "coach of the year" so recent, 3 years remaining that will cost a cheap admin too much, a "cute" Barnyball theme to sell, and a Portland community not too concerned with the football record.

We had a great run 2 years ago with Burton's boys, a senior laden defense, and some "freedom" that a new coach brought in his first year. It's not going to happen again. But to imply the seniors or other kids "owe us"...that's a bit much. What do we owe them? How about good mentoring, teaching and leadership.

In any case, I for one expected Kraght to provide leadership and mentoring for the team and the next freshman QB in hopes of salvaging this year in conference. Leadership is there but it was asking too much of a kid who has not played QB as a starter. And hope in conference is now gone. Start the freshman QB for the rest of the year and get him some experience. Bench the seniors who can't seem to avoid personal fouls and attitude.

We can't change the coaching and leadership issue soon but at least when we are in a position to make some changes in two years we will have some experienced juniors and seniors. And when that time comes...I know we will always be cheap but at least think outside the box.

Indulge me just a bit with my last post...

Find a proven leader and winner. For example in our backyard look at George Fox 4 years ago. Started a football program from scratch, hired Casey out of Aloha HS who took a losing HS team, turned them around and they won the state title. No one thought a "HS" guy could coach at college. Now this year George Fox is nationally ranked. His brother, Pat Casey, did similar things when he went to Oregon St and turned them into national baseball champions.

These weren't big name expensive coaches at the time. These were men with proven leadership skills who showed they could win at their level and cared about mentoring and teaching kids to be successful in college sport so they could be successful men at the next level.

In any case, our boys deserve better, our fans deserve better. Hope in next year "springs eternal". On to the Idaho State dome this week...

 

[GreenGiant]

Maybe Mike Riley will be available for next season.

 

[VikThunder]

bigskyconf wrote: "We don't owe the seniors anything. If anything, the seniors owe us the idea of playing the game the right way, setting a positive example to the youngsters, and stop with all the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties."

The play of the seniors (the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties) is, rightly or wrongly, a reflection of what they believe to be the coaching staff's attitude and behavior. It is a coaching failure. At any time the staff can stop the personal fouls and unsportsmanlike conduct penalties by simply benching the perpetrators.

:thumb:

 

[bigskyconf]

I am sorry. I am frustrated. Maybe it was due to being closer to the action than I am otherwise used to, that kind of opened my eyes to what is going on (thanks, Marty). We are better than this. I know that BYU and Oregon State are not lighting up the FBS world this year, but we have regressed from those two games. Watching Kraght play receiver the last two years, I have to say he is a way better receiver right now than a quarterback.

Most coaches I've been around have always preached, "Play hard, play tough, play smart". We are playing hard and tough, but we are not playing smart. What is going on, I have to think has more to do with the seniors than coaching. When you are a senior and have played the game that whole time, you should know the difference between playing hard and playing dirty. I don't see that as the fault of coaching. If it was a freshman, maybe perhaps one could blame coaching, but when you are a senior, you should be able to play the right way.

Next year we play at Oregon and at Montana. Those two games right there should teach us how to play with poise and how to play smart.

 

[BroadwayVik]

It would seem that there could be negative forces at play determined to keep Portland State from emerging as a football power. This negative force needs to be arrested, tried, convicted and lethally-injected.

In the past few years, we've seen our fine RB Steven Long encounter a life-threatening cranial condition requiring life-or-death surgery. We've seen two Viking players DIE in the same year. We've seen the coach's reputation besmirched through accusations of womanizing. Any of this seem suspicious in an against-the-odds kind of way?

Stay mediocre or else? Is there foulness afoot? Why, pray tell, when PSU Football improves (as it did markedly in Barny's first year as HC) do things mysteriously revert back to mediocrity very soon thereafter?

Is some group threatening our program in a sinister way? They need to be revealed and sent to prison.