Life with new qb

[EWU98]

https://skylinesportsmt.com/into-the-future-eastern-washington-cant-rely-on-barriere-anymore-how-will-eags-adapt/

Nice article till the end but always struggle with writers who don't do proper research...I mean the basic stuff...writing that Gage won the Payton Award...come on....and the fact it makes us sound like the team is nothing without EB3. We will be fine.

 

[luckyintheorder]

https://skylinesportsmt.com/into-the-future-eastern-washington-cant-rely-on-barriere-anymore-how-will-eags-adapt/

Nice article till the end but always struggle with writers who don't do proper research...I mean the basic stuff...writing that Gage won the Payton Award...come on....and the fact it makes us sound like the team is nothing without EB3. We will be fine.

It's stuff like this out of Best that always makes me wonder who called the offense in certain situations. Was it Best or the OC? (think 3rd and short failures...)

The Eagles return Gunner Talkington, perhaps the most well-prepared backup quarterback in the country – in five years at Eastern Washington, ... He’s a much-scrutinized cipher, in other words, although history says that he’ll probably be pretty good –

“It’s really his spot to lose, and he’s done a good job,” Best said. “He takes nothing for granted. … We’re looking for big things out of Gunner, and/or the position. All indications are that Gunner will be the guy, but time will tell.”

Who knows?

I like the OL and RB groups to carry the offense early. On the defensive side, the DL and DB's are solid. Really young at LB too. I don't Lamin Touray on the roster. He was the Nevada LB transfer. ?? Other freshman signees are listed.

 

[Eagledawg]

Sorry to say but but Talkington hasn't shown me anything to get excited about. Tre Turner(sophomore) is one that I had hoped would show some flashes that he is capable of winning that position since he is in that duel threat category along with VA, Gage and EB3 but I don't hear much about him. Also don't hear much about Simon Burkett (junior). Is it possible that that the long line of exceptional qb's has come to an end? Also we have the transfer from Arizona State in his last year of eligibility, not a big fan of one and done philosophy. I would rather take some lumps with a younger qb in exchange for some long term stability.

P.S. as a west sider I alway have to hunt for EWU football news. ESPN 700 radio in Spokane was one of my sources until they killed the local talk show. Does Spokane have any local sports talk radio?

 

[LDopaPDX]

I’m here to drop negativity… no shock, I’m sure,

I suspect the offense will be just fine. The question for Eastern is always whether the defense will even be passable. This is a year where we’re likely gonna have to get comfortable winning games that aren’t the 50-40 types that have been so common. Eastern had the only truly good offense in the Big Sky last year, but gave up an average of 30 to D1 opponents. We need to be one of the top-tier defenses that regularly holds team under 20. I have no idea if we’ve made strides in the area or not, but we can’t continue to be middle of the pack defensively or worse.

Also, even with the most minor adjustments, the special teams units can’t possibly be worse than last year. But they need to be a whole lot better, not just “better.” As per usual, the offense tends to plug and play. Everywhere else, it fluctuates from average to terrible.

 

[Obzerver]

Miss Vic Wallace and his insight. He knew what was goin on almost on a daily basis. Tough getting any info to be sure and I hope Dopa is correct about our offense being ok. Saw last Spring game and it looked like we had players playing on both sides and Qb's looked equal to me. This pre season is big getting a QB or three to be ready to play a tough ass schedule to "break in" a new QB. Concerned about QB and concerned about our depth on defense and looking at this schedule I'm breaking into a sweat. To top it off looking at all these new coaches everywhere and there's not even a special teams coach list?! I gotta take a duce...

 

[luckyintheorder]

Had posted this a while ago on another thread showing old tape on the QB's. Spring didn't show anyone really stepping up but there's a new OC and I think they just wanted to players to enjoy Spring with all the changes to staff etc.. The work in the weight room seems impressive as all the players in those twitter videos looked beastly. I have my favorites for QB and we'll know more soon as fall camp kicks off.

In no particular order:

Kekoa Visperas QB 6-0 190 Spanaway, Wash. / Bethel HS '21 he also played a lot of WR... a lot of similarities with EB3. BIG arm.
[media]https://www.hudl.com/video/3/10211820/5dd6e49bab92020fc850d131[/media]

Trey Turner QB 6-1 190 Pittsburg, Calif. / Pittsburg HS '19 -- wish his HUDL showed him pushing the ball down field
[media]https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3695340/5ba1c27664debf0c8ce9f93a[/media]

Simon Burkett QB 6-3 185 Bellingham, Wash. / Meridian HS '18 could play anywhere, super accurate
[media]https://www.hudl.com/video/3/4718949/5a2b8685ff0c5e3a1827fe0f[/media]

Ryan Kelley QB 6-3 Transfer from Arizona State Assume he didn't transfer to sit. Deceptively fast, makes all the throws, biggish arm, shoulder issues over 75K Hudl views
[media]https://www.hudl.com/video/3/3698560/584e1af4b5345a17f40fa295[/media]

Gunner Talkington QB --
[media]https://www.hudl.com/video/3/2140743/5806f0ae7bddf73ae086c8fd[/media]

Michael Taras - yes he's a WR now. I liked his Hudl a lot when he signed. Quick release, accurate and good wheels
[media]http://www.hudl.com/v/2E5LsZ[/media]

[/quote]

 

[Eagledawg]

Rewatched the spring game again and I must admit that Burkett throws the nicest ball and is fairly mobile. I keep hoping someone will take command of the position and seperate themselves from the rest like Gubrud did, even if its Talkinton. I think we have good receivers we just need someone to distribute the ball effectively. If we can get efficient play at qb ( doesn't have to be spectacular just keep the mistakes to a minimum) I think the offense can be nearly as productive as last year. Not so much with all the crazy passing numbers but more so with controling the game and helping the defense by controling the game clock.
This Fridays scrimmage will be interesting.

 

[EWURanger]

I’m here to drop negativity… no shock, I’m sure,

I suspect the offense will be just fine.

I’m not sure that’s the case this year. Our offense has always been predicated on big QB play and in the absence of that we better hope we can run the ball well.

I’m just not seeing the “every throw” kind of Qb we’ve always have on this fall’s roster. Could be wrong. Hope I’m wrong.

 

[luckyintheorder]

Rewatched the spring game again and I must admit that Burkett throws the nicest ball and is fairly mobile. I keep hoping someone will take command of the position and seperate themselves from the rest like Gubrud did, even if its Talkinton. I think we have good receivers we just need someone to distribute the ball effectively. If we can get efficient play at qb ( doesn't have to be spectacular just keep the mistakes to a minimum) I think the offense can be nearly as productive as last year. Not so much with all the crazy passing numbers but more so with controling the game and helping the defense by controling the game clock.
This Fridays scrimmage will be interesting.

I liked Burkett too. Leaning Kelly as having a little more arm with similar mobility. Assuming the physical attributes remain what they are for all the QB's, it really comes down to what's between the ears for me usually, but I'd take a little Bret Farve gunslinger gumption for the Natty ;-)

Hard to say, no one saw any real time behind EB3... We are all in the dark.

 

[luckyintheorder]

I’m here to drop negativity… no shock, I’m sure,

I suspect the offense will be just fine.

I’m not sure that’s the case this year. Our offense has always been predicated on big QB play and in the absence of that we better hope we can run the ball well.

I’m just not seeing the “every throw” kind of Qb we’ve always have on this fall’s roster. Could be wrong. Hope I’m wrong.

With you on this Ranger. Assume Chapin will be a 60/40 run/pass offense like he was at the last stop. The OL will have to do a better job overall and be more effective on "in space" blocks. They were making strides after Shoemaker left IMO. The DL's the Eagles face this season are top notch too. Besides Chism and Freddie (a few too many drops last year), someone is going to have to get open regularly. I like Jaelin Green to be the next stretch the field WR and believe we have a couple of QB's who can get it out there. Like the RB group too. Going to need 45+ catches from the TE's in this sort of offense to keep the LB's honest. Hard to know.

 

[HeavyIsTheCrown]

Sorry to say but Talkington hasn't shown me anything to get excited about. Tre Turner(sophomore) is one that I had hoped would show some flashes that he is capable of winning that position since he is in that duel threat category along with VA, Gage and EB3 but I don't hear much about him. Also don't hear much about Simon Burkett (junior). Is it possible that that the long line of exceptional qb's has come to an end? Also we have the transfer from Arizona State in his last year of eligibility, not a big fan of one and done philosophy. I would rather take some lumps with a younger qb in exchange for some long term stability.

I find myself thinking the same thing. He doesn’t have much experience, and it seems like EWU is all out of elite talent at the Qb position. Talkington looks average to me, and “average” isn’t going to be enough to beat Montana, MSU and Sacramento State. Damn sure wont get it done in Eugene, and “average” might get us Gator Chomped in SEC country. Hopefully Best has something cooking that we don’t know about, because this can get ugly. :?

 

[luckyintheorder]

Sorry to say but Talkington hasn't shown me anything to get excited about. Tre Turner(sophomore) is one that I had hoped would show some flashes that he is capable of winning that position since he is in that duel threat category along with VA, Gage and EB3 but I don't hear much about him. Also don't hear much about Simon Burkett (junior). Is it possible that that the long line of exceptional qb's has come to an end? Also we have the transfer from Arizona State in his last year of eligibility, not a big fan of one and done philosophy. I would rather take some lumps with a younger qb in exchange for some long term stability.

I find myself thinking the same thing. He doesn’t have much experience, and it seems like EWU is all out of elite talent at the Qb position. Talkington looks average to me, and “average” isn’t going to be enough to beat Montana, MSU and Sacramento State. Damn sure wont get it done in Eugene, and “average” might get us Gator Chomped in SEC country. Hopefully Best has something cooking that we don’t know about, because this can get ugly. :?

Talkington is Best's choice. It's all over his commentary for the past month. It's a wishful thinking mantra. We aren't hearing the OC say GT is the guy. As a matter of fact, all we've seen in the scrimmages is other QB's the OC is trying to get Best to rethink his position. Every time Best says GT is "taking care of the ball" I cringe as his whole history is rife with TO's, slow reads, inaccurate passes and sacks. GT has always been a good practice player. If I'm wrong, all the better for the team; otherwise I hope Best has a short leash on GT and is willing to bring anyone else off the bench

 

[LDopaPDX]

Yeah, but is Talkington actually the guy? He didn't see any time in today's scrimmage. Either he has the starting job so cemented that they didn't want to see him, or the other guys are in the mix. I'd be surprised if it was the former, as I'd think the coaches would want their starting QB to work with the offense with a week to go before the opener.

I think Talkington started a couple of games over the last couple of years and performed pretty well with those opportunities.

 

[luckyintheorder]

Yeah, but is Talkington actually the guy? He didn't see any time in today's scrimmage. Either he has the starting job so cemented that they didn't want to see him, or the other guys are in the mix. I'd be surprised if it was the former, as I'd think the coaches would want their starting QB to work with the offense with a week to go before the opener.

I think Talkington started a couple of games over the last couple of years and performed pretty well with those opportunities.

It's not that hard to find out Dopa. Here's his stats page from the roster.
https://goeags.com/sports/football/roster/gunner-talkington/7916

I hear you saying that if GT was the guy, he'd have gotten some reps during the scrimmage. Correct?

Think many of us would agree that reps matter for the starting QB. NFL teams give their starters a majority of the snaps in all practices for a reason. Does it makes sense to tell everyone in interviews that GT is your starter and then reverse that on game day? Not sure what Best is playing at but I haven't forgotten the high level of dysfunction on special teams last season that cost the Eagles games. That was coaching and it appears the dysfunction has just moved to a new area... QB.

So many changes in the coaching staff definitely could impact this season. Think Copp will get the best out of the talent he has to work with but it will be an uphill season facing so many good run teams, especially with the DL already experiencing injuries per one report.

Despite all my misgivings, I am super excited for the season and can't wait to see who will step up.

 

[Obzerver]

My idea is GT is the safe choice but not THE choice. Not many starters played yesterday and they know what GT brings. Ryan Kelly what's up? They may have an idea who will be getting pt in Tenn. St. game and may not wait long to see who that will be. They best have a plan and players at QB to win games, period. I will say they do.

*Watching Idaho St. at UNLV remembering that game a year ago. 10;23 left in first hISU down 45-7 at half...ISU has 51 different/new players on roster from last spring..crazy
*We don't play a terrible ISU team...dang

 

[luckyintheorder]

My idea is GT is the safe choice but not THE choice. Not many starters played yesterday and they know what GT brings. Ryan Kelly what's up? They may have an idea who will be getting pt in Tenn. St. game and may not wait long to see who that will be. They best have a plan and players at QB to win games, period. I will say they do.

*Watching Idaho St. at UNLV remembering that game a year ago. 10;23 left in first hISU down 45-7 at half...ISU has 51 different/new players on roster from last spring..crazy
*We don't play a terrible ISU team...dang

:thumb: Hope there is a plan too.

 

[Obzerver]

Yeah Lucky...Best has had 3 years to find a replacement for EB3 and semi concerned about our size across the board...these are all Best players now right? With this wicked schedule we hopefully have reloaded, none of this "building back" bs please.

 

[93bird]

Best will give GT his chance against TSU but Kelly isn't here to hold a clipboard. The running game and improved secondary will give any of our quarterbacks a little more breathing room. Special teams is still the biggest concern for me. Starting with a win at home is imperative. The future is bright.

 

[Atomic Eagle]

Every time Best says GT is "taking care of the ball" I cringe as his whole history is rife with TO's, slow reads, inaccurate passes and sacks. GT has always been a good practice player. If I'm wrong, all the better for the team; otherwise I hope Best has a short leash on GT and is willing to bring anyone else off the bench

This is what I seem to recall as well although it's a pretty small sample size as really he's seen very limited PT the past few years. I hope you are right about the short leash because we have other guys who can play who I'd like to see get a shot as well.

 

[ewueagfan]

I’m here to drop negativity… no shock, I’m sure,

I suspect the offense will be just fine. The question for Eastern is always whether the defense will even be passable. This is a year where we’re likely gonna have to get comfortable winning games that aren’t the 50-40 types that have been so common. Eastern had the only truly good offense in the Big Sky last year, but gave up an average of 30 to D1 opponents. We need to be one of the top-tier defenses that regularly holds team under 20. I have no idea if we’ve made strides in the area or not, but we can’t continue to be middle of the pack defensively or worse.

Also, even with the most minor adjustments, the special teams units can’t possibly be worse than last year. But they need to be a whole lot better, not just “better.” As per usual, the offense tends to plug and play. Everywhere else, it fluctuates from average to terrible.

This is spot on. I think there's some tangible drop-off in the offense as compared to last year but it's still a fangerous unit that can score points. The special teams do seem to be improved...at the very least the punting and coverage looks a lot better. What did you guys think?