Looking at the Future

[CaseyOrourke]

Let's be serious.

I'm not going to call last year a fluke, but it should have been a rebuilding year for Barnum, especially since there was no guarantee he or any of his staff would be hired to replace Burton.

Instead, last season we had all the right players in place and the respect they had for Barnum that led to that killer season any coach would kill for. Now those players have graduated, and the fact we are a team in a rebuilding phase is woefully apparent.

Listening to last year's radio feed of the North Texas game, Barnum said we play the offensive and defensive schemes we do, because that was what we recruited to. Now that Barney has had the last couple of off seasons to recruit to his system, the youngest he has had to play now because of injuries now, while the are making freshman mistakes now are gaining valuable experience now and should pay dividends inthe future.

 

[BroadwayVik]

__________________________

I would say that since "BruBar" has a five-year contract that he may also have a five-year plan. The Idaho State game looked like a continuation of Barney Ball from last year. The Washington game, now that we've seen them rout Stanford, is now a perfectly understandable outcome. The CWU game was a challenging tune-up game that, I felt, was encouraging to them as well.

The only outcome I don't get is the San Jose State game. Ours is their only win against four losses now. They've been taken to the woodshed. What was going on in our game then? Was it a coming alive of San Jose State or was our team not yet fully prepared and ready?

Anyway, back to your point.

 

[bigskyconf]

Let's be serious.

I'm not going to call last year a fluke, but it should have been a rebuilding year for Barnum, especially since there was no guarantee he or any of his staff would be hired to replace Burton.

Instead, last season we had all the right players in place and the respect they had for Barnum that led to that killer season any coach would kill for. Now those players have graduated, and the fact we are a team in a rebuilding phase is woefully apparent.

Listening to last year's radio feed of the North Texas game, Barnum said we play the offensive and defensive schemes we do, because that was what we recruited to. Now that Barney has had the last couple of off seasons to recruit to his system, the youngest he has had to play now because of injuries now, while the are making freshman mistakes now are gaining valuable experience now and should pay dividends inthe future.

The knock on Burton was that he was a helluva recruiter, he just could not coach. Last year's kids, except for Kuresa, were Burton's recruits. I'm not saying we would have had the same results with Burton, but the team needed someone to lead them, from a player's standpoint (Kuresa) and a coach's standpoint (Barnum).

 

[CaseyOrourke]

Let's be serious.

I'm not going to call last year a fluke, but it should have been a rebuilding year for Barnum, especially since there was no guarantee he or any of his staff would be hired to replace Burton.

Instead, last season we had all the right players in place and the respect they had for Barnum that led to that killer season any coach would kill for. Now those players have graduated, and the fact we are a team in a rebuilding phase is woefully apparent.

Listening to last year's radio feed of the North Texas game, Barnum said we play the offensive and defensive schemes we do, because that was what we recruited to. Now that Barney has had the last couple of off seasons to recruit to his system, the youngest he has had to play now because of injuries now, while the are making freshman mistakes now are gaining valuable experience now and should pay dividends in the future.

The knock on Burton was that he was a helluva recruiter, he just could not coach. Last year's kids, except for Kuresa, were Burton's recruits. I'm not saying we would have had the same results with Burton, but the team needed someone to lead them, from a player's standpoint (Kuresa) and a coach's standpoint (Barnum).

That was what I was trying to say, but my three year old kept demanding my attention, thus ruining my train of thought. The point I was trying to make is that last season the team was made and recruited to fit Burton's system. Barnum was able to motivate them and get them playing at their full potential.

Since Burton was let go at the end of the 14-15 season, Barnum had more influence on the recruits for that off seasonand was able to start laying the foundation for the direction he wants to go.

 

[GreenGiant]

Last year was very similar to the first year under Burton. Cavanagh and crew were actually recruited by others and they had a pretty good season under Burton despite his inability to coach. I was critical of Barnum through the Burton years for his play calling. There are times I still think he is too predictable and question his choices regarding running and passing in certain situations. On Saturday we saw nothing but running against a team that just couldn't stop PSU's run game. No complete passes. Barnum has said that his offense would be run heavy, so a game like Saturday should be no surprise to anyone. I expect him to continue to try to recruit players that will execute the run this will include big Tight Ends, like we have now. I also believe that he will need quarterbacks in the same vein as Kuresa. Play makers.

 

[faithinviks]

It was good to see a complete "consistent play calling" game Saturday. Assess our strengths and the competitors weakness and go. However, the big test for Barnum will be the next few games. We should be favored in every game until E. Washington.

Agree with GreenGiant I have been "concerned" regarding past play calling. I'm concerned we keep making changes on the line it seems like every game. I'm concerned we still are looking for a personality on defense. @BroadwayVik is right, what happened at San Jose and what happened the first half at S. Utah? I hope San Jose and the first half at SUU wont be repeated.

The best thing Barnum does for these guys is to let them play. It was great to see Burton's passion and his recruiting but I think what happened is that it lead to players feeling too much pressure in game situations and coaches not being disciplined. If Barnum can stick with a strategic game plan and a consistent lineup...

Idaho State should be the easiest game of the year for us. The next two weeks we shall see what the future holds. I am "cautiously" optimistic. If we can handle the next two weeks I will remove the "cautiously" from that...

 

[Grant H]

It was good to see a complete "consistent play calling" game Saturday. Assess our strengths and the competitors weakness and go. However, the big test for Barnum will be the next few games. We should be favored in every game until E. Washington.

Agree with GreenGiant I have been "concerned" regarding past play calling. I'm concerned we keep making changes on the line it seems like every game. I'm concerned we still are looking for a personality on defense. @BroadwayVik is right, what happened at San Jose and what happened the first half at S. Utah? I hope San Jose and the first half at SUU wont be repeated.

The best thing Barnum does for these guys is to let them play. It was great to see Burton's passion and his recruiting but I think what happened is that it lead to players feeling too much pressure in game situations and coaches not being disciplined. If Barnum can stick with a strategic game plan and a consistent lineup...

Idaho State should be the easiest game of the year for us. The next two weeks we shall see what the future holds. I am "cautiously" optimistic. If we can handle the next two weeks I will remove the "cautiously" from that...

I think it's pretty unlikely that we'll be favored against Cal Poly, should be in all the others leading up to EWU. We're favored by 3 at Weber this week.

 

[CaseyOrourke]

I expect him to continue to try to recruit players that will execute the run this will include big Tight Ends, like we have now. I also believe that he will need quarterbacks in the same vein as Kuresa. Play makers.

From what I've heard and seen in his highlight video, Davis Alexander looks like he will be a playmaker similar to Alex, but he also has an arm that can go deep. I also see four more QB's on this years roster, sophomore Scott Hitner and freshmen Thomas Hamilton, Brandon Dall and Chase Knutz.

Hopefully these will fit into Barney's system

 

[Alan1]

PSU redshirt freshman Jonathan Boland leaves football: http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/7029022805071450361/portland-states-jonathan-boland-a-former-parkrose-star-leaves-football-because-of-concussions/

 

[CaseyOrourke]

PSU redshirt freshman Jonathan Boland leaves football: http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/7029022805071450361/portland-states-jonathan-boland-a-former-parkrose-star-leaves-football-because-of-concussions/

This continues to show the class that Barnum shows as a football coach. He promises to keep Borland on scholarship till he graduates, even if it has to come out of his own pocket.

I can't say I have ever heard that from any coach in any sport.

 

[martymoose]

PSU redshirt freshman Jonathan Boland leaves football: http://highschoolsports.oregonlive.com/news/article/7029022805071450361/portland-states-jonathan-boland-a-former-parkrose-star-leaves-football-because-of-concussions/

Sad to see him hang up his cleats, but it sure shows that this kid is looking at the big picture.

Nice to see that Barnum sees that big picture as well.

 

[Alan1]

From the Tribune: Portland State can get to 8-3 by going 6-0 the rest of the way. A tall order — and the Vikings will have to show they can do more than run — but there is life again on the Park Blocks.

http://portlandtribune.com/pt/12-sports/325817-205203-scoresheet