Shocking

[EWURanger]

Well, that was bad. Not jumping ship, but that was simply the worst game I have seen us play since 2006. Seriously. I figured we probably wouldn't beat both Montana schools this year, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect that we'd come out and roll over like this.

Pretty much every game from here on out is going to be a must win, and Sac, NAU, and Weber are all going to be really tough games.

Let's hope Taiwan is just shaken up. I hate to say it, but I just don't see us winning a lot of games without him.

 

[LDopaPDX]

I didn't see the final score... turned it off at 30-7. At that point, we had actually outgained them substantially, but looked like we had finally packed it in. We have serious issues when it comes to toughness, preparedness, and just plain schematics.

I'll agree, that was the worst game our program has played since 2006. Our offense, suppsoedly a strength, is completely worthless at making anything happen without having it given to them. Might as well stack the box and play one safety free and man up everyone else... we'll still screw it all up.

The WORST thing about this loss was that we could've made a regional statment by beating a team that gave WSU so much trouble. Instead, we again look like a bunch of second-raters. I'm not jumping ship either--- Hell, I've been on the same damn ship for 3 decades--- but that was unconscionably awful.

 

[LDopaPDX]

Well, that was bad. Not jumping ship, but that was simply the worst game I have seen us play since 2006. Seriously. I figured we probably wouldn't beat both Montana schools this year, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect that we'd come out and roll over like this.

Pretty much every game from here on out is going to be a must win, and Sac, NAU, and Weber are all going to be really tough games.

Let's hope Taiwan is just shaken up. I hate to say it, but I just don't see us winning a lot of games without him.

And I agree... you could suggest that we'd be 0-4 without Taiwan this season. No one else is coming close to making plays without him on the field.

 

[joemon]

.

 

[FreeBird]

You're never as good as you think you are after a win, nor as bad as you think you are after a loss.

Time regroup and get ready for Weber.

Offensively we have really depended on Taiwan. You have to admit, at times thats been pretty fun, but it is time for the rest of the offense to get on track.

MSU is a pretty good team, and clearly the much better team today.

 

[bpcats1]

On our side of the ball the one thing that stood out to me was the play of our offensive lineman. We were down 3 starters going into the game and lost one or two during the game, and had to reshuffle some more. I thought they hung tough against your strong defensive line. Our offensive line coach rocks..

The other thing that stood out compared to Griz game, was that I saw the Griz defensive tackles run by Taiwon as he went through the whole. This game I thought that except for a few runs our defensive tackles were at least able to put a hand on Jones and either trip him up a little or slow him up just enough for others to rally.

He is amazing. He was averaging 6-10 yards a pop.

 

[flyingnail]

Well, that was bad. Not jumping ship, but that was simply the worst game I have seen us play since 2006. Seriously. I figured we probably wouldn't beat both Montana schools this year, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect that we'd come out and roll over like this.

Pretty much every game from here on out is going to be a must win, and Sac, NAU, and Weber are all going to be really tough games.

Let's hope Taiwan is just shaken up. I hate to say it, but I just don't see us winning a lot of games without him.

And I agree... you could suggest that we'd be 0-4 without Taiwan this season. No one else is coming close to making plays without him on the field.

Been to all the games and it's time to say what needs to be said ! this QB looks all-world in practice but CHOKES on the field !! Missing open recievers by yards, doesn't see the field nor the check-offs when rushed and makes throws out of desperation to phantom recievers !! I'm sorry but his play has been TERRIBLE when asked to step up !! Crazy thing is He doesn't seem to give a s**t !! I sense the team both offense and defense have had enough !! We must get this fixed or you can kiss this one goodbye !! And by the way, we drove right down the field on the opening drive pushed their defense all over the field and can't punch it in never mind missing a field goal !! ANOTHER pick 6 by BLM and the air was let out of the tires !! The defense played awesome!! take away the pick and a couple field goals they only gave up 16pts !! The oline was pushing them all over the field as well but the mental mistakes would kill every drive !! That can be fixed but the QB position is in BIG trouble !! And no I'm not jumping ship either but this is a huge problem and now it's up to the coaches to fix it !!! GOEAGS!!

 

[eagle11]

Spot on flyingnail! I would like to see Vitto get a shot. Go Eagles!!!

 

[EWURanger]

I dunno about the QB change thing. It may be reasonable to start rotating some playing time at the QB position, but remember, Vitto did get some playing time during the Nevada game and didn't do much. Granted, he was sort of "thrown to the wolves". Similarly, Gauthier started the CWU game, and also didn't do a lot in the couple of possessions that he was in. The only back-up we haven't seen yet is Burgett.

At this point I'm not really sure it's reasonable to assume that any of our back-ups can do any better. It's not just the QB - it's the entire offense that's out of synch. I don't claim to have all the answers, but we definitely need to get this figured out, or you can be sure that every game is going to be a struggle. No one in the conference is going to be a push-over this year.

 

[EWURanger]

Well, that was bad. Not jumping ship, but that was simply the worst game I have seen us play since 2006. Seriously. I figured we probably wouldn't beat both Montana schools this year, but never in my wildest dreams did I expect that we'd come out and roll over like this.

Pretty much every game from here on out is going to be a must win, and Sac, NAU, and Weber are all going to be really tough games.

Let's hope Taiwan is just shaken up. I hate to say it, but I just don't see us winning a lot of games without him.

And I agree... you could suggest that we'd be 0-4 without Taiwan this season. No one else is coming close to making plays without him on the field.

Been to all the games and it's time to say what needs to be said ! this QB looks all-world in practice but CHOKES on the field !! Missing open recievers by yards, doesn't see the field nor the check-offs when rushed and makes throws out of desperation to phantom recievers !! I'm sorry but his play has been TERRIBLE when asked to step up !! Crazy thing is He doesn't seem to give a s**t !! I sense the team both offense and defense have had enough !! We must get this fixed or you can kiss this one goodbye !! And by the way, we drove right down the field on the opening drive pushed their defense all over the field and can't punch it in never mind missing a field goal !! ANOTHER pick 6 by BLM and the air was let out of the tires !! The defense played awesome!! take away the pick and a couple field goals they only gave up 16pts !! The oline was pushing them all over the field as well but the mental mistakes would kill every drive !! That can be fixed but the QB position is in BIG trouble !! And no I'm not jumping ship either but this is a huge problem and now it's up to the coaches to fix it !!! GOEAGS!!

While I'll agree that we have some offensive issues right now, I'm not sure if it's fair to pin everything on our QB play. I will agree that the turn-overs absolutely have to stop, but let's be honest here - the entire team did not play up to their potential. Special teams - 0 for 2 on FG's????? Not even difficult ones.

Defense - there was a drive where they started at the 20 and were in the red zone in like three plays, all of which were RUN PLAYS.

I also question some of the play calling a little bit. In the beginning of the second half (when we were still within an arm's reach of MSU) we come out on two straight possessions with 4 and 5 wide receivers - completely abandoned the run.

I dunno, this one was just bad all around. It's not fair to put all of the blame on the QB. Remember that our last 2 QB's were Nichols and Meyer, both first team All-Americans. It's a little unreasonable to expect a QB to come into a new system and perform at that level straight off the bat.

 

[bpcats1]

Here is my wild stab from what I have seen in previous years.

Mitchell is a pretty solid quarterback and considering he just came in this year there will be some growing pains. What I saw last Saturday was that your defensive line didn't show up like it did against the Griz where they played awesome. That has a ripple down effect.

The other part is what I call the special player factor..TJ has made so many plays for the eagles and the offense has been designed on ways to get him the ball, that other parts of the offense plays are as developed.

When he went out, then the team struggled with what they wanted to do and to find that rhythm.

Seemed like an off day a little.

 

[flyingnail]

I dunno about the QB change thing. It may be reasonable to start rotating some playing time at the QB position, but remember, Vitto did get some playing time during the Nevada game and didn't do much. Granted, he was sort of "thrown to the wolves". Similarly, Gauthier started the CWU game, and also didn't do a lot in the couple of possessions that he was in. The only back-up we haven't seen yet is Burgett.

At this point I'm not really sure it's reasonable to assume that any of our back-ups can do any better. It's not just the QB - it's the entire offense that's out of synch. I don't claim to have all the answers, but we definitely need to get this figured out, or you can be sure that every game is going to be a struggle. No one in the conference is going to be a push-over this year.

NO ONE will run the table in the BSC this year !! To much pairity, seems the only weak link might be ISU, that being said, they too on any given day could beat you. We need the QB position to play within himself and not cost a game or momentum, just being average might still get the job done ! It will all be on the line again this weekend and the weekend after that, there are no gimmies this year and you can bet every other BCS team is saying the same thing ! And yes it would be nice to see Vitto earlier with the #1's if BLM struggles early Sat ! GOEAGS!!!

 

[nwray1]

Disclosure...I try not to criticize, and certainly never boo any player (though I have been known to boo a referee or two). It's easy to forget these guys are just a year or three out of high school.

We have certainly been spoiled at the QB position for a long time, and the focus on BLMs production is inevitable as he's stepping into some big shoes to fill. The question I have, for those more knowledgeable about the team, is about our receivers. How does this group compare to previous years teams? GO EAGS!

 

[Obzerver]

Need not get to overly excited about any forthcoming QB change. BLM is our QB this season and it's up to Baldwin to "right the ship" which is more than QB play. Lotta games left in the BSC to play and we need 7 DI wins...per usual we'll prolly have to run the table here soon to get into the playoffs..nothing new.

 

[EWURanger]

Need not get to overly excited about any forthcoming QB change. BLM is our QB this season and it's up to Baldwin to "right the ship" which is more than QB play. Lotta games left in the BSC to play and we need 7 DI wins...per usual we'll prolly have to run the table here soon to get into the playoffs..nothing new.

Exactly. And haven't we had to run the table every year to make it in? :lol:

 

[EWU fan from a far]

flyingnail wrote:
"Been to all the games and it's time to say what needs to be said! this QB looks all-world in practice but CHOKES on the field !! Missing open recievers by yards, doesn't see the field nor the check-offs when rushed and makes throws out of desperation to phantom recievers !! I'm sorry but his play has been TERRIBLE when asked to step up !! Crazy thing is He doesn't seem to give a s**t !! I sense the team both offense and defense have had enough !!"
EWURanger wrote
"I dunno about the QB change thing. It may be reasonable to start rotating some playing time at the QB position, but remember, Vitto did get some playing time during the Nevada game and didn't do much. Granted, he was sort of "thrown to the wolves". Similarly, Gauthier started the CWU game, and also didn't do a lot in the couple of possessions that he was in. The only back-up we haven't seen yet is Burgett."

Observing the games online, I agree with both of the above posts. In the second half of Saturday's game, (didn't get to see the first half due to the feed being frozen on the third play of the game) BLM's body language spoke volumes. My impression of BLM in this game was the same as flyingnail...he didn't give a s**t! If he did, his body language surely didn't show it. Practice performance is a valuable indicator, but is not the only indicator. I'm confident atleast one of the back up QB's outshines his practice performances in games...hopefully he will get enough opportunity to show it.

 

[RockTheRed]

At the EWU/Griz tailgate a few weeks ago - we were told that BLM is great in practice, but has known anxieties in live game situations. WHAT? And this is known?? Wow!

I said it last spring and I'll say it again. I don't care if the kid can throw it a miracle mile. If he can't gauge where his receivers are going to be, and more than once or twice a game - put the long ball in their hands, then he's not the QB we need at EWU. There's absolutely no "touch" to his game. Also - is anyone else getting sick of hearing that he and his receivers aren't on the same page play after play? Is it even possible to be on the wrong page with ALL of your receivers down after down? I know he's a nice kid. I know he has a strong arm. But if you' don't know the plays, or are nervous about getting hit... Who cares if you're courteous to Mr. Smith walking by after practice? That doesn't get you more W's in that win/loss column!

Many of you should be ashamed for blasting BLM on here. You all "oohed and ahhhed" over a player with experience and a strong arm, yet didn't bother to look at his stats at SMU or the fact that he was going to get benched about the same time his injury happened. Matt Nichols didn't have that (experience) coming in - and while he didn't have the best year his first year - look at what we came away with. We'd have an extra scholly to give this year if we'd have stuck with any of the guys on our roster and invested in them, versus taking a nervous kid with "experience" and his older brother, a true freshman who is 3rd string and on full scholarship.

Obzerver is right. The coaches are going to fall on the sword for BLM. They'll play him until he gets hurt.
They'll play him game after game with the hopes that at SOME point, he has a good game or a break out game - that he'll FINALLY get to where we all want him to be and where the team NEEDS him to be. But there will not be a QB change this year, because most of all, the coaches don't want egg on their face for their choice to begin with. At this level, it SHOULD be about wins and losses, but we made a "deal" and we're going to have to live with it.

 

[flyingnail]

At the EWU/Griz tailgate a few weeks ago - we were told that BLM is great in practice, but has known anxieties in live game situations. WHAT? And this is known?? Wow!

I said it last spring and I'll say it again. I don't care if the kid can throw it a miracle mile. If he can't gauge where his receivers are going to be, and more than once or twice a game - put the long ball in their hands, then he's not the QB we need at EWU. There's absolutely no "touch" to his game. Also - is anyone else getting sick of hearing that he and his receivers aren't on the same page play after play? Is it even possible to be on the wrong page with ALL of your receivers down after down? I know he's a nice kid. I know he has a strong arm. But if you' don't know the plays, or are nervous about getting hit... Who cares if you're courteous to Mr. Smith walking by after practice? That doesn't get you more W's in that win/loss column!

Many of you should be ashamed for blasting BLM on here. You all "oohed and ahhhed" over a player with experience and a strong arm, yet didn't bother to look at his stats at SMU or the fact that he was going to get benched about the same time his injury happened. Matt Nichols didn't have that (experience) coming in - and while he didn't have the best year his first year - look at what we came away with. We'd have an extra scholly to give this year if we'd have stuck with any of the guys on our roster and invested in them, versus taking a nervous kid with "experience" and his older brother, a true freshman who is 3rd string and on full scholarship.

Obzerver is right. The coaches are going to fall on the sword for BLM. They'll play him until he gets hurt.
They'll play him game after game with the hopes that at SOME point, he has a good game or a break out game - that he'll FINALLY get to where we all want him to be and where the team NEEDS him to be. But there will not be a QB change this year, because most of all, the coaches don't want egg on their face for their choice to begin with. At this level, it SHOULD be about wins and losses, but we made a "deal" and we're going to have to live with it.

Those are my exact thoughts as well Rock the Red ! I do think the kid is a good guy and I too was excited about his arrival at EWU, that being said, we need to put the best 11 players on the field for game day and if BLM isn't one of them than so be it !! I have heard rumblings throughout the team that this guy doesn't give a s**t and if you watch his body language after poor execution it surely seems that way !! We have a very good team and it would be a crying shame if the coaches see what we are talking about but have their hands tied ! I say sit him down explain that this is a TEAM game and the best 11 will play ! If egg ends up on their faces "O-WELL" Lets right this ship before we sink !!! GOEAGS!!!

 

[kalm]

At the EWU/Griz tailgate a few weeks ago - we were told that BLM is great in practice, but has known anxieties in live game situations. WHAT? And this is known?? Wow!

I said it last spring and I'll say it again. I don't care if the kid can throw it a miracle mile. If he can't gauge where his receivers are going to be, and more than once or twice a game - put the long ball in their hands, then he's not the QB we need at EWU. There's absolutely no "touch" to his game. Also - is anyone else getting sick of hearing that he and his receivers aren't on the same page play after play? Is it even possible to be on the wrong page with ALL of your receivers down after down? I know he's a nice kid. I know he has a strong arm. But if you' don't know the plays, or are nervous about getting hit... Who cares if you're courteous to Mr. Smith walking by after practice? That doesn't get you more W's in that win/loss column!

Many of you should be ashamed for blasting BLM on here. You all "oohed and ahhhed" over a player with experience and a strong arm, yet didn't bother to look at his stats at SMU or the fact that he was going to get benched about the same time his injury happened. Matt Nichols didn't have that (experience) coming in - and while he didn't have the best year his first year - look at what we came away with. We'd have an extra scholly to give this year if we'd have stuck with any of the guys on our roster and invested in them, versus taking a nervous kid with "experience" and his older brother, a true freshman who is 3rd string and on full scholarship.

Obzerver is right. The coaches are going to fall on the sword for BLM. They'll play him until he gets hurt.
They'll play him game after game with the hopes that at SOME point, he has a good game or a break out game - that he'll FINALLY get to where we all want him to be and where the team NEEDS him to be. But there will not be a QB change this year, because most of all, the coaches don't want egg on their face for their choice to begin with. At this level, it SHOULD be about wins and losses, but we made a "deal" and we're going to have to live with it.

Those are my exact thoughts as well Rock the Red ! I do think the kid is a good guy and I too was excited about his arrival at EWU, that being said, we need to put the best 11 players on the field for game day and if BLM isn't one of them than so be it !! I have heard rumblings throughout the team that this guy doesn't give a s**t and if you watch his body language after poor execution it surely seems that way !! We have a very good team and it would be a crying shame if the coaches see what we are talking about but have their hands tied ! I say sit him down explain that this is a TEAM game and the best 11 will play ! If egg ends up on their faces "O-WELL" Lets right this ship before we sink !!! GOEAGS!!!

So who would you guys start in his place, and what are the reasons?

 

[flyingnail]

At the EWU/Griz tailgate a few weeks ago - we were told that BLM is great in practice, but has known anxieties in live game situations. WHAT? And this is known?? Wow!

I said it last spring and I'll say it again. I don't care if the kid can throw it a miracle mile. If he can't gauge where his receivers are going to be, and more than once or twice a game - put the long ball in their hands, then he's not the QB we need at EWU. There's absolutely no "touch" to his game. Also - is anyone else getting sick of hearing that he and his receivers aren't on the same page play after play? Is it even possible to be on the wrong page with ALL of your receivers down after down? I know he's a nice kid. I know he has a strong arm. But if you' don't know the plays, or are nervous about getting hit... Who cares if you're courteous to Mr. Smith walking by after practice? That doesn't get you more W's in that win/loss column!

Many of you should be ashamed for blasting BLM on here. You all "oohed and ahhhed" over a player with experience and a strong arm, yet didn't bother to look at his stats at SMU or the fact that he was going to get benched about the same time his injury happened. Matt Nichols didn't have that (experience) coming in - and while he didn't have the best year his first year - look at what we came away with. We'd have an extra scholly to give this year if we'd have stuck with any of the guys on our roster and invested in them, versus taking a nervous kid with "experience" and his older brother, a true freshman who is 3rd string and on full scholarship.

Obzerver is right. The coaches are going to fall on the sword for BLM. They'll play him until he gets hurt.
They'll play him game after game with the hopes that at SOME point, he has a good game or a break out game - that he'll FINALLY get to where we all want him to be and where the team NEEDS him to be. But there will not be a QB change this year, because most of all, the coaches don't want egg on their face for their choice to begin with. At this level, it SHOULD be about wins and losses, but we made a "deal" and we're going to have to live with it.

Those are my exact thoughts as well Rock the Red ! I do think the kid is a good guy and I too was excited about his arrival at EWU, that being said, we need to put the best 11 players on the field for game day and if BLM isn't one of them than so be it !! I have heard rumblings throughout the team that this guy doesn't give a s**t and if you watch his body language after poor execution it surely seems that way !! We have a very good team and it would be a crying shame if the coaches see what we are talking about but have their hands tied ! I say sit him down explain that this is a TEAM game and the best 11 will play ! If egg ends up on their faces "O-WELL" Lets right this ship before we sink !!! GOEAGS!!!

So who would you guys start in his place, and what are the reasons?

You start him but have a short chain !! Vitto RS freshman could be ther future ! It's anybodys guess !!