State of the team

[Waldo2]

Now that the regular season is over, I would like some discussion before the playoffs. What is the state of the team at this point?

Positive
Undefeated in a very tough conference
We have depth
Quality quarterback
Strong defense
Resilient and don’t ever give up
Able to win close games
Many more things to mention- these are the main points I have observed.

Negative
Inconsistent play
Too many turnovers
Too many unforced errors (penalties, missed tackles, dropped balls etc.)
Not able to put teams away
Again, could add more here

Given all the weird things that have happened in the past year, I am confident they are going to win a few games in the playoffs. Other teams have lost some games, yet Weber found a way to grind out wins.

 

[WILDCAT]

The ability to win close games is huge.

I just want more consistency offensively. We come away with more point even if they're field goals here and there we can be a pretty dominant team. Defense does enough work limiting other teams' offenses, we dont need to score 45+ a game but the team goes 3 and out too often and has been turnover prone (minus our freshman QB). Need to get out of our own way first.

 

[the dan]

It’s definitely been frustrating watching this team at times since we aren’t playing to the standard that Jay Hill set the last 3 years or so, but I’ve tried to avoid being too critical given everything that’s going on. It seems like we’ve had a ton of guys out with injuries, but there’s been next to no information on it. But every week I’ll see players getting significant action that I’ve never seen before.

Looking through the roster it appears to be the most talented we’ve had under Coach Hill, but I haven’t seen it on the field yet. I’m sure they’re being extra cautious with injuries due to the two-season year. Plus who knows if Covid protocols have affected us.

It does seem like we’ve had our top 5 offensive linemen for almost every game and I haven’t been real impressed. They’ve allowed a lot of pressure on Barron and have been inconsistent getting push in the run game against some middle of the pack big sky teams.

Barron’s arm talent is obscene and I’m very impressed he didn’t throw a pick this spring. His pocket awareness comes and goes though, sometimes he bails on the pocket when there isn’t any pressure. I think he gets a little lost working to his secondary reads as well. If he can improve in those areas he could be a superstar. It’s no guarantee he makes strides in those two areas though.

Defensively, the d-line appears to have taken a significant step back. I think I was too optimistic about our ability to replace Jonah Williams and Adam Rodriguez. The real standout defensively this spring has been Desmond Williams. He has been all over the field, I really hope his injury yesterday is minor.

 

[Chex]

The big positive is the poise and abilities to win close games. That is an amazing culture that has been instilled. I think the play of Barron has been mostly great for a Freshman QB.

The negative side is more mistakes and turnovers than usual. The kicking game has missed some chip shot field goals, so there are some concerns there. I think the first half offensive play calling has been a little like there is no plan on how to attack but just running some various plays. The 2nd half usually does better with adjustments. That said, it is light years better than Schramm. I was hoping the lines would be a bit better.

I am thinking the Big Sky is just extra tough this year. I think there is room to approve on all aspects, and if Weber State does that, they could be a the dominant team capable of an FCS Championship.

I am optimistic about the playoffs.

Great season Wildcats! Time to bring the “A”game from now on.

 

[the dan]

I’m not great with the playoff prognostications, but with San Diego likely out of the playoffs, it seems like we’ll be in for a tough first round matchup. Presumably EWU or North Dakota?

 

[baller]

Our offensive line has been less than impressive. I did notice that for this past game they sat the starting left guard, Hyrum Tapasoa, and moved Ethan Atagi from right tackle to left guard with Barrera getting the start at right tackle. I think the line performed slightly better with this new arrangement than what they had been using.

Our new offensive coordinator did not do the job well this year. The team had the same problems with inconsistency at the end of the season that they had at the beginning of the season. They showed no real improvement in the results offensively. That is on the coordinator in my opinion. They did show that they could complete some chunk plays, but in my opinion that improved from last year because our QB has the arm to make those throws that the old QB did not have. I give no credit to the OC for that improvement. And I agree with another person here that they didn't seem to come into each game with a solid game plan. Again, on the OC. I do give him credit for making halftime adjustments that helped a lot.

I also agree that the defense is not quite as strong as in previous years, probably because of losing the two defensive ends. Hard to replace two guys who were excellent and made the defense stronger overall. It probably would have helped a bit if McCade Mitton had been able to play.

So now, looking to the playoffs. In my opinion I hope we draw a team who is just average or below average in passing. If a team has a strong run game I believe that we can cope with that better than we can a top-notch throwing game with a QB who is cool and calm under fire. We might be in trouble if we draw this type of team because our offense cannot score enough points to out score them. Especially if our DE's and LB and Safety cannot put pressure on the QB or sack him. Lets hope the offense makes a quantum leap in the next weeks. Something they were unable to do in the regular season.

And finally, the biggest weakness I see on this team is in the kicking game. Specifically we need a place kicker who can kick a gimme field goal. Our kicker has been pushing every kick hard to the left and missing them when the distance exceeds 25 yards. I see that we got a commitment from a HS kicker for the fall season, so hopefully we get someone new in there next season. In a tight play off game this lack of kicking ability by our team could be the difference in winning/loosing. Just hope that it doesn't come down to that.

 

[oldrunner]

I feel that everyone can see that consistency on O was our biggest problem. Although there could be many reasons for it, the solution is still simply more time to work out the kinks, build strength, develop a chemistry, and gain confidence. We have all the tools to build this thing and we have framed it all up, dried it in, and now we need to put the finishing touches on it. It's the small details that make the biggest difference.

I have faith that this group will get it done. :nod:

 

[the dan]

In terms of the offense, I’m not really sure what our identity is. When I watch our scripted plays to start the game I’m not sure what we’re trying to establish. It seems more like a collection of formations and plays than a ‘system’. An offense that highlights talent instead of a set system can work if we’re able to consistently get the ball in the hands of stars like Davis, Shaheed, Cooley, McPherson, and some of the other emerging guys, but we’ve got a young QB and a line that’s struggling.

I appreciate that we have the talent to line up in the shotgun with 3-4 WRs on one play then bring in 2 TEs and a fullback on the next, but we seem to be the jack of all trades and master of none.

I think we’re asking a lot out of our young qb and offensive line and it’s resulting in a ton of mistakes and inconsistency. On first down we’ll line up and ask our o-line to run the power G, pull a guard, double team at the point then come back on 2nd down and ask them to get in a 2-point stance, identify the blitz, kick step and give Barron time to survey the field.

Hammer is a good coach and I have no doubt the O will improve. We haven’t had a consistently good offense in ages so there’s bound to be growing pains.

 

[WILDCAT]

I'd say that our weakest aspect of our defense right now is their inability to really pressure the quarterback. That is the one thing this defense is lacking. You get pressure on the qb and wont have the time in the pocket to throw downfield.

Having said that our defense has still been pretty dominant despite being on the field the majority of the game. In 5 games the starting D has given up 7, 13, 23, 9 and 15 points and they've been doing that short handed. Good recipe for beating teams. Now if our offense could score a little more consistently and turn the ball over less the games wouldnt be so close. Special teams has been kinda invisible lately too. Aside from a 51 yard field goal and kick return touchdown they've been really average. Dont like seeing chip shot field goals missed either

 

[footballguy]

I did notice that for this past game they sat the starting left guard, Hyrum Tapasoa, and moved Ethan Atagi from right tackle to left guard with Barrera getting the start at right tackle. I think the line performed slightly better with this new arrangement than what they had been using.

Tapusoa was injured against UC Davis and hasn't played since. This has hurt the team with the Atagis out of position