-
Hi Guest,
We've updated the site to combine all the forums that were part of the Big Sky Fans Network into one location. This will make it easier to navigate and participate in all the discussions for each school without having to have multiple accounts, etc. We are still working out some tweaks but please let us know if you notice anything.
With the migration, in some circumstances, your username could have been merged with one of your other usernames from the other forums. If this is the case, you can request to change your username in your account details page of your profile. -
Hi Guest, want to participate in the discussions, keep track of read/unread posts and more? Create your free account and increase the benefits of your eGriz.com experience today!
-
Guest, do want an ad free experience on BigSkyFans.com among other benefits? Upgrade your account today!
Simply click your profile name > account upgrades > BigSky Club > choose between the year long subscription (two free months) or month to month
Thanks for the continued support. Cheers!
Your Honest Opinion, Please
- Thread starter EWUeag
- Start date
EWUeag said:
Maybe not. I thought the defense played damn well yesterday until the last quarter. Two of the scores we gave up in the first half were due to turnovers in bad field position. Plus, early on we weren't giving the D any rest.
He's dealt with some tough offenses this year. We've played some pretty poor defense at times, but we've had some real upswings, too. Plus, we nutted out some good performances with a decimated group of DBs.
His real tests will be upcoming when we find out if we've learned to stop run-heavy offenses.
Seattle Eagle
Active member
That's a tough one, but I'd say yes. We face some some really tough offenses in the Big Sky. But yeah it is fairly frustrating watching our defense at times. They can be very hot and cold.
By no means is this about PSU, but his entire body of work. However, since I've been following the Eags (a hot August day on the back practice field in 2005), it seems as though our offense always had to outscore the opponent (duh) rather than the defense stopping them, if that makes sense.
tomq04 said:
Brown and Raynes started yesterday. Losing Tevin McDonald for the season definitely hurts, though. As to the OP, I think as long as Baldwin is around (which I think will be for a while), I don't think Graham will be going anywhere. Plus, we have had some good defensive performances this season. PSU was leading the Big Sky (and maybe the FCS?) heading into this game. They put a lot of yards up on everyone they play and are hard for anyone to stop. At any rate, I'd say we're better defensively than we were in the Sears days.
Absolutely.
Our two worst years on defense, 2008 and 2011, we were absolutely decimated with injury. And defense had as much to do with winning the chipper as offense. Remember the close, low scoring games against SUU, NAU, and UD?
We've given up our yards this year but keep in mind that we've faced the most prolific pass offense in FBS, a very solid FBS offense who will go bowling in Toledo, and top 20 FCS offense in Montana, a top five FCS offense (sans injury) in SHSU, not to mention the #1 and #2 rushing offenses and both top 10 total offenses in FCS, the last two weeks. And this despite numerous injuries again in the secondary.
He also tends to make good halftime adjustments and has coached up two Buchanon Award winners.
Great coach. :nod:
Our two worst years on defense, 2008 and 2011, we were absolutely decimated with injury. And defense had as much to do with winning the chipper as offense. Remember the close, low scoring games against SUU, NAU, and UD?
We've given up our yards this year but keep in mind that we've faced the most prolific pass offense in FBS, a very solid FBS offense who will go bowling in Toledo, and top 20 FCS offense in Montana, a top five FCS offense (sans injury) in SHSU, not to mention the #1 and #2 rushing offenses and both top 10 total offenses in FCS, the last two weeks. And this despite numerous injuries again in the secondary.
He also tends to make good halftime adjustments and has coached up two Buchanon Award winners.
Great coach. :nod:
Kalm, I agree with everything you say. But then there are games like IDST, and the letup at UM. I realize that the UM comeback may have been from lax playcalling during garbage time (I love calling it garbage time against the Griz, especially when it starts during the 3rd quarter).
Maybe our offense is so good, that it distorts my view of our D. Because it sure doesn't FEEL like they are very consistent.
Maybe our offense is so good, that it distorts my view of our D. Because it sure doesn't FEEL like they are very consistent.
eaglesfootball
Active member
yes, I think he does a good job everything considered.
EWUeag said:
I think there's a certain degree of truth to that regarding the offense.
As mentioned earlier, we had two freshmen at safety in the 2nd half against the griz and one of them a walk-on. It wasn't much better at Idaho State.
We were talented but very thin in the defensive backfield heading into the season. You're only as good as the next man up, but we need to recruit and build depth at those positions like we have at QB, WR, and RB. IIRC that's been a point of emphasis the last couple of recruiting classes and we should be getting better in that regard going forward.
Would that be the years of "flo thru" defense? :lol:EWUeag said:
I think John does a great job with the players but probably more importantly selecting and developing his position coaches, they make us what we are.
I am always impressed with 3rd qtr performance. He makes very good adjustments.
He would be extremely difficult to replace.
Screamin_Eagle174
Active member
No matter whose fault it was, if we were losing I don't think Graham or anyone else would see the door, at least certainly not by Baldwin's choice. I think Beau is too nice a guy to fire one of his own... everyone on staff is like family to him. The players pick up on that, hence why recruits always cite the family atmosphere between players and coaches as a big reason they chose EWU.
sammamisheag
Active member
One of the big questions heading into this season was EWUs front 7. Very young at LB except Hamlin.
If the Offense wasn't as prolific, I would bet we'd see a higher quantity of pressures and blitzing. When you score 35+ every game you don't need to be too aggressive.
Fact of the matter is, this team's strength is offense not defense. More personnel than coaching.
If the Offense wasn't as prolific, I would bet we'd see a higher quantity of pressures and blitzing. When you score 35+ every game you don't need to be too aggressive.
Fact of the matter is, this team's strength is offense not defense. More personnel than coaching.
Interesting note, the best defensive player Graham may have ever coached was Taiwan Jones. Then our offensive coaches stole him and made him an RB. In truth, while it is probably more fun to be the running back, Taiwan should've been a CB the whole time--- he certainly would have developed into a better NFL player that way. In retrospect, it might have been better to have used him as a Charles Woodson-type guy who came in for a few offensive plays each game but was otherwise a defensive player.
This is a glaring example of taking a great D kid and having him moved... how many other times has it probably happened?
This is a glaring example of taking a great D kid and having him moved... how many other times has it probably happened?
