That room is so deep - and looking at recent grade outs and those from Spring … I expect movement in the OL … won’t be the same 5 at the end the season
For once, I'm not worried about our OL. Despite the vast improvement last year, Bloesch was disgusted and said that would be the worst OL we would ever see under him. Inspiring words.
To me, the biggest unknown is the OC. Can he call a game that takes advantage of mis-matches and his team's strengths? Nothing on the OC's play calling is mentioned in this article. Yet one can have all the talent in the world and not use it well. We will know in a game or two whether this OC is a D1 play caller or not.
agreed, and I'd feel way more confident with Spav as OC/QB coach and Bloesch at OL. Our offense's performance in the bowl game was disappointing, and honestly Gilbert's resume as a QB coach is pretty weak.
I don’t know how Spav, Bloesch and company butchered so badly the QB choice last year, taking until mid year to escalate the third string guy who we could see brought a cohesion and competitive spirit to the offense. My niece last year was a beat writer for the Daily Cal and said to me, early in the year, that she was overhearing other players say to Mendoza, “It should be you out there.” Half the team knew it. Yet Spav and company gave the job to their portal recruits first. I’m Monday morning QB-ing here of course, but one wonders how well equipped Bloesch is to choose the right guy this time around. In the most recent interview I watched on the subject, he seemed to suggest all three guys were still in the mix. He was especially lauding Harris. We’ll see who the guy is shortly. Sure it’s nice to have three pretty good to very good options but I feel a coach should know by now who is taking the reigns most competently. And you should have instincts that inform you. Last year the coaches misfired so I’m keeping fingers crossed it’s more seamless this year.
I feel the same way and got a little concerned with Bloesch's interview when he said he's going to be on the field instead of in the box, so he can coach players, and he will be able to review drives on a tablet after the drive is over. I'd rather him be in the box and see the entire field and be in better position to adjust in real time, rather than needing to review the video after each drive. Let the position coaches coach the players. Im also not keen on what sounds like a new reliance on technology, re: headsets and tablets. At some point in some game there will be technical issues, and hopefully not when we're playing on the opposite side of the country in important game situations..
I feel like he still needs to work very closely with the OL, so I'm okay with him being down there. They're still a WIP and will need a lot of coaching.
I read more to hear the opinion of the writers, less about data and stats. So thank you, for speculating and giving your opinion. It sounds as reasonable to me as it could, and given what we know about the variabilities in college football, as good as it possibly could be. An injury or two in the wrong positions and the season changes. A few good ball bounces and the season changes. What we can know for sure is that we have overall the most talented offensive team in several years. In my mind, no surprise, the biggest question is QB. If we can get solid, average or above average QB play, then this offense should score plenty of points. Not Goff or Rodgers, but Garbers or someone who gets an NFL shot.
Thanks for the great write up. A freshman starting at Left Tackle scares me. But unlike previous seasons where we only get as far as the OL takes us, the skill positions are the best they've been in a long time, certainly in the Wilcox era, so play calling and quick execution at those positions could be enough to make up for shaky OL play. The offensive coaching staff overall also appears to be the most solid it's been in a long while.
I agree with the comments on potential "high variance" in Cal's offense, not including Ott. As I have suggested previously, the first three games will allow us to estimate the degree and direction of our offenses variance. Moreover, the execution of our mid-range and downfield passing game will be crucial in the consistent effectiveness of our running game. I'll reserve judgment while hoping for the best because of the impact on the entire athletic program.
It is all about the offensive line. They just need to be average for us to be good. Getting Vatikani back is critical. GO BEARS!!!!!
That room is so deep - and looking at recent grade outs and those from Spring … I expect movement in the OL … won’t be the same 5 at the end the season
For once, I'm not worried about our OL. Despite the vast improvement last year, Bloesch was disgusted and said that would be the worst OL we would ever see under him. Inspiring words.
To me, the biggest unknown is the OC. Can he call a game that takes advantage of mis-matches and his team's strengths? Nothing on the OC's play calling is mentioned in this article. Yet one can have all the talent in the world and not use it well. We will know in a game or two whether this OC is a D1 play caller or not.
You should watch some of his games at North Texas on Youtube when he was OC. He did really well there
agreed, and I'd feel way more confident with Spav as OC/QB coach and Bloesch at OL. Our offense's performance in the bowl game was disappointing, and honestly Gilbert's resume as a QB coach is pretty weak.
Hoping my worries are unfounded...
I don’t know how Spav, Bloesch and company butchered so badly the QB choice last year, taking until mid year to escalate the third string guy who we could see brought a cohesion and competitive spirit to the offense. My niece last year was a beat writer for the Daily Cal and said to me, early in the year, that she was overhearing other players say to Mendoza, “It should be you out there.” Half the team knew it. Yet Spav and company gave the job to their portal recruits first. I’m Monday morning QB-ing here of course, but one wonders how well equipped Bloesch is to choose the right guy this time around. In the most recent interview I watched on the subject, he seemed to suggest all three guys were still in the mix. He was especially lauding Harris. We’ll see who the guy is shortly. Sure it’s nice to have three pretty good to very good options but I feel a coach should know by now who is taking the reigns most competently. And you should have instincts that inform you. Last year the coaches misfired so I’m keeping fingers crossed it’s more seamless this year.
Except that Spav's playcalling got shut down by a few of the top ten teams we play last year.
ALWAYS RUN! next play. ALWAYS PASS!
It was a formula. Very chemistry. ⚛️
I feel the same way and got a little concerned with Bloesch's interview when he said he's going to be on the field instead of in the box, so he can coach players, and he will be able to review drives on a tablet after the drive is over. I'd rather him be in the box and see the entire field and be in better position to adjust in real time, rather than needing to review the video after each drive. Let the position coaches coach the players. Im also not keen on what sounds like a new reliance on technology, re: headsets and tablets. At some point in some game there will be technical issues, and hopefully not when we're playing on the opposite side of the country in important game situations..
Give him Apple Vision Pro so he can the entire field as if he were in the box.
I like it
I feel like he still needs to work very closely with the OL, so I'm okay with him being down there. They're still a WIP and will need a lot of coaching.
I can see that but think as the play caller we need to have him focused more on calling the plays and seeing what the defense is doing in real time
I read more to hear the opinion of the writers, less about data and stats. So thank you, for speculating and giving your opinion. It sounds as reasonable to me as it could, and given what we know about the variabilities in college football, as good as it possibly could be. An injury or two in the wrong positions and the season changes. A few good ball bounces and the season changes. What we can know for sure is that we have overall the most talented offensive team in several years. In my mind, no surprise, the biggest question is QB. If we can get solid, average or above average QB play, then this offense should score plenty of points. Not Goff or Rodgers, but Garbers or someone who gets an NFL shot.
Thanks for the great write up. A freshman starting at Left Tackle scares me. But unlike previous seasons where we only get as far as the OL takes us, the skill positions are the best they've been in a long time, certainly in the Wilcox era, so play calling and quick execution at those positions could be enough to make up for shaky OL play. The offensive coaching staff overall also appears to be the most solid it's been in a long while.
Not just a freshman but a converted TE at that.
I agree with the comments on potential "high variance" in Cal's offense, not including Ott. As I have suggested previously, the first three games will allow us to estimate the degree and direction of our offenses variance. Moreover, the execution of our mid-range and downfield passing game will be crucial in the consistent effectiveness of our running game. I'll reserve judgment while hoping for the best because of the impact on the entire athletic program.
Great thoughts!
I think our two backs will remind us of the Best- Vereen combo. Ott will go for a
120-150 yards, then Caldwell comes and smokes ‘em for another 80-100. Then there’s the Jet who gets a late game handoff and streaks for a long td.
Drop 50 on poor UC Davis.
Sunshine anybody?
I'll take that sunshine.
However, experience has taught me to sense and avoid the burn that follows.
Optimism- High
Expectations- Same as usual.
I can only imagine the reaction if Ott should go down with an ACL tear in the 2nd drive of the season.
Bite your tongue!!!