Nice write up Piotr. Interesting to see the stats from 2023 to 2024. I actually thought Bloesch did a decent job in 2023 with our O-Line. Hard to say what happened in 2024. Did our play decline because Bloesch was trying to be OC and OL coach and it was too much on his plate? Was it because of lesser talent? Was it because of poor schemes?
I'd say a bit of all three. Being an OC is a full time job. It's hard to be a full time position coach and OC, unless you are the QB coach and OC. Bloesch was a disaster at schemes. Watching tape (replays of games on Youtube with stop and go and reverse) I was taken aback by the poor blocking schemes that Bloesch installed, especially since he was an OL coach. Lastly, our talent wasn't as good as 2023 and our technique was really bad. I don't want to single out any one player but Rush Reimer is an example of someone who wasn't coached up. I loved his aggressiveness and nasty, but he never kept his feet under him as he engaged in blocks, he set up really poorly on pass pro and regularly got beat like a drum. I don't blame him, that's on the coach either to get him up to speed or play someone who can do the job better. There were too many drives that were stalled because of a whiffed block by someone that resulted in a sack or TFL. And Mendoza was constantly running for his life as defenses played press coverage to take away the short and mid passing game which gave their rushers time to get after Mendoza.
If Anae does one thing this year that will help us be successful, it would be that he teaches his guys techniques to stay on blocks. I have no doubt Harsin's schemes will be vastly better than Bloesch's. Time will tell.
Can we not revert to ad hominem attacks of former players? While I wish Ott stayed, the very premise of this article shows why he didn't, particularly with Mendoza gone. I don't blame him and I appreciate that he stayed as long as he did.
Yeah, I understand Jet -- especially with where he went. But Ott got his degree and bounced for more money and a better shot at the NFL; no harm, no foul. He doesn't owe us another rebuild.
The fact that New Mexico allowed ZERO sacks all YEAR is truly an incredible stat! I read about it when the new coach was hired but re-reading it gets me super excited.
If you didn't get a chance to watch Devon Dampier last year, you missed out. That very late night (for me) win against Wazzu was special! He'll be Week 1 against UCLA this year for the Utes. If you can, tune in and watch him. I hope Whittingham doesn't impede his improvisational runs!
"For us the floor in 2024 was in the basement of a nuclear shelter, underneath a mountain, and beneath Atlas’ body carrying the skies."....so you're saying there's a chance for improvement ...I'm in!
For Cal to compete successfully in the ACC in 2025, the OL play MUST improve dramatically. This is for the run game and pass protection. If not, we are 6-6 or 5-7. GO BEARS!
Nice write up Piotr. Interesting to see the stats from 2023 to 2024. I actually thought Bloesch did a decent job in 2023 with our O-Line. Hard to say what happened in 2024. Did our play decline because Bloesch was trying to be OC and OL coach and it was too much on his plate? Was it because of lesser talent? Was it because of poor schemes?
I'd say a bit of all three. Being an OC is a full time job. It's hard to be a full time position coach and OC, unless you are the QB coach and OC. Bloesch was a disaster at schemes. Watching tape (replays of games on Youtube with stop and go and reverse) I was taken aback by the poor blocking schemes that Bloesch installed, especially since he was an OL coach. Lastly, our talent wasn't as good as 2023 and our technique was really bad. I don't want to single out any one player but Rush Reimer is an example of someone who wasn't coached up. I loved his aggressiveness and nasty, but he never kept his feet under him as he engaged in blocks, he set up really poorly on pass pro and regularly got beat like a drum. I don't blame him, that's on the coach either to get him up to speed or play someone who can do the job better. There were too many drives that were stalled because of a whiffed block by someone that resulted in a sack or TFL. And Mendoza was constantly running for his life as defenses played press coverage to take away the short and mid passing game which gave their rushers time to get after Mendoza.
If Anae does one thing this year that will help us be successful, it would be that he teaches his guys techniques to stay on blocks. I have no doubt Harsin's schemes will be vastly better than Bloesch's. Time will tell.
Also, I like our new talent.
Can we not revert to ad hominem attacks of former players? While I wish Ott stayed, the very premise of this article shows why he didn't, particularly with Mendoza gone. I don't blame him and I appreciate that he stayed as long as he did.
Yeah, I understand Jet -- especially with where he went. But Ott got his degree and bounced for more money and a better shot at the NFL; no harm, no foul. He doesn't owe us another rebuild.
The fact that New Mexico allowed ZERO sacks all YEAR is truly an incredible stat! I read about it when the new coach was hired but re-reading it gets me super excited.
If you didn't get a chance to watch Devon Dampier last year, you missed out. That very late night (for me) win against Wazzu was special! He'll be Week 1 against UCLA this year for the Utes. If you can, tune in and watch him. I hope Whittingham doesn't impede his improvisational runs!
The second episode of Golden Era for this fall camp really shows the culture change underway for this unit. Highly recommended viewing.
"For us the floor in 2024 was in the basement of a nuclear shelter, underneath a mountain, and beneath Atlas’ body carrying the skies."....so you're saying there's a chance for improvement ...I'm in!
God it was tough reading how bad we were...really says that much more about Mendoza and his ability to win some games with that line.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMRrNY0pxfM
I got heartburn just reading this
Thanks for the write up! Coaches use different terminology but in our offense the second play you identify as Inside Zone we differentiate as DUO.
For Cal to compete successfully in the ACC in 2025, the OL play MUST improve dramatically. This is for the run game and pass protection. If not, we are 6-6 or 5-7. GO BEARS!
So Ott transfered to a school with an OL just as bad as Cal?
Not true, they get paid more!
I betcha the OL will be better than mediocre this year.