If you haven't go and watch the Youtube videos of Ott and Cardwell. Ott makes really clear that he is a Fing BEAR! Blew off any interest from other schools. And Cardwell is such a thoughtful young man, about his demons and his happiness at being at Cal. Those two and other new guy from Tennessee might make up the most talented combos we have had since the Lynch/Forsett or Best/Vereen days. I'm fired up about the potential of this backfield. If the new Oline coach can get mediocre play out of the line, then Sam Jackson and these backs may light up the field with big plays.
The way Bloesch describes his aggressive blocking schemes and with the space that the spread creates, if we can find five (preferably ten) quick, athletic, nasty linemen, then we'll make room for these guys to showcase their talents. I think that speed is going to be the most important factor for our O-liners this year; how fast they get off the line and 'into' the opposing defensive lineman will determine how successful they are. While it's nice to have 330# guys that can do this, they are exceedingly rare. A quick, strong and nasty 280# o-liner that can get into his defender can tie up that defender, with lanes created by the spread, long enough for a good RB to break through the hole. We'll fid out this spring what we have. And btw, Spencer Lovell was not a prototypical o-lineman for a Spav or Bloesch system. Guys like Sessions, coached up, are ideal.
I hear you. Wasn't it Walsh and his lines at the 49ers that were famous for being a bit light but great at pulling and moving? Did alright for them. 280 lbs of nasty pissed off manflesh will take on anyone anytime well enough to keep them busy!
I like the Oline comments that reflect the fact that you've got to have that character and cruelty thing Harbaugh talked about. Which five guys would you walk into a dark alley with and hope to come out? I know full well that that nasty streak does not travel on the same genes as the height or weight or muscle type genes. My dad was all of 160 lbs but was in his day a feared bar fighter and longshoreman. You need that in O lineman and I've never played a snap. Alex Mack. Alex Mack. Alex Mack.
I'd imagine running a spread and having an actual dual threat QB will help. Just seemed like Musgrave had been outside the college game for so long that he forgot what a college OL looked like.
Would running some triple option looks be easier or harder for a college OL to block for?
Yes, I've watched three of his videos that are 20 minutes or longer. In the video re: our o-line and changes coming, he only had video of three plays from the Musgrave era that he examined. They were good choices. After watching the video it became very clear to me that McClure had no idea what he was doing as an o-line coach relative to blocking schemes and assignments.
Hi Bob, I've watched all of Pawlawski's videos, including his interview with Spav this morning which I found very enlightening. Thanks for the recommend anyway.
Though I remain somewhat skeptical of Justin Wilcox and his ability to mold this team into a Championship contender based on what we've seen the past 2 years, I totally applaud the direction he has taken the program from an offensive perspective and am absolutely rooting for him. In the wake of Musgrave's archaic O, transitioning to a more mainstream scheme with Spavital and Bloesch shows an admirable ability to see a problem and adjust...wish we saw that at Haas, but that's a different story.
I am also completely intrigued by the physical talents of Sammy Jax da 5th...sure, he is inexperienced, but you're absolutely right...he's a complete unknown that could really be a game changer, especially when paired with Ott and the RBs and Hunter and a deep WR corp.
Sounds like a Spavital offense, even if it's not the Bear Raid. We probably would have had a few more wins if our offense was just competent enough to give our defense some rest.
One problematic issue with tempo is the D's lack of rest when the O goes 3 and out in less than a minute. Wilcox's traditional attempts to operate a ball control offense offered the D rest and the time for discussion and adjustments. Even ball control 3 and outs last 2 minutes. It will be interesting to observe how Wilcox and Spavital mesh when the offense sputters and the defense gets tired. This all points to the D needing extraordinary depth and conditioning.
completely agree, and this was my feeling anytime someone wishes we could have "Dykes/Bear Raid on Offense" and "Wilcox on Defense" at the same time. The two can't fully coexist and there needs to be some compromise.
A measurable step forward on offense will most likely mean some regression on defense (statistically), particularly when tempo is one of the the strategic advantages you need to implement on offense. We simply don't have the depth to be elite on both sides of the ball, where the offense is blistering and the defense is lockdown for a full 4 quarters. We will be giving up more points later in the game. Maybe, maybe if you put all of your recruiting and resources into Defense and install a plug and play air raid that doesn't require as much talent, your defense can remain elite.
Maybe. He has strength and nasty. He needs better quickness, but I thin he can find it inside. And he really needs to be coached up on technique, all our o-liners do.
Thank you for the update. Looking forward to seeing how all this will play out on April 15th. Also looking forward to the previews regarding the defense.
If you haven't go and watch the Youtube videos of Ott and Cardwell. Ott makes really clear that he is a Fing BEAR! Blew off any interest from other schools. And Cardwell is such a thoughtful young man, about his demons and his happiness at being at Cal. Those two and other new guy from Tennessee might make up the most talented combos we have had since the Lynch/Forsett or Best/Vereen days. I'm fired up about the potential of this backfield. If the new Oline coach can get mediocre play out of the line, then Sam Jackson and these backs may light up the field with big plays.
The way Bloesch describes his aggressive blocking schemes and with the space that the spread creates, if we can find five (preferably ten) quick, athletic, nasty linemen, then we'll make room for these guys to showcase their talents. I think that speed is going to be the most important factor for our O-liners this year; how fast they get off the line and 'into' the opposing defensive lineman will determine how successful they are. While it's nice to have 330# guys that can do this, they are exceedingly rare. A quick, strong and nasty 280# o-liner that can get into his defender can tie up that defender, with lanes created by the spread, long enough for a good RB to break through the hole. We'll fid out this spring what we have. And btw, Spencer Lovell was not a prototypical o-lineman for a Spav or Bloesch system. Guys like Sessions, coached up, are ideal.
I hear you. Wasn't it Walsh and his lines at the 49ers that were famous for being a bit light but great at pulling and moving? Did alright for them. 280 lbs of nasty pissed off manflesh will take on anyone anytime well enough to keep them busy!
I like the Oline comments that reflect the fact that you've got to have that character and cruelty thing Harbaugh talked about. Which five guys would you walk into a dark alley with and hope to come out? I know full well that that nasty streak does not travel on the same genes as the height or weight or muscle type genes. My dad was all of 160 lbs but was in his day a feared bar fighter and longshoreman. You need that in O lineman and I've never played a snap. Alex Mack. Alex Mack. Alex Mack.
I'd imagine running a spread and having an actual dual threat QB will help. Just seemed like Musgrave had been outside the college game for so long that he forgot what a college OL looked like.
Would running some triple option looks be easier or harder for a college OL to block for?
Any chance Vatikani busts out and becomes one of the better OL in the league?
Yes, I've watched three of his videos that are 20 minutes or longer. In the video re: our o-line and changes coming, he only had video of three plays from the Musgrave era that he examined. They were good choices. After watching the video it became very clear to me that McClure had no idea what he was doing as an o-line coach relative to blocking schemes and assignments.
Hi Bob, I've watched all of Pawlawski's videos, including his interview with Spav this morning which I found very enlightening. Thanks for the recommend anyway.
Yes, I subscribe there and read all their stuff during football camps and seasons.
Well said, CB91.
Though I remain somewhat skeptical of Justin Wilcox and his ability to mold this team into a Championship contender based on what we've seen the past 2 years, I totally applaud the direction he has taken the program from an offensive perspective and am absolutely rooting for him. In the wake of Musgrave's archaic O, transitioning to a more mainstream scheme with Spavital and Bloesch shows an admirable ability to see a problem and adjust...wish we saw that at Haas, but that's a different story.
I am also completely intrigued by the physical talents of Sammy Jax da 5th...sure, he is inexperienced, but you're absolutely right...he's a complete unknown that could really be a game changer, especially when paired with Ott and the RBs and Hunter and a deep WR corp.
Just block, baby!
Nope. Brooks and Moore are better than Cardwell and Williams Thomas 🤣
Doubt it. We’ll see, won’t we.
Dream on.
You are telling the wrong person.
Sounds like a Spavital offense, even if it's not the Bear Raid. We probably would have had a few more wins if our offense was just competent enough to give our defense some rest.
Bear Insider has a 39 minute podcast of Mike Pawlawski and Jake Spavital that everyone can listen to
Faster, better offense? Took ya long enough... really hoping this works out
One problematic issue with tempo is the D's lack of rest when the O goes 3 and out in less than a minute. Wilcox's traditional attempts to operate a ball control offense offered the D rest and the time for discussion and adjustments. Even ball control 3 and outs last 2 minutes. It will be interesting to observe how Wilcox and Spavital mesh when the offense sputters and the defense gets tired. This all points to the D needing extraordinary depth and conditioning.
completely agree, and this was my feeling anytime someone wishes we could have "Dykes/Bear Raid on Offense" and "Wilcox on Defense" at the same time. The two can't fully coexist and there needs to be some compromise.
A measurable step forward on offense will most likely mean some regression on defense (statistically), particularly when tempo is one of the the strategic advantages you need to implement on offense. We simply don't have the depth to be elite on both sides of the ball, where the offense is blistering and the defense is lockdown for a full 4 quarters. We will be giving up more points later in the game. Maybe, maybe if you put all of your recruiting and resources into Defense and install a plug and play air raid that doesn't require as much talent, your defense can remain elite.
Maybe. He has strength and nasty. He needs better quickness, but I thin he can find it inside. And he really needs to be coached up on technique, all our o-liners do.
Looking forward to the new scheme and new contributors! Go Bears!
Thank you for the update. Looking forward to seeing how all this will play out on April 15th. Also looking forward to the previews regarding the defense.
Does anyone know about Brett Johnson’s health? Hopefully his not participating in spring ball is precautionary and not due to continuing problems.