Ott's patience and vision are exceptional for a freshman. Can he catch passes out of the backfield? If so, he reminds me of a shorter Marcus Allen.
We're clearly losing a lot without a mobile QB, especially considering the offensive line doesn't appear very effective.
Speaking of lines, there was no evidence our defensive rush will be threat it was last year. Unless it had more to do with the coaches calling fewer blitzes.
Jason S. appears to be a linebacker in the tradition of Cal's greats. He's inevitably around the ball.
Still, you simply can't be successful if your offensive and defensive lines aren't effective. That's the biggest concern that I have watching our Bears last Saturday.
WR screens seems like a problem as in our receivers couldn't block DBs to get the screen play going. Thoughts on if that's fixable or simply not in our receivers (ex-#14) capabilities.
Yes, I thought so too. I don't think any of the WR screens we ran worked. Let's hope whatever the problems are with those plays they work it out or stop running the darn things. Overall, it was a pretty good game experience. So good to see some playmakers on the field for the offense. Jayden Ott is going to be fun to watch this season! The defense looked good too.
Formation/personnel question. Do the W4C team have thoughts on the personnel selection? There were 5+ plays where #3 was lined up as a tight end. I counted 2+ plays with #34 running routes.
Does this occur to keep the same 11 on the field and eliminate substituting between plays? Or some other reason? Neither of the above are great options (though #3 blocked fairly well).
As we know, teams change dramatically between Week 1 and Week 6 as teams answer their question marks, everyone has tape to prepare and the general unknowns get removed, resulting in just player improvement and injuries as variables.
My Question: Which units typically improve the most the first few weeks of the season?
I don't know that there's a position group on average that would improve the most. For Cal, I'd probably ID the WR group, since that's the group with the biggest gap between talent and experience, where adding experience could potentially pay big dividends.
Usually OL from playing together a few games and WRs after figuring out who the best players are and playing them instead of incumbent starters at start of season.
The Aggies didn't have anything to lose. And yes, the O Line gave up sacks in the first two possessions, but they didn't give up another sack the rest of the day.
I think this game analysis was too harsh. The first quarter showed what inexperience the Cal offense has, and then made adjustments to provide a more than adequate performance. Pass protection will need to improve, but Plummer was more than effective standing in the pocket. With time, and the emergence of what seems like strong receivers, he will hit downfield passes. Let's see how he does this coming Saturday. The special teams were very effective, especially the punting and coverage. On defense, we will need more pressure on the opponents pocket, and the defensive backs will need to close more effectively on downfield receivers, but all in all, a good performance.
I thought Sheahan 's punts were more exciting than boring - maybe not quite Nick Harris level, but I think he can be a weapon. "Punting is winning!" etc etc
His long wind up made me nervous, but the coverage allowed for it and it resulted in some excellent punts. I wonder if he changes that up against teams that actually try to go for a block.
I noticed the Notre Dame punter vs OSU holding the ball for quite a delay because it was apparent there was no rush, which allowed the coverage down field and took away any returns. On every punt, I think.
I hadnt really noticed this before. Wonder if its a newish thing special teams coordinators are responding to, if a lot of punt return units across the sport have more and more focused on setting up the return with only a half-hearted rush, outside of full-on punt block situations.
I'm still trying to stay optimistic for this year and not look ahead to next, when I think there's a very real chance we'll compete for the North. This year feels very much like another .500 year given our vulnerability at the line (on both sides).
I thought overall we looked pretty good but I just wonder if we shouldn’t be taking more of a wild swing at the upper tier and playing Millner since he is younger and mobile and could pair with Ott as they mature together. Plummer seems fine but he is like the epitome of the Toyota Tercel metaphor. I am excited about Ott but just don’t see us really breaking through with Plummer especially with the apparent O line issues. Even if it risked a higher chance of like a 2 win season I would be ok just going for it and playing the guy with greater natural abilities (Millner)
I don't think we can afford a season like that right now, our recruiting classes are already kind of slipping and falling apart. We need a solid season; ever since COVID blew up our momentum, we've been going in the wrong direction.
*One question yet to be answered is if gaining Plummer's passing will fully offset losing Garber's running.
*The key to the season will be the O-Line. Hopefully they can develop and stay healthy in the process. QBs could do with more time and RBs with some holes.
*I was happier stumbling out of the blocks then getting together than I would have been with a fourth quarter pratfall.
* Also consistent these last few seasons has been Nick's insightful post game thoughts.
In regards to your first question, I will say yes.
Plummer will scramble and run to throw as he keeps his eyes down the field. This will lead to some big passing plays. When Garbers tucked it to run he stopped looking down the field to throw.
As we saw with Garbers in 19, a running QB opens themself up to potential injury. I would prefer my QB pass or hand off than take off and run with the ball. If we lose our starting QB, this offense grinds to a halt rather quickly.
I Agree as well, solid, critical were they deserved such comments, but extremely fair. - And I kind of think over the years, if Wilcox thinks we have a solid chance of winning, he plays "regular", no more - don't give away the trickier plays.
Funny, for me I'd actually prefer a little less tight end snaps unless they become a bigger part of the passing game - last year there was an imbalance between the number of snaps we gave to tight ends vs. direct impact on the offense.
Nick, that's a good observation. I can't say this with any certainty but Musgrave may have limited our play call to keep our playbook under wraps until later and/or it might have been an issue of scheme dependent on the Davis defense the coaches watched on film. Just throwing this out there as a possibility but there is no way I can know for sure.
Ott's patience and vision are exceptional for a freshman. Can he catch passes out of the backfield? If so, he reminds me of a shorter Marcus Allen.
We're clearly losing a lot without a mobile QB, especially considering the offensive line doesn't appear very effective.
Speaking of lines, there was no evidence our defensive rush will be threat it was last year. Unless it had more to do with the coaches calling fewer blitzes.
Jason S. appears to be a linebacker in the tradition of Cal's greats. He's inevitably around the ball.
Still, you simply can't be successful if your offensive and defensive lines aren't effective. That's the biggest concern that I have watching our Bears last Saturday.
WR screens seems like a problem as in our receivers couldn't block DBs to get the screen play going. Thoughts on if that's fixable or simply not in our receivers (ex-#14) capabilities.
Yes, I thought so too. I don't think any of the WR screens we ran worked. Let's hope whatever the problems are with those plays they work it out or stop running the darn things. Overall, it was a pretty good game experience. So good to see some playmakers on the field for the offense. Jayden Ott is going to be fun to watch this season! The defense looked good too.
Formation/personnel question. Do the W4C team have thoughts on the personnel selection? There were 5+ plays where #3 was lined up as a tight end. I counted 2+ plays with #34 running routes.
Does this occur to keep the same 11 on the field and eliminate substituting between plays? Or some other reason? Neither of the above are great options (though #3 blocked fairly well).
I thought Oladejo looked like a budding star.
General Question:
As we know, teams change dramatically between Week 1 and Week 6 as teams answer their question marks, everyone has tape to prepare and the general unknowns get removed, resulting in just player improvement and injuries as variables.
My Question: Which units typically improve the most the first few weeks of the season?
I don't know that there's a position group on average that would improve the most. For Cal, I'd probably ID the WR group, since that's the group with the biggest gap between talent and experience, where adding experience could potentially pay big dividends.
Usually OL from playing together a few games and WRs after figuring out who the best players are and playing them instead of incumbent starters at start of season.
The Aggies didn't come out nervous. Why did the O Line allow 2 blitzes from the right (?) side? They came darn close to recording a few more sacks.
The Aggies didn't have anything to lose. And yes, the O Line gave up sacks in the first two possessions, but they didn't give up another sack the rest of the day.
I think this game analysis was too harsh. The first quarter showed what inexperience the Cal offense has, and then made adjustments to provide a more than adequate performance. Pass protection will need to improve, but Plummer was more than effective standing in the pocket. With time, and the emergence of what seems like strong receivers, he will hit downfield passes. Let's see how he does this coming Saturday. The special teams were very effective, especially the punting and coverage. On defense, we will need more pressure on the opponents pocket, and the defensive backs will need to close more effectively on downfield receivers, but all in all, a good performance.
Thank you.
I thought Sheahan 's punts were more exciting than boring - maybe not quite Nick Harris level, but I think he can be a weapon. "Punting is winning!" etc etc
His long wind up made me nervous, but the coverage allowed for it and it resulted in some excellent punts. I wonder if he changes that up against teams that actually try to go for a block.
I noticed the Notre Dame punter vs OSU holding the ball for quite a delay because it was apparent there was no rush, which allowed the coverage down field and took away any returns. On every punt, I think.
I hadnt really noticed this before. Wonder if its a newish thing special teams coordinators are responding to, if a lot of punt return units across the sport have more and more focused on setting up the return with only a half-hearted rush, outside of full-on punt block situations.
I'm still trying to stay optimistic for this year and not look ahead to next, when I think there's a very real chance we'll compete for the North. This year feels very much like another .500 year given our vulnerability at the line (on both sides).
I thought overall we looked pretty good but I just wonder if we shouldn’t be taking more of a wild swing at the upper tier and playing Millner since he is younger and mobile and could pair with Ott as they mature together. Plummer seems fine but he is like the epitome of the Toyota Tercel metaphor. I am excited about Ott but just don’t see us really breaking through with Plummer especially with the apparent O line issues. Even if it risked a higher chance of like a 2 win season I would be ok just going for it and playing the guy with greater natural abilities (Millner)
I don't think we can afford a season like that right now, our recruiting classes are already kind of slipping and falling apart. We need a solid season; ever since COVID blew up our momentum, we've been going in the wrong direction.
*One question yet to be answered is if gaining Plummer's passing will fully offset losing Garber's running.
*The key to the season will be the O-Line. Hopefully they can develop and stay healthy in the process. QBs could do with more time and RBs with some holes.
*I was happier stumbling out of the blocks then getting together than I would have been with a fourth quarter pratfall.
* Also consistent these last few seasons has been Nick's insightful post game thoughts.
In regards to your first question, I will say yes.
Plummer will scramble and run to throw as he keeps his eyes down the field. This will lead to some big passing plays. When Garbers tucked it to run he stopped looking down the field to throw.
As we saw with Garbers in 19, a running QB opens themself up to potential injury. I would prefer my QB pass or hand off than take off and run with the ball. If we lose our starting QB, this offense grinds to a halt rather quickly.
And it looks like we have some physical and tall WRs and TEs who can go up and grab ball on those scramble throws
solid, grounded report, thanks
I Agree as well, solid, critical were they deserved such comments, but extremely fair. - And I kind of think over the years, if Wilcox thinks we have a solid chance of winning, he plays "regular", no more - don't give away the trickier plays.
Agreed
As always!
Perhaps I am blessed to not have been able to watch this game.
Very excited for Ott, and I feel like Plummer will get better with playing time. Hopefully.
Funny, for me I'd actually prefer a little less tight end snaps unless they become a bigger part of the passing game - last year there was an imbalance between the number of snaps we gave to tight ends vs. direct impact on the offense.
Nick, that's a good observation. I can't say this with any certainty but Musgrave may have limited our play call to keep our playbook under wraps until later and/or it might have been an issue of scheme dependent on the Davis defense the coaches watched on film. Just throwing this out there as a possibility but there is no way I can know for sure.
Especially if our WRs are as strong and athletic as I'm hoping