It should be noted that Kai's offense went against Cal's #1 defense, while Plummer's offense went against Cal's #2 defense. Kai performed well given several poor snaps and an OL that has little to no experience.
This is also true. It was in my notes but I didn't put it in for the final cut. Kai got better over the course of the day but some of the things that happened would've likely happened had he faced the 2's as well.
I'll retype this because my original one got lost in the ether. This Spring has been interesting. I don't think we ever saw all the starters from offense or defense on the field at the same time. We did see a lot of mix and match. In the end the coaches are going to look at film and check at least a couple of things: 1. the decision making of each player on each play, 2. the execution of that decision. What is clear is that from a decision making standpoint that Plummer is way ahead of Milner. That does not mean Plummer will be the starter when game one comes around, but it does mean he is leading the competition for the job. I would say the same thing holds true for the o-line. Some of our guys have been out with injuries. New guys filled in and got reps. Who wins the jobs will depend on performance next fall. Btw, I expect either of our QB's to have a rough first three games before they settle in. While Plummer looks good right now, when he comes up against new look defenses and pressure, we'll see how well he has the offense down. It needs to be responsive, he won't have time to think. Kai would need at least three games to get used to the speed of the game. Both of Our QB's can get it done and because of our weapons I expect our offense to be better next year, with the caveat that our o-line needs to open running lanes and protect QB's who are not as mobile as Chase Garbers. Our D will be solid, again.
Based on Wilcox’s historical preference for experience/more conservative/fewer mistakes play from his QB, it’d be a miracle if Plummer is not our starter in the fall.
I learned that Cal has potentially a very good defense and a questionable offense, hard to see us in the top tier of the conference offensively at this point. 7-5 year ahead.
“We’re both intense guys,” Mettauer said. “And I think my personality and my play style is matching up better to how these coaches like it, as opposed to how it was in California.
“The way the coaches like the intensity here, as opposed to where I came from, I like that. And it gives me a chance to play free and not worry about being reprimanded for accidentally throwing the guy on the ground or whatever.”
Obviously there were some issues while he was at Cal. I would say these would trump any issues about COVID management, although I'm sure that didn't help. As he states he is a Texas kid where football is religion and he wanted to go back to those roots.
I don't buy this for a minute, and I'm not sure Mettauer would have started this year. Yes, he was aggressive, but his technique suffered because of it. He was over his toes way to much, and he drew a lot of penalties. O-line is about controlled aggression, Mettauer lacked the control part of it. Maybe that's why he left, maybe he was told he needed to get his game under control. Not sure, but I doubt Angus would ever tell any of his players they were too aggressive.
Oklahoma's depth chart has Mettauer on the 1's for now. That could change in fall camp. If he lacked technique that is as much on Angus as it is on Mettauer, IMO.
Maybe. But I've played with and coached guys that either didn't have the athletic ability or the discipline to get good at technique. My take on McCade is that he's a big, strong and very tough kid, but not the greatest athlete. And being aggressive by nature translates into an attacking mentality, which I like, but not necessarily into a controlled attacking mentality. You know how a coachable kid is described right? Its a kid who can learn to disregard his natural instincts and play as instructed.
I'm no expert but I think the ideal model of what your are describing Rugbear is Alex Mack. As tough and mean as they come, a pile driver, played until the snap and drove many guys into the ground. And yet is as smart as any Cal alum and played by the rules. His long NFL leading career a testament to his style, intelligence and toughness. He's among my favorite all time Bears.
Alex Mack is a great example....there are guys who go back years: Ted Albrecht, Jack Clark, Duke Leffler, Ned Vessey, Duane Williams, Harvey Salem and so many more. All were big, strong, athletic, tough and would deliver physical punishment to the defensive players.
Agree to a point. Oklahoma has played in the Big 12. Not sure I'd call it a powerhouse conference. Riley left because he knew they would regularly get destroyed when they joined the SEC. They may not have the quality of O-linemen that CAL now has, I'm not sure. And maybe Mettauer would still have started if he stayed. I liked his nasty and aggressiveness, but I also wanted to see him get better technique. His problem was he'd usually have a great first move/hit, but then because of poor technique, he'd get beat. Also, I heard he left CAL because he was tired of California and Berkeley and was pissed off about how Covid restrictions were handled here. He is a Texas kid and has a different way of seeing things than most Californians. He prolly feels real at home at Oklahoma. Venables will be a great HC there.
"Players in fall and winter sports must provide their school with “a written request to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal by May 1.” That May 1 deadline is a cutoff. If a player doesn’t enter the portal by that date, they won’t be eligible for the 2022 season, pending a waiver."
Blake DeBisschop in portal. Appears to be the only Cal player to add his name to the portal after spring camp.
It should be noted that Kai's offense went against Cal's #1 defense, while Plummer's offense went against Cal's #2 defense. Kai performed well given several poor snaps and an OL that has little to no experience.
This is also true. It was in my notes but I didn't put it in for the final cut. Kai got better over the course of the day but some of the things that happened would've likely happened had he faced the 2's as well.
I'll retype this because my original one got lost in the ether. This Spring has been interesting. I don't think we ever saw all the starters from offense or defense on the field at the same time. We did see a lot of mix and match. In the end the coaches are going to look at film and check at least a couple of things: 1. the decision making of each player on each play, 2. the execution of that decision. What is clear is that from a decision making standpoint that Plummer is way ahead of Milner. That does not mean Plummer will be the starter when game one comes around, but it does mean he is leading the competition for the job. I would say the same thing holds true for the o-line. Some of our guys have been out with injuries. New guys filled in and got reps. Who wins the jobs will depend on performance next fall. Btw, I expect either of our QB's to have a rough first three games before they settle in. While Plummer looks good right now, when he comes up against new look defenses and pressure, we'll see how well he has the offense down. It needs to be responsive, he won't have time to think. Kai would need at least three games to get used to the speed of the game. Both of Our QB's can get it done and because of our weapons I expect our offense to be better next year, with the caveat that our o-line needs to open running lanes and protect QB's who are not as mobile as Chase Garbers. Our D will be solid, again.
Based on Wilcox’s historical preference for experience/more conservative/fewer mistakes play from his QB, it’d be a miracle if Plummer is not our starter in the fall.
I learned that Cal has potentially a very good defense and a questionable offense, hard to see us in the top tier of the conference offensively at this point. 7-5 year ahead.
Nice to see us in the hunt for his talent. Is he good enough to be a starter at CAL? If he comes here I guess we will see.
“We’re both intense guys,” Mettauer said. “And I think my personality and my play style is matching up better to how these coaches like it, as opposed to how it was in California.
“The way the coaches like the intensity here, as opposed to where I came from, I like that. And it gives me a chance to play free and not worry about being reprimanded for accidentally throwing the guy on the ground or whatever.”
https://www.oudaily.com/sports/ou-football-how-cal-transfer-mckade-mettauer-matches-bill-bedenbaugh-s-intensity-aims-for-spot/article_5a8abe86-b686-11ec-a7ae-cb0103fd2da8.html
Obviously there were some issues while he was at Cal. I would say these would trump any issues about COVID management, although I'm sure that didn't help. As he states he is a Texas kid where football is religion and he wanted to go back to those roots.
I can see this.
I don't buy this for a minute, and I'm not sure Mettauer would have started this year. Yes, he was aggressive, but his technique suffered because of it. He was over his toes way to much, and he drew a lot of penalties. O-line is about controlled aggression, Mettauer lacked the control part of it. Maybe that's why he left, maybe he was told he needed to get his game under control. Not sure, but I doubt Angus would ever tell any of his players they were too aggressive.
Oklahoma's depth chart has Mettauer on the 1's for now. That could change in fall camp. If he lacked technique that is as much on Angus as it is on Mettauer, IMO.
Maybe. But I've played with and coached guys that either didn't have the athletic ability or the discipline to get good at technique. My take on McCade is that he's a big, strong and very tough kid, but not the greatest athlete. And being aggressive by nature translates into an attacking mentality, which I like, but not necessarily into a controlled attacking mentality. You know how a coachable kid is described right? Its a kid who can learn to disregard his natural instincts and play as instructed.
I'm no expert but I think the ideal model of what your are describing Rugbear is Alex Mack. As tough and mean as they come, a pile driver, played until the snap and drove many guys into the ground. And yet is as smart as any Cal alum and played by the rules. His long NFL leading career a testament to his style, intelligence and toughness. He's among my favorite all time Bears.
Alex Mack is a great example....there are guys who go back years: Ted Albrecht, Jack Clark, Duke Leffler, Ned Vessey, Duane Williams, Harvey Salem and so many more. All were big, strong, athletic, tough and would deliver physical punishment to the defensive players.
Agree to a point. Oklahoma has played in the Big 12. Not sure I'd call it a powerhouse conference. Riley left because he knew they would regularly get destroyed when they joined the SEC. They may not have the quality of O-linemen that CAL now has, I'm not sure. And maybe Mettauer would still have started if he stayed. I liked his nasty and aggressiveness, but I also wanted to see him get better technique. His problem was he'd usually have a great first move/hit, but then because of poor technique, he'd get beat. Also, I heard he left CAL because he was tired of California and Berkeley and was pissed off about how Covid restrictions were handled here. He is a Texas kid and has a different way of seeing things than most Californians. He prolly feels real at home at Oklahoma. Venables will be a great HC there.
Don't give up yet. Coaches are still looking at potential transfers and visits are being arranged.
The fit has to be right. Ability, desire, and fit with CAL and our system. That combo sets a high bar.
"Players in fall and winter sports must provide their school with “a written request to enter the NCAA Transfer Portal by May 1.” That May 1 deadline is a cutoff. If a player doesn’t enter the portal by that date, they won’t be eligible for the 2022 season, pending a waiver."