Been watching the America's Team documentary, and learned that what sparked the Cowboys massive turnaround in Jimmy Johnson's second year was firing the OC and hiring Norv Turner. In the doc he says all he did was SIMPLIFY the offense and let the players play, instead of think.
Here's hoping some simplification will get the offense kick-started in short order.
Do I want a victory..of course. But frankly more than that, I want to see clear progress on the offense, and in particular JKS, to put us in a position to succeed going forward. Tosh has put it all on the line by effectively saying trust me. I want to do nothing more. Go Bears forever baby!
To go 4-8 Cal has to win this one but looking at the UNLV films I’m not so sure that is s forgone conclusion. UNLV has seen the Clemson film so they know what to do on defense to rattle JKS. If Mohammed isn’t ready, our run game will be nonexistent unless there’s someone deep in the RB room we haven’t seen.
So it boils down to seeing whether Lupoi and Somerville have cut the offense back to simple plays that will unleash JKS to find open receivers.
That’s assuming any WRs who manage to get separation can actually catch a well placed ball.
If the Cal offense doesn’t show that it’s at least moving away from Somerville’s convoluted pro offense to something that will actually allow JKS to do his thing, then I’d have to assume that RR is waiting to can Lupoi until the end of what will be a dismal season, one very likely capped with a loss to Stanford, which, sad to say, is starting to look just good enough to beat this bear team with its ridiculously anemic offense.
I hope I’m not so disgusted by what I see in the first half of this game that I switch to another one for the second.
If the offense does not whip UNLV - absent crazy turnovers but a straight-up game, we need 400+ yards of offense and multiple 10+ yard runs and downfield passes - the downward spiral will continue whether we win or not.
More than the Somerville pro offense is the lack of talent on the OL. We must brace ourselves that regardless of the scheme or who is calling the plays the offense will STILL be below average. Key injuries at RB aren't going to help things either.
Finn: If this happens, then we are FUCKED for the rest of the season! I pray that Rolo is going to get more playcalling duties. It wouldn't bother me one bit if he sits right next to Sommerville up in the booth helping him dial up some offense.
Easy, UNLV isn't bad, so we win on a last-minute field goal - the ones we typically miss. We still can't run the ball, but JKS gets his mojo back, throwing for 2 TDs and over 200 yards, thanks to Rolo reminding him of the ways of the Jedi - better? I'd still prefer a Cal blowout and our offense scoring 50 points, but we don't see many of those. :-)
Have a great time at Disneyland Ben. I will be on my own special ride at home watching this game. It better be more fun than the last four freaking rides. Go Bears!
FYI, just saw this on the Protect College Sports Act that passed the Senate 77-22 and is headed to the House:
The bill’s wide-ranging reach also goes into eligibility, transfers, coaching changes, and conference realignment.
Athletes will have five years of eligibility with exceptions for serious injuries and other medical conditions (as compared to the NCAA’s current five-year eligibility rule with limited exceptions for military service, religious missions, and maternity leave).
Transfers would be limited to once without having to sit out a year, although athletes could transfer again without penalty if they are pursuing a graduate degree, their sport is cut, their head coaches leaves, or they are sexually assaulted or harassed.
Coaches would also have a new limitation on their movement: coaches and key football staff could not leave mid-season for another FBS program and could not engage in recruiting, roster management, NIL activity, or game-planning functions for a new team during the same season.
Conferences would also be capped at 20 members, an amendment from 19 members that passed at the last minute before the final Senate vote. In addition, any school moving between the four power conferences (the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC or any other conference with $700 million or more in annual revenue) would have to be independent for three years before joining a new power conference, although the waiting period expires six years after the law takes effect.
GoldenBear: I predict that if this legislation passes, Cal will become a permanent member of the ACC. If I'm not mistaken, the Big Ten has room for TWO more teams and I find it hard to believe that they would pass up Notre Dame and/or North Carolina to bing in Cal and Stanfurd.
Been watching the America's Team documentary, and learned that what sparked the Cowboys massive turnaround in Jimmy Johnson's second year was firing the OC and hiring Norv Turner. In the doc he says all he did was SIMPLIFY the offense and let the players play, instead of think.
Here's hoping some simplification will get the offense kick-started in short order.
So, is Norv available...?
It also helped the haul of draft picks they got for Hershel Walker...
Charles Haley also fell into their lap after supposedly peeing on the 49er's GM's desk
Also, he focused on Aikman getting the ball out faster, and letting Michael Irvin cook on short routes
Do I want a victory..of course. But frankly more than that, I want to see clear progress on the offense, and in particular JKS, to put us in a position to succeed going forward. Tosh has put it all on the line by effectively saying trust me. I want to do nothing more. Go Bears forever baby!
TKE: I like your blending of our Golden Bears with the Vegas Raiders, aka, "refugees from the Bay Area".
I am really worried about this game.
To go 4-8 Cal has to win this one but looking at the UNLV films I’m not so sure that is s forgone conclusion. UNLV has seen the Clemson film so they know what to do on defense to rattle JKS. If Mohammed isn’t ready, our run game will be nonexistent unless there’s someone deep in the RB room we haven’t seen.
So it boils down to seeing whether Lupoi and Somerville have cut the offense back to simple plays that will unleash JKS to find open receivers.
That’s assuming any WRs who manage to get separation can actually catch a well placed ball.
If the Cal offense doesn’t show that it’s at least moving away from Somerville’s convoluted pro offense to something that will actually allow JKS to do his thing, then I’d have to assume that RR is waiting to can Lupoi until the end of what will be a dismal season, one very likely capped with a loss to Stanford, which, sad to say, is starting to look just good enough to beat this bear team with its ridiculously anemic offense.
I hope I’m not so disgusted by what I see in the first half of this game that I switch to another one for the second.
If the offense does not whip UNLV - absent crazy turnovers but a straight-up game, we need 400+ yards of offense and multiple 10+ yard runs and downfield passes - the downward spiral will continue whether we win or not.
Bears bearly win 21-6. Offense outscores Defense in this one. Go Bears!!
Old Bear: If that happens, Sommerville is gone or demoted.
More than the Somerville pro offense is the lack of talent on the OL. We must brace ourselves that regardless of the scheme or who is calling the plays the offense will STILL be below average. Key injuries at RB aren't going to help things either.
Bears win 20-17, decided at the very end in true Cal-like fashion.
Finn: If this happens, then we are FUCKED for the rest of the season! I pray that Rolo is going to get more playcalling duties. It wouldn't bother me one bit if he sits right next to Sommerville up in the booth helping him dial up some offense.
Easy, UNLV isn't bad, so we win on a last-minute field goal - the ones we typically miss. We still can't run the ball, but JKS gets his mojo back, throwing for 2 TDs and over 200 yards, thanks to Rolo reminding him of the ways of the Jedi - better? I'd still prefer a Cal blowout and our offense scoring 50 points, but we don't see many of those. :-)
The thing is, if Cal wins, they will think they are doing something right. They are not doing something right.
all I know is if adam mohammed isn't playing we're hosed I don't care what scheme changes they made
Have a great time at Disneyland Ben. I will be on my own special ride at home watching this game. It better be more fun than the last four freaking rides. Go Bears!
I'm very scared of the roller coaster we will be on watching this game. I pray to the football gods that it's not like a Haunted House.
Cal loses 21-17
FYI, just saw this on the Protect College Sports Act that passed the Senate 77-22 and is headed to the House:
The bill’s wide-ranging reach also goes into eligibility, transfers, coaching changes, and conference realignment.
Athletes will have five years of eligibility with exceptions for serious injuries and other medical conditions (as compared to the NCAA’s current five-year eligibility rule with limited exceptions for military service, religious missions, and maternity leave).
Transfers would be limited to once without having to sit out a year, although athletes could transfer again without penalty if they are pursuing a graduate degree, their sport is cut, their head coaches leaves, or they are sexually assaulted or harassed.
Coaches would also have a new limitation on their movement: coaches and key football staff could not leave mid-season for another FBS program and could not engage in recruiting, roster management, NIL activity, or game-planning functions for a new team during the same season.
Conferences would also be capped at 20 members, an amendment from 19 members that passed at the last minute before the final Senate vote. In addition, any school moving between the four power conferences (the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, and SEC or any other conference with $700 million or more in annual revenue) would have to be independent for three years before joining a new power conference, although the waiting period expires six years after the law takes effect.
GoldenBear: I predict that if this legislation passes, Cal will become a permanent member of the ACC. If I'm not mistaken, the Big Ten has room for TWO more teams and I find it hard to believe that they would pass up Notre Dame and/or North Carolina to bing in Cal and Stanfurd.
In any event, Cal would be non competitive in football. Basketball, baseball etc would be very competitive.
God’s mouth to Lupoi’s ears!
Do we know anything concrete about how the offensive play calling will be handled this week?
No