Actually, it really is up to Gould, he is in charge of in-game RB personnel decisions, based on what the staff indicated last year.

Is it possible that working Isi this much early was always part of the plan?


Work Anderson in a little slowly and save Bigs for conference play? Maybe coaches had a plan?

From what I can tell, I don't think the staff really factors in the situation. In their eyes ISI is just as good at short yardage as Anderson or Johnson. Apparently, all backs are interchageable in any situation.

Agree with pappy, had they intended to give most snaps to the other backs, the PC game would have been the best opportunity to get them a greater comfort level going into the Seattle conference opener.

89Bear;572428 said:

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Is it possible that working Isi this much early was always part of the plan?


Work Anderson in a little slowly and save Bigs for conference play? Maybe coaches had a plan?

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We're a power running team- right now without a power runner. If that is the plan we're outsmarting ourselves.

Of all the backs yesterday, Debroskie to me was the most pleasant surprise but running against a tired Pres line is a tough thing to judge.

LessMilesMoreTedford;572235 said:

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Pass protection. Isi is still the best in pass pro by a mile. CJA, CDJ and Bigelow might have greater upside, but they're still FAR behind Isi in pass pro.

Cal does not trust the other to pass pro as much, so other defenses know when CJA, CDJ and Bigelow are in, it's going to be a run or some sort of dump off to the flats and can stack the box. With Sofele the playcalling can get more creative with options to either pass or run.

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just like some has been saying here the competition is lesser. i wonder how he's going to block the pac12 caliber pass rusher. i like sofele's attitude but attitude alone is not going to cut it.

MiltyBear;572179 said:

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I just checked stats and I'm somewhat surprised.

Isi does not have a reception this year.

Screens to Best or Forsett or Lynch use to be a meaningful part of our offense. Now it seems we've abandoned the screens and outlets to RBs. I guess the trend started last year.

For comparison:

2010: Vereen 22 catches, Isi 5 catches
2009: Vereen 25, Best 22
2008: Best 27, Vereen 27, Ta'ufo'ou 7
2007: Forsett 22, Best 13, Ta'ufo'ou 4, Montgomery 4
2006: Lynch 34, Forsett 13, Storer 8, O'Keith 4

I wonder if Bigelow has good hands. He did have 1 designed screen for him today, his 1st play of the game.

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My guess is that if Bigelow didn't have good hands, they wouldn't put him back there as a kickoff returner.

grrrutilus;572485 said:

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just like some has been saying here the competition is lesser. i wonder how he's going to block the pac12 caliber pass rusher. i like sofele's attitude but attitude alone is not going to cut it.

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If Sofele ends up on his back when he has a 5-yard running start on a linebacker...... now imagine when a linebacker has a 5-yard running start on him.

MiltyBear;572179 said:

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I just checked stats and I'm somewhat surprised.

Isi does not have a reception this year.

Screens to Best or Forsett or Lynch use to be a meaningful part of our offense. Now it seems we've abandoned the screens and outlets to RBs. I guess the trend started last year.

For comparison:

2010: Vereen 22 catches, Isi 5 catches
2009: Vereen 25, Best 22
2008: Best 27, Vereen 27, Ta'ufo'ou 7
2007: Forsett 22, Best 13, Ta'ufo'ou 4, Montgomery 4
2006: Lynch 34, Forsett 13, Storer 8, O'Keith 4

I wonder if Bigelow has good hands. He did have 1 designed screen for him today, his 1st play of the game.

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I wouldn't necessarily call the screens meaningful part of the offense during the last five years, more a source of frustration. Keep in mind, those last five years were also stagnant periods of the Tedford creativity-era and the beginning of the downward slide. DB's were sitting in the flat waiting for the swing and LB's were able to pursue to the edge and contain our backs or, stringing them into the sidelines.

After the Colorado game, that can't be true...there is 0% chance that Isi makes a first down on the crucial 3rd and 1 where Anderson makes a truly spectacular run to gain just over a yard.

MT211;571485 said:

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Doesn't it make sense to get CDJ and CJ9 reps?

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More important is why is Genyk(sp?) still playing Tavecchio.

Give D'Amato or the walk-on kicker a try.
They can't be worse than GT.
As the game went on, GT's kicks got worse and worse. His last KO barely cleared the Blue Hose (Jose?) front line at the 40 yd line.

If GT gets tired making 10 KO's (counting the one at the beginning of the game); maybe he shouldn't warm up.

If Genyk likes his PATs(Hah?) keep him for these limited situations.

If Genyk is afraid of wounding GT's pscyche, then he should ask, how much worse can he get.

Maybe a little old fashioned competition might jack up GT's incentive.

I gues "Genyk (sp?)" that Tavecchio might as well do all the kicking he can while he can because he won't be doing a lot of kicking in conference play if the offense plays like it looks like its going to play???

GivemTheAxe;572878 said:

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More important is why is Genyk(sp?) still playing Tavecchio.

Give D'Amato or the walk-on kicker a try.
They can't be worse than GT.
As the game went on, GT's kicks got worse and worse. His last KO barely cleared the Blue Hose (Jose?) front line at the 40 yd line.

If GT gets tired making 10 KO's (counting the one at the beginning of the game); maybe he shouldn't warm up.

If Genyk likes his PATs(Hah?) keep him for these limited situations.

If Genyk is afraid of wounding GT's pscyche, then he should ask, how much worse can he get.

Maybe a little old fashioned competition might jack up GT's incentive.

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We were purposely squibbing the kickoffs, so I wouldn't read too much into it. Tedford said that was by design, as Georgio couldn't get his plant foot set on the dirt infield (something that definitely needs to get resolved).

That being said, if Georgio is the best we got, I certainly don't want to see D'Amato in action...

This whole thing reminds me of last year when everyone was clammering for Beau or Brock to come in for Riley, and we all know how well that turned out :cry:

grrrutilus;572485 said:

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just like some has been saying here the competition is lesser. i wonder how he's going to block the pac12 caliber pass rusher. i like sofele's attitude but attitude alone is not going to cut it.

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Well, we will see what happens against UDub this upcoming game. Though many have complained of JT's stubbornness over the years regarding QB, I don't think he has the same attitude towards the RB position (and I agree that no matter what Gould says, if JT decides on someone else, we get that someone else). RB requires less of a mental aspect that can be affected by being pulled from games so I imagine if other RBs step up and/or Sofele falters, we will see more of the other RBs regardless of attitude.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a lot more of Big after some more game time experience against better competition. :woohoo

Didn't we throw a screen to Bigelow? Wasn't his 11-yard reception a pass? Maybe we'll do it more with his talent to break the first tackle. Isi would likely be brought down on first contact.

PersianOski;573140 said:

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Well, we will see what happens against UDub this upcoming game. Though many have complained of JT's stubbornness over the years regarding QB, I don't think he has the same attitude towards the RB position (and I agree that no matter what Gould says, if JT decides on someone else, we get that someone else). RB requires less of a mental aspect that can be affected by being pulled from games so I imagine if other RBs step up and/or Sofele falters, we will see more of the other RBs regardless of attitude.

I wouldn't be surprised if we saw a lot more of Big after some more game time experience against better competition. :woohoo

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Agreed. As has been mentioned many times previously on the boards Tedford and his RB Fumble policy much different than his QB Interception policy. We will keep seeing all RBs until one makes a big impact (if one makes a big impact...)

BoaltBear09;573167 said:

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Didn't we throw a screen to Bigelow? Wasn't his 11-yard reception a pass? Maybe we'll do it more with his talent to break the first tackle. Isi would likely be brought down on first contact.

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While I agree at getting Bigelow's first touches all out in space so he can get his legs under him this week i'd like to see him get some handoffs. I don't think it would've hurt to give him one or two looks last game but I guess they're easing him back in?

I thought CDJ looked good this weekend, not so much that I know PC sucks but just being patient with the running lanes etc. Seems to be a good lead block on QB designed run plays too.