I'd say yes, aside from penalties.

Consider our last 3 games as the sample, and consider the last few games of last season...

It seems last season, we scored a lot in the early games from big plays and break out runs, however sustained drives were nonexistent particularly in the last half of the season and road games.

This year, however, I see more 3rd down (and 4th down!!) conversions and sustained drives with small-to-medium sized gains into the redzone. I suppose I can jump into stats to compare but I'd like to get your sense of the offense so far.

Discuss!

Last year we didn't after riley went down. I still don't understand why Bridgeford didn't play the last few games.

cyrusthebear;574515 said:

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I'd say yes, aside from penalties.

Consider our last 3 games as the sample, and consider the last few games of last season...

It seems last season, we scored a lot in the early games from big plays and break out runs, however sustained drives were nonexistent particularly in the last half of the season and road games.

This year, however, I see more 3rd down (and 4th down!!) conversions and sustained drives with small-to-medium sized gains into the redzone. I suppose I can jump into stats to compare but I'd like to get your sense of the offense so far.

Discuss!

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Yes, vastly improved.

btw, we are tied for 8th in the country with 7 4th down conversion attempts (we've converted 3, good for 14th in the country)

oskidunker;574518 said:

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Last year we didn't after riley went down. I still don't understand why Bridgeford didn't play the last few games.

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He was still far from game ready due to shoulder rehab.

So far, yes. I think there is a clear improvement in the playcalling now that JT has taken it back over. Even though the line is less than dominant, our QB has inconsistent accuracy, and the receivers have the dropsies, the plays are still putting us in good position to succeed. There is a rhythm to the game, and defenses are often caught off-guard. It wasn't the same under Ludwig or Cignetti; they are okay, but no substitute for a Tedford game plan.

And if you're talking about the offense this year as compared to the post-Riley injury offense from last year, it's not even close. That offense was a disaster; this one is competent.

statistically i think we're around the same, 3 games in. similar sort of games.. one cupcake, one team that was supposed to be decent that we got pretty good, one defensive implosion game.

i think the difference is when in the games there have been offensive plays. big third downs converted, big plays late in an OT. that kind of stuff didn't happen the last couple years, finding a way to win a game when playing poorly. we've lately either started out good or started out bad and that decided the outcome.

losing riley changed last year, we weren't winning the pac10 but we would not have had a losing season.

I think Maynard is more dangerous than healthy Riley. If you give Maynard the time, that dude WILL GAIN YARDS, with our without his brother.

falseintellect;574532 said:

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statistically i think we're around the same, 3 games in. similar sort of games.. one cupcake, one team that was supposed to be decent that we got pretty good, one defensive implosion game.

i think the difference is when in the games there have been offensive plays. big third downs converted, big plays late in an OT. that kind of stuff didn't happen the last couple years, finding a way to win a game when playing poorly. we've lately either started out good or started out bad and that decided the outcome.

losing riley changed last year, we weren't winning the pac10 but we would not have had a losing season.

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Good post. Even though we haven't seen much difference overall, I think converting long third downs (and Tedford going for it now on fourth sometimes) is the key difference we have seen that bodes well for the future. If we can be more productive on 1st and 2nd downs, we can have a very good offense.

Interestingly, I believe the Bears have scored the exact same number of points through 3 games this year as last year (135). Last year it was 52, 52 and 31. This year it's 36, 36 and 63.
For the whole season though, you've got to figure we'll be better as long as Zach does not get hurt.

Our WRs are becoming something to be feared: Imagine when Maynard gets even better at going to secodary targets when defenses start double-teaming KA21!

I'd like to see a little more consistency in the running game. Will we be able to move the chains when that's what the situation calls for? Stay tuned...

Gotta stop the dropsies...

Big C_Cal;574562 said:

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I'd like to see a little more consistency in the running game. Will we be able to move the chains when that's what the situation calls for? Stay tuned...

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I believe you will be pleased with our new running back committee. I like the Sofele-Anderson tandem, with a sudden chance of Bigelow.

UW BEWAREEEE

QB play better, although I thought Riley was OK. Isi and committee OK, but not as good as last year (to state the obvious.) Bigelow looks to be as advertised. Can't wait to see him play more.

Dropsies and penalties need clean up.

cyrusthebear;574515 said:

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I'd say yes, aside from penalties.

Consider our last 3 games as the sample, and consider the last few games of last season...

It seems last season, we scored a lot in the early games from big plays and break out runs, however sustained drives were nonexistent particularly in the last half of the season and road games.

This year, however, I see more 3rd down (and 4th down!!) conversions and sustained drives with small-to-medium sized gains into the redzone. I suppose I can jump into stats to compare but I'd like to get your sense of the offense so far.

Discuss!

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Yes its totally unpredictable. mostly for the better. If we stop dropping easy catches shoot we are great even with the occasional errant pass and missed block on runs. Kapp iz a difference maker, little guy with a motor an heart hope stays healthy.

grandmastapoop;574527 said:

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btw, we are tied for 8th in the country with 7 4th down conversion attempts (we've converted 3, good for 14th in the country)

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I think that's a bit of an anomaly. We went for it five times and converted on three vs. Presbyterian.

Our offense so far looks more creative than anything since 2007... one year of Cignetti and two of Ludwig, blah.

sycasey;574531 said:

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So far, yes. I think there is a clear improvement in the playcalling now that JT has taken it back over. Even though the line is less than dominant, our QB has inconsistent accuracy, and the receivers have the dropsies, the plays are still putting us in good position to succeed. There is a rhythm to the game, and defenses are often caught off-guard. It wasn't the same under Ludwig or Cignetti; they are okay, but no substitute for a Tedford game plan.

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I thought Tedford was asked the question of whether he was calling plays and he said that he was not, but was involved in the communication from the booth down to the field.

CALiforniALUM;574668 said:

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I thought Tedford was asked the question of whether he was calling plays and he said that he was not, but was involved in the communication from the booth down to the field.

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He might not want to say it out loud, but JT is either calling the plays or has a very heavy hand on it. No, I have no inside information, but it was speculated much over the offseason that he would be taking back the reins, and frankly I think the on-field results bear it out -- this looks more like a Tedford offense.

There have been a lot of penalties and at times the offense does not look too sharp. The run blocking needs work, BUT

I was at the Colorado game. The place was LOUD and the pressure on the offense was immense. In the fourth quarter and OT they didn't have a bunch of false starts or other problems. They looked poised and came through with some great clutch plays and ended up with a big road win. Last year's team wouldn't have done it.

I am optimistic the offense will eliminate many of the early season mistakes and hopeful they will maintain the attitude and composure on the road, with an overall significant improvement.

I, on the otherhand, do not believe Cal will eliminate the "mistakes" that we've seen...and if so Cal's opponents will make Cal pay....then so much for composure!

Blueblood;574800 said:

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I, on the otherhand, do not believe Cal will eliminate the "mistakes" that we've seen...and if so Cal's opponents will make Cal pay....then so much for composure!

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So why do you follow this team and continuously post messages of doom and forboding? If that's what makes you happy, follow UCLA or perhaps the Cougs......

sycasey;574721 said:

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He might not want to say it out loud, but JT is either calling the plays or has a very heavy hand on it. No, I have no inside information, but it was speculated much over the offseason that he would be taking back the reins, and frankly I think the on-field results bear it out -- this looks more like a Tedford offense.

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According to JT, Kiesau is calling virtually all of the plays from the booth, and the entire offensive staff is involved in game-planning.

What I take that to mean is that it's Tedford's offense, with some influence from the staff (Kiesau, Coach M, Gould), and that Kiesau and Tedford are enough on the same page that Tedford is comfortable with him calling the the plays from the booth. I don't think there's any other way to explain the very Tedfordian (but evolved) offense, but with more aggression than I remember from Tedford since even before 2004. I think the aggression is Kiesau's influence...

Just my $0.02.

elpbear;575036 said:

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According to JT, Kiesau is calling virtually all of the plays from the booth, and the entire offensive staff is involved in game-planning.

What I take that to mean is that it's Tedford's offense, with some influence from the staff (Kiesau, Coach M, Gould), and that Kiesau and Tedford are enough on the same page that Tedford is comfortable with him calling the the plays from the booth. I don't think there's any other way to explain the very Tedfordian (but evolved) offense, but with more aggression than I remember from Tedford since even before 2004. I think the aggression is Kiesau's influence...

Just my $0.02.

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Very elpful

Our 3rd down conversion rate is 4th in the conference, behind Southern Cal, Oregon and Oregon State. And, that is with a rather bad 5/13 showing last week, against the Blue Hose. Stanford's 3rd down efficiency was a very nice 58% last year. Now, 42%, with better competition on the way. Something seems to have changed there... They have a total of just 100 penalty yds after 3 games though.

elpbear;575036 said:

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According to JT, Kiesau is calling virtually all of the plays from the booth, and the entire offensive staff is involved in game-planning.

What I take that to mean is that it's Tedford's offense, with some influence from the staff (Kiesau, Coach M, Gould), and that Kiesau and Tedford are enough on the same page that Tedford is comfortable with him calling the the plays from the booth. I don't think there's any other way to explain the very Tedfordian (but evolved) offense, but with more aggression than I remember from Tedford since even before 2004. I think the aggression is Kiesau's influence...

Just my $0.02.

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That sounds plausible.

drunkoski;575037 said:

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I'd say cal is the perfect program to follow if you enjoy messages of doom and forboding.

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Perhaps you and Bluebood could start your own site which focuses on all negative aspects of the Cal program all the time. Then the rest of us would not have to be subjected to them. You could even pretend that Cal has not won any games and that the new stadium will never be finished and would not have to be subjected to any positive spins on where the program is headed......

drunkoski;575100 said:

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it's in the works. not ready to launch yet. have not spoken to blue about it though.

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Good response. Obviously taken in the spirit it was intended...

I know it's early, but it seems as if Maynard is a better passer when it's 3rd and Long.

Our conversion rate on 3rd and 8+ seems markedly improved this year.

cyrusthebear;574515 said:

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I'd say yes, aside from penalties.

Would you say our offense has improved over last year??

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Is this a trick question, like: "Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?"

Some things I really, really like about our Offense --


1) I like the Pistol package that some here poo-pooed last year simply because UCLA sucked at it when playing us and, god forbid, if we should do anything UCLA does, it's blasphemous! Well anyways, Maynard (as a QB who can run) adds a dimension never seen before at Cal or not seen in a long time (Ayoob, it wasn't your fault, bro, keep your head up). The potential and ability to go play-action pass from Pistol is still waiting for us and could be very effective.

2) On the occasions we do it, I like the pre-snap "check with me" sideline look -- The coaches can signal the QB to change the play if they see something in the opposing Defense that's exploitable. Also, this technique is the precursor of an Uptempo Offense if we wanted to go in that direction later on after more reps. It's very Big XII-like (spread) in nature and could save our butts in a shootout or allow us to compete in one.

3) Kind of rare, but the RB Swing pass has potential the times we ran it. I like the rare deep throws to the RB too. Get them in space, I say.


Two more things I would like to see --

1) I would like to see more RB and WR Screens just to keep the Defense off-balanced, even if big yardage isn't always gained. It keeps the Defense on guessing.

2) More WR crossing patterns underneath.

Either of the above will give Maynard easier completions and move the chains.


One thing I could do without --

1) The "Hey, let's throw a pick-6 off that sloppy out-pattern we run. I can't get enough of it! It's so exciting. OMG, it's a like Cal QB tradition already! Weeee! Go Bears!"

We'll get a definitive answer to that Saturday, but I'd say it sure looks like it. We have a passing game AND an invigorated offensive scheme. I give Tedford a lot of credit for chucking his old offense and embracing many new concepts. If we could squeeze out some game managment improvements we may just have a coach who's ready to take the next step.

sheki;575212 said:

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I know it's early, but it seems as if Maynard is a better passer when it's 3rd and Long.

Our conversion rate on 3rd and 8+ seems markedly improved this year.

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Yes, we are much better at converting third and long.

We will actually become a good offense when we do better on 1st and 2nd down. The key to that is:
1. Playing CJ on first down.
2. Better mix of run and play-action on first down instead of just running.
3. Play-action on 2nd and short and throw deep instead of always running (even when we go empty back field).

68great;575492 said:

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Is this a trick question, like: "Who is buried in Grant's Tomb?"

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LOL. Good one 68G.

I think much improved but mistake prone. Too many turnovers and penalties.

what i like about zach is if he makes a mistake he doesnt let it get to him and moves on he has ice in his vienes i think they call it. and thats important for any qb to have got to be able to move on after throwin a pick or fumbling the rock