StillNoStanfurdium;842299725 said:

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Wasn't Lapite a walk-on? Are walk-ons leaving the team now also considered clearing out deadwood?

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Lapite was reported to have left the team for "personal reasons", and no information or need to speculate.
Whatever, his performance last season left a lot to be desired but he was an available body to complete 11 men on D.
He did the best he could so kudos to him for gutting it out and playing.

Lee's on suspension, again no information or need to speculate.

Reported that Lee skipped spring conditioning......................

LACalFan;842299416 said:

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The music does add drama to a soggy looking practice.

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Thanks for the link freshfunk wrote about.....they look better already. *I think*

dinan3;842299733 said:

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Reported that Lee skipped spring conditioning......................

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Hopefully the boys learned something from Code Red-gate.

StillNoStanfurdium;842299725 said:

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Wasn't Lapite a walk-on? Are walk-ons leaving the team now also considered clearing out deadwood?

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He got a schollie last year

berk18;842299624 said:

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That'd be a big plus, but the WR issues and the OL issues feed each other a lot. We gave up 2.75 sacks a game but were #5 in the country in passes attempted. The 2.75 a game are the memorable plays, especially because they usually come on important 3rd downs, but we threw a lot of incomplete passes on 1st and 2nd down when there wasn't much pressure. We also got sacked on plays where our WR's were getting ridden out of bounds or beat up so much at the LOS that they couldn't get the right route distribution. Oregon and UCLA are the best examples from early in the season. We played against dominant front-sevens in Ohio State and USC, but the offense looked better against them than it did against others. We could play against teams that played off-coverage while we struggled with teams that pressed. That factored into our success much more than the talent of their DL vs. the talent of our OL.

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No doubt, but why all the fawning ( not by you ) over our receiving corps. Three of four positions are filled by Pac12 level players who each has his liabilities. Subs, who are supposed to make the fast paced offense workable, are a huge drop off.

Also. The pitter patter of size 15 feet seemed to affect Goff after his skinny ass got smacked over and over. Tough kid, but he is human.

:gobears:

berk18;842299604 said:

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Honestly, I think this is some of the best news about our offense going forward. People bag on the run game, but our downfield passing game was really, truly awful last year, and the lack of a run only had a little bit to do with it. After all, Mike Leach doesn't even run the ball but he scores points with this offense.

I really wanted to see Treggs inside. I'm going to talk about this more in a post soon, but our offense has four WR positions. X is the left outside receiver, H is the left inside receiver, Y is the right inside receiver, and Z is the right outside receiver. I don't like to pigeon-hole guys based on their physical stats since there are guys of all body-types that find ways to be successful doing all sorts of things, but since it obviously didn't work last year lets just look at the most successful Air Raid receivers and their positions.

Outside: Michael Crabtree 6'3" 222 lbs., Dez Bryant 6'2" 215 lbs., Justin Blackmon 6'1 207 lbs, Stedman Bailey 5'10" 193 lbs.

Inside: Danny Amendola 5'11" 181 lbs., Tavon Austin 5'9" 174 lbs., Wes Welker 5'9" 185 lbs.

The main wrinkle on these tendencies is that if you have a true TE type, he can play Y. These are guys like Rob Gronkowskie and Jace Amaro. We went for that type last year playing Rodgers at Y.

Our line-up was:
X: Treggs
H: Just about everyone, but most notably Bouza, Powe, and Bigelow
Y: Rodgers
Z: Harper

Last year it was obvious that Treggs, Harper, and Rodgers were our best receivers, so they had to be on the field. Rodgers was physically a proto-typical TE-style Y, so we were left with two great inside receiver types (especially Treggs, Harper's a tweener) to fill the X, H, and Z spots. We messed around with personnel at those three spots a considerable amount. In the second quarter of the season we moved Harper to H. That was the only time H was a productive position for us, but of course then Z's productivity fell off. To remedy that we moved Harper back to Z and put Bigelow at H to try and get that speed there, but he wasn't up to it. The best thing for our offense might be to have a tall, physical, reasonably fast Z (Lawler? Davis?), Harper at X, Treggs at H, and then whoever our next best is at Y, whether he's a TE-type or more of a traditional inside guy. All I know is that the lack of physicality at X and Z killed us in a lot of games last year, and it goes far beyond blocking.

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I agree.
I saw a recent article on a respected sports site link about how to set a roster for various schemes. The pass-centric spread has 4 receiver positions as you mentioned. What's interesting is that the outside receivers are supposed to be the big guys and the inside receivers are supposed to your speed guys, unless you have a TE type inside. Last year we had it completely opposite. I still don't understand why.

So what does Lawler have to do get some love around here. He was our most productive WR the second half of the season. To me it's very simple

X: Lawler/Powe
H: Harper/S. Anderson
Y: Treggs/ Grissom
Zavis/Harris

If Austin or Hudson can beat out one of those 8 I'd be surprised. But I'd like see them get in the mix along with McGovern.

Thanks Berk

heartofthebear;842299827 said:

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I agree.
I saw a recent article on a respected sports site link about how to set a roster for various schemes. The pass-centric spread has 4 receiver positions as you mentioned. What's interesting is that the outside receivers are supposed to be the big guys and the inside receivers are supposed to your speed guys, unless you have a TE type inside. Last year we had it completely opposite. I still don't understand why.

So what does Lawler have to do get some love around here. He was our most productive WR the second half of the season. To me it's very simple

X: Lawler/Powe
H: Harper/S. Anderson
Y: Treggs/ Grissom
Zavis/Harris

If Austin or Hudson can beat out one of those 8 I'd be surprised. But I'd like see them get in the mix along with McGovern.

Thanks Berk

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Without doubt (aka "no doubt about it" :p) there will be a lot of mixing and matching to get players in the proper positions.
Dykes and TF have watching a lot of film of last year's games and practices and have come to conclusions which will be tested in practice.
Some players will be better suited to certain game conditions than for others so all those guys, including the RS-F, will be on the field.

heartofthebear;842299827 said:

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What's interesting is that the outside receivers are supposed to be the big guys and the inside receivers are supposed to your speed guys, unless you have a TE type inside. Last year we had it completely opposite. I still don't understand why.

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Treggs and Harper were outside because they were downfield threats. Basically, if you look at the deep routes that X and Z run, it's a lot of go-routes and posts. These routes aren't going to get lost in coverage any time soon. They're almost always going to be contested by CB's, so first and foremost you need guys who can get separation. The ideal guy is someone who is fast enough to get a step on his defender and then physical enough to maintain his positioning and compete for the ball in the air. Rodgers was never going to be anything but a Y, where he was basically a wing TE when we ran power. That position has to be able to block LB's and catch the ball, so that was definitely Rodgers. Plus, he probably wasn't fast enough to stress CB's on the outside.

The problem was that the other big guys we had at H and Y were neither fast enough nor physical enough to do what I've described above, or they dropped balls, or whatever. At least Harper and Treggs were extremely talented in some respects, and could beat their man one on one enough to be dangerous.

heartofthebear;842299827 said:

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So what does Lawler have to do get some love around here. He was our most productive WR the second half of the season. To me it's very simple

X: Lawler/Powe
H: Harper/S. Anderson
Y: Treggs/ Grissom
Zavis/Harris

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I'm 100% in agreement on Lawler. Even if he's covered he's open because he can catch balls that are so far from his body. He made some great catches on the backside of Y-cross, and his chemistry with Goff on the back-shoulder throw on 4-verts was really starting to look good at the end of the season. The big depth chart concern is how do you play Harper and Treggs at the same time if you want your Y to be a TE-type to help the run game? The pieces still don't quite fit perfectly to get our best talent on the field every snap, but I think we're getting closer. If we had a great Y we'd be there, but since we don't (at least not that we've seen) we're left with our four best receivers competing for three spots. All four of Harper, Treggs, Davis, and Lawler will play a lot this season, though, and we might find a situational rotation that maximizes everyone's strengths.

berk18;842299842 said:

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Treggs and Harper were outside because they were downfield threats. Basically, if you look at the deep routes that X and Z run, it's a lot of go-routes and posts. These routes aren't going to get lost in coverage any time soon. They're almost always going to be contested by CB's, so first and foremost you need guys who can get separation. The ideal guy is someone who is fast enough to get a step on his defender and then physical enough to maintain his positioning and compete for the ball in the air. Rodgers was never going to be anything but a Y, where he was basically a wing TE when we ran power. That position has to be able to block LB's and catch the ball, so that was definitely Rodgers. Plus, he probably wasn't fast enough to stress CB's on the outside.

The problem was that the other big guys we had at H and Y were neither fast enough nor physical enough to do what I've described above, or they dropped balls, or whatever. At least Harper and Treggs were extremely talented in some respects, and could beat their man one on one enough to be dangerous.



I'm 100% in agreement on Lawler. Even if he's covered he's open because he can catch balls that are so far from his body. He made some great catches on the backside of Y-cross, and his chemistry with Goff on the back-shoulder throw on 4-verts was really starting to look good at the end of the season. The big depth chart concern is how do you play Harper and Treggs at the same time if you want your Y to be a TE-type to help the run game? The pieces still don't quite fit perfectly to get our best talent on the field every snap, but I think we're getting closer. If we had a great Y we'd be there, but since we don't (at least not that we've seen) we're left with our four best receivers competing for three spots. All four of Harper, Treggs, Davis, and Lawler will play a lot this season, though, and we might find a situational rotation that maximizes everyone's strengths.

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Thanks for the explanation. Now I understand the issue. I think Lawler and Davis are fast enough to be deep threats but not like Harper and Treggs. And I see now that the both can't play inside at once. How about Harris and/or Powe? Can they block? They both have size. Otherwise Hudson is coming off a RSFR year. Is it too early to expect him to step into the Y role?

Any chance the incoming RBs stand a chance to beat out Lasco and Muhammad. I've always been a fan of Lasco. Great size, hard knock down. Jut haven't wen to much last season due to injuries and Oline play. Muhammad didn't seem that fast I'm te open field really. Had the break away off the kickoff but didn't see great speed as of yet. Don't know to much about tre, but liked his power in his running. Any thoughts?

When you run the ball out of the end zone (which you should do certainly when the kickoff is a line drive with no hang time) you have to get to speed quickly. Go FAST. You cannot go slowly like you're looking around for some kind of hole before you decide to move, as if for the clouds to open a beautiful rainbow and pot of gold first. You will only get to the gold if you go screaming towards it before you see it.

BearlyClad;842299896 said:

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When you run the ball out of the end zone (which you should do certainly when the kickoff is a line drive with no hang time) you have to get to speed quickly. Go FAST. You cannot go slowly like you're looking around for some kind of hole before you decide to move, as if for the clouds to open a beautiful rainbow and pot of gold first. You will only get to the gold if you go screaming towards it before you see it.

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We were HORRIBLE on KO returns last year, so you're probably on to something. Virtually every KO, we would have had improved field position by letting the ball roll into the end zone and downing it.

CalifoniaGoldenBearAid;842299878 said:

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Any chance the incoming RBs stand a chance to beat out Lasco and Muhammad. I've always been a fan of Lasco. Great size, hard knock down. Jut haven't wen to much last season due to injuries and Oline play. Muhammad didn't seem that fast I'm te open field really. Had the break away off the kickoff but didn't see great speed as of yet. Don't know to much about tre, but liked his power in his running. Any thoughts?

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Last Season.
The "incumbent" star, Bigelow, worked himself out of a job, had his position switched. Muhammad, an incoming F, saw the field a lot.

New Season
Any chance for incoming RBs? ... they have their senior year in HS still to play then they'll arrive. Hopefully, they'll add to their credentials and avoid injury.
When they arrive in the fall, will they have a chance to play?
They'll get their chance. One or more may play.
There also might be good reasons for them to blue-shirt unless they're needed to play.

Errr. Didn't they already play their last season of high school ball???

moonpod;842300148 said:

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Errr. Didn't they already play their last season of high school ball???

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:facepalm uh, yeah, they did :facepalm

CalifoniaGoldenBearAid;842299878 said:

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Any chance the incoming RBs stand a chance to beat out Lasco and Muhammad. I've always been a fan of Lasco. Great size, hard knock down. Jut haven't wen to much last season due to injuries and Oline play. Muhammad didn't seem that fast I'm te open field really. Had the break away off the kickoff but didn't see great speed as of yet. Don't know to much about tre, but liked his power in his running. Any thoughts?

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I like Lasco's size/speed combination, but, so far, he's shown an almost magnetic ability to attract big hits and, even though he's bigger than most of our other backs, he's still small enough to where he comes on on the losing end versus the average linebacker. I'd love to see him stay healthy all year.

Anyone attend Friday's practice? Heard there was a small scuffle between the lineman...full pads tomorrow, woo hoo!

DLSbear;842301060 said:

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Anyone attend Friday's practice? Heard there was a small scuffle between the lineman...full pads tomorrow, woo hoo!

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micd up DB coach burns ...

nice pass break up by trey cheek on harris

jeffery coprich looking bigger and stronger indeed good kid

HC dykes



who is going tomorrow ? i plan to be there by 11ish

dammit lasco tweaked hammy slighty

going4roses;842301068 said:

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micd up DB coach burns ...

nice pass break up by trey cheek on harris

jeffery coprich looking bigger and stronger indeed good kid

HC dykes



who is going tomorrow ? i plan to be there by 11ish

dammit lasco tweaked hammy slighty

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The Burns video was interesting. A guy who works on encouragement and is actually teaching technique. Plus, the DBs are practicing against one of the best receiver groups in the country (yeah, us, Cal, but it's true :p)

Dykes video talking about the OL shows how much work needs to be done to have even a decent group. I knew a very successful HS coach in Seattle and the two positions that needed the best coaches for him were the OL and DB. Without a good OL ... well, we've seen the results of not having a good OL.

I like greg burns a lot

Davidson;842301127 said:

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I like greg burns a lot

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Tate seems to be a huge upgrade also for DL.
Kaufman also, with no need for any comparison to his predecessor.

Kinda wish there had been a coaching change at OL but the results will be what they will be.

If any of the incoming freshmen CAN play,they WILL play.

RB Harper has skill and speed, but weighs about a buck fifty.

DL is already better than last year.

Goff was all over the place.

Maybe 200 folks watching on a PERFECT spring morning in Berkeley.

:gobears:

Bobodeluxe;842301199 said:

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If any of the incoming freshmen CAN play,they WILL play.

yes they will

RB Harper has skill and speed, but weighs about a buck fifty.

and jerffery coppaicah looked good

DL is already better than last year.

they seem be on same page as tate if they get it wrong tate will let them know !!!!

Goff was all over the place. yes he was the picks and everything

Maybe 200 folks watching on a PERFECT spring morning in Berkeley.

yes i was one of them 200
:gobears:

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a bunch of coaches and prospects a lot

P ingram is a/will be a super recruiter high energy / people person... RB ???scored and he ran to meet him with praise ..

OL is settling in ways to go but on the right road

the D will be decent this year

can not confirm but i think trigga tweked a hammy held out rest of practice

going4roses;842301203 said:

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a bunch of coaches and prospects a lot

P ingram is a/will be a super recruiter high energy / people person... RB ???scored and he ran to meet him with praise ..

OL is settling in ways to go but on the right road

the D will be decent this year

can not confirm but i think trigga tweked a hammy held out rest of practice

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Agree on all points.

Tregs did seem to just disappear.

Bobodeluxe;842301199 said:

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If any of the incoming freshmen CAN play,they WILL play.

RB Harper has skill and speed, but weighs about a buck fifty.

DL is already better than last year.

Goff was all over the place.

Maybe 200 folks watching on a PERFECT spring morning in Berkeley.

:gobears:

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"Goff all over the place" ???? Good? Hitting different receivers quickly?
How did the DBs do against the passing?

It was a gorgeous day at Memorial! D line play I thought looked solid. Is it me or the DB coverage look a lot better this year?? Jefferson had a pick on 11-11..O line appears to me to be a work in progress, saw a nice burst of speed on a keeper by Goff, he appears bigger and stronger, maybe a bit faster too! Our RBS look small this year..,quick but small. Good to see contact...17 on the DLine is a force!

SonOfCalVa;842301209 said:

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"Goff all over the place" ???? Good? Hitting different receivers quickly?
How did the DBs do against the passing?

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goff threw two picks ... dbs are getting coached up .piatt reads the ball well

the WR's even with no trigga and chris still alot of talent harris lawler and davis and powe and hudson and numbe 21

i saw avery helping out trey ( passing the knowledge down)

i some interaction will both Dbs and DL and they are still throwing out the old coaches thoughts teaching etc .. but these guys will who truly believe in their new coaches will start to believe in themselves and thus play as one defense has to trust the other 10 guys on the field with me are going to do their job

going4roses;842301216 said:

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goff threw two picks ... dbs are getting coached up .piatt reads the ball well

the WR's even with no trigga and chris still alot of talent harris lawler and davis and powe and hudson and numbe 21

i saw avery helping out trey ( passing the knowledge down)

i some interaction will both Dbs and DL and they are still throwing out the old coaches thoughts teaching etc .. but these guys will who truly believe in their new coaches will start to believe in themselves and thus play as one defense has to trust the other 10 guys on the field with me are going to do their job

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I like your info and reports but I don't understand part of it. Please clarify how you came to the assessment that the DL and DB are still throwing out the thoughts of the old coaches. First of all, how would you know? Secondly, this just makes no sense that they would be doing that. This is a teaching phase and they would definitely be implementing the new stuff.

calbb;842301235 said:

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Please clarify how you came to the assessment that the DL and DB are still throwing out the thoughts of the old coaches. First of all, how would you know? Secondly, this just makes no sense that they would be doing that. This is a teaching phase and they would definitely be implementing the new stuff.

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got dammit just typed out something looked up and all gone grrrr

skip to this point :

could have been misleading sorry my bad

this is not concrete im just guessing aka shooting in the wind

not in a negative way at all but sometimes in certain drills the DB and DL coach swould be in one on one discussion and seems the player may have been explaining reasoning for doing the task they way they did it and the coaches are right there step in step t ... explaining why the player should do it other way and the reasoning behind the technique etc

just reading between the lines wish i could ask coaches questions about such observations ie body language etc

not hating on old coaching at all

SonOfCalVa;842301209 said:

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"Goff all over the place" ???? Good? Hitting different receivers quickly?
How did the DBs do against the passing?

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He both hit and missed receivers all over the place. I think he had a bad day.

DB's were ok. Depends on how effective one believes our receivers are. First week.

Very workmanlike practice.

Bobodeluxe;842301253 said:

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He both hit and missed receivers all over the place. I think he had a bad day.

DB's were ok. Depends on how effective one believes our receivers are. First week.

Very workmanlike practice.

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Workmanlike is good.
Nam Le, as a kind of PS on his report in another place, had this recommendation:
If you're not following @calcoachyenser on Twitter, you're really missing out. He's posting several film cutups of what the offensive line is doing every day, and while it's obviously not a complete picture, it's really fascinating stuff.
I'm not a Twitterer but Nam's recommendation was great. Yenser tweets coaching comments and short videos showing OL line play, some positive, some not so positive.

Also, funny exchange with his wife, Beth

Beth Graham Yenser ‏@BethYenser Apr 4
@CalCoachYenser I need you to explain "tighter on the pull" please!

Zach Yenser ‏@CalCoachYenser Apr 4
@BethYenser babe! Get in the film room! The pulling OG needs to be as tight as he can to the F.S OG, his aiming point in inside # of the LB

Beth Graham Yenser ‏@BethYenser Apr 4
@CalCoachYenser oh yeah, I knew that!