Deciphering Coach Speak

Oregon Live just ran a story on the OSU LB situation, and Banker said some things that have me concerned.

"I'm feeling good and confident in the fact that somebody will step up," Banker said. "Somebody has to. If it's not out of those five, then we'll take a Dwight Roberson (one of the Beavers' starting outside linebackers) and put him in the middle and get the next best outside linebacker.

What Coach Banker means: none of the LB's have demonstrated superior physical and or mental skills enough to be named an outright starter. I have my work cut out for me this year.

"We'll put the best three linebackers on the field, but those are the guys that have been groomed at that position. And rather than make a two-player switch, we're trying to make a one-player switch and get the right guy or two guys there."

What Coach Banker means: I am willing to try just about anything to make up for the utter lack of talent in our Linebacking corp.

I think the Beaver's are average at LB this year and it will be interesting to see if Banker can concoct a scheme to make up for the lack of talent.

Reality Check

This post goes out to the overly optimistic voters on my 2010 prediction poll. 15% of the voters think the Beavers will go UNDEFEATED! WTF?

I am cautiously optimistic for the upcoming season. The media is giving the Beavers way too much love this early. It kinda makes me worried. I do not think a first year QB is going to be able to handle TCU and BSU in the first 3 starts. Adding Louisville who is eager to make a mark on the Pac-10 is crazy brutal. I don't care how good the RB's and WR's are, the Beav's have a brutal schedule to overcome. The OSU defense is not that talented- quote me now. The OSU LB's are okay at best. There are no studs that I can see there.

It's great that Paea is getting love, but he's a nose guard, not even a DT. I don't think he is going to dominate a game even though he is talented. I don't see anyone else on the defense who has the physical skills to ball right now. Maybe someone will step up.

I will be happy if the Beav's start 1-2, psyched if they go 2-1, ecstatic at 3-0.

USC is on a roll

Looks like Tennessee is now under investigation for NCAA rules violations during Lane Kiffin's tenure of 1 year. Tennessee apparently already reported the violations to the NCAA, but apparently the NCAA is not satisfied.

USC might have made a huge mistaken hiring Kiffin. USC has already been pimped slapped by the NCAA, another mistake under Kiffin could bring the death penalty.

Katz interview

"All this stuff, I mean, it's all muscle memory," he said.

"We're out here doing it over and over. We're out here doing two minute drill with the line and a couple receivers. So if we just keep working at it we're going to get better."

I hope this kid works out for the Beavers, he seems focused and poised. He is absolutely right that it is all about repetitions. The extra hours spent this summer with WR's will pay dividends (I Hope). The Beavers will hang their season on the QB position this year, if Katz falters I expect a difficult season for the Beav's. Their schedule is ridiculously hard and unforgiving to noobs...

LINK TO VIDEO
LINK TO ARTICLE

3 of the Top 6 Pac-10 FB Players are Beavers

According to Ted Miller at ESPN.

I think it is great to get the attention, with 3 ballers- 1 on D, 2 on O, the Beavers should have a good season. The only problem is the OSU QB is unproven, and there is no depth. The defensive ends and secondary players are average based on last years production. Perhaps they will step up this year.

The 2009 OSU team was successful in large part to Sean Canfield. If Vaz turns the ball over or can't throw accurate passes, it doesn't matter how good the Rodgers Bros are. If average passing teams have their way with OSU's secondary, Paea won't matter. No pass rush also spells doom for the secondary.

The TCU game is going to awesome, I can't wait.