The most unofficial Bobcat gameday thread - Eastern Washington

[BelligerentBobcat]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

You gotta play the percentages. If it's 4th and 2 or less and you're the #2 running team in the country with 2 NFL O-linemen, playing a team with a very poor run defense, the smart play is to run the ball.

I'd rather run it and fail on 4th and short than play action pass and fail on 4th and short.

They had stuffed a few runs too and were loading the box.

It’s easy to call plays after the fact.

[ilovethecats]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

You gotta play the percentages. If it's 4th and 2 or less and you're the #2 running team in the country with 2 NFL O-linemen, playing a team with a very poor run defense, the smart play is to run the ball.

I'd rather run it and fail on 4th and short than play action pass and fail on 4th and short.

They had stuffed a few runs too and were loading the box.

It’s easy to call plays after the fact.

I’m with you. We ran the ball effectively but I actually came away a little impressed the way EWU stopped us sometimes. I really didn’t have an issue with the call.

We run the ball there and get stuffed and we have the same conversation tonight only this time it’d be how everyone in the stadium knew we were running the ball and we should have mixed it up.

[grizzh8r]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

You gotta play the percentages. If it's 4th and 2 or less and you're the #2 running team in the country with 2 NFL O-linemen, playing a team with a very poor run defense, the smart play is to run the ball.

I'd rather run it and fail on 4th and short than play action pass and fail on 4th and short.

Completely agree. As I said in this thread, at least make it an RPO type play, where Tommy has a chance to make a play either running or throwing. That play action call is a one trick pony. All or nothing type play. Not suited to the offensive strengths of this team...

[onceacat]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

You gotta play the percentages. If it's 4th and 2 or less and you're the #2 running team in the country with 2 NFL O-linemen, playing a team with a very poor run defense, the smart play is to run the ball.

I'd rather run it and fail on 4th and short than play action pass and fail on 4th and short.

Completely agree. As I said in this thread, at least make it an RPO type play, where Tommy has a chance to make a play either running or throwing. That play action call is a one trick pony. All or nothing type play. Not suited to the offensive strengths of this team...

One of the things I really like about how Walker is running the offense is how much smarter he is (and how much Tommy has matured) running the ball. Kinda took the gloves off a little as if to remind the BSC that not only has Mellot turned into a really fine passer in the last year or so-but hes still the most lethal ball carrier in the conference. Maybe in the country.

Thats a time to let Tommy be the Tommy from years past. Some sort of option play would have saved 10+ yards, even if the play gets stuffed.

And, lets face it, stuffing Tommy or Scottre (or Jones for that matter) on 4th & 2 is a big ask for any D.

[BobcatDel]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

Well they hadn’t stopped a run on that drive yet. The time for the pass play to catch them off guard was not that play. You were trying to take their soul and you are the top rushing attack in the conference and one of the best in the nation and all world offensive line. My team would have run. Your team can pass. And no I wouldn’t have been second guessing after the fact.

I know you said you thought somebody made a mistake…..but in the post game Tommy said he didn’t like the look when he came to the line. Should have called a TO.

And I’m happy with the way the offense has been run this season. No more to say on this item…minor point as we won the game.

[Helcat72]

I think the only two gadget plays they didn't use was a flea flicker and on-side kick.
They knew they couldn't beat us straight up so they threw caution to the wind and tried everything. They executed very well and by the time they faked the punt, you'd think we would have been waiting for it..but they added the fake punt preceded by a fake run and a pass. I'm glad the game ended because West was starting to annoy me! Jeez!

I think we started getting complacent...meaning the team AND us fans. After the interception we started screaming. It seemed to light a fire under the defense in addition to their own determination. We didn't shut up the rest of the way when they were at the north end.

[cat22[2010]]

I sent these to my buddies on Saturday ( I thought it was funny) but I also wanted to share here.

Summary of everyone's thoughts during the game



Summary of everyone's thoughts after the game


Hope this brings everyone a laugh on a Monday morning!

[BelligerentBobcat]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

Well they hadn’t stopped a run on that drive yet. The time for the pass play to catch them off guard was not that play. You were trying to take their soul and you are the top rushing attack in the conference and one of the best in the nation and all world offensive line. My team would have run. Your team can pass. And no I wouldn’t have been second guessing after the fact.

I know you said you thought somebody made a mistake…..but in the post game Tommy said he didn’t like the look when he came to the line. Should have called a TO.

And I’m happy with the way the offense has been run this season. No more to say on this item…minor point as we won the game.

With all due respect, Tommy isn’t the type to say somebody did something wrong on a play. It’s likely he should’ve called a TO, but something definitely went wrong on that play.

[PapaG]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

To be fair, I and others at our watch party called it a bad formation prior to the snap and the result was even worse than expected. I’d have certainly eaten crow had it worked, but it didn’t, so I was correct. Bad play! Ha! No big deal, but I still didn’t like it at all for reasons already mentioned.

[luckyirishguy25]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

Well they hadn’t stopped a run on that drive yet. The time for the pass play to catch them off guard was not that play. You were trying to take their soul and you are the top rushing attack in the conference and one of the best in the nation and all world offensive line. My team would have run. Your team can pass. And no I wouldn’t have been second guessing after the fact.

I know you said you thought somebody made a mistake…..but in the post game Tommy said he didn’t like the look when he came to the line. Should have called a TO.

And I’m happy with the way the offense has been run this season. No more to say on this item…minor point as we won the game.

With all due respect, Tommy isn’t the type to say somebody did something wrong on a play. It’s likely he should’ve called a TO, but something definitely went wrong on that play.

Personally, I thought it looked like a blown play. Almost like it was supposed to be an inside zone play but the back didn't get the right play.

[TomCat88]

I neglected to look at the final defensive numbers after the game. I see that Neil Daily led the team in tackles with 10 and had a 1/2 TFL and a PBU. Paul Brott had 8 tackles from his DT position with a TFL, FF and QBH, which is exceptional. O'Reilly has been playing great all year and had another good game with a sack and another TFL.

[TomCat88]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

To be fair, I and others at our watch party called it a bad formation prior to the snap and the result was even worse than expected. I’d have certainly eaten crow had it worked, but it didn’t, so I was correct. Bad play! Ha! No big deal, but I still didn’t like it at all for reasons already mentioned.

Odd, that no one is mentioning the fact that MSU has failed twice on fourth downs by running the ball up the gut with Humphrey (vs PSU and UNM (a huge non-conversion)). So, this call doesn't seem all that bad based on the fact that they weren't going to do that again and probably didn't want to go with RPO or Tommy sneaking it, since they knew the defense is keying on him and you might be reluctant to use Davis in that (Humphrey) roll in his first game back.

[tetoncat]

Still waiting to see a power formation with Mellott under center in short yardage. It seems OL is great in zone blocking, spread type formations, but struggle a little getting push in true Short yard type plays

[Montanabob]

Still waiting to see a power formation with Mellott under center in short yardage. It seems OL is great in zone blocking, spread type formations, but struggle a little getting push in true Short yard type plays

and for the famous diamond

[The Butcher]

I think the only two gadget plays they didn't use was a flea flicker and on-side kick.
They knew they couldn't beat us straight up so they threw caution to the wind and tried everything. They executed very well and by the time they faked the punt, you'd think we would have been waiting for it..but they added the fake punt preceded by a fake run and a pass. I'm glad the game ended because West was starting to annoy me! Jeez!

Idaho tried the same approach last year, and it worked for them. This time, the Cats executed better, and Eastern didn’t get all the lucky breaks Idaho had.

[91catAlum]

I don’t think a 4th down PA is that crazy of a play call. The concept had been working multiple times before that. Probably thought they’d catch EWU off guard. Looked to me like somebody made a mistake, and EWU covered it well. Props to them, sometimes the other team makes a good play too.

You guys are calling it a bad play because of the result, when the thinking process itself was just fine.

To be fair, I and others at our watch party called it a bad formation prior to the snap and the result was even worse than expected. I’d have certainly eaten crow had it worked, but it didn’t, so I was correct. Bad play! Ha! No big deal, but I still didn’t like it at all for reasons already mentioned.

Odd, that no one is mentioning the fact that MSU has failed twice on fourth downs by running the ball up the gut with Humphrey (vs PSU and UNM (a huge non-conversion)). So, this call doesn't seem all that bad based on the fact that they weren't going to do that again and probably didn't want to go with RPO or Tommy sneaking it, since they knew the defense is keying on him and you might be reluctant to use Davis in that (Humphrey) roll in his first game back.

That's fair. But like I said earlier, I'd rather fail running it on 4th and short than fail by running some awkward play action thing.
I'd have to go back and look but it almost seemed like a busted play or maybe the RB ran the wrong pattern.

Either way, your point is a good one that the Cats need to figure out how to convert 4th and short at a higher rate.

[BelligerentBobcat]

Still waiting to see a power formation with Mellott under center in short yardage. It seems OL is great in zone blocking, spread type formations, but struggle a little getting push in true Short yard type plays

Tommy has been under center a number of times.

[BelligerentBobcat]

I neglected to look at the final defensive numbers after the game. I see that Neil Daily led the team in tackles with 10 and had a 1/2 TFL and a PBU. Paul Brott had 8 tackles from his DT position with a TFL, FF and QBH, which is exceptional. O'Reilly has been playing great all year and had another good game with a sack and another TFL.

Daily had a tough game.

[VimSince03]

I neglected to look at the final defensive numbers after the game. I see that Neil Daily led the team in tackles with 10 and had a 1/2 TFL and a PBU. Paul Brott had 8 tackles from his DT position with a TFL, FF and QBH, which is exceptional. O'Reilly has been playing great all year and had another good game with a sack and another TFL.

Daily had a tough game.

Daily's 3rd quarter will likely be what all remaining teams try to attack going forward: his current inability to shed blocks and taking the long route to ball carriers trying to avoid blockers. However, Neil buckled down and had a tremendous 4th quarter. We also have a unique situation with Bryce Grebe. To me, Grebe really sees the middle of the field well in run and pass coverage whereas Neil is great sideline to sideline and on deeper drops in pass coverage. Daily had a tough game but he hung in there and kept competing...and got one more game better. These two just need more reps and they'll get plenty moving forward as they are literally it behind McCade in terms of guys the coaches trust.

[Joe Bobcat]

I neglected to look at the final defensive numbers after the game. I see that Neil Daily led the team in tackles with 10 and had a 1/2 TFL and a PBU. Paul Brott had 8 tackles from his DT position with a TFL, FF and QBH, which is exceptional. O'Reilly has been playing great all year and had another good game with a sack and another TFL.

Daily had a tough game.

Daily's 3rd quarter will likely be what all remaining teams try to attack going forward: his current inability to shed blocks and taking the long route to ball carriers trying to avoid blockers. However, Neil buckled down and had a tremendous 4th quarter. We also have a unique situation with Bryce Grebe. To me, Grebe really sees the middle of the field well in run and pass coverage whereas Neil is great sideline to sideline and on deeper drops in pass coverage. Daily had a tough game but he hung in there and kept competing...and got one more game better. These two just need more reps and they'll get plenty moving forward as they are literally it behind McCade in terms of guys the coaches trust.

Thanks Vim. I've been trying to see and understand the differences between Bryce and Neil and with my lack of skill in evaluating and lack of time
(mostly lack of skill 96%) I was getting nowhere on knowing how they compared/contrasted and what each was best at.