A win is a win is a frustrating win
(Written by kencraw)
The Bears FINALLY got back in the win column last night… but it was one of the most uninspiring win of the Tedford era. How many times do the Bears have to run it up the gut inside the 5 yard line to know that between the young/weak offensive line and defenses keying on it that it’s just NOT going to happen.
There will be plenty of commentary to come, although most of it is going to have to wait until tonight. Unfortunately the podcast won’t be posted until tomorrow because I left the critical cable to upload the audio in the office. However I do plan to do my full re-watch game analysis tonight. In the mean time, here are a few thoughts:
- The team that played last night WILL NOT beat USC. The good news is that they’re some better redzone play calling and Longshore getting back into rythym from being the team that can pull it off.
- The defense had one of its best performances of the season outside of both those last two big WSU plays and of course their performance against Oregon.
- Longshore looked fairly healthy for the majority of the game. Perhaps 90%. His one big interception was an under-thrown ball that had the feel of the ASU injured Longshore and there were a few other moments where he was moving around a little gimpy, but for the most part this was the old Longshore, mobility wise.
- Despite getting a bit more healthy, you can tell that Longshore and the offense are still suffering from his injury. They felt about as in sync as a 2nd week of the season team, not a 9th week. This injury has completely disrupted the team’s timing and Longshore’s over-the-middle confidence (it seemed he was using the out patterns as a crutch a lot). Hopefully now that he’s closer to full strength a good week of practice and reflection will get them back in sync for the big matchup next week.
More to come…
November 4th, 2007 at 10:10 am
I agree, Ken. A win is a win. It’s a nicer walk back to the car and drive home after a win, isn’t it? And with this win Cal is bowl eligible yet another year, so congrats to the Bears on that. But I think it’s going to take at least one more win to secure a spot.
I think the defense played great-to-exceptional most of the game. Brink is a solid QB and for the most part we held him in check. There were a few random big plays here and there but overall their performance was solid. As suggested in the Chron this morning, Gregory may have worked himself into the discussion for the Wazu head coaching spot next year.
The offense had momentary flashes of brilliance but overall it was a lackluster performance that left me wondering just what has happened to this team. I guess Longshore’s injury and hobbled play since has really thrown the O out of sync. That’s the only explanation I can think of. Well that, and the fact that the O line isn’t half as good as I thought they were at the start of the year.
Strange vibe at Memorial last night. I don’t know if it was the relative poor play by the O, the fact that we aren’t playing for the Rose Bowl, or that it was a “late” night game–but for some reason it did not seem like I was watching the Jeff Tedford-era Bears playing out there. It seemed like a game from the past, where the defense played well while the offense played just good enough to win and all the while I was waiting for something ridiculous to happen that would cost the Bears a victory. I don’t know what it was, but something felt different out there.
On a related note, something seems off with this team. I don’t know what that is either, but something isn’t right with them. My dad suggested team chemistry, but I don’t know. They seem to lack that special something that makes a good team great. Granted, I’m saying this after 3 Pac 10 losses, but still. Doesn’t it seem like something is missing out there?
All in all, a win is a win and I’m looking forward to a fired up team & crowd next week for USC. I heard an interesting rumor about next week—they are going to wear Joe Roth throwback jerseys. It’s just a rumor, but I saw that they were selling Joe Roth throwbacks in the ASUC so that makes sense from a marketing perspective. Also, I thought they would save the gold jerseys for USC so maybe they’re planning on coming out with something special for next week. They certainly need to play with the heart of Joe Roth if they are going to pull off a victory next week.
GO BEARS!
November 4th, 2007 at 8:32 pm
I was one of the people last night screaming at Tedford to put in Riley. I really have to wonder what his thought process is going into the USC game. Longshore still doesn’t look like he’s healed from that ankle injury. How is he going to beat USC? And if Tedford isn’t planning on starting Longshore, then why wasn’t Riley out there last night?
And where is our goal line offense? Why is it that every time we get into the red zone we just crap on ourselves?
I probably sound like a fairweather fan with all my griping and hollering at the games, but I don’t consider myself to be one. I just want to know why it is that we keep doing the same damned thing every week while expecting a different result.
I was confident that we could beat USC after we lost to Oregon State. I was confident we could do it even after we lost to UCLA. I was still confident after losing to Arizona State…but that ugly, ugly win over Wazoo is more worrying to me than the 3-game losing streak.
November 4th, 2007 at 10:23 pm
I agree…in the last four games, how many times have we been in a first-and-goal-from-the-three (or better)-yard-line and had to settle for a FG (or worse)? What is happening out there that keeps us from punching it in the endzone?!
It is a dreadful, ominous pattern and I hope and pray that someone addresses this VERY FRUSTRATING turn of play. We have left more points on the the field than I care to count and it is stupefying…
Conversely–and to end this with a taste of hope–this season’s Bears have shown that in the BIG games, they come ready to play. It was true with Tennessee and Oregon. I can see where OSU, (maybe, given their enigmatic nature) UCLA, and, with our until-then undefeated record against an unproven (dare I say, overhyped) ASU may have been perceived as “gimmes” which required just enough effort to pull off a “W.” And that’s what they prepared for and played with…and we all know how those turned out…
BUT, when the opponent is a perpetual thorn in our side, one where victory–when it happens–is hard-fought and extra sweet, Cal gets psyched early, preps thoroughly and brings its “A” game. We all know what type of opponent SC is.
While not as assured of a Bear victory as I was just four short weeks ago, I am still confident that the Cal team that emerges from the giant balloon helmut will be fired up and ready to take on pretty inconsistent used Trojan team that has just as quickly faded into mediocrity.
November 5th, 2007 at 7:31 am
This year, we have seen the limit to Tedford’s coaching abilities. He is an excellent coach and most probably will someday join the ranks of the elite college coaches. But he not there today.
The handling the the Longshore situation shows Tedford’s limits. The backup QB, Riley, has not been prepared. The USC game is coming next week, and it all depends on Longshore’s ankle. If the ankle is sound, Cal has a good shot at winning. If the ankle continues to hinder Longshore’s ability to throw, the game is lost.
At Oregon, Brady Leaf has been prepared to take over for Dixon. Even though Dixon is a Heisman candidate, Oregon can still win with the backup QB.
Oregon has a great shot at the National Championship because of coaching.
Cal beat Oregon in Eugene, but in that game Longshore hurt his ankle. Because of coaching, Cal must wholly depend on one player’s foot.
November 5th, 2007 at 12:53 pm
Cal fans
Well I had such high expectations for this game when I saw it on the schedule. However, after watching the CSU game in person, some nagging concerns started and have only gotten worse.
I thought the defense played so much better. Less time on the field certainly seemed to help.
So glad to see throws being made to tight end. This is open everytime. WSU used it enough…..
I would hope that Longshore is on a very short leash this week. If he can’t step into his passes, then only bad things will follow. This is very frustrating to watch. Not sure if Riley would have beaten UCLA or ASU, but at least Longshore would have bee rested and Riley would have gained some valued experience. Considering how this season has gone a USC win would be huge. Would certainly be a boost for the rest of season. At this point 9-3 and 8-4 although disappointing, would be ok.
Go Bears
Bears fan in Colorado
November 6th, 2007 at 3:59 am
Mr. Rick Crawford, how has Tedford failed to prepare Riley? How has Oregon prepared Brady Leaf to replace Dixon?