Cal Week: Q&A with CGB

by Paragon SC on Oct 11, 2011 6:01 AM PDT in USC Football

It's always fun to get the view from the other side.

This week is no different...especially when its from the guys at California Golden Blogs.

Here is our Q&A with CGB...

1) was the Cal defense gassed in the second half against Oregon, or did Oregon just come up with a better scheme?

Berkelium97: On Oregon's first drive of the second half, their O-line was getting a tremendous push on our D-line. They had a very un-Oregon drive: long, methodical, and full of short gains. It looked like the line had simply been worn out form that point forward.

The Oregon passing game also came alive, as Oregon took advantage of Marc Anthony's absence after he left the game with a separated shoulder. We stayed with our cover-zero scheme, but we simply did not have the personnel to keep up with the Ducks. Once we tired after a valiant first-half performance, it was all over.

2) Maynard plainly has an understanding with Keenan Allen but was all over the map against Oregon. Do Cal fans expect that they can develop a consistent understanding like McCoy and Shipley or Barkley and Woods?

Berkelium97: Maynard and Allen have some unbelievable chemistry. Several times this season Maynard has seen his receivers covered and scrambled out of the pocket to buy time, only to find the smallest imaginable window to pass to Allen. For every one of those we see five passes that are uncatchable, however. If Maynard can refine his mechanics, we might be able to see something like the duos you describe. Until then, Maynard's inaccuracy will limit their potential.

3) it looks like Cal's defense is pretty stout against interior running schemes, which is about all that SC can muster at the moment. Since SC is likely going to have to keep it in the air on offense, what should they expect from the Cal secondary?

Berkelium97: Not much. As I mentioned, Marc Anthony is out with a separated shoulder. Stefan McClure, a true freshman, will probably start this week opposite Steve Williams. Safeties Sean Cattouse and DJ Campbell have their moments, but neither has filled the void left by Chris Conte.

From what I've seen of USC's passing game, screens, slants, and other short passes make up a large part of the passing game. Our young OLBs have not been great in coverage on those types of passes, as they have a tendency to bite on playaction, which opens up the middle for screens and TEs who break free. They have improved somewhat since getting torched by Colorado, but they still make mistakes.

Finally, our pass rush has been limited this season. Without a Cameron Jordan up front, we have not been able to generate as much pressure as we could last year. We have loads of talent in the front seven, but many players need more experience before we can expect them to make a difference. Trevor Guyton and Ernest Owusu have had shining moments, but they have not lived up to their predecessors.

4) Jeff Tedford keeps players graduating, gets good recruits, and is very successful in the overall history of Cal football - but the last couple of years have been "interesting" in the QB front and it looks like Oregon has vaulted into the top of the conference for some time to come. How much longer does Tedford have before people lose patience about getting to the Rose Bowl or even further?

Berkelium97: Tedford has until the end of next season. By then we will have finished the renovation project and begun to groom the excellent recruiting classes of 2010 and 2011. If we cannot get to that 9-10-win level and challenge for the Pac-12 North after New Memorial is finished, Tedford's seat will warm up considerably. As the OC and QB coach this year, Tedford will face increased scrutiny if the offense fails to meet expectations this year.

- - -

Should be a fun one on Thursday night...

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Oregon will be hit by scholarship reductions, which will kill there 2-3 star depth if the ncaa does the atypical west coast knee jerk.

Who--What--Slim Shady---Thats the duckies and Kelly maybe they should put their plays up in brail..

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 11, 2011 6:17 AM PDT reply actions

Much thanks to CGB

Solid interview questions and answers.

by TrojanJAG on Oct 11, 2011 6:37 AM PDT reply actions

they don't sound very optimistic

"Ain't no tuition for having no ambition." -Brandon Carswell

by RabbitSC on Oct 11, 2011 7:29 AM PDT reply actions

After extensive field research on CGB...

…I can confidently say that they don’t really do optimism.

"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea"

by DC Trojan on Oct 11, 2011 7:38 AM PDT up reply actions 4 recs

DOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM

Science is the belief in the ignorance of experts. - R. Feynman

by GBB4188 on Oct 11, 2011 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I think there was a lot of optimism at

CGB the first 3 weeks. The undefeated record sort of allows a lot of people to be okay with disregarding the nature of those victories. And then, once the results start to bear out what kind of team this is, then the pessimism snow balls. I suppose it’s natural.

by salary_cap on Oct 11, 2011 3:40 PM PDT up reply actions

We’ve had bouts of optimism about the offense (many of which died after the UW and Oregon games). After the Colorado game, however, there has been little, if any, optimism about the defense.

"Some people watch adult videos on their computer - I go to YouTube and watch Jahvid Best highlight clips. That’s what gets me going."- Jim Schwartz, Detroit Lions head coach

by Berkelium97 on Oct 11, 2011 5:32 PM PDT up reply actions

I could have sworn you were just describing USC

by FightOn09 on Oct 11, 2011 7:00 PM PDT up reply actions

Well … I would say that even after the first three games, whatever optimism existed was tempered with a very healthy dose of guardedness.

Even though we were 3-1 it was against Fresneck, Presby, and Colorado. And if you think back to both the Presby and Colorado games you’d recall that there was more than a little grumbling about the defense and the passing inconsistency.

It seems to me that any optimism was basically about the fact that Maynard, while not Luck, was also not Riley or Mansion.

It hardly seems accurate to say that most of us (at least at CGB) were disregarding either our opponents or our inadequacies.

Being an Old Blue means never accepting success.

by SoCal Oski on Oct 11, 2011 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions

Yeah, like the fact we both share an innovative version of the swinging door defense

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 12:05 PM PDT up reply actions

I prefer to think of it as the Ole defense. All we need are big red capes to wave at the running backs & receivers in the open field.

Being an Old Blue means never accepting success.

by SoCal Oski on Oct 12, 2011 12:54 PM PDT up reply actions

Saw your comment about USC academics.

Fair enough, 20 years ago USC was barely a top 50 school, but you risk sounding like a bruin when you talk about USC as if nothing has changed. We freely admit that overall, Cal has better academics than USC. However, we get the nod in several areas, including Accounting, Film, Music, Performing Arts and Gerontology. What will the future bring? Who knows, but you Bears should keep your dignity and avoid acting like your whiny little sisters in Westwood.

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 1:19 PM PDT up reply actions

Gee, I don’t know what’s worse … me mocking USC academics or you calling me a bruin.

Oh wait, yes I do.

I’ll take mine back if you’ll take yours back. Deal?

Being an Old Blue means never accepting success.

by SoCal Oski on Oct 12, 2011 1:37 PM PDT up reply actions

That seems fair.

"When the seagulls follow the trawler, it's because they think sardines will be thrown into the sea"

by DC Trojan on Oct 12, 2011 1:50 PM PDT up reply actions

Deal! Just playing to the crowd right? Anyway, it’s a good thread they’ve got going. One thing though, the intent of Tribute is to annoy the heck out of the opposing team and fan base. However, when one is getting smoked it would behoove Dr. Bartner to save it for a better time.

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 2:03 PM PDT up reply actions

the intent of Tribute is to annoy the heck out of the opposing team and fan base.

The. Hell. You. Say.

Being an Old Blue means never accepting success.

by SoCal Oski on Oct 12, 2011 2:24 PM PDT up reply actions

It sure as hell beats this:

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 3:24 PM PDT up reply actions

Oh! My poor eyes.

Being an Old Blue means never accepting success.

by SoCal Oski on Oct 12, 2011 4:26 PM PDT up reply actions

Hey, at least you can cover your ears and still watch the game :)

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 4:29 PM PDT up reply actions

I guess they will never make good politicians

Who--What--Slim Shady---Thats the duckies and Kelly maybe they should put their plays up in brail..

by so.cal.native1952 on Oct 11, 2011 3:41 PM PDT up reply actions

Truer words were never spoken.

I blame Twist.

by CalBear81 on Oct 12, 2011 9:44 PM PDT up reply actions

if you watched their games this year

you wouldn’t have any either.

by salary_cap on Oct 11, 2011 3:42 PM PDT up reply actions

What is this “op ti miz um” of which you speak? That word is unknown to my people.

Being an Old Blue means never accepting success.

by SoCal Oski on Oct 11, 2011 8:40 PM PDT up reply actions

what's the line on this game?....

by salary_cap on Oct 11, 2011 3:43 PM PDT reply actions

SC by 3

_________________________________________________________________________‎
"You can't sanction heart, and you can't sanction the will to win" - USC QB, Matt Barkley

by WE ARE SC on Oct 11, 2011 3:48 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

that's it?....

I know its a road game and SC has struggled, but I thought like 7-12 pts…

by salary_cap on Oct 11, 2011 3:51 PM PDT up reply actions

Considering Cal will score about 24 in the 4th quarter that seems about right

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 12:07 PM PDT up reply actions

I don't know

We (as in Cal) are averaging 2 points in the fourth quarter, with a grand total of zero the past three games.

I support the NBA player's union.

by chowder on Oct 12, 2011 1:30 PM PDT up reply actions

And we can’t stop a granny with a walker. It’s going to be interesting.

"The people who cast the votes decide nothing. The people who count the votes decide everything." - Joseph Stalin
U feeling Loco?

by M. AGRIPPA on Oct 12, 2011 2:07 PM PDT up reply actions

Barkley is as good as gone after this, his junior year, right?

He’s not gonna go all Matt Leinart and pass on being a 1st round pick, right? Has there been much talk about that over here?

by salary_cap on Oct 11, 2011 3:53 PM PDT reply actions

Not really

We don’t tend to speculate much over here at CC. Doesn’t do a lot of good as we’re way off a lot of the time, so it’s more observational.

You have homers like me, and pragmatists like DC and Paragon, but we don’t do a lot of prediction generally speaking.

Fight On! Beat everybody but us!

by USCLink on Oct 11, 2011 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

With that said

I hope he goes. He deserves the money, especially after what the NCAA did to the program for stuff that he had nothing to do with.

Fight On! Beat everybody but us!

by USCLink on Oct 11, 2011 4:08 PM PDT up reply actions

Heard one of ESPN’s draft gurus say that Bark is no longer the 2nd best QB prospect. He suggested for him to wait a year and have a clearer shot at #1. I can only hope…

by SenorChuy on Oct 11, 2011 4:54 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Heard one of ESPN’s draft gurus say that Bark is no longer the 2nd best QB prospect. He suggested for him to wait a year and have a clearer shot at #1. I can only hope…

by SenorChuy on Oct 11, 2011 4:54 PM PDT via mobile up reply actions

Who'd he say replaced him?

And what’d he base that argument on?

Fight On! Beat everybody but us!

by USCLink on Oct 12, 2011 10:50 AM PDT up reply actions

This is a dodgy game for us this year!

I don’t feel good about it, one bit. On one hand, we have a QB/WR combination that plays exceptionally well off each other. Mix in another great receiver and a very decent TE- we’ve go through the air at will.

On the other hand, we’ve got Monte Kiffin and USC’s defense.

Maynard and Allen are a for-real-deal playmaking tandem. I’m certain Cal has a run game attack that puts us on our heels and allows Maynard to pick us apart. I would hate to lose this game, it’s too important for us in the W/L column. But lose, I think we will.

Fucking Cal!

by BixBeiderbecke on Oct 11, 2011 5:58 PM PDT reply actions