Let's not forget all the injuries, especially on defense. I'm not so sure you can blame Gregory/Delgado for those. Rulon Davis was a flat-out stud, you could see the difference in the passrush when he was in (first quarter of the ASU game) and when he wasn't. The entire D-line was shredded. We only really had one corner (Thompson) the whole year, the other spot was manned by a FS (Hampton) or freshman (Conte).
No excuse for the LBs though. Lots of depth, but you could tell they gave up near the end of the season (other than Follett), which in part led to their demotions.
Avinash
· 1 year ago
I'll admit, the injuries were rough. Follett with the stinger and Davis were definitely very crucial, along with Ezeff (underrated) going out after Oregon. But the defense did step up and hold their end until the USC game.
Ironically, our offensive struggles just really hampered us near the end and the defensive coaches could pay for it. So strange.
Randall Holland
· 1 year ago
Cal Coaches suck, it was their fault Cal had such a horrible season, period! It has nothing to do with 17-22 year olds....Coaches control college players and these coaches did not, fire all of them now....before you spend more money for mediocracy...Tedford is overrated...! Trust me now...or later!
Avinash
· 1 year ago
I'm glad Randall Holland has decided to make personnel decisions and upkeep for the rest of us. Who do you plan to replace them with?
223rf
· 1 year ago
There is far too much undeserved appreciation for Tedford. A great coach can become a bad coach. The fact is that Tedford did an incredibly terrible job coaching this year. And he should be fiercely challenged for that.
And I question the notion that Tedford ever was that great of a coach. He never led Cal to the heights that the team was capable of.
Avinash
· 1 year ago
Really? The recruiting was never four star for Cal when they got to #5 in the country three years ago. I would say he's overachieved with good talent and underachieved with great talent, albeit lopsided on one side of the ball. Those aren't the attributes of a bad coach; he just needs to figure things out in what's been his first disappointing season.
corsair
· 1 year ago
Tedford is in danger of becoming Ben Braun-esk in his use of talent. He gets decent, talented recruits, and does a good job in getting them to overachieve, however, the handful of bonifide blue-chippers that he gets, he fails to maximize their skills/talents.
Granted, as a fan we don't have the insight into the player's overall attitudes or their game comprehension, but you can't overlook the fact that: a) Follett has demonstrated uncanny closing speed...yet the overall defensive stategy is...conservative; b) Jackson has tremendous speed...yet Tedford's game plans have revolved around the WR-screen. In his words to 'create space', what's the ratio of TFL vs. 1st downs on those screens? That'd be an interesting stat. c)The arguement could be said about that the WR's are too small to run slant and go routes...ask the smurfs (Art Monk, Ricky Sanders, Charlie Brown & Gary Clark) about that d) The TE's Stevens and Morrah are talented, albiet Steven's regressed with his drops, yet, Tedford chose to use a max-protect blocking package as the offensive-norm.
Avinash
· 1 year ago
I have known Tedford likes to keep things simple. Sometimes that strategy backfires on him.
All Comments
No excuse for the LBs though. Lots of depth, but you could tell they gave up near the end of the season (other than Follett), which in part led to their demotions.
Ironically, our offensive struggles just really hampered us near the end and the defensive coaches could pay for it. So strange.
And I question the notion that Tedford ever was that great of a coach. He never led Cal to the heights that the team was capable of.
Granted, as a fan we don't have the insight into the player's overall attitudes or their game comprehension, but you can't overlook the fact that: a) Follett has demonstrated uncanny closing speed...yet the overall defensive stategy is...conservative; b) Jackson has tremendous speed...yet Tedford's game plans have revolved around the WR-screen. In his words to 'create space', what's the ratio of TFL vs. 1st downs on those screens? That'd be an interesting stat. c)The arguement could be said about that the WR's are too small to run slant and go routes...ask the smurfs (Art Monk, Ricky Sanders, Charlie Brown & Gary Clark) about that d) The TE's Stevens and Morrah are talented, albiet Steven's regressed with his drops, yet, Tedford chose to use a max-protect blocking package as the offensive-norm.