While a reasonable hypothesis, I don't really buy the Tedford-as-father-figure storyline. Remember Reggie Robertson? Despite playing pretty solidly--including in the Bears' last win vs. SC--Tedford was more than happy to hand the ball to Aaron Rodgers when he was ready. Did Tedford stick with Joe Ayoob too long in 2005? Maybe. But Steve Levy wasn't exactly the second coming of Joe Roth--or even Gale Gilbertson. While I'd personally like to see Riley get another start or two this year in order to build depth at the QB position for 2008, I believe Tedford has stuck with Longshore (so far) not out of loyalty but rather out of an honest opinion that Nate's the best option.
ray
· 2 years ago
well, obviously longhore's lack of mobility inherently limits our offense. Booty (who's no dennis dixon) scrambled for first downs at least twice yesterday, which sustained drives for u$c. No scrambling = no improvisation at the end of a play, and less time for our WR and RB to get open and make a big play. This becomes crucial at the end of a game, where we all know longshore's stellar stats (1 TD, 11 INT).
Plus, it's just more fun to watch a qb who can make a play out of nothing. Watching Riley scramble, run and throw against OSU was some of the most exciting stuff I'd seen from our team all year.
lastly, our fanbase is in full revolt of longshore and I worry that our team is too. I heard some call fans singing on bart: "you know it, you tell the story! you tell the whole damn world THAT NATE LONGSHORE SUCKS MY @$$!" classy stuff
Longshore is the BEST!
· 2 years ago
Longshore just doesn't have any of the intangibles. He has thrown 11 interceptions to 1 TD is the fourth quarter. He misses wide open receivers, throws the ball to the defenders and always laughs after a bad throw. Oh, and he is slower than a turtle. Yeah your right, we should keep losing because we sure have learned a lot from our previous four losses. Nate has definitely learned a lot from those losses and so has Tedford. Things couldn't be better for this team!
Avinash
· 2 years ago
~California Pete
I buy it a little, but I do think Riley's relative youth (only a freshman) as opposed to Rodgers (junior transfer, 3 years of eligibility) does also contribute to his sticking with Longshore.
Avinash
· 2 years ago
~ray
Yep. Can't really fault with you there. Watching Longshore attempt to run up the gut was mystifying.
Avinash
· 2 years ago
~Longshore is the BEST!
Another interesting stat, but I think most of those INTs have come when Cal is behind. Usually we're far ahead in the 4th quarter and hand the ball off to Forsett (and Lynch last year). I recall our one comeback against UW was mainly Lynch running it up.
So no, I guess Longshore isn't a clutch QB. But he wouldn't be the first.
MasterManu
· 2 years ago
I think at this point, Tedford is better off sticking with Riley. With Cal's top four receivers leaving, the Bears should start developing chemistry between Riley and his new receivers.
There are two options:
1) Let Longshore have his final three games, and then bite the bullet next season and start Riley -let him and the receivers develop so that we can have a spectacular offense the last two years.
2) Let Longshore finish off his senior season. Given the amount of youth on offense, I don't see this team getting more than 1 (maaaybe 2) wins than in option #1. Furthermore, now you've delayed Riley's development an entire year.
Its wrong to think about winning now. If Tedford wants to win now, he'll have to be satisfied with 9-3 seasons. But if Tedford makes the sacrifice, I can see Riley's junior year being a very special one for Cal.
Avinash
· 2 years ago
Ahh, the promise of the future. I'm not that concerned with this year (it will likely be Longshore), but it'll be interesting to see the battle for the starter's job next year.
jlin
· 2 years ago
Avinash, I can buy your argument, but I think you are ignoring the corollary of that hypothesis. If Tedford is indeed the "father figure" of the team, essentially what he is doing now is sacrificing the rest of the family for the eldest son (Longshore).
Watch footage when the defense comes onto the field after Longshore throws an interception. It's not a look of eager anticipation. It's a mixture of disappointment and anger, a psychological state that wreaks havoc on defensive composure.
And therein is the most dangerous part of letting a stagnating quarterback continue to start. The quarterback is not just the leader of the offense. The entire team is affected by an offense's performance. When Longshore throws an interception at a crucial fourth quarter drive, he kills momentum for not only the offense but the defense as well, and inspires the opponent to take advantage of the swing.
And most importantly, what kind of message does Tedford send when he continues to start Longshore? He sends a message that he supports incompetence, in order not to hurt Longshore's feelings. While this may sit well with those who have been in the same situation, there's a point at which the interests of the team need to take priority over the interests of an individual.
If Tedford continues to prioritize his emotional judgement, the team will lose confidence in his leadership altogether, and we will have a far greater problem than an inept quarterback.
Avinash
· 2 years ago
~Jlin I disagree with none of this. I'm sure he'll figure it out and hopefully become more flexible as the years go on.
Paul
· 2 years ago
I admire Tedford for being loyal and not bending to pressure. First, I think that in the age of college coaches more concerned with money, fame & stats, it's refreshing and heroic to see a coach instill upon his players loyalty, respect & that there are more important things than winning. As painful as it is to lose, as long as Longshore owns up to his mistakes I'm fine with what happened. Tedford teaches his players to play with dignity that few other programs can say exists, and thats what will make one day prevailing that much sweeter.
Avinash
· 2 years ago
~Paul Refreshing? Yes. Heroic? I'm not really sure. There are still 70-80 other players on that team that deserve effectiveness as well.
Patrick
· 2 years ago
Nate Longshore *really* sucks. Even with talented WRs, he'd be doing hand signals to the starting QB on any other team during his entire career.
I have no idea why Tedford didn't put in Riley for the Big Game, but it has to keep him up at night now. No doubt Riley would have scored more than one TD with that much offensive fire power.
a) He stares right at his receiver, making it far to easy to lose a last minute drive on an interception (think UCLA, Stanford, etc.)
b) He has shit for an arm. His long receptions are short throws that Jackson or Hawking runs after the catch. Plus, no defense ever respects the long ball with him... just look where the corners are even with Cal's talented WRs.
c) He's not very bright. Look how many times he screws up what play they are running... or has delay of game penalties. It's embarrassing.
d) He's not mobile at all. Why should a defense ever respect his chance for a run? And naturally, they'll blitz him everytime.
All Comments
Plus, it's just more fun to watch a qb who can make a play out of nothing. Watching Riley scramble, run and throw against OSU was some of the most exciting stuff I'd seen from our team all year.
lastly, our fanbase is in full revolt of longshore and I worry that our team is too. I heard some call fans singing on bart: "you know it, you tell the story! you tell the whole damn world THAT NATE LONGSHORE SUCKS MY @$$!" classy stuff
I buy it a little, but I do think Riley's relative youth (only a freshman) as opposed to Rodgers (junior transfer, 3 years of eligibility) does also contribute to his sticking with Longshore.
Yep. Can't really fault with you there. Watching Longshore attempt to run up the gut was mystifying.
Another interesting stat, but I think most of those INTs have come when Cal is behind. Usually we're far ahead in the 4th quarter and hand the ball off to Forsett (and Lynch last year). I recall our one comeback against UW was mainly Lynch running it up.
So no, I guess Longshore isn't a clutch QB. But he wouldn't be the first.
There are two options:
1) Let Longshore have his final three games, and then bite the bullet next season and start Riley -let him and the receivers develop so that we can have a spectacular offense the last two years.
2) Let Longshore finish off his senior season. Given the amount of youth on offense, I don't see this team getting more than 1 (maaaybe 2) wins than in option #1. Furthermore, now you've delayed Riley's development an entire year.
Its wrong to think about winning now. If Tedford wants to win now, he'll have to be satisfied with 9-3 seasons. But if Tedford makes the sacrifice, I can see Riley's junior year being a very special one for Cal.
Watch footage when the defense comes onto the field after Longshore throws an interception. It's not a look of eager anticipation. It's a mixture of disappointment and anger, a psychological state that wreaks havoc on defensive composure.
And therein is the most dangerous part of letting a stagnating quarterback continue to start. The quarterback is not just the leader of the offense. The entire team is affected by an offense's performance. When Longshore throws an interception at a crucial fourth quarter drive, he kills momentum for not only the offense but the defense as well, and inspires the opponent to take advantage of the swing.
And most importantly, what kind of message does Tedford send when he continues to start Longshore? He sends a message that he supports incompetence, in order not to hurt Longshore's feelings. While this may sit well with those who have been in the same situation, there's a point at which the interests of the team need to take priority over the interests of an individual.
If Tedford continues to prioritize his emotional judgement, the team will lose confidence in his leadership altogether, and we will have a far greater problem than an inept quarterback.
I disagree with none of this. I'm sure he'll figure it out and hopefully become more flexible as the years go on.
Refreshing? Yes. Heroic? I'm not really sure. There are still 70-80 other players on that team that deserve effectiveness as well.
I have no idea why Tedford didn't put in Riley for the Big Game, but it has to keep him up at night now. No doubt Riley would have scored more than one TD with that much offensive fire power.
a) He stares right at his receiver, making it far to easy to lose a last minute drive on an interception (think UCLA, Stanford, etc.)
b) He has shit for an arm. His long receptions are short throws that Jackson or Hawking runs after the catch. Plus, no defense ever respects the long ball with him... just look where the corners are even with Cal's talented WRs.
c) He's not very bright. Look how many times he screws up what play they are running... or has delay of game penalties. It's embarrassing.
d) He's not mobile at all. Why should a defense ever respect his chance for a run? And naturally, they'll blitz him everytime.