Ewu sports chat Aug. 21 (noon)
Here's the transcript for Thursday's EWU chat:
Aug 21 2014, 11:59 AM
Jim: College football chatting starts here!
Aug 21 2014, 12:00 PM
Jim: I can't believe it's just two days till game day...
Aug 21 2014, 12:00 PM
AZEAG (guest): Can't wait for Saturday!!! How has the team looked this week? are they overhyped?
Aug 21 2014, 12:01 PM
Jim: I was at practice on Tuesday; not much that I could report, as the Eagles were doing game prep for SHSU. They looked sharp, especially in their black helmets!
Aug 21 2014, 12:01 PM
Rjones61 (guest): I'm here! I made it this time!
Aug 21 2014, 12:01 PM
Jim: Welcome!
Aug 21 2014, 12:01 PM
EWUfan (guest): Sure sounds like a lot of fan fare pre game in downtown Cheney. What time do you come to the game Jim?
Aug 21 2014, 12:02 PM
Jim: I usually show up about 2 1/2 hours before kickoff and hang out with some friends in the parking lot; with an hour to go I walk to the press box (sober, of course)
Aug 21 2014, 12:03 PM
AZEAG (guest): how well do you think our CB's will play?
Aug 21 2014, 12:04 PM
Jim: Well isn't that the question of the week. I think coverage will be OK, but I worry about run support and short-pass defense by new CBs who will be overly concerned with not getting beat deep. What do others think?
Aug 21 2014, 12:04 PM
Rjones61 (guest): How are the Eagles preparing for the mystery shroud that is SHSU? Have the coaches been able to get some info on what systems SHSU will be running?
Aug 21 2014, 12:05 PM
Jim: I touched on that in my Wednesday story - that in-game adjustments are paramount for the Eagles on both sides of the ball. And if the coaches have any extra info, they weren't saying.
Aug 21 2014, 12:05 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Do you know which cornerbacks are likely to start?
Aug 21 2014, 12:06 PM
Jim: The official starters are Rashad Wadood (transfer from Arizona State) and Frank Cange, a junior who saw limited action last season.
Aug 21 2014, 12:06 PM
AZEAG (guest): We always seem to recruit good CBs so for the season i think we will be good but the learning curve over the first four games is going to be big!
Aug 21 2014, 12:07 PM
Jim: Agreed, but the first two games are a nice setup; they're facing an inexperienced QB this week and an NAIA team on Aug. 30. By the UW game, they should be comfortable.
Aug 21 2014, 12:07 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Does anyone have any info on how Evan Day is doing?
Aug 21 2014, 12:08 PM
Jim: Unfortunately, Evan suffered a torn ACL during spring ball. He's currently in street clothes and won't return until mid-October at the earliest.
Aug 21 2014, 12:09 PM
EWUfan (guest): Concerned somewhat of the backup center position. That can be devastating if the starter goes down and I'd heard there was question on the snaps of #2. What have you seen?
Aug 21 2014, 12:11 PM
Jim: I've seen a few bad snaps by both centers (Jase Butorac and Jay Deines), but that's normal. I'm also a bit concerned that both give up about 10-15 pounds from Ashton Miller, the starter in 2013.
Aug 21 2014, 12:13 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Haven't heard much about Matt Somner this year. He is playing interior d-line this year, correct? How has he developed since playing as a freshman?
Aug 21 2014, 12:14 PM
Jim: Funny you should say that, because I also wrote a piece last week on the d-line, leading with Sommer, who will start in the interior along with Dylan Zylstra.
Aug 21 2014, 12:15 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Man, must have missed that one. I hope he tears it up this year. He is a player I've been looking forward to watching.
Aug 21 2014, 12:16 PM
Jim: IMO, Sommer and end Samson Ebukam were the top freshmen on defense last year.
Aug 21 2014, 12:16 PM
AZEAG (guest): do you have a sense of the RB and WR rotation? we are loaded at both positions
Aug 21 2014, 12:18 PM
Jim: As loaded as ever. First the RBs: seniors Quincy Forte and Mario Brown, plus sophmores Jalen Moore and Jabari Wilson. Forte was the clear No. 1 at the end of last year and is better in the passing game, but I think the others are a bit bitter in short-yardage situations.
Aug 21 2014, 12:19 PM
Jim: At WR, you have Kupp(!), seniors Cory Mitchell and Blair Bomber, speedster Shaq Hill, true soph Kendrick Bourne. Then there's RS frosh Nic Sblendorio and true frosh Terence Grady.
Aug 21 2014, 12:20 PM
Guest781 (guest): Are you hearing anything about some big announcement this Sat.? Rumor is it may have something to do with expansion but it could just be that there will be an extra supply of tp in the stalls.
Aug 21 2014, 12:21 PM
Jim: If you're talking about the Gateway Project, I make it a point to stay in touch with the people who know, and I don't expect any announcement this week. Extra TP would be a nice improvement, though!
Aug 21 2014, 12:21 PM
GoldenEagle (guest): Do you have a feel for what SHSU’s strengths will be?
Aug 21 2014, 12:23 PM
Jim: Sheer athleticism, with almost 20 JC and FBS transfers, plus the young guys already in the program. That's one big advantage for SHSU in this game; EWU has many more.
Aug 21 2014, 12:23 PM
Rjones61 (guest): You should tell the spokesman, the only reason I buy their paper every week is to read the EWU articles . Did we establish the punt returner yet? I thought I read something about Kupp being a possible favorite, however I would be a little worried about him getting banged up.
Aug 21 2014, 12:23 PM
Jim: Thanks - So this would be a good time to ask for a raise?
Aug 21 2014, 12:25 PM
Jim: And guess what, rjones61, I also had a story last week on the punt return unit. Kupp is definitely going to be the No. 1 punt return, mostly because he has great hands and won't muff the catch. That's what Baldwin told me.
Aug 21 2014, 12:26 PM
Jim: Kupp also is a candidate to hold for XPs and FGs, along with Adams. So yes, Baldwin is putting more balls in the hands of his stars.
Aug 21 2014, 12:26 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Ah, that must have been where I saw it. Punt returner is can be a brutal job. I hope we don't see our star receiver put out for a few weeks.
Aug 21 2014, 12:27 PM
Jim: It's not too brutal if you know when to fair-catch it. I think Kupp will be smart in those situations.
Aug 21 2014, 12:28 PM
Jim: By the way, the kick returners, for the third straight season, will be WRs Shaq Hill and Cory Mitchell.
Aug 21 2014, 12:30 PM
Jim: So who is going to the Friday night celebration at River Park Square?
Aug 21 2014, 12:30 PM
GoldenEagle (guest): Have you noticed much ESPN presence in Cheney?
Aug 21 2014, 12:30 PM
Jim: Yes, the trucks are here, setting up. It is a very big deal for EWU to get this game.
Aug 21 2014, 12:30 PM
AZEAG (guest): Colin Cowherd
Aug 21 2014, 12:31 PM
Jim: That's right, and I'm scheduled to interview Mr. Cowherd on Friday afternoon for a story to run Saturday. Can't wait to get his perspectives on EWU football.
Aug 21 2014, 12:31 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Shaq Hill needs to have another returning season like his freshman year! I sure hope we see a return for a touchdown at the SHSU game. Unfortunately, I can't make the celebration on Friday. Work and all.
Aug 21 2014, 12:33 PM
Jim: Yes, KO returns were a disappointment last year; the coaches told me so last spring. But opponents KO returns also were down; in fact, I can't recall an opponent's TD return in the two-plus years I've covered the team.
Aug 21 2014, 12:34 PM
Guest781 (guest): Would really like to know what Baldwin, Chavez, Parks and new President(if she has an opinion yet)on the future of FCS Football as it pertains to EWU. And the future of the program in general. You touched a bit on this last week and would love to see an objective look into the "what ifs" that you may see as coming. I'm sure the powers to be have thought long and hard on this subject but we'll never know for sure what is really being discussed. Does the Spokesman give you freedom to explore?
Aug 21 2014, 12:37 PM
Jim: That's a big topic. I think the landscape of college FB will see some big changes in the next few years as the bigger FBS schools seek separation from the mid-range schools (such as Nevada, Fresno St, Wyoming, etc). In other words, the schools with stadiums in the 15-35K range. I think they will coalesce into a second tier classification. And where does that leave Eastern? Better get that Gateway Project going!
Aug 21 2014, 12:37 PM
Jim: That's only my opinion, but that's one possibility.
Aug 21 2014, 12:37 PM
Jim: As far as discussions, those are being held, but I'm not privy to the details.
Aug 21 2014, 12:38 PM
AZEAG (guest): are they going to have the alumni area in the tailgate again this season? im coming up from AZ and and bringing two brothers and a nephew
Aug 21 2014, 12:38 PM
Jim: I'm not sure on that one - you should contact the school.
Aug 21 2014, 12:38 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Has Sam Houston arrived yet? Will they be practicing tomorrow? Great scouting opportunity, although there are sure to be smoke and mirrors.
Aug 21 2014, 12:39 PM
Jim: Sam Houston will arrive on Friday and hold a walkthrough that afternoon (as is the case for all schools - that's when Eastern does it on road trips as well).
Aug 21 2014, 12:40 PM
Guest703 (guest): Any chance Evan Day will redshirt this year?
Aug 21 2014, 12:41 PM
Jim: No - he redshirted as a freshman in 2010. But he could apply for a sixth year of eligibility. That's more dicey than in was for Hamlin, who missed parts of two different seasons.
Aug 21 2014, 12:41 PM
sammamisheag: Will the defense be better than last year, especially in the 4th qtr?
Aug 21 2014, 12:43 PM
Jim: Good question. That Towson game is hard to shake. My two main concerns 1) inexperience at corner; and 2) size-experience at D-end. The combination could mean trouble on the edge. I see the better teams nickel and diming, and hitting a lot of off-tackle stuff.
Aug 21 2014, 12:45 PM
Jim: The other concern: defending mobile quarterbacks. Which is weird, because they see Adams every day in practice, but struggled in the playoffs. The Eagles got lucky in the quarterfinals when the Jacksonville State QB got hurt, but they really got stung by Towson's backup. Just my opinion.
Aug 21 2014, 12:45 PM
Guest215 (guest): Jim...lets say EWU played WSU this week....who would you pick?
Aug 21 2014, 12:47 PM
Jim: Very intriguing.. Adams and company against a very inexperienced WSU secondary. But also Halliday and a SUPERB Cougar WR corps against the Eagles. WSU's lines are also better and deeper - this is a Pac-12 program, remember. I would say WSU by 6.
Aug 21 2014, 12:47 PM
GoldenEagle (guest): Any idea of how many students are expected for the game?
Aug 21 2014, 12:48 PM
Jim: Great question. Anyone who can get free will be there, I'm sure.
Aug 21 2014, 12:48 PM
Jim: By the way, there will be no added seating in the south end of the field.
Aug 21 2014, 12:48 PM
Rjones61 (guest): We return every starting linebacker, correct? Will that same lineup start the game on Saturday, or have any of our new linebackers shaken that lineup other than just being in the rotation.
Aug 21 2014, 12:50 PM
Jim: The Eagles lost outside backer Yes and no; J.C. Agen to graduation, but by the end of 2013, he was splitting time with redshirt freshman Miquiyah Zamora, who is now the starter at the weak-outside spot. This looks like a strong group, especially with seniors Hamlin and McCarthy.
Aug 21 2014, 12:50 PM
Guest781 (guest): I concur Jim with the thought EWU needs to get to the 15-35k number if they want to survive the restructure of college football. IMO they have beat the drum on the Gateway(behind close doors as a long term) and would hope to get the visitor stands replaced, remove track and improve bathroom/concessions before the shakeup. The way the game is usually played is you ask for more than you really need in hopes of getting what you really need. When you see Cowherd ask him what he thinks about all this...
Aug 21 2014, 12:51 PM
Jim: Oh, that bathroom/concession building on the south side - a total eyesore.
Aug 21 2014, 12:52 PM
Jim: It's literally a $64 million question!
Aug 21 2014, 12:53 PM
Rjones61 (guest): Oh come on, I thought the water fountain that shoots six feet in the air is top notch.
Aug 21 2014, 12:53 PM
Jim: That's right - a water feature!
Aug 21 2014, 12:53 PM
Guest703 (guest): And tell Colin thanks for his help with the turf. His appearance this weekend will certainly help our effort. Hope Mike and Kat Roos can visit again this season if the Titans have a bye at the right time.
Aug 21 2014, 12:53 PM
Jim: I will pass it along.
Aug 21 2014, 12:54 PM
GoldenEagle (guest): I think EAG fans need to remember that many times last season our defense had a combination of 5 redshirt and true freshman on the field at the same time. That is a lot of inexperienced players.
Aug 21 2014, 12:55 PM
Jim: Quite true. But that was last year. This year the inexperience is only at corner, and Wadood has played at the Pac-12 level, so for him it's only about learning the system.
Aug 21 2014, 12:55 PM
Jim: This year's defense has a lot of experience overall.
Aug 21 2014, 12:56 PM
tomq04 (guest): The defense was in taters last fall after just a couple games, it can only be an improvement. I agree with you though, lots are riding on the shoulders of the CB's.
Aug 21 2014, 12:56 PM
Jim: Run support!
Aug 21 2014, 12:56 PM
Guest703 (guest): Jim is the new Eagle Athletic Fund gaining traction yet? We need to raise more dollars for our student athlete scholarships. That is where we can help now rather than waiting for the Gateway Project.
Aug 21 2014, 12:57 PM
Jim: I don't know the $$$ figures, which is what matters as far as the Gateway. They need a few big-time donors to step up.
Aug 21 2014, 12:57 PM
sammamisheag: Sat will be their most competitive FCS game until Nov vs the Griz. Prediction?
Aug 21 2014, 12:57 PM
Jim: EWU 42, SHSU 17
Aug 21 2014, 12:58 PM
GoldenEagle (guest): Now that is a solid prediction!
Aug 21 2014, 12:58 PM
Jim: I just don't see SHSU passing the ball very well.
Aug 21 2014, 12:59 PM
tomq04 (guest): SHSU fans claim their defense is loaded with talent, EWU is a great program to test that theory
Aug 21 2014, 12:59 PM
Jim: They are quite talented, but also learning a new system.
Aug 21 2014, 12:59 PM
Rjones61 (guest): I don't see them stopping us at defense. All those transfers need to learn a new system and they only return 3-4 starters at defense.
Aug 21 2014, 12:59 PM
Jim: Exactly!
Aug 21 2014, 12:59 PM
GoldenEagle (guest): Seems like an eternity since this game was announced. Time to get rolling.
Aug 21 2014, 1:00 PM
Jim: See you there - and we'll chat again next week!
