Read the transcript of this chat on the extended post.

Oct 9 2014, 11:58 AM

Jim: Let's talk Eastern sports!

Oct 9 2014, 12:01 PM

Jim: I'm curious if your expectations for the football season have changed SOLELY because of the injury to Vernon Adams.

Oct 9 2014, 12:01 PM

Ryan_31088: What is the scouting report on the Southern Utah O-line. Will our D get pressure on the quarterback?

Oct 9 2014, 12:02 PM

Jim: Hello, Ryan:

Oct 9 2014, 12:02 PM

Ryan_31088: I guess my expectations depend on how long VA is actually out.

Oct 9 2014, 12:04 PM

Jim: The SUU O-line has improved, getting used to the new QB Olsen - from left to right, they weigh 265, 319, 300, 202 and 285 - they've given up 25 sacks in six games, so there's hope

Oct 9 2014, 12:05 PM

Jim: Check that - 19 sacks by opponents.

Oct 9 2014, 12:06 PM

Jim: Pass rush is an issue right now for Eastern, which has just nine all year!

Oct 9 2014, 12:06 PM

Ryan_31088: Hi Jim, I hope all is well.

Oct 9 2014, 12:07 PM

Jim: All is well with me, Ryan - how are you?

Oct 9 2014, 12:08 PM

Ryan_31088: I'm doing well, excited about the state of my alma mater's football program. I'm assuming you've seen plenty of Jordan West in practice. What should those of us who have not seen him expect?

Oct 9 2014, 12:09 PM

Jim: Assuming your alma mater is EWU, you SHOULD be excited - great success lately, which I believe will continue.

Oct 9 2014, 12:11 PM

Jim: I've seen a lot of Jordan West in practices and scrimmages; he has good instincts in the pocket, a VERY strong arm, and does an OK job of going through his progressions. That's always the biggest learning curve, getting to the second and third reads.

Oct 9 2014, 12:12 PM

Jim: West also has better speed than you might think for a guy who's 6-4, 220. He does well out of the read option - wonder if we'll see any of that this week.

Oct 9 2014, 12:12 PM

GoldenEagle (guest): My expectations have not changed. Jordan West has been in the system three years, has a great offensive line, outstanding receivers and great running backs. From what I have seen in many scrimmages and a little during games, I am confident he will do great. I would sure like to see VA back and healthy for the playoffs as he is the best QB in FCS.

Oct 9 2014, 12:13 PM

Jim: I agree: the offense is in good shape despite missing Adams and Forte; my only concern is a slight drop-off in RB speed without Forte, who likes to cut it outside. Brown is very solid, though. IMO, the O-line isn't getting enough credit for the offensive success.

Oct 9 2014, 12:13 PM

Guest157 (guest): I know you mentioned last week that you were working on an article about the gateway project anything you could share before then. Also do you know if administration will pull out all the stops to get attendance up to 15k for the Montana game?

Oct 9 2014, 12:15 PM

Jim: Sore subject. The administration (both university and athletics) is withholding comment. Fundraising efforts are ongoing. I wish I could report more. We'll revisit this topic in a minute - please chime in!

Oct 9 2014, 12:15 PM

Ryan_31088: So the estimate on VA is 3-6 weeks. How long do you expect it to be?

Oct 9 2014, 12:16 PM

Jim: I expect it to be four weeks, based on what I've heard about the nature of the injury. I think he'll be in uniform for North Dakota on Nov. 1, which would mean four weeks from the ISU game.

Oct 9 2014, 12:16 PM

Guest157 (guest): Have you gotten a chance to talk to the new president about her views about athletics. I hope you do as I would love to hear her stance and whether she sees the OBVIOUS connection with the growth of the school since the new turf in terms of enrollment.

Oct 9 2014, 12:17 PM

Jim: Not yet - I've been asked to wait until Dr. Cullinan has settled in - and frankly I'm swamped right now. I will get to that ...

Oct 9 2014, 12:17 PM

Ryan_31088: We need Forte back. I like Mario Brown, but he has a tendency to fumble in big moments.

Oct 9 2014, 12:18 PM

Guest970 (guest): Hi Jim, defense has been regressing statistically the last 3 years, talent, schemes or both?

Oct 9 2014, 12:21 PM

Jim: Let's see, if you believe DC John Graham is still the coach who led that great 2010 defense (and I do), then we can narrow it down to talent and injuries. My top three reasons for the struggles: 1) D-line injuries and inexperience (poor pass rush and getting pushed off the line) 2) inexperience CBs (spotty coverage plus poor run support); and 3) linebackers who are big but not very quick. Opponents are spreading the field, in case you haven't noticed.

Oct 9 2014, 12:22 PM

Jim: So. Utah may be 1-5, but their offense is starting to jell around the new QB, a transfer from BYU.

Oct 9 2014, 12:23 PM

Jim: I will say this about Dr. Cullinan: she's been very visible at football games, and even traveled for the UC Davis game. She's been very supportive in that way.

Oct 9 2014, 12:23 PM

Ryan_31088: To be fair to the defense, VA and the offense move very quickly. This results in the D spending much more time on the field with less rest time.

Oct 9 2014, 12:25 PM

Jim: That's right; ISU had 15 possessions

Oct 9 2014, 12:25 PM

Jim: Breaking them down: 7 TDs, 1FG, 5 punts, one INT and one to end the first half.

Oct 9 2014, 12:27 PM

Jim: Interestingly, Eastern dominated time of possession, 34:25 to 25:35. Lots of quick drives for both teams.

Oct 9 2014, 12:27 PM

Guest157 (guest): Good to hear the president has been traveling with the team hopefully she will see how athletics fuels interest in the school.

Oct 9 2014, 12:28 PM

Jim: Absolutely ... sometimes we forget that the president has a few other things on her plate besides sports - I know that's hard to believe!

Oct 9 2014, 12:28 PM

Guest157 (guest): Off football topic saw the release for hoops yesterday do you have a early season prediction regarding where they will fall?

Oct 9 2014, 12:30 PM

Jim: That's on my front burner now, gotta do some homework on the other teams and turn in my picks to the Big Sky office. I expect a top-4 finish, but need to take a closer look at the competition.

Oct 9 2014, 12:30 PM

GoldenEagle (guest): Looking at the remaining BSC schedule, we will not see an offense as good as ISU was.

Oct 9 2014, 12:31 PM

Jim: Agreed. In fact, I think SUU is the best of the six opponents left.

Oct 9 2014, 12:31 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): Regarding the injury of VA, is it possibly staying in could have made the injury worse? I hear VA didn't want anyone to look at his foot, but what responsibility does the staff have to make sure he's not going to make an injury worse by continuing to play?

Oct 9 2014, 12:33 PM

Jim: Don't know. I got the sense that Vernon was being evasive about the injury, and with so many quick drives by both teams, there wasn't time (except perhaps at halftime). Also, please read my story on Tuesday for a better explanation.

Oct 9 2014, 12:33 PM

Ryan_31088: So do you think VA is out of the Walter Payton race now, or will the voters consider him based on his per game production rather than season totals?

Oct 9 2014, 12:33 PM

Jim: It's dicey, missing three games and all. He was such a cinch, and still could win it. They WILL look at per-game stats.

Oct 9 2014, 12:34 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): I could see VA having a shot if he comes in and doesn't lose a beat.

Oct 9 2014, 12:34 PM

Guest157 (guest): NAU concerns me as they have some large WR's like ISU does too and we are at NAU, but we usually play well there. That and PSU worry me the most . .especially after the last two years games that were some of the most crazy games I have seen in a while.

Oct 9 2014, 12:35 PM

Jim: Most folks don't know this, but Adams has sickle-cell anemia, which can cause sickness at altitude. There were questions about whether he would be able to play in Flagstaff (elev. 6,800 feet), but that question is now moot.

Oct 9 2014, 12:35 PM

Guest383 (guest): Speaking of other sports...looks as if EWU's Soccer team has made a big time improvement in just a few games/weeks over years of frustration. Coach Bodnar brought in a bunch of new talent and weeded out some as well. A different program to be sure...about time our soccer program became relevant.

Oct 9 2014, 12:37 PM

Jim: Yes, Bodnar has brought new excitement to the program - did you see that 5-1 score against Weber State? A talented group of freshmen too, including forward Savannah Hoekstra from Central Valley. This will be a very exciting year.

Oct 9 2014, 12:37 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): Anyone notice that EWU is increasing average attendance while there's doom and gloom at the Power 5 conferences on declining attendances?

Oct 9 2014, 12:38 PM

Jim: In hindsight, getting 9K+ for Montana Western, then selling out everything else - pretty amazing, and credit to both the team and the administration.

Oct 9 2014, 12:38 PM

Guest157 (guest): Did not know that about VA....he is a beast and an inspiration!

Oct 9 2014, 12:38 PM

Ryan_31088: Speaking of the Walter Payton Award, in your opinion, how strong of an argument does Cooper Kupp have?

Oct 9 2014, 12:39 PM

Jim: It's pretty tough for a receiver to win this thing, but he ought to be top 5 if his stats hold up. You have to think West will look for him.

Oct 9 2014, 12:39 PM

Ryan_31088: I just hope it carries over to when students leave for vacation.

Oct 9 2014, 12:40 PM

Jim: I just don' get it - attendance plummeted last year for the playoffs. I know the temperatures plummeted too, but it was ridiculous, IMO. Thoughts?

Oct 9 2014, 12:40 PM

Guest157 (guest): Since you brought up attendance again....will the school go for the record and bring in enough for 15k? I really think they could get that many for the game especially if Montana comes in with a top 5 ranking. Would be a huge money grab for the school as well.

Oct 9 2014, 12:41 PM

Jim: They certainly could, but they would need at least one more set of bleachers - could they fit that next to the existing one? Standing-room spots, anyone?!

Oct 9 2014, 12:42 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): 15k would be awesome... but I wonder if the infrastructure could support it (traffic, concessions, physical space..)

Oct 9 2014, 12:43 PM

Jim: yes, they could - the jump from 11,256 for ISU to 15K isn't all that much - but you need the seats.

Oct 9 2014, 12:44 PM

Guest157 (guest): I think the infrastructure struggles as it is what is another 2k? We need something for next year as our winning ways are not going away anytime soon!

Oct 9 2014, 12:44 PM

Jim: What would you suggest?

Oct 9 2014, 12:45 PM

Ryan_31088: Do you know what another set of bleachers like those in the North Endzone would cost?

Oct 9 2014, 12:45 PM

Jim: sorry, Ryan - no idea - can't be too much, the problem may be availability.

Oct 9 2014, 12:45 PM

Guest157 (guest): More bleachers on the visitors side like they have in the endzone by the hill

Oct 9 2014, 12:46 PM

Jim: And that's the whole issue with the Gateway Project, which is an all-or-nothing proposal. While it's on the table, nothing else will happen.

Oct 9 2014, 12:47 PM

Jim: Which begs the question: how long will the administration continue the fundraising effort before moving in another direction?

Oct 9 2014, 12:47 PM

Ryan_31088: Regarding Gateway, does the school have any estimates on what kind of additional revenue it would bring in?

Oct 9 2014, 12:48 PM

Jim: The idea is to cover ongoing costs by renting retail space, etc.

Oct 9 2014, 12:48 PM

Guest157 (guest): Good call Ryan! Every year we are worried about Baldwins contract. Is he on a year to year or a 3-year with continuing options . . .

Oct 9 2014, 12:49 PM

Jim: My understanding is 3-year with options, but these days, contracts are made to be torn up - that's what EWU did with Hayford, tearing up the remaining two years of his old deal and replacing it with a new 4-year deal.

Oct 9 2014, 12:49 PM

GoldenEagle (guest): IMO, the long term success of the Gateway project carries more risk from a $ standpoint than adding an additional 5K of seating without all of the bells and whistles.

Oct 9 2014, 12:50 PM

Jim: Going piecemeal or trying to solve everything at once - that's the dilemma.

Oct 9 2014, 12:50 PM

Guest157 (guest): So basically Jim you Ryan and I need to bust out our old erector sets and start building ourselves some more bleachers???

Oct 9 2014, 12:51 PM

Jim: Don't look at me - I know sentence structure and not much else!

Oct 9 2014, 12:51 PM

Guest383 (guest): Jim, pull out any favors owed to you and arrange for the cannon to come back to Roos Field...speaking of Roos...do you know the exact injury he had?

Oct 9 2014, 12:52 PM

Jim: Knee injury, which will end his season.

Oct 9 2014, 12:52 PM

Guest157 (guest): I would take anything at this point to remove that EYE SORE of a Visitors section!!!

Oct 9 2014, 12:52 PM

Jim: Most folks feel that way - so what's in your wallet?

Oct 9 2014, 12:52 PM

GoldenEagle (guest): If you fill the additional 5K of seats over 6 home games a year, that initial $ outlay for bleachers will payoff fairly quickly.

Oct 9 2014, 12:53 PM

Ryan_31088: I have to get going. Thank you Jim for your time and answers. 38 - 28 EWU. God bless and Go Eags!

Oct 9 2014, 12:53 PM

Jim: That's pretty close to my own prediction, Ryan ...

Oct 9 2014, 12:53 PM

Jim: I have Eastern winning 38-31

Oct 9 2014, 12:54 PM

Guest157 (guest): I give, but not as much as I would like. 3 little ones running around hampers that.

Oct 9 2014, 12:54 PM

Guest383 (guest): Jim are you going to the game?

Oct 9 2014, 12:55 PM

Jim: No, this is the only game I will miss. The price of the charter was too high, and the newspaper also has a budget to worry about! My regrets!

Oct 9 2014, 12:56 PM

Guest157 (guest): So if we lose we get to blame you or the Review? . . .have to have a escape goat

Oct 9 2014, 12:56 PM

Jim: Yeah, blame me

Oct 9 2014, 12:56 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): My gut tells me West will turn a few heads. I remember last year

Oct 9 2014, 12:56 PM

Oct 9 2014, 12:57 PM

EWU_Fan (guest): last year's back up QB also being thrown into game situations (Oregon State anyone?) and still producing

Oct 9 2014, 12:57 PM

Jim: That wan Anthony Vitto, who IMO didn't get the credit he deserved.

Oct 9 2014, 12:57 PM

 

Guest157 (guest): I think West will be fine. I believe in him. No worries this weekend.

Oct 9 2014, 12:57 PM

Jim: The defense has got get some stops.

Oct 9 2014, 12:58 PM

Jim: I see fewer possessions in this game, say 10 for each team. EWU cashes in 5TDs and a FG to win by 7.

Oct 9 2014, 12:59 PM

GoldenEagle (guest): EAGS 42

Oct 9 2014, 12:59 PM

GoldenEagle (guest): litte birds 21

Oct 9 2014, 12:59 PM

Jim: There you have it --- thanks, everyone and we'll do it again next week!

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