Eastern Washington football chat - the full transcript
Guest2583 (Guest): oh Boy, oh Boy, oh Boy,oh Boy,oh Boy,oh Boy,oh Boy,oh Boy,
KHB_GoEags: Whooo hooooooo!!!!! It’s FINALLY here!!!!
Guest2583 (Guest): is the Victor Gamboa a carryover from last year. I believe he missed playoff games?
FCS_Fans_Nation: Can’t wait for some EWU football
Jim: Hello, football fans, and welcome to the first Eastern live chat of the season!
Jim: By the way, be sure to pick up a copy of today’s Spokesman-Review and our annual football preview section.
Jim: Warmup question: Who’s making the trip to Lubbock?
KHB_GoEags: Me!
Jim: Excellent - we’ll have to get together!
Guest2583 (Guest): Great job by the Spokesman. Audio of the “old guys” is also good
KHB_GoEags: Absolutely, Jim!
Jim: Yes, I think the entire staff did a great job on the special section. You can find links to my EWU stories on Twitter. My handle is @srjimallen
Guest1960 (Guest): Any word on if and whenever Gamboa will be back and what team rules he broke
Jim: I’ve only heard rumors, and I don’t deal in those. Coach Best said Gamboa broke “undisclosed team rules” and is suspended indefinitely. He continues to practice but will not make the trip to Lubbock.
Jim: Fortunately, this is a deep cornerback group, and Webster, Lewis, Tucker and others.
KHB_GoEags: And no return date mentioned, right?
Jim: Correct, KHB!
Guest1960 (Guest): Sounds like he could be out for 5-6 games
KHB_GoEags: Exactly. I am bummed out about Victor, but, we are solid in that position.
Jim: The problem could be fatigue in the heat on Saturday. I can’t stress it enough: this is an elite WR group for Tech, it’s the strength of their team, so the remaining players will need to man-up.
Guest2583 (Guest): Next man up. Have to be an EKG or can’t represent. We are not Montana
Jim: The police blotters are bereft of EWU football players, for the most part.
FCS_Fans_Nation: So I’m not in Spokane so I haven’t been able to watch the scrimmages live. I’ve only read about them. So far does this look like it could be on end of our best defenses since 2010?
KHB_GoEags: Ha ha ha 2583,agreed!
Jim: If defense starts with stopping the run, then I agree. This is a stout front line, also strong CBs who’ve matured enough to improve their run support. DC Jeff Schmedding has this entire group running downhill. Pass rush is the biggest worry, along with depth at LB.
Guest2583 (Guest): Jim I was learned in Montana had to look up bereft deprived of or lacking something
Jim: By the way nose tackle Jay-Tee Tiuli is a beast, and one of the quickest 320-pounders I’ve seen.
Jim: He and tackle Andre Lino also have the ability to get to the QB. With Ebukam gone, the pass rush becomes more of a team concept.
Jim: This TT quarterback is a statue, but he has a big arm and quick release, so the pass rush will make or break the Eagles in this game, IMO.
KHB_GoEags: Jim, how do you think our defense will stack up to their high-powered offense? I have to think this is a better D than last year; returners back with experience!
Jim: I think that even without Gamboa, the corners will hold up as the pocket collapses. Overall D will be slightly better, I think.Especially against the run with those big ends (Havili and Williams).
FCS_Fans_Nation: Awesome. I can’t wait for this season. To many people outside of EWU are already writing us off
Jim: Of course, because they tend to lump all FCS programs together. That’s a big mistake.
Guest2583 (Guest): I feel like “O” isnot going to miss a beat, Looks like EB has made great strides from Spring ball.
Jim: I can’t wait to see Barriere on the field. He has all the tools, just needs some experience. Hopefully that will come with Eastern leading TT by three scores in the fourth quarter and not the other way around.
KHB_GoEags: Eric’s 55 yarder to a true freshman last Friday at the scrimmage had everyone in the stands with mouth open!
Guest1960 (Guest): Will we ever get an upgraded stadium?
Jim: That’s a sore subject, and one that I’ve written much about. It all comes down to money. $30M is all it takes.
Jim: And, yes, I will revisit this again - trust me!
Guest2583 (Guest): looks a few freshmen are going to contribute. I was impressed by Ojoh in last scrimmage
Jim: Best was very high on Chris Ojoh, a true freshman from Vernon Adams’ high school in Calif. He will make the trip to TT, but I’m not sure he’ll play.
Guest2583 (Guest): 1960 NO as long as President Mary is @EWU nothing will move forward. My opinion of course
Jim: She SAYS the right things, but I’ve been unable to discern her level of commitment to the stadium upgrade. Of course, she gets an earful from opponents too. She has a tough job.
FCS_Fans_Nation: Are they looking at options to just extend the away bleacher instead of a full remodel. I think adding 2,000 more seat would be a cheaper option even if it’s only temp.
Jim: The top option includes a full remodel of the visitor’s side, with luxury suites and removal of the track (land has been identified for a new track).
FCS_Fans_Nation: And 2,000 seats would go a long way.
Jim: The top complaint from EWU fans is the high-schoolish-looking visitor’s bleachers. Personally, mine is that gawdawful snack bar/restroom combo at the stadium entrance.Embarrassing.
FCS_Fans_Nation: Yeah I’ve seen the Gateway project and it looks fantastic but $30m is a little out of reach for EWU. So it would be nice to maybe figure out a solution for the next 5 years to help increase the stadium even if it’s only temp. Enrollment has increased by 40% since 2009-2010
Jim: Lots of talk, but no money.
Guest1960 (Guest): Which receiver are you most looking forward to watching? I think Terrance Grady sitting last year was great and am excited to watch him.
Jim: I can’t wait for Grady to get on the field. Remember he played as a true freshman in 2014, had some injury issues in ‘15 and then redshirted last year. Good move for him and the program. At 6-5 he’s a great target compared to the other shorter WRs.
KHB_GoEags: Yes, agreed 2583. This is a special class. 6 of them made the traveling squad, right? That’s awesome!
Jim: I thought it was five: WRs Boston and Edwards, QB Moore, LB Ojoh and S Gurley. I might be forgetting someone, but then I just turned 60 and keep forgetting where I put my car keys.
Guest4401 (Guest): As a side bar what do you think of Texas Tech using our country’s biggest natural disasters to promote their football program, by offering cash for the victims of the flood only if they score points?
Jim: That struck me as a bit odd. Just a straight cash donation would have been better, but every bit helps. People are dying in Houston!
Guest2583 (Guest): It is amazing the quality of football players we have attracted to our program. We have depth a many positions that we never had in the past. I believe our current coaching staff believes in the EKG mantra and we will continue to get great players with our values
Guest2583 (Guest): Watch Andrew Boston and Johnny Edwards
Jim: They are the real deal!
Jim: Good point,2583! In my six years of covering the team, I can’t recall better depth across the board.
Guest4401 (Guest): So if we pitch a shutout are we the bad guys?
Jim: Good one,4401!
Guest1960 (Guest): Any word on Bourne or any other Eags making NFL Rosters? Bourne was shining in camp and the first few games but I don’t think he was thrown to last week. He is now listed not in the four deep
Jim: Even after catching 4 balls for 80 yards and a score, Bourne still faces an uphill battle with the 49ers.With a 53-man roster, most NFL teams can keep only six WRs, and he might be No. 7.However, he has a great shot at the practice squad or could be picked up by another team.
KHB_GoEags: I was surprised to see Stu where he was on the depth chart, but we all know, we will have 3-4 wide
FCS_Fans_Nation: Stu will still be in more than half of EWUs snaps. But that surprised me too
Jim: Agreed. Remember that last year, Stiles had the best yards per catch on the team (14.6), even better than Kupp. The deep threat is an issue for this group, IMO - hope I’m wrong.
Jim: Expounding on that, Kupp, Bourne and Hill all were deep threats. I’m not seeing that from the current group, Combined with a better running game, we may see more short routes and a more deliberate offense.
Jim: But will that make EWU more predictable? Hopefully not.
KHB_GoEags: How was the OL settled into their new positions/transitions?
Jim: Not yet - the loss of Ellison was huge, forcing Schlichting to move from RT to LT and sending RS freshman Levao to the right side. It’s all about chemistry, Best has told me for years, and the O-line lost some chemistry with all that upheaval.
Guest2583 (Guest): It will be interesting to see how Bode changes what we have seen in past. From Beau to Zak,
Guest2583 (Guest): to Troy
Jim: That’s another talking point. Reeder has called plays before, but not at the D1 level (then again, neither had Troy Taylor).Reeder will need to grow into the position, and not be too predictable, but at the same time he can’t get too reckless with this green receiving corps.
Guest5700 (Guest): Good point. Oklahoma State has been great offensively for years. It will be interesting to see what different looks we get from a Bodie offense.
Jim: It will be exciting. I’ll be very interested in play selection on first down - Baldwin and Troy were so hard to predict on first down, throwing it half the time. Then they’d run it on 2nd-and-7.
Guest2583 (Guest): I thinks it was a blessing that Fred could not finish out and that Bode step into Pass Coordinator role
Jim: We shall see. Blessings to Fred Salanoa and his decision to put family above football.
FCS_Fans_Nation: What’s your prediction score for TT vs EWU?
Jim: That shall be revealed in about 10 minutes.
KHB_GoEags: Do you have any reservations about our offense?
Jim: My concerns going into this game. On offense: 1) Will Reeder be too predictable (running too often on first down) 2) Will new LT Schlichting keep Gubrud’s blind side intact? 3) Will the WRs CONSISTENTLY make the tougher catches (that was taken for granted with Kupp and Co.)?
Jim: On defense: 1)Pass rush 2) Pass rush 3) Pass rush
Jim: A little unpredictability also would be nice on defense, and I think Schmedding will dial up some aggressive calls against this statue of a QB.
Jim: Defense will have its ears pinned back, and TT had an anemic running game last year.
Guest2142 (Guest): How many games is Gamboa out?
Jim: “Indefinite,” as per Aaron Best
Guest2583 (Guest): Just looked: all former EAGs lineman are 3rd on depth chart. Same with Samson
Jim: Aaron Neary is scrapping for a spot on the Eagles.
Jim: Yes, in that order!
KHB_GoEags: All understandable concerns, but, Jim, you know we will be just fine! Lots of experienced AND young talent (eager to make a difference) and lots of history of success
Jim: Tradition means a lot in a game like this.
Jim: Make no mistake: the Eagles believe they can win this one. And why not? TT has a new QB and defense that was the worst in FBS last year.
Jim: So why do oddsmakers favor Tech by 14?Bias? Or expectations that all the JC transfers will make that defense respectable. I don’t think so.
FCS_Fans_Nation: EWU matches up well against TT even if they are a Power 5.They will look almost identical to WSU last year but with a worst defense.
Jim: Exactly! WSU last year is superior to this TT team in most areas. And that’s why …
Jim: … my predicted final score is ….. Eastern Washington 44, Texas Tech 34.
FCS_Fans_Nation: I believe EWU will have a tough time stopping their offense but TT will have a rough time trying to stop ours too.
KHB_GoEags: Because it’s an FBS vs. FCS comparison. More scholarships… blah blah. But,that’s not always the case. I think we match up very well with TTU.
FCS_Fans_Nation: Lots of the betting sites and analytic sites have Tech as a 1-3 point favorite only.
Jim: I’ve seen those too. One had it TT 38.2, EWU 37.2 whatever that means.
Guest2583 (Guest): EAGS 48 TT 38
KHB_GoEags: Jim, I’m surprised…. I honestly thought you would have that flip flopped that score.
Jim: Pass rush, KHB (they’re going to get to this guy - they have to!)
Guest5700 (Guest): I can’t help it. I like our chances here.EWU 45, Tech 38.
FCS_Fans_Nation: I agree with KHB. It’s all about match ups and I like playing against the worst defense in the FBS 😂
KHB_GoEags: I want nothing more than to see Keenan lay out their QB a couple times!!!!
Guest2583 (Guest): Play anyone anywhere anytime. EKG’s
KHB_GoEags: YESSSSS 2583!!!!!!!
Jim: “Bring on ‘Bama!”
KHB_GoEags: Ha ha ha ha,you and everyone else.
FCS_Fans_Nation: I do really respect our team for consistently playing one of the toughest FCS OOC schedules every single year. “Iron sharpens Iron”
Guest2583 (Guest): How about Florida 1st. By the way Coach Mac has some problems
Jim: 2020 isn’t that far away
Guest4401 (Guest): Keenan is more than ready
Jim: Great kid, Keenan!
Guest5700 (Guest): It has to be good for recruiting too. I’d like to think the kind of kids we need would appreciate the challenge and opportunity to compete with a good FBS team every year.
Jim: The players get up for these games, and it shows on the scoreboard.
Guest2583 (Guest): Thanks as always Jim!! You committed for Thursday for another season So are we
KHB_GoEags: Exactly! I love that even though our facilities don’t match our level of play, our recruits are still coming! At the end of the day, they want to WIN!!!
Guest5700 (Guest): Thanks for all of the great Eags coverage Jim!
Jim: Thanks, everyone, we’ll do it again next week. Look for my Tweets on Saturday at @srjimallen. See you next week!