BeaverSir

Thanks for the input. Schematically, do you think Banker's defense would be better against the more traditional offenses in the Big Ten like Michigan State and Wisconsin, as opposed to spread teams like Oregon? Yes, Banker's kool aid is all 4-3, inside gap control run stop defense, bend but don't break, and eventually force a punt or field goal by winning a down-and-distance 3rd down. It works VERY well when it works and Banker is very good at playing the percentages on when to blitz the safeties to bring more pressure. He is the master at scheming pressure against pocket offenses, especially when he has lock down corners he can trust. He is out of his element against most of the spread variations.His 4-3 loses contain whenever the Qb reads the backside DE correctly and gets to the corner. He does not seem to have an answer for that.

Beaver fan's take: Riley is an under the radar recruiter, staffs his staff with good talent recognizers, and makes the most of out of 2 and 3 star recruits as can be seen by this year's draft (and others): Mannion, QB 3rd round, 3 * Nelson, CB 3rd round JC transfer 3* Gwacham, DE 2 5th round 2 * Murphy, S, 7th round 2* Alexander, LB 7th round 2* But yet all that talent on a senior laden defense UNDERACHIEVED mightily. I saw a team that gave up, caved in and stopped trying in at least 4 contests this year and just as many the season before. Maybe Riley doesn't need to beat the bushes for 2* with upside at Nebraska. He can get his foot in the door with 4* more easily and legitimately tell them he knows how to get them ready for the NFL. Again, the issue is with winning games and creating a competitive pride within the program. Might be easier to blame his 5 and 6 win seasons at Oregon State on recruiting difficulties and there were depth issues at times but my personal observation is none of these guys who were drafted played like NFL guys. Competitive zeal for them and for the team as whole seemed gone. I hope Riley's staff has their mojo back because i have met the man a few times and i like him but i was flat out disgusted by the performance of the teams he was putting on the field 3 of the last 4 seasons. Getting boat raced by teams that wanted it more and laughing about it.

Darlington could make anybody's offense go. I watched the HS video of him and he always makes the read, is instinctive and gets the ball out quickly. Riley won the Fiesta bowl in 2001 with a short, heady quarterback (jonathan smith, now the OC at Washington) who just seemed to make plays and wa a winner. That's Darlington. But man, that hit that took him out- wasn't even much of a pop. Makes me wonder if he is going to last long. Hate to see talented players get head injuries.

I can answer this. Yeah he talks about injuries but in a really vague way and he has often called something a ding when it is a season ender. I don't sense he is covering up. It seems like he isn't much for getting the details of injuries and is hoping for the best.

Hi there, Oregon State interloper here, wandered by to see what's shaking with your new coach and see a qb battle is brewing. My thoughts on this thread based on many years of observation of Riley and Langsdorf, other OCs- It is possible, but not likely that Riley may have the two contenders co-own the spot all the way through the season. He did this with Sean Canfield and Lyle Moevao in 2008 with mixed results. It was not fun. Nothing more frustrating as a fan to hear the coaches continually say that nobody has made themselves The Guy at the most important position. At some point you want to blame the coaches for not identifying which player to go with and make a choice. More likely he and Langsdorf will have to make a choice because Riley doesnt have the mile long leash he had in Corvallis. But understand that he will take his time making a choice and it will be the guy who stays in the pocket either long enough to make a completion, throw an interception or take a sack. If there is one hallmark of Riley's offense it is finishing your shift as air traffic controller when the building is on fire, or falling down whatever. There are no designed scrambles and even moving the pocket around to let the quarterback roll out to one side of the field is, like a crazy idea. I can remember exactly two quarterback draws in 12 years and i dont think they were called plays. Your offense may be a departure but i doubt it. Riley is as stubborn as he is nice. In fact i am going to say his friendly and down to earth way of being shields him from questions about his flexibility. Even the most vile dickweeds are defeated by the gee golly force field. That said, i think he wins 9 or 10 games this year if he gets his coaching mojo back. He knows the fundamentals and can get kids to buy in. I would worry about late game decision making based on the last few years but maybe the change in surroundings will heal that nasty case of brain cloud he developed the last few seasons.