The game thread was dominated by talent v coaching debates last night. While the answer may lie in both, I would remind fans of something Peter mentioned a while back: even if you were in position, if an opponent is a better athlete than you, more often they will win. For example, while in high school, I played AAU basketball and got a chance to play against some elite talent (Fred Jones, Luke Jackson, Mike Dunleavy Jr, Jason Terry, Adam Masten, Shawn Kintner, Tyson Chandler, etc). I can tell you from first hand experience that my coaches taught me fundamentals, put me in positions to succeed, etc. However, when someone has the athletic ability to jump over a basketball rack flatfooted and dunk (Freddie Jones at a tournament in Boise), there is not a lot I can do to stop them. They were just better athletes than I was. And I had games where I was just a better athlete or was taller than my opponents. It didnt mean I, nor my counterparts didn't try or didn't care, but a coach can only scheme so much. And, I am thinking basketball which to me is easier to scheme victories than football. You can't scheme-away being 30 pounds undersized at the DE spot.
Also, props to offense in the third quarter. I saw some real creativity in play calling that has been absent this year.
I decided to look at the roster and state in my view who is actually a P5 level athlete. To note: I did not rank everyone as there are some young guys we just don't know about yet.
QB: Collins could be with much growth needed. He could be a star at a G5 level, but needs to improve greatly to compete at this level.
RB: Brown and Barrs-Woods: Could be marginal P5 players if they were ever healthy.
Nall: I think Ryan can play at this level but also needs a "lightning" counterpart.
OL: It is hard for me to rank OL, but as a group, they seem to be a marginal P5 group. There are holes that are missed by backs and pass protection has been okay. However, they don't really seem to push opponenets off the ball with regularity. Certainly Josh Mitchell and Isaac lead the charge here.
TE: Smith: Yes.
Togiai: Yes, but obviously needs some weight.
WR: Bolden: I think Vic would be a star at a G5 level, but is what he is at a P5: a decent player.
Villamin: Yes,but needs more consistency catching the ball.
Jarmon: Yes. I think he has more potential than what he has shown.
Lucas: Yes. You can't teach his speed.
DE: As a group they are marginal P5 at best. Some younger players could develop with added weight. Keep in mind too that many of our 3-star players under MR in his best years would not really see much action until they were RS juniors. Too many guys are having to play before they are physically ready.
DT: Peko: too bad we didnt have him longer. The others I cant say much about. Grimble has the body but just cant stay healthy
LB: Mageo and Willis are the only legit P5 players I have seen at this point. I think we need real help here. Saulo to me would be a really good G5 player.
DB: DeCoud is a legit DB to me. I think we have some others that with development could be legit P5 players, like Arnold and Strong, but beyond that?
To me that is about all we have as far as real Pac-12 talent as of now. It is just my view from my couch/perch in the second level of Reser. It doesnt mean the others dont try or cant develop or that I don't cheer for them. As said, I think many guys are forced into action this year that just are not ready to play.
Also, props to offense in the third quarter. I saw some real creativity in play calling that has been absent this year.
I decided to look at the roster and state in my view who is actually a P5 level athlete. To note: I did not rank everyone as there are some young guys we just don't know about yet.
QB: Collins could be with much growth needed. He could be a star at a G5 level, but needs to improve greatly to compete at this level.
RB: Brown and Barrs-Woods: Could be marginal P5 players if they were ever healthy.
Nall: I think Ryan can play at this level but also needs a "lightning" counterpart.
OL: It is hard for me to rank OL, but as a group, they seem to be a marginal P5 group. There are holes that are missed by backs and pass protection has been okay. However, they don't really seem to push opponenets off the ball with regularity. Certainly Josh Mitchell and Isaac lead the charge here.
TE: Smith: Yes.
Togiai: Yes, but obviously needs some weight.
WR: Bolden: I think Vic would be a star at a G5 level, but is what he is at a P5: a decent player.
Villamin: Yes,but needs more consistency catching the ball.
Jarmon: Yes. I think he has more potential than what he has shown.
Lucas: Yes. You can't teach his speed.
DE: As a group they are marginal P5 at best. Some younger players could develop with added weight. Keep in mind too that many of our 3-star players under MR in his best years would not really see much action until they were RS juniors. Too many guys are having to play before they are physically ready.
DT: Peko: too bad we didnt have him longer. The others I cant say much about. Grimble has the body but just cant stay healthy
LB: Mageo and Willis are the only legit P5 players I have seen at this point. I think we need real help here. Saulo to me would be a really good G5 player.
DB: DeCoud is a legit DB to me. I think we have some others that with development could be legit P5 players, like Arnold and Strong, but beyond that?
To me that is about all we have as far as real Pac-12 talent as of now. It is just my view from my couch/perch in the second level of Reser. It doesnt mean the others dont try or cant develop or that I don't cheer for them. As said, I think many guys are forced into action this year that just are not ready to play.
