Bear Down Wildcats

Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate. Green basically confirmed it when he said that Cal was giving him 4-5 yards because they were worried about Tate.

O-line: Tate can throw the ball very well. Dawkins could not. With the addition of Tate running ability the defense has to stay honest. This gives the Oline a better chance for blocks. See Utah game as prime opposite example with Dawkins.

Defense: They are playing better than last year. But if Arizona didn’t have Tate playing I would be worried about a few blow outs (UCLA, Cal) and demoralized defense. It’s easier to get pumped for defense if Tate scored a 1 minute touch down versus another 3-out.

I have no doubt that if Dawkins didnt get injured that Arizona would very likely lost these three games. On the other side, if Tate started earlier Arizona has a good chance be undefeated.

What if’s.....

This thread is funny for the number of people who are actively angry that this season is going well.

He shouldn't get extended, but things are going much, much better than anyone really thought they would. It's crazy that everyone's default isn't to be happy that we might have the coach for the future here instead of needing to find one with a new hire.

Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

All of a sudden RR looks like the offensive genius he was thought to be and CTG is a defensive genius he thought he was. Funny how things can change

azcat49 wrote:All of a sudden RR looks like the offensive genius he was thought to be and CTG is a defensive genius he thought he was. Funny how things can change

And watch it change again next week if we score 20 against wsu and ASU gives up 45 to USC

OSUCat wrote:Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate.

RichRod sure got lucky when Dawkins got hurt.

Coaches are often only as good as their qb's.

RichRod has finally found his qb. Let's enjoy this ride the next 3 years.

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

Well it's just we had really hit the skids, getting blown out in seemingly every pac 12 game for a long long time. That will wear on the fans, horrible attendance is an indicator. Potentially wanting some change at that point is natural. But the qb is virtually everything, and Rod owes Khalil 10% of any future extension. Love this meteoric rise out of nowhere, amidst the tension of what we've been through the past few years, it's pretty unique! But if Tate goes down, we don't win a game. That's really the crux of the RR problem, but losing an outstanding qb would dent the dreams of alot of football teams.

wyo-cat wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

I've seen zero evidence Chief is angry Arizona is doing well.

Merkin wrote:

OSUCat wrote:Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate.

RichRod sure got lucky when Dawkins got hurt.

So did Belechick right?

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

I've seen zero evidence Chief is angry Arizona is doing well.

He has indeed kept a low profile these past two weeks but us winning seemed to do that.

tgrumpy2 wrote:

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

I've seen zero evidence Chief is angry Arizona is doing well.

He has indeed kept a low profile these past two weeks but us winning seemed to do that.

I find it amusing how Chief's vague team assessments, always with a kernel of his own wisdom thrown in, so upsets a portion of these and other board participants. There is never anything wrong with what he says, just commentary on program management. No one is required to be a homer to participate on the boards. That would be BORING! But the long time posters try to say it is his brand of non-homerism that is objectionable.

Whatever.

FlyonWall wrote:

tgrumpy2 wrote:

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

I've seen zero evidence Chief is angry Arizona is doing well.

He has indeed kept a low profile these past two weeks but us winning seemed to do that.

I find it amusing how Chief's vague team assessments, always with a kernel of his own wisdom thrown in, so upsets a portion of these and other board participants. There is never anything wrong with what he says, just commentary on program management. No one is required to be a homer to participate on the boards. That would be BORING! But the long time posters try to say it is his brand of non-homerism that is objectionable.

Whatever.

Chief is here for my entertainment. He doesn't know that and that's fine but he is. If I didn't have chief's vague assessments and his half baked wisdom to call out on occasion I would have no fun here. Sometimes I even get mixed up and think I'm responding to chief and wind up responding to someone else and that really gets the shit hitting the fan.

PHXCATS wrote:

Merkin wrote:

OSUCat wrote:Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate.

RichRod sure got lucky when Dawkins got hurt.

So did Belechick right?

Great call... the similarities between RR's career and BB's are uncanny. Shit, both of them have their first and last names begin with same letter, too.

And Drew Bledsoe's 4 Pro Bowl appearances is so reminiscent of Brandon Dawkins college career even I might confuse the 2.

Holy shit, Steven... you're on to something. We are winning 5 Natty's in the next 10 years!

Give Rich Rod a lifetime contract. NOW!

wyo-cat wrote:Extend RR, they have to do it due to recruiting. Not extending him after he has a great shot at P12 COY is bad form, and other teams will use it against us on the recruiting trail.

Quite honestly, the way the young corps of Frosh are playing - we are going to be set until that bubble bursts 4 years from now.

I am tired of ADs using the recruiting excuse to automatically grant contract extensions because they are lazy and think an extension will delay the heavy lifting of a coaching search.

Is there a way to give RichRod (and Graham & Mora Jr, for that matter) an extension WITHOUT upping the buyout? The buyout is the real thorn in these extensions.

Harvey Specter wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Merkin wrote:

OSUCat wrote:Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate.

RichRod sure got lucky when Dawkins got hurt.

So did Belechick right?

Great call... the similarities between RR's career and BB's are uncanny. Shit, both of them have their first and last names begin with same letter, too.

And Drew Bledsoe's 4 Pro Bowl appearances is so reminiscent of Brandon Dawkins college career even I might confuse the 2.

Holy shit, Steven... you're on to something. We are winning 5 Natty's in the next 10 years!

Give Rich Rod a lifetime contract. NOW!

Great idea Harv!

Harvey Specter wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Merkin wrote:

OSUCat wrote:Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate.

RichRod sure got lucky when Dawkins got hurt.

So did Belechick right?

Great call... the similarities between RR's career and BB's are uncanny. Shit, both of them have their first and last names begin with same letter, too.

And Drew Bledsoe's 4 Pro Bowl appearances is so reminiscent of Brandon Dawkins college career even I might confuse the 2.

Holy shit, Steven... you're on to something. We are winning 5 Natty's in the next 10 years!

Give Rich Rod a lifetime contract. NOW!

Game. Set. Match.

Although, machina might come back at you with a .gif post. so better be on the lookout for that!

Great comments. This run to the end of the season shall be very interesting. We’ll all be waiting for the injury report to come out for sure.

tgrumpy2 wrote:

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

I've seen zero evidence Chief is angry Arizona is doing well.

He has indeed kept a low profile these past two weeks but us winning seemed to do that.

Yeah, Chief's fade into silence is one example I was thinking of. Hater and SD86 moving into the "wait for next year and fire if we don't improve enough then" was a major trigger.

Harvey Specter doesn't seem to like Arizona coaches much, and he was the other guy I was thinking of.

Spaceman Spiff wrote:

tgrumpy2 wrote:

azgreg wrote:

wyo-cat wrote:

azgreg wrote:Who is "actively angry that this season is going well"?

Chef. He was within a game or two of his white whale and it's gone for several years.

I've seen zero evidence Chief is angry Arizona is doing well.

He has indeed kept a low profile these past two weeks but us winning seemed to do that.

Yeah, Chief's fade into silence is one example I was thinking of. Hater and SD86 moving into the "wait for next year and fire if we don't improve enough then" was a major trigger.

Harvey Specter doesn't seem to like Arizona coaches much, and he was the other guy I was thinking of.

Yeah, I’m awful quiet. There’s absolutely nothing to be silent about. Plus, I’m on Twitter all of the time. I like good football convo no matter what your opinion is. This is mostly subject to one’s opinion.

can't stop laughing at machina's comparison to BB. what a maroon

Harvey Specter wrote:

PHXCATS wrote:

Merkin wrote:

OSUCat wrote:Interesting, I believe it is ALL because of Tate.

RichRod sure got lucky when Dawkins got hurt.

So did Belechick right?

Great call... the similarities between RR's career and BB's are uncanny. Shit, both of them have their first and last names begin with same letter, too.

And Drew Bledsoe's 4 Pro Bowl appearances is so reminiscent of Brandon Dawkins college career even I might confuse the 2.

Holy shit, Steven... you're on to something. We are winning 5 Natty's in the next 10 years!

Give Rich Rod a lifetime contract. NOW!

If Rich Rod got lucky because Dawkins got hurt, then Bill Belichick did also. That is the only comparison I am making. Only one. My issue isn't Rich Rod is the best coach ever or comparable to Belichick in any way, because there is not real comparison. Rich Rod is a good college coach, Belichick is the best pro coach of all time. Rich Rod can't hold Belichicks jock or hoodie or whatever you want to say. so thats clear right?

Did you miss where I said I wanted RR fired last year? Must have right. Because that doesn't fit the narrative you want. I wanted RR gone last year really bad. I thought there were good coaches U of A could have had that would be better short and long term than RR.

I have an issue though with those who keep saying Rich Rod is lucky because Dawkins got hurt. My issue with that is that if does not give credit to the line, who has been playing better of late, the defense, which has been playing really well (Wilcox knew the defense was good and that Cal struggled to score in both OTs while U of A scored with easy so he went for two), the receivers are making good catches and getting in good position.

Also what about giving credit to Rich Rod and the staff for things that they have done well besides getting lucky when it comes to Tate?
-Were they lucky they were the only school to offer him as a QB
-Were they lucky in their development of Tate
-Were they lucky in their play calling putting Tate in a position for success

Also what about all this crap about not recruiting well. Looks like a lot of young guys are making big plays for U of A and developing well. Recruiting has left a lot to be desired and I am not saying it doesnt need to get better, but it isnt nearly as bad as some make it out to be.

Rich Rod needs to do more to be given a two year extension or so. Needs to do more this season to earn that. At least two more wins. No lifetime contract, no one deserves one, no one deserves a mega extension, for what they have done at U of A except maybe Candrea and he was awful in the post season.

scumdevils86 wrote:can't stop laughing at machina's comparison to BB. what a maroon

See above liar.

I'm on board with Machina's premise that RichRod should get credit for Tate elevating the state of the program. I've often argued that the Head Coach is responsible for every aspect of the team, good or bad, and I'll stick with that. However, extending RichRod as if a few wins in a row over medicore teams can make up for the past couple of seasons is laughable. RR deserves the credit for these past few wins, but let's not give him credit for winning out just yet, eh?

If, after this season you are going to retain him, then you maybe extend him as well.

IF we were to extend RR I would give him a one year extension to match the unexpected that happened this year. Its not like his recruiting will be impacted as we just get the guys at the top of the MWC for the bulk of our class.

Lets face it, RR got VERY LUCKY. He would have stuck with Dawkins for that CU game and we would at best be 3-4 right now probably. Tate in a game and program changer. Good for us and good for RR. I don;t care who coaches us as long as we are playing meaningful games in November.

Can't wait for Saturdays now and I have not felt this for a few years. Just basking in the glow and liking it

azcat49 wrote:IF we were to extend RR I would give him a one year extension to match the unexpected that happened this year. Its not like his recruiting will be impacted as we just get the guys at the top of the MWC for the bulk of our class.

Lets face it, RR got VERY LUCKY. He would have stuck with Dawkins for that CU game and we would at best be 3-4 right now probably. Tate in a game and program changer. Good for us and good for RR. I don;t care who coaches us as long as we are playing meaningful games in November.

Can't wait for Saturdays now and I have not felt this for a few years. Just basking in the glow and liking it

If you bring him back next year you gotta to extend at least a little for recruiting.

Look at the guys who we never thought would make an impact who have, like Tate as a QB and others. And sure the season has likely been better because Dawkins went out and Tate came in but give credit to RR for the development and recruitment of Tate. It isn't like healthy Aaron Rodgers or Mike Vick was just sitting in the stands at the CU game and the NCAA allowed them to play for U of A when Dawkins got hurt.

My point earlier was that if you say RR was lucky, fine, but far better coaches than he have been lucky as well with injuries.

The only credit I give RR is he sold Tate on the fact he would play QB while others hinted at a position change. I have no evidence that Tate has progressed as can't point to one other QB and say, see there. I think he is just that skilled and I also think he knows that when he got in he had to do things so RR would never go back to Dawkins as is his usual MO.

One thing is for certain, RR can't win at the highest level without exceptional QB play. If he even gets average play we are at best a .500 program and when we suck on defense a 3 or 4 win team. I would sign off on 1 year for this year he has given us and keep doing that as he meets our programs hopefully heightened expectations

I have to smirk at RichRod (or Rod Smith) getting credit for developing a QB. If they get credit for Tate, why did they fail so miserably with Solomon and Dawkins?

gee, a hole in machina's logic? whodathunkit.

but yeah. RR is just very lucky he's gonna get paid for another year.

Merkin wrote:I have to smirk at RichRod (or Rod Smith) getting credit for developing a QB. If they get credit for Tate, why did they fail so miserably with Solomon and Dawkins?

So lets count them then, since you and scum and chief and others are so desperate to crap on RR ever chance you get.

Scott-Coached him up and developed
Denker-Coached him up and developed
Solomon-Coached him up and developed for a year, then INJURIES AND Nervousness to run the ball when the play dictated it stunted his growth. Thats on bad luck and the player's mental attitude, not RR or Smith
Scroggins-Not enough to tell
Randall-About what you would expect
Dawkins-Fell short of expectations

So you have four positive, one incomplete and one negative. I would say that is pretty good, wouldn't you?

You have a weird definition of coaching up and progression.

Actually both Denker and Scott regressed a bit as seniors if you look at QBR. Remember Matt Scott's final game v. ASU? Still shudder about that.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ott-1.html" target="_blank
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ker-1.html" target="_blank

if you want to look at progression, see Nick Foles

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... les-1.html" target="_blank


Before them, Willie Tuitama

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ama-1.html" target="_blank

Merkin wrote:Actually both Denker and Scott regressed a bit as seniors if you look at QBR. Remember Matt Scott's final game v. ASU? Still shudder about that.

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ott-1.html" target="_blank
https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ker-1.html" target="_blank

if you want to look at progression, see Nick Foles

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... les-1.html" target="_blank


Before them, Willie Tuitama

https://www.sports-reference.com/cfb/pl ... ama-1.html" target="_blank

Do you see how few attempts there were for Scott and Denker before they were the main guy the whole year. Doesnt mean at all they regressed at all.

Yes Scott had an awful game vs ASU, lets blame RR because people occasionally have bad games.

So Machina, how did they progress, besides being made starter?

How many QBs has RichRod put in the NFL that actually completed a pass? Going back 16 years to WVU.

Merkin wrote:So Machina, how did they progress, besides being made starter?

How many QBs has RichRod put in the NFL that actually completed a pass? Going back 16 years to WVU.

yeah funny how it isn't recognized that no qb has ever really had a sniff at the NFL

The only guy I felt improved was Denker and they just adjusted the offense and the passing game to his noodle arm. Scott ws perfect for this offense and excelled. I do think you are right on why Anu fell off but they never coached him up on how to run the ball and deflect hits. To me that should have been the easiest thing to do. Dawkins has been a complete bust. Doubt anyone could change that motion but what is really worse in my eys is that in four years he still has happy feet. So mush to the point he sails balls all the time.

I get it is different from 3 or 5 steps, turn and throw in a practice drill but he has not improved one bit in his regard. Either he is not coachable ( a real possibility) or most of this is on the coaches (certainly part of it).

RR is still RR. Credit too him for jettising the lame coaches who wouldn't recruit. Credit to him for bringing in Boone and Yates and elevating Amey and improving the quality of the defensive recruits and players we have. It still is apparent though that this year is because we have a new QB who just happens to be unstoppable and in fact IMO is our version of Cam Newton. He has lifted the play of every position group on both sides of the ball.

Good for us, good for RR. I just want to win and as I said I could care less who is the coach as long as we are winning

I agree the RR getting lucky schtick is getting old. You could also point out Trent Green/Kurt Warner. Some people are just better in practice than they are in games. Did he get lucky? Of course. Should we give a shit if it was dumb luck? No.
All I want to do is go a week where we can just be happy with this honeymoon and not have to include the asterisk of "well if Brandon didn't get hurt...". People never thought we'd be where were at. Can we enjoy it please...

I'm thoroughly enjoying it. But I will hammer that asterisk home every day and twice on Saturday.

btfd16 wrote:I agree the RR getting lucky schtick is getting old. You could also point out Trent Green/Kurt Warner. Some people are just better in practice than they are in games. Did he get lucky? Of course. Should we give a shit if it was dumb luck? No.
All I want to do is go a week where we can just be happy with this honeymoon and not have to include the asterisk of "well if Brandon didn't get hurt...". People never thought we'd be where were at. Can we enjoy it please...

No. 3 games doesn't erase the 30 in a row before that that were almost all terrible coaching.

Merkin wrote:So Machina, how did they progress, besides being made starter?

How many QBs has RichRod put in the NFL that actually completed a pass? Going back 16 years to WVU.

Improvement, performance vs offer list and star rating, eye test, wins

Why does it matter if no RR qb went to the nfl?

Miller has no nba superstars so does mean he isn't a good coach?

No Arizona starting QB has progressed under RR. RR offseason system doesn’t allow it. Because there’s always an open competition with split reps. A QB surprises in his first year and slips in their second year and their years. The only ones that improve are those initial

ASUHATER! wrote:

btfd16 wrote:I agree the RR getting lucky schtick is getting old. You could also point out Trent Green/Kurt Warner. Some people are just better in practice than they are in games. Did he get lucky? Of course. Should we give a shit if it was dumb luck? No.
All I want to do is go a week where we can just be happy with this honeymoon and not have to include the asterisk of "well if Brandon didn't get hurt...". People never thought we'd be where were at. Can we enjoy it please...

No. 3 games doesn't erase the 30 in a row before that that were almost all terrible coaching.

we went to a damn Fiesta Bowl not all that long ago. "but they were Stoops guys!" - then I guess the Rams should bring Jeff Fisher back cause these are his players. We had one god awful season in between. 7-6, not great but that year was littered with injuries.

btfd16 wrote:

ASUHATER! wrote:

btfd16 wrote:I agree the RR getting lucky schtick is getting old. You could also point out Trent Green/Kurt Warner. Some people are just better in practice than they are in games. Did he get lucky? Of course. Should we give a shit if it was dumb luck? No.
All I want to do is go a week where we can just be happy with this honeymoon and not have to include the asterisk of "well if Brandon didn't get hurt...". People never thought we'd be where were at. Can we enjoy it please...

No. 3 games doesn't erase the 30 in a row before that that were almost all terrible coaching.

we went to a damn Fiesta Bowl not all that long ago. "but they were Stoops guys!" - then I guess the Rams should bring Jeff Fisher back cause these are his players. We had one god awful season in between. 7-6, not great but that year was littered with injuries.

The ignorance is astounding

If we run the table this year, the coach will flee to his next destination like he tried a few years ago. It will be his best chance to escape with his reputation intact.

When RR has the guy at the helm he looks good, very good. Anu was a very solid QB who made few mistakes and could throw it all over the yard. He just was not RR's guy due to is reluctance to pull it and tote the rock.

You look back at his WVU teams and they were a lot like us, very few position players got drafted. More than ever you can see why he has always said he has been looking for "that guy" at QB. Really sucks that he has struggled recruiting QB's that really fit. Kind oflike Miller with PG's, you scratch your head

FlyonWall wrote:If we run the table this year, the coach will flee to his next destination like he tried a few years ago. It will be his best chance to escape with his reputation intact.

Makes perfect sense to me. Rita hates Tucson, both kids are anti-UofA, the fucking dog hates the heat too from what I hear.......

So, who do we go after since Rich is bailing on us?

FlyonWall wrote:If we run the table this year, the coach will flee to his next destination like he tried a few years ago. It will be his best chance to escape with his reputation intact.

I'll help pack his bags and even donate my hotels.com free nights for what it's worth.

Best case scenario IMO. We would've kicked ass enough for RR to be hired elsewhere.

I dont get it, if RR runs the table or only loses one more game, why would we want him gone? Just personal stuff?

who actually think we're finishing 12-2 this year?