An Excerpt From This Morning's Cougar Sports Weekly
by Jeff Nusser on Oct 31, 2011 10:52 AM PDT
in Cougar Sports Weekly
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I went back and looked at when the Cougars have been successful at turning their red zone opportunities into touchdowns and when they've struggled to convert, starting with the mess against UCLA. Marshall Lobbestael's interceptions on Saturday notwithstanding, being around the 20 itself isn't necessarily a problem for the Cougars; it's when the get around the 10 that things really start to become difficult.
This doesn't make WSU unique, by the way. The reason the red zone becomes difficult for teams is because the field is compressed. It's why teams that can run effectively to the tune of four and five yards a carry tend to be much more effective in the red zone. Of course, this isn't the Cougars. They're not yet a punishing rushing attack, and can't just run the ball straight ahead three times once they get to the 10 and expect to get in the end zone. In fact, this is exactly what caused them to stall out against UCLA. Instead, they're left to try and throw the ball into those exceptionally small windows, and they tend to struggle.
I'm not going to presume that I'm smarter than offensive coordinator Todd Sturdy on this one and tell him what he should do. Obviously, he's thought a lot more about how to get this team to be effective near the goal line than I have. Still, I did a little research on effective red zone strategies, and here are some ideas you might see the Cougars try to use in an effort to convert more trips inside the opponent's 10 yard line into touchdowns.
And a little more from a breakdown of Mike Ladd:
With his size (6-foot-5) and shooting ability, Ladd will be the primary candidate to replace at least some of Thompson's scoring production. He doesn't pass like Thompson, but if he can marry that sophomore three-point shot with the freshman two-point conversion, Ladd should ease some of the pain of losing Klay early to the NBA Draft.
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Finally getting some action with a tight end*
gives me hope that the offense might have a few more options in the red zone over the course of the next four games. As long as the QB makes good decisions, of course.
*That was intentional.
Cougar Athletic Supporter
by B-Lot on Oct 31, 2011 11:03 AM PDT reply actions 3 recs
Lobster will be ok
I don’t expect him to make the same mistakes this week. The red zone disasters at UCLA weren’t as much on him as the play calling and pass dropping. We are going to be fine tuned and ready to go Satrurday.
Here is a tip
Jokes are funnier when they aren’t explained
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Nov 1, 2011 8:24 AM PDT up reply actions
Thats a shame
I miss *REAL* Four Loko
by B-Lot tailgater on Nov 1, 2011 9:39 AM PDT up reply actions
Cougar Kool-aid
Hard to think the Cougs will do any better than a 13 point loss. Cal will come out angry after getting spanked by UCLA. That alone is bad news for our boys.
4th quarter
I think we will come down to the end of the game and the Cougs will have to put together a scoring drive for a win or make a stop. You may be right about Cal coming out mad, but we have something to prove too. At least that is what I hope the team’s mentality is. Who knows? They may be patting each other on the butt all week for playing Oregon “tough.”
Cougars 35
Cal 31
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