Mike Riley needs the blocking to improve.
First, here’s a link to my column on Sunday about spring practice. And here’s a link to my notebook on the running game.
Here are Oregon State football coach Mike Riley‘s final thoughts at the conclusion of spring practice on Saturday.
What are your thoughts on the QBs?
“Cody Vaz really stepped up and had a great spring. Sean (Mannion) had some of the best learning moments of his life this spring. He got some knowledge about the season. He has a lot of confidence.”
What did Mannion learn?
“The coverages we presented him was varied. He saw how to match up our patterns against that.”
What must the QBs improve?
“Guys needed to continue to work on quickening their feet. The more they enhance their quickness, the better life is for quarterbacks. He can get away from the bad guys more quickly. Quarterbacks can also work on quickening their release. That’s a top-two attribute for quarterbacks.”
What else must they do?
“Sean will also spend half of the summer in the film room, and so will Cody. I feel we have two starters. That’s a good thing.
Can Vaz take the starting job?
“There’s a definite 1 and 2. You are always one play away from playing with the second string quarterback. You have to feel confident in him going in and running the game, and winning games And I think he is.”
WR Obum Gwacham was thrown to a lot Saturday, will he be used more?
“Obum was the favorite target in spring practice. He played two positions and was all over the place. He is coming along.
Your thoughts on RB Storm Woods?
“I think he’s extremely explosive and a good athlete. He’s one of the two best receivers and the best route runner (out of the backfield). He’s up there in versatility. Where he has to go is know who to block. That’s a factor to be an all-around guy. That has to be part of your repertoire.”
And RB Malcolm Agnew?
“If Malcolm could do that (pass block) he could be that every down guy.”
Any disappointment in the spring?
I’m not disappointed. I have knowledge where we need to go. We have to block better. They worked hard and made improvements. When we get to the fall camp it’s the same. We have to do better blocking. That has to be a step up.”
41 comments
floridabeav says:
Apr 30, 2012
Cliff: If you were the reporter who asked Riley about Obum, thanks.
Rick says:
Apr 30, 2012
I like that Riley is building up Vaz to be a potential starter if and when needed, but he’s clearly delineating the #1 and #2 spot. Other thoughts: I can’t wait to see some additional OL in there.
floridabeav says:
Apr 30, 2012
One way to help Vaz is whenever there is a blowout, one way or the other, is to give the kid some playing time. Riley can talk all he wants to about the backup having the discipline and confidence to be ready at a moment’s notice, but it makes more sense to give the guy some game day reps when the outcome is no longer in question. It is done with other positions on the field, why not QB.
BeaverDon says:
Apr 30, 2012
Sound like Riley is setting up Mannion and Vaz for reply of the Katz and Mannion show from last season.
BeaverDon says:
Apr 30, 2012
Sound like Riley is setting up Mannion and Vaz for replay of the Katz and Mannion show from last season.
bbb says:
Apr 30, 2012
i thought riley had passed away based on the title of this entry.
OS_Beaver says:
Apr 30, 2012
I am starting to see Utah St.’s Gary Andersen as an attractive option to replace Riley (short of 7 wins) next year. He runs a good offense with fast skill players, including at QB, uses spread elements and also was defensive coordinator at Utah in 2008 when they won the Sugar Bowl and finished #2 in the nation. One could argue he is better than Whittingham. I believe he is. Bray could be kept to coach linebackers if Andersen likes the idea. Justin Wilcox is another option but Andersen is a proven talent that is ready for primetime. He will relish big game wins and get us a QB who can escape pressure with the run. Riley can join the staff at Western Oregon as assistant head coach. I don’t think even they would make him head coach.
Tagup says:
Apr 30, 2012
Let’s see….As a head coach, he had 1 yr at Southern Utah and is going into his 4th year at Utah St. His best year was last year going 7-6 and losing to Ohio in the Potato bowl.The two previous seasons were 4-8. This is the guy you choose to replace Riley?….. That is laughable!
OS_Beaver says:
Apr 30, 2012
He inherited a program in shambles. He is trending up and watch his QBs. They are athletic and mobile which is something OSU could use. He had Auburn on the ropes in Week 1 last year in the heart of SEC territory with War Eagle flying around and everything. That tells me he can start fast and not start the season in Week 4 like Riley does just about every year to begin the season with a thud.
Wilcox is sexier and great for the next image we desperately need to have at OSU. Andersen is likely to continue to trend up though. He has a better offensive philosophy for today’s Pac-12 and he knows defense too.
Tagup says:
Apr 30, 2012
Oh..he inherited a program in shambles and he took it all the way to 7-6 in a much lower caliber league…. does his first winning season constitue a “trend”? He had Auburn on the ropes…he should use that line in his interview. So he will have better QB’s than Riley….DA, Matt Moore,Canfield and now Mannion……I’m not so sure about that.
Your research is weak and your talking points don’t pass the smell test…and the jab about Western Oregon is just another cheap shot at Riley. Small time comments from a guy with an ax to grind, won’t sell your site….
OS_Beaver says:
Apr 30, 2012
Moving forward possibilities and outcomes:
Gary Andersen, avg 7.33 wins a year, medium+ sexiness, spread elements w/ fast QB
Justin Wilcox, avg 7 wins a year, sexy branding hire of upcomer who will sell tickets
Mike Riley, avg 4.2 wins a year, non-sexy, only 2000 for a spring semi-scrimmage
OS_Beaver says:
Apr 30, 2012
Oregon State: Plan for 2013
http://beaverbyte.com
bbb says:
Apr 30, 2012
Tagup doesnt understand much. he is in the tank for riley no matter what anyone says. a young coach on the way up is far more attractive than 2 stiffs (riley, banker) playing out the string.
Tagup says:
Apr 30, 2012
and with you it’s anyone is better than Riley……two losing (4-6) seasons and one 7-6 season and he’s the guy to lead OSU to the BCS….wow. talk about rolling the dice.
orb says:
Apr 30, 2012
How True! Tagup is the most glass half-full(in his case totally full) person you will ever encounter. No matter what the problems are with this program(8-16 the last two years, losing to the 3 worst teams in the league in 2010), everything is just fine according to Tagup. Gotta admire(sort of)his unflagging optimism but it just isn’t realistic. If all Beaver fans were like him 3-9 or 4-8 would be just fine every year. No doubt he even saw a silver lining after Sac State, losers to Portland State. Pretty unbelievable!
Pos0x45 says:
Apr 30, 2012
Thank god for Tagup. Brings a breath of fresh air to a board cluttered with the smell of negative Nancy armchair coaching wizards.
osushaner says:
Apr 30, 2012
I agree with the post above! The comment section on this board is ALL Negative. 99% of all people that read the comment section of a Corvallis Newspaper about Beaver Football are the DIE HARD fans of The Beavs.
We all understand that our O-line has been bad for a few years AND that we have NO depth at DT or DE. We understand that you hate Riley and his ‘aw shucks’ coaching. We got it the first time when you say that Langsdorf needs to be fired or give up Play calling. Enough.
Repeating it on here does not help. I think most of us rather live a life of optimism. I mean looking at replacements for Riley in April? Are you serious? get a life
GO BEAVS!
BeaverDon says:
Apr 30, 2012
osushaner,
What flavor is that Kool-Aid you are drinking
So.Or.Aaron says:
Apr 30, 2012
Kudos to OS_Beaver for being ahead of the curve. Sometimes saying things before they are en vogue get you criticized.
I truly believe come about October the narrative is going to be about replacing Riley, and all the naysayers will then be on the bandwagon.
At this point there is nothing that indicates this team is improving. Yet there are multiple signs that their old demons are still very much alive…
Tagup says:
Apr 30, 2012
If next season is not better, then I will join you in calling for new leadership….but I am not a supporter of change unless the change is an upgrade. The so-called expert above is not “ahead of the curve” he cannot support his point with fact and then adds an insult to a man that has earned respect from most of the top football people in the country. It’s bush league journalism….
pfbeaver says:
Apr 30, 2012
I’m expecting a better season that we had last season, but still it will be a long climb from there back to seriously competing for the pac-12. So.. Cliff year after year you’ve covered spring ball, and your reports are usually optimistic. How do you think this springs body of work stacks up against the previous two years? Should we as beaver fans be expecting a slightly positive turn in the program?
-thanks
dunerat says:
Apr 30, 2012
Give it up, unless OSU only wins 2 games next year there won’t be a change. Riley still has a solid 2 years left. They will go with the youth movement again next year, especially in the OL. And because of their poor conditioning they will have enough key injuries for excuses.(divert blame). I mentioned Gary Anderson here after last season as an interesting coach. If they do have another losing season this year. Maybe we can trade Langdorf and Cav. for Anderson and his OL Coach. With the Idea of replacing Riley down the road. OSU just can’t afford to buy out Riley at this time so give it up. I spent some time in Logan Utah on Campus in 2004. And believe me, Anderson has done an amazing job.If you think its hard to recruit to Corvallis, Logan is something else.
beaverboy says:
Apr 30, 2012
Listen up everybody tagup is right. Beavers had 2 shots in a row at the rosebowl just 33 months ago. We have 2 solid qbs. we have more talent at the skilled positions than we have had in a few years. The wr this year are just ridiculously good and deep. Rb is solid with a big boy coming in this fall. Our secondary looks like it should dominate. the defensive ends and linebackers are all doing great. just maybe our line will stay healthy and then what? What are you all gonna say when the beavs end up in the holiday bowl? Alamo bowl? Rose bowl? Ok that’s a stretch:)
Beavrob says:
Apr 30, 2012
I agree. I understand and I share some of the gripes and concerns posted here, but as you pointed out, there are plenty of reasons for optimism. If this team stays healthy, they will be poised to be the surprise team of the Pac-12. However, depth at DT, corner and O-line remain serious concerns. I’m already looking forward to fall camp to see how it will pan out. Go Beavs!
So.Or.Aaron says:
May 1, 2012
The shots at the Rose Bowl were a fluke. We all know it. We won a few we shouldn’t have, and the PAC-10 was really messed up. We certainly were no wonder team.
I’ll shut my mouth now until Fall. (I certainly hope I’m wrong, but I’m just analyzing facts, not emotion.)
bone says:
May 1, 2012
regardless we were there with a shot and almost pulled it off. Yeah we may have won some games we weren’t suppose to, but we lost some we should have won also.
Beavrob says:
May 1, 2012
Really?? The shots at the Rose Bowl happened two consecutive years, this following two consecutive 9+ win seasons and Top 3 Pac-10 finishes – that right there disqualifies these Rose Bowls runs as a fluke, your comment has no basis in fact. What facts are you analyzing? Looks like emotion to me, not facts.
rileysachump says:
May 1, 2012
The Rodgers Bros. were responsible for 70% of it. I am a senior at OSU and I can’t wait for Riley to go away. He is worn out and washed up. He didn’t even make anything of note with all the Rodgers Bros. sweat and effort either. The final result was nothing special. Losing badly in Las Vegas. Riley is keeping the program from becoming anything better at this point. Hang em up coach. Free OSU.
So.Or.Aaron says:
May 2, 2012
This kids got it figured out… Part of the “fluke” was Indeed the Rodgers bros.
bone says:
Apr 30, 2012
Yeah, I also agree that we shouldn’t be looking for a replacement in April, but if we have a season similar to last (which dont think will happen) then maybe we start looking for new leadership.
OS02 says:
May 1, 2012
os beaver, bbb & rileysachump……REALLY?? Apparently these are the experts on beaver football and the wizards of coaching. Nope, they sound more like duck trolls to me. What OSU needs now is support and growth from their fan base not continued negativity. Check Riley’s experience as a coach: db’s, qb’s, offensive and defensive coordinator, HC experience on 3 different levels(college, CFL, NFL), pac-10 coach of the year 08′…..You dont all of a sudden get dumb at coaching. Do your homework boys and for pete sake…..SUPPORT YOUR BEAVERS!!!!!!!!!!!
fahlgren says:
May 2, 2012
So Riley’s experience means everything? It is possible his experience wil actually his downfall. He has experience running his offense/defense, but if other teams have schemed to beat these what good does that experience do for us? So did Riley all of a sudden get dumb? No, but maybe everyone else got smart in the meantime.
Also, I am soooo tired of the “if you are not with us, you are against us” mentality of some. I am a Beaver fan, I can be optimistic, or critical, or whatever I want. If you choose to be an optimist, the good for you.
Tagup says:
May 2, 2012
Yes, as a fan you can (and should) be critical and lobby for change, but I think there also needs to be support for the program as well. There are posters here that continually insult and disrespect players and coaching staff just because they can. The fact is: for 2012 this is the team and staff that will represent OSU football. Does making the ridiculous remark that “Western Oregon wouldn’t even hire Riley” help the program in any way? Does rehashing the Sac St loss inspire fans to support OSU?
I for one enjoy football related topics as long as the discussion is fair and balanced and not just a vehicle to inflame readers or lure them to a different web site…..
fahlgren says:
May 2, 2012
Fair enough.
mike says:
May 1, 2012
If you look back to the original press conference the goals laid out for Riley were a) always be in the top half of the conference and b) consistently challenge for the conference championship.
Has he done that? If he has not has he fixed why that is not happened?
I think Mike Riley as a person is an extraordinary example of what I want Oregon State to be. But he has not been hired as a representative of Oregon State, he has been hired as the football coach. That means winning, and beating the crap out of the ducks at every opportunity.
angry says:
May 2, 2012
Richie Harrington is the best QB on the roster.
Tagup says:
May 2, 2012
Why?
angry says:
May 3, 2012
Watch his film. He throws effortlessly and accurately with a tight spiral and perfect rhythm. ?He’s a natural. I rarely get behind walk-ons, but Harrington is very good. He’ll likely never see the field due to the politics of athletics (e.g. Ryan Allen part 2)…
OSUSupporter says:
May 3, 2012
Seems to me that a good coach will do one of two things to be successful:
1. Recruit players that optimize his football philosophy, like a pro-set for example.
2. Create a system or philosophy that optimizes the players he actually has or can get.
NikeU could not successfully recruit skill players that could run an effective pro-set offense in past years so they smartly transformed their offense to the “veer” which had less a reliance on big strong offensive linemen. That led to the “spread” and the rest is history.
Riley has constantly proven he cannot recruit top tier pro-set players so he should change his style to fit the players that he can recruit. It is his stubbornness to change the offense from what he knows that holds us back. He will get us back to “better than average” (top half of Pac12) but he has proven he cannot get us to the top. The fact is he has NEVER had a team that had fewer than FOUR losses in any year. No championship team will ever have 4 losses.
I say he needs to change his philosophy to fit the players we have to be successful. Only then will we see our Beavers compete for championships.
Beavrob says:
May 3, 2012
What philosophy would you suggest?
Tagup says:
May 3, 2012
I sort of agree…..I think Riley has recruited top players at times just not consistantly….two years in a row the beavers were one win away from the Rose Bowl and had a good string of 8-9 win seasons, so it can be successful. The 4 loss statistic is skewed by the strength of early season opponents. I see no advantage to difficult early season schedules they keep you out of bowl games as we have shown. One point I will agree with is Riley’s stubbornness in not changing his systems. I feel the pro set offense in not the problem, it’s more related to the defensive side of the ball. A 3-4 or other variation at least part of the time would certainly help defend the spread attacks now in use. It could also help OSU cover areas (like DT) where they don’t have as much depth.