Talk is cheap. Saturday’s 21-10 loss to Washington proves that point. Earlier this week, Mike Stoops said this was the biggest game since he’d been at Arizona. He was right. Too bad his team didn’t get the memo.
This game was not lost on the field as much as it was upstairs, in the minds of the players. Washington came out with a confident, almost cocky swagger that said, “We’re here to win this game.” Arizona looked as uninspired as, well, as they did the last time out against Washington. For all the talk we’ve heard over the last year about how this team is learning to win games and play with a winning attitude, this game proved again that all the talk is simply that – talk.
To their credit, the Wildcats fought hard on defense for three quarters. Unfortunately, not showing up mentally for one quarter was all the Huskies needed to put this game away. Winning attitudes show up for the whole game.
As far as the offense goes, they have yet to show up this year. Sure, they made a few plays but for every one play they successfully executed, they ran two more that negated the good one. If Canales wants to keep his job after the season, he better turn to page 2 of the playbook – fast.
At this point, let me bid the fair weather fans good bye. I’m sorry you were misled and got excited for nothing. Do us all a favor and don’t come back next year or any year.
For those of us who will follow every snap of this team win or lose until the season’s end, take heart. While our bowl chances took a serious hit against Washington, they are not completely gone. ASU, a game that initially looked tough on the schedule, may be a winnable game. (A side note: the highlight of my day was watching Oregon throttle the Scum Devils. I love the blank stare on Dirk Koetter’s face.) Perhaps we can substitute a win in that game for the loss in this one. But let’s not get ahead of ourselves. This team faces an October where they must win three out of four games if they want to even think about going bowling. And in case you missed it, Washington St. (a game we have to have) only lost 28-22 to USC.
Since I know what many of the fans will be saying after a performance like this, let me throw out a few questions for people to talk about. I’m not going to answer them right now, but I may come back to them later.
Will Mike Stoops, just Mike Canales, or both be gone at the end of the season?
Can Willie Tuitama make it through the entire season if he continues to get hit 10-15 times a game?
Is there any hope for the offensive line?
Does this team still have a shot at a bowl game?
Come up with an articulate response and let us all know what you think. Maybe in a few days I’ll post my thoughts. Until then, Bear Down Arizona!
I’ll answer those questions but I don’t think it needs any articulating…
1.) Stoops probably won’t get fired-but should. Canales will get fired, but of course Mike probably has one more Stoops brother somewhere out there to replace him…
2.) Willie T won’t even remember his name or where he lives if he continually gets hit that many times.
3.) No hope for the offensive “dotted” line. Too slow, not athletic enough, not strong enough. Even Madden couldn’t find anything nice to say about this bunch…
4.) The only bowl game they have a shot at is the Perennial Cellar Dweller Bowl. They probably share it with Stanford though in the end.
— Jerry 10/01/2006 06:43 AM #
To comment on the Tuitama question:
It really does not matter if Tuitama finishes out the season in terms of this team winning or not.
While he has a big arm, he has absolutely ZERO touch. I can only remember one QB who has been successful on the college level with big arm, no touch…John Elway.
Last night he overthrew Thomas on at least two occasions when Thomas had broken free by at least three steps past the secondary.
How many times has he had receivers open over the middle in the 5-10 yard range that he has missed badly because he has no control over his 100 mph fastball.
If you look at QB’s with big arms, Leftwich, when he was at Marshall, could throw the deep routes, but also could lay the ball into his receivers in the mid and short range passes.
Randall Cunningham, at UNLV, probably the strongest arm I’ve ever seen, could heave a 70+ yard pass, but could also hit the underneath routes.
Elway, when he became a pro couldn’t throw the ball short to save his life and he toiled in sharing time with Steve DeBerg until he learned to throw with touch. I remember having dinner with Vance Johnson in Denver during his rookie year and he held his hand up to show me what it was like to catch passes from Elway day after day. Three of his fingers pointed to the Northwest after having been dislocated time and again from catching his 100 mph fastball. Three years later, Vance said it was like catching passes from an entirely different QB. Not suprisingly, Elways completion pct. went up to over 63%.
Bottom line, unless UA can find a coach who can truly coach QB’s, Tuitama has no chance at succeeding here and definitely has no chance at NFL after his junior year.
To parlay it to golf:
Big Arm for show, Touch for dough!
— Rick 10/01/2006 07:29 AM #
For whatever reason we did not get it done. The plays did not get excuted at the proper time. Dropped passes, dropped interceptions, missed blocks and tackles, missed reads and missed PLAY CALLING. Stoops is solid and good for the program, but he made one mistake. He simply is along for the ride offesively. Three issues. 1) The play calling is bad.Canales will be done at the end of the season unless something huge happens.
It is so predictable. Each team this season you were not able to predict the next play. We were off balance. Why do we continue to run iso’s, powers, counters up the middle on passing situations setting up a even lower probable 3rd down situation? Why do we not go shotgun more and maybe set up the run by the pass? Why do not we try to get the ball to our speedy receivers more by some tossses, pitches or trickery to try to get outside with our speed? 2) Why do we have such a inexperienced line? At least 3 freshman start and the new coaches have been here for 3 seasons. Wheres the depth? And again why don’t we call shotgun more on passing situations alowing Tuitama more time instead of wasting time in a 5 or 7 yard drop?
And get rid of the bootleg. It worked one time in his first game. How many yards have we lost on that play? 3) Here it goes- And if you don’t like this one, you can read my other response to response to letter to Tuitama about getting your orange slice, juice cup, and allergy free nuts after each game. Tuitama is not what we were sold and is not our Bowl quarterback. He does show a strong arm at times. He has no mobility, can not shake 1 defender, has not showed any touch, throws into double coverage, throws to receivers who are not at the first down marker on a crucial play, does not get rid of the ball quick enough on a large sack coming and does not make big plays. We need to recruit a JUCO quarterback that can play right away. I’m sure I’ll hear that he’s only 19 and a sophmore. He needs time for maturation. But either your the package or not. In the 5 games this season , he has not been the top quarterback on the field.And SFA doesn’t count. We need a playmaker, we were sold a “sell” to bring in revenue for the University only to not deliver.
And a final note: Where are our leaders? Who are our leaders? Do we have leaders? Will someone please step up? Show some emotion? Loose a little composure only to motivate.
— G-MAN 10/01/2006 08:07 AM #
A Day in the Life of Mike Canales.
September 28th, 2006
7am: Wake up and thinks to himself, “How do I lose today? Willie has loads of talent. How do I hamstring him? Mike Tomas and Steptoe are gamebreakers. How do I undermine them?”
9am: Coaches meeting, making a pitch to Mike Stoops.
Canales, “Coach Stoops, I believe that we have a great oppertunity here! We have had a losing record the past 2 years and the fans are still coming out and nearly filling the stadium in year 3. I believe that we can make Arizona Football in the PAC 10 like the Cubs are to the NL Central! The lovable losers! What do you think?”
Stoops, “Well Mike, I came to Arizona to win, the defense is in place, Willie has a strong arm, and the fans want to see us win. So I am against that. Mark, good job with the Defense. Mike, Arizona has to beat Washington. In fact, I am going to address the media and tell them that this is a must win game. Got that?”
Canales, “Got it!”, while thinking to himself, “How to undermine Coach Stoops?”.
noon: Lunch time
1pm: counting money, some online banking, web surfing on Phillip Rivers.
5:30pm: Practice.
Willie, “Coach Canales, I am getting sacked a lot, can I take the play you give me and it there is nothing there, create?”
Canales, “No! I am the decider. You run the plays I give you, its my way or the highway. Besides, I don’t want you getting hurt on a scramble. Besides, your quick out passes are great! Throwing down field is just nothing but trouble for the other team. I mean, its just trouble with no run.”
Willie, “Ok coach, I believe in your system. Quick out passes, no scrambling on busted plays, if I have an open field in front of me, just take the sack. Got it!”
Steptoe and Tomas approach Canales about getting the ball more since there is no run.
Canales, “We have to run before we can pass. You guys are decoys for our great running ability! The plan is for you guys to get the ball 5 yards at a time. If you get more than that, then that is just gravey for the system.”
Steptoe and Tomas, “ok coach.”
The offensive line approaches Canales and asks him, “What are we doing wrong, why have we not been getting better the past 4 games?”
Canales, “Last week, I showed you guys a mirror before the USC game, to look at yourselves. Now, look at my belt. If you don’t buckel down, the weight of the world will come down and split your pants. Now buckle down. I have to find some shade and put my feet up.”
The O-line, “ok coach.”
Stoops approaches, “Have you got the offensive problems fixed?”
Canales, “I sure did! In fact, they are going to buckel down and have a big game this week. I have spoken to everyone, and they all believe in my system.” While thinking to himself, “My system of losing…. Go Cubs! I mean, Slow Cats!”
8pm: Checks his online bank account.
10pm: Goes to bed, dreaming about losing another game with a smile.
This team has talent, but lacks an offensive coordinator with vision and a passion to win. I believe in the kids on the field, horrible play calling and a lack of development on the offensive line are a few factors killing this team. These are good kids, and I hate seeing them lose because Mike Canales calls plays to lose.
— Big Jon 10/01/2006 11:19 AM #
Weak offense line + and immobile QB = a sad season. I don’t care how much a team wants to win or how well the coaching staff scouts out the competition, a team with a weak O line and a slow footed QB can not hope to compete. This has been the same scenario for thee years running. Even on days like last week when the D played well, it doesn’t have much incentive to fight game in and game out when it knows that the O can’t move the ball and score.
— J. Ridgway 10/01/2006 11:51 AM #
Looks like you gave Southern Cal a good game. Surprising you sputtered against Wazzu. Take a look at UCLA, we aren’t doing much better. I think the loser of our game with you will go on to have a horrible season. It will make for a desperate game.
— DumpDorrell 10/01/2006 09:11 PM #
hey Brandon … please contact us. We’d like to get your thoughts on the coming game. Thanks.
— DumpDorrell 10/01/2006 09:14 PM #
Those seismic tremors you felt at various times over the weekend throughout the state were just everyone jumping off the Wildcat, Sun Devil and Cardinal bandwagons at once. It’s simple: when Stoops and his staff COACH and TEACH as well as they RECRUIT the program will turn around. Until then, UA will remain(except for Smith, Young and Tomey) a graveyard for football coaches.
— RJ Rants 10/02/2006 06:51 AM #
Hey why don’t the Cats change their offensive philosophy, with it’s core of good receivers and Willie Tuitama’s arm strength, establish the passing game to set up the running game…. Oh, wait, their O-Line can’t block anybody, nevermind, wait til next year.
— Kiki Peraza 10/02/2006 08:59 AM #
What’s up with the Gman comments?? That guy sounds like he is a former Dorado or something like that.
Anyway, the Cat’s body language shows that they aren’t confident with the play calling. It’s almost like they know the play isn’t going to work even before they run it.
Secondly, is our O line so pitiful that our tight ends are having to stay in to block? I can’t believe we don’t go to them more or even have a running back open as a safety valve.
— VMan 10/02/2006 09:11 AM #
I was thinking that another 3-8 campaign was out of the question heading into the season, now I’m trying to figure out where our next win is going to come from. Please let be be an upset of tempe normal.
The o-line continues to bury us, instead of the great Desert Swarm moniker of the early ‘90’s, how about nick naming this team .38 Special?
There are some extremely winnable games the rest of the season, hope the Cats can turn it around.
— Button Salmon 10/02/2006 09:46 AM #
The problem is coaching and preparation. We are unprepared and out-coached each week. I don’t buy the excuse that, “We don’t have the players.” If that is true, then all recruiting services (Rivals et al.) are worthless. Except of course when it comes to evaluating every other highschool/JC player in the country. The players we have hung with SC for 3 quarters and beat BYU, but when that same team gets humiliated, it’s, “We don’t have the players yet.” This coaching staff can recruit, but it can’t gameplan or make adjustments. This team looks totally unprepared each week. No motivation, poor execution in basic football fundamentals, and a total lack of preparation for the upcoming opponent, week in and week out. From the start of the season, we had the players we needed to win six games and be competitive in the rest, we just didn’t have the coaches.
— W. Wildcat 10/02/2006 10:50 AM #
VMan-
You must be from the other side of the river? Regardless, great points.
Why don’t we throw to the tight ends more? You would think Canales would think that would be a excellent option because its a quicker, shorter route that is probably more compatable with the timing Tuitama has. Hence with the running backs.
I think the play calling offensively has to do with the sinking confidence. The 2nd down play calling is horrible. I mean, when there is a iso, counter, or power called from which is so predictable that it fails setting up a 3rd and obtainable, it gets a little depressing.
We need to mix it up, be creative, go for it, do something off balanced, go outside the box, try a trick play…something. How about a trap back to Steptoe? A reverse to Thomas? A toss to Johnson?
We need(want) a win. Perhaps we can try something different than what has been the norm to this point.
I have painfully seen this nightmare several times in the past….days of Ortege Jenkins keeping ball and running up the middle. I use to cringe everytime the announcer would say “Jenkins on the keeper” because you knew it meant a loss of yards.
We have great D, speed at WR and tailback positions, big TEs that we never use. We should be passing to these backs out of the backfield, defintely hitting big target TEs(Wood McCall, Bell) and more slant patterns with our speedy wideouts. Instead all we get is Tuitama running for his life and our speedy RBs getting stuffed up middle or attempting to break outside.
We have had so many big TEs from Mike Lucky, Brandon Manumaleuna, and now to Wood, McCall, Bell that never get used. What is up with that?
— Charles 10/03/2006 10:07 AM #
Everyone is frustrated with this team and it’s really magnified because we’ve been so lousy the past few years. We blame the coach; the offensive coordinator, etc. But at some point – the players themselves have to be accountable. I think everybody agrees that we are not a great offensive force – but within those few opportunties that we get – how does a QB miss a wide open receiver? Or how does a open receiver drop a pass? Or how do D-Backs continue to miss tackles? The O-line sometimes – well sometimes it’s just a one on one thing! Deal with it! We all bought that off season hype and expected more from these guys. Makes you wonder what these kids expected? Oh well, they are not playing very well for a lot of reasons but I’ll continue to root for them because they are my team. I just wish when they get their one oppotunity that they complete that one big pass.
— Anthony Leon 10/03/2006 05:17 PM #
It is easy to blame the coaching staff because these recruits came in with high expectations. 2 Top 20 classes in a row, they know how to play football, it comes down to development. I believe the coordinators have to meet each player on their level to elevate their game. The coordinators need to take each players best strength and cultivate it more to overcome and cover their weaknesses. A player will execute what they are taught and play as a team. So far, I have seen play calls that were not the best. Play calls that lead to defeat and undermines the creativity of the players on the field. I see poorly laid out schemes that leave the QB exposed, no faith in Steptoe and Tomas to make the go routes, and confusion on assignments. The coaching staff are the easiest to criticise because they get paid the big bucks to produce, and they are not producing.
I do not blame the players, they have been out coached by Washington, and I do not leave early or boo the team. So far, I believe the Mike Canales should have stayed a quarterback coach.
We have a young coach and a developing staff. Maybe they ought to bring in Mike Candrea to coach the coaches. He is consistently a Ncaa power and maybe he could teach them leadership ,recruiting and establishing a winning attitude.
— Dick 10/04/2006 01:58 PM #
We cannot afford it, but if we could, we should select a coaching staff that knows a few things about motivating young men. Also, wouldn’t it help if they could demonstrate they know a few things about college football?
Too bad it cost us so much to let go of Toomey and Mackovic, and Stoops contract doesn’t end until 2010.
Livengood is the one without a long-term contract. His miserable judgment shows he should be the next to go,
as a statement on expectations about excellence.
— RayBay 10/08/2006 09:38 AM #
1.) Stoops probably won’t get fired-but should. Canales will get fired, but of course Mike probably has one more Stoops brother somewhere out there to replace him…
2.) Willie T won’t even remember his name or where he lives if he continually gets hit that many times.
3.) No hope for the offensive “dotted” line. Too slow, not athletic enough, not strong enough. Even Madden couldn’t find anything nice to say about this bunch…
4.) The only bowl game they have a shot at is the Perennial Cellar Dweller Bowl. They probably share it with Stanford though in the end.
— Jerry 10/01/2006 06:43 AM #
It really does not matter if Tuitama finishes out the season in terms of this team winning or not.
While he has a big arm, he has absolutely ZERO touch. I can only remember one QB who has been successful on the college level with big arm, no touch…John Elway.
Last night he overthrew Thomas on at least two occasions when Thomas had broken free by at least three steps past the secondary.
How many times has he had receivers open over the middle in the 5-10 yard range that he has missed badly because he has no control over his 100 mph fastball.
If you look at QB’s with big arms, Leftwich, when he was at Marshall, could throw the deep routes, but also could lay the ball into his receivers in the mid and short range passes.
Randall Cunningham, at UNLV, probably the strongest arm I’ve ever seen, could heave a 70+ yard pass, but could also hit the underneath routes.
Elway, when he became a pro couldn’t throw the ball short to save his life and he toiled in sharing time with Steve DeBerg until he learned to throw with touch. I remember having dinner with Vance Johnson in Denver during his rookie year and he held his hand up to show me what it was like to catch passes from Elway day after day. Three of his fingers pointed to the Northwest after having been dislocated time and again from catching his 100 mph fastball. Three years later, Vance said it was like catching passes from an entirely different QB. Not suprisingly, Elways completion pct. went up to over 63%.
Bottom line, unless UA can find a coach who can truly coach QB’s, Tuitama has no chance at succeeding here and definitely has no chance at NFL after his junior year.
To parlay it to golf:
Big Arm for show, Touch for dough!
— Rick 10/01/2006 07:29 AM #
It is so predictable. Each team this season you were not able to predict the next play. We were off balance. Why do we continue to run iso’s, powers, counters up the middle on passing situations setting up a even lower probable 3rd down situation? Why do we not go shotgun more and maybe set up the run by the pass? Why do not we try to get the ball to our speedy receivers more by some tossses, pitches or trickery to try to get outside with our speed? 2) Why do we have such a inexperienced line? At least 3 freshman start and the new coaches have been here for 3 seasons. Wheres the depth? And again why don’t we call shotgun more on passing situations alowing Tuitama more time instead of wasting time in a 5 or 7 yard drop?
And get rid of the bootleg. It worked one time in his first game. How many yards have we lost on that play? 3) Here it goes- And if you don’t like this one, you can read my other response to response to letter to Tuitama about getting your orange slice, juice cup, and allergy free nuts after each game. Tuitama is not what we were sold and is not our Bowl quarterback. He does show a strong arm at times. He has no mobility, can not shake 1 defender, has not showed any touch, throws into double coverage, throws to receivers who are not at the first down marker on a crucial play, does not get rid of the ball quick enough on a large sack coming and does not make big plays. We need to recruit a JUCO quarterback that can play right away. I’m sure I’ll hear that he’s only 19 and a sophmore. He needs time for maturation. But either your the package or not. In the 5 games this season , he has not been the top quarterback on the field.And SFA doesn’t count. We need a playmaker, we were sold a “sell” to bring in revenue for the University only to not deliver.
And a final note: Where are our leaders? Who are our leaders? Do we have leaders? Will someone please step up? Show some emotion? Loose a little composure only to motivate.
— G-MAN 10/01/2006 08:07 AM #
September 28th, 2006
7am: Wake up and thinks to himself, “How do I lose today? Willie has loads of talent. How do I hamstring him? Mike Tomas and Steptoe are gamebreakers. How do I undermine them?”
9am: Coaches meeting, making a pitch to Mike Stoops.
Canales, “Coach Stoops, I believe that we have a great oppertunity here! We have had a losing record the past 2 years and the fans are still coming out and nearly filling the stadium in year 3. I believe that we can make Arizona Football in the PAC 10 like the Cubs are to the NL Central! The lovable losers! What do you think?”
Stoops, “Well Mike, I came to Arizona to win, the defense is in place, Willie has a strong arm, and the fans want to see us win. So I am against that. Mark, good job with the Defense. Mike, Arizona has to beat Washington. In fact, I am going to address the media and tell them that this is a must win game. Got that?”
Canales, “Got it!”, while thinking to himself, “How to undermine Coach Stoops?”.
noon: Lunch time
1pm: counting money, some online banking, web surfing on Phillip Rivers.
5:30pm: Practice.
Willie, “Coach Canales, I am getting sacked a lot, can I take the play you give me and it there is nothing there, create?”
Canales, “No! I am the decider. You run the plays I give you, its my way or the highway. Besides, I don’t want you getting hurt on a scramble. Besides, your quick out passes are great! Throwing down field is just nothing but trouble for the other team. I mean, its just trouble with no run.”
Willie, “Ok coach, I believe in your system. Quick out passes, no scrambling on busted plays, if I have an open field in front of me, just take the sack. Got it!”
Steptoe and Tomas approach Canales about getting the ball more since there is no run.
Canales, “We have to run before we can pass. You guys are decoys for our great running ability! The plan is for you guys to get the ball 5 yards at a time. If you get more than that, then that is just gravey for the system.”
Steptoe and Tomas, “ok coach.”
The offensive line approaches Canales and asks him, “What are we doing wrong, why have we not been getting better the past 4 games?”
Canales, “Last week, I showed you guys a mirror before the USC game, to look at yourselves. Now, look at my belt. If you don’t buckel down, the weight of the world will come down and split your pants. Now buckle down. I have to find some shade and put my feet up.”
The O-line, “ok coach.”
Stoops approaches, “Have you got the offensive problems fixed?”
Canales, “I sure did! In fact, they are going to buckel down and have a big game this week. I have spoken to everyone, and they all believe in my system.” While thinking to himself, “My system of losing…. Go Cubs! I mean, Slow Cats!”
8pm: Checks his online bank account.
10pm: Goes to bed, dreaming about losing another game with a smile.
This team has talent, but lacks an offensive coordinator with vision and a passion to win. I believe in the kids on the field, horrible play calling and a lack of development on the offensive line are a few factors killing this team. These are good kids, and I hate seeing them lose because Mike Canales calls plays to lose.
— Big Jon 10/01/2006 11:19 AM #
— J. Ridgway 10/01/2006 11:51 AM #
— DumpDorrell 10/01/2006 09:11 PM #
— DumpDorrell 10/01/2006 09:14 PM #
— RJ Rants 10/02/2006 06:51 AM #
— Kiki Peraza 10/02/2006 08:59 AM #
Anyway, the Cat’s body language shows that they aren’t confident with the play calling. It’s almost like they know the play isn’t going to work even before they run it.
Secondly, is our O line so pitiful that our tight ends are having to stay in to block? I can’t believe we don’t go to them more or even have a running back open as a safety valve.
— VMan 10/02/2006 09:11 AM #
The o-line continues to bury us, instead of the great Desert Swarm moniker of the early ‘90’s, how about nick naming this team .38 Special?
There are some extremely winnable games the rest of the season, hope the Cats can turn it around.
— Button Salmon 10/02/2006 09:46 AM #
— W. Wildcat 10/02/2006 10:50 AM #
You must be from the other side of the river? Regardless, great points.
Why don’t we throw to the tight ends more? You would think Canales would think that would be a excellent option because its a quicker, shorter route that is probably more compatable with the timing Tuitama has. Hence with the running backs.
I think the play calling offensively has to do with the sinking confidence. The 2nd down play calling is horrible. I mean, when there is a iso, counter, or power called from which is so predictable that it fails setting up a 3rd and obtainable, it gets a little depressing.
We need to mix it up, be creative, go for it, do something off balanced, go outside the box, try a trick play…something. How about a trap back to Steptoe? A reverse to Thomas? A toss to Johnson?
We need(want) a win. Perhaps we can try something different than what has been the norm to this point.
Mas Alla,
GMAN
— GMAN 10/02/2006 09:51 PM #
We have great D, speed at WR and tailback positions, big TEs that we never use. We should be passing to these backs out of the backfield, defintely hitting big target TEs(Wood McCall, Bell) and more slant patterns with our speedy wideouts. Instead all we get is Tuitama running for his life and our speedy RBs getting stuffed up middle or attempting to break outside.
We have had so many big TEs from Mike Lucky, Brandon Manumaleuna, and now to Wood, McCall, Bell that never get used. What is up with that?
— Charles 10/03/2006 10:07 AM #
— Anthony Leon 10/03/2006 05:17 PM #
I do not blame the players, they have been out coached by Washington, and I do not leave early or boo the team. So far, I believe the Mike Canales should have stayed a quarterback coach.
Jon
— Big Jon 10/03/2006 10:00 PM #
— Dick 10/04/2006 01:58 PM #
Too bad it cost us so much to let go of Toomey and Mackovic, and Stoops contract doesn’t end until 2010.
Livengood is the one without a long-term contract. His miserable judgment shows he should be the next to go,
as a statement on expectations about excellence.
— RayBay 10/08/2006 09:38 AM #