Read the transcript of today's chat in the extended portion of this post.

Oct 30 2014, 11:59 AM

Jim: OK, folks, let's talk Eastern sports!

Oct 30 2014, 12:00 PM

Jim: Wake-up question: who's going to join me on Nov. 14, when the Eagles open the basketball season at 8 a.m.?

Oct 30 2014, 12:00 PM Guest8310: What is best case for us to win big sky

Oct 30 2014, 12:02 PM

Jim: Hello: Eastern has several chances to win or share the Big Sky title, more likely the latter. Just win out and hope that Montana State loses one (they have three good chances to do that, starting this week at Cal Poly)

Oct 30 2014, 12:02 PM Ryan_31088: Hi Jim. I live outside the region, so I'll have to decline the basketball invitation.

Oct 30 2014, 12:03 PM

Jim: That's too bad. But they'd better be serving some good coffee.

Oct 30 2014, 12:04 PM Ryan_31088: I have two quick football questions: 1) Would you have kicked? 2) How is the UND o-line?

Oct 30 2014, 12:05 PM

Jim: 1) For sure I would have kicked from the 23-yard line in a dome. McNannay has been very good so far, and even had he missed, NAU still had to go 77 yards. [Delete]

Oct 30 2014, 12:06 PM

Jim: North Dakota's O-line is big - 300 pounds-plus at four of five spots, but how good can they be when they're blocking for the worst offense in the Big Sky?

Oct 30 2014, 12:07 PM

Jim: This is hands-down the Eagle defense's best chance to dominate an opposing defense, especially with UND's No. 1 QB out for the season with an Achilles injury.

Oct 30 2014, 12:07 PM Guest8310: If you had to lay down some $$$, Do you think VA plays in Montana Game?

Oct 30 2014, 12:08 PM

Jim: I wonder if some sportsbook in London has a line on that!

Oct 30 2014, 12:09 PM

Jim: Seriously, I'm getting mixed messages on VA's return. See my story that ran today, where Vernon told me he may "get on the field" this week during practice. On the other hand, he's still in the boot.

Oct 30 2014, 12:10 PM

Jim: Remember, it has been exactly 26 days since the injury - that's on the low end of the 3 to 6 weeks originally projected for Vernon's recovery. By the time Montana arrives in Cheney, we will be at the five-week mark.

Oct 30 2014, 12:11 PM

Jim: Worst-case scenario: VA misses Montana, EWU loses that game and faces a must-win game at PSU with Vernon at full strength.

Oct 30 2014, 12:12 PM

Jim: No way EWU loses this weekend - guaranteed. The score may be 20-10, but I can't imagine UND winning this one.

Oct 30 2014, 12:12 PM Guest8310: I think we better be prepared to go with West and play our asses off. He will have 4 games under his belt by than. It will be a big stage!!

Oct 30 2014, 12:12 PM Ryan_31088: What's up with Jordan West's footwork? It seems like he's always flat footed in the pocket.

Oct 30 2014, 12:14 PM

Jim: West is playing OK. His numbers are declining, which I know must be frustrating to fans, but remember two things: 1) the defenses are getting better, from SUU to UNC to NAU, and now the best two defenses in the league in UND and Montana.; and 2) opponents now have a chance to game-plan for West - something SUU couldn't do.

Oct 30 2014, 12:14 PM Joemon: Sure hoping they simplify the game for JW, he did great his first game but seems to have some timing issues with the longer throws.

Oct 30 2014, 12:15 PM

Jim: West had a lot of overthrows at NAU. The DBs were getting in the receivers' lanes, and he's not mobile enough to extend plays.

Oct 30 2014, 12:15 PM

Jim: In other words, he's not Vernon Adams.

Oct 30 2014, 12:15 PM Guest9615: I would agree with the fact JW's timing seems off

Oct 30 2014, 12:16 PM

Jim: Which really calls into question Baldwin's decision to throw deep on 4th-and-4 with the game on the line.

Oct 30 2014, 12:16 PM Joemon: He does seem to be very fast though. I wouldn't be surprised to see some QB draws or sneeks make some yardage

Oct 30 2014, 12:17 PM

Jim: West is fast when running straight ahead (he had one nice scramble at NAU), but doesn't have Vernon's shiftiness and ability to make people miss.

Oct 30 2014, 12:17 PM Guest9615: yeah, I did not like the play called on the 4th and 4; with VA in there that is the go to play, but not with JW

Oct 30 2014, 12:17 PM Joemon: That 4th down call was not good. Very low percentage type pass, I think Forte would have made the yards or a short pass play would have worked

Oct 30 2014, 12:18 PM

Jim: When they lined up with only West in the backfield,I was thinking short pass.

Oct 30 2014, 12:18 PM Guest9615: Which was the other question I had and that is why not give the ball to Forte on that run? I am not trying to be an arm chair coach, but I did not like that play at all

Oct 30 2014, 12:19 PM

Jim: Four yards is a lot to ask for in that situation; I would have kicked the 40-yard FG.

Oct 30 2014, 12:21 PM Guest9615: I know, again, not trying to second guess the call, but it just seemed completely wrong

Oct 30 2014, 12:22 PM

Jim: Yes, even Baldwin seemed to feel that way after the game. He owned it though, which I thought was pretty classy in the heat of the moment. I don't think fans appreciate the intense emotions at times like that, with the game on the line.

Oct 30 2014, 12:22 PM Guest9615: great to have Forte back and he had an outstanding game.

Oct 30 2014, 12:23 PM

Jim: That's right, and this is a big deal going forward. Forte is 100 percent, and now WR Cory Mitchell is back. All the pieces are back on offense, except one.

Oct 30 2014, 12:23 PM Guest9615: Baldwin is a great coach and I hate to question his calls because they are usually spot on.

Oct 30 2014, 12:24 PM

Jim: Good point!

Oct 30 2014, 12:25 PM Ryan_31088: Any word on defensive injuries?

Oct 30 2014, 12:26 PM

Jim: Safety Todd Raynes (shoulder) is questionable and DE John Goldwire (shoulder) also questionable. Safety Isaiah Jenkins (ankle) is out.

Oct 30 2014, 12:26 PM Guest5903: Still concerned about the "D" play. Need them to really pick it up going forward injuries or not, youth or not.

Oct 30 2014, 12:27 PM

Jim: They started so well at NAU, but the secondary caved in completely on that last series.

Oct 30 2014, 12:28 PM Guest5903: Seems with the Tevon and Rashaad (sp) the secondary would be more mature.

Oct 30 2014, 12:28 PM

Jim: Time for a poll: How many TDs does EWU allow against a UND offense that is statistically the worst in the league?

Oct 30 2014, 12:29 PM Ryan_31088: Three

Oct 30 2014, 12:29 PM Joemon: I'm guessing 2 with a fg

Oct 30 2014, 12:29 PM Guest9615: I am going two

Oct 30 2014, 12:30 PM Guest5903: 3 with 1 long play that leaves us all scratching our heads

Oct 30 2014, 12:30 PM

Jim: I say two, but this is a game where turnovers will be critical. Eastern has to win the field-position battle, as they did early at NAU.

Oct 30 2014, 12:31 PM

Jim: I spoke with several players at practice on Tuesday, and the one emotion I saw was anger.

Oct 30 2014, 12:32 PM

Jim: They were still angry at themselves; there will be no complacency on Saturday, not at a sold-out Roos Field on Homecoming and with everything still to play for.

Oct 30 2014, 12:32 PM Guest9615: I bet as they have worked hard to get to this point and the expectations are high

Oct 30 2014, 12:32 PM Ryan_31088: 35-21

Oct 30 2014, 12:33 PM

Jim: That's a pretty good prediction.

Oct 30 2014, 12:33 PM Joemon: I've noticed that our DL seems to stunt alot which gets them out of position alot. I don't know how many plays I've seen where the DT's are running into each other or they are slow getting off their stance. I really wish they would just play straight up D and let em get after it.

Oct 30 2014, 12:34 PM

Jim: Good point, Joemon. I've seen more stunting too. They were more straight-up the last two years, but perhaps too predictable as well. It's a chess game out there, and I'm certainly no grandmaster!

Oct 30 2014, 12:34 PM Ryan_31088: Anger is great if they do something about it.

Oct 30 2014, 12:36 PM

Jim: North Dakota's offensive numbers are almost laughable. In four conference games, they're averaging 72.5 yards rushing. That's less than ONE-THIRD what Eastern averages, and almost 20 yards fewer than the next-worst team (SUU) in the Big Sky.

Oct 30 2014, 12:38 PM

Jim: UND's total offense is 306.8 yards a game. If they get more than three 75-yard drives for TDs, then something is seriously wrong with the EWU defense. Thoughts?

Oct 30 2014, 12:39 PM Ryan_31088: I think something is seriously wrong with the defense already.

Oct 30 2014, 12:39 PM

Jim: Ouch!

Oct 30 2014, 12:39 PM Guest9615: I was thinking this game could be a good measuring stick of the D

Oct 30 2014, 12:39 PM Joemon: As long as they don't play a prevent they should be fine. The DL is doing better and better so I don't see this happening

Oct 30 2014, 12:40 PM

Jim: Even with the injuries (and six true freshmen seeing action), the line has played fine, IMO.

Oct 30 2014, 12:40 PM Guest5903: At some point our D has to just step up and get some confidence. We are stuck with what we have and without VA....

Oct 30 2014, 12:41 PM

Jim: Now let's talk about the UND defense, which is among the best in the Sky ...

Oct 30 2014, 12:42 PM

Jim: In four conference games, UND is giving up 345 yards a game, second best in the league behind Portland State. They're giving up only 84 yards on the ground, which should be a nice test for Mr. Forte.

Oct 30 2014, 12:43 PM

Jim: I just realized something: in its last three games, Eastern will face the top three defenses in the league (UND, UM, PSU).

Oct 30 2014, 12:43 PM Joemon: Hmmm, have they really played any high powered offenses except MSU & San Jose? I'd be willing to bet EWU gets over 500 this week

Oct 30 2014, 12:43 PM

Jim: They held MSU pretty well in a 29-18 loss.

Oct 30 2014, 12:45 PM Guest5903: Beau will put West in the right situation's. I hope West is ready for a breakout game setting up for the rest of the season

Oct 30 2014, 12:45 PM

Jim: I's sure West hopes so too!

Oct 30 2014, 12:45 PM Joemon: That they did and so far no one has gained over 500 but I have a feeling EWU will get that this weekend

Oct 30 2014, 12:47 PM

Jim: I just checked that box score; a week after torching EWU, the Bobcats were held to 329 yards by UND - and 3 for 13 on third down. That's pretty dominant.

Oct 30 2014, 12:47 PM Ryan_31088: Ok, gotta go. Thanks Jim. Go Eags!

Oct 30 2014, 12:47 PM

Jim: Thanks, Ryan - see you next week!

Oct 30 2014, 12:47 PM Guest6287: Maybe I missed it but...when's VA returning?

Oct 30 2014, 12:47 PM

Jim: I wish I knew. The best guess is next week against Montana.

Oct 30 2014, 12:48 PM Guest5903: 40-21 Homecoming win

Oct 30 2014, 12:50 PM

Jim: Not a bad guess. I'm thinking something a bit lower on a rainy, windy afternoon in Cheney... EWU 27, UND 16

Oct 30 2014, 12:50 PM Guest9615: 24-14 win, but I am hoping for a breakout week and a 48-14 win

Oct 30 2014, 12:50 PM Guest6287: Hoping UND attempts to pass to Gamboa's side. He's ready for another pick...

Oct 30 2014, 12:50 PM Joemon: 37-17 with EWU over 500

Oct 30 2014, 12:50 PM

Jim: 500 yards against this defense - that would be quite a feat without Adams.

Oct 30 2014, 12:51 PM

Jim: I could see the 37, though. MY bold prediction is that EWU is at least plus-2 in the turnover battle.

Oct 30 2014, 12:51 PM Joemon: JW has the arm, he just needs to get the timing down which being on the home turf, he gets it done

Oct 30 2014, 12:52 PM

Jim: Not just the timing, but his foot-planting seemed off last week. He wasn't driving the ball, and so many of his passes were high.

Oct 30 2014, 12:52 PM Guest5903: I like Joemon, he is a positive view.

Oct 30 2014, 12:52 PM

Jim: That's for sure.

Oct 30 2014, 12:53 PM

Jim: Six minutes left before I get back to my next heartwarming feature on an Eastern player. (Hint: he's the oldest player on the team.)

Oct 30 2014, 12:54 PM Guest5903: Cory Mitchell/

Oct 30 2014, 12:54 PM

Jim: You're good!

Oct 30 2014, 12:55 PM

Jim: Look for that story tomorrow morning (you guys all subscribe, RIGHT?)

Oct 30 2014, 12:55 PM Joemon: Any word on Evan Day?

Oct 30 2014, 12:56 PM

Jim: Not good, in fact I'm hearing (unofficially) that he might not make it back at all and will apply for a 6th year of eligibility.

Oct 30 2014, 12:58 PM

Jim: Thanks, everyone, we'll do it again next week!

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