Media Day Snippets
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 11:44 AM PDT
13 comments
Lane Kiffin said USC currently has 71 players on scholarship instead of the normal 85. Unless USC wins its appeal of the sanctions, it will be limited to 75 players each of the next three seasons. The days of the Trojans having a stockpile of talent appear to be over.
Rick Neuheisel on the USC sanctions: "I've been asked 100 times about the sanctions at our cross-town rivals - truthfully, we can't take the time to worry about that. They had something we wanted; they were the Pac-10 champs when we got here. Now Oregon has what we want."
Cal coach Jeff Tedford said he expects a good season out of QB Kevin Riley "if he wins the job.'' Apparently the senior is still competing with Beau Sweeney for the starting job. Should be an interesting August of training camp practices.
In true Chip Kelly fashion, the Oregon head man scoffed at the poll results, mentioning last year's, which had Oregon picked third and Arizona eighth (the Wildcats wound up in a tie for second). "I learned from last year's poll that we shouldn't put much stock in it," he said, even though the poll had correctly picked the league winner each year since 1999 before the Ducks' surge last season.
What is Mike Riley's secret to success? "We don’t feel like we do more with less,’’ Oregon State head coach Mike Riley said. "We feel like we do a good job evaluating players.’’
Steve Sarkisian on the importance of a Jake Locker..."Historically in this Conference, the teams that have won Pac-10 Championships or have been in that race at the end have had veteran leadership at that position. Ultimately, if you really want to win a Pac-10 Championship, you have to find a way to win on the road. We will take the advantage of having that senior quarterback who has been in those environments."
Dennis Erickson's reaction to being picked ninth in the media poll.."It's better than 10th," Erickson said. He chuckled. "To be very honest with you, I really don't pay much attention to it," Erickson said, "because we start (practicing) here in about three days. And the proof's on the field when you play. I personally think that this will be as good a team as I've had (at ASU)."
Arizona coach Mike Stoops reaction to the assumption that the Wildcats will be challenged on defense while breaking in eight new starters this year..."We've always had a good defense and I don't see that changing,'' he said.
Stanford coach Jim Harbaugh on what the future holds...Can I say that I will be the head coach of Stanford for life? I cannot say that. If the creek don’t rise, I will be. But you never know."
The Cougars finished dead last in the media poll but it wasn't unanimous like last year so they are making progress. "It happened the last two years, and with a one-win season, of course people are going to pick us last," said defensive end Kevin Kooyman, who accompanied Wulff here. "People don't believe in us, but we believe in ourselves. That's all we care about."
2010 Oregon Football Preview
by John Berkowitz on Jul 30, 2010 6:45 AM PDT
92 comments
Things haven't been that easy this off season in Eugene but Oregon enters the 2010 Pac 10 season as the prohibitive favorite to win a second consecutive Pac 10 crown. That is impressive when you factor in losing Heisman Trophy candidate QB Jeremiah Moseli to an alleged stolen lap top and a dime bag of weed over the off season.
Oregon is still the favorite because they are deep, fast, talented and experienced at almost every position. Nate Costa is a fifth year senior with a good arm and Darron Thomas reminds some of Dennis Dixon. Costa is the favorite to win the job heading into camp. The offense averaged 412 YPG and 36 PPG in 2009 and has the talent to match that this season.
Look for the Ducks to exploit the run more until whoever they name at QB settles down. LaMichael James burst on the scene after Blount was suspended and ran for over 1500 yards last season. Kenjon Barner who can virtually fly will be backing him up. Barner will be returning kicks and he averages nearly 25 yards each opportunity he gets on kickoffs and over 10 yards per punt return
The top returning receiver is Jeff Maehl who had 53 catches a year ago. Lavasier Tuinei is the probable number two option. TE is solid with David Paulson, juco transfer Brandon Williams and touted hometown signee Curtis White.
The Ducks have the ability to control the line of scrimmage on both sides of the ball. Oregon returns five starters from one of the best offensive lines in the country last season. Bo Thran is a big load to handle. Jordan Holmes and Mark Asper are excellent run blockers.
Oregon has a defense that was dominate at times last season and that should continue over to 2010 with a starting lineup that features nine seniors and two juniors. Nine of these players have considerable experience. The Ducks held opponents to only 3.4 yards per carry on the ground and 208 yards in the air per game but one big concern was giving up 18 TD's through the air in 2009.
Two returning starters and two new starters make up the Defensive Line. Kenny Rowe is a beast with 11 and a half sacks a year ago and Tackle Brandon Bair led all Oregon Defensive Linemen with 45 tackles. Junior Terrell Turner is in line to replace Will Tukuafu at the other end, but converted tight end Dion Jordan showed in the spring that he might have immediate value as a pass rusher.
At linebacker UO is led by AA candidate MLB Casey Matthews who compiled 81 tackles and 3.5 sacks last year. Spencer Paysinger averaged over seven tackles a game.
FS John Boyett led the team in tackles with 90 from his safety position and was named to the Freshman All-American squad. Eddie Pleasant was moved to the secondary and is scheduled to line up beside him. Both of these guys are ferocious tacklers. More than likely we'll see Cliff Harris, Talmadge Jackson, Scott Grady, Javes Lewis, and Chad Peppars all get significant playing time in the secondary.
(Washington vs Oregon after the jump)
Alvin Logan Retires
by John Berkowitz on Jul 29, 2010 4:02 PM PDT
8 comments
Husky linebacker Alvin Logan who was a starter at SLB coming out of spring practice will not continue to play college football because of a knee injury that just wouldn't heal right according to Coach Steve Sarkisian.
Victor Aiyewa, Josh Shirley, Matt Houston, and Jamaal Kearse will be competing for the starting spot in camp but there is always the possibility that the coaches could move Mason Foster back to SLB and start Jordan Wallace at the weakside.
Are you about to become an E-1 tailgate refugee?
by John Berkowitz on Jul 29, 2010 11:44 AM PDT
10 comments
Matthew Halverson of Seattle Met magazine called me today about a story he wants to write about the folks who are about to be displaced in the E-1parking lot by Sound Transit construction this fall. Matt and I usually talk before the season begins while he prepares an article about Husky football.
We are looking for non-Tyee members who used to tailgate in the E-1 parking lot but will be forced out this fall when it becomes Tyee-only.
Anyone who wants to talk to Matt can contact him via phone, email, and posting to the blog (feel free to do all three).
If you want to vent, tell us how you will be affected, or have a story to tell he would like to be in contact with you ASAP.
Because of deadlines he needs to get feedback by tomorrow or Friday.
You can reach Matt at:
206-957-2234 extension 133
mhalverson@seattlemet.com
Thanks in advance for participating!
Hey John! About the Media Poll,
by AndyPanda on Jul 29, 2010 10:37 AM PDT
15 comments
Did you (or Casino) submit a media poll? I noticed that Bob Condotta and mine matched, but we apparently don't have enough others that had the Huskies ahead of Stanford and Arizona, instead of just behind them?
The Pac-10 Media Poll:1. Oregon (314)
2. USC (311)
3. Oregon State (262)
4. Stanford (233)
5. Arizona (222)
6. Washington (209)
7. California (175)
8. UCLA (134)
9. Arizona State (81)
10. Washington State (39)
Very close between 4-6 though, certainly close enough that it could easily change as things play out.
2010 Stanford Preview
by John Berkowitz on Jul 29, 2010 8:39 AM PDT
10 comments
Cardinal coach Jim Harbaugh is responsible for putting together one of the most impressive college football rebuilding jobs of the decade. In 2007 he inherited a 1-11 football team that was described during the 2006 season as being the worst the Pac 10 had seen in fifty years.
The only salve on the wound from that last Walt Harris coached season was an improbable road victory over a Ty Willingham's demoralized (suddenly senior) Washington team in Husky Stadium.
Harbaugh got the kids believing in themselves his first year. He also began to put together the kind of recruiting classes that hadn't been seen on the farm in decades. He has led the Tree to 4-8, 5-7, and finally a breakthrough 8-5 season which almost produced a Heisman Trophy winner. The campaign ended with a 31-27 loss to Oklahoma in the Sun Bowl.
The outlook is bright in 2010 but RB Toby Gerhart graduated early to move on to the NFL so Stanford will have to find a way to make up for the eye popping 1871 yards he put up rushing last season. Going into fall camp there is no defined leader and most think that the Cardinal run game this year will take a by committee (Stepfan Taylor, Jeremy Stewart and Tyler Gaffner) type of approach.
Things are fine at QB where So Andrew Luck transformed himself into a first-round NFL draft prospect after only one season. The 6-foot-4 235-pound redshirt sophomore has size, strength, agility and a solid arm. In 2009, Luck completed 56.3 percent of his passes for 14 touchdowns with 13 interceptions against only four interceptions. He also rushed for 354 yards and a pair of TDs.
Also back are wide receivers Ryan Whalen and Chris Owusu. Whalen paced the Cardinals with 57 catches for 926 yards. The more-explosive Owusu had 37 catches for 682 yards, averaging 18.4 yards per catch and hauling in a team-best five TD passes. Owusu also ranked fifth nationally in kickoff returns with a 31.5-yard average and scored three TDs.
The offensive line which manhandled Washington in 2009 returns four starters. Chase Beeler, David DeCastro, Jonathan Martin and Andrew Phillips make up one of the better lines in the conference. The Cards only allowed seven sacks last season.
Stanford was ranked 90th in the country in total defense last season. The Cardinal allowed 264.8 yards per game through the air to rank 110th in the country. Those numbers need to improve if Stanford is going to compete for a conference title in 2010. 24 year NFL assistant Vic Fangio has been brought in to remedy the situation.
Fangio installed a 3-4 defense this spring. Defensive ends Thomas Keiser and Case Baker will be outside linebackers in the new system. The inside backers include productive sophomore Shayne Skov and Owen Marecic who is moving over from FB. The talented Chike Amajoyi will also fit in as a rush backer.
The defensive backfield returns safety Delano Howell, cornerbacks Richard Sherrman and Johnson Bademosi.
Washington vs Stanford (after the jump)
Pac 10 NY blitz a success
by John Berkowitz on Jul 29, 2010 7:13 AM PDT
20 comments
Fifty years ago what has become the Pac 12 conference used to be pretty innovative in how they promoted the start of the conference football season. Sports writers from all over the region were flown in a jet chartered by the Pac 8 conference to take in a practice at every single school over an eight day period.
The tour allowed the writers to get an up close look at each program on the field. It also built relationships between the writers and the coaching staffs because the party started soon after practice. For the writers it was a week of serious content and hangovers. For the coaches it was the opportunity to loosen up, promote their team, and develop relationships with media.
The tour died because leadership at the newspapers and TV stations thought that the relationship was a little too cozy. If the league was paying for travel and accommodations they feared it was creating a conflict of interest. When the newspapers started picking up the tab the tradition continued for awhile but as advertising revenues dwindled the cost made the tour prohibitive.
Flash forward to 2010 and the major sports media in the country resides in New York and Los Angeles. The footprint of the nation has shrunk due to the electronic wiring of the country. Instead of the writers flying around to visit the Pac 10 is taking the coaches and top players directly to the top national and regional scribes.
Now that the New York version of the trip is finished the unanimous decision is this has been a great thing and why didn't anyone think of doing this before? Credit Oregon for thinking about Madison Avenue before anyone else in the conference did. The billboards in Times Square promoting the Ducks while drawing smirks where a great example of out of the box thinking.
Former Pac 10 Commissioner Tom Hansen didn't think out of the box. He was the last of an old guard which kept the conferences image stodgy and conservative over the last twenty-five years. Pac 10 media day became a progressive yawn under Hansen and it appeared that it would only be a matter of time until the participants just joined each other in a conference call rather than meeting together at a single venue.
Larry Scott gets it from a media perspective and that is why he was hired. He is doing all the groundwork necessary to make sure that the Pac 12 gets a fair share of national and regional tv revenue. Instead of sitting back waiting for the networks to come to him with an offer he is out beating the streets improving the visibility of the product before negotiations begin.
Scott won't get everything 100% right. There will be wins and losses along the way but the Pac 12 in only 12 months has gone from being the old Dodge mini van in the car port to being a marketing Ferrari that isn't afraid to take the game directly to the big boys on Madison Avenue.
Locker picks Beavers
by John Berkowitz on Jul 28, 2010 8:15 PM PDT
93 comments
Jake thinks the Beavers are the team to beat in the conference this year. Duck fans aren't happy with the perceived disrespect. I think this article is damn funny and a must read.
On Tuesday, in front of ESPN cameras, the superstar quarterback of the Washington Huskies declared that it was the Oregon State Beavers - not the Ducks - that will be the team to beat in the Pac-10 conference race this year. And just as easy as it was for those words to tumble out of his mouth, Oregon fans from all over the place found themselves in instant uproar.
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Huskies Football Schedule
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BYU
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Sat 09/04 | 4:00 PM PDT |
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Syracuse
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Sat 09/11 | 4:00 PM PDT |
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Nebraska
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Sat 09/18 | 12:30 PM PDT |
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USC
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Sat 10/02 | 5:00 PM PDT |
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Arizona St.
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Sat 10/09 | TBA |
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Oregon St.
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Sat 10/16 | TBA |
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Arizona
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Sat 10/23 | TBA |
| Stanford | Sat 10/30 | TBA |
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Oregon
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Sat 11/06 | TBA |
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UCLA
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Thu 11/18 | 5:00 PM PST |
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California
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Sat 11/27 | TBA |
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Washington St.
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Sat 12/04 | TBA |
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