Puppy Chow
by John Berkowitz on Nov 17, 2009 6:51 AM PST
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The second bye week opens up discussion on the future of Jake Locker at Washington. We are all aware that Jake has one more year of eligibility but ever since the USC game he has been the object of affection for draft guru's such as Mel Kiper. The real NFL Scouts have been keeping an eye on him too. This isn't a great year for QB's so even a guy who has led his team to victory in 3 of 10 games this season is getting the full look over.
Coach Sarkisian has kept reporters who have asked about Jake's future at bay this season saying those discussions and decisions will be made after the season is over. This week he was a little more open about it and shared his feelings on the process.
"Well I think this with that decision and there is obviously going to be a lot more talk about that after our last two games are done but with every quarterback from a maturation standpoint you always benefit from coming back and every NFL scout and executive will tell you the same thing."
He was asked point blank if Jake Locker was ready for the NFL and he replied diplomatically:
"Yeah, sure, he's ready. Everybody is ready to some degree.''
Would Jake be leaving money on the table if he returns for a senior season?
"The challenge is the risk-reward you take and where all that fits is the challenge. Because a lot of times you think coming back you might be losing money in a sense but in a sense you might be making a lot of money, too. If you think about it, if you come back your senior year and you go from an end of the first round draft pick to a top 3 draft pick you make yourself $25 to $30 million dollars.That's really what you play for your senior year...you made that money. There is a lot of things that go into it. We'll assess it after the year and I think Jake is a bright young man who is patient. He's got two tremendous parents that have raised him extremely well and we'll get all the proper information in place and he'll make a really good decision in what's best for he and his family and not just the immediate but for his future as well."
Lets talk a little about the actual reality of the situation. Anyone who has seen Jake play this season will tell you that he needs another year to get ready for the NFL. His mechanics aren't close to being there yet. The game still hasn't slowed down for him. He thinks too much rather than acting instinctively. At times like during the Oregon State game he looks like a deer in the headlights when faced with adversity. His statistics have steadily declined every single game since USC.
OK...so we all agree Jake needs another year to hone his skills but what about all that money? I think if Jake is projected to go in the top ten picks he is gone period. There just isn't a lot of top flight QB talent in the draft this season and everyone realizes Jakes future potential. The question is whether an NFL team thinks it is worth a high draft pick to bet on that potential coming to fruition a couple of years down the road. No matter where he is drafted he isn't a ready to play talent.
A lot of people out there are saying the the biggest recruit Sark has to secure for 2010 is Jake Locker. A smaller number are saying that maybe it is best for the program and Jake to part ways in much the same way Brock Huard did when there was a coaching change in the late 1990's.
I don't agree with the smaller number. I think anytime that you have a fifth year senior lining up behind center it is a good thing. I think Jake could really benefit from another year at Washington. He already has baseball money in his pocket so it isn't like he is the usual impoverished college student. If Jake spends another year being tutored by Sark and Nuss he has the opportunity to be special in 2010 and beyond.
In the NFL you can make a lot of money being drafted in the top five. You make even more money on your second and third contracts. No matter where Jake is drafted there is no guarantee for immediate playing time or those valuable second and third contracts. He isn't going to get the experience he needs sitting on the bench a couple of years.
I think Jake has unfinished business at Washington. Jake needs to leave UW as a finished QB who has led his team to a winnning record and a bowl game. When Jake gets drafted he needs to be able to compete for an NFL starting job. Only another year at Washington will accomplish that goal.
Bye Week Notes
Cameron Elisara and EJ Savannah won't be practicing this week. The coaches are hoping they will be ready to play against WSU.
The Huskies will practice three days this week then the coaches will hit the recruiting trail returning on Sunday.
Most of the emphasis this week will be on the younger players which gives the older guys a chance to rest up and get ready for WSU.
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Typically
A 5th year senior Pac-10 QB’s get their teams to the Rose Bowl although Jake doesn’t play like a typical red shirt junior, more like a first time red shirt sophomore first time starter is the way he looks to me.
Unless there’s a major awakening in his play the next two games he will be a well paid clip board guy in the NFL if he goes out this winter.
It’s too bad he was handicapped by the HC he started with but that’s the way it is.
I’m ambivalent as to his staying or leaving. Husky FB will still be here and I’ll be there on Saturdays.
He can talk to Tui
Marques was a well paid clip board guy for a number of years. Now he is a poorly paid clip board guy at UW. Of course he doesn’t really have much to worry about. Clip board guys get paid pretty well.
It would be interesting to know what Marques thinks.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 17, 2009 8:56 AM PST up reply actions
Tui is the best argument
They tried to redshirt him his first year, and then the second year, but Brock’s injuries and no other depth forced him to play. I agree with the clip board logic. Playing in college next year will enhance the possibilities of his second and third contract. The new nfl contract may reduce the pay of top picks, but the money will still be substantial.
Sam Bradford
I understand where Jake’s at in his development, but he’s already had a major injury during his college career,
You gotta look at the examples of Sam Bradford and Jermaine Gresham they came back for another year and got hurt and in Sam’s case is going to go from probably #1 to mid to late first rounder. That’s millions of dollars that he lost.
Jake
I really hope Jake comes back for a 5th year. What he can learn with one more year will make him a great NFL player. I think he and his family are sound people, from everything I have read about them, and they will make the best decision for him going forward. I won’t kid you, I would love to see him be able to use all his skills, his natural running ability unleashed AND passing he is learning from Sark and Neuss, for 1 full year at the UW. He could really be something special if he can put all of it together. I don’t think he is worried about who else will be in the draft in 2 years and therefore want to slide in next year; the kid is way too competitive to let that be his focus. And i don’t think money is going to be the thing. he is a lot like Steve Young, a “gym rat” who will earn lots of money but is not guided by it.
Tough call
Not really sure what Jake’s mindset is these days. He doesn’t share a lot with the media.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 17, 2009 8:57 AM PST up reply actions
O LINE
It’s all about the O line. I guarantee you that USC QB Barkley would be a nobody being the Husky or Cougar O line. It’s not going to be much improved next year and the chance of a bowl game is remote.
Take the money and run, run, run. Forget about Brock call the OK QB who may have lost it all. Forget about loyalty. It’s all about dollars now and only the glorious few are to be BCS favored.
Agreeing w/ Purpledawg
I love Jake Locker and it would be beneficial to the program if he stayed on, but Jake’s has to think about his future.
Not only did Oklahoma’s Bradford screw up by coming back for another season, but USC’s Matt Linehart basically ruined his NFL career as well by coming back.
As a QB prospect for pro football you have to “strike while the iron is HOT” these days. A lot can change in one full college season. Matt Linehart was projected to be the No.1 overall draftee as a junior- how far did he slide after coming back?
Locker will get great QB coaching in the pros. Coach Sark is not the only expert in grooming pro style QBs, the NFL is full of them. So what if he sits the bench and holds the clipboard for a season in the pros- so what! Carson Palmer held a clipboard for the first two seasons at Cincinnati and now is arguably one of the finer NFL QBs in the league. I don’t buy throwing rookie QBs into action. A good NFL QB coach can tell if a rookie has the maturity and development to make the jump as a rookie- if he doesn’t have it in his first year, it’s okay to groom him a season or two and hire a stable pony. Teams do it all the time.
If Jake is projected as either the No.1 or 2 QB coming out- go for it Jake! The Huskies have a bright future with Sark and Holt and seriously, if Jake does leave, I like Ronny Fouch stepping in. Why?
Remember when Brock departed? Brock was our guy, he was the poster boy for UDub QBs. The next season we didn’t really know exactly what Tui would offer. We all thought once Brock left, Tui was going to go through some growing pains. Turns out Tui became one of the most dynamic UDub QBs in the history of UofW football. Now will Fouch live up to the Tui expectations? Probably not, but I think he’d be better then advertised. No.1 or 2 QB prospect? I say go for it Jake! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
I don't disagree with your opinion all that much ...
… but you lost me on the Leinart comment. I’m not sure how Leinart’s outcome would have been any different had he come out the year before. His stock could have still fallen just before the draft, he could have still gotten distracted by the nightlife in LA, and he still could have ended up warming the bench behind some retread veteran. At least he got to go to the Super Bowl.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
He was projected the No.1 draftee overall
That draft was a horrible class for drafting QBs if you remember correctly- sort of like this upcoming draft is not big on QBs.
Who was taken in that draft when Linehart said he was coming back for his senior year? The kid from Utah was taken No.1 overall by San Francisco. How far did Linehart fall once he was drafted? The point is Linehart’s stock plummeted.
Strike while the iron is HOT Jake! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Not projected by NFL Scouts
So if he is the #1 QB taken does he go in the top 15?
by John Berkowitz on Nov 18, 2009 9:40 PM PST up reply actions
That's what Jake has to wait and see
As the NFL season begins to wind down, we’ll get a better picture as to which teams will be in the hunt for a QB. But that’s not all. A team might make a move on Jake that is down the draft board. They may make a move and trade up for him- who really knows. At this point it is a waiting game.
If Jake likes the teams positioning for him- he’s as good as gone at that point. If he doesn’t, he’ll probably come back. Jake needs to get on a good team that wants to win, not just collect ticket stubs and cash in on merchandising [see Cleveland].
All I saw was purple
I don’t know how many of you saw the story, but most of the major conferences signed a deal this year to have their scouting tapes handled by an independent company which is in turn requesting a ton of money from the NFL, and the NFL has balked. What that means is, at this point, the NFL can’t provide accurate scouting reports back to draft eligible underclassmen on their draft prospects as they have in the past.
What that will mean is that players considering whether to come out will no longer have a rational projection from the NFL, and will instead be relying on their “advisors”, family, friends and coaches to give them advice. Those agents, er, “advisors” will of course pump them up and assure them they’ll all by high draft picks.
Combine that with the rumors about rookie draft pool money being ratcheted down in the next CBA, and I predict a flood of underclassmen declaring this year.
That said, I think Jake is level-headed enough and in a position where he’s not desperate for money where he’ll still give thoughtful consideration to whether to return or not.
Here’s what he’ll have to weigh:
- How important is it to him to have some team success at college?
- How much does he enjoy the college experience?
- How much better as a QB does he think he’ll get with one more year under Sark & Nussmeier vs. heading to the pros?
- How high does he think he’d go in the draft this year? Does he think he’d be in a better position to go higher in the draft next year, and if so, how much higher?
- How concerned is he about getting hurt next year if he returns to the UW?
- How much is he considering the value of his 2nd and 3rd contracts in the NFL vs. his rookie contract?
I don’t think it’s going to be a slam-dunk decision either way. I wouldn’t be surprised with either outcome.
O LINE typo
not “being the Husky or Cougar O line” but “behind the Husky or Cougar O line”. Man do I need spellchecker!!!!
ROFL....OK Purpledawg...
I disagree…it is about the long term money. The OL won’t be any worse than they were this past season and chances are they will be a lot better.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 17, 2009 1:11 PM PST up reply actions
I agree. People seem to forget just how much this OL group has had to absorb in a short period of time:
- Completely different strength & conditioning approach to how the new staff wants their OL to look;
- New coaching staff to get used to;
- New coaching scheme as they adapt to the zone-blocking schemes Sark favors
The OL only loses Ossai, and he’s already been pushed for his job by RS-Fr Schaefer. Another year with Ivan Lewis should only improve the conditioning and strength of the returning guys, and another round of Spring and Fall practices should improve these guys’ understanding of the zone-blocking scheme, as well as build further trust amongst each other in their assignments. Ikehara should have had plenty of time to recover his lost weight and strength from his bout with a virus. Fancher should have plenty of time to recover from his leg injuries. Kelemete will have more time to learn his new position and shape his body further. Tolar already made a dramatic shift in his body composition, and should only get stronger – same with Habben.
Gregory Christine...
…breaking his leg was another blow that may have been a lot greater negative than most of us would choose to believe. I remember Sark saying he was an emotional leader up front and that kind of a loss is significant.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
This Bye Week.....
gives WA State NCAA football fans a chance to go check out the #1 rated CWU Wildcats as they start their playoffs in the second round of the D2 Championship Tournament, against the Tarrleton State “Texans”. It is a noon kickoff, over in Ellensburg, on Saturday.
The Texans have an explosive offense that will come up against Central’s 3rd best in the D2 Nation’s defense. Cole Morgan, a former WSU and WWU player, leads the offense at QB. And Randall Eldrige, also a former Viking, starts at running back for the Wildcats. Randall is very fun, and rather Polk-like, to watch run the ball.
If you are a fan of college football, you will really enjoy attending this game. It is not any too far away, and just $10 for a ticket.
Okay, I know I’m off topic, but I thought some might appreciate this info.
PS: The NFL and all other “pro” sports, are not on my radar screen. Not at all.
2011 Prospects
John, I’m at home bored. Have you thought about a 2011 prospect list yet? Biggest Husky needs? Best in state prospects who’s last name does end with a J or W? Thanks
2011
I will work on it but any list starts with Skyline WR Kasen Williams.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 17, 2009 2:51 PM PST up reply actions
Austin Seferian-Jenkins and Taniela Tupou are the other early big-time in-state targets. ASF is a big TE that could grow into a DE, DT or OT (if he was willing to switch positions). ASF has his eyes cast nationally and is probably a longshot for the UW. Tupou is a lineman who will probably play defense. He’s LDS, so BYU will be strong competition.
Jake Locker
Before I start my rant, let me say this isn’t aimed at previous comments on this thread, but definitely towards comments from just about every other thread lately.
I’m really getting tired of the constant Jake bashing that has been going on lately. Jake is a great athlete, and a solid QB, and he is the heart and soul of this team. The problem with Jake’s performance is 100% on the offensive line, they are giving him absolutely no time, whatsoever, period. OSU was able to blow through our line with NO resistance, I’m sure you saw Nick Wood get pancaked on one play, I’ve never seen a lineman get knocked on his butt like that, we got owned. If you give Jake the same amount of time as UW’s opposing QB’s, he’d win the Heisman trophy.
To all the fans who think the program would benefit from Jake leaving, go get your heads examined! Please explain to me how the program benefits from losing the best player on our team. Has everybody forgot last year? "Jake should be a safety, let Ronnie play, he’s a "true" QB". Gee, that really worked out well didn’t it???? I fully agree with John, the biggest recruit for Sark is Jake Locker. If Jake leaves, I’ll bet there’s a 50/50 shot that Sark gets fired after 4 seasons. You start next season with Ronnie or Keith or Nick at QB, and we’ll be lucky to win 3 games and before long fans will be begging to have Willingham back!!!
Here’s the facts:
Jake is still learning how to be a true NFL style QB, but he is a very solid QB.
Jake isn’t the problem, our offensive line is the problem. If you can’t see it, you should become a soccer fan.
Jake IS our offense, we know our defense isn’t going to be good next year, so no Jake = very few wins
Jake would benefit greatly from another year under Sark
The only way Jake is leaving is if he believes he’ll be a top ten pick.
My advice to Jake, go get an insurance policy, and spend one more year under Sark. It will be the best for Jake and the best for UW.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Totally Agree...
with everything ELSE you said!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
100%?
Nothing is ever 100% in reality.
The OL is a problem but Jake needs work on his mechanics, footwork, touch, reads, and decision making.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 17, 2009 9:22 PM PST up reply actions
Ok, 95%
Everything you listed is directly impacted by a lack of protection. For instance, Jake takes the snap, immediately there are defenders in his face, he doesn’t have time to make his reads, his decisions are massively rushed, he doesn’t have room or time to set his feet and use good mechanics, and while in the huge rush to get rid of the ball before he gets creamed he has to throw the ball twice as hard as he’d like. It’s all related, he needs more time.
Brock Huard is a great comparison. Brock’s sophomore year he had perfect mechanics, he tore defenses apart with his unbelieveable ability to read defenses and he was very successful. His junior year, Benji Olson and Olin Kreutz were playing in the NFL, needless to say their replacements weren’t up to the task which caused Brock to develop bad mechanics (throwing off his back foot ALL the time), make bad decisions and his stats dropped accordingly. He didn’t regress into a sub par QB, he didn’t have the support to do his job.
It’s quite simple, a Quarterback is only as good as his offensive line.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Corey Dillon
It also helps when defenses get a steady diet of Corey Dillon. It opens up the passing game tremendously.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
C'mon Lear...
… no one is Jake bashing. He is clearly the most important player on this team and everyone loves his attitude, his tools and his character. But you don’t have to be an NFL scout to see that Jake has a lot of trouble with footwork and makes too many poor decisions. He has a tendency to resort to either locking onto one guy or hesitating and overthinking – he rarely is in rhythm when making reads. He is uncomfortable. Its not like this is not a fixable problem, but he needs time to fix it. Suggesting that he’d have none of these problems if he was somehow behind a better line is not very realistic. Both UCLA and OSU are breaking in new lines and their QBs, relative to their class status, have shown that good fundamentals can still yield results.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
You don’t think poor footwork and questionable decision-making aren’t heavily influenced by how much time your O-line is giving you?
I’m not suggesting that the O-line is the only problem here, but it’s definitely having a significant negative impact.
Combination of both
Even with adeqaute protection Jake locks on the primary receiver.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 18, 2009 11:48 AM PST up reply actions
Sure, Jake definitely has some issues reading defenses, looking off receivers and making the right decisions that would still be present with great protection. But the fact he has poor protection is exacerbating all of those things to a significant degree.
I agree that it’s a combination of both – I just don’t think we should minimize the impact that his (lack of) O-line has on his performance.
Jake
Locking onto the primary receiver and reading defenses are minor issues that can be fixed with good coaching. The bad decisions, mechanics and otherwise are a huge by product of being consistantly under pressure.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
of course I think it has something to do with how slowly he is developing ...
… but I can’t believe that you are suggesting that he would have no room for development if he had USC’s offensive line. I’m sure that is not what you mean.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Gekko
Yes, actually a lot of fans have been bashing Jake, check out the other threads, it’s pretty common. Blaming Jake for our offensive problems is purely assinine, unless you expect him to block for himself and play QB at the same time.
Here’s a riddle for you: Why is it that Jake started off the season and was quickly becoming the true drop back passer that we all hoped he’d become. He was the talk of the town, and he was getting national recognition while becoming one of the top NFL QB prospects. Yet the second half of the season his decision making, mechanics and footwork have all regressed? Don’t players normally improve with more experience? Yet Jake has “regressed”.
Here’s the answer: His decision making, mechanics and footwork are all directly affected by the amount of time he is or is not given by the offensive line. Don’t believe, want proof? Look at the play of the o-line, they started off the season really well, as they have gotten worn down or injured, there play as a group has gotten significantly worse. Interesting correlation isn’t it? The o-line gets significantly worse and Jake regresses, hhmmm, maybe they are related.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Lear,
By the time we played USC, John and I were already raising Jake’s happy feet as an issue.
I’m still shocked by the “blaming Jake for our offensive problems” comment you just made. Who has done that? All that John and I have stated here is that Jake is not a finished product, even if he was standing behind the best o-line in the world. Your assertion that somehow he is a finished product with a poor surrounding cast is a little bit more of an asinine statement.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
I never claimed he was a finished product
You and John aren’t not the problem, although you both like to sensationalize his short comings. My point is simple, Jake is the LEAST of our problems, and he would perform to a far higher level if he just had the same protection that every other Pac10 quarterback has.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Sensationalize?
Just reporting what everyone else is seeing. He has a lot of work to do to get up to the level he is capable of.
If you are looking for someone to blame try Willingham and Lappano. Keep in mind this is the first year he has ever had a true QB coach.
by John Berkowitz on Nov 20, 2009 4:45 PM PST up reply actions
Reporting with some added flare
he looks like a deer in the headlights when faced with adversity
His mechanics aren’t close to being there yet
I complete agree that he needs another year and that it is Willingham/Lappano’s fault. But I find it funny how everybody was so impressed with Jake’s improved mechanics early in the season, yet now “His mechanics aren’t close to being there yet”. Jake doesn’t “look like a deer in the headlights when faced with adversity”, he looks like a QB who’s getting his ass handed to him on every play.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Jake ... Jake ... Jake- totally unreal!
I’m calling B.S. on this! Jake … Jake … freakin’ Jake! How about giving props to the other 84 players on the dam roster. I’m sick of the Jake talk, I’m worn out on all of it. It’s time for this team to quit looking at No.10 to make a play. All I am saying is if Jake leaves for the pros this offseason, this team could very well come together as a tight unit. No more will they be able to look over at Jake and hope he can make a play for them. Instead they are going to have to step up and deliver on Saturdays.
What has Jake done since arriving? Nothing else then what the rest of the team has accomplished- Zero, nadda, nothing. Jake has talent, skill, and unlimited potential. And let’s not cast too many stones at the O line. Granted their play has gone down hilll since Christine was lost for the season with a broken leg, but surely the receivers aren’t getting open either.
Jake is a god … jake is our savior … it’s against the law to bash Locker according to Lear. He’s just another player Lear and so far he hasn’t done anything since arriving. I’m not sure he has the leadership qualities of a pro QB- I have yet to see any leadership qualities from No.10. Watch Tim Tebow- that guy is pushing his players, including members of the defense. This program should never be about one player. It’s not his program, instead we should be looking at coach Sark for the answers. And the answers are coming Lear- look at the marvelous job recruiting he and the coaching staff are doing. I’m out…
All I saw was purple
Jake cont...
He has still had plays where he made bad decisions and just plain bad throws. To me it just shows how much room he still has for improvement. Would he be better if his offensive line was better? Of course he would! It’s a combination of things.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Ah Crazi, you are really crazy!
Lesson #1 – Football is all about the Quarterback. No discussion, no arguing, it is what it is, end of lesson.
Lesson #2 – Taking away the best player on the team, from the most critical position on the team, will not make the team better. Say what ever you want, it just doesn’t add up.
You are correct, it’s not just the o-line, it’s the other 10 guys not doing there job either, shoot it’s the 11 guys on defense not getting the ball back more often. “How about giving props to the other 84 players on the roster”, how about this, when they do anything worth giving props, I’ll be the first to give them props, until then they are out of luck.
Football revolves around the QB, if you don’t like it try following soccer. Jake gets all the props because he gives 110% each and every day for this program. I’m getting the impression you don’t even watch the games, how many games have you been to this year??? I’m starting to think that Jake should go to the NFL, maybe then the ignorant masses will understand just how much he brought to the table, it will be hammered home by another 2-3 win season.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
You are so dead wrong Lear
Do you really enjoy throwing trash out there like that? Football is about the QB? What the hell are you smokin’? If it’s anything good … pleas share.
If it were only about the QB what are the results Lear? Try a 3-7 overall record for starters. If it’s just about the QB then surely he doesn’t need a functioning offensive line. Surely he doesn’t need a smash mouth running game, surely he doesn’t need receivers that can consistently catch the ball. Surely he doesn’t need a defense that can make stops. All the above is a direct reflection of the 2009 Washington Husky Season my friend. Are you sure it’s all about the QB? Keep telling yourself that and maybe it’ll come true.
Fact is Jake cannot will this team to victory and surely he cannot win a game by himselft, if he could then surely we’d be in the upper tier of the Pac 10 (best athlete in the league). Sometimes I must admit, you do put out some credible material. But your above post if for the garbage.
All about the QB? Really? Tell that to Miles, Weis, Kelly, Erickson, Riley, Nueheisel, and Harbouth- coaches that praised Locker when we played them, but beat us with a complete team. You’re nuts if you believe that!
All I saw was purple
Keep ramblin on, Crazi, you're very good at it.
Why do QB’s get paid the most in the NFL? Why do they win the most awards? Why are they the biggest recruits? The biggest draftees? You ask ANY of the coaches you just mentioned and EVERY one of them will say that the QB is the most important position. That being said, having the best QB and 10 other inferior players won’t win games, we are proof of that.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Totally.....
dissagree. Jake has shortcomings with his intelligence and decision making. Laugh at me all you want…. but I forecaste that he will fail in the NFL, and should play baseball,
Jake does have shortcomings
But they are vastly smaller than people are making them out to be. I wouldn’t dream of forecasting any players future in the NFL, it’s too much of a crap shoot. Jake has the work ethic, he will suceed at what ever he chooses.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I Was With Ya Until You Wrote This Lear...
You start next season with Ronnie or Keith or Nick at QB, and we’ll be lucky to win 3 games and before long fans will be begging to have Willingham back!!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I'm not saying Sark isn't the guy to turn it around
but if you put this offensive line out there without the threat of Jake, and the whole offense will shut down and look like last year. I hate to be negative, but Jake is the great equalizer, everybody game plans for him. You take him out, and it’s going to be ugly.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Chris Polk
Here’s a positive Chris Polk is poised to not only get 1000 yards this season but if I’m not mistaken he’ll be one of the few first year running backs at Washington to ever achieve that.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I'm thinking he'll be...
…the first freshman to ever go over 1000 yards in a season. Jake holds the record now, ironically enough, at 987 or so.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Dont' buy it
We’ve got some good O line kids commited and we have all our skill kids coming back. Another full season in the I bark for Sark program. I think Fouch will have a lot more confidence as a starter the next time. Keep in mind Lear, Fouch was thrown to the wolves, and was playing for a dead beat coach Willingham- everybody knew hew was fired and everybody flat out quit on him.
I think you are being a little too paranoid about Jake’s decision to leave. I personally think we’ll be better then this season. If Jake leaves who steps up as leaders? Kearse? Polk? Tolar? Foster? Hell I even think Trufant could be a good leader of this team. Don’t freak out on us Lear- remember “I bark for Sark”. Look at footage of the LSU game and see how amped up we were. That wasn’t spawned from Jake Locker, that was spawned from Sark and Holt baBY! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
I still think...
…you push to get Locker back for his senior year. He has played two complete seasons and what ? like 4 games in one where he was injured? He can improve a lot. The other thing that B Condotta pointed out is the the Offensive Line went to a totally new zone blocking scheme. They will be WAY better at it next year as will Polk in making the right adjustments in that scheme.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Getting Locker for his senior year would be ideal
But I think he is going to the pros. Jimmy Clausen will be the No.1 QB drafted and Jake will be the No.2 if he goes. Like I said, QBs must strike while the iron is HOT. Jake’s iron is scorching hot right now- I think he’s gone.
I am preparing myself for his departure as all Husky fans aught to. I’m quite sure coach Sark has a back up plan if Locker decides to jet. I do think Locker has unfinished business, but is it worth what he would be giving up? And I agree with all that Jake would refine his craft ten fold under Sark if he comes back. Brace yourself dawgfan, Jake’s a smart cookie. He won a state title at Ferndale High and since then he’s played on some bad football teams. Even you’d be tempted to bolt from this losing trend.
All I saw was purple
Football 101
Highly mobile Quarterbacks add an additional element to the offense. Normally you have to worry about stopping the run, then you have to worry about stopping the pass, right? We know it’s easier to stop a one dimensional offense, the 91’ offense was really good because they were two dimensional, they could run and pass very well. Mobile QB’s add a third dimension to the offense, thus it is even harder for the defense to stop, see Vince Young’s Rose Bowl performance for proof.
If you take the threat of a extremely mobile QB out of this offense, we will begin to look like WSU’s offense.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
On Young
My how Vincent Young grew muscles between his junior year and senior year! He was a stick frame tall kid up thru his junior year. In one full offseason he became a burnt orange Hulk. That guy was ripped man! You come to your own conclusions…
Not to mention but that USC team had an all freshman LB lineup. Asking an all freshman LB unit to stop a mobile vitamin-enhanced QB is a tall order to fill. I’m not saying … I’m just saying.
But you’re right Lear- a mobile QB is a third demension of an offense. That is why I was a huge fan of Mark Burnell.
All I saw was purple
I can't stand Vince Young
the guy is a total joke, but he had one heck of a Rose Bowl. That third dimension on offense is the only thing that is keeping our offense moving. If we go back to a two dimensional offense next year, we’re screwed.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Personally...
…I feel like whatever amount of time you give a coach…add two years to that for Sark because of what he inherited from Willingham!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
To be honest
I’m running out of patience. Call it a decade of piss poor football, but I don’t think I can go another 3 years without at least a bowl game.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
This Is Sark's First Year!
You’ve got to give him time! You’re seeing Willingham’s effect on the program but wait till Sark and Company have a few years to get this thing going.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Also like I said to another blogger. Let’s wait and see where the program is headed once Sark and Holt have thier kind of kids suiting up. That will tell you something…
All I saw was purple
Exactly!
Give Sark time! He WILL get it done. I feel WAY better about things with him at the helm the Willingham!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
I love how...
…these coaches are now going to work hard down in Socal. Recruiting for this class and future classes! GO DAWGS!!
I think Willingham’s philosophy (did he have one?) was let you assistants do all the work and you’re only job is to close the deal. I don’t think that mantra goes very far these days.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Let me make this really clear
UW Football Program under Steve Sarkisian:
With Jake Locker in 2010 – UW goes to a bowl game and wins 6-8 games, program continues to move forward, recruits come in floods, program returns to the upper echelon of the Pac10 starting a new streak of consecutive winnning seasons that will last 25+ years, Sark is anointed “The Dawgfather Part II”
Without Jake Locker in 2010 – UW struggles, wins 3-4 games, Sark works his butt off, recruits still come in but not as fast as we’d like, 2011 UW wins 5 games fans are not pleased with the slow results, Sark is on the hot seat but still works his butt off, unfortunately recruits don’t want to bet on a coach who might not last, 2012 Nick Montana gets hurt in 4th game of the season, UW goes 3-9 behind a piss poor defense and Sark gets fired. 2013 the whole dang process starts over
You are going to think that the second scenario isn’t very likely, I’m trying to tell you it is much more likely to happen then Jake leaving and then the program’s success climbing through the roof. We need Jake, he adds more to this offense than just his ability to throw the ball. Why do think that the all powerful Pete Carroll is talking him up so much? Pete WANTS Jake to be in the NFL, it’s the best possible outcome for USC!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Where's Lear?
Has anybody seen him lately? Some fella is posing as Lear and issuing out all this garbage :)
We don’t know what the future holds for Washington. But this we do know, things are definitely looking up. Willingham was a train wreck. Sark is aggressive in every phase of big time college football. He’s going to succeed Lear and so is Nick Holt. These guys work too hard at their professions to be losers.
I would prefer to look at losing Jake to the pros this season on a positive note. If Jake indeed leaves for the draft, then what does that say to future recruits about coach Sark? One thing that has been criticized thoroughly around this program recently is the lack of Washington kids being drafted. Recruits will see that Sark has gotten Carson Palmer, Matt Linehart, John David Booty, Mark Sanchez, and Jake Locker to the pros. That would be a huge selling point to offensive recruits! To me it’s a win-win situation. It may sound like I am being rather negative in some of my posts pertaining to Locker- honestly I am not. Another Jake Locker will come along. He may come in the form of a LB, DE, OT, RB, or TE- but believe me he’s coming! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Open your eyes man!
These guys work too hard at their professions to be losers.
You are kidding right? Haven’t we argued this before? Working hard does not equal wins. 99% of coaches who failed worked their butts off at their profession.
I honestly believe Sark will be a very successful head coach. I have great doubts about Nick Holt.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I never do this ...
… but I agree with Crazi.
Of course we are better off with Jake. But he alone is not the difference between 3-4 victories next year.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
I dunno – I think he was the difference between 0 victories (what we got with him injured for 8.5 games) and at least one, if not 2-3 wins last year.
Take Jake away from this year’s team, and do you think we’d have 3 wins? I know it’s hard to say because we haven’t really seen Fouch play meaningful football yet this year, but I’d bet he’s been worth at least 2 wins this year over Fouch.
Not Locker ... but Sark
We won those 3 games with a healthy team. Was it Jake Locker that got us those victories? I think Jake had a big part in it, but we don’t win those games with a Tyrone Willingham as head coach.
Give credit where due- I BARK FOR SARK!
All I saw was purple
That's this year ...
… next year we have a more experienced D, we have a veteran WR corps, a more developed TE, and one of the top RBs in the conference. 3-4 wins is a lot for one man to influence no matter the situation.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
True enough. We have no real way of evaluating the amount of difference between Locker and Fouch right now since Fouch hasn’t playing anything more than mop-up this season.
That said, I don’t think it’s crazy to think Jake makes that much difference given his physical gifts. Maybe it’s not 3-4 games. But I wouldn’t at all deny the possibility.
This is why you shouldn't agree with Crazi
next year we have a more experienced D
I’ve been buying that line for the last 4 years. I hate to break it to you, but next years defense is going to be a lot of the same. I don’t expect a real defensive improvement until 2011. We lose DTN, we lose two starting LB’s, and the secondary will be just as green as they are this year. I have the same concern about the o-line, we bring back 4 starters, but that doesn’t mean they will necessarily be better.
If everybody spends the entire off season in the weight room, and Jake returns, next year could be a lot of fun. But it’s going to take some serious off season conditioning and 100% of the players buying into it.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
OUR FUTURE
is with Sark and Holt. They need time but hopefully they will be around a long time.
ps: Watch the recruiting which so far is A+.
USC recruits five offensive and five defensive lineman every year under Carroll. Remember when they used their scholarships to tie up every running back wide, receiver they could sign? You need a lot of line depth to cover for injuries, etc.,
I agree they are starting from ground zero but they have already achieved high status and added excitement once again to Husky football.
We can go on without Jake and I hope he makes the best decision for him.
Agree!
O line and D line, that is where the game is played and won. Those big bodies aborb so many bumps and bruises and you need to recruit the hell out of them. Sark and Holt have been taking notes from Pete Carroll, They have the USC/Carroll blueprint on how to build and sustain a program. It’s all about the players.
All I saw was purple
Kyle Whittingham-Utah
He stated on the KJR last year that “80% of his job is recruiting”
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
And he got fired . . .
So did he not recruit well enough, or did he not put enough time into developing the current players??
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Um, what? Kyle Whittingham most definitely has not been fired, and in fact was my preference to be our new head coach, but Emmert apparently wasn’t willing to spend enough money to pry him away from Utah.
Sorry, I was think Mike Sanford at UNLV
They both were coordinators under Urban Meyer at Utah. This pilot needs a nap! I would have been VERY happy to have Wittingham as our head coach.
I was trying to point out that recruiting is very important, but so is developing the current talent. Needless to say, I swung and missed with the previous post!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
How did you confuse Whittingham w/ Sanford?
red uniforms? Put your hands up and step slowly away from the bong.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Easy
They were both coordinators under Urban Meyer.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Jake's Decision Has Nothing To Do With The Fans...Objectively, The Writing is on the Wall, Jake Should Be GONE...
TOP 10 Reasons:
1. NFL ROOKIE SALARY CAP
2. NFL ROOKIE SALARY CAP
3. NFL ROOKIE SALARY CAP
4. NFL ROOKIE SALARY CAP
5. NFL ROOKIE SALARY CAP
6. INJURIES
7. INJURIES
8. INJURIES
9. INJURIES
10. Odds are Jake will finish the 2009 season with around 300 yards rushing and less than 3000 yards passing and under 60% passing completion under Sark’s “offense”…with zero national awards and no bowl games…and will STILL be a Top 10 NFL pick this year…A Perfect Storm…Buh-Bye.
Right On 206
Your top 10 reasons are golden. All Jake has to look at is Sam Bradford’s ill-advised decision to return. That decision probably cost the kid a few million bucks. Worse then that, it may cost Bradford a pro football career if the shoulder doesn’t heel properly.
Let’s face it fellas, it is going to be a stretch to think Jake will come back his final year of eligibility when he could be raking in millions of dollars learning the professional game.
It would be in his favor to return so that he can finish what he started and learn more of the pro style system under Sark. Considering that Jake has been ran thru the ringer most of his college career- it seems to me that he may want to make a fresh start. This is a new beginning of Husky football under Sark. A lot of passion is back and a lot of enthusism. I bark for Sark! Yet if Locker were to come back, I’d welcome him back. But I am not holding my breath.
All I saw was purple
wow, I'm doing this twice in one day.
…agreeing with Crazi again.
Jake is going to leave IF…
1. he doesn’t get hurt
2. Jimmy Clausen doesn’t come out – if he does, then all of a sudden there are six guys vying for what will likely be at most two first round slots and, at max, four first day slots (Snead, Tebow, Bradford, McCoy, Clausen, Locker)
Next year’s class actually looks less competitive than this year’s class (Clausen is the key). Locker would enter the season as an instant Heisman candidate and he’d probably be the consensus #1 pick given that he is the highest rated underclassmen who isn’t a sure thing to come out right now.
Still, I’m guessing Clausen will want to stay and be that Heisman candidate next year which means that the top 3 QBs in this draft would be Bradford, Locker and McCoy. Pretty good chance Locker is at least #2 among those guys.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
There’s a big difference between Bradford’s situation and Locker’s – Bradford really couldn’t have seen his stock go any higher. Locker can. We’ve all seen over the last several weeks that as much potential as Jake has, he still has a lot of room for improvement. All the hype about Jake being one of the top QB prospects was happening right after the USC game when he was at his peak, and his performance has gone downhill since then.
Clausen is almost certain to come out, because he’s no worse than the 2nd QB picked, and quite likely the 1st one picked, potentially top-5. Add in Bradford, McCoy and Snead and there’s a lot of competition for the top QB spot this year. Next year, another big jump in Jake’s performance after coaching by Sark & Nussmeier could put no doubt in anyone’s mind that Locker is the top QB on the board.
Right now, I don’t think it’s a lock that Jake is the top QB – he might be #3, and that may be late 1st round territory. Another year and he could vault into top-5, or even #1 overall territory.
Jimmy is going pro!
You can bet your bottom dollar the Domers are shopping for a new head coach. Jimmy doesn’t want another coach in college. Jimmy wants Charlie. And what Jimmy wants … Jimmy gets. And if Jimmy doesn’t get what he wants … Jimmy will leave [spoof from Seinfeld].
Say hello to the Tampa Bay Jimmys! Is Oakland a good fit for Locker? hint … hint
All I saw was purple
If Jimmy goes pro, Jake stays.
… but I’m guessing it might be the other way around. who knows???
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
I dunno – Clausen has had his breakout year, his coach is going to get fired, he’s arguably the top QB target on draft boards – I’m betting Clausen enters the draft.
you could swap Jake's name for Jimmy's in that comment and get the same outcome ...
… except for the fact that Jimmy would be coming back to a better team and probably be the favorite to win the Heisman.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Mel Kiper had this to say yesterday
Jake Locker (No. 7): If they both came out, I think there’s a great chance Jimmy Clausen goes before Locker. I really think it would help Locker to come back and get another year under Steve Sarkisian. His Board status is based on his talent — his raw skills are phenomenal — but “raw” is the operative word. He needs to gain accuracy, he needs to get more reps (he was hurt all of last year), and he needs to have success. He needs confidence. What I’d call this is the difference between going to the pros, and going to the pros ready to play. If Locker wants the latter, he should come back and refine his immense talents. He’s a possible No. 1 overall pick next year if he continues to improve.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
See, this is exactly my point. Clausen was always a more polished passing QB prospect, while Locker was the physical freak dual-threat guy. Clausen struggled early behind a poor OL, but as his protection improved and his surrounding skill position talent blossomed last year he showed signs of turning into the guy he was projected to be. This year he’s put it all together and has had a phenomenal season. Look at the progression in his performance:
There’s very little room for improvement there.
We all know Jake’s story. He was on NFL scouts radars prior to this season, but only peripherally – they saw a guy with tremendous physical gifts, but very raw and without much training as a pro-style QB. The reason he starting blowing up draft boards this year is he’s showing that he’s taking well to pro-style QB training and becoming more refined as a QB. But in terms of performance, Jake’s 2009 is Clausen’s 2008. Jake has scouts drooling over his physical abilities, but they question his decision-making and know he’s still relatively unrefined. Kiper’s quotes above are almost certainly what NFL scouts are saying as well.
He’ll get drafted fairly high, probably 1st round strictly off of potential. But if he returns and shows the same kind of improvement that Clausen showed from last year to this year, he’d be hands-down the #1 pick in the following draft.
To make a long story short, Clausen has proven just about all he can prove to the NFL. Jake has only scratched the surface.
I agree with all that.
… my only point is that he would be a strong Heisman candidate and could be the #1 pick in the draft next year himself if he stayed another year. I didn’t link it, but Kiper said as much in his blurb on Clausen.
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Also, Clausen doesn’t necessarily have a whole lot to come back for. His coach is going to get fired, his best WR in Golden Tate is likely to declare for the draft and 4 of his 5 OL graduate. Notre Dame isn’t likely to be much better next year if he returns, and behind a younger, less cohesive OL and possibly without Tate, Clausen could see his numbers actually drop. And it’s highly unlikely that the Irish would be good enough next year to warrant coming back – no National Championship, and probably no Heisman.
Contrast that with Jake – next year should only get better for him and the team.
Billy Joe and Steve
where is the next Billy Joe? Think a 5th year line doesn’t help a QB. BJ is the only undefeated QB ever at Washington. And another Steve Emtman wouldn’t hurt either but he was a rare bird. Not often you find a nose guard who can push an all-American center five yards into the end zone and get a safety (Rose Bowl v. Michigan).
I think Sark will find them. We have to go with what we are dealt so get with the program and think only positive thoughts. Better days are here and you don’t even know it!!!!! Yes you, I am talking to you.
I'm onboard Purpledawg!
I’m with you on this one. These other fellas are not seeing the entire picture. They don’t see the marvelous job our coaching staff has done in getting a slew of kids to commit. They keep seeing a young and inexperienced team, but what they are forgetting is that our team has only been through one offseason in the I Bark For Sark Camp. How much of a difference is it going to be after offseason No.2? How much better are they going to be in season No.2? How much better physically are they going to be under Ivan Lewis? We just went thru one season under the Sark flag (one complete annual cycle). I’ve got news for you fellas, these kids are going to develope their games. And if they don’t develop Sark will ultimately run them out in order to bring in kids that can or will.
The future is bright for Washington- everybody sees it and Oregon is scared stiff. With or without Jake Locker we’re going to be just fine. I’ve gotten the sense that some of you think I am bashing Jake. Honestly I am not. I want what is best for Jake and I want what is best for Washington. I look at it as a win-win situation. And believe me fellas- another Jake will come around. He may come in the form of a LB, DT, OG, WR, or RB, but believe me he’s coming. And when he does come, the team will be in better position to win.
I Bark for Sark! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
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