The Monday Morning Wash
by John Berkowitz on Dec 14, 2009 2:34 PM PST
41 comments
It isn't exactly morning but when you are taking the red eye in from Maui to LA with a final destination of Chicago it will do. The big news is that QB Jake Locker is coming back for his senior year despite the fact that he is probably a top ten draft pick in this years NFL draft.
What is comes down to is Jake wants to finish what he came to Washington for and that is to lead the program backs to depths it has sunk to over the last decade. The level of coaching he received this season from the new staff was also a huge factor.
Jake raised his passing percentage nearly ten points this season while barely scratching the true potential he has to work with. Give Jake another year with Sarkisian and he is going to be ready to come in and lead an NFL team and not just draw a huge paycheck and hold a clipboard.
Locker's 5,374 career passing yards is sixth on the UW career charts. Locker is also just two yards shy of Marques Tuiasosopo's record as the UW's all-time leading rusher at the quarterback position. By staying one more year Jake puts himself in the position to become one of the top QB's statisticall to every play at Washington. He should also be the odds on favorite to win the Heisman Trophy next season. No Husky has ever won the Heisman.
If you are a diehard Husky fan you can breathe a huge sigh of relief today because even though Sarkisian was on the right track the loss of Jake could have set the program back a couple more years. His return along with with a boat load of starters on offense and defense means the Huskies should seriously challenge for the upper division of the Pac 10 next season.
If you ask Jake and the rest of the team they will tell you they are thinking Rose Bowl and Heisman Trophy. Jake's return gives the Huskies a decent shot at that even though Oregon will be the odds on favorite to win it all next season.
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On the first day of Christmas my true love sent to me . . . . . .
one more year with Jake as our QB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GO DAWGS!!!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Cheesy
But if you were to practice the 12 days of Christmas, today would be the first day!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Oops
My dad used to do the “twelve days” of Christmas for my mom, and it always ended on Christmas day. I guess you learn something new every day!
Looks like the 12 days started early this year!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Jake's my hero
and not just because he’s comin back. He just got guaranteed millions of dollars waved in his face and said “no thanks” to finish what he started at UW. Making choices based on good principle will always trump doing it for the bucks in the long run. God bless you Jake. Go Dawgs
Freud would be proud:
…Jake wants to finish what he came to Washington for and that is to lead the program backs to depths it has sunk to over the last decade.
In all seriousness, congrats husky fans, I am sure you are all excited to hear this news. Here’s looking forward to another great rivalry game with you guys down in Eugene next year!!!
Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State..just another OSU. Free Dennis Dixon!!!
Upon hearing this news, I feel as if the Huskies just upset USC again!
Sam Bradford, future Seattle Seahawk.
Me, too. :oD
Raw Charge, an SBN Tampa Bay Lightning community. Calling shotgun in the clown car.
by Cassie McClellan on Dec 15, 2009 8:04 AM PST up reply actions
WOO! HOO!
GO BIGDAWGS guess I already posted that!…but this news was soooooo good I had to do it twice!!!!!!!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
What is this recruiting violation story on King 5 tonight?
Says it won’t be on until 11, but I can’t find anything about it online.
I’ve been looking as well. Can’t find anything. If it’s that big, why is King 5 breaking the news and it hasn’t hit Condotta’s blog or elsewhere?
VIOLATION
King 5 news on KONG reported an alcohol violation players paying for liquor for underaged recruits. This happened in Sark’s first week and is not considered serious. Recruits reportedly paid back the money.
Looks bad though like developing a pimple just before your first date.
It sounds like that the players went out to eat
and some players ordered alcohol (no idea if it was the recruits or not) and the players picked up the bill.
King 5 had this as their lead story on the 11:00 news?! On the same day that Montfort is arraigned?! On the day before Boeing makes the first test flight of the 787? On the day Locker announces he’s staying in school?! On the same day that the Mariners may have wrapped up Cliff Lee for next year?!
They think a secondary recruiting violation that is self-reported and occurred sometime in Sark’s first month or two is important enough to use as the lead? Just plain goofy.
Just tells you how corrupt the media is!
Now somebody please tell me the media isn’t pushing “their” agenda!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Well put, Neuro
In defense of Paul Silvi, it was on the news segment, not sports.
AWESOME
We’ve got a stellar class coming in if it closed right now. But I think some of the guys still out on the fence are going to seriously consider Sark, Holt, and UDub.
upswing or whatever you want to call it. Been following the Huskies football since 1949. 1991 was special but games were usually over in the first quarter. Most of the years were more thin than thick. But this year was a rejuvenation beyond our wildest dreams a year ago.
You can look at the recruiting class for this year, already ranked number eight, and more excitement to come and see there is something special going on here.
I also think there is a very good chance the coaching staff will hold together, Sark and Holt, for the long term. They now have University support which sadly worked against us in past years. Upswing definitely, special beyond special.
GO DAWGS.
I’ve followed Husky football since Heinrich and McHelheny through many ups and downs but never, never experienced anything like this. VERY EXCITING.
This should shake a few recruits off of the fence.
I'm going to be a little cautious about next season
Their is a lot of work to get done before we can remotely think about the possiblities of Rose Bowls and Heisman trophies.
Locker would have to have the season of his career to win the trophy. I don’t want him to go in with added pressure, just play the game and have fun. The only thing we can do right now is figure out how to win ball games next season. Then when Fall camp arrives have everything in place so that the exectution is perfected prior to game 1. Once the season begins, just go out and execute. If we can execute everything next season, then we can begin to dream of Rose Bowls and trophies. Know this- nothing will be given to us. We still have to work our tails off and execute a helluva lot better then we did this season.
Defensively we still have a lot of holes to patch. But if the last two games are a good indicator as to how the defense has responded to Holt’s system then things are better then before. To be a champion you have to play like a champion consistently. That means we are going to have to out play USC, Cal, Oregon, Oregon State, and Arizona. That’s a pretty tall order when you have no league byes. A lot of work to get done, hope our kids are up for it.
Go Dawgs! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Don't forget the O Line
They responded well the last 2 games also. Jake passed well because the line provided holes for Polk that kept the defense honest, and the line provided time for Jake to pass. Not to be confused with Hassleback, who through 5 of 36 passes without being sacked, hit, or hurried.
O line looked good
I think the last two games of the season the O line figured it all out. Now we still have depth issues, but it doesn’t seem as such a big concern going forward. When we lost Christine after the ND game, the O line struggled bigtime. Was it due to the absence of Christine? I’m not sure, but we stunk!
I think it took time for Sark and Coz to get somebody up to speed with what we were trying to do up front and it took a lot more time then immediately thought. However, I for one see that one injury as a good indicator that our coaches are working hard on player development. When Christine went down- did we have a solid back up on the roster? Someone that could step in and remove any doubt? I don’t think we did at first.
Knowing what we didn’t know then, I am confident that player development on the O line is going to be a huge priority this offseason. We can’t get a guy hurt midway through the season and scramble for life support like we did again. We’ve got to have that No.2 ready to go at a moments notice this season. I don’t think this was something Sark and the staff overlooked. Sark and company had a lot on their plate last winter and spring to get this team to win some games. But I see player development a huge priority this offseason, especially on the O line and secondary.
All I saw was purple
35%
Of that 35% who voted for Jake to leave school, how many of them are Cougs and ducks logging on to cast a vote?
All I saw was purple
correction:
7% … not 35%, I read that wrong.
All I saw was purple
We get some Coug's
Just part of the fun.
by John Berkowitz on Dec 15, 2009 7:37 PM PST up reply actions
Yeah, I'll admit it I voted he should leave
partly for selfish reasons (4 years of healthy Jake Locker does a number on my nerves). But also for reasons for Locker. It is hard to think of QB’s that benefited by coming back for another year of college ball when it comes to the NFL draft and making millions.
I only need to point to Bradford or Leinart to make you realize that it can cost him a lot in money by staying another year. Not to mention that every game next year Locker is going to have a giant bullseye on his back (I know he had one this year too) that I am sure defenses would love to knock him out of the game, season or even the top of the draft.
I am sure every UW lover is overjoyed that he decided to stay, but I think if you are honest you might admit that if he costs himself $$$ by playing another year, it might not have been the best choice.
Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State..just another OSU. Free Dennis Dixon!!!
…but I think if you are honest you might admit that if he costs himself $$$ by playing another year, it might not have been the best choice.
Even if it ends up costing him money, I can’t dispute his choice because it’s his choice. He’s made it clear money isn’t his highest priority. He’s seen the evidence that having more college experience is better for long-term success for QB’s, and he isn’t in the game to grab a quick buck – he wants to have a long and productive NFL career because he loves the game.
People love to point out Leinart as a guy that cost himself money, but I doubt that’s true. Had he entered the draft after his Jr. season, his warts would’ve been exposed. Yeah, he was coming off a Heisman season and all, but his measurables still would’ve been the same, and the more scouts looked at his film the more they would’ve noticed his weaker areas.
And before we rip Bradford, let’s see where he ends up getting drafted.
Jake was rated highly for this year’s draft, but it was mostly on potential – everyone said he would be better off from a development standpoint returning. And yeah, some sites said he could potentially go as high as #1 overall, but you can find a lot of claims on the internet that don’t come true. I’m not convinced Jake would’ve been the first QB picked – his potential is greater than Clausen’s, but Clausen is a lot more polished and ready to play.
Jake likely cost himself some money short-term, but he may well earn it back and then some by having a better NFL career and thus making a lot of money on his 2nd and 3rd contracts.
Other examples
Peyton Manning, Eli Manning, and Carson Palmer. What it really comes down to in the NFL is whether the kid wants to make the NFL a career. Sometimes a player’s heart leaves the game, hell sometimes your heart leaves the game while you are still in college. Is the love and desire for the game still there? Or are there other professions out there that the player would like to pursue?
What it mostly comes down to is continually having the desire to play the game. You can last as long as Elway and Favre if your heart is still in it. Or you can be a Leaf or a Harrington and leave the game because your heart is not with it anymore. Honestly think that has a lot more to it then most think.
Bradford is not durable enough for pro ball and will be a clipboard holder. Does Leinart still love the game? Only Leinart really knows the answer to that question.
P.S. Good to hear from you Matt, I had a hunch duck or coug fans were logging in to vote.
All I saw was purple
Thanks Crazi, always enjoy talking to you and Kirkd
Here’s my thoughts. Heart, potential, love, college experience versus MILLIONS! I know we like to say things like “he loves the college experience” or “money isn’t everything to him” but be honest, if (and I use that word specifically) if he costs himself millions by staying, would you be happy for him. Hell, I’m a duck fan and I wouldn’t be happy about it.
I know money isn’t the begin all end all for doing what you love. And I have a tremendous about of respect for Locker for chosing to stay and develop his game more and finish what he started at UW. But, the poll question was:
Did Jake make the right decision to return to Washington for his senior year?
and as someone who calculates risk and return for a living, I am pretty sure that the risk he is taking (draft status, injurey, money left on the table) versus the potential to make how many more millions is too great. He literally has the possiblity of losing ALL of his potential NFL money for what greater return by staying 10%? 25%? 33%?
100% downside risk for limited return in a one year time frame?… I don’t think it was the right decision.
That and I wish he would just go, I’d rather face Fouch next year, personally :-)
Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State..just another OSU. Free Dennis Dixon!!!
First off, I don’t believe that Jake would’ve been the #1 overall pick – I think teams would’ve been too scared by his lack of polish. It’s one thing for a draft blogger to say he’s a possible #1 overall, another thing entirely for a GM to put his career on the line with that pick.
Second, it’s possible the rookie wage scale happens this year, so the “should he stay or should he go” debate regarding money might end up being moot.
Third, unless he suffers a career-ending injury, which is highly unlikely, he’s unlikely to lose much ground in his draft status by staying. Worst-case for him is his numbers next year don’t improve, or even regress. After watching the big step forward he took this year and seeing what the team returns next year, that is extremely unlikely. Remember, we’re not talking about a guy that put up fantastic numbers. He’s got a lot of room for improvement, and that’s by far the most likeliest outcome – that his numbers are better next year and he looks even more polished.
Jake’s going to get a lot of money to play football. Is he risking not making as much money playing football by not coming out this year? Absolutely. For most people, that’s enough incentive to enter the draft early, but not Jake. He’s never been about taking the immediate payday. He obviously thinks whatever financial risk he’s taking is worth it, for the experience he’ll get learning under Sark & Nussmeier, the opportunity he has to lead his team back to a bowl game, the unique college experience, and the probability that he’s increasing his chances of long-term NFL success, perhaps significantly. And in doing so, he may be actually increasing his long-term financial gain.
The question isn’t what Jake should do – he should do what makes him happy. The question is what we’d do in his shoes.
Stats and production are important to GM’s, but so is potential. Right now Locker has a lot of “well the teams and coaches he played for weren’t very good, so that’s what has hurt his production.” Staying could cause “even with better players and coaching Locker hasn’t improved much, maybe he’s not very good.” You know what they say, better to let people think you’re stupid then open your mouth and prove them all right. I think Locker’s athletic potential could be a diminishing variable beyond statistics that could cause concern.
The question is what we’d do in his shoes.
I purposely stayed away from this argument, because I think it’s meaningless. Locker may come from wealthy, happy family backgrounds. While someone with a less than fortunate upbringing would have the desire to chase the dollar signs. Personally, I am trying to look at it from a was it the “best” decision for a high profile, potential high draft pick to forgo potential million in the NFL.
Finally, let me fix this for you…
Jake’s going to get a lot of money to play
footballbaseball.
Sorry couldn’t resist.
Oregon State, Oklahoma State, Ohio State..just another OSU. Free Dennis Dixon!!!
Jake and Money
No matter how things end up, Jake is going to make a lot of money playing sports. Doesn’t matter if it’s football or baseball, he is going to make millions. In the grand scheme of things, does it really matter if you only make 30 million, when you could have made 50 million? Either way, life will be good for Jake.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Stats and production are important to GM’s, but so is potential.
Sure, but there’s a big difference between someone with vast potential that hasn’t fully realized it vs. one who has. Locker is in the former category now, and hopes to move into the latter category by spending another year with Sark & Nussmeier.
All draft picks are risks, let’s get that out of the way first. But picks based on potential that hasn’t yet been fully realized are obviously more risky. An NFL GM has more confidence in what they’re getting with guys like Jimmy Clausen and Sam Bradford than they do with Jake Locker. Locker has greater potential than those guys, but he’s not as ready.
Obviously there’s the risk that Locker doesn’t show much improvement next year, which would hurt his draft status. There’s the risk he suffers a severe injury that impairs his physical ability. Those are valid risks.
But the evidence strongly suggests that both are very unlikely. The progress Jake made this past year was significant, and there’s no reason to think that his progress won’t continue. Again, let’s remember that his performance thus far in his career and even this past season was good, but not great. He’s got a lot of room for improvement, unlike guys like Clausen or Bradford (or Leinart, Bledsoe, etc.)
I purposely stayed away from this argument, because I think it’s meaningless.
Except it’s not – you’re suggesting that he’s making a big mistake financially. Well, that’s important to you, but it’s apparently not as important to Jake. Maybe Jake is too optimistic and is downplaying the financial risk he’s taking, but maybe he just isn’t that worried about it. He’s going to make a lot of money either way – even worst case scenario, he’ll have at least 8 figures out of the whole deal from his insurance policy. For some people, there’s a point of diminishing returns on money, and it appears Jake is one of them.
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