The Monday Morning Wash

by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2009 1:35 PM PST Comment 35 comments

Another football season has come and gone except this time it exits with considerable hope for Washington football fans. Steve Sarkisian and his staff did a great job in year one and by finishing with two solid wins over WSU and Cal they hit the off season and the end of recruiting in full stride.

If you follow the Huskies closely you realize that the second season has officially arrived and Washington is very close to putting together one of its best recruiting classes in decades. Expect the Dawgs to sign approximately thirty players with at least three of them arriving by spring practice. TB Jessie Callier, TB Denotae Cooper and now LB Victor Burnett have all said they will enroll early which pushes the potential size of this class up to 28 true frosh.

Not sure if the Huskies will sign any JC players. It looks like the coaches are starting to back off in that area. We will know soon anyway because any JC's they do sign need to be on campus right after the start of the year.

The Huskies picked up a couple of recent big time commits over the past couple of days. Four star WR/S Kevin Smith made it official last night that he was coming to Washington. Three star DT Lawrence Lagafuiana also committed after his trip this past weekend. Both are pretty solid to Washington but may take another trip or two just to make sure and enjoy the experience.

Huskies on the All Pac 10 Team

The All-Pac-10 Football Team has been announced and three Huskies are represented. WR Jermaine Kearse, DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and LB Donald Butler all cracked the second team.

WR Devin Aguilar, OLB Mason Foster, OG Senio Kelemete, QB Jake Locker, TB Chris Polk, C Ryan Tolar and CB Desmond Trufant were all named honorable mention.

Pac 10 Power Ratings - Final Edition

1. Oregon...The Ducks did a lot better than I thought they would this season. I thought the overall youth and lack of experience at the WR positions would hold them back and it did not. Oregon goes out as the indisputed champ and starts 2010 as the favorite to win it again.

2. Oregon State...The Beavers had anothe fine season after the annual slow start and were only a defensive stop away from winning the conference title.

3. Stanford...Great year by Harbaugh and the Cardinal. Hard to fathom how Cal could have ever beat these guys.

4. Arizona...Strong win to finish the season over USC cements this as being a great season for Mike Stoops and his team. Next year they will be rebuilding since this was one of the most experienced squads int he league.

5. USC...Troy has fallen for a season yet they will bounce back just fine with plenty of young talent and an excellent coaching staff.

6. Washington...More than one pro writer chided me for picking UW this high at the start of the season and it looks like I don't have to eat crow either on this pick despite the absence of a bowl invitiation.

7. California...The Bears arrived in Seattle as one of the conferences hottest teams and they left in shame with a might plunge in the power ratings.

8 . UCLA...How did Washington lose to these guys?

9. Arizona State...How did Washington lose to these guys Part Deux?

10. Washington State...Wulff will have to scramble to keep his job past 2010.

Pac Ten Player of the Week

Jake Locker....The Husky QB was perfect against California.

Pac Ten Player of the Year

Toby Gerhart of Stanford also gets my vote for the Heisman if I had one.

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HONORABLE MENTION $$$$$

Jake, QB, honorable mention. I’m still laughing, LOL.

How did he go from NUMERO UNO draft pick to HM in the PAC-10??

Quite a letdown!!! I’m sure he wiill stay now that he won’t even be drafted if you believe the PAC-10 aficionados. Blows my mind. Somebody please explain.

by Purpledawg on Dec 7, 2009 2:15 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

What’s to explain? Do you really think Jake had a better season than Canfield or Masoli?

The All Pac-10 team is not an opinion on which players have the greatest pro prospects, it’s about who had the best season. Jake had a good season, but Canfield and Masoli were better.

by kirkd on Dec 7, 2009 2:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

the interceptions were too high

and a 58% completion percentage far too low, but I think he had a better season that Masoli. Canfield certainly earned all Pac 10, though. I don’t think any of us saw that kind of season coming.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Dec 7, 2009 5:10 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I think Masoli deserves a lot of credit for running that Oregon offense so efficiently.

And if it weren’t Masoli, it’d be hard to argue that Jake should be listed above Nick Foles.

by kirkd on Dec 7, 2009 6:22 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Every coach knows exactly who the best QB in league is- NO Question!

Jake Locker is the finest QB in this league and every Pac 10 coach knows this kid is the best. Best QB indeed, but not the best season. That should define how the voters voted on this.

Jake is the best QB, but didn’t have the best season.

All I saw was purple

by crazidawg on Dec 7, 2009 6:46 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Jake is the best QB, but didn’t have the best season.

Bingo. And the coaches voted on who had the best season, as they should.

by kirkd on Dec 7, 2009 7:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

except that Foles didn't play all season and Jake beat him H2H

… these awards are about winning, after all.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Dec 8, 2009 7:39 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Awards

All of the post season awards that are handed out to individuals, are anything but individual awards. You can’t win the Heisman unless you are on a winning team. The main reason Jake isn’t a first team all conference player, he didn’t have the o-line to let him show his stuff. That’s why a Pac10 honorable mention player could easily be a first round draft choice.

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Dec 7, 2009 2:38 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Sounds about right to me. Based on this seasons performance I would rate Jake 4th behind Masoli, Canfield, and Foles. Two great games don’t make a season.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2009 3:08 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

John Timu possible greyshirt

Remember John Timu blew out his ACL so he’s a canidate to be a greyshirt.

by john_s on Dec 7, 2009 2:26 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

The difference a schedule makes

interesting that four of the five husky wins came against bowl teams and the huskies had 8 bowl teams on their schedule. It was the non-bowl teams on their schedule that they had trouble with.
According the SEC and Big 10 formulas the Pac 10 should play less conference games, play weaker non-conference opponents and then they could have two teams in the BCS.
Pac-10 bowl matchups dont look particularly favorable this year, but it would be nice to run the table again!

I'm tired of next year. Win now!

by wishfulthinking on Dec 7, 2009 3:04 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

It was a brutal schedule that was rated the nations toughest schedule at the start of the season.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2009 3:14 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

huh?

We were outclassed by the two best teams in the Pac 10: Oregon, OSU
We got beat pretty good by the third best team and the best player in the Pac 10: Stanford
We lost heartbreakers to three traditionally strong teams who are bowl eligible (two on the road): LSU, Notre Dame, UCLA
Our coaches gave one away that they should have one: ASU

Not sure how that equates to “we had trouble with non-bowl teams”.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Dec 7, 2009 5:14 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Clearly a reference to ASU, UCLA and Notre Dame

Teams that UW had the talent to beat and wins that would have made them a bowl team. I don’t think anyone expected the Huskies to win the OU or OSU games and Stanford proved a much better team than pre-season pundits predicted.
I guess its about perspective, but I would equate the losses to ASU, UCLA and Notre Dame as having trouble with non-bowl teams.

I'm tired of next year. Win now!

by wishfulthinking on Dec 8, 2009 9:17 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Bowls

UCLA is slotted for a bowl game and Notre Dame opted out of their own volition. I’d hardly classify these as “non-bowl” teams. The only non-bowl team that we played all season were WSU and ASU.

Damn, my eyeball tastes good.

by Gekko Mojo on Dec 9, 2009 9:21 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Notre Dame is not in a bowl, therefore, a non-bowl team

And UCLA is currently not in one, but you can re-write this next week if you’d like.
The point really was more about the schedule, especially the non-conference schedule. My point really was the same as yours, UW played a very difficult schedule and that made bowl-eligibility difficult. Sorry that we got hung up on a minor point.
Mostly is was my subtle attempt to show disdain for the SEC and their scheduling practices. But they are the best marketed conference in the country and continue to get wealthy off those practices.

I'm tired of next year. Win now!

by wishfulthinking on Dec 9, 2009 10:06 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Objectively Locker was good not great.

yeah we can point finger at o-line but Sark`s late recognition of Locker`s running threat, cost this team at least another win and a bowl game and Locker individual hardware. Next year no excuses, IF Locker returns.

by 206 on Dec 7, 2009 4:30 PM PST via mobile reply actions 0 recs

Injury

I think Jake was really slowed down by the quad bruise and that really never sorted itself out till the bye after OSU.

He just didn’t look like himself till WSU….Cal was a game he played at a completely different level.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2009 5:36 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Does anyone have any idea how Fouch looked this season running the offense at practice or how Price or Bean preformed?

by lorenzothedog on Dec 7, 2009 6:27 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

I’ve heard mixed reports. The coaches have claimed that Fouch has improved as much as Jake has. On the other hand, I’ve read posts from people whose opinion I respect say that Fouch still doesn’t look like a Pac-10 QB.

Reports have been generally positive on Price, noting that he needs to get stronger and he had a bit of a hitch/problem in his throwing motion that Nussmeier & Sark have been working on eliminating.

I wouldn’t expect much out of Bean other than being an emergency QB.

by kirkd on Dec 7, 2009 6:41 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Fouch

Have not seen him in person but I have heard he still lacks arm strength. He is a smart kid who understands the offense. The coaches like him but he will have to battle to be the next starter.

by John Berkowitz on Dec 7, 2009 6:47 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, I think it’s going to be a very interesting battle to see who ends up succeeding Jake. I see Montana needing at least a couple of years getting stronger before he’s a serious contender. Fouch obviously has more experience than Price, and he’s had more reps in Sark’s system (most of Price’s reps have come as a scout team QB emulating the opposition).

Price probably has a stronger arm, and he’s more mobile. He was regarded as a real leader on his team, so he’s got that going for him, though for all I know Fouch also is a good leader. I just recall a number of articles that really focused on Price’s personality and how his teammates gravitated to him in H.S.

I would guess Fouch starts off Spring Practices ahead of Price, but that it’s written lightly in pencil.

by kirkd on Dec 7, 2009 7:29 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed

I think if Fouch wins the QB competition after Locker leaves, it would be due to Price not being completely ready to handle the reins yet. If Fouch takes over once Jake leaves, would Fouch be labeled as a system QB? Orchestrate the offense, play within the system and don’t make mistakes? If Fouch wins it, I think it is safe to say Fouch would not be able to improvise or stray away from the called play very offen, where I believe Price would have a little more freedom to improvise.

All I saw was purple

by crazidawg on Dec 7, 2009 7:47 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Kevin Smith & Lawrence Lagafuaina

How come nobody is talking about our latest two commits? Another solid DT prospect is coming in. I see a lot of progress coming forward. You have to be big and strong up front and our D line is shaping in that direction. Now if we can get some O line kids to commit.

I think this Smith kid is going to be a head turner! 4 star and currently ranked No.38 WR prospect in the country. It’s all about the quality players in the program and we’re getting them to come back to the NW jewel.

Welcome to HuskyNation Kevin and Lawrence! WOOF!!!

All I saw was purple

by crazidawg on Dec 7, 2009 7:56 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

According to Biggens @ ESPN...

Lagafuaina out perfomed alot of the top ranked DT’s at the USC camp. Big, strong and low center of gravity make him very hard to block. If he ends up signing with us he could be a real “sleeper” in this class.

Smith has great speed but will take a few years to really learn routes and technique as I believe this is his first year playing football. That being said his “up side” is huge.

by Snostrebla on Dec 7, 2009 8:25 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

I bet Smith will end up at Safety

his athleticisim is outrageous. He could be a solid WR, but he has the tools to be an all-american Safety.

"Attending WAZZU is great preparation for real life. It teaches you not to expect too much."
- Don James.

by B Money on Dec 7, 2009 9:00 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Not sure I agree...

He looks very fast but also looks very stiff in the hips. Of course this could be fixed to a degree by Ivan Lewis but as of right now I don’t think he has the hips to play safety.

by Snostrebla on Dec 7, 2009 9:07 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

This isn't really a...

…recruiting post craz…we’re just doing it here because it’s a football post and because we’re SO DAMN excited!!!!!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Dec 8, 2009 6:37 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

crazi – look under FanPosts – Recruiting News – that is where all the recruiting posts are.

by lorenzothedog on Dec 7, 2009 8:30 PM PST reply actions 0 recs

Recruiting!!!!

Is off the hook!!!!!!! GO DAWGS!!!!!!!

Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!

by dawgfan22 on Dec 8, 2009 6:35 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

Micah Hatchie just committed

Our O line in 2 years will be top notch

by prrbrr on Dec 8, 2009 7:45 AM PST reply actions 0 recs

I think

our O line will be much better next year after watching the Cal game. It looks to me that Tolar will get moved after MI’s performance last Saturday.

by T9ODawg on Dec 8, 2009 7:56 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Get the 5 best guys on the field

The coaching staff will have to move one of them, those 5 guys could be a very good o-line next year.

"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"

by Lear Pilot on Dec 8, 2009 9:44 AM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Agreed Lear

You know the beautiful thing about Tolar’s injury is it provided us with more depth on the O line next season. That and a few of our incoming recruits might position themselves on the depth chart. O line is definitely going to be a bright spot for us soon.

All I saw was purple

by crazidawg on Dec 10, 2009 4:51 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs

Yep. I’m optimistic that with another off-season with Ivan Lewis and another round of coaching by Cozzetto that our O-line progresses from below-average to average or better. I don’t know how much of the results vs. Cal were due to guys stepping up vs. Cal players not putting out much effort, but the line looked good with Ikehara in there, which simply re-affirms the talk we’ve heard over the past 2 years that the kid has a bright future at C.

Let’s get the current guys in better shape and stronger and coached up more so the incoming studs can redshirt and become the dominating line in 2-3 years a championship team needs.

Sark clearly knows the importance of recruiting the trenches, and if he can continue the success he’s had this year on a regular basis, we’ll be back to competing for Rose Bowls on an annual basis.

by kirkd on Dec 10, 2009 6:02 PM PST up reply actions 0 recs