The Monday Morning Wash
by John Berkowitz on Jul 6, 2009 12:38 PM PDT
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PrintI hope you all had a safe and sane fourth of July this year. We had a great one here in the Chicago area but I have to say today has been mostly devoted to napping after taking relatives to the airport this morning.
On the Husky front we have reached the time of year when the coaching staff begins to take a long break to spend time with their families and recharge the batteries before the season begins in August. There is still a lot going on at Montlake as the players continue working out in the weight room, picking up some classes, and doing seven on seven drills four times per week.
We are hearing the informal workouts have been going well with around 50 to 60 players in attendance every day. Roy Lewis who is a former Husky CB has been working out with the team to get ready for the pro season and he says the difference in what is going on right now is like night and day compared to when he was a student.
Roy says the pace of the workouts is really fast in fact it compares very favorably with what he is currently doing with the Pittsburgh Steelers. He also commented on the attendance and organization that is happening this year and once again it has been taken to a completely different level.
This is pretty good news because as I commented in June we always here in the paper how hard everyone is working every year only to find out from insiders that it is a bunch of baloney. Everything that I am hearing from the inside and outside seems to belay the fact that Sarkisian has turned things around in a big way in a very short time.
What that translates to when they start playing a tough schedule is hard to decipher till we see the product on the field.
Dick Baird picked out five reasons why the Huskies will improve in 2009 in a Dawgman column today. I never read it till I finished my column today but our analysis is pretty similar. dick of course looks at everything through purple glasses. I agree the team will be better conditioned but even though I know Coach Lewis has done a great job with the guys in the weight room I still say it takes two years of that type of work to achieve the total retransformation he is touting.
Here are a few things that I think we can expect.
- Better conditioned athletes: That means they are going to play much better in the second half of games this season. How often did we see the team fall apart in the third quarter the past few years? Tired teams do that and I have always felt that overall conditioning was very suspect at UW under Willingham, and Gilbertson.
- Attitude: You can expect a 180 degree turnaround from last year on the attitude front. If the head coach shows no emotion and has a poor attitude what do you expect the players to do?
- Locker: You think Jake may benefit from having two of the best QB coaches in the country working with him? We saw a better Jake as spring went on and that will carry over to the fall. We didn't get to see him use his wheels this spring but you can count on the coahes to utilize those skill in the pro set this fall.
- Game Planning: The coaching is taking a quantum leap as far as knowledge and leadership goes. Sarkisan and Holt only know winning from their tenure at USC and they know how to instill the same principles at Washington. Remember how many times Willingham looked like a deer in the headlights while he was here? Expect solid game plans built around what the team does best.
- Defense: Nick Holt brings a lot of tougness and experience to the the Husky staff. The Washington defense has been in sleep walk mode for most of this decade. That will change in 2009 with battle tested young players who are a year older and wiser manning the line positions. The linebackers are some of the best on the West Coast and if they can get a young secondary back in order that gained experience the hard way last year they just might surprise quite a few people this season.
KJR Dawgman show Podcast
Saturday morning radio may not be your cup of tea during the summer season but the Dawgman show on KJR gives you all the Husky recruiting news you can use each week. Now that they are pod casting it you can listen to it at a more convenient time. For me that would be after my wife goes to bed.
Filling in the blanks at WSU
This is a humerous fill in the blanks editorial from the Daily Evergreen on the problems they are having over in Pullman.
Here is a little financial information on the WSU athletic program from the News Tribune. I think at least half the Apple Cup will be played at Qwest in the very near future.
Fiscal year 2009 came to an end Tuesday, and the WSU Athletic Foundation forecasts a $1.5 million drop in donations from last year’s record total of $8.26 million. Final numbers have yet to be calculated. Donors dropped from 6,200 to 5,500 in one year. WSU already had the fewest athletic donors and donation dollars in the Pacific-10 Conference.
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Fall Practice starts in 5 weeks!!!!
And it can’t get here soon enough! GO DAWGS!!!!
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Hey Lear
If you haven’t already, check out the Roy Lewis interview via the “Dawgman show on KJR” link in the article above. Well worth a listen!!!
Will do
Thanks for passing it along, I haven’t had a chance to listen to it yet, and definitely want to listen to Lewis’ interview.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
WSWHO
I guess just about everyone is struggling in this economy. I loved reading the comments section of the TNT article with all the bickering among the WSWHO faithful! GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Potoae
I just noticed that Scout has determined, again, that Sione Potoae is a “soft verbal,” and that he has “high interest” in both USC and (gasp!) Oregon. If he’s unsure, I hope he at least holds out for the season to begin before he makes up his mind.
It's the Sark and Holt Show
I think what the kid needs to do is, and it would be a wise decision- wait and see how the season unfolds. I personally feel the tide is turning. USC could be hammered with NCAA sanctions and Oregon could spiral downward with the messy coaching change.
Regardless, this program is all about Steve Sarkisian and Nick freakin’ Holt- BABY! It’s not about anyone player. It’s Sark and Holt and as a player you are part of the show. Each player has a chance to do something special and develope skills for the next level. But when it’s all said and done this is the Sark and Holt Show. With our coaching staff we are going to get brawny DTs, nasty DEs, and earholin’ LBs. We are going to get some of the best pro style QBs, fastest RBs, and the Jerry Rice-look-alikes at WR. Not to mention the big uglies up front and the do-all best TEs.
Yet like I said this kid along with all recruits on the fence really need to wait and see how the season unfolds. Still sticking to it- 6+ wins this season and I wouldn’t be the least bit surprised if we shocked LSU out of the gates. Sark and Holt are winners, they display it, they act like it, they talk like it, and they coach like it. WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Gotta remember these are 18 year olds...
…so you never know. Ultimately I think he’ll be a DAWG
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Thanks for clarifying Crazi....
I did say “holds out for the season to begin,” but I really meant: “wait and see how the season unfolds.”
I’m still with you with the 6+ prediction, and am still feeling good about shocking LSU.
And you’re right about the program not being about one player; it is, after all, a TEAM sport, and teams can only be as good as the coaching allows….. or, in this case, as the coaching UNLEASHES!!!!! WOOF!!! WOOF!!! MUSH YOU HUSKIES!!!
Worst to First- Could happen, has before
It’s not uncommon to see a team go from worst to first. Look directly at the NFL’s Dolphins, Titans, Bears. Look at the MLB’s Braves, Devil Rays- Whoops! I mean Rays. And Look at Cal’s first year under Jeff Tedford.
We’ve got more talent on this team then most think. Before the season started last season, the rave was about how our O line was suppose to be good. We saw something then about the O line and I for one believe it is still there. Yeah the O line tanked it last season, huge dissapointiment all around. I think what ever backfired with our hyped up offensive line last year can be fixed rather quickly. It’s just a matter of figuring out what went wrong and making the neccessarily corrections.
Believe me Jake Locker is going to have something to say this season! This kid is too good to be on the backburner as aposed to other Pac 10 QBs. For Locker it’s all about becoming a good leader and making good decisions. This kid has been a winner all his life and it’s time for his real spirit to shine on Saturdays. To me the only real question mark is in the secondary and like I said if we can find kids that can “cover” we’ll be okay there too. Last season we didn’t understand “cover” and it showed. If you can cover- you can tackle, you can knock down a pass, you can make a pic. But if you can’t cover then it’s a completion and we can’t have too many cheap ones like last season.
I didn’t attend last seaons Oregon State game, I watched it on TV. And during the game FoxNW interviewed Scott Woodward on the sideline. At that point it was conceivable that Tyrone Willingham was not going to be retained, but was offered to stay on until the season’s end. Scott said “who ever we hire, we are going to be TOUGH”. And although I don’t have insider’s knowledge, I’m willing to bet that Steve Sarkisian might’ve already been contacted for the position of head coach. Not to mention but I wouldn’t be surprised if Nick Holt’s name hadn’t been in the conversations as well for the duties of D coordinator. My question to all you is “who is tougher then Nick freakin’ Holt?”
Where am I going with this? I might be overstepping this, but when Scott said we were going to be tough, the only logical coaching choice at the time that fit the description of “tough” was at USC. I also believe that the job was more or less offered to Sark way further in advance then what we know it to be. With Sark taking this job without hesitation, nowing he was going from the Pac 10 champions at USC to the Pac 10 bottom feeders at Washington, that tells me that both Sark and Holt saw a golden opportunity to build something here rather soon.
In years past, I’ve stated it wouild take a few seasons to rebuild. That was a few season ago. We’ve got the core of our team coming back this season- the core! So from that angle it appears that a “few seasons” is upon us. Sark and Holt aren’t walking into a demolition site, they are walking into a program that has a decent foundation to build on. And if you know anything about construction- it’s all about the foundation. The foundation is the hard part and takes the longest to get built. Once the foundation is poored, the building goes up FAST.
Worst to First? It’s happened before and can again.
6+ wins this season! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Another key for Locker
Jake has to continue to build on his learning curve, as you said. The other key for him and is true of any quarterback is to minimize turnovers. If Jake does that “LOOK OUT!”.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
One thing I'll agree on for sure Crazi...
…is that it’s pretty obvious where you look to find the “conference standard” and arguably the “national standard” for the best college football program. Not only that but you look at the shift in power as the result of the hire? Granted Pete Carroll is the “man”, but when you pilfer his top two assistants that makes an impact. It also makes obvious sense because of the tremendously strong recruiting ties in Socal. GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Like I said...
…love your enthusiasm Crazi! We really need to get Husky Stadium done. I think that is essential, if you saw the plans, that football facility is the bomb! I know a lot of boosters would donate to that. If we have to do it in several phases so be it.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Our biggest challenge
It’s mental, we have to “believe” that we can win. I think preparation is the key to achieving anything. We need to compete and be able to hang with some of these teams and be in the game. Play by play, you build the confidence to keep drives alive, and conversely on defense, to get stops. Put all those things together for four quarters and you’ve got a chance to win. You win and the confidence builds, you realize as a team that you “can win”. Pretty soon, although you may take a step backwards every now and then, the momentum builds and you’ve got a solid football team. GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Correct!
Coach Sark is going to work these kids over physically. Once fall camp arrives, our little darlings better come prepared to sweat bigtime! We’ve got to be in top notch football condition prior to game 1. When you don’t have decent depth you’ve got to stay with the ace pitchers for a few more innings. These kids are going to be asked to go 4 quarters as hard and as fast as they can. They will be taught the fundamentals and proper technique that will assist them in staying injury-free. But it’s going to be balls to the walls ladies and gentlemen.
If we are gassed half way thru the 3rd quarter- GAME OVER! We can’t get gassed, we’ve got to fight on for 4 solid quarters with needed, short lasting blows, then rushed back into action.
Coach Sark is going to ask each player to visualize winning on saturday. If you can’t visualize winning then you don’t have any business being on the dam field! Proper preperation and in top notch football condition will keep us in each game until the end. Once this happens it all comes down to “execution” and gameplanning. The coaches will put in a gameplan that will be satisfactory for the win. And it will be the player’s responsiblity to carry out their assignment and execute the play. Do that on every down and we will win more then we lose I guarrentee you.
All I saw was purple
Darrion Jones
Great read in BCs blog. I think the horses are emerging with a new attitude.
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Worst to First
I really love the thought and think we are in a position to make big improvements, but I think it is going to take most of the season for this team to learn how to beat a good team – USC, CAL, and LSU. We will get a couple of big wins this season and I think set up for a run for the PAC 10 in 2010, but this team has too much learning and growing to do this season to expect more than 6-7 wins.
You're Right
All I am saying is that it is not uncommon to go from worst to first. Do I think the 09 Washington Huskies ca do it? Let’s just say that we will be bowling this year. May not be in Pasadena or in San Diego, but very well could be in El Paso or in the Bay.
I believe this team has more talent then given credit. The reason all the publications list all our units ranked 7, 8, 9th in league is because of the 0-12 thing. When a team quits on its coach, it’s easy to see all the negatives. Are units are better then the 7s, 8s, and 9s in league. What we’ve lacked is proper coaching and motivation. We’ve got that now so let the chips fall where they will.
Go Dawgs! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
How about the offensive line and the defensive backs?
Where would you rate them in the Pac10??
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Our O line is workable
Prior to the 2008 opener at Oregon all the hype was on Locker, the LBing corps, and supposively our O Line was suppose to be good. They tanked it for unknown reasons. But I strongly believe what ever we saw in our O Line prior to the season opener in 08 is still there.
I don’t like ranking units in league. It’s just like the preseason polls- SILLY! Nobody knows how good we’re going to be to start the season. Our offensive line is workable if we can figure out what went wrong, fix it and manage it.
Our secondary is a little scarry. The problem with our secondary is our kids didn’t know how to cover. We were out of position in coverage and when you’re out of position completions are made for large chucks of yards. We’ve got to teach these youngsters how to cover the route. You don’t cover the receiver, nor the ball- you have to cover the route and that comes with studying game film, recognition, and putting it out on the field. We flat out dropped the ball in covering the opposing routes and our passing yards allowed showed. This will be Holt’s primary mission this offseason. Holt indicated that we can’t give the opposition the big cheap play. And in order to get that done, or defensive backs are going to be schooled on how to properly cover the route.
All I saw was purple
I really like our safeties
i think Gaisie and Batts will really give immediate help to the secondary.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 7, 2009 7:48 PM PDT up reply actions
Workable - maybe, Good - unlikely
I just hope they give Locker enough time to stay on his feet and stay healthy.
I agree with John, safeties should be a pleasant surprise, especially if Jason Wells is back to 100%. Gaisie and Batts should be a nice addition to help the depth issues.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Wait and see for me
I’d love to get on board with the expectation that we will be bowling this year, but I just don’t see it. Without an elite RB (Polk is good, but not big enough to be an “every down” RB) and an established OL, it will be very hard for us to keep our offense on the field (just like last year) and keep our defense well rested.
I honestly see great improvement in the immediate future. I just don’t see more than 4 wins this season. I think my expectation is 4 wins this year and 7-8 wins in year 2.
Nonetheless, I’ll be in my seats for every home game rooting as though we’re undefeated.
Polk
A year in the weight room ahs made a big difference for Polk…he is going to be really good over the next four years. I heard he was currently weighing in at a chiseled 205. That is more than big enough IMHO.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 7, 2009 11:29 AM PDT up reply actions
Polk
In person, he looks like a receiver because of his build and height, IMO. Bronson definitely looks like a prototypical RB. The combo of those two might be what we need though.
Polk looked like a flash in the Spring Game in open space, so I’m more than hopeful he can be productive this year.
New Dawg...
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/huskyfootballblog/
If you have any info feel free to pass it along because this kid is REALLY under the radar. Seems to fit the tall mold that Sark likes being listed between 6’1-6’3 (prob 6’2 ish then). Either way, welcome DiAndre Campbell.
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