Attrition
by John Berkowitz on Jul 7, 2009 7:05 PM PDT
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PrintWe are hearing tonight that RB's Brandon Johnson and David Freeman have flunked out of school according to the Seattle Times Bob Condotta.
Before you start to panic neither of these guys were in the four deeps after spring ball. Johnson was injury prone and wasn't really into conditioning. He quit the team 4-5 times if memory serves me right since he has been here.
Freeman flashed a lot of potential early last year but congenital ankle problems plauged him for most of the season.
The coaches want to bring in 25 players in 2010 so expect more of this type of news as time goes on. I am actually suprised there hasn't been more earlier but that is a testament to the excitement the coached.
RB Depth Chart
- Polk
- Bronson
- Shaw
- Griffin
- Yakaboski
So the Huskies are basically four deep at RB entering the season because Yakaboski has never been able to stay healthy more than a couple of weeks during his Husky career. UW went through RB's like toothpicks in 2008 so maybe kids like Johri Fogerson and Anthony Gobern moves over from defense.
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Too bad
I thought, when healthy, Freeman was our best back last year. The set back to Yak will most likely end his career. Real tough to bounce back from consecutive knee injuries.
Freeman was never going to be healthy again
Great kid but playing too early really excelerated a congenital ankle problem. Yak has a place on the roster because there is plenty of room but I don’t expect him to be with the squad in 2010.
Tough to bounce back, yes but
I seem to remember a WR by the first name of Patrick ( last name escaping me right now) who was at the Dub six years due to knees injuries. Just Saying
Reddick
Good point Mr Stone.
Pat played six years and was a huge contributor when healthy.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 7, 2009 7:34 PM PDT up reply actions
An Institution of Academia
I think sometimes kids forget that this place is well known for its academics. And without grades you can’t play. If these kids can’t cut it in the classroom they don’t deserve to be here.
This does open up more scholarships which is a plus. We don’t need dead wood lying around that can’t play or cut it in the classroom.
How did these kids flunk out? From what I’ve observed in college, a person really has to be a lazy S.O.B. to flunk out of school. For Pete’s sake put away the XBox and open a book! I think a person really has to work hard to get kicked out of school- just from my own observations.
All I saw was purple
That's really too bad
Normally I don’t feel sorry for guys that can’t keep their grades up, but it’s sad to see both of these guys leaving. Early on Johnson looked like he had real potential, I wonder how much of this was poor decisions by Johnson after having a fall out with the old staff.
Freeman showed some good potential last season, it’s a shame he had to play so early and got injured, he could have been fun to watch but you have to take care of business in the classroom too. Hopefully Yak will make a full recovery, I really like all 4 of the other backs, but we are suddenly thin at rb.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Crazi
With the type of academic support these kids have at their disposal you are spot on in your apraisal.
It may be a fantasy left over from 2008, but...
…I’d still like to see Johri get a look at RB. However it appears that depth at Safety is more of a critical issue at this time.
It’s a bit like the Mariners dilemma. I don’t know, but I suspect that Sark would rather not experiment too much going into the season. While he needs to trim the ranks, he also wants to maximize the W-L record in order to keep the enthusiasm rolling for the next round of recruiting/development. He’ll do the best he can in 2009 with the players in their present positions.
As for players like Johnson & Freeman, it’s natural selection. All we can do is hope that they see the light, and wish them well.
Safety is actually loaded on paper
You move Fogerson and or/or Gobern over and you actually have a better solution.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 7, 2009 8:43 PM PDT up reply actions
On paper, perhaps
But I see a position that got lit up last year, in part because they could barely keep enough players on the active roster. I’m hopeful that better conditioning and coaching will make for a big improvement in this group, but for now have to consider them questionable over the course of a tough season.
I’m looking forward to your full analysis.
Jorhi is in a tough spot
…looking like he has a good handle on solid PT in the secondary, but needed in the position he originally preferred in order to provide depth.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
Welcome back Gekko!
I missed your bantering with Lear. Of course Crazi has been holding his own with him while you were gone. Well……kinda? ;O)
Washington Husky Football-Undefeated 1991 National Champions 12-0!
Thanks dawgfan
…never really left. I’ve been monitoring via blackberry – but you can’t post that way. I moved to Vegas recently and the new job has me on the road more.
"Greed is Good."
So is Rudy.
YOU CAN NOW!
as of Wednesday or Thursday I think. I was always bummed about that since I have alot of downtime at work and I don’t always have a computer around. You can login at the top and make sure to hit the “remember me” box. Best news I had all week.
RB recruits
Isn’t there a 4-5 star running back that Nick Montana knows, I though I heard he was thinking about looking at the UW. This could make playing time an easier sell.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Malcom
He is top 3 RB in the country and I havent heard him associated with UW at all. Not to say he wont make a trip up and if we get Kohler we may be in a better situation, but he would be the biggest get of all…by far.
I'll have to differ on this...
Dietrich Riley would be the biggest get. Most schools are recruiting him as a saftey but UW is going after him as a RB which is where he’d like to play. Riley could be the best skill position player on the west coast as he was widlely regarded as the best skill prospect from those that were at the USC camp. He’d be a HUGE get.
Recruits
Sometimes I get worried with situations like this. Everybody is going after him for Safety but we are saying RB (similar with Johri). They want him as a Safety for a reason though sometimes you just have to get the kid on campus, give him a shot, then move him somewhere else. It could go both ways, but do not underestimate Malcom as a RB either. I guess you could also say that Kohler should be a top priority since we REALLY need O-Linemen…
Locker
Not to start a big time arguement with everyone but Locker was recruited by everyone to play Safety. UW said QB and he came to us. But what has he really done as our QB? I know he is a super athlete and hasn’t had proper coaching but he still has a lot to prove. He probably would have been a top safety in the Pac 10 by now.
He really hasn't had much of a chance
Last year he was injured early and he experienced typical freshman growing pains the year before.
by doubledeucedawg on Jul 8, 2009 2:11 PM PDT up reply actions
Not true
According to Scout.com, the offers Locker had from Cal, Michigan, Tennessee, Oregon, Oregon State, Stanford & Northwestern were as a QB. USC is the only one that was openly considering him as a DB.
Locker would've been a "project" at USC
I think the reason behind USC’s decision to recruit Locker as a safety was due to USC being loaded at the pro style QB position. Locker would’ve been a “project” at QB for USC.
And for the most part I concure with that assessment. Locker doesn’t have the position of QB down yet. He throws with way too much velocity at times, his accuracy has been subpar at times, and he hasn’t shown any ability of staying in the pocket- when the heat builds up Locker always escapes, but at times he has put himself and his teammates in harms way, because losing Locker is like loosing half the offensive starting lineup.
Locker needs to learn to stay in the pocket a little longer. He isn’t allowing his receivers to finish the routes, that would be one reason why we’ve been able to run our offense with any consistency- that and Jake getting lost for the season in his first two seasons as QB.
All I saw was purple
Locker would have done just fine.
99.99999999% of the problems you just listed would have been avoided at USC. Locker doesn’t stay in the pocket because he values his LIFE. Locker hasn’t had a real QB coach, look how fast he’s improving under Sark, uh oh, wait a second, wouldn’t Sark have been Locker’s QB coach? So you are saying that even under Sark, Locker would have still had troubles picking up the same offense we are now running?
Here’s how it is, Locker is the hardest working, hardest studying player on the west coast. All he needs is good coaching, look at what he has done under Sark in such a short time. The problems were his coaches and lack of protection. He has all the tools, all the brains, all he needs is good coaching.
PS – Locker only got lost for the season last year. His RS freshmen year he only missed one game.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Then why?
Then why was Locker being recruited at USC to play safety Mr. Smarty? I’m not saying Locker is a bad QB or that he doesn’t have Hall of Fame potential as a pro. But consider where Locker preped. He came from Ferndale, WA., where he quarterbacked a Wing T offense bud- think about it…
USC is not in the market for Wing T QBs fella, just aren’t. And that makes Locker a “project” w/ USC’s pro style offensive system. That’s all I am saying in regards to Locker being recruited as a safety at SC.
Do I believe Sark can mold him into a great Pac 10 pro style QB? YES. Do I think we have a chance to see Locker get us to the Grand Daddy? YES. Locker is an athlete first and fore most. He is also a great QB prospect and in my eye the best QB prospect since John Elway at Stanford. But their is still a lot to learn, so much more work needs to get done. One area of need I see w/ Locker is that I think he needs to do a little maturing. I know he is a good kid, great student, with good morals and standards. But the kid has yet to learn how to become a good leader. Once Locker gets that he will be an unstoppible force. Because then his teammates will follow him, believe in him, and ultimately win with him.
Marcuss Tuiasosopo had this leadership trait, Locker doesn’t have it yet. I see Locker coming into his own this season. This kid is too good to be stuck in obscurity. I think the college football world will recognize who Jake Locker really is this next season. Heisemen candidate? Probably not, but they will take notice!
All I saw was purple
Give me a break
Locker isn’t a leader yet? You are CRAZY!!!! Did you see what the team did when he went down? They imploded. He is the heart and soul of the team, where he leads they will follow. The best part, he leads by example, he out works EVERYBODY. Tui had a good team around him, Locker has been running for his life. Again, Locker doesn’t have the winning record because his head coach was Ty Willingham, not because of his abiltity to lead.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Glad to see you are back posting comments
I’m looking forward to your input, and some good, informed discussions.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Tuiasosopo
I think that was true of Tuiasosopo too. He turned out to be a pretty good QB at the U.
by doubledeucedawg on Jul 8, 2009 2:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Tui cont...
What was true was that his other significant suitors wanted him as a safety. In fact I remember watching the HS ALL StAR game that he played in (Texas?/Florida?) and he played safety.
by doubledeucedawg on Jul 8, 2009 2:14 PM PDT up reply actions
Neuheisel recruited as a Safety
Neuheisel recruited Tui as a safety at Colorado.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2009 2:49 PM PDT up reply actions
Agree with bigdave
What really moves the chains in the running game is an offensive line. We need to make signing the best O linemen available a major priority each offseason. When you have a current USC-type O line, you could put almost anybody at RB and they’d gain 5 yards. And that is really what you strive for in the running game, positive yardage (3 to 5 yards). Do that 2 consecutive times and you have a 3rd down and managable or a new set of downs.
I like the fact that we have “thinned out” the RB depth chart. For one we have 2 more available scholarships to offer. Secondly it offers some of these big star RB recruits a moment of pause. With a thinned out depth chart at RB we can sell available playing time, where chances are at other schools they will have to work their way into the starting lineup.
I think some times these things are not by coincidence. Some times they are planned. And if you flunk out, we may pack your bags for you and wave down a greyhound bus for you in order to make room, because in the end your scholarship is dependent upon staying academically eligible.
All I saw was purple
Agreed
I don’t think the coaching staff is surprised or even disappointed about this. They didn’t expect either of these guys to see much playing time. The only thing that concerns me is the lack of depth, if Polk gets hurt again you are down to 3 healthy rb’s.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
We need more than four
Expect a guy or tow to be moved over to provide depth. Gobern comes to mind immediately.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2009 7:10 PM PDT up reply actions
Funny how we went from overloaded to thin so quickly
Should be interesting to see who they decide to use to add depth.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Polk
I think this is all in the works. I think Sark has plans for Chris Polk to almost ensure that he stays injury-free.
This kid is not going to be the 20 to 25 carries per game guy. He’ll get his touches (inside, outside, inside, …). Yet I also seeing him being an intragal part of the passing game. The main concept is to get this kid in open space. We’ll find a banger or two to push the pile, but Polk’s game is going to be choreographed, much like how SC used Joe McKnight.
All I saw was purple
This is football
Not even Vince Lombardi can “almost ensure” that a player doesn’t get injured.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Just pointing out this is football
and Polk didn’t last very long last year, what was it, a game and a half? Rb is a notorious position for injuries, players WILL get hurt and you must have bodies.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
He got the start
as an undersized true Frosh. Willingham’s S&C and his policy of burning RS’s was not condusive to injury reduction. Sark is no dummy and saw the value of RS kids first hand at USC.
Yep, Ty didn't do anyone a favor playing guys so early
I now he was a true freshmen, but the fact he got hurt so early worries me. It’s just one of those thoughts that won’t leave until I see him play a few games, get his clock rung a few times, and then bounces back up and goes back to the huddle. Unfortunately, until then, it’s just one of those thoughts I can’t get out of my head.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Shaw
I think this helps him out the best. It gives him a great opportunity to shine, maybe as #2 or 3. I liked him as a True Fr but started to get concerned when he left, but maybe his sit out was for same reason as EJ. Carpe Diem was never more true for him in this case.
I read a lot about Bronson as well
this spring and while he might not work just yet as a feature back, I wouldn’t discount him from the mix.
by hairofthedawg on Jul 8, 2009 7:06 PM PDT up reply actions
Bronson will get playing time
Coming out of spring it seemed like Polk was #1, Bronson #2, with Shaw and Griffin as #3. Bronson really looked good, I expect him and Polk to do a thunder and lightning type of combination.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
The thing about Bronson
is that I think he has the build to play early. If he catches on quickly, watch out!
by hairofthedawg on Jul 8, 2009 8:12 PM PDT up reply actions
Exactly
Last year would have been his freshmen year, so he has had a year to get bigger and stronger. He looked like he was catching on very well during spring practice, he should be fun to watch.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Bronson has a few things going for him
He obviously is the biggest back we have and his rise on the depth charts had a lot to do with his durability which enabled him to get the most reps of any player. I think the 1/2 year off to qualify helped him mature mentally and physically. That 1/2 year off also allowed him to avoid the experience of playing under Willingham and enduring an 0-12 season.
I expect all four of these guys to get plenty of carries in games this season. Keep in mind that Curtis Shaw is still shaking off the rust. He will be in prime shape come August.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 9, 2009 7:11 AM PDT up reply actions
Lear and Snostrebla
On the Dawgman radio interview with Nick Montana he mentions that he has been talking up the UW with Dietrich Riley, and I think he starts to say “Deontae” but gets interrupted. If so, I would assume that refers to Deontae Cooper. I think either of these highly- rated guys would be a great compliment to big Melvin Davis! GO DAWGS!!!
Deontae Cooper
Speedy back to compliment Davis…there are a lot of very good RB’s out there with UW in their sights. We might get Jordan James’ last official but he is a stretch even with the visit.
Losing these guys hurts for two reasons.
One, practice. Now you’ve got a guy that’s third on the depth chart that has to work the scout team offense. While that’s better practice for the defense, it’s going to put more of a pounding on a guy that you need to have available for Saturdays.
Second, this is what, four or five guys gone since December? If any more of this happens, the Dawgs could be looking at APR trouble. Even players that leave the team in good academic standing (like Carrol) count against the APR.
APR
Good point..but we have been among the top in the conference so there is some leeway there.
Expect 6-8 more guys to leave the squad before the start of the 2010 season.
The coaches would like to bring in 20-25 players in the next class so you have to make room.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2009 8:52 AM PDT up reply actions
APR
The APR hit might not be as bad as you think. It’s done on a 4 year rolling average, so you need a few bad years in a row to really make a dent in a good score like UW has.
Sark knows this obviously, since he has said he wants to bring in a full class of 25 or so. And he can’t do that without losing guys early and hurting the APR score a little. I’m sure he and Woodward are on the same page with this.
Woodward himself has been cleaning house (under the guise of budget concerns) within the Athletic Department if I remember John B’s comments correctly.
I get that it's a four-year average.
But I believe, like John, that we’re looking at 6 or so more players leaving for one reason or another in the next year. 10 players, plus the ones the Dawgs DON’T want to lose but end up ineligible, can be a pretty big hit. For example, it was only 8 players that were dismissed from WSU’s 2006 and 2007 teams that caused their APR to drop to 874 for that time period, and reduced their overall average to 916 (which is below the 925 requirement). They lost 8 scholarships because of the damage done (mostly) by those players.
I get that the UW is starting off a lot higher than WSU did, but this is not something to mess around with. I certainly hope that there are people that are keeping a damn close eye on this.
If you want to start winning...
You have to start upgrading the talent and that means attrition that is higher than usual.
by John Berkowitz on Jul 8, 2009 2:50 PM PDT up reply actions
I don't disagree at all. I'm all for doing what's necessary to upgrade talent.
It’s a slippery slope, though. You can get in trouble if you don’t watch things very carefully. I’m sure this is something the football program is monitoring. To be honest, I don’t know enough about the APR to know how closely it CAN be monitored. Can you calculate an instantaneous APR? Can you do it at the end of each quarter, when grades come out? What happens if a player drops a class, still has enough credits to remain eligible, but that one quarter doesn’t put him on satisfactory degree projection as determined by the APR?
Maybe I’m being overly concerned about nothing. However, I can’t find anything, and I haven’t heard anything that definitively allays my fears. This is something that won’t affect the team right away. But it very well could come back to haunt us down the road…
attrition
I believe Oregon has already had about 8 or 9 kids leave since Kelly took over so this doesn’t seem out of the ordinary at all.
I think most of those were players choosing to leave
Here it seems that most players are been helped out the door, or not doing enough to stay eligible. If I’m an Oregon fan I’d be concerned, I expect far less attrition when it’s a coordinator getting promoted. As a Husky fan, the attrition is seen as a positive with the new staff getting rid of those who won’t put in the effort.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Kelly is "all-in" on spread offense
That means Oregon kids that are more suited for the pro style offense are leaving. This opens up more scholarships for Kelly to go hard after spread kids.
I’m becoming a big fan of Kelly. Now Lear, don’t go saying “it’s about time CRAZI”. I’m becoming a big fan of the Chipper not because I love the spread, but because I hate the spread. Kelly is going to get Oregon so involved w/ the spread offense it will take them 5 to 7 years to get out whenever they attempt to. Some misinformed fans (mostly Oregon fans) will say that the Chipper is “versatile” in that he can go either way. I completely and totally disagree with that assumption. Playing spread is not even remotely close to playing the pro style. It requires different personnel at many important positions, i.e. QB, O line, WR. Plus if a prep RB hasn’t run stuff out of the spread then he has to relearn all the backfield footwork. Chipper’s versatility won’t work to switch back whenever he wants. It will require a process and in order to revert back to the pro he’ll have to spend a few seasons recruiting towards it. Some folks just don’t get it that it requires different personnel.
Go Chipper! WOOF!!!
All I saw was purple
Here we go again
I know you hate the spread, the problem is you let that hatred cloud your judgement on all things football. Ya, the QB that left probably wasn’t made for the spread, but the rest of the players are probably leaving because they don’t expect playing time under Kelly.
See here’s the problem, you claim Sark is going to turn this thing around right away, yet you claim Oregon will take 5-7 years to get out when that time comes. Shouldn’t that also apply to us? We’ve been running the spread for the last few years. Then you give Kelly crap for going “all in” on the spread, everybody knows that you MUST go all in no matter what system you run. You can’t run half of this and half of that, and be successful. Ask Lappano and Willingham how that worked for them.
The other thing, please explain to me how WR’s that are successful in the spread can’t be successful in another system. Or how about RB’s, didn’t Adrian Peterson run the spread at Oklahoma, yet he does just fine in the NFL. I agree Kelly is going to sink Oregon, he is a first time Head Coach that is running off players and coaches, he is too big for his britches. By your logic, the reason for the bad economic times is the spread offense. I’m really going to enjoy watching you squirm while Urban Meyer wins ANOTHER national championship running a “gimmicky” spread offense.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
Group huh?
Can’t we just all get along and agree to Hate OREGON. LOL OK, My bad we do all hate Oregon. I would agree with fly-boy that the spread is a great “College Offense” however it will become a good recruiting tool to use against Oregon for offensive players that have NFL aspirations and that will be Oregon’s downfall, because believe me Oregon isn’t Florida and Kelly certainly isn’t Urban Meyer.
I tend to think the recruiting angle of prepping players for the NFL used against the spread is overblown; I don’t think not running a pro style offense hurt teams like Oklahoma and Texas (for example) much when they were running wishbone offenses – kids liked the fact that they won and won big.
Same thing with Florida – it’s not the best prep for the NFL for a QB, but so long as they win and win big, kids will sign on to play there. And besides, just like good triple option QB’s, there are plenty of really talented spread QB’s out there that are happy to go to a spread offense in college.
If Oregon fails under Kelly, it won’t be because the spread isn’t a great prep for the NFL – it’ll be due to failures on the part of Kelly.
Ssshhhh!!!!!!!!!
Don’t let Crazi hear you saying that, you’ll forever be labeled as “spread” guy. On a more serious note, I completely agree, it only hurts you getting the big name pro style QB’s. Locker came to Washington, in part, so he could use his legs. Tebow went to Florida because he was built for that offense. Offensive lineman can excel and be a top draft choice no matter what system they run, same goes for RB’s, and WR’s.
It’s all about winning, win games and recruits will come.
"Bow Down to Washington"
"Kick the tires and light the fires!"
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