SB Nation Seattle Editor's Pick
The 2010 Husky Football Season as seen from 45,000'
by Lear Pilot on Aug 18, 2010 8:51 PM PDT
Email
Print
This is your Captain speaking, and if you can't tell, you'll be able to tell shortly, it's been a slow day at work. So, what better thing to do than write about Husky football (don't worry, I'll stick to my day job, there's a reason I fly planes and am not a writer). Here's a quick look at what I see as strengths and weaknesses, and how I think the season will turn out (not that my opinion matters).
Offense:
The Good: Jake Locker, Chris Polk, Jermaine Kearse, Devin Aguilar, James Johnson, and D'Andre Goodwin (the healthy version), not a bad cast at all. If you don't like points, you better become a Cougar fan before the season starts!
The Bad: We're pretty thin at TE, not a huge concern, but here's to Chris Izbicki's health.
The Ugly: I can't even bring myself to say it, but God help us if Nick Montana or Keith Price are needed this year. (For the slow Duck fans: This has NOTHING to do with Nick or Keith)
Defense:
The Good: I think we have a pretty good set of starters at all positions. I expect Ta'amu, Elisara, Foster, Dennison, Williams and Trufant to have very good seasons.
The Bad: Depth - I expect our defense to be above average this season, just as long as we don't lose any of the players listed above.
The Ugly: Vanilla play calling. I’m not sold on Nick Holt's play calling, yet. I'm not saying he won't be a great coach, but his play calling last year left a lot to be desired. Here's hoping he's confident enough in his "bullets" to actually FIRE (Blitz) a few of them this time around.
Overall:
I think Sark is off to a great start and our future looks awfully "Rosy". I, of all people, was not pleased when they hired a coordinator with no head coaching experience. I'm glad to say, it sure looks like I was wrong!
I expect us to go 8-4 this season, that being said, I'll be happy with 7-5, but not with 6-6. If the defense steps up and plays well, I wouldn't even rule out a trip to Pasadena.
Other random predictions:
Player of the Year: Jake Locker (big surprise, I know)
Offensive Player of the Year: Chris Polk (other than Jake)
Defensive Player of the Year: Mason Foster (yep, I'm being original, I know)
Offensive Surprise of the Year: D'Andre Goodwin - Jake likes him, just needs to stay healthy.
Defensive Surprise of the Year: Everette Thompson - Very talented, overlooked due to his past injury.
Freshmen of the Year: Will Shamburger (RS) - Can't wait to see this kid in a live game.
Inspirational Player of the Year: Greg Christine - Gotta love a hard working walk on who earned a scholarship. He'll see plenty of playing time.
The very last Pac-10 Coach of the Year: Steve Sarkisian (yes, a homer pick).
GO DAWGS!!!!!!
33 comments
|
0 recs |
Do you like this story?
Comments
Awesome post
and I know we’ve been around a few times about Nicks play calling. But I really think a lot of the plain Cover 2 zone looks were from installing a new system and not having quite enough time to evaluate what he had.
I agree though on one point, with how thin we are on the D Line, he’s going to need to make sure Sam, Will and Mike rattle a couple ear holes. I wouldn’t mind seeing some overload 6-8 man rushes (Victor is an overlooked weapon at SLB with his speed and his ability in coverage) this year either. I see much bigger things from our Defense this year.
If anything! Our offense has more questions remaining to be answered...
… Can Jake start making consistently better decisions AND figure out how to bring his wheels into the mix?
… Can Polk break off some homeruns?
… Can Devin get past the dropsies?
… Is this, finally, an above average o-line?
… can either of our backup QBs run the offense?
… Can we convert from the 1 yard line?
… Can JJ produce over a full season?
… Can Johri produce over a full season?
… Can Isbicki produce at all?
… Will Ivan make them all eat their fresh produce?
Damn, my eyeball tastes good.
Are you serious or are you trying to get a reaction??
Jake – Yes, duh. He showed great improvement last year, especially at the end, this year should be the same improvement or better.
Polk – Doesn’t matter. We are balanced, good running game and good passing game, balanced offense are the hardest to stop.
Devin – Doesn’t matter. If he drops the ball, Goodwin will be right there to take his spot.
Oline – First fair question, sure looks like it, but won’t know until the BYU game.
Backup QB’s – I don’t want to know.
1 yard line – Doesn’t matter as long as we are scoring from the 5 and 10 yard line (or further out).
JJ – Doesn’t matter. D’Andre Goodwin is going to suprise a lot of people. I won’t be surprised if they end up splitting time.
Johri – Doesn’t matter, unless both Polk and Callier go down.
Izbicki – Doesn’t matter. When you have Polk, Kearse, Aguilar, Johnson, Goodwin and Fogerson to throw the ball to, your TE can get away with being just a good blocker, so his blocking is what I care about.
Ivan – Of course. Would you want to piss off Ivan the Terrible??
Needless to say, I think the question marks on defense far out weigh the ones of offense. If you’d like I’ll give you a list.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
This guy obviously never attended a UW game last year!
Other than flying a Lear, nice article. I like Boeing myself (737, 747, 757, 767).
I agree with most of it (good thing Gekko didn’t write it; he’s full of crap), although I think Nick Holt called plays based on the personnel he had, and was able to do more as the season went on, as witnessed by those who attended the Apple Cup and braved the cold temperatures of the Cal game. This year he will turn it up a notch and start playing a lot more man coverage on the corners.
If Gekko went to the spring game, he would have known not to piss off Ivan. The dude is ripped!
by Carne Guisada on Aug 19, 2010 4:39 PM PDT up reply actions
I would love to fly a Boeing!
But, I have a pretty good gig flying the Lear that keeps me in Seattle.
I really liked what I saw the last two games, the defensive play calling was greatly improved. If they blitz and mix things up all season, like they did the last two games of last year, I’ll give Holt my full support.
I was at the Cal game, it was cold, but all the yelling and jumping up and down sure kept us warm!
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Wouldn't mind being able to cruise at FL450/510!
Nothing like living where you fly!
I got my dream “job” last year when I got to do the flyover for the Cal game. I’m hoping to get a chance to do that again this year!
I haven’t been around to attend any fall practices, but from Nick Holt’s interviews and Bob’s blog, they seem to be much more aggressive on defense, from Safety blitzes (safeties getting sacks in practice leads me to believe that) and a lot more man coverage because they have 3-4 guys that are playing pretty consistent at a high level on the corners.
I’m ready to watch some football!!!!
Go Dawgs!!!!!
by Carne Guisada on Aug 20, 2010 5:44 AM PDT up reply actions
It's pretty cool up high.
Mostly pilots I’ve talked to (who are members of the 510 club), say they can see the curve of the earth up there.
What did you do the fly over in? I do remember a fly over, was it a C5? Can’t remember if it was one or two of them, but it was pretty low and REALLY cool to see.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
It was the C-17
Hopefully you’ll see it again for the Syracuse game!
by Carne Guisada on Aug 20, 2010 9:49 PM PDT up reply actions
If my memory still works
the ceiling during the Cal games was somewhat low. Either way, it was an awesome sight.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I work on the U-2.
I’m surprised the pilots get anything done with their view. I love the aircraft. It takes quite a bit of work, but it’s one awesome airplane. Some magnificent engineering…C-130 special ops birds are pretty special too, but in a completely different way.
by hairofthedawg on Aug 23, 2010 4:13 AM PDT up reply actions
When is that 787 plane coming out? They have been saying for a couple of years that plane would be in production in everret i think
It is the 787 right?
I'm all about covering the spread and moneylines. Glory favors the bold. Chance favors the prepared mind. Luck, well i have that too. University of Utah goes to the Pac-12 conference in 2011. I expect them to compete immediately for the conference CG. Brock Lesnar will defeat Cain Velasquez. Womens MMA, the next big thing in sports. 2 weeks till the first game of college football. UTAH vs Pitt. September 2nd 2010.
by wolfmanshowlforever on Aug 20, 2010 4:34 PM PDT up reply actions
In my mind, it's already out.
I see it coming in and out of Boeing Field on a regular basis!
It’s a gorgeous plane that is remarkably quiet for it’s size. It definitely has a unique look, it has more dihedral on the wings than most airplanes, so it looks like the wings bend a lot (they don’t bend anymore than the 777).
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I live in Everett and do alot of work at Boeing
and they’re pretty slick. I think they made the right move by opting for technology rather than the brute size they originally wanted.
Everett, huh?
Are we neighbors??
I agree, Boeing made the right call. They already have big, nobody is ready for even bigger, high efficiency and high tech is the future.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Might be. Do you have to wear a bulletproof vest?
If you do, I’m fairly certain we’re close. I’m near Holly and 100th.
No, bulletproof vests are not required.
I live on the very south edge of “Everett”, meaning I have an Everett address, but that is all. I live very close to the golf range off of 128th and I-5.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Yeah Murphy's Corner is pretty nice
I’m right on the verge of being in the Casino Rd neighborhood…I just keep one on hand. You know, just in case.
I went to Cascade High
So I’m very familiar with the area. I would not recommend a bulletproof vest, but I would recommend carrying a tool that can fire bullets.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I think Nick's confident enough...
but just need to have the bullets available to let the fly. I hope he’s not hedging his bets like I think he may have been last year.
You go up to 45,000? Highest I’ve ever been on a commercial flight is probably 39,500.
AtQ's Resident Baseball Purist.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Aug 19, 2010 7:50 PM PDT reply actions
How do you know that's how high you've been?
Yes, we can go to Flight Level 450, been there a few times. I’m qualified in an airplane that goes up to Flight Level 510 (51,000’), but haven’t gone there . . . . . yet.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Well, I’ve only been on puddle jumpers that don’t get very high, and large commercial jets that have altitude displays. Highest I’ve seen them go is about 39500.
AtQ's Resident Baseball Purist.
by TennesseeQuackAttack8 on Aug 20, 2010 1:38 PM PDT up reply actions
Hhmmm
39,500 is a really weird altitude. Above 18,000’, airplanes don’t fly at 500’s, it’s either 38, 39, or 40,000, depending on the direction of flight. I’ve never paid attention to the altitude read outs in back, I wonder if it wasn’t estimating height above ground, instead of height above mean sea level.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
I'm guessing...
That the Altitude displayed in the back is straight from the GPS which would make it a True Atlitude.
"Anytime, Anyplace"
"Life is hard, it's harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne
I love the term "true altitude"
If it’s so “true” why don’t we use it?
Off Topic:
What do you call a pregnant flight attendant?
Pilot Error.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Progress in airline flying:
now a flight attendant can get a pilot pregnant.
True Altitude is used by those of us (formerly) while at night, in the weather, at Low Level and in the mountains.
"Anytime, Anyplace"
"Life is hard, it's harder if you're stupid." - John Wayne
So there is a good use for true altitude.
See, in my line of work, I like to as HIGH as possible at night (or day) and over the weather!
Flight attendants – I get the feeling there are very few flight attendants who would be “interested” in getting said pilot pregnant, if you get my drift.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
i'm a glass half full kinda guy
The offense seems by most practice reports to be very coordinated. The line will obviously dictate our success but the wsu and cal game showed the zone blocking schemes coming together. Senio is light years above Ossai and that counts huge. The receivers are dialed in and if Aguilar doesn’t show Bruns is having a great fall. No one is mentioning Hartvigson and imo on offense he could be frosh of the year.
On D last year we played zone due to lack of two strong corners. We have that now and Tru and Q will jam the los. That leaves a lot to due with strong safety and sam blitzes. It will happen. The D line is doing well enough that Elisara is back at three tech. But Thompson will go the and E to de. We will see new wrinkles this year for sure.
All the new athletic talent means our ST will be the most improved phase.
Good stuff.
Corsair man myself.
by PandG on Aug 19, 2010 10:32 PM PDT via mobile reply actions
Good Stuff
I’d LOVE to see Hartvigson be the frosh of the year, that would mean very good things.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Defensive depth
will only, I think, be a problem in the front seven, and maybe only with the LBs; we’re deep in the backfield, even if a lot of that is young.
by The Ancient Mariner on Aug 21, 2010 11:09 AM PDT reply actions
I'd agree with that.
I’m pretty happy with our secondary’s depth, ideally I’d like them to have more game experience, but we have good options for backups.
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
"BOW DOWN TO WASHINGTON"
Comments For This Post Are Closed
Secondary Sidebar
User Tools
FanPosts
Community blog posts and discussion.
Certain photos copyright © 2012 by Associated Press or Getty Images. Any commercial use or distribution without the express written consent of Associated Press and Getty Images is strictly prohibited.
