Huskies add some missing pieces to their offense.
by John Berkowitz on Apr 5, 2011 9:50 AM PDT
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PrintThe Huskies concluded their first week of spring practice on Saturday but things don't really heat up until today when the team practices in full pads for the first time. Sark says that the team will be scrimmaging quite a bit today so this might be a good time to head out to the stadium to take a good look at what this team looks like full go.
Early reports indicate that this team will be improved in most area's but just like last season this is .500 type team that will go as far as the play at QB will take them. The early favorite based on last weeks practices to guide the team this fall is Keith Price. The sophomore still maintains an edge over RS Nick Montana at this point according to observers.
Whoever does start at quarterback this fall will have more tools to work with than Jake Locker did last season. TE's Austin Sefarian-Jenkins and Michael Hartvigson are going to be a major part of this offense in 2011. Both have shown the ability this spring to be able to give Washington a big dimension over the middle that they haven't had for the better part of a decade.
Remember when we were playing Oregon a couple of years ago and the Ducks broke open a close game in the first half with big plays to their TE's. The Huskies now have the type of tandem that can do that to opposing teams. These guys can get up there and get the ball.
Fullback is another area that Husky fans should be excited about. Paul Homer and Austin Sylvester were excellent blockers and special teams players but they weren't really counted to carry the rock or be much of a factor catching passes out of the backfield.
Zach Fogerson is the complete package at fullback. He can run, catch, and most importantly he can block. Once again he gives the QB another high percentage target coming out of the backfield. He also give Washington more of a hammer inside the red zone on running plays.
Kevin Smith and James Johnson are battling it out for the open WR position. Smith has the edge after the first week but it is still too close to call. Whoever wins this battle still needs to beat out Kasen Williams who arrives this summer. Williams is expected to make an impact. He adds a physical dimension that has been lacking in the UW receiving corps.
This is an important week for the big guys because now they can start working in full pads. You really can't tell anything until the linemen start hitting. Ben Riva has emerged as the guy to beat for the starting right tackle position. Colin Tanigawa looks to be the first inside guy off the bench if Koehler stays inside. Micah Hatchie is being groomed as a future left tackle.
Will be back later tonight with more comments at the end of practice.
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scrimmage
I’m hoping to get out there Saturday, bring the little kiddo for his first taste of Husky Football. Looking forward to seeing the guys get after it.
TE and FB?
I’m not expecting miracles at the tight end and fullback positions. We haven’t used these position well for a long time. I think it’s going to take time to see good results out of these positions. But anything more out of them then what we’ve seen in the last 5 years will definitely be moving in the right direction.
All I saw was purple
Going up
I think this is going to be the first year since early new weasel that we will have an offences line that can actually have starters and guys you want to see get time. With that said we should see a lot more underneath passing game. I love Jake but he had to push the passing game and try and pick it up in the 2 years. Nick is a pass first guy and Keith was a more balanced guy coming out of high school.
CHRIS POLK!
That’s all I gotta say…
As long as we have the polkr well be fine…
Learn JiuJitsu, it's fun.
That first pic...
…is aWesome baby! Speaking of aWesome, I can’t wait to hear Coach Holt’s take on his defense. GO DAWGS!!
Washington Husky Football-"Hear the bark, feel the bite!"
That picture against Syracuse is awesome.
It was really interesting to read Polk say he thought he was too heavy last season, and that he’s trying to play about 10 pounds lighter this year. He certainly didn’t look overly big last year, but if losing that weight gives him a little bit of an extra burst, that’s fantastic.
Chris is set for a huge year. I think he needs something like 1,700 yards to become the Dawgs’ all-time leading rusher. He could do it.
there's no way he returns for his Sr. year
He’ll graduate this year, he’ll likely be a 2nd round (or better) pick – there’s no reason for him to return. We already got the “one more year” from Chris when he decided to come back for the 2011 season. Don’t expect him to be around for 2012.
If he stayed all four years and didn't get hurt,
there’s little doubt he’d be an all-timer.
Things would have to go pretty badly in 2011 for him to stick around, though.
He's already been here four years.
This will be his RS JR year. I am thankful he came back for this year, and he has been hurt plenty. In every practice I attended, he was usually on the bike trying to keep healthy. When he leaves after this year, I truly wish him the best, just like Jake. There is little left for him to prove, except to be “the man” like JL was last year.
eh
I’m not that crazy about them personally, but if the kids like wearing them, that’s the most important thing. To me, it’s bandwagon-jumping, and I’d rather they came up with a really dark purple variation and kept the gold pants, but I’m a 41 year old fossil – what do I know? :)
I like the Gold helmet/Purple jersey/white pants.
I think that looks great.
Just not in rain games….
Learn JiuJitsu, it's fun.
by RolloTomasi on Apr 13, 2011 11:32 AM PDT up reply actions
I hate the white pants.
They look like crap with the purple top and gold helmet. I don’t know who’s idea it was, but they screwed the pooch on that one.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Ben Riva?
Is Riva the biggest surprise of Spring Camp? I know I can’t be alone when I say I am surprised that he is in the mix for a starting position.
All I saw was purple
It’s tough to say how things will shake out now that they’ve put pads on, but I’d agree that Riva running with the 1’s has been the biggest surprise to me so far. I think most of us thought that if there was a redshirt freshman starting at tackle in 2011, it’d be Hatchie.
Sounds like he’s worked his butt off since he got onto campus. Congrats to him.
biggest surprise?
Maybe – I’m not sure if there’s a bigger surprise so far, but that being said, I’m also not shocked. I would have had Riva pegged as the 3rd most likely candidate to crack the starting OL from among the Cascade Front (besides returning starters Porter & Kohler) behind Hatchie and Tanigawa, but ahead of Criste and Atoe. So, mildly surprising I guess, but not a shocker – he certainly was one of the more hyped members of that OL class – a step behind Kohler, Hatchie and Porter, but generally more highly regarded than Tanigawa, Criste and certainly Atoe.
I’d say I’m also mildly surprised that Tutogi wasn’t consistently running with the 1s this week, with Gilliland passing him. I’m hoping that’s mainly due to Gilliland being more familiar with the schemes, because Tutogi’s physical dimensions make him a guy I’d really like to see starting.
I’d say I’m also mildly surprised that Tutogi wasn’t consistently running with the 1s this week, with Gilliland passing him.
I’d forgotten about this one.
I think I’m more surprised that Gilliland is on the weak side as opposed to Tutogi not running with the 1’s as of yet. Tutogi’s only had a couple of practices now. While Gilliland is apparently a very smart player, it’s a little surprising that the coaches think he’s got the athletic ability to play what’s arguably the most critical position on the defense.
We've only had one practice in pads!
It’s way too early to make any judgments.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Nobody is making judgements
Riva has been working out with the No. 1s. To me this was a little unexpected even in the early stages of spring ball.
All I saw was purple
Polk
Man…that pic of Polk against ‘Cuse is awesome!! I’m pretty stoked to see how he runs this year, especially if he does end up dropping a few pounds. Either way he’s a great back, and shows it well! But, I’m gonna be pretty bummed considering he’ll probably leave after next year…However, we do have Cooper, and Callier to look forward to, and Sankey too
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