First Quarter Report - Defense
by John Berkowitz on Sep 23, 2011 11:06 AM PDT
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PrintI thought these guys were going to a be lot better.
I thought this defense turned the corner over the last five games of 2010.
Three games into 2011 it looks like I was wrong. These guys still haven't turned the corner and they aren't playing as cohesively as their brothers on offensive side of the ball.
Washington ranks 107th in scoring defense and 108th in total defense which is totally unacceptable. So whose fault is it? If you ask Steve Kelly, the majority of posters on Dawgman, and perhaps even the posters here at the Dawg Pound the culprit is defensive coordinator Nick Holt.
I'm not buying into that yet and neither is Steve Sarkisian. I think the defense has considerable upside and things are going to start turning around this week.
Defensive Tackle - Alameda Ta'amu hasn't been able to match his performance from last season. A cast on his hand has hampered him. Semisi Tokolahi played for the first time against Nebraska. His return to the lineup could help down the line but I don't see him threatening for significant playing time until after the byeweek. Much was expected out of Everrette Thompson but he seems to just disappear out there.
Depth: Expect Sione Potoae, Lawrence Lagafuiana, and Danny Shelton to get more playing time in coming weeks to keep the starters fresh.
Looking Forward: These guys really need to start capturing the magic they had at the end of last season. To say these guys have been disappointing is an understatement. You have to think that there will be plenty of upside with these guys.
Defense End - Haouli Jamora is an all conference type of talent with a motor that never stops running. He is having a good season and is probably the most active guy on the entire line. Talia Chrichton isn't having much of an impact on the other side. Everrette Thompson hasn't been spectacular inside or out. Andrew Hudson has seen increased playing time over the last couple of weeks.
Depth : Josh Shirley has seen action in all three games and has made a couple of tackles. He hasn't had much of an impact as a pass rusher but that will change over time. The coaches say he has been lighting it up at practice again. Andrew Hudson has looked good and it seems he is being groomed to be a starter.
Looking Forward : Jamora will continue to play well but the key is finding some success on the opposite side.
Linebacker - Cort Dennison has turned in an all conference performance at middle line backer this season. He plays hard every down and he sacrifices his body on every play. John Timu and Princeton Fuimaono have improved but I am not the only one who is wondering this week if Grant Gilliliand and Thomas Tutogi should be playing with the one's.
Depth: The coaches have been giving Kearse some opportunities here and there. Tucker was moved to fullback and Nick Holt Jr is now back at linebacker.
Looking forward: Folks don't realize that replacing a guy like Mason Foster isn't easy. These guys are talented and will continue to improve. Keeping Cort healthy is key.
Cornerbacks - Desmond Trufant has evolved into a better player this season. Quinton Richardson is coming off a terrible game against Nebraska. An ankle injury that happened in the pre season has contributed to his slow start. "Q" has also played a little nickel when they wanted to have Gregory Ducre on the field at the same time as him.
Depth: Ducre and Gobern represent the only depth that has played this season.
Looking Forward: Richardson has the ability to play a lot better and I think he will bounce back strong. Overall depth and talent is still a serious problem at CB.
Safety - Safety is perhaps the deepest position on the Washington roster. Justin Glenn had the best game any safety at Washington has had this year when he picked up 15 tackles against Nebraska. He started in place of Nate Fellner who was out with an injury. Glenn is more of a role player than a starter and is solid in the nickel. Sean Parker leads the team with 26 tackles on the season. No word yet on when Fellner will be back. He was running stairs on Monday.
Depth : Sample has been slowed by a shoulder injury. Taz Stevenson is dinged right now.
Looking Forward: Justin Glenn and Nate Fellner are going to be 1-A and 1-B at free safety for the rest of the year. Sean Parker continues to improve at strong safety. Plenty of quality depth behind these guys.
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D-Line
If our D-line shows up for this game, and they are way overdue at this time, then it will be a long day for the Golden Bears.
We all know the potential is there, as we have seen this line perform in the past. And if this when Shirley has the game slow down for him, and he starts playing the way we know he can, then perhaps Maynard will have some all he sees is purple problems.
by The Dude 4 Real on Sep 23, 2011 11:45 AM PDT reply actions
AVG
message “serious threat encountered” when I logged on? Anyone else? Sent to virus vault.
Support our student athletes, have faith in the coaches! "...it's how you play the game!"
I did justget a warning..?
Now I know how Coach Holt must be feeling about now?
Why do we feel like we are 0-3?
much maligned Holt defense.
Nebraska had a short field to work with multiple times so their scoring seems to be partially a result of poor special teams coverage/very poor refereeing. Blame Holt!
Victor Aiyewa was interviewed post-game. He said “Well, I just started listening to the coaches. Now, I’m just going to do what they say. I’m just going to do whatever they say.”
There IS DEFINITELY a reason to be ranked in the bottom 10% in defenses: We had Slick, Gliby, Tyronne and now Sark. We’ve change defensive coordinators eight times in eleven years. That hurts recruiting, that hurts consistency, that hurts results.
Even in the James era some years the defense was ahead of the offense and vice versa. Be glad the offense is playing so well until the D and special teams step it up.
Everyone chill out with the Holt thing. we are on our way. before its all said and done Josh Shirley will be a Von Miller type, Sean Parker will be an NFL safety, we have super freak talent that could have gone anywhere in the country, just give it time!
And what do so many on this blog want? TO DO IT AGAIN.
Consistency = Success in college football.
We’re down to 79 players on scholarship 64 freshmen, sophmores of which 45 are freshmen. Fifteen upperclassmen of which two are punters.
There must be one other person out there that thinks we are half way into a very special era in Husky football not seen since Gil Dobie!!!
Support our student athletes, have faith in the coaches! "...it's how you play the game!"
We can play this excuse game forever, you realize?
“Consistency = Success in college football.” is an empty cliche. If you have the wrong guy, no amount of time will ever make him competent. By that logic if we just gave Ty more time he would have succeeded, wait…wasn’t that just what his apologists kept claiming? That he just needs more time!
You’ll have to forgive my skepticism, I’ve heard this refrain before.
Those apologists murdered the program once already.
Excuse after excuse after excuse.
Holt is the highest paid Defensive Coordinator in the PAC12 and our defense is regressing. That’s an issue.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
JB
keep getting this post infected – EXPLOIT virus.
Sorry for hijack I couldn’t find an email address.
Is anyone else having this problem?
Support our student athletes, have faith in the coaches! "...it's how you play the game!"
I can't duplicate that error...
You probably have a virus on your computer…you need to run a scan.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 24, 2011 9:07 AM PDT up reply actions
My internet problems pale in comparison to our D
The guys need to start listening to Holt and the other coaches, or this will be a long season. The O (which was always reported as behind the D last spring and in camp) can’t carry the team forever.
I agree with your evaluation of the D, but I made a few notes.
DT..wake up, big disappointment so far.
DE..if Shirley can’t pair up with Jamora, Hudson looks ready.
LB..Cort is awsome, Gilliland looks good, but I thought Tutogi had troubles at OLB (unlike Mason Foster who had a great game for Tampa Bay).
DB..hopefully Q had his warmup and is now ready, because CB is thin.
I still think the Holiday bowl magic is coming back, but I’m tired of waiting.
Linebacking play
Really disappointed in the Linebacking play. When Timu go the start I thought to myself.
“wow is this guy really that good?” And then when I saw him play I knew we were in trouble. Cort in where he should be 80%. Timu is where he shouldn’t be 80% of the time and Fui is in the right spot 50% of the time.
The only way we’re going to get to play aggressive defense is if Holt can trust his LB to be there and make sound tackles and that’s just not happening right now.
The problem I see at LB
Is we are LBs coverted from safety. We are a little light and we don’t have much of a thumper at LB besides Dennison. I see our outside guys getting knocked back on their heels quite often. Sure they’re making tackles, it just that they are down field all too often. I like Gilliland, he may play a little slower then a converted safety, but the guy from what I’ve seen has a real nose for the ball and will lay a guy out. I’m for inserting Gilliland into our base defensive sets. Then in nickle situations and more obvious passing downs bring in the lighter guys.
All I saw was purple
Develop Experience
What these kids lack is simply experience…the only way they get it is by playing…sometimes it can be painful to watch…over time it does pay off.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Sep 24, 2011 9:08 AM PDT up reply actions
Someone Besides Trufaunt needs to step up!
As of now, the only guy making any statement plays on defense is Trufaunt. I think if we can get someone up front to make a real big play, our energy level willl increase and enthuse the rest of the big boys. Right now I don’t see our defensive front going full speed. It’s more like 3/4 speed and seems like everybody up there is waiting for someone to make a statement play. We’ve got some really good talent on the defensive front, but for some reason this group hasn’t turned it up yet. When we get that big defensive play on the front, I think you’ll see a defense play faster and with more energy.
All I saw was purple
I'm going to hold off on commenting on our defense until after the Cal game today.
I have many, many thoughts/comments on the article, but for once in my life, I am going to hold off for a few hours and give Holt one more chance to impress me (or at least show signs of progress).
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
I would also hold off on judging coach Holt until we get back some healthy defensive players that have been physically limited in what they can do. Alameda Ta’amu has essentially been playing with one arm tied behind his back due to a broken hand. Do you realized how very difficult it is to play tackle with only one hand? Basically you are limited to the bull rush technique. The uppercut punch is out and the swim is also out. He’s been average. because opposing O lline no he only has one move with a broken hand. Defeat the bull rush and you’ve stopped the Huskies best defensvie player.
All I saw was purple
Obviously D is a Concern
Can’t be good sign that safeties have so many tackles.
Yeah, we’re young. But this is Sark & Holt’s third year, and pretty soon all the kids will be their own recruits, and those kids will have had a chance to both learn the program and grow into their roles.
Best Regards,
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