The Monday Morning Wash
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 9:35 AM PST
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PrintJust a few brief notes this morning since I am still in Mexico...Zach Banner will be announcing today (2:30 PM) and while his heart may be at USC his mom's may be now at Washington and that could be enough to keep the big guy home. Seems that the family while impressed with everything SC has to offer isn't that thrilled about him being in LA.
Arik Armstead to Oregon sort of surprised me...I figured he was headed to Cal...what really surprised were he and his parents comments about negative recruiting. Looks like Sark and the boys need to clean that up a bit but we will get into more of that once the entire class is in the books later in the week.
Malcolm Jackson won't be a Husky. The DT is headed to SDSU after the UW dropped him because of grades. It is looking more and more like the coaches will struggle to bring in 25 this year which is really going to be a disappointment.
An insider on the Dawgman board says Shane Brostek is telling folks in the Islands that he is headed to Washington. Keep your fingers crossed on that one because the Ducks are still in serious play for his services.
Brandon Beaver was at Cal this weekend. Nobody thinks he is serious about Cal but you just never know with this kid. The world finds out on signing day where he will hang his hat.
Jordan Payton and Shaq Thompson were reportedly in Seattle this past weekend on unofficial visits. It is looking more and more like they are headed to UW.
Steve Kelly of the Seattle Times wrote an article this weekend which basically trashes those nameless people who populate the message boards and criticize the decisions of PSA's when they choose to leave the state. Steve forgets to mention that that the nastiest and most virulent message boards are run by the Seattle Times.
News develops fast this time of year and I will be checking in from the beach during the day...Go Dawgs!
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Shaq, Payton, Beaver, Walker and Banner would absolutely save this class
It’d give us a couple of 5 star pillars, some 4 star skill guys and a nice piece at RB. It would push us into the top 25 range with the services, and seeing as I’m really high on some of these 3 star members, even higher in my mind.
Even without Banner, I’ll be just fine. Until this becomes a pattern, there is zero reason for panic.
It is a pattern
Serious problem for this staff.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 9:56 AM PST up reply actions
How is it a pattern?
Sark has done nothing but exceed expectations since his arrival. Both in recruiting and on field results. He came in his first full class and landed 4 of the top 6 in state. The exceptions were a Mormon to BYU and a Spokanite to WSU. In addition he brought on a signing day surprise in top 10 S Sean Parker, he landed some big out of staters in Montana, Kolher, Hatchie and Smith. The next year he kept the legacy 5* and landed the 5* who was supposed to be a lock to leave the state. In addition to those two, he snagged Sankey from the grasp of WSU and locked up 6 of the top 7 in the state.
One year is an abboration. Two years is a pattern. Three years is a serious problem. So far the only pattern I see is keeping the top guys in state and plucking some nice pieces from Cali.
by B Money on Jan 30, 2012 10:07 AM PST up reply actions 3 recs
Good post
I agree. Recruiting season is stressful as it seems there is always a “end of the world” mentality going on. Sark has done great in state so far, one year will not kill us. But if we can bring in the guys you listed in your first post, this class will definitely be a success and then the sun will shine and the world is not going to be over quite yet.
by datboyeddiep on Jan 30, 2012 10:51 AM PST up reply actions
No....three years you don't survive
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by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:11 AM PST up reply actions
I respectfully disagree
If this class ended right now, it’d be a disappointment. It’s not awful when placed in a vacuum, there are some real upside guys. I get the sentiment that this is not a great class, because he’s set such a high bar for himself, but if I’m being real…UW should slot in the second teir of teams in the conference in recruiting at this point. If they close on all the guys but Shaq and Banner, they should still creep up into that range.
I love the blog, and the analysis that you bring. It’s my favorite website, honestly. I just don’t enjoy the fact that you’ve jumped on the worry wagon about one non-complete and somewhat off year in recruiting.
Not on the worry wagon
Objectively speaking they blew it in state and the only way they salvage it is by performing miracles over the last three weeks out of state to produce a balanced class.
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by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:24 PM PST up reply actions
I agree with John
This in state class has been talked about for years and he missed on almost all. The bad trend is more the image than anything. Still time and I am holding out for banner and shaq
by CODawg on Jan 30, 2012 12:28 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
This is the first time I disagree with you, John.
We’ll discuss it more after signing day.
Expect to Win!!!
Sounds fair guys
And…it is always OK to disagree with me..
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:07 AM PST up reply actions
obviously we'll know more by Wednesday.
So it’s a bit too early to judge the class until then.
Also, with the new additions on the staff that are great recruiters, it will probably start to show itself more for next year and after recruits can hopefully see the results on the field.
Just the fact that we have 5-6 4/5* guys looking at us on the last couple days is an upgrade from a couple years ago. It just seems like a lot of good recruits are waiting until the last minute this year.
"The same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry." Ray Lewis
by Carne Guisada on Jan 30, 2012 11:47 AM PST up reply actions
Curious...
Why is this year more indicative of a pattern than the last two?
I’m certainly not going to defend the way recruiting has gone down this year. The results, and maybe just as importantly, the perception, have both been bad. Sarkisian’s efforts (personally and with staff changes) have been too little too late for the most part, but there seems to have been a very concerted effort to change things as far as recruiting goes. If what Armstead’s dad said about “negative recruiting” is true, then that’s maybe on ongoing issue to examine. But I’m not sure how you can sell your own program without making comparisons to other ones. There could’ve been more to it than that, but it’s difficult to know for sure. If the staff has gone around trashing other coaches or programs, that needs to stop. But if you’re buying a truck, and Chevy says it has best in class horse power, that obviously means it’s higher than Ford or Toyota. Somebody predisposed to Ford might call that a negative sales pitch.
I'm sure he's not saying this Ford is a POS
even something like “This Ford has a spotty record with recalls and safety compared to our product”. That’s fine, if it costs us one Armstead, so be it. If you expect Sark to walk into a recruits living room and rest his pitch solely on UW’s record and academics and not mention anyone else, you’re dreaming. We might think Seattle is special, but it’s smaller than LA and the Bay Area, it’s grayer than everywhere else in the conference, it’s about as far away from SoCal as you can get in the conference. It’s not quite the easy sell we all seem to think it is.
If you expect Sark to walk into a recruits living room and rest his pitch solely on UW’s record and academics and not mention anyone else, you’re dreaming.
I’m not sure if you’re using the royal “you” here or if you’re responding directly to me. That, and the fact that we have no idea what Armstead’s dad was referring to as “negative recruiting” were basically my points.
NOT a Pattern
One year is an aberration – if similar things happen next year then it is a pattern.
by PurpleHeart on Jan 30, 2012 10:49 AM PST up reply actions
I tend to shrink the scale more...
The longevity of the career of a football coach gets smaller each year. There is very little margin for error at this level. That being said patterns become measurable over shorter periods of time. That is precisely why he fired his very best friend…any of you guys done that recently?
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:21 AM PST up reply actions
I'm not an expert
but by my rough calculations, she gets $37.18 and half a bag of Cool Ranch Doritos.
Keep the retro taco ones for yourself.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:26 PM PST up reply actions
LOL....yep!
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:33 AM PST up reply actions
That being said patterns become measurable over shorter periods of time.
How do you figure? The pattern up until this point is that Sarkisian gets the in-state talent he wants. If you look at this year in a vaccuum, the pattern appears to be changing. But that’s only the case if next year is like this one.
The more data points you have to look at, the less each individual one is worth.
Why use single years as a marker?
I judge everything on a quarterly basis as far as recruiting is concerned.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:28 PM PST up reply actions
Fair enough. It doesn't really change anything, though.
So, he had 9 good quarters in a row (his first two years through the first quarter of the 2012 class when Lindquist committed), followed by 2 bad quarters, and has an incomplete for the last quarter of the class, although it’s looking bad. But, there was a tremendous push resulting from staff changes a maybe some of Sarkisian’s reevaluating of the way things were going that got the Huskies into play or back into play for some big targets. Too little, too late, but a positive sign moving forward. As of right now, the early returns for the next quarter are either nuetral or slightly positive.
There isn’t enough data to the negative to suggest a change in the pattern yet, whether you break it down by year or by quarter. And even though the results on Wednesday won’t show it, one can make a fairly strong argument that the last half of January shows a fairly significant uptick in the effort and results.
The dye was cast on some of the misses in-state long before Sarkisian ever got here. And maybe he should’ve recruited Dozier as a receiver, knowing full well he was going to get a token look before being moved to corner. The negative recruiting comments are probably something that’ll raise a red flag with Sarkisian. At the very least, you have to be fairly confident that he’s going to reanalyze the process again.
Still Salvageable
If the most recent rumors are true and we get Banner and Brostek I’ll be happy with our o line – I never expected Armstead though it would have been nice. We had some bad luck and bad breaks on some other recruits and this will still be quite a tidy O line class if we can wrap up one or both of those two.
Getting Shaq or Beaver would be great – ideally both. I still think we can get both – and I think we will. Payton would be icing on the cake.
Would be nice to get a DT or DE in as well.
We still have a chance to get a very solid class, we just need to get some commits late. We are in on lots of good players – lets start closing them.
Like to hear about "serious problem" after NSD
I’m in the dark on this. But not a nay sayer, like many on the Sea Times. If M Jackson can’t get in school, it doesn’t do any good to sign him, no matter how much we need a DT.
Jackson
Great prospect…great film…the grades didn’t happen.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:22 AM PST up reply actions
Jackson sounds like a tweener to me
I wish these kids would focus more on school so they don’t limit themselves. SDSU isn’t a bad University but it’s not the Pac-12.
We’ve definitely go the ability to finish strong here.
Banner is still in play until 2:30 pm today
Shaq and Payton paid their own money to check out the UW one more time. Love it
Beaver is likely coming and we’re still recruiting Goforth and Devian Shelton
Brostek….good news coming from the grapevine about him
Walker would be a nice late pickup
Mickens is probably 50/50 UW vs OKS
Cozens- this kid is a must get. Could be prototype 3-4 DE in a few years
I’m already liking what the new staff has done on short notice. Let’s see what they can do on the field and I expect a tumultuous but successful 2013 recruiting campaign.
Cozens has UA as his leader
Mickens is more likely 75/25 OSU/UW.
Banner is a longshot as well.
The only thing I’d like is more DL and an OT, but this year was really weak for DL in general out West. Next year should be better.
Cozens has never announced a leader publicly
But in the end I think the pressure is on him to stay in AZ. We’ll see.
Mickens- UW. Gregg Biggins just said on Twitter that the UW is looking good for Payton, Mickens and Walker. That’s a nice WR trio. Walker could RS and play RB though.
Saw that Biggins tweet
interesting. I figured we’re in a good spot with Payton and now Walker. Everything I’ve seen points to OSU having really wowed Mickens. Maybe the distance is too much.
Distance
That’s what I’m guessing. I think the sway to stay on the West Coast is only getting stronger for Mickens and with two Dorsey kids already on the squad I see Mickens has deciding to stay out west.
I heard a blurb about him wanting some confirmation of the UW’s offense and his place in it.
Mickens
Gotta think he dons purple. Why?
1st Oklahoma is BORING.
2nd he’s got two teammates on the squad (Marvin Hall & Matt Lyons)
3. We’ve got Price for 2 more years and a good selection of QB coming in. We’re going to be offensively minded. Read : slinging the ball in the air.
Mickens will be a Dawg. He announces tomorrow at 7:30pm I believe.
I'll bite
1. No doubt about it. Even downtown OKC is awful.
2. I think that’s an overrated aspect unless they’re best friends (a la Shaq/Sample), although it couldn’t hurt.
3. OSU is going to throw the ball way more than we are. If Payton comes, he’d have a tough time breaking depth for two years. OSU also has a couple of highly touted QB’s coming up right now.
I think we're going to have to throw the ball more next year
I’m not sure we’ve got the RB strength yet to grind it out on the ground a la Polk.
We’re going to have to get yards using speed and with that in mind I see Sankey as getting the start and sharing duties with Callier and hopefully Coop.
I see Mickens on Special Teams and vying for the slot position that Cody Bruns will likely start.
No but if Cooper can make a comeback
we’ll have three backs to shoulder the load. With the amount of fly sweeps (paging Marvin Hall) and dump-off running game we’re likely to see, I think we’ll throw about the same amount.
If you look at all of the years Sarkisian has called plays,
his run/pass balance is nearly identical each year. I doubt 2012 will be much different.
Oklahoma
It is an armpit…and that is on good day.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:55 AM PST up reply actions
As a person who lived in Oklahoma for 3 years . . .
I can say with 100% certainty that you are 100% correct!
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Barry Sanders Jr. Agrees With Y'all 100%
Unfortunately, he loves the “wrong tree’s”!
Closing...
Shaq, Beaver, Brostek, Mickens, Payton and Walker. That would be a nice haul on signing day.
If you can add Cozens, Goforth, Vatuvei and Devian Shelton. That would be an exceptional close.
That would be a fantastic finish
Hell I’ll take any combo of Beaver/Goforth/Shelton you want to give.
Historically
UW has 98% of the class in the bag by January 1st….when we don’t it isn’t a good thing.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
Historically
Doesn’t include the age of Twitter, Facebook, and every other instant recruitment update possible. At the heart of it you have to remember that these are still HS kids – they are making some tough decisions with big implications and everyone is on their back, stalking them 24/7 trying to get intel. Then you have the added popularity and noteriety that comes with waiting unil NSD to make an announcement (or even flip-flopping around). The last time UW was landing huge recruits, this climate wasn’t as prevalent. Comes with the territory of being a contender in this social media driven society.
by CanisInvictus on Jan 30, 2012 12:07 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Doesn’t include the age of Twitter, Facebook, and every other instant recruitment update possible.
Nor the number of televised announcements, signing day press conferences, etc. The whole thing has absolutely taken a turn.
For the worse in my opinion.
Promotes prima-donna behavior and really smacks around the good kids who deserve some respect during the process of making a decision.
by CanisInvictus on Jan 30, 2012 12:11 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
I really hesitate to make value judgements on these things
I can totally see why these kids would take 30 minutes or so to celebrate their decision and have their “day”. Some of them maybe let it get to their heads, but for a lot of them I think it’s as much about letting the community – family, friends, teammates – share in the celebration as anything.
I just meant that the media promotes bad behavior
Not saying that anyone specifically in this class or any other has bought into it. Just meant it as a reflection on the effects of modern media.
by CanisInvictus on Jan 30, 2012 12:50 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Well
This is certainly a recruiting year like no other.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:51 PM PST up reply actions
I have a hard time buying into Brostek to uo rumor. I remember Max Unger being on Softy and Softy asked him if Bern had anything to say about Max commiting tto the ducks. Max said something along the lines of “oh ya. He was constantly on me saying I don’t want no duck on my line”. Hard for to believe he’d then let his son go be a pond crapper.
"pond crapper"
Now that’s funny!
"The same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry." Ray Lewis
by Carne Guisada on Jan 30, 2012 11:51 AM PST up reply actions
Love that
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:00 PM PST up reply actions
Shaq is sounding like he's ready to be done
He tweeted about wishing the media calls would end. The end is nigh.
Shaq just replied to this reports
@ItsShaqThompson Why does the media always put stuff you don’t say, and say you committed some where you didn’t #true facts
He must be talking about the rumor
that he committed to both Oregon and UCLA on his last visit to each school. LOL
Or he could be talking about all of them
Bottom line is that it’s probably going to come down to Shaq making a decision tomorrow evening as he sounds like a really overwhelmed teenager right now.
I hate to let down anyone
I can’t imagine letting down 3 collective fan bases, plus knowing I’m going to be verbally abused for the next day or two.
Agreed. People complain about these kids' behavior
but who’s putting who through the meat grinder? Not that they don’t make mistakes and say stupid things but they aren’t even legal drinking age.
And now, for my very elaborate and college-educated plan!'
yeah, bad combo
If I were a parent or High School coach, I’d strongly advise these kids to keep their Twitter accounts private.
Shaq...
seems like a quality kid that is really focused on making a good decision.
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
Love Shaquille and AA
Nothing but class throughout the process.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:02 PM PST up reply actions
After experiencing Bryce Brown and Terrell Proyor...
they are a breath of fresh air.
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
Don't blame him
That report sounded like BS…oh ya PPilot..congrats on AA…that was a big time surprise.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:42 AM PST up reply actions
Thanks.....it will be interesting how the next two days unfold.
Sounds like Cal is pretty much out of it for Thompson and it will be a UW/UO/UCLA battle until the signature is put on the LOI.
One of the recruiting sites has a poster that it really really close to the Bay area football scene and the Armstead/Thompson families
He knew about the armstead decision on Friday and provided the details of Arik’s decision the second he officially announced for the ducks. With that said to call the entire situation fluid would be an understatement
AA
I’m not sold on AA…has to do with his older brother…great athletes obviously but his bro didn’t come close to the hype…actually I like him better as a BB player.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:05 PM PST up reply actions
He was a evaluated at DE on rivals...
and still comes in at like 61/62 in the country. Still a damn good prospect.
I think what people are forgetting is that he is perfect for our scheme. He will be a great 3-4 DE.
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
top 6 at position.
"I love Oregon's obsolete recruiting report on an unhealthy level. Just more proof how balla Chip Kelly really is." Dr. Saturday
He certainly could be
and it wouldn’t surprise me one bit. I just don’t like him nearly as much at DE as I do as a Tackle. When I think of Arik the DE matched up against Arik the OT, I see OT Arik winning that one 9 times out of 10. Having said all that, he’s a high character guy who’s got limitless upside, you could put him at QB and he’d probably be better than half the conference.
Oregon is good as of late at putting athletes in a great position to succeed if their initial position doesn't work out
Dion Jordan – TE/WR to DE
Kenjon Barner – DB to RB
Jeff Maehl – DB to WR
Eddie Pleasant – LB to Safety
With that said he stays at DE.
This
Is one of the reasons I absolutely have to tip my hat to the ducks coaching staff. Although we have had quite a bit of that as well since Sark has come in.
If I could only have one Shaquille/AA...
I would tie Shaq….I just love his ceiling….always tougher to project the big guys.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:48 PM PST up reply actions
I would actually disagree, talented bodies on the D-line are hard to find so so I would still take the higher risk
With that said, Thompson and Armstead are 1a and 1b.
shaq
When the tosh news broke, I stated shaq was my top wish to switch
by CODawg on Jan 30, 2012 12:35 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
he was also the most likely
He already loved the UW, and he was clearly heavily influenced by Lupoi, as well as having a great relationship with Wilcox from his brother’s time at Cal when Wilcox was an assistant there.
I think he basically already did on Facebook last night...
…pretty hard to interpret what he posted any other way, unless someone hacked his account.
Walker to UW?
Certainly looks like it.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:43 AM PST up reply actions
or maybe CB
Versatile athlete. Get him on board, get him into practices and see where he best fits and where the biggest need is.
Would fill a big need
He can ply multiple positions like Kendyl Taylor.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 11:53 AM PST up reply actions
Gotta love players with some flexibility.
It’s certainly something we could use.
by CanisInvictus on Jan 30, 2012 11:54 AM PST via Android app up reply actions
Ugggh
I’ve pretty much resigned myself to the fact that I will only be to operate at 50% efficiency at work until the fax machine turns off on Feb 1. I absolutely love and hate this week every year.
It is killing me to be on the beach
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:06 PM PST up reply actions
I'd love to be there in your place...
If you feel like you need a break, or something…
by CanisInvictus on Jan 30, 2012 12:09 PM PST via Android app up reply actions
Yeah John
That really is hard, being on the beach and all…..
by datboyeddiep on Jan 30, 2012 12:26 PM PST up reply actions
My life is a Corona commercial
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:42 PM PST up reply actions
I hope you get a sunburn.
"Winning isn't everything, it's the only thing."
"Legends are made on the shores of Lake Washington"
Just sent the wives out...
To replenish the Havana Club, Tequila, and Corona’s!
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 3:06 PM PST up reply actions
Miles
Anyone hear anything about how our final in-home visit with him went on Saturday? Last I heard, the USC visit made his decision " a lot harder"
Via Twitter
He has been recruiting other top prospects to UW – hes coming to Washington.
Interview with Softy
Of course this was before this weekends inhomes..
Dave Softy Mahler @Softykjr
Cyler Miles also said he’s been trying to help recruit players to UW. Mentioned Shaq Thompson, Jordan Payton and Banner by name
Banner
Jake Worthen says it is going to be SC.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 12:39 PM PST reply actions
I still believe
Banner….don’t succumb to the Dark Side of the Force.
Bummer
Like I said…historically our classes are done by Xmas.
UW Dawg Pound - SBN Seattle
by John Berkowitz on Jan 30, 2012 3:08 PM PST up reply actions
Unfortunately, we seem to be in a new era...
where Twitter, Facebook and Signing Day Press Conferences rule. I’m sure the coaches are stressing more than we are because they have to wait for so many guys on signing day. But, part of that is due to going after the 4 and 5 star recruits that have plenty of options and are trying to enjoy the limelight. I’m sure the coaches don’t like this new trend, but hopefully things change to bring some sanity back to it in the coming years.
"The same thing that will make you laugh will make you cry." Ray Lewis
by Carne Guisada on Jan 30, 2012 9:45 PM PST up reply actions
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