Tip of the Hat: Today, Tuesday September 11th, I'd like to start off by tipping my hat to all the first responders that take such good care of us here in the USA. They run into burning buildings, they risk their lives on a daily basis, they go above and beyond, so others may live. As a pilot, today has a lot of meaning, I'll never forget where I was or what I was doing 11 years ago, on Tuesday, September 11th, 2001.
Results from last week: What is the minimum acceptable performance against LSU? The numbers were pretty spread out compared to our other debates, but 37% of Husky fans thought that losing by 14 or less points was the minimal acceptable performance. 23% said covering the spread and 20% said a win. All that matters is that 4% said not covering the spread with a moral victory was the minimum acceptable performance. I've got bad news for you, there were ZERO moral victories, just a blow out. It doesn't matter how you want to sugar coat it, we are 2 for 2 for not living up to expectations.
This week's debate: What do you think of Brock Huard's prediction that Keith Price will take a step back this season? As most of you are well aware, Brock Huard (former Husky QB for you really young fans) wrote this article back in April: Washington's Keith Price May Take A Step Back In 2012. It doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure out that Husky Nation wasn't very found of Brock's opinion. It was also well noted that Coach Sark put the article up in the locker room as motivation to Price and the team. I know we are only 2 games into the season, but I don't want to debate the LSU game anymore, expectations for Portland State should be pretty obvious (win or get fired, a big win should also be expected), and I didn't think John would appreciate it if I asked the Dawg Pound if I should buy a Window's Phone, an iPhone or an Android. Needless to say, it's early, but so far Brock's prediction is coming true.
First and foremost, I love Keith Price, without Keith we would be in a far worse place than we are now. Secondly, the article doesn't say that Price can't live up to the hype, just that with all the changes going on around him, it will be nearly impossible for him to put up the same great numbers he put up last year. When I first read the article, it seemed like Brock was letting his own experience at the UW overly influence his opinion on the current team. I like to think I'm a Brock Huard expert, I even had a class with him at the UW (Intro to the New Testament, yes a very easy A). Brock would show up 5 minutes late EVERY day and he ALWAYS had a football in his bag.
Let me give you a quick run down of what I mean when I say Brock is letting his own UW experience overly influence his opinion. In 1997 (his sophomore season), Brock passed for 2,140 yards, 23 touchdowns, 10 interceptions and completed 60% of his passes. In 1998, his numbers fell a bit, he passed for 1,924 yards, 15 touchdowns, 12 interceptions and completed 53% of his passes. For those who aren't as familiar, Brock graduated as the UW's all time leading passer. The question is why did his numbers decrease in 1998? Well, losing Olin Kruetz, Benji Olson and Jerome Pathon all to the NFL doesn't help.
It's pretty easy to see why Brock came to the conclusion he did, he lost some big time support pieces and his numbers declined. Keith Price is in a very similar position having lost Devin Aguilar, Jermaine Kearse, Chris Polk and Senio Kelemete to graduation and the NFL.
Two games into the 2012 season, Keith Price definitely seems to be taking a step back, I will be kind and forgo mentioning any of his stats. The question is why? Is Keith pressing too hard? Is Keith's comfort level with his young WR's adequate? Is Keith gettting anywhere near the protection he needs to make his reads? Is it still way too early to tell? Let's hear it Dawg Fans, was Brock Huard right or wrong?