| 29 November 2009
Good morning Cougs. Yes, the sun came up (even though you can't see it through all the low clouds and drizzle this wet, gloomy Sunday on the west side).
There isn't much to really talk about in regards to yesterday, is there? I mean yeah, we could run one of those ESPN-style breakdowns, including the ever-popular "it was over when..." segments, where you point out when the game was decided by one side or the other. But it's pretty clear this one was done when Dan Wagner was taking snaps in the second quarter. Nothing against Danny-boy, but to be honest, he's probably option #5 of all the available QB's that Wulff looked at when the season started in August. Yes, #5, when you consider J.T. Levenseller was still on the radar, at least he was over the summer anyway.
We should acknowledge how hard the defense played, and rightfully so. Folks, they brought it, and despite the season-long young/inexperienced/injured argument, they left it all on the field. Major hat tip to that side of the ball, who did so much to overcome a non-existent offense for 99% of the game.
So it is what it is, an embarrassing shutout to a lower-division opponent, all the while not even crossing the opponent's 30-yard line. That's pretty much it.
Anyway, thought it would be a good time to roll out the "next year" posts, for some of this week. I'll weigh in today, then we'll have Longball and Sutra give you their takes later this week. And maybe, just MAYBE, a special guest or two along the way?? We'll see.
We'll do it in the following format. First, three things I'm looking forward to for next year. Then, three things I'm hoping change for next year, as we hold out hope that the program takes a big step forward. Here goes:
I'm happy with and/or looking forward to:
1) Young skill players in the passing offense – There is a long list here, but we can start at QB - Jeff Tuel.
There are a lot of reasons to like what we've seen out of the true frosh. Just 18, he showed some real progress in his first shot at playing QB at the BCS level. 58.7% completion percentage, with this offensive line, a minimal running game and young, inexperienced receivers? I doubt he could have played any better if you want to know the truth. And he even managed to have more TD's (6) than INT's (5). All from a true frosh, dropped in the middle of a mess and asked to basically become the symbol of hope for the future? While it's disappointing he didn't get a chance to finish things off, missing the last three games of the year after the kneecap injury vs. AZ, still, he did get five starts plus a ton of time at USC. He does have some improvement to make, such as not trying to do too much and being a little quicker in his decision-making under fire, I think we've seen enough to know that the program has found "that guy" in Tuel.
I'm excited to see what the skill guys look like next year. Jared Karstetter is the go-to-guy at the wideouts, and this year pretty much sealed that with team-highs in catches (38), yards (540) and TD's (6). He wasn't just a one-trick pony either, where he earned his scholarship simply by going up and catching goal-line fades. 540 yards for a second-year player is pretty decent, and he goes into next year as the top receiving threat on the roster.
I liked what I saw from Gino Simone, even with the tough Apple Cup performance. He played big against the best, with 8 balls for 83 yards vs. USC, and 6 for 86 yards and a TD vs. Cal. While he'll never be a total gamebreaker, he's clearly a nice #2 option to go to battle with next year.
Jeffrey Solomon (25 catches) and Daniel Blackledge (23 catches) both quietly put together respectable seasons as well. They are nice compliments to Karstetter and Simone, guys who have decent size and quickness to make a play or two. And Johnny Forzani was nice as a deep threat, but he still looks like he has a long way to go.
But that said, there's something missing from this group. One guy who can flat-out break things open for an offense. A guy who is fast, strong, tough, and has the ability to change a game. I'm talking about a guy who was looking like the best receiver on the roster all spring and summer, until an unfortunate mistake cost him the '09 season. I'm talking about Kevin Norrell.
All reports are positive on young Kevin, and that he's been doing everything he can to get back to the program. We will have an update later, directly from the source, but for now, just know that things are going well. And adding Kevin Norrell to the guys above, ALL GUYS who are coming back next year? They might be on to something pretty special when it's all said and done!
2) Potential Pillars on defense - I know the stats won't back this up, given such a down year in '09. But there could be a lot to feel good about, and fast, even by the time we reach spring ball.
First, the d-line. Travis Long kind of hit the wall there at the end, but he showed quite an upside and an extremely bright future. He's still got some filling out to do, and who knows but with enough weight, he may end up at tackle? We'll see, but you have to like what we've seen so far from the true frosh. But he's not going to go at it alone next year. Bernard Wolfgramm, Josh Luapo, Toby Turpin, and of course, the medical redshirt senior in Kevin Kooyman, will all be back next year. Anthony Laurenzi and Dan Spitz showed a little something in limited time this year, and redshirt d-tackle Justin Clayton generated some scout team buzz about what could be in the future. Sprinkle in JC transfer Brandon Rankin, the all-everything pass rusher who is rumored to be enrolling in January? Wulff already said on a recent radio show that the defensive line will be "one of the toughest and most physical lines we've had at WSU". I'm beginning to see why.
Linebacker looks pretty good as well. Sure, Andy Mattingly is gone, as is Jason Stripling. But there is some promising youth here, especially linebackers who can RUN in juniors-to-be Alex Hoffman-Ellis and Mike Ledgerwood, plus a hopeful return to health of Louis Bland, who might be the best defensive player on the entire roster. And there are other youngsters who were redshirted this year, guys we haven't even seen yet but could play a lot next year, such as Darren Markle, Andre Barrington, and Sekope Kaufusi.
And then you have the depth in the secondary, as a bunch of corners are back with starting experience - Aire Justin, Brandon Jones, Terrance Hayward, Daniel Simmons, etc. Then add in the redshirts who are going to play at corner next year in Nolan Washington and Anthony Carpenter, well, how can you not like that? And at safety, we're losing Xavier Hicks, but Chima Nwachukwu is back, as is Jay Matthews, another young redshirt frosh who showed some promise as a backup at the strong and free safety spots. If Eric Block is healthy (and I know that's been a big IF), he's in the mix as well. But again, the redshirts come into play here, with Jamal Atofau and Casey Locker both hitting the field and ready to go this spring.
3) Finally, recruiting. Wulff and staff are doing a good job out on the road, finding some talent and speed with verbal commits other Pac-10 teams might actually want. Amazing, no? While they aren't moving the needle on a national ratings scale, coming in the 50's in terms of the rest of the country (#51, Scout.com), the indications are that this year's class could be one of the best in recent memory at WSU. There are a couple of big-time tight end prospects in Aaron Dunn and Jake Rodgers, and of course, the Ferris QB who set some GSL records this year in Connor Halliday.
But it isn't completely top-heavy either. In looking at the full list of commits, the class so far looks deeper and faster than in recent years, something this program so clearly lacks. Of course, they still have to get these guys to sign on the dotted line. Top-100 safety commit Deone Buchanan was already being wooed by ASU, but has decided to hold firm on his WSU commitment.
Like it or not, this may only be the beginning of the attempted poaching of WSU verbals. Wulff said a few weeks ago how disappointed he was that other Pac-10 coaches were coming after as many as 7 other WSU commits right now, but without an early signing period in college football? That's the way the game is played. A verbal is nice, but you have to actually get them in Pullman before you can get too excited. But if you believe the words of these kids, and you read the enthusiasm from Wulff without him being too specific? You have to be THRILLED that a 3-22 team the last two years is looking at putting together another decent recruiting class!
Now, the gloom. What I'm not happy with, and/or hope to see changed for next year:
1) Improvement on the still-young and growing o-line. Ugh, the line. It was rough this year, and never worse than the Apple Cup. Never able to establish the run, never able to give their assortment of QB's much time to set up and throw the ball with authority, it was a season of frustration up front. Now they do lose Kenny Alfred, but everyone else is pretty much back next year. But something has to change here. I don't know if it's the technique, or the offensive system in general with the zone blocking scheme, or just the guy trying to coach them up in Harold Etheridge, but something has to change here. Hmmm, Keith Gilbertson's son is on the WSU roster, and in a recent article said that he has been following WSU.....he was one hell of an offensive line coach/offensive coordinator in his time. Hmmm.
2) Change the style on defense. I still remember the first WSU coaches football dinner in Seattle, early in 2008, when Jody Sears took the podium. One of the first things he said was "we are going to stop the run, pressure the QB by putting eight in the box, and attack the line of scrimmage." I know injuries and youth have made this a dicey proposition, but I haven't seen anything but drop 8 INTO COVERAGE and bend, bend, bend, bend, and bend some more. No matter what, next year, they MUST go to a change in style on defense! Go watch the 1994 Apple Cup, or the 2003 highlights we put up vs. Oregon State or Notre Dame. Look at the way the defense attacks the offense. It's a beautiful thing to watch, and it causes pressure. Next year, with more depth, talent, and speed on D, please go back to attacking and forcing the issue instead of the bending act!
3) Develop an offensive identity. I hate to admit this, as I really am just a blogging hack who hasn't tried to be an offensive coordinator. I don't know the ins-and-outs like these guys do. My paycheck has never depended on trying to establish the run or beating a cover-two defense through the air. But I am agreeing with everyone who wants to show Todd Sturdy the door. Youth or injuries or whatever, this just isn’t working.
Ask yourself this - who or what are we on offense? Can any of us actually say what it is we are trying to do? Are we a spread read-option offense? No, not really. Wulff made it clear after he was hired that yes, we run no-huddle with some shotgun, but don't label us a "spread offense", instead call us a multiple offense. Ok, then are we a deep vertical passing attack? No, not really. We'll take some shots deep, but not a lot. Ok, then are we a west coast offense, where you utilize some pro sets and use the short passing game, where a 5-yard gain in the air is the same as a 5-yard run off-tackle? Mmmm, no, again, not really, but we will show some looks like that occasionally. We aren’t exactly the one-back, or are we trying to be that too?
And the no-huddle, does that really exist? What's the point of getting to the line with 20 seconds left on the playclock, trying to read the defense, then get the play called and all the last-second shuffling that goes with it? And is this strategy really all that smart anymore? I mean think about it. Don't you think defenses who watch film of WSU KNOWS that they are going to get to the line of scrimmage, read the defensive alignment, then call the play? If I'm a defensive coach, MAYBE I'LL DISGUISE THINGS TOO, and not really get into our defensive sets until I see the offense calling their play at the line?? All I know is that initially we were excited to see what a no-huddle scheme could be like, but it seems less and less effective every single week.
A change in direction is needed. Maybe by saying we are a "multiple" offense, we trying to be TOO MUCH? I say choose a system like Okie State or Texas or Arizona or Oregon or Texas Tech, in fact go out and hire one of their offensive assistants and promote them to your new offensive coordinator. Then stand there on the top of the mountain and fly the “THIS IS OUR OFFENSIVE SYSTEM” flag! But do it already. Please.
That's it for today, the final Over-Reaction SUNDAY of 2009. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend. As always, enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and GO COUGS!
There isn't much to really talk about in regards to yesterday, is there? I mean yeah, we could run one of those ESPN-style breakdowns, including the ever-popular "it was over when..." segments, where you point out when the game was decided by one side or the other. But it's pretty clear this one was done when Dan Wagner was taking snaps in the second quarter. Nothing against Danny-boy, but to be honest, he's probably option #5 of all the available QB's that Wulff looked at when the season started in August. Yes, #5, when you consider J.T. Levenseller was still on the radar, at least he was over the summer anyway.
We should acknowledge how hard the defense played, and rightfully so. Folks, they brought it, and despite the season-long young/inexperienced/injured argument, they left it all on the field. Major hat tip to that side of the ball, who did so much to overcome a non-existent offense for 99% of the game.
So it is what it is, an embarrassing shutout to a lower-division opponent, all the while not even crossing the opponent's 30-yard line. That's pretty much it.
Anyway, thought it would be a good time to roll out the "next year" posts, for some of this week. I'll weigh in today, then we'll have Longball and Sutra give you their takes later this week. And maybe, just MAYBE, a special guest or two along the way?? We'll see.
We'll do it in the following format. First, three things I'm looking forward to for next year. Then, three things I'm hoping change for next year, as we hold out hope that the program takes a big step forward. Here goes:
I'm happy with and/or looking forward to:
1) Young skill players in the passing offense – There is a long list here, but we can start at QB - Jeff Tuel.
There are a lot of reasons to like what we've seen out of the true frosh. Just 18, he showed some real progress in his first shot at playing QB at the BCS level. 58.7% completion percentage, with this offensive line, a minimal running game and young, inexperienced receivers? I doubt he could have played any better if you want to know the truth. And he even managed to have more TD's (6) than INT's (5). All from a true frosh, dropped in the middle of a mess and asked to basically become the symbol of hope for the future? While it's disappointing he didn't get a chance to finish things off, missing the last three games of the year after the kneecap injury vs. AZ, still, he did get five starts plus a ton of time at USC. He does have some improvement to make, such as not trying to do too much and being a little quicker in his decision-making under fire, I think we've seen enough to know that the program has found "that guy" in Tuel.
I'm excited to see what the skill guys look like next year. Jared Karstetter is the go-to-guy at the wideouts, and this year pretty much sealed that with team-highs in catches (38), yards (540) and TD's (6). He wasn't just a one-trick pony either, where he earned his scholarship simply by going up and catching goal-line fades. 540 yards for a second-year player is pretty decent, and he goes into next year as the top receiving threat on the roster.
I liked what I saw from Gino Simone, even with the tough Apple Cup performance. He played big against the best, with 8 balls for 83 yards vs. USC, and 6 for 86 yards and a TD vs. Cal. While he'll never be a total gamebreaker, he's clearly a nice #2 option to go to battle with next year.
Jeffrey Solomon (25 catches) and Daniel Blackledge (23 catches) both quietly put together respectable seasons as well. They are nice compliments to Karstetter and Simone, guys who have decent size and quickness to make a play or two. And Johnny Forzani was nice as a deep threat, but he still looks like he has a long way to go.
But that said, there's something missing from this group. One guy who can flat-out break things open for an offense. A guy who is fast, strong, tough, and has the ability to change a game. I'm talking about a guy who was looking like the best receiver on the roster all spring and summer, until an unfortunate mistake cost him the '09 season. I'm talking about Kevin Norrell.
All reports are positive on young Kevin, and that he's been doing everything he can to get back to the program. We will have an update later, directly from the source, but for now, just know that things are going well. And adding Kevin Norrell to the guys above, ALL GUYS who are coming back next year? They might be on to something pretty special when it's all said and done!
2) Potential Pillars on defense - I know the stats won't back this up, given such a down year in '09. But there could be a lot to feel good about, and fast, even by the time we reach spring ball.
First, the d-line. Travis Long kind of hit the wall there at the end, but he showed quite an upside and an extremely bright future. He's still got some filling out to do, and who knows but with enough weight, he may end up at tackle? We'll see, but you have to like what we've seen so far from the true frosh. But he's not going to go at it alone next year. Bernard Wolfgramm, Josh Luapo, Toby Turpin, and of course, the medical redshirt senior in Kevin Kooyman, will all be back next year. Anthony Laurenzi and Dan Spitz showed a little something in limited time this year, and redshirt d-tackle Justin Clayton generated some scout team buzz about what could be in the future. Sprinkle in JC transfer Brandon Rankin, the all-everything pass rusher who is rumored to be enrolling in January? Wulff already said on a recent radio show that the defensive line will be "one of the toughest and most physical lines we've had at WSU". I'm beginning to see why.
Linebacker looks pretty good as well. Sure, Andy Mattingly is gone, as is Jason Stripling. But there is some promising youth here, especially linebackers who can RUN in juniors-to-be Alex Hoffman-Ellis and Mike Ledgerwood, plus a hopeful return to health of Louis Bland, who might be the best defensive player on the entire roster. And there are other youngsters who were redshirted this year, guys we haven't even seen yet but could play a lot next year, such as Darren Markle, Andre Barrington, and Sekope Kaufusi.
And then you have the depth in the secondary, as a bunch of corners are back with starting experience - Aire Justin, Brandon Jones, Terrance Hayward, Daniel Simmons, etc. Then add in the redshirts who are going to play at corner next year in Nolan Washington and Anthony Carpenter, well, how can you not like that? And at safety, we're losing Xavier Hicks, but Chima Nwachukwu is back, as is Jay Matthews, another young redshirt frosh who showed some promise as a backup at the strong and free safety spots. If Eric Block is healthy (and I know that's been a big IF), he's in the mix as well. But again, the redshirts come into play here, with Jamal Atofau and Casey Locker both hitting the field and ready to go this spring.
3) Finally, recruiting. Wulff and staff are doing a good job out on the road, finding some talent and speed with verbal commits other Pac-10 teams might actually want. Amazing, no? While they aren't moving the needle on a national ratings scale, coming in the 50's in terms of the rest of the country (#51, Scout.com), the indications are that this year's class could be one of the best in recent memory at WSU. There are a couple of big-time tight end prospects in Aaron Dunn and Jake Rodgers, and of course, the Ferris QB who set some GSL records this year in Connor Halliday.
But it isn't completely top-heavy either. In looking at the full list of commits, the class so far looks deeper and faster than in recent years, something this program so clearly lacks. Of course, they still have to get these guys to sign on the dotted line. Top-100 safety commit Deone Buchanan was already being wooed by ASU, but has decided to hold firm on his WSU commitment.
Like it or not, this may only be the beginning of the attempted poaching of WSU verbals. Wulff said a few weeks ago how disappointed he was that other Pac-10 coaches were coming after as many as 7 other WSU commits right now, but without an early signing period in college football? That's the way the game is played. A verbal is nice, but you have to actually get them in Pullman before you can get too excited. But if you believe the words of these kids, and you read the enthusiasm from Wulff without him being too specific? You have to be THRILLED that a 3-22 team the last two years is looking at putting together another decent recruiting class!
Now, the gloom. What I'm not happy with, and/or hope to see changed for next year:
1) Improvement on the still-young and growing o-line. Ugh, the line. It was rough this year, and never worse than the Apple Cup. Never able to establish the run, never able to give their assortment of QB's much time to set up and throw the ball with authority, it was a season of frustration up front. Now they do lose Kenny Alfred, but everyone else is pretty much back next year. But something has to change here. I don't know if it's the technique, or the offensive system in general with the zone blocking scheme, or just the guy trying to coach them up in Harold Etheridge, but something has to change here. Hmmm, Keith Gilbertson's son is on the WSU roster, and in a recent article said that he has been following WSU.....he was one hell of an offensive line coach/offensive coordinator in his time. Hmmm.
2) Change the style on defense. I still remember the first WSU coaches football dinner in Seattle, early in 2008, when Jody Sears took the podium. One of the first things he said was "we are going to stop the run, pressure the QB by putting eight in the box, and attack the line of scrimmage." I know injuries and youth have made this a dicey proposition, but I haven't seen anything but drop 8 INTO COVERAGE and bend, bend, bend, bend, and bend some more. No matter what, next year, they MUST go to a change in style on defense! Go watch the 1994 Apple Cup, or the 2003 highlights we put up vs. Oregon State or Notre Dame. Look at the way the defense attacks the offense. It's a beautiful thing to watch, and it causes pressure. Next year, with more depth, talent, and speed on D, please go back to attacking and forcing the issue instead of the bending act!
3) Develop an offensive identity. I hate to admit this, as I really am just a blogging hack who hasn't tried to be an offensive coordinator. I don't know the ins-and-outs like these guys do. My paycheck has never depended on trying to establish the run or beating a cover-two defense through the air. But I am agreeing with everyone who wants to show Todd Sturdy the door. Youth or injuries or whatever, this just isn’t working.
Ask yourself this - who or what are we on offense? Can any of us actually say what it is we are trying to do? Are we a spread read-option offense? No, not really. Wulff made it clear after he was hired that yes, we run no-huddle with some shotgun, but don't label us a "spread offense", instead call us a multiple offense. Ok, then are we a deep vertical passing attack? No, not really. We'll take some shots deep, but not a lot. Ok, then are we a west coast offense, where you utilize some pro sets and use the short passing game, where a 5-yard gain in the air is the same as a 5-yard run off-tackle? Mmmm, no, again, not really, but we will show some looks like that occasionally. We aren’t exactly the one-back, or are we trying to be that too?
And the no-huddle, does that really exist? What's the point of getting to the line with 20 seconds left on the playclock, trying to read the defense, then get the play called and all the last-second shuffling that goes with it? And is this strategy really all that smart anymore? I mean think about it. Don't you think defenses who watch film of WSU KNOWS that they are going to get to the line of scrimmage, read the defensive alignment, then call the play? If I'm a defensive coach, MAYBE I'LL DISGUISE THINGS TOO, and not really get into our defensive sets until I see the offense calling their play at the line?? All I know is that initially we were excited to see what a no-huddle scheme could be like, but it seems less and less effective every single week.
A change in direction is needed. Maybe by saying we are a "multiple" offense, we trying to be TOO MUCH? I say choose a system like Okie State or Texas or Arizona or Oregon or Texas Tech, in fact go out and hire one of their offensive assistants and promote them to your new offensive coordinator. Then stand there on the top of the mountain and fly the “THIS IS OUR OFFENSIVE SYSTEM” flag! But do it already. Please.
That's it for today, the final Over-Reaction SUNDAY of 2009. I hope you all had a great Thanksgiving weekend. As always, enjoy the rest of your Sunday, and GO COUGS!
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