is it me, or does this sound like "we have no f'ing clue what is going on."?

Could Oregon look any uglier?

Huskiesjv... is that a rhetorical question?

LOL. I thought the piss yellow/green helmets from that bowl game were bad! Iridescent flames on white? Yikes.

Am I the only one who thinks Lappano may be the only coach we should keep?

He has a history of winning, and seems to understand the passion of the game. I'm not sure about Ty.

Saturday's a$$ whoopin of the ducks starts a winning streak that will go into next season.

Couldn't disagree with you more, Texas.

I could not care less what a coach says after a loss. It just ticks me off. And Lappano is borderline incoherent--the words just don't go together in a logical sequence. It's like he's stuck on stupid. "Square peg in roung hole . . . Rats! Square peg in round hole, much HARDER this time!" I think it's because he's from Spokane. My ex-in-laws are from Spokane, none too quick on the uptake.

As for his "history of winning" . . . does the fact that he coached under Erickson so much of that time have anything to do with that? Erickson-- great college coach, crappy pro coach. Lappano-- just plain crappy.

Wow....I love these two comments from Timmy

"I'm pretty close to the guys at Arizona State and I know it created for them a lot of nights -- Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday"

So ASU coaches were working/preparing for the game while Tim was home with his feet on the couch reading a magazine. I guess that wouldn't have anything to do as to why they killed us in the second half. Speaking of second halves...

"I guess what I'm saying is, don't be afraid to make a mistake."

Hey Tim, how about calling some better plays in the second half instead of the Locker/Ranking option on first and second down.

Also, I am fine with taking our shots down the field, but why do we seem to do in on 2nd and 16, which leads to 3rd and 16. With Jake at QB we need as many 3rd downs that are less than 5 yards, so the defense has to defend his arm and his legs still.

After reading all of Tim's comments it all becomes clear at why our offense has been shutting down for quarters at a time this year and last year.....The guy has no clue what he is doing.

Redux-

Understand what your are saying, I just don't think a good O Coordinator would only be good under 1 head coach. You can't blame Lappano here, and then say the only reason he was good was Erickson. If that was the case then it would be on Ty to get Lappano going.

I don't disagree we need change, I just don't think Lappano is where to start

Bingo, Brent, bingo.

Imagine that, staying after 5 to look at film and such. Those ASU guys must be crazy!

I really like Lappano's frank nature and in my personal opinion he's made some vital mistakes in the play calling, but I think things will start clicking soon as Jake's accuracy begins to improve and more of the RBs take some snaps (I was encouraged by the number of runs Hasty had on Saturday).

But this all needs to be coupled with more dynamic and efficient play calling from Lappano (I'm thinking power running with a Homer blocking and Hasty/Johnson running off the tackles, with more high percentage slants to Reece/Russo/Goodwin).

Why doesn't Lappano get smart and start using all of these backs he has. How about a wishbone?

You can't argue a man's past or his resume. Lappano has produced in the past. I do question our version of the "spread offense." Do we really have the personnel to put it into action at this time? Is this a long term development plan that Locker will fit like a glove when he has better completion percentages? As I've said before, most teams that use the spead also use the no-huddle to catch the defense off guard. We huddle. Is that to help Locker's learning curve? If we no-huddle, then the defense has no time to adjust or substitute correctly and we can change the play at the line of scrimmage to counter whatever the D is doing. I don't see this in our version of the spread. Why? I believe Lappano is a good coach, but I sure would like to have some understanding as to why we do things so much differently from other offenses using the same system. Some of the decisions just don't sit right with me without an explanation.

That is GREAT that they are practicing in full pads today, lets hope they do it Wed and Thu as well.

I had a quick thought on that when one of the coaches, TW?, was speaking about the tackling. He was saying they were practicing tackling, but, when they weren't in full pads, they would wrap up and not take them to the ground.

Hmmm... That sounds pretty much exactly like practicing a MISSED tackle. That and we keep hearing that the players aren't performing as they are coached to during practice. You know after all these comments from Lap-Dog about "playing to not lose" (I think its been closer to playing to not win in the second half personally), how about coaching to win?

That invlolves practicing in as close to game conditions as possible, which obviously means full pads and hitting each other.

Go Dawgs!

If any of you are joining the blog in progress late today, don't miss the announcement about meeting with Bob on Saturday on Bob's previous post.
Malibu

It's not in the post. Oh, in the comment section. "How Huskies Win" I see is also in there. Thanks

The clock is ticking, coaches. Win some games this year or you're out the door!

LA, you're kidding, right? Install a new offense in the middle of the season? The wishbone? Do you think that's easy to run? I think they just need to keep running the offense they have and they will get better running it.

Hey, one more thing guys. I just flipped on FSN-NW and the Classic game tonight is the 2002 Apple Cup. 3 OTs! 368 yards passing by Cody Pickett, etc. Starts at 7:30
Malibu

I haven't been to excited about Lappano lately either. I can't get that awful series of plays/formations that were called when we had a 1st and freakin' 5. All shotgun, no TE, and if I remember correctly, 1 play with no RB in the backfield. ?? We were FINALLY running the ball with some consitency and getting a nice push up front and he completely went away from it...on the FIVE YARD LINE!!!

Apparently he liked what he saw in those plays because the 2nd half we went almost exclusively with the shotgun will horrendous results. I wouldn't mind seeing him abandoning the shotgun all together for right now. Get Jake undercenter, let the lineman drive block and knock someone in the effin mouth. Let these guys play to win!

I liked what Lappano had to say. I think he is a solid coach, and look forward to having him around many years. So pleased to have him instead of Dietrich. I remember this same bleating about Linehan in 99 and then Gilby in 2001. Heck, I bitched about Lambright's need to go in 98 (though probably cause I was cut from the team in 94).

The moaning about coaches or a psuedo qb controversy or about "dancin" rankin has to be ducks and cougs on the board trying to take away our focus and demean our players... right... right?

Our players look like they are playing hard.

We have a talented staff, and I have to believe they are working hard.

Now I think our D needs some improvement, but I also think I will reserve judgement to see how it looks with a healthy experienced secondary, and some experienced linebackers.

And I apologize for the vent. I just find it frustrating to attempt to get information while having to put up with the needless, and mostly ignorant, swipes at Lappano, Ty or our players.

Also, we beat the Ducks and their god-awful Orange County Chopper helments this weekend.

This playing not to lose stuff stems from one thing: coaching. The kids don't have the confidence to get it done when it counts because they know the coaches don't have confidence in them. Like Lappano saying he has to scale back the offense and simplify things. Why? Because he doesn't have the faith in the players to handle an expanded playbook. Teams take on the personality of their coaches, and Tyrone is the ultimate "Keep it close, hope something happens where we win the game" kind of coach.

My guess is that >90% of posters played high school football at best and have never coached. Ever. Yet they have all the answers. Love it. Let the year play out, see what happens and then go from there. To go from bandwagon busters after being 2-0, to now looking for www.firetoddturner.com, is an embarrassment to you all. The problem is you think you're helping and that you're passionate, true Husky fans, and that you deserve DJ era back. This ship went in the wrong direction for many years and it's not going to be self corrected in 1-2 seasons.

White helmets and while uniforms?

My God, the Ducks will look like the cast from "The Right Stuff". LOL

Mike Belotti, Mission Control. "Houston, we have a problem". Oops, wrong movie.

The UW has got to stop sending money to Nike. They're getting stupid with it.

Williams3, looks like you got cut because you have no understanding of football. You are reserving judgement on the DB's until we have experience. The starting DB's are 3 juniors and 1 senior. They aren't young players, just not very good.
"Our players look like they are playing hard"? Really? Have you watched the games this season. At least 6 different RB's have had their best runs of the season against UW. We are giving up HUGE runs every week, multiple times a game. That is not playing hard in my book.
And you are defending Rankin? Rankin wouldn't even be third string at most Pac 10 schools. The guy is simply not a Pac 10 caliber RB. Why don't you check out some other RB's in the league and then look at Rankin. Outside of speed, he lacks any skills that are needed in a RB. People can rip the coaches all they want, their performance has been pitiful and people are pissed. Enough losing, enough complacency, enough patience. Get it going now or get out of town.

We do not have the offensive line, running back or tight end to work the WV spread. Our line is not fast or quick on their feet for the spread offense. That is why we are recruiting smaller faster players this year. The first read out of the spread is usually the tight end. We have poor tight end play, they simply cannot get open quickly. That is why we are looking at true tight ends out of high school, not converted defensive players or overweight high school tail backs. We have no power runner to keep the defense honest and with Locker's inability to pass the defense can key on his running. That is why we are recruiting 200lb power runners. Only Locker is ready to learn the spread and he is still a freshman and alone out there. We need to establish the run with Locker under center. That is when we are successful. Homer is better blocking straight ahead, attacking the defense, not sitting back waiting to pass block out of the spread. He can block between the tackles and we can run behind him. If we can run we can play action, something we have not done all year. If we can run up the middle it sets up Rankin outside. The spread maybe great someday, but now we need more options to complement the spread.

Said I would sit out until after the Oregon game, but I had to jump back now. Are you guys seeing what I told you way back last summer?
Note to "TDog": this is year three, not year 1 or 2. Shouldn't you at least see the ship turning directions by now? Or are you okay with a 3-5 win season?
How do other coaches take down programs and have them turned around much faster than Willingham. Guys, the coach is a joke and the sooner you all figure that out, the sooner you can move in a better direction with your program. Stanford didn't wait around for Walt Harris. They knew he sucked after two years and now they are moving forward. Todd Turner has your program spinning wheels, not going forward at all.

Reduxdawg -- I responded to you in the previous blog post comments.
Malibu

T-Dog

My guess is that you didn't got to UW and therefore don't have the passion for UW athletics that some of us have.

Don't question things?

Please, genius, remind me what country this is.

Your entire post lacks anything credible.

Yes, we are passionate, true Husky fans and NO we won't stand for a lackluster effort from our team. And, NO, we don't accept that effort is only on the players.

And, yes, when the above DOES happen we will B&*&^%H and Moan loudly so that the powers that be know we won't stand for anything other than winning football games.

Nobody on this board expects us to be 6-0, but noone that supports this football program should be complacent about anything less than a .500 record this season. Especially given the effort and play that OUR team has given in the first half.

Oh, and I've coached, b-ball, and one of the most resounding effects of coaching was evident to me when in one game I grabbed my best defensive player and told him that the other team was playing with HIS ball and he should not accept that. That all he needed to do was go up to his man and take the ball from him. You know what he did? Yup, he went up to him while he was dribbling the ball and grabbed it. And, then dribbled down the court and made the lay-in. Now, these were 13-14 yo kids, but coaching is coaching. Oh, and I wasn't being paid to coach, although the families were nice enough to drop some gift certificates in my hand at the awards banquet.

Go Dawgs!

It really doesn't matter what the Ducks wear on Saturday. The Husky D gives up to many big plays and Oregon will have plenty of them.

OREGON - 52
dawgs - 10

I sure hope the players don't piss and moan as much as the fans in here. ftd!

GO DAWGS!!!

Wow, where do I begin. It's been a busy day today for Husky Football. I will not go into every detail of how I feel (lucky you condottarulz), but basically this is how I feel about a few things: 1: Not digging TW 's comments, he just seems bush league to me...either that or he's not very intelligent (which I think he is), so it must be that he thinks by being so evasive and coy about things, that must make everyone else think that he has the answers or some inner superior intelect . I don't know...but I am tired of speculating 2: Not digging Turner at all either. Keeping TW for the remainder of his contract is one thing, but saying that he will not mandate TW to fire any coaches because then he could not keep TW accountable as a head coach if he did? That's chiken sh*t! Grow a pair Turner and make the tough decisions. But this way I guess he can lay ALL the blame on TW if things continue to bottom out...I say he then should also take blame for not forcing a change, in my mind, his fate will forever be tied to TW. 3: I am warming to Lappano. I was digging the way he showed passion in his responses to the media. He showed me he really cared about losing, and seemed to demand that something be done. I liked how he acknowledged how everyone else must feel because of the losses..but still plans on moving forward with how he see's the Dawg's best chances in turning things around. I respect that, he's the coach, it's his responsibility...give me passion, and even if I don't agree with your philosophy, I'll support you. 4: JL's a stud! And we are lucky to have him wearing a W on the side of his helmet on Saturday's! Anyway, I have decided, after much consideration, that since Turner is going to keep TW regardless of circumstance for the remainder of his contract, that moving forward I can no longer be negative on TW and his staff. They need our support, the recruits/players need to feel like the community supports them, and quit frankly I think that if you cannot be part of the solution, then at least don't be part of the problem. I will, even after defeats like this past weekend, come on here and give my opinion on things, but with the perspective and point of view on what we can do, as DAWGS, to compete better in the next game. And I'll verbally recognize those on the team that I see making strides and playing hard. At this point fella's, this mind-set will be the best way for us to contribute to turning things around. (Recruits read these site's, other coaches print these blogs to sow uncertainty into recruits minds, player's read this stuff). In the end, TW and Turner, and all the rest of those guy's need W's as much as we do, so I am going to get behind them and see what we can make of this program! GO DAWGS! WOOF WOOF!

Oregon 57
Dawg=s 10 (Scrap points: we'll through you a bone)

Guys, you HAVE to go to this site and read this story by the Ducks writer. It supports everything I said in "How Huskies Win" Part II earlier today.
http://blog.oregonlive.com/behindducksbeat/2007/10/apparently_its_husky_week.html
'
Malibu

Good perspective Desert Dawg. Losing gets so frustrating. A few W's would go a long way to making everyone feel better. I have a question about Turner's comments regarding Tyrone coaching for the length of his contract. Won't the decision really have to come at the end of next season (2008)? Won't Ty either be fired or extended at that point? I can't see him going into 2009 without a contract past that year. I don't think that would be good for recruiting or the morale of the team. So it would seem to me that 2008 has to be a winning/bowl season. Can't see a coach getting an extension after 4 losing seasons in a row.

I'd hate to do an interview for the press and have it disected word by word in a blog...even more so if I'm Lappano and my every word depends on sounding perfect so I can satisfy all the experts out there.
.
Easy pickins for everyone, eh? We're all pretty tough when we're not the ones responsible.

You mean Part I Malibu, but yes looks like you nailed that. They have no clue about the rivalry and it appears you are correct: No current Oregon Duck player has ever played in Husky Stadium.

I agree Irwin, a school rarely allows a coach to fall into a "Lame Duck" position/season. I feel like TW just has to show "improvement" though in Turners eye's, and not going to a Bowl Game is not necessarily a deal breaker for him to extend TW's contract. Hopefully we get things turned around and all this conjecture is for not! GO DAWGS!

Great post Williams3...we need to hear from you more often...football is a simple game made complex by coaches...beat the Duck, mutts...make my fall...

This Lappano dude is seriously messed up. They practiced the deep ball all week? Greaaaaat. What did you learn from the experience? Nice game plan, there. He doesn't want to try a new offense. That's pretty hard since we haven't even tried an offense, yet. This guy is really that bad. I can only speculate that Dennis Erickson was running the OSU offense back in 2000 and Lappano's job was sort of holding clipboards and fetching donuts. No way this guy was the brains behind that offense. NO FREAKING WAY.

I just read a comment on the Dawgman blog that made me sick to my stomach. It was a Husky season ticket holder saying he was trying to sell his Oregon game ticket and could care less about Saturday's game. That guy is lucky he's not here with me right now. Please, sell you ticket. Get out of our house, and never come back you ridiculous excuse for a Husky fan.

I am not going to defend TW, he will have his chance to prove himself but quit saying he didn't get it done at Stanford. I don't mind a little inaccuracy but a lot of this is just lies. He coached there for 7 years going 7-4, 7-5, 5-6, 3-8, 8-4, 5-6, 9-3. AT STANFORD!!! A school that couldnt win a championship with Elway! Whether you like the guy or not he did a solid job there. He won coach of the year honors twice, at a truly disadvantaged place. Question him all you want now, I do. But STOP saying he has never suceeded, you are wrong!!! And you can check Stanford's record since he left if you want. He was 44-36 there in his seven years. A winning record at that school in this conference is pretty good, pretty good. Keep your facts straight boys.

There is a quote in that article that Malibu gave us the link for from Bellotti about the Oregon players who are not especially fired up for the Huskies getting an education from Husky fans about the rivalry on Saturday. That better be true. No luke warm fans by Saturday, just all-out crazy loud for the Yucks. It's been a long, long, long time since we've had the Yucks coming in.

By the way, looks like it won't rain afterall. Just checked the forecast for Saturday and it looks decent.

I just looked at Lappano's comments. Sounds like passing-wise they are working more on the type of throws Jake seems to be a little better at( deep throws)and he said they have worked less on the short throws. Although aren't the shorter throws the ones that are higher percentage throws which might be able to help sustain a drive, keep your defense off the field, involve a greater variety of receivers(TE's, backs, etc.) and might increase Jake's completions and his confidence.

Other than that most of his comments centered around the theme, "they just need to do better".
And about the offense's complete sense of helplessness in the second half? "They just need to do better". I hope Mr. Lappano's observations, instructions, insights, adjustments given to his players are more specific than that because that is not very helpful.

If Jake throghs deep Oregon will get some big picks. Mark my words. I'll be back after the game to gloat or eat crow. Go DUCKs

Did they teach you how to spell throw as "throgh" at UO, Norm?

We don't practice in full pads?! I think Go Dawgs is right on, no wonder we miss tackles. With our lack of depth I can understand coaches being worried about players getting hurt during practice but come on, you gotta bring it this week. I say the crowd does and the Dawgs do too.
Huskies 45
Oregon 31

RJ
Try to learn a bit about the team, before you post uninformed remarks.
Of course the team practices in full pads. Every Wednesday normally (but this week, on Tuesday). That is normally done once a week, which is what many other programs also do. Some do 2, but no more, and often it depends on the injury situation.
By going to 1 full pad practice per week, the UW has enough work to keep them focused, and they practice also in should pads otherwise.

shoulder

reduxdawg - my ex-inlaws were from Seattle and they were about as smart as you! There's an insult for you.

Oh gee, Go Dawgs - need to have attended UW to be a REAL fan? Give me a break. But maybe in your infinite coaching wisdom you could sneak down to sidelines and tell Gunheim that Dixson has HIS ball - hey that should do it!

Ramblings...

...I too think we need to have Jake under center more - in an I-formation. I just don't get this spread offense when our QB is finding it difficult to complete a pass - especially on a roll out. I am not advocating bailing on the spread - but keep it to a minimum. I wonder if in spring ball we had started down the option path instead of the spread where we would be today.

...We need more FB and TE sets. There are few plays I like to see more than a slant to a TE.

...Have you noticed when USC and OSU had mid-long runs their OL is down field with them. Not sure I man liking our blocking schemes.

Camano, if we were running the option that Tui ran we would be a greater running team, our pass completion percentage would improve, our fullback play would improve, we would have better line play, we would have first downs and more time of possession. Then we go to the spread as a counter to the option.