It just stood to reason from the very beginning that one of those five guys would end up as a receiver. I hope Shaw makes the most of it, it sounds like he could be good at that position.

At least Shaw has played a down this year. With Godwin, that gives us two receivers with a total of about five minutes playing time this year. Simply not enough with all our receivers graduating. The coaches have to get them some snaps this season.

As we have seen with the offensive line, there is no greater coach than experience for freshmen. Hopefully, the defensive line will develop a rotation and Foster will continue to see more playing time at LB.

I realize how important winning today is, but we still have to get next year's players some time, especially at receiver, running back, and defensive line.

wow...a bunch of things that make me think willingham is doing smart things all of a sudden.

i love the fact he allowed someone from the past to talk to the team (bruener). we need that inspiration, heritage and and legacy to become a huge part of the identity these kids adopt when they sign with uw.

moving shaw to WR is a FANTASTIC move if you ask me. for the obvious reason that our receivers haven't done much this year despite being mostly seniors, we could certainly use a hungry freshman who has serious speed to get as many touches and routes as possible to make sure burning his redshirt isn't a waste.... besides, i love shaw.

i think jake's injury was a result of jake doing the wrong thing on that last play. the play call was great, but jake needs to learn to protect his body at the right times and not bulldoze through every defender when all he needs is insurance. if it was a crucial moment, that's another issue, but when the game is not on the line, jake needs to protect himself and step out of bounds or slide. he's smart enough to know he had the first down, i think the issue is that instinctually, jake loves the contact and wanted to crack someone (since he did get sacked pretty hard early on...he wanted a bit of revenge i suspect).

Bob, please ask Jake how he is progressing with audibles (if any). Or if you could ask Willingham or Lappano. I'd appreciate any info on that, as I see it being a big key to UW's offensive development in the next couple of years.

Also, I'd be curious what Locker's take is on the lack of audibles this year. He seems to me to be a fairly intelligent young man, spending a lot of time in the film room, reading defenses, etc. Does he like to keep it simple, or is he eager to make adjustments when he sees man coverage, etc.?

Bob, in your Mon. article you wrote: "The Huskies brought some more pressure at times and tried to give Stanford more varied looks than it had presented in past games."

That really says it all for me. It was never really more complicated than that. I trace the "skid" back to the first 2 losses against TOSU & UCLA. There the safeties crowded the line & got caught inside, letting the opposition rip off some huge gainers. A good defense is a finely tuned & delicately balanced machine. These plays made everyone doubt everything they were doing. The players got away from playing solid assignment D, and the coaches didn't trust them to execute anything but a straight up vanilla scheme. Now, hopefully, they've got their confidence back & can only look forward to playing solid assignment D against the remaining four opponents. If they do, I think we have the horses to make a clean sweep the rest of the way.

Go Huskies!!

All teams recruit atletes and move them around. Last years class listed 5 RBs but we all knew that most would move positions.

I really like N William at S and I think he will be a special player for UW. Reminds me of the old players from that State of Washington, just tough football players.

Shaw moving is a really good move, I just hope he embraces the move 100%. If he does, with his unreal speed (one of the top sprinters is CA in high school) he can be a difference maker similar to R Bush. Shaw can move between SLOT and RB and has the speed that can't be taught. Put this guy in open space and watch him run. I wish they would allow him to return kicks with Ranki and Johnson.

Johnson also look like a Pac-10 RB and I think Yaboski will surprise next year.

For the class of 2008, I think Ty and staff are doing a tremendous job. They again are getting atletes that can run. Bronson looks good, but I really liked Dailey. His highlight tape reminded me of a smaller J Stewart. Tough, great balance and the speed to run away from people. That other kid looks really fast, Goebern? Also, if we can land the top 4 remaining in state players this will be a great class. Middleton, Thompson, Taamu and Kearse. Add Bruns and we will have put a metal wall around the state, not a fence.

think keeping Locker in was a good idea for two reasons.

1) Despite the final score, the game didnt really feel like it was "in hand", at least from the radio.

2) There is something to be said to continuity of the center/QB exchange. I know Bonnell probably takes snaps from Garcia all week long, but after snapping to the same guy for 94 plays, throwing someone new in the mix is more risky than running a run of the mill play with Locker.

A great win by the dawgs, but much like we all predicted, it was a good match up for UW and the coaches called accordingly. IF they called with that same confidence against AZ, ORE and UCLA we would have won. We even caught Ohio State at the perfect time and could have beaten them that game. Wells finally woke up the last 3 weeks.

I think the rest of the way we have favorable matchups with the exception being UH. We can beat UH, they are VERY beatable but UW has to play with confidence and bring pressure. UH's OL is bad and they make due with Colt Brennan's quick release. They are also one dimensional and can't run the football. Take away the deep ball, the seams, post, corners and force them wide. Make them run east-west and force the WR screens, shovel pass and short patterns. Make them play back to the middle of the field, but now UW has to make tackles with the LBs and Safetys. Bring pressure and don't let Colt have time to pick UW apart.

Oregon State is a good matchup again. Benard is a legit RB and he runs hard but he isn't the fastest kid which helps UW. Against ASU, I honestly think if Torain didn't get hurt, they wouldn't have run for half the yards they did. UW defends bigger slower bruising RBs better then smaller fast RBs. Bernard has great balance but is stoppable, just gotta wrap him up and tackle him at the first contact. Bottle this kid up and Osu has a long day. Pressure the LOS with the LBs and revived DL. Don't let Moevao get comfortable or Canfield if he is ready. I actually like the Moevao matchup better. Their OL is hurting a little and I expect a lot of screens, even a couple designed QB runs and short passes to Bernard out of the backfield to take pressure off of Moevao or Canfield. The WRs are fast so UW has to take the longer routes out of the game by forcing the QB the not get comfortable and have to move in the pocket.

On Defense, Osu is pretty tough and their LBs are fast. Jake is the X-factor and will leave the LBs guessing. With Rankin coming along the last 3 games, he will add more pressure on the LBs. I predict we run all over the #1 rush D in the Pac-10. With the OL and offense starting to move along, UW will test that defense, even more then Usc did this past week. I look for Reece to have a really good game since he will be a tough matchup for Osu. Russo will play on a couple really fast LBs so he will be more effective deep then short.

UW's journey back started last week and continues....

so, what does the WR/TE situation look like next year?
Goodwin
Logan
Boyles
Shaw
Aguilar
Polk
+
Kirton
Gottleib
Lewis (anyone seen him in a few weeks?)
Isbicki

Am I missing anyone obvious? Given that mix, Shaw could very well be a starter next year. What a great opportunity for him to showcase his skills and develop with Locker.

I'm pretty sure at one point in the game this Saturday Locker called an audible. He at least was barking orders up and down the line, which is a good sign.

Also, Shaw at WR could be a brilliant move. Especially in the offense we run. You need versatile players who can line up from a number of positions and have the potential to break a big play when called upon.

Not sure who didn't want that last play run. We fans in the stands sure wanted the TD. We were calling for it in my section and would have been disappointed had we taken a knee. We remembered last year. Sure Locker could get hurt. But if you are worried about getting hurt then maybe badmitten is the game for you.

Can anyone tell me a good way to get Bob's broadcast on KJR in sync with the telecast? I tried last Saturday but they were so far apart I had Bob's call before the ball was snapped.
.
Is that just a radio delay we have to live with?
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It may still be better than listening to 3 hours of Pappadakiss.

If you heard Bobs voice before the play, why would it be a radio delay? Think about it.

I will guess that you are watching the game on cable or dish. There is a delay if you have DVR as well.

The only time you will really get a game to sync with the radio is if you are watching the broadcast over the air with the free reception...not really possible for most Husky games.

that, my friend is a radio/tv reality.

you can't listen to radio and watch tv b/c the radio will always ruin the play for you.

Hey Bob, any word on how Quinten Richardson is doing, is he red shirting, where is he playing.

If you have digital cable, you can speed up the signal by going to basic cable (Straight to your TV) It has been my experience that if you have high def, you are going to have a 3-5 second delay.

If you really want to sync the radio to the game, the best way to do it is go to the game, and listen to the radio in one ear. This always works for me.

There is one way to synchronize it but it is a bit hit or miss. If you go to kjram or some of the other sites carrying the game, they frequently forget to cut off the broadcast...If you can get a live feed over the Internet, it will be more online with your TV. Seems like a lot of work though. I have done it this way a few times.

Harbor Dawg: I second that. I think tapes of games with Pappa da kiss at color could be used in terrorist interrogation--tie 'em up and put it on repeat.

Also, yes, I am typically level headed...but that Jim Miller guy makes my blood boil, as he wants to do. And I'll give it to him, he is very effective at it. I think he can just be disrespectful, and that is my peeve. And I am in agreement with your take vs. OSU.

Kelsoduck: You have been a very level headed, courteous and welcome addition to this blog. It is a rarity that an opposing team's fan will get on a blog and be respectful and insightful. It is much appreciated. By going to Duck games since the 80's, I am familiar with history and watching the rivalry continue and evolve.

Much of the Duck fan's take from the 80's, in my opinion, was feeling of inferiority from the Huskies success, and also Dawg fans have always been expectant of success...and when you get that, you always will be considered a tad arrogant (look at all the people that leave early from every game at Husky stadium--drives me NUTS!).

As far as confrontations, you always will have your bad fans with every team, but looking at the average age of the Husky followers some of them are just crotchity old folks (sorry if that offends anyone).

The Ducks have been having some success, and are also coming off on the arrogant side. However, add that to the Duck fans STILL acting like successful little brother who has something to prove, and they get in people's faces...violently. They haven't learned how to win without being reactive and aggressive. I have seen fights with every walk of opposing team's fans. As a Husky, I have been approached to fight not once but twice at Autzen recently, when all I had was a Husky hat on and was minding my own business. Even this most recent year, as I had 18 Ducks at my tailgate, we still had a couple of guys come up and talk smack that was explicit and aggressive....One of the biggest details is that they have a younger fan base, which actually hurts the approach of respect for others and sportsmanship.

So, while it isn't fair to pin that on every fan, such as people like yourself, it is my observation that they are worse than other teams fans at this point. I hope that after even more winning, they will learn to win with class (hopefully.). But, for some reason they haven't learned that yet.

Woofman: TNT hasn't ALWAYS been a Coug Paper. My grandfather was the editor until 1985, and was a big donor to UW for years. He wouldn't have ever let that happen in his tenure.

....Curtis Shaw at WR: great move. We have a ton of rb's coming in, and Shaw has great speed designed as a WR. Hopefully he can catch!

~Eugene Husky

Bob, thanks for checking on Shaw. I think Shaw will have the YAC that only Reese has given us recently. Shaw and Boyles are going to be real fast and athletic tandem.

Hope they have been watching how Florida uses Percy Harvin and do this with Shaw.

Though Goodwin is not getting a lot of PT, he has shown moments of above average talent for a freshman (Making the first guy miss & picking up extra yards on the quick screen pass. As for Shaw, time will tell. How many "sprinters" have we seen that unfortunately are unable complete the package (ie run tight routes and catch the football). It was encouraging that TW mentioned his "good hands". With Boyles and Aguilar, I think the overall talent at WR next year will make up for our youth.

Re: "Good hands"

Good hands + good speed = good gravy!

Bob, on the previous post, I wrote a comment about power running backs vs finesse backs in the PAC-10. When you talk to Coach Lappano tomorrow, could you ask him about the power running attack and how Oregon has used Jonathan Stewart in the power running game? Jonathan Stewart is 230 lbs. LenDale White was 235 lbs at USC. Does Coach Lappano see anybody in our program with that kind of size and strength who could give us a power attack? Is that something he's thought about, or does he prefer the lighter finesse type of runners such as Ken Simonton, Louis Rankin, Kenny James, etc.? The power backs seem to be much more reliable against the physical defenses of the PAC-10.

I am pretty sure that Robert Lewis is a Senior, but obviously he is not good enough to see the field.

Malibu & Anyone else,

We will be in Corvalis this weekend and sitting in the Dawg section. Section 226, Row 33, Seat 6-9. Anyways, I just looked at the stadium map and we are in the upper corner of one of the end zone's. Much like most other stadiums for visiting schools.

GO DAWGS!!!

I also like the idea of Shaw as a WR with the ability to shift into a RB with some of the spread sets. Russo has actually lined up at RB a couple of times this year after shifting. Rob Lewis is gone after this year. No great loss. Some of you mentioned Cort Dennison in the last thread. Seems like he is being groomed to challenge for Howell's SLB spot next year. I saw some of his HS highlights and was very impressed. Not only was he a hitter on defense, he racked up over 1000 receiving yards as a WR, TE, and slot receiver. I'm excited to see him next year.

middleton sets date? when?

thx chris but will be watching from the comfort of my den in coastal New Jersey as usual!

Hey Chris. I will be there. Yeah, I got my tickets through OSU and asked to be as close to the section of tickets alloted to UW as possible. When I get home I'll check my tickets. My wife was coming but now can't so I have asked my nephew (who lives in Corvallis and is an OSU fan) to come with. I would really like to meet you so hopefully we can connect. I'll get back to you with ticket info.

middleton sets date? when? i need color..

Ok, I have changed my mind, at least for a little while, regarding Baer.

Given his past success at other schools, one would believe that he is very good at what he does. So let's say he is having a bad year but given time and a few more players, I believe we will see a much better defense.

He will turn around this defense much like how Lappano has turned around the offense. Unlike Lappano, Baer does have a "Jake Locker" on defense just yet. But Savannah does looks awesome. They have good talent on defense with the DL, Savannah, Butler, Forrester, Lewis, Williams but add a couple pieces to the puzzle and I think we have a top 10 defense.

This year, Baer will finish the year on an upswing. Better matchups and more attention to detail. Next year we will see is trademark defenses of the past when you add in players like Dennison, Aldrich, Wood and freshman like Foster, McDowell and Williams. Throw in a couple stud freshman from the 2008 class like Thompson, Middleton (could play both ways) and more speed in the secondary and we have a complete squad.

Let's support Baer, Tormey, Hart, JD Williams until the rest of the year and hope that the Husky D get's aggressive. Also, we have to support the seniors that have given us all that they have over the last 4-5 years. I think that Baer's defense will surprise the fans over the next 4 games.

I truly hope that Baer's defense kick butt the remainder of the year and he ends the year on a positive. We all should not be so critical and start showing some support. I think we are to turn the corner............

you read an article from the other paper i see. well, i agree. Frankly, i think we have the talent (its a cop out to say otherwise cuz these kids are strong fast and good), its just a matter of jelling as a D. Like Jimmy Conners(tennis player) said, you have to lose until you figure out how to win. Its an evolution until the system is tweaked to match the variety of Ds played on the west coast. I like our chances, UW is an easy sell to Moms and Dads!

Also, I read some editors column that speculates on how good UW would be with Stewart, Schilling and Mays.

Taylor Mays is probably the biggest loss since we could use a 6'3" 230lb 4.4 40" vertical, kind of athlete patrolling the secondary.

Rankin has done a good job so Stewart's loss is not as bad. However, Stewart was a NFL back in high school and I truly believe if he came to UW he would have gotten the ball 25-30 times a game for every game for the last 3 years and have 3 1000yd seasons. He is a man amongst boys. And we could have used Rankin as a 3rd down back and a kick returner and utilize his speed mismatches better on LBs on the perimeter.

Just fun to think about what could have been. Let's not do that with Middleton, Thompson, Kearse and Taamu!

Yes, we do need to support the whole team, but especially our seniors. These guys are much tougher than any of us could possibly know. Sticking here through all the *crap they've had to deal with, well, those guys have true character. So, to all you 5th year seniors, I tip my hat in respect, and as a 'Thank You' for what you've given and what you still have to give to the University of Washington.

Go HUSKIES!

*It's just too bad you didn't get the coaching staff that you all deserved.

Chris -- ut oh, I have a bad feeling about my OSU tickets. It's section 9, on the other side from where you are. I'm going to call OSU to make sure they didn't put in in the middle of a Beavers section. Usually, if there are some open seats, they cn move me over. I'll have to get back to you.
Malibu

Chris, this is your Uncle Jon. Yes, I was at the game on Saturday and saw us win against an overmatched Stanford team. We are supposed to have colder weather with rain on Saturday here in Northern Cal, so Oregon may have a soaking as well, which can impact the strategy of the game.

Malibu, you might want to check stubhub for tickets close to the Husky section.

Go Dawgs!

Like I said before Saturday's game: ONE LOSS DOES NOT MAKE A BAD COACH; JUST AS ONE WIN DOES NOT MAKE A GOOD COACH.

Yes, we should've won the game, and this time we did, but just as Coach Baer said (regarding the coaching staff) - "We didn't get stupid over night." - it can also be said that they didn't get smart over night either.

Yes, Rob Lewis graduates this year, and so our three TE's will be Gottlieb, Kirton (assuming both of these two are invited back for 5th years), and Izbicki.
I love Shaw getting a chance at receiver and being used as a slot or scatback too. Good use of his talents.
Interesting that the UW easily could end up with TWO 1000 yard runners this year. Both Locker and Rankin need to average 52 yards per game for the rest of the season to get there, so it is certainly doable.
And how many teams have a QB as a 1000 yard runner?