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WSU football chat (transcript)

Nov 2 2016, 10:31 AM
srchat: We will begin our weekly WSU football chat at 10 a.m.But you can add questions to the queue now to get them answered early.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:01 AM
JesseCoug (guest): Have you heard this rumor about Max Browne interested in possibly transferring to Wazzu, if so any legitimacy to it?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:02 AM
srchat: Yesterday Clay Helton announced that he would allow Browne to transfer to another Pac-12 school without penalty. If Luke Falk were to leave, WSU would make a lot of sense, but otherwise I don't think Browne would transfer to be his backup.At this point, any rumors about where he wants to go are just speculation.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:02 AM
Guest5869 (guest): I missed the boat but was Connor Neville's reason for suspension ever detailed? Wonder if it goes against Leach's rules?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:03 AM
srchat: I have not seen details of the suspension reported by any outlets credible enough to pass along.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:03 AM
Carlos (guest): Has Leach specifically addressed the slow starts in the past few games and what the coaches are doing to address the slow starts?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:04 AM
srchat: Leach has acknowledged that they have been a problem,but has not gone further than saying the Cougars need to focus better as far as saying how WSU is trying to fix them.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:05 AM
Guest4331 (guest): If Cougs win the flip, should they go back to being on offense? We are winning but last few 1st quarters have been ugly.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:05 AM
srchat: Might not be a bad idea. I think Leach has grown to like getting the ball after halftime, but WSU was starting faster when it sent the offense out first.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:06 AM
Guest9558 (guest): Should Luke Falk leave early (I know, I know),do you think Leach and his staff would try and grab Max Browne via transfer? He has one year of eligibility left and can play right away due to having already graduated.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:06 AM
srchat: I think WSU will make inquiries about Browne and Alabama transfer Blake Barnett regardless of whether or not Falk stays. But, the chances of either coming to WSU are considerably higher if he leaves.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:08 AM
Sid (guest): Are you surprised by the amount of outcry from the Barber suspension?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:09 AM
srchat: A little bit. But it looks like this frustration with WSU's student conduct process has been simmering for a long time, and Barber is such a key player for the Cougars that it makes sense his case would be the final straw for those who were already frustrated.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:10 AM
Betelgeuse (guest): I didn't see a full depth chart for Zona; Parker Henry starts at nickel, Shalom back at FS?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:10 AM
srchat: Here are game notes and depth chart, and that's what they say: http://www.spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink/2016/nov/02/game-notes-and-depth-chart-wsu-vs-arizona/
Game notes and depth chart for WSU vs. Arizona | The Spokesman-Review
Nov 2 2016, 11:11 AM
cordodor: How much do you think WSU gets out of going to Lewiston for fall camp? I assume it's a matter of fewer distractions, more team bonding time, etc. I'm sure it's hard to quantify the gains, but I'm sure it costs a lot of dollars we dont have
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:12 AM
srchat: Leach really, really likes it. You're right that it's hard to point to the Lewiston camp as having any tangible effect, but this does seem to be an especially close team and the coaches would probably point to the Lewiston camp as a big reason why.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:12 AM
cubsfan7331: With Grinch on the sidelines who has become the defense eyes in the booth. According to game notes all defensive asst. are on the field?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:13 AM
srchat: Defensive quality control assistant Brian Odom.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:15 AM
JesseCoug (guest): What do you think the reasons were for not running the ball much in the first half when Oregon St has such a weak run defense?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:16 AM
srchat: I don't know, it looked to me like the Cougars were given favorable run boxes. Perhaps because the Cougars were down early they felt the need to stick to their bread and butter on offense.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:18 AM
Guest611 (guest): Is was said that Barber would be filing some sort of legal action today. Have you heard anything about this? What would it mean? Any other updates on that situation?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:19 AM
srchat: Barber (and his attorney) will decide today whether or not to file a petition to the Whitman County Superior Court asking for a stay of his suspension, which would allow him to keep playing football while the petition is considered. No news on that yet but there should be some today.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:19 AM
CougSchroed (guest): Why did Salmonson start on Saturday if OConnell was healthy to play? Maybe Salmonson had a good week of practice and staff thought OConnell would be rusty if he hadn't practiced all week? Then Salmonson didn't play well in first half so they ended up going with OConnell 2nd half?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:19 AM
Sid (guest): How come Cody didn't start if he was able to play the second half?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:21 AM
srchat: I think it's as simple as the coaches asking O'Connell in warmups if he felt good enough to play, not liking his answer, and then asking again at halftime. My understanding is that O'Connell had to play through a lot of pain in the second half, but maybe he felt it was worth it with the team down.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:21 AM
Guest4331 (guest): Luke Falk slide was late and a bang-bang play.Do you think OSU player could have held up? Glad we got the call,but these things tend to even out.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:22 AM
srchat: I felt like the OSU player should have known the QB was sliding and held up.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:22 AM
Guest611 (guest): It doesn't look like there are any Pullman games left that would work for College Game Day. Another season gone by.... Thoughts?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:23 AM
srchat: I don't think College GameDay is coming to Pullman this year. I think WSU is going to have to learn how to win a season-opener if it wants to get GameDay.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:23 AM
brettfancher: With the CougFam group making a presentation at the Board of Regents meeting today, do you think there will be any news coming out of that meeting?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:24 AM
srchat: That meeting is on Friday and yes, I do expect some news to come out of it. The new might just be that the meeting and presentation happened, though.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:24 AM
Sid (guest): Are the depth chart changes on O line due to poor play? Looking for more protection for Luke?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:24 AM
Guest7529 (guest): If you can't answer I understand, but how likely do you think it is that Sorenson or Middleton lose their jobs?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:26 AM
srchat: I think at RG it's mostly a case of Salmonson playing fairly well in his limited snaps and wanting to see if it makes sense to switch things up. Middleton has played well but he's had that spot locked up for a long time and perhaps Salmonson has surpassed him but has not had enough of a chance to show it.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:26 AM
srchat: At center, I expect Sorenson will still be the guy, but Mauigoa is obviously very naturally talented and someone they want to get on the field as much as possible before he becomes the starter next year.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:26 AM
Betelgeuse (guest): I'll be back in Pullman for the first time in ~5 years. We only have a 3-4 hours before the game. Best new-ish Pullman feature to check out? I hear you can sign up for tours of the FOB; worth it?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:28 AM
srchat: There are a couple new restaurants that are worth checking out that you won't remember. Birch and Barley has great food, and a surprising amount of good seafood and cajun food. If you like craft cocktails, Etsi Bravo is great and is pretty lively on game weekends. I would tour the new FOB if I were you.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:28 AM
Guest1403 (guest): What bowl do you think the Cougs end up playing in?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:30 AM
srchat: Barring a Rose Bowl run, I kind of have a feeling it's going to be the Holiday Bowl. It seems almost certain they will go to at worst the Foster Farms Bowl, which means fans should get a good location (Bay Area, San Antonio, San Diego, Pasadena) regardless.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:30 AM
Guest2128 (guest): Cougs #4 in your power rankings behind two conference teams with two conference losses? Please explain.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:32 AM
srchat: I would expect those two teams to be favored over WSU in a neutral field matchup played this week. Power Rankings are not cumulative, they're based on how a team is playing right now.USC has as much talent as anybody and is currently pasting teams. WSU just struggled to beat OSU's third string quarterback. Utah is a different team with Joe Williams, and played well against the conference's best team last week.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:32 AM
JesseCoug (guest): Any cause for concern that we haven't landed a interior DL commit yet, do you think we need to go the JC route considering our lack of depth and that position?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:34 AM
srchat: I think it's reasonable to be concerned, since those players are so rare to begin with and there are never enough to go around. WSU should do anything it can to get good DTs on campus. Maybe they can get Kelle Sanders to gain 80 pounds when he gets on campus -- he is 6'5.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:34 AM
CougSchroed (guest): what are arizona's strengths? where do they have the advantage against wazzu? and vice versa
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:35 AM
srchat: They don't have many, but for a few very explosive playmakers. I expect the Wildcats will rip off a couple long plays that will give Alex Grinch fits, but the defense is bad at defending both the run and pass, which does not leave much for them to be good at.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:36 AM
89coug: I am hearing rumors that Luke Falk is banged up and may not be ready to play. Any truth to these rumors? Has he been practicing?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:37 AM
srchat: I would be really surprised if they made Falk available to the media during a Monday press conference, as he was this week, during a week in which he was unavailable to play. Like really, really, really surprised.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:37 AM
Guest498 (guest): With all the focus on Barber and the student conduct process, do you think the board is in a stall pattern on the resolution of the Fehoko appeal?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:38 AM
srchat: I can't give you a good answer there, guest. Sorry.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:38 AM
Guest8067 (guest): with Barber being out is Hercules seeing more Double teams on him ?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:39 AM
srchat: Mata'afa might see a few more, although lots of teams already double-team him on passing plays. The player who is really going to get used to more OL pushing on him is Daniel Ekuale.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:39 AM
JesseCoug (guest): Does Logan Tago have a chance at coming back this season or even ever?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:40 AM
srchat: This season could be tough, considering how long it can take these legal processes to play out. I'm sure the coaches will be happy to accept him back next year.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:40 AM
Guest4331 (guest): tHAT WAS A REALLY GOOD 3RD STRING QB! tHAOUGHTS?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:41 AM
srchat: I think you guess wrong on the capitalization requirements for literally every word in both sentences. I thought he was fine. 6/10. Would let on team again.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:41 AM
srchat: I think you guessed wrong on the capitalization requirements for literally every word in both sentences. I thought he was fine. 6/10. Would let on team again.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:42 AM
Guest4331 (guest): Sorry about the message. Caps lock stuck and I didn't check it.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:42 AM
Guest8067 (guest): McBroom looks bigger than his weight, seesm pretty quick...has he been better than expected or just a guy they need bad ?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:42 AM
srchat: They're pretty happy with Mcbroom, I think he's been better than they expected.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:43 AM
Sid (guest): If the Cougs had beaten Eastern and Boise would they be 4th in playoff poll or 5th like Dawgs cause the Pac 12 is down this year?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:44 AM
srchat: If WSU was undefeated I'm sure they'd be in the Top-10.Maybe around No. 8 or so. The Huskies started off a little higher.Either team would likely need to go 12-0 to make the playoffs.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:45 AM
Guest3906 (guest): Thoughts about Kingston Fernandez generally and whether he will be afforded an opportunity to contribute before the Colorado and Washington games?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:46 AM
srchat: He's a fine, young player whose role will expand with time.He'll probably get a decent number snaps these next two games --he is in the two deeps.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:46 AM
JesseCoug (guest): I'm surprised Utah moved up in the rankings and your rankings as well, does Arizona get moved up when they almost beat UW, they have played them the toughest so far, Troy Williams does not look good to me as well.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:46 AM
srchat: I moved Arizona up two spots in my power rankings after their overtime loss to UW. So, yes.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:47 AM
Guest7529 (guest): If you could take two people on a cross country road trip, who would you take?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:47 AM
srchat: Jason Puckett and Ian Furness.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:47 AM
Guest9558 (guest): Arizona's two dual threat QBs make me nervous. Please talk me down.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:48 AM
srchat: The quarterbacks are fast, but they are not cross country runners. To score enough points to win, they would have to run a kilometer or so.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:48 AM
Guest3906 (guest): How about Sky Cracraft and the Coug-A-Sutra?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:49 AM
srchat: I would not trust either behind the wheel.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:49 AM
Guest4331 (guest): How does Nall outrun our DBs? That was the most staggering thing on that play.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:49 AM
srchat: Nall is not slow, and I don't think anybody had a good angle on that play.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:50 AM
Guest8067 (guest): Emmitt Soo or whateverhis name was ever surface ?..what a loss, he dominated at times during Spring practice
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:51 AM
srchat: I don't think Emmitt Su'a-Kalio played anywhere else.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:51 AM
Guest611 (guest): Cubs or Indians?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:52 AM
srchat: The thought of Cleveland winning the NBA championship after being down 3-1 and then losing the World Series after leading 3-1 a few months later is enough to make me a Cubs fan.That and having seen Cleveland's logo.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:52 AM
Guest8067 (guest): Thoughts on Colorado kickoff time ..sure hope its not late as Cougs play on Friday huskies have a home game week before
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:53 AM
srchat: I am hopeful that the time difference and the prospect of two good teams yields an earlier kick. But ESPN seems to really like the Cougars this year and really want them in that 7-10 window.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:53 AM
Guest4331 (guest): I did not say he was slow, but for a DB to let a big running back like that outrun them is embarrassing.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:54 AM
JesseCoug (guest): I know Parker Henry is a senior but I'm suprised he plays so much given the fact that we value speed on defense, I'm surprised Kirkland Parker hasn't played more over him,thoughts?
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:54 AM
srchat: Well this year it's been mostly Luani. But while the Cougars do value speed, correctly playing assignments and fundamentally sound defense is more important. You would rather have a slow player make the initial play than a fast player sprinting after a mistake.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:56 AM
Guest4331 (guest): Clock management at the end of games has gotten a lot better.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:56 AM
Guest8067 (guest): Mack does not seem to get a lot of looks, sweet has been quiet last couple games, Dimtry looks very smooth,talented, sure hope cougs get him back next year
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:57 AM
Guest3906 (guest): Thoughts on the use of Wicks down the stretch? It would seem that WSU has unique advantage of 3 fresh RBs that could really reduce the amount of hits Falk is taking. And Wicks is such a bruiser.
 
Nov 2 2016, 11:59 AM
srchat: The Cougars have turned away from the running game to the point they must be seeing defenses do something to take it away. Wicks did not get much run against OSU, though, and the way James Williams ran it might be tough to take him off the field.
 
Nov 2 2016, 12:00 PM
srchat: Well that's the hour, everybody. Good chat today, let's do it again next week. Full transcript will be up in a few minutes.
Jacob Thorpe
Jacob Thorpe joined The Spokesman-Review in 2013. He currently is a reporter for the Sports Desk covering Washington State University athletics.

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