Washington State football chat transcript - 10/3

Oct 3, 10:01 AM srchat (Admin): Welcome back to the live chat. A quick programming note … I’ll be traveling during the bye week and won’t be holding a chat next week. We’ll plan on having the next one on Oct. 17 leading up to the Oct. 20 game versus Oregon. And with that, let’s roll… Oct 3, 10:01 AM NLSCoug07 (Guest): 2 weeks in a row with field goal blocked. block vs usc seemed to be an individual screw up. block vs utah seemed to be a combination of the long field goal with lower ball flight and a good play by the defense more so than a mess up on our part. your thoughts? Oct 3, 10:04 AM srchat (Admin): It didn’t seem that there were any obvious issues on the Utah block, but Mike Leach said both balls were struck low, so I imagine that’s something Blake Mazza’s looking to fix this week. Twice in two games is rare, but three would have to set a Pac-12 record I’d think. Oct 3, 10:04 AM Guest3563 (Guest): What does Oregon state do well that should concern the Cougs? Oct 3, 10:06 AM srchat (Admin): Two words: Jermar Jefferson. OSU freshman running back is the Pac-12’s leading rusher currently and went off for 254 yards against Arizona State. The Beavers don’t do a lot of things well, but you have to contain Jefferson… Oct 3, 10:07 AM Harvey__Road: Hi Theo. Since you’re out on the Palouse, can you please send out a search team for Tay Martin? Last seen a few weeks ago. Is it time for a milk carton? Oct 3, 10:09 AM srchat (Admin): You’re secretly hoping Tay reads these chats and uses your question as motivation, right? But yes, think they’d like to see a little more consistency from him. Doesn’t seem to be as much of an issue when others are playing well, though. Oct 3, 10:09 AM Guest7919 (Guest): what is the story behind coach leach refusing to answer questions from a certain reporter? i have seen it in several of the post game interviews? Oct 3, 10:12 AM srchat (Admin): I got this one last week, too. Isn’t really my place to address that, but I do understand the question and wish I could give you something more. Oct 3, 10:12 AM Guest7009 (Guest): Has Tay Martin regressed, there are just so many options, or is he getting extra attention from defenses? Oct 3, 10:15 AM srchat (Admin): I hesitate to think that he’s regressed. I imagine coaches are challenging him to be more consistent and that defenses are keying in on him as someone who probably appears as the best receiver when you’re watching film of the Cougars. It’s also how this offense works. Easop Winston could draw more of the attention this week, allowing Tay to make more plays. You never know. Oct 3, 10:15 AM Guest3563 (Guest): Would you be surprised to see Oguyao play this week? Oct 3, 10:15 AM srchat (Admin): Yes. Very. Oct 3, 10:15 AM Cold and Alone (Guest): The drops last week vs. Utah were plentiful. Coug WR’s on the whole have looked pretty soft when there is good to marginal coverage. Minshew said he wasn’t throwing a catchable ball in the first half. I say BS. What say you? Oct 3, 10:17 AM srchat (Admin): I think this is a sign of a strong leader, but Minshew does take accountability for most of the offensive deficiencies and slip ups, even the ones that clearly aren’t his fault. We’ve asked Leach about the drops a few times. He’s said the WRs need to be tougher. I’m not sure there’s much more to it than that. Oct 3, 10:19 AM Guest3563 (Guest): Is the only reason Kyle Sweet is at punt returner because he can safely catch the ball? He’s not the most explosive guy back there… Oct 3, 10:20 AM srchat (Admin): And Kyle will admit that, too. I think that’s a pretty safe assumption and I wonder if we’ll see a little more Travell Harris back there at some point. Oct 3, 10:20 AM B-Linnen (Guest): In terms of the secondary, should we be worried that they are just not fast/physical enough to keep up with bigger wide outs, where the only winning play is to just force a defensive PI? I love our guys out there, and have thought we would see good things from Molton and his crew, but so far I have been unimpressed. What are your thoughts? Oct 3, 10:22 AM srchat (Admin): I think they were certainly exposed by some NFL-level players at USC, but I’m not sure that trend will necessarily continue. We spoke to Sean Harper Jr. yesterday and he said the corners need to do a better job of getting their head around. I like the matchup for them against Oregon State. Oct 3, 10:23 AM GoCougs (Guest): Minshew’s ability to move around in the pocket has been a game changer. Do you think Leach would ever consider a true dual threat QB to run the offense? Oct 3, 10:24 AM srchat (Admin): I don’t think he’d ever change the offense for a player, but if he found someone capable of running the system as is, I’m sure that would be an added bonus. Oct 3, 10:24 AM Harvey__Road: (seems to me the DB’s are often in good position, they just need to read the WR eyes better and turn around) Oct 3, 10:27 AM srchat (Admin): I asked Harper about this, too. Seems like they need to refine their technique a bit, but you’re right, the receivers aren’t getting a great deal of separation and the DBs are generally right there. Harper kept stressing “we need to get our head around.” Oct 3, 10:28 AM Cold and Alone (Guest): More of a comment than anything, but I was VERY glad to see Borghi out there playing in his 5TH GAME this season (wink wink!) Oct 3, 10:29 AM srchat (Admin): Williams and Borghi are essentially 1A and 1B on the running back depth chart at this point, so it didn’t surprise me in the slightest. Oct 3, 10:32 AM Guest3563 (Guest): Any buzz about any of the new guys on the Basketball team? Oct 3, 10:34 AM srchat (Admin): Their practices have overlapped with football practices, so I haven’t been able to watch them yet. But I’m joining Ernie Kent and a few coaches for a film session tomorrow, so I imagine I’ll get a better sense of the team then. Oct 3, 10:34 AM NLSCoug07 (Guest): TNF update? Which players have impressed in Thursday Night Football? Any players struggling that you wouldn’t expect to struggle? Oct 3, 10:37 AM srchat (Admin): On defense, Tracy Claeys singled out Lamonte McDougle, Ahmir Crowder, Chad Davis and Hank Pledson last week. To answer your second question, maybe Nnamdi Oguayo. Didn’t struggle necessarily, but wasn’t producing as much as I thought he might those first four games. Oct 3, 10:37 AM Guest7919 (Guest): any news on if Butch is going to sport the uncle rico look anytime soon? Oct 3, 10:38 AM srchat (Admin): Boy that mustache has really taken on a life of its own. Oct 3, 10:38 AM B-Linnen (Guest): Minshew has a tendency to plant his feet if he has a few moments in the pocket. Do you think this is more of a tell or dangerous for him when it comes to better D-Lines and pass rushing? Right now he has had pretty good awareness, but I worry that if he plants for too long we might see some sacks that might have been avoidable. Oct 3, 10:40 AM srchat (Admin): Utah’s defensive front is one of the best the Cougars will see this season and I’d say his awareness was pretty strong in that game. Was sacked twice, but he’s pretty adept at getting rid of the ball/scrambling when the pocket’s closing in on him. Oct 3, 10:44 AM srchat (Admin): Ok, now a question for you all. Who’s leading WSU in catches/receiving yards/receiving TDs at the end of the season? Oct 3, 10:46 AM srchat (Admin): Of course it can be someone different for each of the three. For reference, currently it’s Martin/Patmon/Winston. Oct 3, 10:46 AM Guest7919 (Guest): williams Oct 3, 10:46 AM Guest3563 (Guest): Tay Martin. Stats will be split too much between Patmon/Winston Oct 3, 10:47 AM srchat (Admin): I’ll go with Williams/Martin/Martin. Oct 3, 10:47 AM B-Linnen (Guest): I think Receiving yards is 100% going to be between Winston and Martin, but I think most Receiving TDs is going to be Williams. Oct 3, 10:53 AM Cold and Alone (Guest): In my view, Patmon appears to be the most NFL-worthy receiver on the Cougs due to his size and speed. Thoughts? Oct 3, 10:54 AM srchat (Admin): I’d probably take Martin - when he’s on, that is. Doesn’t have the same size, but is much more athletic. Patmon’s taken a big leap, though, and think he’ll eventually land in an NFL camp. Oct 3, 10:55 AM Jon Yerkes: Do you have any guess on if Silvels will play this week? Oct 3, 10:56 AM srchat (Admin): I believe he’ll play, though they do like Willie Taylor III starting at the Rush position these days. Oct 3, 10:57 AM Jon Yerkes: that’s a really good combo Oct 3, 10:57 AM srchat (Admin): Agreed, they’ll have plenty of depth there next season if they can find another year of eligibility for Chima Onyeukwu. Also seems like they could slide Travion Brown into that role. Oct 3, 10:58 AM B-Linnen (Guest): In regards to the end of the season vs UW, do you think in previous years it has just been the players getting psyched out and floundering agaisnt UW, or does Coach Pete really have that much of an inside look into Leach’s mind? DO you think Minshews strong leadership will help keep the cougs grounded going into that final game? I know it’s early to tell but wanted to hear your thoughts. Oct 3, 11:03 AM srchat (Admin): The Huskies are clearly doing something different than the rest of the Pac-12. They seem to have the right blueprint for that game every year and think they set tone with their physicality/confidence. I am intrigued to see Minshew in the Apple Cup and I do think his leadership (and his mobility) could go a long way in that game. Oct 3, 11:03 AM Jon Yerkes: Brown seems like a big pickup. I also like the look of the LB from Hawaii Oct 3, 11:03 AM srchat (Admin): They’ve recruited the position well these past few years. Oct 3, 11:03 AM Guest5432 (Guest): A few here…is Valencia playing much?, Arcanado in the top 5 ? How is Begg doing ? Like to see Harrington more, is fumbling his biggest drawaback ( I remember the AC ! ) Tago has surprised me, especially with his size, with big joe gone are you seeing the recruiting in the islands going away ?, Oct 3, 11:10 AM srchat (Admin): Haven’t seen much of Valencia. He’s the backup at both right guard and right tackle, but the line’s stayed healthy to this point so until Watson or Lucas have to miss time, I wouldn’t suspect he’d play much. Arconado is the third option at “Y” receiver so there hasn’t been much room for him on the field so far. Begg’s been steady. Not flashy, but steady. I’ve also been impressed with Tago being able to play up front as an undersized guy. Not sure they’ve recruited the islands much since Joe left. Oct 3, 11:10 AM Harvey__Road: My recruiting suggestion: Focus on the Islands, Texas and Florida and add a Pullman Dispensary Tour to every OV. Oct 3, 11:10 AM srchat (Admin): (Forwards to mleach@wsu.edu) Oct 3, 11:11 AM srchat (Admin): Thanks all for joining. That’s it for this week. Again, I’ll be out next week so the next live chat will take place two Wednesdays from now before the Oregon game.