WSU football chat (transcript)
Nov 11 2015, 9:41 AM
srchat: Submit your questions now for our live chat.
Nov 11 2015, 11:03 AM
srchat: Hey everybody, thanks for joining our live chat. Quick programming note: We're going to have to end early today, because the mens's basketball team is holding its Signing Day press conference at noon.
Nov 11 2015, 11:03 AM
Gowazzu02 (guest): Falk4Heisman?
Nov 11 2015, 11:03 AM
Gowazzu02 (guest): Falk going to get first team all pac12? OR will the medias fascination with Kessler and Hogan continue?
Nov 11 2015, 11:04 AM
srchat: I do think the media is starting to get on the Falk bandwagon. I believe he's currently atop ESPN's Pac-12 QB Power Rankings, and he's getting a lot more ink these days. A first team all-Pac-12 selection wouldn't shock me, considering how well he's playing. That said, it's not he media he has to impress. The Pac-12 head coaches vote on all-conference teams.
Nov 11 2015, 11:04 AM
Guest9402 (guest): Lemora. Paris Taylor.Little Buck seeing the field at all
Nov 11 2015, 11:05 AM
srchat: I saw Lemora get some snaps against Arizona State. Paris Taylor has played sparingly, I believe. I don't think I've seen David Bucannon much.
Nov 11 2015, 11:06 AM
Guest4752 (guest): If we win out who do we need to root for to go to the best possible bowl?
Nov 11 2015, 11:06 AM
srchat: Still early to tell. With four teams that are 4-2 in conference, including the Cougars, we're going to have to wait another week at least to see how it shakes up. That said, definitely root for Stanford to go to the playoffs.
Nov 11 2015, 11:06 AM
Guest1309 (guest): Did you check any of the AZ papers? How pissed are they about the whistle call? Are Pac10 officials the worst in the country?
Nov 11 2015, 11:07 AM
srchat: They're definitely unhappy (yes), but I also kind of sense that a lot of their fans may be reaching that point of a subpar season where it's tough to care too much.
Nov 11 2015, 11:07 AM
thepapercrain: Do we have any official word on Joe Dahl's status? Nothing was reported prior to ASU game and he is listed as starter this week but it is doubtful he plays. Seems strange
Nov 11 2015, 11:07 AM
srchat: Nope, nothing official. It is WSU's policy not to comment on or acknowledge player absences.
Nov 11 2015, 11:07 AM
Gowazzu02 (guest): Can you believe that the pac12 suspended the ref who blew the inadvertent whistle? Of ALL the crap calls this year, THATS the play that gets a guy suspended??? Comical. But Man did it feel good to be on the right side of the officiating error last week.
Nov 11 2015, 11:08 AM
srchat: It probably has to do with a judgement error vs. process error. The Pac-12 likely sees making an incorrect call an unavoidable human error. But going through the process incorrectly is more egregious in its eyes.
Nov 11 2015, 11:08 AM
Guest9104 (guest): If you've got somebody's ear in the department of WSU equipment, regarding the anthracite jerseys, if we could get them to at least add the same light gray outline to the player names as they have around the numbers it could make the name at least partially visible...
Nov 11 2015, 11:09 AM
srchat: Oh believe me if... you know what? I'm not going to comment because I don't want to get fined.
Nov 11 2015, 11:09 AM
Guest4021 (guest): Any word on Thomas Toki showing up in January?
Nov 11 2015, 11:09 AM
srchat: I think that's still the plan.
Nov 11 2015, 11:09 AM
Guest9402 (guest): Robert Lewis seems to be the player we thought he would be coming out a HS...looks to be one of the fastest on the ream, who wins in a 40 between Keith, Tavares and Robert ?
Nov 11 2015, 11:12 AM
srchat: I think Tavares by a dreadlock.
Nov 11 2015, 11:12 AM
Michael Heald: Kyle Sweet going to continue to see quite a bit of PT regardless of River's status?
Nov 11 2015, 11:12 AM
srchat: Yes I expect we'll see a lot of Sweet for the rest of the year.
Nov 11 2015, 11:12 AM
Guest4103 (guest): Are the O-Line splits a little smaller this year? It seems to me they are, but i might be just getting used to them.
Nov 11 2015, 11:13 AM
srchat: They may have tightened up slightly with the anticipation of going under center more, but it's not something I've noticed or measured. They still look pretty wide to me.
Nov 11 2015, 11:15 AM
Rithy Meas: During the game many people around me were frustrated that we didn't run the ball. Since ASU blitzes so much, I thought what we did (barely running the ball, even less than what we typically do) was the right call. What do you think?
Nov 11 2015, 11:15 AM
srchat: The Cougars did have some success running against the blitz, though. My guess is that it's probably more difficult for Falk to tell if what he's seeing is really a run box against a blitz.
Nov 11 2015, 11:16 AM
VegasCoug (guest): Do you see Calvin green or Singleton playing quite a bit next year? At what positions?
Nov 11 2015, 11:17 AM
srchat: They've been trying to get Green on the field this year, but there are talented players ahead of him. There will be a vacant safety spot next year, but Suli Hameed will be back and you've got to assume guys like Hunter Dale and Kam Powell assert themselves. I think Singleton will run into a similar issue. He's played well in practice, but I'm not sure he passes Molton or Pippins.
Nov 11 2015, 11:17 AM
Guest1319 (guest): Update on Dahl isn't good. Hoping Eklund will be able to hold down @ LT. Glad we have more depth on the OLine this year.
Nov 11 2015, 11:17 AM
Guest1892 (guest): What bowl location are you personally hoping for?
Nov 11 2015, 11:18 AM
srchat: I've heard the Alamo Bowl is a lot of fun and it would be cool to see San Antonio.
Nov 11 2015, 11:18 AM
Guest6261 (guest): Westside cougs thank you for hosting this forum. Painful to listen to radio over here run daily smak on WSU football. Thanks for keeping it classy back home. What is shape of UCLA defensive backfield?
Nov 11 2015, 11:22 AM
srchat: The Bruins don't really have many stars back there -- only Randall Goforth is in the Pac-12 top-10 in passes defended and he's tied with six other players for No. 9. But the Bruins have had success in the defensive passing game and the unit as a whole is pretty competent.
Nov 11 2015, 11:22 AM
Guest4752 (guest): Where you also surprised to see us get touch backs last game? Do you see us making an effort to find a punter that can kick deep and high on a consistent basis? If we can get touch backs and punt high and deep it would save a lot of special teams frustrations. After seeing the 6 yard punt made me miss the Basler days!!!
Nov 11 2015, 11:22 AM
srchat: The search for specialists who can consistently do exactly what you want them to is a never-ending journey.
Nov 11 2015, 11:23 AM
Guest1309 (guest): Can you comment, Pac12 officials the worst?
Nov 11 2015, 11:24 AM
srchat: I haven't seen the others enough to compare. They're not great, though.
Nov 11 2015, 11:24 AM
Michael Heald: Is Hercules being used primarily in obvious passing situations or are they working him in more frequently?
Nov 11 2015, 11:24 AM
srchat: Mata'afa is playing a lot right now. Definitely in passing situations, but he's not a spot player anymore.
Nov 11 2015, 11:26 AM
tbrazas: Coach Grinch was signed to a 1-year contract when he was hired. With the success he's had, should we expect an extension to come soon, or not until the season finishes? (from what I understand, it's common for position coaches to be signed to 1-year deals, so I'm assuming there is a standard approach to the school extending them?)
Nov 11 2015, 11:27 AM
srchat: The school has until May 31 to renew Grinch's current contract, which extends from last January until June 2016. I would certainly expect them to renew.
Nov 11 2015, 11:27 AM
Guest3131 (guest): How did the Cougs not see the potential in Jordan Simone?
Nov 11 2015, 11:27 AM
srchat: My understanding is that when Simone was at WSU he was a good practice player and solid special teams guy, but only showed the natural ability he's displayed at ASU once he got to Tempe. Some guys are late bloomers.
Nov 11 2015, 11:28 AM
VegasCoug (guest): Would you envision Dillard and O'Connell get first look at Dahl's and Eklund's spots. Kind of worried about losing paulo, palacio and Ivan next year. Tago moved to rush end? If our ol and dl are solid again next year we could be a 9 win team.
Nov 11 2015, 11:29 AM
srchat: I think that's a good guess on the offensive line. Tago and Dylan Hanser will take over for Palacio and McLennan. Cougars could be a nine-win team this year.
Nov 11 2015, 11:30 AM
Guest1309 (guest): Great win. Do we have any plays where the qb can let it fly?
Nov 11 2015, 11:30 AM
srchat: Leach loves his vertical routes. The "6" play is basically a Hail Mary.
Nov 11 2015, 11:30 AM
Guest9402 (guest): Good source on simone...did not like breske which was a common theme...I think he is a bit overated, certainly not all pac 12 first team...take our guy any day !
Nov 11 2015, 11:30 AM
srchat: I think Simone's pretty good.
Nov 11 2015, 11:31 AM
Gowazzu02 (guest): Seems we haven't ran as much the last two games. Specific looks Furd and ASU give? Or WSU reverting back to old throw it all day err day when the pressure is on?
Nov 11 2015, 11:32 AM
srchat: I think you're pretty safe chalking it up to the opponent. The amount WSU runs will have peaks and valleys, but there will be games when the Cougars run more than you expect, again.
Nov 11 2015, 11:32 AM
Guest9402 (guest): Yes he is pretty good....but all pac 12 first team which a lot of people predicted...nope
Nov 11 2015, 11:33 AM
Guest9402 (guest): Think Preister by the time he is done puts up Dom, Mayle, Jason Hill numbers or will he be another devard darling ?
Nov 11 2015, 11:34 AM
srchat: All the starting outside receivers in WSU's offense put up big numbers and it seems really likely Priester will start next year. I still see Priester as a future NFL guy who will be really good for the Cougars once he's got more experience.
Nov 11 2015, 11:34 AM
Gowazzu02 (guest): How will attendance be for the CU game? 7:45 kick the sat before thanksgiving. I never understood students bailing early. Aren't the weekends the most fun? Mommy and Daddy will be there Sunday.
Nov 11 2015, 11:34 AM
srchat: I do expect attendance to take a dip from its Stanford-ASU highs.
Nov 11 2015, 11:34 AM
Guest9402 (guest): Who is Mr Nasty on the OL ?
Nov 11 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: I think the players would tell you Eduardo Middleton.
Nov 11 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: Alright, sorry to wrap this up so early, everybody. But I've got to get over to Bohler for the men's basketball signing day press conference. Thanks for joining our live chat and you're always welcome to send me questions via email (jacobt@spokesman.com) or Twitter (@JacobThorpeSR).
