WSU football chat
Oct 14 2015, 3:32 AM
srchat: Submit questions now for our live chat, which begins at 11 a.m.
Oct 14 2015, 10:58 AM
Guest2667 (guest): Jacob, how do the backup linebackers appear during practice and in their short game stints. Looking at Chandler Leniu, Frankie Luvu, and Dylan Hanser. Thanks for all your great coverage.
Oct 14 2015, 11:00 AM
srchat: The backup linebackers are an interesting group in that a decent number of them appear to have more natural talent perhaps than the guys in front of them but have yet to harness it. Luvu is a good athlete and will be a great hitter and Leniu will be a solid player in the middle of the defense. Hanser is very fast on the edge and will be asked to play a lot at Rush because McLennan and Palacio are graduating.
Oct 14 2015, 11:00 AM
Guest1193 (guest): Jacob, you do a great job in covering the Cougs. David Yost, the inside receivers coach is never interviewed. Is there a reason for this?
Oct 14 2015, 11:01 AM
srchat: Thanks, 1193. Yes, the reason is that he made it very clear when he came to WSU that he did not want to do any media stuff. No interviews, nada. He seems like a cool guy in my limited interactions with him, but at this point it seems unlikely you'll ever see a printed word that came from his lips.
Oct 14 2015, 11:02 AM
Guest8003 (guest): 3rd quarter, up 21-17, d gets stop, Falk misses williams for what would have been a long TD, d gets another stop, falk takes 3 straight sacks. you have make game changing/winning plays in those situations; why has leach not given bender any game reps?
Oct 14 2015, 11:03 AM
srchat: Well, there haven't been any great opportunities to give him reps because all five games have been pretty close into the second half. Bender hasn't played well enough relative to Falk in practice to justify pulling the starter.
Oct 14 2015, 11:03 AM
Guest8268 (guest): due to the ineffectiveness of the offense led by falk against portland st and wyoming, bender has gotten essentially no game reps; we all know falk will not last long taking 7 sacks a game in the pac 12, based on what you've seen, how will bender do being thrown in at this point in the season?
Oct 14 2015, 11:04 AM
srchat: I do think this is the biggest concern for WSU right now: Will Falk hold up? He's a tough guy and those gritty touchdown or first down runs have been boons to the Cougars, but they plus the sacks must be taking a toll. Based on what I've seen in practice this year I'd be surprised if Bender is ready to be effective in a game. He's very talented but still throws a lot of interceptions.
Oct 14 2015, 11:05 AM
Guest7485 (guest): DO you think the Pac-12 Network has any idea how frustrating it is that no one in Washington, DC can see anything they broadcast? I work with many Pac-12 alumni - all of frustrated - we have written letters - sent emails - and nothing from Comcast of the network. I guess more than an answer I hope you post this just to shame them to the point they consider making the network available to the millions of people in mid-Atlantic.
Oct 14 2015, 11:05 AM
srchat: Keep shaming them. It's all you can do and there are plenty of people who feel the same way.
Oct 14 2015, 11:05 AM
Guest2502 (guest): How do you see the WSU going from OSU on to the UW game?
Oct 14 2015, 11:06 AM
srchat: I think OSU will be a pretty defining game for the Cougars. Is the program at the point now where it can improve without backsliding and can stack wins? Or do they regress once they don't have the energy of trying to silence a hostile crowd? If WSU beats OSU, I think that means the the Cougars are legit and will have a great shot at a bowl game.
Oct 14 2015, 11:06 AM
wsucougarbill: who serves the best media food in the Pac-12?
Oct 14 2015, 11:08 AM
srchat: Black Cypress ;)
I'd say that Washington, Oregon and Utah are the first tier foodwise. WSU, OSU and Stanford on a good day are the second tier. Everybody else is pretty average, with the caveat that I have not covered games at UCLA, USC or Colorado, yet.
Oct 14 2015, 11:08 AM
Guet51 (guest): What are the odds of a sell out?
Oct 14 2015, 11:09 AM
srchat: Very high. They entered the week just 2,000 tickets short and I think that coming off a big win, with homecoming, they can probably close the gap.
Oct 14 2015, 11:09 AM
Guest3839 (guest): What do you expect OSU's game plan to be?
Oct 14 2015, 11:10 AM
srchat: Run the ball. A lot. They'll try to create misdirection and pick up rushing yards with quarterback Seth Collins. Based on what the scout team is doing, I expect it to look kind of similar to what Portland State did.
Oct 14 2015, 11:10 AM
Guest5890 (guest): What's up with Dotson? Still hurt/Concussed or he just gotten surpassed on the depth chart?
Oct 14 2015, 11:10 AM
srchat: He hasn't been at practice since the California game. So whatever ailed him is still ailing him.
Oct 14 2015, 11:11 AM
Guest2007 (guest): Hey Jacob, can't thank you enough for the effort and great coverage you provide. Falk looked pretty hobbled toward the end of the game on Saturday, any signs of sore arm or "knicks and bruises" on him? Also Harrington didn't play anymore after his 2nd fumble on Saturday, do you expect the offense to continue to use him as they have this Saturday? Lastly, I haven't watched OSU yet, where are they good and where are they bad? What do they do that could cause us some problems? Where can we take advantage?
Oct 14 2015, 11:13 AM
srchat: Thanks, 2007. I didn't notice any at practice yesterday, regarding Falk. He's taken a lot of lumps this season and there have been three or four times he appeared to be hurt (heading into the locker room at Cal, for example), but with the exception of that final drive against Portland State, he's always been able to shake it off. If Morrow continues to play well, Harrington's numbers will necessarily go down, but I still expect them to get him the ball on screen passes and the occasional run.
Oct 14 2015, 11:15 AM
srchat: OSU's defense isn't amazing but they're pretty tough and aggressive and can make some things happen. They've got a decent running game and while sophomore receiver Jordan Villamin is a stud, their quarterback can't pass the ball well enough yet to allow him to flourish. I'd say the Beavers are a tough team under Gary Andersen, but aren't yet talented enough to succeed in a tough conference.
Oct 14 2015, 11:15 AM
ItsMe (guest): Finish Gabe Mark's thought from his presser Monday - "I like QB's like Falk, not QB's like ________" Was this a shot at Halliday or other QB's currently in the Conference?
Oct 14 2015, 11:16 AM
srchat: No, I think that was a shot at nationally-hyped guys who get lots of Heisman publicity. Remember, Marks is sick of QBs winning Heisman trophies.
Oct 14 2015, 11:16 AM
shurtyj (guest): Have the Cougs done enough in the running game this season to discourage teams from dropping 8 in coverage?
Oct 14 2015, 11:17 AM
srchat: I suspect teams will always play the pass-first against WSU and I don't think the run game is at a point yet to really change how they use personnel. But other teams probably have to coach their players to be more aware of the run threat than in the past.
Oct 14 2015, 11:17 AM
Guest9585 (guest): Bender won't thanks for playing
Oct 14 2015, 11:17 AM
srchat: That's a very confusing sentence out of context.
Oct 14 2015, 11:17 AM
Guest5890 (guest): Rewatching the Oregon game, I bet they do a lot of read option/ misdirection like you mentioned. Guys are still not disciplined in their gap assignments... not sure how Oregon didn't run for 1000 yards
Oct 14 2015, 11:17 AM
Tavares Martin: How good can Martin.Jr bee?
Oct 14 2015, 11:18 AM
srchat: He's already good enough that they moved a receiver who started a game as a true freshman last year, Calvin Green, to defense. Martin is very fast and has the ability to have great hands, although drops have been an issue lately. I suspect in a few years he will be one of if not WSU's best receiver. Now, get to class.
Oct 14 2015, 11:21 AM
Tavares Martin: Am the is father?
Oct 14 2015, 11:21 AM
srchat: Ah, thanks for joining us Mr. Martin.
Oct 14 2015, 11:22 AM
ItsMe (guest): What was the mood in the pressbox amongst the Oregon beat writers?
Oct 14 2015, 11:24 AM
srchat: Postgame it was the same as among WSU beat writers. We were all frantically deleting hundreds of words written in our running game stories. Pregame it was pretty happy. One just found out he's having his first kid, so that's exciting, and another moved into a new house with his girlfriend. While I'm sure they're sad they won't get to cover the playoffs this year, I suspect many are also happy the work season won't be quite so long.
Oct 14 2015, 11:24 AM
Tavares Martin: ANY TIME I WILL BE UP THERE SOON TO SEE ME SOME FOOTBALL THANK YOU ALL SO MUCH
Oct 14 2015, 11:25 AM
Jonthecoug: What do you make of WSU's recruiting strategy of not bringing in many, if any, official visitors until after the season? Seems somewhat risky. This would be a good weekend to have some kids in town.
Oct 14 2015, 11:26 AM
srchat: It's interesting and I suspect it has a lot to do with all the last defections last season. While it may be easy to get a commit during a game weekend with all that excitement, it's probably less likely such a "heat of the moment" commitment will stick. By bringing the kids in on a quiet weekend when they can spend more time with the coaches, players and academic counselors, they probably get a better feel for fit and vice versa.
Oct 14 2015, 11:26 AM
srchat: *last minute defections last season.
Oct 14 2015, 11:29 AM
Guest4720 (guest): Since it was raining so hard on Saturday at Oregon do you think it's safe to say rain wasn't why we lost to Portland State?
Oct 14 2015, 11:30 AM
srchat: Well, I think it was the general reaction TO the rain that indicated the team's mindset wasn't right. It's not that the rain affected the ball or anything, it's that the players were more concerned about being wet and cold than they were about beating their opponent. That obviously wasn't the case on Saturday.
Oct 14 2015, 11:33 AM
ItsMe (guest): Tyler Baker seems to have had his role reduced a lot in the Oregon game. He had a HUGE game against the Beavers last year. Any chance he sees more action this week?
Oct 14 2015, 11:34 AM
srchat: He had a huge game last year because he responded well when pressed into duty because of injuries. While he had a good preseason, it looks like they like the starters better and don't see a reason to take Robert Lewis off the field. To answer your question, there's a chance, sure, but not necessarily a great one.
Oct 14 2015, 11:34 AM
Guest3022 (guest): If James Williams wasn't redshirting would he be in the running back rotation right now?
Oct 14 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: Difficult to say. He definitely has the talent to be in there. But the others may be far enough ahead in terms of blocking and understanding of the offense to still be ahead of him at this point.
Oct 14 2015, 11:35 AM
Koogz (guest): Read a Cougfan story a while back asking if it's "Bender time" yet. After Luke Falk threw for only 500 yards against Oregon, do you think it's time to see the freshman?!
Oct 14 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: Yes, I think it's time for Bender to play ... because Falk played well enough to create some garbage time.
Oct 14 2015, 11:36 AM
ItsMe (guest): I still maintain that the fans played a part in the moribund second half showing against Portland State. Yeah, it's ultimately the players job to 'get up' to play, but that had to be deflating to come out to a 70% empty stadium (on opening day) in the second half.
Oct 14 2015, 11:37 AM
srchat: I think that's fair. But if you can't beat a Portland State when the fans aren't there, you're not going to convince a lot of fans to come.
Oct 14 2015, 11:38 AM
ItsMe (guest): you have just perfectly crystallized the Coug conundrum.
Oct 14 2015, 11:38 AM
srchat: And I'm selling Coug Conundrum Crystals online for just $49.99. My neighbor is also selling crystals. But, uh, you don't want to buy those crystals.
Oct 14 2015, 11:39 AM
ItsMe (guest): LOL!
Oct 14 2015, 11:39 AM
radninjaskills (guest): Do you think that Luke Falk's next big challenge is figuring out when to throw the ball away?
Oct 14 2015, 11:40 AM
srchat: I think a more pressing challenge at this point is getting rid of the ball more quickly. That decisiveness would likely also lead to more passes thrown away when appropriate.
Oct 14 2015, 11:41 AM
Koogz (guest): It's the chicken-or-the-egg debate: do I eat this chicken, or do I cook some eggs, instead?
Oct 14 2015, 11:41 AM
srchat: Make a chicken quiche.
Oct 14 2015, 11:41 AM
ItsMe (guest): thoughts on the Sark story?
Oct 14 2015, 11:43 AM
srchat: It's too bad. I can understand why Sarkisian rubbed people the wrong way, certainly, and I've heard a lot of the stories that are coming out now for years. But I also always got the impression that he was ultimately a good guy, who wanted to be liked, and was generally friendly to people even when he didn't need to be. I'm sad when bad things happen to people like that.
Oct 14 2015, 11:44 AM
ItsMe (guest): I just feel really sorry for him. Forget UW and USC, heck forget football. Alcoholism is a crappy disease.
Oct 14 2015, 11:44 AM
srchat: Word.
Oct 14 2015, 11:46 AM
radninjaskills (guest): Is it possible that Sark is feigning alcoholism to avoid a massive, massive alimony settlement?
Oct 14 2015, 11:46 AM
srchat: No.
Oct 14 2015, 11:46 AM
Guest2007 (guest): your favorite players from Thursday Night Lights this year who you think will be getting PT next year?
Oct 14 2015, 11:46 AM
srchat: James Williams on offense. He is a beast. Dylan Hanser on defense. He has super quick feet and a great first step.
Oct 14 2015, 11:47 AM
ItsMe (guest): Will Priester ever return punts again?
Oct 14 2015, 11:48 AM
srchat: Probably not this year, but he's only a freshman.
Oct 14 2015, 11:48 AM
Guest2007 (guest): Any word on if Joe Dahl's stock has rissen, stayed the same, or dropped after the first 5 games of the year?
Oct 14 2015, 11:48 AM
srchat: I haven't talked to any of my NFL contacts since the preseason but that's a good point, I'll check in with them.
Oct 14 2015, 11:49 AM
srchat: Before I forget, friend of the blog Coug-A-Sutra wrote in one of his blog posts that he'd like someone to ask in a chat about Logan Tago's chances of taking over for Jeremiah Allison and continuing to punish QBs like JA has.
Oct 14 2015, 11:50 AM
srchat: Sutra, right now it looks like Frankie Luvu is the heir apparent to Allison and don't worry, Luvu can hit at least as hard. That said, I see where your brain is at. Tago can move better than Luvu and he might make more sense at WLB long term. It depends on whether or not they see him as a future SLB/Nickel or if that's just a move for this year.
Oct 14 2015, 11:50 AM
Guest3072 (guest): late to join here, heard people say we are a muffed punt and onside kick from 5-0; well falk just about threw a pick to end rutgers (tipped to rc) and almost threw a pick at oreg (missed facemask), could just as easily be 1-4, is 6-6 a good point for this teama?
Oct 14 2015, 11:51 AM
srchat: I think that's a great point. Fans often remember the all the missed opportunities for their team but not the other team. I predicted 5-7 at the start of the year, so 6-6 would be exceeding my expectations, particularly with the loss to PSU.
Oct 14 2015, 11:51 AM
Rithy Meas: Do you think the PSU loss is a blessing in disguise?
Oct 14 2015, 11:52 AM
srchat: No, it really can't. A close win over PSU that woke up the team could have been such a blessing. But a win vs. a loss is huge when you need six of them for a bowl game.
Oct 14 2015, 11:52 AM
radninjaskills (guest): What are the odds the team comes out flat and we lose?
Oct 14 2015, 11:52 AM
srchat: Definitely not zero, given historical trends.
Oct 14 2015, 11:53 AM
wsucougarbill: You said Priester is only a freshmen, I thought they counted last year at Clemson?
Oct 14 2015, 11:55 AM
srchat: Good point, Bill. While WSU lists Priester as a redshirt freshman in the media guide, he has since been changed on the roster to sophomore.
Oct 14 2015, 11:55 AM
Jonthecoug: Who are some of the young olineman that standout to you in practice? Who replaces Eklund and Dahl
Oct 14 2015, 11:56 AM
srchat: Andre Dillard does a good job and seems likely to replace Dahl. Cody O'Connell has been getting better and better, he should give the Cougars a huge left guard next year.
Oct 14 2015, 11:58 AM
srchat: This seems like a good place to stop. Great chat today, everybody. Thanks for stopping by and I'll have the transcript up shortly.
