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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

S-R’s Jacob Thorpe likes Luke Falk’s work ethic

Jacob Thorpe of The Spokesman-Review is a mainstay at Washington State practices. Every Wednesday he holds a live chat on Sportslink, answering those burning questions about Cougars football. The following is an excerpt from last Wednesday’s chat. View the entire chat at spokesman.com/blogs/sportslink.

Q: Is Luke Falk elite?

JT: I don’t know but he’s a lunch-pail guy imo.

Q: Is it true Mike Leach only calls pass plays and QB checks to the run?

JT: That’s what he tells us.

Q: Your overall thoughts on the look of this year’s team compared to years past?

JT: I thought the Cougars looked better at quarterback heading into last season with (Connor) Halliday. At receiver, I think they look a little better and the offensive and defensive lines definitely look better. The secondary and linebackers look improved. Ultimately, I think the team is a little better but they could miss Halliday.

Q: What is the biggest reason (player or position group) that the defense will improve this year?

JT: A more athletic, attacking secondary.

Q: Your win-loss prediction?

JT: 5-7.

Q: What is the one thing that surprised you the most on defense and offense so far?

JT: On defense, how many interceptions and pass breakups there have been. On offense, how many interceptions and pass breakups there have been.

Q: Who is their best player on defense?

JT: It might be Charleston White. Destiny Vaeao and Jeremiah Allison are solid players but White really seems to lock down his side of the field.

Q: Air Raid puts a lot of pressure on the QB and history says he will get hurt. Isn’t it time to tweak this system?

JT: College football puts a lot of pressure on the QB and history says most starters get hurt at some point. If WSU can improve its sack numbers slightly, and I believe it will, then the QB isn’t getting hit more than those in any other offenses.

Q: Talks recently about there being a legitimate battle for starting spot between Robert Lewis and Tyler Baker. Is that as close of a battle as is being let on?

JT: Well, Tyler Baker is a Y receiver and Robert Lewis is an H receiver. That said, there has been some movement among the inside receivers. Both have had very good camps so far. I still expect River Cracraft to start at Y, however.

Q: What’s Grinch’s style of D? Blitz heavy or rush four approach?

JT: Seems like he blitzes a little more than average but I wouldn’t call it a blitz-heavy defense.

Q: If Gabe Marks has a big year do you see him going to the draft? Especially with his past injuries, not wanting to risk another one his senior year.

JT: Yeah, I’ve wondered that myself. He’ll have been in college for four years and may not feel he has much to gain by staying another year. If he puts together a Vince Mayle-like season with close to 100 catches, I could definitely see him leaving.

Q: Biggest question this offseason, will we have new gray helmets? Concrete gray looked a little top heavy imo.

JT: I’m expecting another year of anthracite goodness.

Q: How does Falk bounce back from mistakes in practice? My main concern is how great he looked prior to his first interception at ASU vs. after.

JT: Falk is pretty hard on himself when evaluating performances. That said, Leach has always said one of his best qualities was his ability to move forward from play-to-play and not dwell on the bad ones. From what I can tell he’s good about that in the moment. But when it’s Peyton Bender’s turn or practice is over he lets himself be frustrated about the mistakes.

Q: Who is the nastiest hitter on D, and biggest stud on O-line to watch?

JT: Hercules Mata’afa can lay the wood and so can Shalom Luani. Joe Dahl is the best offensive lineman and it’s not all that close, although I think Gunnar Eklund looks pretty good, too.

Q: Who wins? 2015 Cougs vs. 2014 Cougs?

JT: The 2015 Cougs win 42-38.

Q: If the Cougs can start 3-0, does your prediction of a 5-7 season change?

JT: Then I would predict 6-6.