A New Feeling
I talked to a defensive starter tonight who thought Washington State caught the Trojans off guard by being better than expected.
``We stopped everybody we've played and then they start moving the ball on us and we thought, `Now what do we do?' '' he said.
That's what Nick Holt was thinking too ... "Now what?" And even Pete Carroll could'nt answer the question.
That's what Nick Holt was thinking too ... "Now what?" And even Pete Carroll could'nt answer the question.
pretty funny how the comment was posted twice as well as scott's post. SWEET IRONY!
Once again, you put your fingers on the problem. I love SC, but it's time the team and fans stopped reading the press clippings and realize that our team is not the great squad of 2004. The Wazzu game was by far the worst in the Carroll era. Stupid penalties, lack of effort, poor adjustments by the coaching staff and so on. I still believe this is a very good football team, but UW will be well prepared and play hard. People are not afraid of us any more. I'm anxious to see how the team responds on Saturday. Nick Holt really needs to step it up. He was thoroughly outcoached on Saturday. He laid an egg.
I think Washington State is a very good team with a very good coached. They threw an excellent game plan at USC. Their only loss was to a very good Auburn team on the road in which they duked it out with the Tigers for a half. The Cougars will win a lot of games this season.
Why was Chris Barrett in for 60 consecutive plays? Are Averell Spicer, Walker Ashley and Lawrence Miles not ready to play on the first team for a few plays to rest the starters? Is Kyle Moore a major contributor or has he given way to Brian Cushing?
Scott, that's all well and good, but tell us the rest: Do Holt and Carroll have an answer? Was this just a case of overlooking an opponent or is the defense in trouble? What do the players think?
SNITCHES GET STITCHES!!!
TrojanEncore,
WSU got smoked by Auburn plain and simple. They did not "duke it out" with them at all, at anytime. WSU scored 7 points at the begining of the game and 7 more midway through the 3rd quarter on a 50 yard pass play. AU total yards 484 (293 rushing), WSU 274. Final score 40-14. The Cougs got smoked by a much better team. It wasn't like the SC game.
Pay attention, yahoos. Until the D-line can get pressure on the QB by themselves, its hard to fault Holt/Carroll for not blitzing, in order to protect the young DBs back there. That's a tough call for them to make, and the line is worrying me. This is the first balanced attack they faced, and they didn't look so hot.
As Petros said yesterday on the radio, Stanbeck will eat us up if we can't get pressure on him. Apparently he's so improved in his decision-making that he's very much like VY this year.
Yikes...
worst game of the pete caroll era? come on - did you watch the las vegas bowl. easily the worst football game I've ever witnessed in my life. it was awful, just plain awful.
I have to agree with Ryan Callerson. Nick Holt and his defensive scheme really laid an egg. But if that's not the case, and instead it's a matter of our defense simply getting out-toughed, then expect at least three and probably four losses this year. But with the experienced they gain, 2007 will fare much better.
Hate to bring this up, but this is from an LA Times article by David Woods. Maybe Pete and Nick and the D-Line should have a read. It's bound to light a fire under them...
"Senior defensive end Justin Hickman has been a big part of the defensive resurgence. Leading the team with seven tackles for loss and 5.5 sacks, Hickman has been a beast against opposing offensive lines and is vastly improved from last year.
"There's something going on inside of me," Hickman said. "I'm just making plays. I wanted to get better from last year.
"Doubling (my sacks) would be better. Tripling would be even better," he said.
Last year, Hickman had 5.5 sacks on the entire year, through four games this year he has already matched that total. Combined, the defense has had 14 sacks on the year, and Hickman credits a lot of that success to the change in attitude instilled by new defensive coordinator DeWayne Walker.
"It's the same players, and the scheme isn't that much different," Hickman said. "It's just the attitude he brought to us. Repetition and practice, that's what coach Walker has harped on from day one."
Walker and defensive line coach Todd Howard have instilled an NFL-inspired mentality with the line, according to Hickman, and thus far it appears to be paying off. Through the first four games, the defense is allowing a miniscule 65.8 yards per game."
Isaiah Stanbeck is not Vince Young. If he were he would have beaten Oklahoma a few weeks ago.
Don't think VY would have beaten Oklahoma with Washington's supporting cast any better than he lost to the Cowboys with the Titans crew. Even Superman needs a few players around him. With Stanback's improved decision-making, I guess that means he'll get better than a 6 on the Wonderlic.
Hickman...let's see...Rice, Utah, Stanford, and a loss to Washington...woo hoo!!!!
There is a definite lack of leadership in the D unit with Ellis out.
Lua needs to be in if only for his leadership skills. Also, Dallas needs to step up.