only one thing....more offensive linemen. Biggs was right...: And if Biggs wants more offensive linemen, we should probably give him more offensive linemen! Now let's Rock! //www.youtube.com/watch?v=AUO_5EALZoM
With all these wide receivers leaving for greener.....field turf..means
- Thread starter froropmkr72
- Start date
We'll always be having a few people leave due to playing time/grades etc, but for the most part we are becoming a really healthy program.
We have 3 QBs
We have 4 Rbs
We have 8+ Receivers
We have 10+ OL
We have 8 DL (Barber, Vaeo, Eukale, Paulo, Mata'afa, Tapa, Mitchell, Coates, )
We have 6+ LBs - Allison, Pelleur, Luvu, Leniu, Taylor, Porter
We have 3 Bucks - Palacio, Ivan, Hanser
We have 4 Nickels - Dotson, Lemora, Henry, Teg
We have 6 CBs - White, Parker, Broughton, Molton, Porter, Pippins
We have 8 Safeties - Tailulu, Luani, Roach, Dale, Green, Powell, Singleton, Buchanon
It's good depth. The secondary talent obviously needs the most work, but we are making some progress there. A couple more solid classes and we are going to be a really really solid program from a roster standpoint.
From there it's just about bringing in better and better guys that can compete and push everyone.
We have 3 QBs
We have 4 Rbs
We have 8+ Receivers
We have 10+ OL
We have 8 DL (Barber, Vaeo, Eukale, Paulo, Mata'afa, Tapa, Mitchell, Coates, )
We have 6+ LBs - Allison, Pelleur, Luvu, Leniu, Taylor, Porter
We have 3 Bucks - Palacio, Ivan, Hanser
We have 4 Nickels - Dotson, Lemora, Henry, Teg
We have 6 CBs - White, Parker, Broughton, Molton, Porter, Pippins
We have 8 Safeties - Tailulu, Luani, Roach, Dale, Green, Powell, Singleton, Buchanon
It's good depth. The secondary talent obviously needs the most work, but we are making some progress there. A couple more solid classes and we are going to be a really really solid program from a roster standpoint.
From there it's just about bringing in better and better guys that can compete and push everyone.
Yeah there was post today by Jacob Thorpe.
"-- Also, I think Alex Grinch is moving toward having Isaac Dotson start at nickelback with Shalom Luani and Taylor Taliulu at safety. We're seeing more of that look, as opposed to having Dotson start in front of Luani with Darius Lemora at nickel."
I've been following all his reports which have been excellent and Dotson has been moved more and more into the Nickel and from what it looks like he and Lemora will be the Nickels.
I like this move a lot because it allows Luani to move into a safety position but still keeps Dotson out there as well.
So as it stands right now...this looks to be the starting group in the secondary.
CB - Charleston White
CB - Darien Molton (kid has come on strong as a true freshman)
NB - Dotson / Lemora
SS - Luani
FS - Tailulu
Obviously this is all subject to change, but it's developing into something really good.
Also Thorpe apparently has a video of Grinch talking about it.
Yeah I'm with you on that 90..... Taliulu has never seemed to really make an impact in the secondary. I thought for sure he would lose his job by now.
If we don't have someone who isn't clearly ahead of Taliulu by now, who is isn't fast, who isn't known for big hits, who has struggled for three years against P-12 foe, it suggests we are trying to play the nickel, with at best 3 P-12 caliber DBs (the nickel back ,by definition, is a DB/LB tweener). This, and the fact our OL hasn't been able to protect the new QBs, are the big concerns, amongst the optimism.
However, lets not forget, last year we played a couple senior in the secondary to start the season, who were promptly demoted after Rutgers. One quit the team shortly thereafter and the other was seldom seen again. Leach may have some type of, if you pay your dues it is your job to lose, policy.
As for the OL, Bender/Falk better be ready to chuck it or duck and run, because they aren't going to have the time they would like to stand back there and run through their progressions, that is clear. However, if Halliday can compensate for the lack of pass blocking, so can they, they aren't the same sitting duck target he was.
Here is what Jacob Thorpe, the Spokesman WSU beat-writer said about the offensive line when asked about it in a chat the other day.
Question: Any cause for concern that our big & veteran OL seemed to not protect the QB as well as you'd have expected them to in camp?
Thorpe: Not really. The defensive line got similar pressure last camp, and the offensive line held up pretty well during the season. It's important to remember these are "touch" sacks, which would not necessarily be sacks in a live situation. It's just easier to get to the QB knowing you only have to get a finger on him than it is to get a clear shot. Also, the defense knows the Oline, is familiar with the wide splits and generally knows what play is coming, too.
Perhaps a good time to mention that I think Thorpe has done a pretty good job on the beat, especially in those chats.
It sort of surprises me Taylor T has been able to hold off all comers. I know Doba was able to hide Xavier Hicks and his lack of speed for a good portion of the season. But the offense can scheme and get him locked up in one on one coverage by formation. Maybe know the defense like the back of his hand will help him gain a step.
I am guessing that he is taking to the simplification of Grinch's defense and playing faster. They could have plugged Luani into the lineup replacing Taliulu, but they didn't. Instead, they plugged Luani into Dotson's spot and moved Dotson in Lemora's spot. I am sure they will all see the field though.
The most pertinent thing here is this: we have enough bodies now, andTaliulu might have actually improved his speed and play under the current staff.
another pertinent point is that we have the depth to replace those that can't get it done.
I think a big part of it is he's a really smart guy so he picks things up quickly. So him being in the right spot probably is helping him secure his spot. Also he's senior, and typically...typically....experience / age overcome raw talent.
It won't surprise me if as the season goes he is overtaken. The more guys learn the system and get familiar with Pac-12 play the better they get. Tailulu's ceiling may not be high enough to hold off the others who have a bigger one once they rise.
Also a little surprised to see Taliulu up there, mildly concerned that it's a Tracy Clark scenario, where he's spent so much more time practicing against these guys and this offense, that he looks better because he knows it (and them) inside and out, and once game action starts and it's a week instead of four years prep time, that he'll get exploited.
Of course, I feel like a little of his struggles last year was seeing the crew around him when compared to '13, and feeling obligated to go outside his lane a bit- if a more talented secondary has more well defined roles, maybe he plays up as opposed to down.
Sacks went up considerably after Halliday was injured. Falk tends (at least through the spring game) to hold the ball.
He does, but that could be due to several factors, not just one. Don't forget that both Madison and Sorensen both missed games the same time Falk took over. Plus. Halliday had built up rapport with the receivers and Falk was coming in cold. I expect this to be a non issue during the season.
A brand new quarterback and a depleted line= more sacks. Which of the two factors was the major one? Who knows? Not me. Hopefully, those hours in the film room have taught Falk (and Bender) the value of the quick release. A nonissue this Fall? Let us hope so. We will find out soon enough. PSU should tell us something. Rutgers is chomping at the bit and should tell us even more.
