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Renewed optimism and hope at UW
Sark’s optimism has rubbed off on the fans, the team and UW’s sour media. Okay, forget the last one. Anyway, they called Gil Dobie “Gloomy Gil” for his prevailing pessimism, didn’t they? In contrast, I'm calling Sarkisian, “Sanguine Sark.” Furthermore, if Dobie was the "Apostle of Grief," then Sark is the "Apostle of Belief." He brings an enthusiastic, optimistic approach to the football program, not seen here in years. I mean we’re talking “Grumpy Gilby” and “Paint Dry Ty” over the last six years. Sarkisian came to Washington wanting to change a culture and change an attitude. "I feel like it's happening,” he says. “We're a healthy, athletic, strong football team heading into training camp. It took a lot of time and effort … There was a huge emphasis on speed, change-of-direction, explosiveness, especially heading into spring ball. And this summer was about getting stronger again. I think our kids have responded really well. After eight months, it's great to look back and see what we've accomplished so far. And I've said it before and I'll say it again. I don't think it's going to take us long. We're going to become a great football team." Aside from Sark’s encouraging words, my renewed sanguinity rests with the following: 1. More points on the board. In the spring game, the Huskies needed to show they could put points on the board. Although the first-team offense played against the second-team defense, it was paramount for the Dawgs to light up the LEDs. Last season, the Huskies averaged just 13.2 points per game, motoring a 2004 Gilby, which, with the progress made these last 8 months, will be traded in for a 2009 Sark via the cash for clunkers program. (*) The Dawgs averaged 33 points per scrimmage over the course of their 3 outings during the spring. Expectation: Post an average of 28 points per game while keeping opponents under 28. 2. An improved quarterback is in the offing. Jake Locker is a more accurate passer than he has been in the past, and he’s the best quarterback in the Pac-10. Locker's passing efficiency rating over his last 8 games, which includes four scrimmages, is 130.29 and, over that time, he completed 61.1% of his passes. When Locker's offensive line and receivers are the equal or the better of the pass defense he is facing, he will be as good a passer as any other quarterback in the Pac-10, if not better. His running ability is without equal among quarterbacks in the conference and, for that matter, in most of the country. At 6-3, 225, with speed and power in his afterburners, he can bust it up the gut, take it to the edge, and punish skittish tacklers with his bulk and strength. Although, Sarkisian says he wants to rein-in Locker’s running, he has, at his disposal in Locker, a weapon of mass destruction that can be unleashed with the element of surprise. Expectation: Locker to complete a number of short to intermediate range passes, with a completion percentage near 60%. He'll win at least one game with his legs and earn some purple patches. Against LSU, I expect Locker to play as well as he did against Oklahoma last season. See Table 1 at the end of this article. The article above (see link) supports this notion statistically. 3. Round-robin scheduling gives Washington a home-field advantage, which will be augmented by an improved defense. The Huskies play seven home games, with five conference games at home and four on the road. I look for a marked improvement on defense, with Senior Danny Te'o-Nesheim leading a rapidly maturing defensive line and Senior E. J. Savannah heading the best linebacker corps in the Pac-10. That improvement, mainly stopping the run, will reignite Husky Stadium into being the twelfth man on the field -- a conflagration of noise and enthusiasm likely to burn Idaho, Arizona, Oregon and WSU at home. LSU and USC watch out, the Dawgs are back and won’t play dead for anybody regardless of its lofty ranking. On the road, as momentum builds, the Huskies could surprise Stanford, UCLA and ASU. Expectation: Keep LSU's Charles Scott (5-11, 233) from taking it to the house on the Tigers' first offensive series, which should be a wakeup call for coach Les Miles. The same goes for Jahvid Best and Jeff Tedford. Hold the opposition to a maximum of 150 yards rushing per game. Win 4 or 5 conference games. 4. The receiving corps is deep and talented. You can’t have the best quarterback in the Pac-10 without having someone to catch the ball. Besides having proven commodities at wide receiver (D’Andre Goodwin, Jermaine Kearse and Devin Aguilar), we finally get to see 4-star recruit Anthony Boyles and highly-regarded freshman James Johnson in action. The tight ends look solid and two of them are 4-star studs. An improved passing game should open up the running game, which should energize the offensive line, which underachieved last season. Expectation: Average at least 200 passing yards per game. 5. The running game. They called Reggie Bush “the pres” at USC. At running back, Washington has its own “pres,” Chris Polk, who some have likened to the playmaking Bush. I look for Polk, Willie Griffin, Demetrius Bronson, Curtis Shaw and Johri Fogerson to launch an improved running game, mostly by committee. Expectation: Average at least 160 rushing yards per game, which includes Locker's contribution. Becoming a great football team should start right now. The main ingredients are all there: Locker, Chris Polk, Goodwin, Te’o-Nesheim, Savannah, Cody Habben, Kavario Middleton, Paul Homer, you name them. The list goes on. There is no talent to waste, but there is enough talent to win. Sark and his assistant coaches must continue to work cohesively to bring the best out of the team. The ongoing progress made the last eight months plus the upcoming practices will bring their just rewards. This protégé of Pete Carroll brings his mentor’s zest for winning to the Huskies, and the Huskies will begin to win again starting this season. --------- (*) The 2004 Gilby averaged 14 points per game over combined home and away driving. There are five other players on the team with former U.S. president's last names. Can you name them? Answer: Vince Taylor, Jordan Polk, Ben Hayes, and James and "Tripper" Johnson. You got 'em right? Take two smart pills and call Alex Trebek in the morning. ;-) ----------------- Table 1. Locker's passing efficiency over his last 8 games. The cumulative ratings are shown on the right side of the table.
Richard Linde can be reached at malamute@4malamute.com |
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As the new season approaches, optimism reigns supreme among the Huskies
fan base. The enthusiasm coach Steve Sarkisian brought to the table at
last