Wednesday WSU chat
Sep 9 2015, 10:58 AM
Guest9082 (guest): Is anybody stepping up on offense or defense to be the vocal leader we so desperately need?
Sep 9 2015, 10:59 AM
srchat: The players were more vocal during practice, although from our perch it's not always obvious who exactly is speaking. I did notice Taylor Taliulu and Jeremiah Allison trying to fire up the defense a few times, and the coaches seem to have added some urgency.
Sep 9 2015, 11:01 AM
Guest5820 (guest): Sounds like Falk looked good yesterday, is he or will he be 100% by Saturday?
Sep 9 2015, 11:02 AM
srchat: I expect by Saturday he'll be 100%. I wouldn't be surprised if he's still a little sore from Saturday, but I don't see it affecting his play in three days.
Sep 9 2015, 11:03 AM
Guest9082 (guest): Bender reminded me of a young Halliday....f it, I'm going deep. Is that what we can expect from him in the future?
Sep 9 2015, 11:05 AM
srchat: I would caution against extrapolating much from a situation in which Bender had to take the offense 63 yards downfield in about a minute. Any quarterback would have been letting it rip downfield at that point, it was the only possible way to move quickly enough to score. And the PSU defense obviously knew that and had plenty of defensive backs on the field.
Sep 9 2015, 11:05 AM
Guest6964 (guest): Agree on who are the leaders? Is this team as angry as the fan base? Do they care as much as us? This team has been soft, they need to come out with some attitude and fire.
Sep 9 2015, 11:06 AM
srchat: Some players we've talked to have seemed pretty upset. But the team's mantra is to keep an even keel, never building up one game more than another and not letting the losses or the victories linger much.
Sep 9 2015, 11:06 AM
Guest5742 (guest): Any new developments in the defense, preparations, assignment changes etc.?
Sep 9 2015, 11:07 AM
srchat: I saw them work on tackling a lot yesterday. It looks like the personnel will remain the same this week.
Sep 9 2015, 11:07 AM
Guest8170 (guest): The offense did not put up points but how can Grinch explain the total lack of containment on 2 quarterbacks? Almost 200 yds just from scrambling!
Sep 9 2015, 11:08 AM
srchat: The coaches have mostly explained the lack of containment on players "trying to do too much." My interpretation of that on defense is that two one player will fill another's gap, trying to make a big play, leaving his own gap open. Kuresa saw that and took advantage.
Sep 9 2015, 11:09 AM
Guest4683 (guest): I will be out...however a few for you...Does Lenui see more playing time this week ?..which DL seemed to struggle the most last week ?..Mitchell going to see the field ?..will Cougs Double team Ruthers star wideout ?
Sep 9 2015, 11:11 AM
srchat: Peyton Pelluer is still the starter in the middle. If he struggles against the run than Leniu could see more time. I thought the interior guys, Robert Barber, specifically, struggled more than they should to set the line of scrimmage. I don't expect to see Mitchell yet. The Cougars say they're treating Carroo just like any other player.
Sep 9 2015, 11:14 AM
Guest7469 (guest): Any thoughts on how darrien molton played?
Sep 9 2015, 11:15 AM
srchat: Tough to fully evaluate the cornerbacks when the opposing offense only throws it 12 times. But he had that one really nice tackle near the goal line, stuck his head in a few others and certainly was not the worst thing happening on the defense. He'll start again this week, I expect.
Sep 9 2015, 11:15 AM
Guest9082 (guest): Our players play like they do not know how to win. How do you instill that mentality into players? Does it need to come internally from leaders on the team or from coaches?
Sep 9 2015, 11:17 AM
srchat: That's the million dollar question, isn't it? I pressed them a bit on that after the game -- how can anything change if you refuse to change anything -- and they bristled at the question. So to them it seems like they just need to try harder the next time, but prepare the same.
Sep 9 2015, 11:18 AM
Guest6952 (guest): Who do you think the Cougars should hire to be a motivational speaker for this team to give them a pep talk before the games?
Sep 9 2015, 11:18 AM
srchat: President Thomas J. Whitmore.
Sep 9 2015, 11:18 AM
Guest7562 (guest): It seems like the weather did effect the receivers and they dropped crucial catches.do u think not having a having harrel on the feild to talk them contributed to that?also do u think since harrel never played the receiver position he might not have nailed the technique adjustment needed to catch in the rain?
Sep 9 2015, 11:19 AM
srchat: I'm not sure what Harrell could say or do to help them catch in the rain. There isn't an adjustment, really, you just have to make the catch.
Sep 9 2015, 11:19 AM
Guest9082 (guest): Bring in former players who played on successful teams to help motivate. They know what it takes to win
Sep 9 2015, 11:19 AM
srchat: Most of the coaches played on very successful teams.
Sep 9 2015, 11:19 AM
Guest5742 (guest): Any idea how Leach will limit Falk's play options and simplifying the calls? Will Leach send in the plays and encourage less changes at the line?
Sep 9 2015, 11:20 AM
srchat: I think basically, for now, Falk will be able to either accept the play or change to a run. There probably won't be as many options to change routes or other assignments.
Sep 9 2015, 11:20 AM
Guest6952 (guest): Hey, you got that from listening to 710 this morning.
Sep 9 2015, 11:20 AM
srchat: Sorry, we don't get Seattle radio in Pullman.
Sep 9 2015, 11:25 AM
srchat: That was weird. Our chat-hosting website went down for a few minutes. The good new is, we're back, the bad news is everyone's questions got deleted. Please submit your questions again if you want them answered.
Sep 9 2015, 11:25 AM
Guest6952 (guest): Is Leach's "do your job" falling on deaf ears?
Sep 9 2015, 11:25 AM
srchat: I don't know if the ears were deaf on Saturday, but they sure were incapable.
Sep 9 2015, 11:27 AM
Guest7559 (guest): Falk doesn't get the ball out quickly enough. Discuss
Sep 9 2015, 11:28 AM
srchat: He definitely didn't on Saturday, and I think that's where the "paralysis-by-analysis" really comes into play. It seemed like Falk would hold onto the ball waiting for something really good to open up, but then was reluctant to take shots downfield. That wasn't an issue for him when Halliday got injured last year, so hopefully he can revert to his former self.
Sep 9 2015, 11:28 AM
ItsMe (guest): I see a team that is not motivated to play their hardest. Either that or they aren't talented. It has to be one or the other, right?
Sep 9 2015, 11:29 AM
srchat: They were certainly much more talented than Portland State, so I don't think talent can be used as an excuse. I think motivation/energy was certainly a culprit on Saturday.
Sep 9 2015, 11:29 AM
Guest7562 (guest): I think u nailed it with th question "how can anything change when you refuse to change anything".for a guy(mike leach) whos known to think outisde box refuses to adapt or change much of his offense or ways,even nick saban has adapted with an uptempo offense.
Sep 9 2015, 11:29 AM
Bing (guest): Does the team practice well because they practice against themselves and that makes the practice look good?
Sep 9 2015, 11:33 AM
srchat: That may be a part of it but I think it has more to do with not having the pressure of a game.
Sep 9 2015, 11:34 AM
srchat: Sorry, everyone. Chatroll is really screwing up today. If you've submitted a question, it probably got deleted, so please re-submit.
Sep 9 2015, 11:34 AM
Guest8170 (guest): How bout this, Cougs thought they could win with limited playbook?
Sep 9 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: I doubt the Cougars limited the playbook much, at least not to disguise anything from Rutgers. WSU doesn't change its offense all that much year-to-year and a team could prepare for WSU by watching film from last year. They did go under center a fair amount, for example.
Sep 9 2015, 11:35 AM
Guest7559 (guest): They won't away from the run in the the second half. Is this an example of refusing to change
Sep 9 2015, 11:35 AM
srchat: Isn't that a change in and of itself?
Sep 9 2015, 11:37 AM
Guest6952 (guest): Why did they go away from the run?
Sep 9 2015, 11:38 AM
srchat: They probably ran it a little too much in the first half and that limited the offense. I imagine Leach remarked to Falk that they could use a few more explosive plays and to not shy away from the passing game.
Sep 9 2015, 11:38 AM
Ryan Rylee: Are the players playing timid or what do you think is going on with these guys not playing fast??
Sep 9 2015, 11:39 AM
srchat: I think they're playing tentatively. I don't think it's that they're scared of the other team, I just think they want really badly to be a good team and didn't handle it well when things started to go south.
Sep 9 2015, 11:39 AM
ItsMe (guest): has anyone heard anything from Bill Moss since 2pm on Saturday? The silence is deafening.
Sep 9 2015, 11:39 AM
srchat: I have not. There was no Cougar Calls radio show.
Sep 9 2015, 11:39 AM
Guest8170 (guest): Red zone offense and defense still a big concern?
Sep 9 2015, 11:39 AM
srchat: I think red zone offense still is.
Sep 9 2015, 11:39 AM
Guest3559 (guest): WR Marks, Cracraft, Baker got limited targets. any idea why?
Sep 9 2015, 11:40 AM
srchat: Falk didn't see them open or couldn't find them. I thought Marks did well, though.
Sep 9 2015, 11:40 AM
Guest6952 (guest): It didn't seem like the Cougars ran a lot of bubble screens, tunnels, etc. It seems like that is a real staple of the offense and I didn't see it much.
Sep 9 2015, 11:40 AM
srchat: I noticed a lack of wide receiver screens. Maybe that's a difference between Falk and Halliday.
Sep 9 2015, 11:40 AM
Guest7481 (guest): Do you really think Leach can establish a winning culture or are we just going to have to deal with him till his contract is up?
Sep 9 2015, 11:41 AM
srchat: It sure is hard if the team doesn't win. More than anything, that's why Saturday's loss is such a blow, in my opinion. I can't imagine anything that makes it harder to get rid of a losing mindset than beginning a season in which you placed high expectations on yourself by losing to a vastly inferior opponent.
Sep 9 2015, 11:41 AM
Guest6952 (guest): It would of helped Falk get the ball out quicker.
Sep 9 2015, 11:41 AM
ItsMe (guest): 14 years as a season ticket holder. I have complained for years about our lousy attendance. Never understood why more people don't come to the games, especially the students. I've come to believe that I am the one nobody can understand. This is as bad as this program has ever been. Hard to see a silver lining in the decade old cloud over WSU football.
Sep 9 2015, 11:42 AM
srchat: It is much, much harder for the majority of WSU fans to get to games than it is for any other fanbase. I can't think of any other school where the largest section of fans has to sign up for a 10-hour drive on top of all the other costs to attend a game. They'll come if the team wins, but that's asking a lot for people to stand in the rain to watch a 3-9 team.
Sep 9 2015, 11:43 AM
Ryan Rylee: Looking back at the game, it was almost like PSU knew what was coming on defense. Do you think they just had a good gameplan or do you think Falk somehow was tipping what we were going to do?
Sep 9 2015, 11:44 AM
srchat: I don't think PSU knew what the Cougars were going to do. I think the Cougars didn't take many chances on opportunities that would have led to explosive plays and, and when they did, drops and such hurt them.
Sep 9 2015, 11:44 AM
Guest8170 (guest): Special teams, and red zone offense and defense do not look much improved?
Sep 9 2015, 11:45 AM
srchat: No disagreement here. Although I think the kickoff return game showed promise.
Sep 9 2015, 11:45 AM
(guest): Attendance does suck but it costs me $1,000 to come over for a game once you count 4 tickets, 2 nights hotel, gas, food, etc. A lot of people don't have that kind of money to spend to watch a mediocre team play when they can watch the game for next to nothing on tv
Sep 9 2015, 11:45 AM
bboyle19: when is this paper and rest of the media going call for accountability from both the coach and the AD? The press conference after the loss was a complete joke and the fact that he was allowed to answer questions in the manner was ridiculous. At some point the somebody has to call the coach on the carpet, accountability starts and ends with the head coach.
Sep 9 2015, 11:47 AM
srchat: Seems like I've read a number of columns from members of the media calling for accountability from the coach and the AD. Not being a columnist, I'm not going to start writing opinion. Leach was asked specifically about his job security at the press conference. You're somebody who watches press conferences, do you really think if he'd been asked again his answer would be any different? Do you think we should physically force him to give different answers?
Sep 9 2015, 11:47 AM
Ryan Rylee: Rutgers game prediction?
Sep 9 2015, 11:48 AM
srchat: In the paper tomorrow!
Sep 9 2015, 11:48 AM
ItsMe (guest): A coach like Ernie Kent or Mike Price would go in to all of the Greek houses and residence halls and implore the students to end the halftime exodus that has become the new normal. Leach would never do that. That is why i've come to believe he's a bad fit at WSU.
Sep 9 2015, 11:48 AM
Guest6952 (guest): What happens first....Cougars get a win or Kam returns to Seahawks?
Sep 9 2015, 11:49 AM
srchat: Cougars get a win.
Sep 9 2015, 11:49 AM
Guest8170 (guest): So school was in? Weather was that bad? Attendance looked bad on TV. fyi I live in so cal.
Sep 9 2015, 11:49 AM
srchat: School was in, but it seemed like lots of students took advantage of the Labor Day weekend opportunity to go home, especially after the first half. Weather was awful, attendance was worse.
Sep 9 2015, 11:50 AM
RG84 (guest): Joined late sorry if this was asked already, but what is your assessment of meltdown last saturday?
Sep 9 2015, 11:51 AM
srchat: It was a horrible loss and will make it harder to establish a winning culture, harder to convince recruits to sign up and boosters to give. I thought the offense was very conservative and drops didn't help. I thought the defense was out of position a lot and the tackling was really bad.
Sep 9 2015, 11:51 AM
ItsMe (guest): Your thoughts on Jake Rodger's tweet Saturday afternoon?
Sep 9 2015, 11:52 AM
srchat: Ultimately, it's one players' opinion. I also know of players that liked playing for Mike Leach. I don't think it's very surprising he has that opinion, he did transfer.
Sep 9 2015, 11:52 AM
Guest4201 (guest): Which position group underwhelmed the most on Saturday?
Sep 9 2015, 11:52 AM
srchat: Defensive line, in my opinion.
Sep 9 2015, 11:52 AM
RG84 (guest): Did the team move out of the FOB yet and back to bohler like last year for punishment?
Sep 9 2015, 11:53 AM
srchat: I don't think so.
Sep 9 2015, 11:53 AM
Guest8170 (guest): Seemed like a lack of adjustments once ball was kicked off at beginning of game?
Sep 9 2015, 11:53 AM
srchat: Leach told us on Wednesday that reporters build up adjustments too much anyways and that coaches are not Wile E. Coyote.
Sep 9 2015, 11:54 AM
bboyle19: How many years does it take to establish a winning culture, when you can't beat a team that you are supposed to be vastly superior?
Sep 9 2015, 11:54 AM
srchat: More than four, it seems.
Sep 9 2015, 11:56 AM
bboyle19: So he is paid to coach only during the week? Not to make changes during game times? Game time adjustments go down to Pop Warner level football? Unless your ego is too big to admit you planned wrong, which was evident on Saturday. At least he can blame the players.
Sep 9 2015, 11:56 AM
Guest7481 (guest): Do you think players really like leach and that he's a person they want to "go to battle for"
Sep 9 2015, 11:57 AM
srchat: This is just me, personally, but I think all of that is vastly overrated at the college level. The relationship between a college coach and the players isn't like at lower levels, there are just too many players and they spend basically all of their team time with position coaches.
Sep 9 2015, 11:58 AM
bboyle19: Coaching is teaching and motivation. When a team is not prepared and not motivated they play like the did on Saturday.
Sep 9 2015, 11:59 AM
srchat: Well, this seems like a good place to end it. Thanks everyone for putting up with some technical difficulties and for joining our chat. Transcript will be up shortly.
