Greetings Cougs, and a happy humpday to y’all. So, cool shot of Beasley Coliseum, isn’t it? This pic made the rounds yesterday as WSU added the logo to the roof and gives passers-by in the air something to look at as they fly over the Palouse. And remember, WSU is also making some changes INSIDE the building, including a new scoreboard. Cool. But a nice move as part of the rebranding that continues to go down in Pullman!
Some other stuff out there today….
I know a lot of you are up on the various interviews-n-such that the Pac-12 coaches went through last week, including our own coach Wulff. But one interview that might have “slipped through the cracks” was an interesting/entertaining listen with Brock and Salk on KIRO with Wulff. It was their “answer-the-question-JERK” segment, where they rapid fire some questions Wulff’s way, and he answers the best he can. Check it out, around the 32-minute mark (and if the embedded player doesn’t show up below, click here). I have to say it might be one of the most relaxed interviews I’ve ever heard with Wulff?
I like the Zima crack from Brock too, you know Wulff kinda bit his tongue on that one. I don’t know about you, but usually when a Husky mentions the word Zima to a Coug, it’s usually preceded by these four words – “I just had a”. Anyway, they also touch on other things, like what you would rather have for lunch (turkey or tuna salad?), best drink on a hot summer day, which QB you would take to win a game, and they talk about the WSU kid at the World Cup.
GOOOOOOOAAAAALLLLLLL!
Anyway, the thing with Wulff is that this is a side we rarely hear or see from him in the media. I’m sure the losing and flack he’s taken over the last few years have taken it’s toll, and when you are 5-32 there aren’t a lot of happy and light moments to share with the public. It’s not that he’s miserable to be around or anything, but you just haven’t seen a whole lot of THIS Wulff. I know we are all hoping for the best in 2011, and if all goes according to plan, the team wins and Wulff is retained? Let’s hope we see more of an engaging, relaxed Wulff.
Anyone see Teddy Miller’s top 25 for 2011? The countdown is on. Marquess Wilson checked in at #25, and then Jeff Tuel has now been rated as #20. On Tuel, said Miller:
Making the case for Tuel: There probably will be two reactions to Tuel’s ranking. One group will go “really?” Those folks won’t have seen Tuel play. Others might think he’s too low based on what the junior has done in two seasons as a starter for one of the most woeful teams in FBS football. If you are wondering why there’s hope in Pullman this fall, it starts with Tuel. The dude can fling it and he is tough as nails, which you have to be when you get sacked 51 times, second most in the country. Go outside and fall down 51 times. See how that feels. Then invite Vontaze Burfict over to help you fall. Heck, Tuel, an athletic 6-foot-3, 217 pounds, actually rushed for 459 yards, but he had to give 255 back due to sacks. Tuel ranked fourth in the Pac-10 in passing yards per game last season at 231.7, less than a yard behind USC’s Matt Barkley, and sixth in passing efficiency, well ahead of Washington’s Jake Locker. He put up his numbers with the support of a rushing attack that ranked 117th in the nation — in other words, he didn’t have anything keeping opposing defenses honest. Further, he turned in gritty, impressive performances in the Cougars final two games, beating Oregon State and accounting for four touchdowns — three passing — in a nail-biting loss to rival Washington. Don’t be surprised if Tuel passes for 3,000 yards and 25 touchdowns in 2011.
Great points all the way around. Maybe at the end of the year Tuel will elevate on the list, or, maybe it will be just about right. 3,000 yards and 25 TD’s are pretty ambitious, but also somewhat realistic when you consider 1) an improved, stronger O-line, 2) a trickle down to a better running game to take the heat off because of the improved, stronger O-line, and 3) just another year of throwing to a deep, improving receiving corps.
Here’s a question for you – Tuel ranks right there with Ryan Leaf and Drew Bledsoe after their sophomore seasons in terms of yards, TD’s, and completion percentage.
Hard to argue with the numbers (note – those numbers above were up to the Cal game last year, as Tuel would finish with over 2700 yards and 18 TD’s). But as you are also aware, Leaf and Bledsoe went on to have huge junior seasons, which they parlayed into high NFL draft selections, Bledsoe #1 in the ’93 draft, Leaf #2 in ’98. So, IF Tuel were to hit the 3,000 yard, 25-TD neighborhood, and the team does better beyond expectations to where they sneak into the postseason, would Tuel look to make the leap to the next level after this year??
It’s a tough question, with a lot of different layers. I mean if he does explode in 2011, and he’s projected as a first rounder, then he pretty much has to go, doesn’t he? Right now he’s looked upon as a top QB for the class of 2013, as high as #6 by NFLDraftScout.com. But as you know, 2013 is NOT 2012. Huge season this fall or not, I don’t think Tuel would make the leap. Here’s a few reasons why:
1) NFL Labor Peace – Now that the labor deal is signed, sealed and the league is locked in for the next 10 years, you know what lies ahead for your rookie deal. Remember, that was a point of contention with Jake Locker, in that when he decided to stay at UW as a 4th-year junior, the NFL was handing out RIDICULIOUS contracts to their high draft choices. Now, that’s not the case, and first round picks are going to be getting considerably less in guaranteed dollars for the next 10 years. So it’s like OK, whether he’s a first rounder in 2012 or 2013, the money is going to be in the same area code? But today, the NFL salary slotting and guaranteed money for draft choices is no longer a great unknown, so there’s that.
2) NFL QB Class of 2012 = WOW – Have ya SEEN the QB’s who are projected at the top of the NFL draft for 2012? Many say it is a year of the QB, and could approach the famous 1983 draft class with Marino, Elway, etc. Next spring, they’ll be talking Andrew Luck, Matt Barkley, Landry Jones, Kirk Cousins, Nick Foles, Ryan Lindley, Brandon Weeden, etc, etc, etc! There may not be a worse year to declare as an underclassmen QB and hope to get into the first round!
3) The Benefits of Staying – There are some benefits for him to stay, draft slot be damned. Another year to get stronger and quicker with his reads, while also improving his accuracy. Another year with a better, more experienced offensive line that should have some decent depth by then. And another full year of throwing the ball to Marquess Wilson, who by his junior year, might be regarded as one of the top WR’s in the country. And maybe, just maybe, like Jake Locker got to experience himself, 2012 becomes a special, bowl-type season with so many young players you saw last year and will see this year playing as upperclassmen??
Add it all up, and despite what Bledsoe and Leaf did before him and a bright pro future ahead, it seems likely that Tuel would stay.
Finally, way off topic but did you see FAKE ICHIRO last night??
Apparently this guy has been at Safeco the last few nights, in full M’s uniform, walking around and signing autographs. Weird. But even weirder? He interfered with a ball in play last night on Dustin Ackley’s double down the line! Ackley was awarded a triple as he was already around second when Fake Ichiro touched the ball. You can check out the MLB.com video here.
But Fake Ichiro was visibly shaken after learning he touched a live ball.
Of course, the twitter world blew up when Fake Ichi did his thing, stuff like “Nice to see Ichiro dive for once”, and Ian Furness of KJR’s tweet of “Many fans think they are escorting the wrong Ichiro from the stadium”, etc. The question is, will Fake Ichi make an appearance today? And if he does, how does he top this?? But maybe the bigger question is why? The resemblence is uncanny, but is that reason enough to dress up like it’s Halloween? And why in the world would anyone want the guy’s autograph? Does he sign it Ichiro? Fake Ichiro? Weird, just weird.
That’s about it for today. Enjoy your humpday, and of course, GO COUGS!
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