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Behind enemy lines: Q&A with UW Dawg Pound

We've talked quite a bit about the Huskies this week, but it's always good to get an insider's perspective. So we caught up with John Berkowitz of UW Dawg Pound and asked him a few questions about his team. Dominic and I answered John's questions and they are now posted over there. Just remember when you head over, don't look directly into the dog's eyes!

1) Jake Locker has improved tremendously under Sark. In what area has this been seen the most, and what is his biggest weakness?

He has improved tremendously under Sark. Obviously the mechanics of simply throwing the ball accurately has been the biggest improvement. He has a cannon for an arm but the mechanics never improved under Willingham. He is a completely different QB this season who runs first and passes second. His biggest weakness has been decision making. It could be just learning a new offense but the facet of the game is still a work in progress. Jake makes great plays and other times you just have to shake your head. The more defensive pressure you can put on him the better it will be for Oregon on Saturday.

Star-divide

2) The Huskies have typified "bend but don't break" on defense this year. What has been the key for their success in the red zone?

When the Huskies are in the red zone they don't have to worry about the long pass and that allows the defense to play with the front seven a lot more. We have problems in space in the secondary but when that space is limited we seem to do pretty well. Between the 20's we are rushing three or four against five or six to prevent the big play. Once a team gets down toward the end zone the schemes change and that works to UW's advantage. When our LB's aren't helping out with pass coverage they can really cause some havoc.

3) The Huskies haven't yet faced a spread attack like Oregon's this season. How will the Huskies attempt to slow down the Ducks?

I don't think we will slow the Ducks down much between the twenties. Oregon is going to get its yards on Saturday. The key for Washington all season is having a plus turn over ratio and turning proable 7's in the red zone into 3's. Masoli if he starts won't be nearly as mobile as he was early in the season. Washington needs to take some chances to take advantage of that. when the Oregon spread is working I don't think there is a better offense in college football. The last time the Ducks were in Seattle the Dixon led offense just blew me away. Your offense of course has only worked that efficiently once this season if you take WSU out of the equation.

4) There is a lot of heat on the Oregon side of the rivalry when the Husky game comes up, so much so that many Duck fans view Washington as a bigger rival than Oregon State. How does Husky Nation view the rivalry, especially in terms of Washington State?

It is a big game for Washington but not as big as Washington State for some reason for most Husky fans. I personally think it is a big game and I consider Oregon to be the more important rival. I would much rather go to a game in Eugene than in Pullman. I think what really bothers Oregon fans is that the Washington program and its fan base has historically looked down on Oregon. That old Washington arrogance that Duck fans complained about for so many years is very real. Oregon on the other hand cares a lot more about Washington than Washington cares about Oregon. Washington cares...but they are never going to give Duck fans the satisfaction of it being more important than any other Pac 10 game. I found it amusing when the Pac 10 went without a round robin schedule and Oregon wanted to schedule the Huskies as an OOC game in years when they were not scheduled to play. The tradition was more important to Oregon than it was to Washington who said we would rather take the year off. That rubbed a lot of Ducks the wrong way. Of course everything we do does that. Part of the charm of the rivalry.

5) What is your take on Jake Locker going pro? If he does decide to go out this year, what can we expect out of Washington in 2010?

Jake needs another year under Sark to refine his craft. That is complicated by the fact that this is a very weak year for QB prospects. Jake has the most potential of any college QB out there but if he was drafted he would have to sit on the bench a couple of years. He is not close to being ready for the next level. That being said there since there isn't a draft eligible QB this season that is ready his value has increased in the eyes of NFL scouts.

Ed. Check out this comment from the UW Dawg Pound article for more information on what the Husky QB situation could look like in 2010

6) Lastly, while UW isn't favored to win, they definitely have a shot. Who (outside of Locker) is going to need to have a big game for the Huskies to win?

Chris Polk needs to run the ball well on Saturday. Polk is an excellent running back but the key will be how well the offensive line clears room for him. Washington or any team for that matter plays better when they have a balanced on offense. In Washington's pro-set offense the run sets up a lot of play action which is really the key to making Washington's offense a lot more productive. Washington is deep and talented at the wide receiver position. Keep an eye on James Johnson, Jermaine Kearse, and Devin Aguilar. All three have been very solid this season. Aguilar is coming off a career game against ASU.

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I thought John’s answer about the rivalry was most interesting and enlightening. I have suspected for a long time that Oregon puts a lot more weight on this “rivalry” than Washington does. I think it creates an interesting parallel to how Oregon State fans view Oregon.

--Dominic, Addicted to Quack

Autzen Stadium is where great teams go to die." - J. Brady McCullough, The Michigan Daily.

by dvieira on Oct 23, 2009 9:13 AM PDT reply actions  

I was thinking that

We are the little brother in the rivalry. It almost made me a bit sad then I remember how much I loath Washington and I was all better

I Hate Dawgs
Shoot Them in the Head
Set Them on Fire
Cause I Hate Washington

by trumpetduck on Oct 23, 2009 9:35 AM PDT up reply actions  

I guess

we just have to beat the shit out of them for another decade to get their attention. Works for me.

If ya can't get your Dick Enright, get your Dick Harter!

by Old Ducker on Oct 23, 2009 12:11 PM PDT up reply actions  

Fuskies

All I got out of that interview was blah blah blah, im a dirty tramp. Get ready for the beatdown, going for six in a row!

I can get you a toe by three o'clock this afternoon.

by KyleC on Oct 23, 2009 9:17 AM PDT reply actions  

That line is the only thing that Mr. Deeds gave to the world.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 23, 2009 11:52 AM PDT up reply actions  

Correction

Jake passes first and runs second….He really stays in the pocket a lot more this season.

by John Berkowitz on Oct 23, 2009 9:29 AM PDT reply actions  

Uhhh, What?

What were you expecting to see?

A much needed bye week; and two whole weeks to focus the inner hatred of UW even moreso than normal.

Locker...Welcome to my profile, You will be formally introduced by Juju at a later date, 10/23 to be more specific!

by CaDuck on Oct 23, 2009 8:35 PM PDT up reply actions  

Lockers biggest improvement

Is his decisionamking if you ask me. 2 years ago he was trying to be too much like the old bad Dixon and throw the ball no matter the coverage. This year he is doing a much better job of playing within himself.

That being said, Oregon is still going to kick their ass.

"Good evening Blazer fans, wherever you may be!"-Bill Schonely

by skywaker9 on Oct 23, 2009 11:11 AM PDT reply actions  

I am not too sure about the decision making…what is making him special this year is staying in the pocket and finding the open man. He still makes mistakes that make you scratch your head. All in all after three years under a schmuck like Willingham he is a different man.

by John Berkowitz on Oct 23, 2009 10:49 PM PDT up reply actions  

I'm sorry, but I am going to have to strongly disagree with you..

About the “weak year for quarterbacks”, All the QB’s that very well may go pro, and will probably be drafted in the first round are…Bradford, Locker, McCoy, Mallett, Pike (if he can keep his production up, and overcome his injury), and Clausen. No I do not consider Tebow to be a QB…

Anyways, this season, no Josh Freeman will be drafted in the first round. thats for Damn sure

A much needed bye week; and two whole weeks to focus the inner hatred of UW even moreso than normal.

Locker...Welcome to my profile, You will be formally introduced by Juju at a later date, 10/23 to be more specific!

by CaDuck on Oct 24, 2009 7:42 AM PDT reply actions  

Yeah, but do any of those QBs look like anything but busts? Colt McCoy will only have NFL success if he plays for the Cowboys or the Texans, Bradford and Mallett are the two that I think could end up being good NFL quarterbacks.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 24, 2009 9:42 AM PDT up reply actions  

Jake Locker has the build, and has shown the growth this year to be a great NFL QB. I still think he needs to come back another year to work on his decision making though.

--AddictedToQuack, SBNation's Oregon Ducks blog

by jtlight on Oct 24, 2009 9:44 AM PDT up reply actions  

Yeah but he’s a Husky. So screw him, he’s gonna suck.

It's spelled "T-A-K-O-T-U-E-S-D-A-Y-S-!-!-!."

I support inroywetrust in his support of The VD Special in his support of me supporting Roger Kieschnick in his quest to becoming the best Kieschnick ever to play professional baseball.

by Takimoto on Oct 24, 2009 9:45 AM PDT up reply actions  

I think that JaMarcus Russel has clearly proven that you need more than build and athleticism to be an NFL QB...

No player is a sure thing, That is clearly the case with Locker

A much needed bye week; and two whole weeks to focus the inner hatred of UW even moreso than normal.

Locker...Welcome to my profile, You will be formally introduced by Juju at a later date, 10/23 to be more specific!

by CaDuck on Oct 24, 2009 9:56 AM PDT up reply actions  

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