[washingtonismoney]

On offense, what were we worried about going into the season?

OK, let's take the same approach to our defense and special teams.

On defense, what were we worried about going into the season?

1) D-line depth?
ANSWER: Shittu has stepped up. But only four d-linemen were in the rotation yesterday. If everyone stays healthy we can probably skate by. But I'd be more comfortable if Kaumatule our someone else could step up and make it a five-man rotation against quality teams.

2) LB depth?
ANSWER: Looks pretty good. We were worried about Hemschoot and Palma going down in the beginning of the week, but I don't think a lack of LBs hurt us much yesterday. And I thought Kalambayi and Davis had some nice, encouraging plays. If Hemschoot and Palma come back soon, we're in very good shape here.

3) DB depth?
ANSWER: Hoffpauir is a monster. Olugbode is very good depth. CB is a bit thinner, and Lyons still incomprehensibly struggles with slants. But this is also looking in good shape.

On special teams, what were we wondering about?

1) Who steps up at PR?
ANSWER: I will not bother to answer.


OK, what about new worries? I don't think we were worried about Williamson pre-season, but it's clear we should be now. Contrary to some calls, I'm not super-comfortable with Ukropina, who was last seen missing a chip shot against SC in 2013.

I'm not sure I'm really worried about anything defensively that I wasn't before the season, though I'm a bit discouraged we can't find a fifth man on the line. Too bad Thomas isn't ready (I guess?) There were more missed tackles yesterday than I'm comfortable with, but I don't think it'll be an ongoing issue. Watchful waiting on that count.

Offensively, I kind of assumed the red zone performance would get better this year but so far, well, you know. But even if we simply replicate last year's performance from here on out, we're a very good offensive team and better than last year.

[washingtonismoney]

On offense, what were we worried about going into the season?

OK, let's take the same approach to our defense and special teams.

On defense, what were we worried about going into the season?

1) D-line depth?
ANSWER: Shittu has stepped up. But only four d-linemen were in the rotation yesterday. If everyone stays healthy we can probably skate by. But I'd be more comfortable if Kaumatule our someone else could step up and make it a five-man rotation against quality teams.

2) LB depth?
ANSWER: Looks pretty good. We were worried about Hemschoot and Palma going down in the beginning of the week, but I don't think a lack of LBs hurt us much yesterday. And I thought Kalambayi and Davis had some nice, encouraging plays. If Hemschoot and Palma come back soon, we're in very good shape here.

3) DB depth?
ANSWER: Hoffpauir is a monster. Olugbode is very good depth. CB is a bit thinner, and Lyons still incomprehensibly struggles with slants. But this is also looking in good shape.

On special teams, what were we wondering about?

1) Who steps up at PR?
ANSWER: I will not bother to answer.


OK, what about new worries? I don't think we were worried about Williamson pre-season, but it's clear we should be now. Contrary to some calls, I'm not super-comfortable with Ukropina, who was last seen missing a chip shot against SC in 2013.

I'm not sure I'm really worried about anything defensively that I wasn't before the season, though I'm a bit discouraged we can't find a fifth man on the line. Too bad Thomas isn't ready (I guess?) There were more missed tackles yesterday than I'm comfortable with, but I don't think it'll be an ongoing issue. Watchful waiting on that count.

Offensively, I kind of assumed the red zone performance would get better this year but so far, well, you know. But even if we simply replicate last year's performance from here on out, we're a very good offensive team and better than last year.

[washingtonismoney]

Forgot a couple defensive questions I had but weren't previously addressed:

4) How good is Lance Anderson?
ANSWER: Well, based solely on the "coaching against Steve Sarkisian" criteria, really good. Given that SC probably has more talent than UW, I don't think it was guaranteed that we'd better last year's UW performance. But it's hard to tell entirely for sure as we haven't gone through a good chunk of the schedule. Color me encouraged.

5) Pass rush -- where's it coming from?
ANSWER: We got a sack and an intentional grounding, so seemingly pretty solid, especially given the SC offense's emphasis on passing short. Kalambayi might have a big impact here, I think -- his sack looked like a really natural pass rusher's move to me.

Anderson seemingly brought more big blitzes than Mason typically did. I'm not sure whether that's Anderson (or Hansen or Akina) or a reflection of (perhaps) a lack of confidence to get pressure with four rushers, but perhaps something to keep an eye on.

[washingtonismoney]

Forgot a couple defensive questions I had but weren't previously addressed:

4) How good is Lance Anderson?
ANSWER: Well, based solely on the "coaching against Steve Sarkisian" criteria, really good. Given that SC probably has more talent than UW, I don't think it was guaranteed that we'd better last year's UW performance. But it's hard to tell entirely for sure as we haven't gone through a good chunk of the schedule. Color me encouraged.

5) Pass rush -- where's it coming from?
ANSWER: We got a sack and an intentional grounding, so seemingly pretty solid, especially given the SC offense's emphasis on passing short. Kalambayi might have a big impact here, I think -- his sack looked like a really natural pass rusher's move to me.

Anderson seemingly brought more big blitzes than Mason typically did. I'm not sure whether that's Anderson (or Hansen or Akina) or a reflection of (perhaps) a lack of confidence to get pressure with four rushers, but perhaps something to keep an eye on.

[CompSci87]

I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

[CompSci87]

I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

[Rally]

I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

He did.  Recorded a sack.

[Rally]

I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

He did.  Recorded a sack.

[Hank 91]

[quote author=CompSci87 link=topic=10557.msg97329#msg97329 date=1410136357]
I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

He did.  Recorded a sack.
[/quote]
Not against SC. That was against Davis.

[Hank 91]

[quote author=CompSci87 link=topic=10557.msg97329#msg97329 date=1410136357]
I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

He did.  Recorded a sack.
[/quote]
Not against SC. That was against Davis.

[PrinceLightfoot]

I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

I swear I saw him in the game as well...may have not made the stat sheet.

[PrinceLightfoot]

I thought Kaumatule played against SC...?

I swear I saw him in the game as well...may have not made the stat sheet.

[washingtonismoney]

I didn't see him in. If so, it was pretty brief.

(Saw Shittu a ton though -- he seemed pretty active. Perhaps the preseason hype was accurate?)

[washingtonismoney]

I didn't see him in. If so, it was pretty brief.

(Saw Shittu a ton though -- he seemed pretty active. Perhaps the preseason hype was accurate?)