I realize for most it's an alumni thing. That I totally get. How many of you are not from WA and became fans while matriculating? How many were before deciding to attend UW for school? How many, like me, have always been Husky fans without attending the U? What is it about this football team that makes you smile when they win?

I just remember laying on the carpet watching games on Saturday in the late 60s, early 70s, waiting for the scoreboard show to come on. It was nothing like today with instant updates and chat rooms. Always just waiting for them to make it to the Pac-8. Who gives a rat's ass about Grambling and Appalachian St(no offense to fans of those schools).? I grew up in SW WA, middle of nowhere and for me it was just the name Washington that got me going as a kid, that, and Robin Earl. I had no idea about the Cougs but they weren't that much further away than UW. It was black and white back then so it wasn't the colors. I also have no idea what the Cougs or Huskies records were during those days without research.

Something just stuck with me over the years. What did it for you.

Boston song, for those of you too young. It has, being on this site from the start more or less. The growth and quality of the comments has amazed me. I know it's not due to me, but John has kept cranking stuff out and has enough disbelievers to keep things interesting. I just want to let everyone know how much I appreciate your thoughts, each and every one of them. Thank you from an overseas fan who obsesses just as much as you do.

Overseas so I'm posting this so I won't forget. I'm taking ASU by 7. I have no idea what the point spread although I could probably look it up. I have to go against the grain if I'm to make up any ground. I'm likely doomed. Weather's nice in the UAE, kind of like a Washington fall. I'm tempted to wear long pants and am bummed that the women have decided to. Good luck and go Huskies!

about what Sark should or should not say to the team about the anniversary and also about whether he should have the members of that team talk to them or not.  IMHO too much has been said.  Just go out and play.  Have fun and play like you have no care in the world.  That's what the game is really about.  You have a job to do and just go do it.  It's really pretty simple if you ask me.  Both  teams know why they are there.  Have fun and hit one another!  Go Huskies!

He's not a local guy but he writes about the Mariners at USSM as I'm sure many of you know.  They're not a part of SBN but I know John reads them and they have a very close relationship with Lookout Landing.  Please read this blog and honor his request to donate blood if you can.  From the comments on Shannon Drayer's blog  I also learned that he'll almost certainly need a bone marrow transplant or some sort of stem cell treatment.  The comment also asked that anyone who donates blood  be HLA typed to see if they are a match.  That's kind of a good thing to do in general, not just specifically for this particular case. 

I've learned a lot from the USSM guys over the years...from way back in the usenet days.  I haven't read the comments in the blog I linked to yet so there may be many other potential ways to help should you wish to do so.

but I did find this link to some photo shopping of Chip Kelly to be very funny.  Nothing personal, just very creative by some upset fans.  Who knows what will happen in the long run but it's a rare occasion I find something good on wildwestsports.com so I thought I take a shot. Oops, another 20 words....hot and humid here in the UAE with 'nary a bikini in sight.  Time for another trip to Phuket, I guess.  I'm looking forward to this season, which feels a little strange.  There's a lot of potential on this team and if they can gel early it could be fun.

In light of the seemingly annual discussions concerning them, does anyone know if coaches do any sort of outreach to kids in junior high?  Let them know how important grades are if they even remotely entertain aspirations of college athletics.  I don't know if it would help the kids and it certainly isn't the coach's responsibility but maybe it's worth a shot?  Thoughts?

Would something like that be considered illegal contact?  Personally I wouldn't view it as such unless it was targeted, which eventually it probably would be but I don't know.

I'm pretty happy with the season.  Sure, it could have been better but I could also adjust the font so I wouldn't have to take  my glasses off to read what I'm typing.  The one thing that stood out to me this year was the fact that a few players seemed to "get it" near the end of the year.  I think that bodes well for  the future. 

The difference between the in-season Nebraska game and the Holiday Bowl was a testament to that....aside from Jake, but he did what he had to do. Now we've got the remodel and the Price/Montana question.  Price first in my book because although he didn't leap out as something awesome, he was at least competent when put in in pretty tough situations.  He did what he was supposed to do.  Maintain the situation until something else was called for.  Cool. 

I also want to thank Lear again for maintaining the pick 'em.  With his schedule that had to be a bitch and I had a lot of fun with it because I got so lucky with my guesses.  Kudos to John for attracting such a great audience and I'm looking forward to next season!

Go Huskies, especially through whatever happens with the b-ball team.

I'm extending this wish to each and every reader and contributor from every team that visits this fine site.

I've lived overseas for a large portion of my life and away from my family for nearly all of my adult life so I'm not a big holiday guy, but I do enjoy this time of year, mainly for the time off from work.  I usually work on the actual holiday but it evens out.

I'm currently living in Abu Dhabi.  I stopped off at a mall on the way home last night to look, unsuccessfully it turned out, for some mineral oil.  It's a new mall and most of the stores aren't actually there yet so I got turned around while trying to figure out where the hell I'd parked.  While wandering, I was pleasantly surprised(not sure why, it's a tolerant Muslim society here) to hear Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer over the muzak system.  I actually thought about Christmas for a reason other than making sure to remember to give everyone a phone call.

It's probably(the cynic in me) purely commercial as there are more expats here than natives, but who knows?  I even got a Merry Christmas from the cute Filipina that works at the liquor store.

Now that you've clicked back due to boredom I'll ask for special thoughts, plans, or odd occurrences during this holiday season from everyone.

Who's planning on attending their teams' bowl game and what are you most looking forward to while there, aside from victory?  I already burned my vacation so no go for me.  Next Rose Bowl though, I'll be there!

Merry Christmas, Happy New Year and thanks to everyone for probably being a larger part of my life than you should be.

cheers,

Dick

How do you view recruiting season?  Me, I sit back and watch until February.  It's never said and done.  I've seen a lot of people jumping off of cliffs for no reason.

To me, the biggest part of recruiting is identifying those guys that you can develop, not those you can plug in immediately.  Some programs are in a more immediate need of infusion than others, ours, currrently, but over the long run it's up to the coaches.  Not much we can do besides vent at those that got away, which really doesn't do much good.

I'm pretty satisfied with the classes we have coming in.  Sure they could be better, but I've seen some signs that the coaches know how to get these players to be all they can be.  I don't know how much of that's on the player or the coach but even though I haven't gone through the process, I do know it's a two-way street.  I like the LB progression and some of the RBs.  QB is hard to quantify  because is depends on so many factors.  DL, looks ok, as does the secondary.  OL needs the work.

Ramble On....

or did Oregon have on the better looking uniforms yesterday?  I found that version at least tolerable although I had to hold back a few laughs at the wings.  That and the green was a boring shade.  Cal reminded me of some old Steelers' abomination and while I usually like the "old school' looks, that one didn't cut it for me.

Sorry for resorting to uniform posts and it's not really a dig at either team other than asking who makes the decision as to what to wear.  Maybe, well, not maybe, I'm just getting old and don't get what kids or coaches like these days.

Regardless, it was an interesting Saturday and until my shop outvoted me to watch UFC, I enjoyed the games.

Where's thecassino?  I wish I could  have seen the game because that sounded like  a fantastic one to watch, if only to see what the potential of the team is.  Scary part is there is a lot of room for improvement.

In no way did I expect this beating but I'll grudgingly give credit where it's due.  I still had hope until some point in the third quarter when I just went and put some more cider in the fridge.  I couldn't really tell whether it was our ineptitude or your skills that turned the game but the results tell a pretty accurate story of the game.

Thanks for being pleasant antagonists during the week leading up to this game and I, personally, would love it if you guys would jump ship to the Pac-whatever, or at least make our contests more of a regular thing.  I'd say good luck, but at the moment a good part of that wish would be me hoping to make our disappointing performance a little more respectable.  Thanks for stopping by and don't be strangers for generally good football discussion over here.

I only got to watch the second half, but what struck me most was the downfield blocking.  The guy coaching that deserves some serious accolades.  It wasn't a perfect game by any means as I was in dawgman's chat room bitching along with the rest of the subscribers, but it was a solid effort.  I was hoping they'd match my 42-13 prediction, but who gives a f?

What concerns me is whether we'll be able to bring the last 3/4 of the  game's performance to the start of the Nebraska game.  We need to.  Kill the mistakes and we can win it, then comes SC.

Woof Woof!!

Continue reading this post »

I kind of find it insulting that you feel the need to post that with comments off.  I realize I get drunk and post some inane things from time to time, and while I realize it wasn't directed toward me, I haven't seen any evidence that any other posters lean toward the level of vitriol that you for some reason expect. 

It's just not that big of a deal.  To me, it's just a kid taking a leap at the instant stardom golden ring.  He'll likely be disappointed, but it is what it is.  We've got a good thing going here at UW regardless.  Enjoy it.  This place has always been a venue for intelligent discussion and warning us like we're children just got under my skin a bit.  I truly appreciate you contributions to this site cassino so please don't take this in the wrong way.  Just give us some credit.

Go Dawgs!

and couldn't come up with a good OT post.  My best was titties and beer, which isn't bad, but is pretty predictable.  I mainly just wanted to thank the fans living nearer to the Huskies than I, and John, do for posting their reports.  This website is a fantastic resource for the displaced Husky fan and anyone that posts here is due a brew of their choice from me should we ever meet. Perhaps surprisingly, although I think he's secretly Jim Moore, cougfan is included.  I appreciate your input because a lot of us are biased as should  be expected.  I appreciate honest opinions and thank you for giving yours.  I think we need more from different sites so consider this an invite.  I doubt I'll ever be around to buy the beers, but  the offer's still there should universes collide.

cheers guys,

Dick

It's sort of the off-season although I do enjoy the  basketball coverage The Cassino is bringing.  John wasn't a slacker in that regard, but I like the new stuff.  One of my other favorite sites is Lookout Landing and they have periodic off-topic threads that more or less let everyone get to know one another.  They work pretty well over there so I figured I'd give it a shot over here.  Some of the questions will sort of be on-topic but feel free to take the thread wherever it wants to go.

Anybody dive?  I'm headed to the PI for a week long liveaboard in March and am really looking forward to it.  Kind of like me and skiing, living in Germany and not learning, moving to CA and learning on ice, I didn't learn how to dive in Cyprus and learned how to in Qatar.

Husky stadium?  I think it will get done, but I have no idea how.  Other opinions?  Especially curious how cougfan feels about this.  I enjoy your posts cougfan and you're a welcome addition to the blog although I sort of agree with BMoney.

Where does everyone live?  I've been overseas for what seems like forever, currently in the UAE.  I love Husky blogs a lot for this reason.  Dawgman's great, but  I really enjoy what John has done.  Bob Condotta does a great job as well.  It's almost like I'm back home.

Any tomato growing tips?  I'm trying some heirlooms in pots over the winter here in the UAE and while they are growing very well, I have no clue as to what  I'm doing.  My gardening experience consists of changing irrigation pipes and applying various types of fertilizer to peas, corn and grass.

Have fun with this.

Would DJ have survived?  Was it Ty's downfall?

No idea personally, but I am curious about the thoughts of others.  In my mind, DJ was left, with the exception of the insiders that had access, with free rein.  I don't really think he had any real measure of his performance other than game day.  A lot of the problems with UW football have come after the program was exposed to the public in a manner that most coaches probably weren't prepared for.

I didn't really pay attention to the daily progess/performance of the team until dawgman came about.  There were a couple of other websites I came across, coz and another one whose name I can't remember, but it's where I ran into Whiskeydawg for the first time.

What effect did the increased exposure and scrutiny have on the demise of Dawgs?  My opinion is little.  I place the blame on the ADs.  Other programs have flourished with the same exposure.

This is in no way a slight, nor a jab, at any website that follows the Dawgs.  I love them all but one.  I just wonder if our coaches and AD weren't ready for the limelight.

That said, kick some ass this weekend Huskies!!!

I imagine I speak for a few others in here, but thanks, especially to John, for providing me a place to get my Husky fix.  John's always provided excellent analysis and the expansion of the blog has only improved on what this place used to be.  You guys know your stuff, which is why I more or less shut up.  My best contribution was a Barbara Hedges post that caused John to ask if I had hit happy hour on the way home, which I had.

I can't imagine a more thoughtful and tolerant college football blog. You guys are pretty amazing, both with your thoughts and, for the most part your tolerance of the week's opponent.  It says a lot when opposition posters keep coming back with wishes for success.

I've been around here for awhile, long enough to remember how we were all optimistic, even during the last regime.  It was pretty strange, being slightly arrogant and having to face the ever-decreasing results and finally admitting that Husky football could actually be relegated to  also-ran status.  I'm as amazed as anyone by the quick turnaround, if indeed that's what it is.  I'm always hopeful, but with this small sample size, my hope is renewed.

For those of you that frequent dawgman, we even have our own SLBOB/DAVIDAWG with crazi and Lear.  Both of them annoyed me at times on that board, as you two do here, but I always read your posts because both of you have part of the truth.  I'm hoping, as I hope the aforementioned are sharing a beer and arguing in heaven, that the two of you can share a beer in person and have as much fun with one another as I have reading your arguments.

I'm just about out of beer, 2am, in Abu Dhabi, but keep the thoughts coming.  They're appreciated probably more than you know.

cheers everyone,

Dick

P.S Hoping DAVIDAWG(UW) is served beer this year by SLBOB!  Go Huskies!!

I just read the article on dawgman about the Big W club and for whatever reason two names jumped out at me at the end.  Olin Kreutz and Steve Emtman.

It got me to think about matchups between former Huskies I'd like to see and those two names were the catalyst for the thought.  I can't imagine the format the matchup would take, but man, would that be fun to watch!

What are some of the matchups you'd like to see?

Amidst all the angst about the Apple Cup, which should remain as it has been in my opinion, everyone's favorite sportswriter has been relegated to covering the LFL(Lingerie Football League).

Lucky Jim, well yes, I guess.  I remember watching GLOW(Gorgeous Ladies of Wrestling) long ago and this seems like it will be similar, but then again, I didn't watch it live.  There may have been wardrobe malfunctions that I missed on GLOW, that you may be able to catch live.

I'm trying to keep this clean, but why else would anyone watch it?  I'd probably watch the first game, if it were on in Korea, just to see if it was interesting for anything other than the possibility of an OSU shot, but I just can't imagine it keeping anyone's attention.  Maybe it will be fun, I don't know, it's just hard to picture.

Part of this is just me trying to make 75 words...

It's 10 pm in Korea and I've had a few.  I've been enjoying the potential of the current regime as much as the rest of you, but to me there's an issue, and it's kind of a huge one, I've read this stuff before.

I love John's take and  have been visiting dawgman for years and it seems that each year we get the same sort of hype.  Yeah, they're buying into it, yeah, the enthusiasm's there, yeah, whatever...  You experienced the same year I did last year as a fan.  I'm as guilty, probably more so, as the next fan.

Are we being sucked in to  a never ending hypefest that allows these sites to continue to have access to the team?  With Willingham, that may have partially been the case and I don't blame those covering the team for doing so.  It was obviously a difficult environment in which to work.

Now, they have access.  Will the sites that cover the team be more accurate in their predictions?  I love it.  I don't care if they're right or wrong.  I just love having access.  I'm in Korea and have been in other places further away.  You guys are all I have.

Right or wrong, what will it really take for you to say.  "Husky football is back"?

For me it's pretty simple.  Teams should not look forward to playing us, regardless of whether we win or lose.

What about the rest of you?  String of bowl games? NW champs year after year?   Probation?

I know the obvious answer to that is yes, but I still have to wonder.

Yeah, I know we were 0-12 last season, the Sonics left, the Seahawks sucked and the Mariners were the Mariners we all know and love.  Maybe not all, but I do.

Anyway, why do I feel so optimistic?  It's nice reading Bix??'s posts and I somewhat agree with him, but am I being hopeful or delusional.?

I've been optimistic even in the TW era, not very, but I had faith in the Husky tradition, stupidly thinking that it would carry over regardless of the staff in place.  My mistake.

John says three years and while that's a safe estimate, what do you guys feel?  Can they coach the guys we already have up or do we have to wait for new blood?

I'm not trying to disparage dawgman 's(scout) rating system, but it is worthy of a mention since they 've hyped the guys recruited as much as is reasonably feasible.  It always seems like we get a decent class even if they don't pan out.

Are they overhyped for political purposes?  Or do they just suck?  As JB mentioned, I'm really glad  we'll have actual access to spring practices and such .  A new era, one I'm looking forward to.

I'm a fan of the small schools and I'm watching the state basketball tourney on a video feed from this site.  It's a surprisingly good feed.

And, I guess I'll ramble on for 46 more words.  Sorry.  I grew up in Napavine,  who is currently beating Seattle Lutheran by 15 late in the 3rd quarter.  Adna and Pe Ell are also in the tournament.  I played baseball in the summer for Adna one year and against Pe Ell   Go Tigers, but I hope they all do well.  The Napavine girls are pretty good too.  I hope that's 75!

I was just reading John's  recipe blog and one of his fish fry recipes reminded me of my favorite.  Both recipes require beer, which works, but I'm not sure a deep fryer would work in a tailgate situation.  You could put a Dutch oven on a grill and maybe get it hot enough.

It sounds like there's a lot of excitement building up toward our spring game and that a lot of people wil be tailgating for it.  Who has what they consider awesome recipes, games, drinks, food combos and any other tips for a successful tailgate?

I won't be there, but I'm looking forward to your thoughts on both the preparation and aftermath.

Oops, forgot to add my next creation.  You may have seen this somewhere else already, but my idea is to slice it and make meatball sandwiches.

I saw this blurb in the Times tonight.  It made me wonder about your opinions of him.

For me, I grew up loving UCLA basketball.   I'm not a bandwagon type either because if the Huskies aren't playing, I'm cheering for UCLA.  I've heard stories about how he assembled his teams but I don't know what's true and what's not.  That, and the old days were a lot different than they are now for all teams.

I think my most significant memory is when I was supposed to be learning how to play steel guitar from my grandmother.  She was good, but I couldn't take my eyes off the Notre Dame/UCLA game that, I think ended their streak.  It showed me how much could be done in a very short time, that's for sure.  I went on to play the trombone and when I could get drunk enough, scream Ted Nugent  and AC/DC lyrics, so my musical career wasn't a total waste.

What I admire most is the way he's carried himself after he retired.  A very classy guy.

It's a tradition over at Lookout Landing, one of my favorite Mariners' blogs, an off topic post of the day.  I find them fun for the most part mainly because I get to virtually know people better.  They also take off on strange tangents.

Reason for laughter...I enjoy pro wrestling and Jim Moore.  He caught up with one of my favorites, John Cena, when they were in town this weekend.  I think they have a bit in common, probably why I enjoy them both.

As a kid, Saturday nights at my grandparent's' meant a bowl of ice cream with chocolate syrup,  All in the Family and then Portland wrestling.  Frank Bonnema, Shag Thomas and Friendly Joe's Chevrolet.  I don't remember when I discovered it wasn't real, but it may have been when my mom told me she had served both Lonnie Maine and Tony Born at the same table and said no chairs were thrown.  I can watch it here in Korea but it's not quite the same with the English muted a bit and Korean announcers.

If you read the article, both Moore and Cena are like I see myself and most of you.  Regular guys.  They're both more and less fortunate in ways, but at heart just like you and me.  I understand how Husky fans are tired of his frequent subject material, but I think that if any of us were fortunate enough to have the skill and opportunity to make a living mocking the Cougars, we'd jump on it.

Both are guys I'd like to sit down and share a beer or six with pretty much sums it up.  I would try to diplomatically introduce Cena to Guinness though.