I've always thought Budda was more suited to offense than defense, honestly. Playing him at S doesn't make a ton of sense from my perspective.
He's a natural with the ball in his hands. He's basically DAT. He's small-ish and he's not super physical. Could he become bigger over time? Sure, to an extent... but is he ever going to be Earl Thomas?
Playing DAT at safety would make no sense.
Returns, all purpose offensive player... that's where I think it makes sense for him to be. The benefit of him playing in the secondary for us is that he's smart and has fantastic football instincts. He didn't play perfect last fall (he was a true frosh starting, etc.), but his effort and football IQ showed up.
I think Budda plays pretty damn physical for his size. With experience he'll be able to read plays and be in a better position to smack people. Overall, I'd rather have a potential leader and star player anchoring the pass defense in this league, when we have some guys on offense that are at least serviceable at the positions he would be playing.
@haie - my thing with Budda is that I think he's a high quality player on defense, but a star on offense. I just think he's a difference maker like DAT.
Sure, he plays physical for his size, but he got beasted last year a lot and he'll never be able to change that unless he's totally different physically by next year.
I'm usually a DJ, "put everyone good on defense" guy. I just think Budda is special with the ball (it's not a surprise that's where Oregon wanted to put him).
I think our offense with Budda and John Ross could be Oregon-esque.
I don't say he should be on O lightly. I think pretty much everyone should start on D. He's just a difference maker like DAT (imho).
Don't forget our offense was HORRIBLE last year. I know a lot of that was John Denver, but outside of John Ross and Shaq, we didn't have one guy that could make things happen.
DWawrsh can run to daylight, but that's it. No one else did shit.
It's relatively easy to find a 5-10 176 lbs kid with quicks and speed to be an APB / slot guy but it's hard to find a 5-10 176 lbs FS who has speed and agility but possesses great ball skills and a willingness to thump ball carriers. IIRC, his vertical is also outstanding so he has the hops (probably close to Nate Rob's) to go up and get balls in front of taller WRs.
Besides, Petersen has already recruited a few APB / slot guys:
It's relatively easy to find a 5-10 176 lbs kid with quicks and speed to be an APB / slot guy but it's hard to find a 5-10 176 lbs FS who has speed and agility but possesses great ball skills and a willingness to thump ball carriers. IIRC, his vertical is also outstanding so he has the hops (probably close to Nate Rob's) to go up and get balls in front of taller WRs.
Besides, Petersen has already recruited a few APB / slot guys:
He may not be quite DAT but he'b be awesome in the slot. And, yes, that's where Oregon wanted him. Would be ironic if that's where he ended up playing. He's too damn small for safety. Gonna end up hurt if he stays there.
In today's world of college football where getting stops is so important, you have to have talented guys on defense that are able to run with and play with the speed guys on offense. That's just a simple reality.
When we talk about Budda getting beasted last year at times, it's important to remember that he was a true frosh. It's a sign of how good he will become with how well he played given his age and in theory lack of 15-20 pounds of size that you'd like to see him put on in muscle between now and when he leaves the UW for the NFL whenever that may be. But you can't teach his instincts, his football IQ, and ability to make plays in the passing game. If he can get himself up to 180-185 before the season starts and then gain another 5 pounds or so of muscle in each offseason, then that's a strong path for him to get to.
That being said, there's no doubt that he's got the attributes that make wanting to get the ball in his hands from time to time a major asset for this team. His ability on returns should be utilized whether it be on the kick return game (although with Ross how many touches to go around) or in the punt return game (which isn't easy in the college game with how they allow the rules and the prevalence of the rugby punt). But I do think that you can find ways to get him touches whether it is in the backfield or in the slot opposite of John Ross. That could be a creative way for the offensive staff to create opportunities to confuse defenses and force them to determine where to pay the most attention and then take advantage of where they aren't. As we saw last year with Shaq on offense, if he was in the game, everybody figured he was going to get the ball. You can use Budda in much the same way.
(On Darrell Daniels standing out) “No question. I like our tight end group in general. I think tight ends are really hard to find how we like to use them – which is for everything. We’d like to put ‘em everywhere. But that’s easier said than done. Sometimes mentally there’s just so much on their plate they can’t handle that. And then physically to run like a receiver, block like a lineman, catch like a wideout – those are all hard things. That’s a good group and those guys can handle a lot and they are making strides. I think Darrell is doing a good job being a leader and making plays.”
(What’s the plan for the running back group given how much you already know about Coleman and Washington?) “That’s what it is. One thing we know; that running back position takes a pounding. Those are the guys we’re always trying to be smart with in the spring. To get full speed, almost live reps – we don’t take them to the ground very much, but we have to do that on occasion because that whole ball security thing changes when the bullets are flying for real. But the guys that haven’t carried it as much will get more reps, still got a lot of practicing in the fall and it’s all about peaking at the right time.”
Gives very little hard information in a polite and professional manner.
Budda is a playmaker. I'm looking forward to seeing him on offense from time to time. He might be the best player on the team. I love him at safety and thought he was a very good tackler. He made too many mistakes, but his talent stood out. He has a motor that other players don't have.
I just want to see more bubble screens. Couldn't care less where they put Buttah as long as he doesn't take away 10-12 bubble screens a game away from Mickens. Nobody runs east/west like that guy.
Comments
He's a natural with the ball in his hands. He's basically DAT. He's small-ish and he's not super physical. Could he become bigger over time? Sure, to an extent... but is he ever going to be Earl Thomas?
Playing DAT at safety would make no sense.
Returns, all purpose offensive player... that's where I think it makes sense for him to be. The benefit of him playing in the secondary for us is that he's smart and has fantastic football instincts. He didn't play perfect last fall (he was a true frosh starting, etc.), but his effort and football IQ showed up.
Sure, he plays physical for his size, but he got beasted last year a lot and he'll never be able to change that unless he's totally different physically by next year.
I'm usually a DJ, "put everyone good on defense" guy. I just think Budda is special with the ball (it's not a surprise that's where Oregon wanted to put him).
I think our offense with Budda and John Ross could be Oregon-esque.
I don't say he should be on O lightly. I think pretty much everyone should start on D. He's just a difference maker like DAT (imho).
Don't forget our offense was HORRIBLE last year. I know a lot of that was John Denver, but outside of John Ross and Shaq, we didn't have one guy that could make things happen.
DWawrsh can run to daylight, but that's it. No one else did shit.
Besides, Petersen has already recruited a few APB / slot guys:
gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209396405&DB_OEM_ID=30200
gohuskies.com/ViewArticle.dbml?ATCLID=209874713&DB_OEM_ID=30200
If he's an average quick kid, he should be on D. If he's DAT like, he should be on O.
http://blog.thenewstribune.com/uwsports/2015/04/10/video-oc-jonathan-smith-after-huskies-spring-practice/
When we talk about Budda getting beasted last year at times, it's important to remember that he was a true frosh. It's a sign of how good he will become with how well he played given his age and in theory lack of 15-20 pounds of size that you'd like to see him put on in muscle between now and when he leaves the UW for the NFL whenever that may be. But you can't teach his instincts, his football IQ, and ability to make plays in the passing game. If he can get himself up to 180-185 before the season starts and then gain another 5 pounds or so of muscle in each offseason, then that's a strong path for him to get to.
That being said, there's no doubt that he's got the attributes that make wanting to get the ball in his hands from time to time a major asset for this team. His ability on returns should be utilized whether it be on the kick return game (although with Ross how many touches to go around) or in the punt return game (which isn't easy in the college game with how they allow the rules and the prevalence of the rugby punt). But I do think that you can find ways to get him touches whether it is in the backfield or in the slot opposite of John Ross. That could be a creative way for the offensive staff to create opportunities to confuse defenses and force them to determine where to pay the most attention and then take advantage of where they aren't. As we saw last year with Shaq on offense, if he was in the game, everybody figured he was going to get the ball. You can use Budda in much the same way.