“Spring ball is about technique,” Washington offensive coordinator Jimmie Dougherty said after Thursday’s practice. “It’s about stripping down things to the most basic things.” The Huskies’ second practice of the Spring took place on the East practice field. But after it ended, Dougherty led his quarterbacks, receivers, and running backs through some additional fundamental drills on the turf inside Husky Stadium. “We were just working on some footwork, bubble stuff with the receivers and running backs,” Dougherty said. “It’s Spring ball. Those are the things that we gotta do, work on technique, fundamentals.”
Dougherty Discusses Washington’s Offense
Husky Defense Creates Havoc
Fundamentals are key at this time of year, as the two sides of the ball are working to install their schematics and going against each other all month. On Thursday, the Washington defense had a quality outing against the offense during the team period scrimmages.
Ryan Walters’ defense pulled down three interceptions on the day. Leroy Bryant and Jacob Lane each recorded their first interceptions of the Spring. Bryant also had a fumble recovery after an issue on the exchange between the quarterback and the running back. Washington State transfer Buddah Al-Uqdah caught his second interception of the Spring and also recorded a pass breakup. Tacario Davis and redshirt freshman Rahshawn Clark each recorded a pass deflection in the secondary. Safety Vincent Holmes had his hands on an interception, but dropped it as he fell backwards to the turf. And up front, Bryce Butler got his hand up in the air to break up a pass at the line of scrimmage.
“There’s a lot of guys dropping out into windows, a lot of coverage disguise, and things like that,” Dougherty said of the Washington defense. When the quarterbacks make throwing mistakes or misread a coverage, Dougherty makes a point to find out the reason for the mistake rather than simply correcting it. “‘What happened on this play?’,” he’d ask his quarterbacks. “‘What’d you see?’ I want to know what he saw, I want him to tell me.” Dougherty said. From there, the coordinator and quarterback work to unpack the reasoning and move towards a correction. “A lot of learning going on out there,” Dougherty said. “It’s our job to make sure that those guys are all getting those reps, because that’s how you learn.”
Receiver Standouts
But the quality plays weren’t just limited to the defense on Thursday. Rashid Williams pulled down a sideline catch during the two-minute drill portion of practice in tight coverage. With the cornerback draped over him, Williams extended towards the far sideline, catching a dart of a throw from Demond Williams Jr. as he rolled out of the pocket. Williams fell to the turf in front of the players along the defensive sideline, hopping up quickly to emphasize his catch.
“I think Rashid’s doing great, you can just tell,” Dougherty said after practice. “He’s just so much more comfortable this year, lining up, knowing what to do, and playing faster because of it.” The coaching staff noted how Williams had added size this offseason, and he looks physically bigger on the field. With Denzel Boston out for the majority of the Spring, Williams has stepped into the leadership role as a redshirt sophomore.
“Rashid’s been doing his thing,” Demond Williams Jr. said after practice. “He’s got that mindset about him, that attitude that he’s going to go get it done. That’s what I love about him.” The two young players have connected several times this Spring during team periods, and it’s going to help the wide receiver develop into a veteran role despite having just 13 career receptions. In addition to Williams, the true freshman receivers each pulled down some quality catches. Marcus Harris made a sliding grab on the sideline during the two-minute drill. In the same practice period, Raiden Vines-Bright and Chris Lawson each had a couple of hands catches.
Responsibilities as Offensive Coordinator
“A lot more things that come to me, decisions and things like that, that come across your desk as the coordinator,” Dougherty explained after Washington’s practice. After being elevated from his former role of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator, Dougherty detailed his change in responsibilities.
“Practice is pretty much the same,” he said. “In terms of being out here, it’s more overall messaging to the offense.” Dougherty said that he now has more control over the way meetings are run, and how the coaching staff packages and presents different things to the offense. But overall, he said his job is to make Jedd Fisch’s job easier. “We’ve been together for so long,” Dougherty said. “I know this offense as well as him…Anything I can do to make his job more smooth and easier, that’s what I’m here for.”
Photo from Nick Lemkau
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