Huskies OL coach Chris Strausser talks young linemen, run blocking, Cal and more

Had a chance to catch up with Huskies offensive line coach Chris Strausser today for the first time since three freshmen made their first career starts in Washington’s 31-17 victory over Utah State. Here’s what Strausser had to say about those young players, California’s defense, the run game and more.

(On Coleman Shelton moving around a lot in past couple seasons) “Yeah, he’s been a little bit of a journeyman. The one thing he kind of always hangs his hat on is being a great competitor, and having tremendous knowledge of the game. So for him to switch from position to position in a sense is easier than a lot of guys in the group because he’s got such a good knowledge of all the positions, and secondly, at the end of the day, it’s about being in there and competing. So there are some nuances going from one spot to another, but if you’re a competitive guy and a smart guy you’ve got to shine.

(How did he do, all things considered?) “I thought he did solid. He’s got a long way to go and he’d be the first guy to tell you that, I’m sure. It’s definitely a lot different playing inside. He hasn’t done really any of that since I’ve been here. But I thought overall, for a guy who had done it really for two days, he did a pretty good job.”

(Probably didn’t think Trey Adams would be playing this much this early?) “That wasn’t really the plan. But it’s hard to go into games nowadays with a plan, just (with) as many injuries as you have and whatnot.”

(How did he do?) “Thought he did well. Had a couple plays here and there that I know he’d like to have back, but I thought overall he did well. He competed really hard. Assignment-wise, he’s made a lot of progress, so he’s making some good strides.”

(On how he coaches younger players differently) “Just obviously a little bit more attention to some of those younger guys than you normally would give, for me. I’ve had to really focus on a few of them. We’ve got three freshmen in there, and those guys have not played a lot of football, so they’re getting a little bit more attention from me during the week. but beyond that, the offense is the offense. We’re not going to change what we do just based on who’s in there at tackle.”

(On Jesse Sosebee’s performance) “Thought he was solid. Can really say the same thing for the whole group. I thought all those guys did some good things and I think all those guys would like to have a few plays back here and there. So just as long as all those young guys get better like they’re capable of, I think it was a good first step.”

(You like to see how guys respond to bad plays?) “I think that’s more of a program philosophy than it is just kind of position to position. Our whole mindset is, just how competitive you can respond to whatever the situation is, good or bad, and so certainly for those guys, I think playing left tackle can relate a little bit in a sense to playing corner. You’ve got to have a little but of a short memory. You’re going to go against really good players. Typically, the defense’s best d-lineman out there. so for those guys, do you want to win every battle? Heck yeah. Are you going to win every battle? Probably not. And so we’ve got to go to the next play.”

(On Cal’s defense) “I think their whole team’s playing with good confidence. Those guys play with really good energy. We got them at a point in the season last year, they had a few bodies down, so they’re much healthier on defense right now than what they were at this point last year, so I think on defense, they’re doing a nice job flying around and making plays.”

(Do you feel like your pass-blocking is ahead of your run-blocking right now?) “Statistically, for sure, and for whatever reason, yes, but I think we’re putting a lot of focus into the run game and obviously we take a lot of pride in running the ball, so the fact that we’re not doing it as consistently as we’d like to and need to, nobody’s happy with that.”

(What was tipping point for playing so many freshmen? Obviously Jake Eldrenkamp was injured) “We had a couple guys banged up – Shane (Brostek) was banged up as well, and he had to sit out some practice last week. And so a combination of that and it’s just time to see what guys can do, really. I know I’ve said it all along this year, but it’s going to be a work in progress just in the sense that we’re probably not going to have just the five guys at any point this year. It’s going to be whichever guys are having the best week of practice, are playing best in the game and are ready to go.”

(Who are some of those guys who are right there?) “You saw three of them, and then Shane Brostek is a guy that’s been playing a bunch. I think Michael Kneip’s a guy that’s really had a pretty good fall camp for us and played a fair amount against Sacramento State, but hasn’t been in there a whole bunch. Obviously we get Jake healthy again, he’s back in the mix, so we’ve got a lot of guys that have a chance to play.”

(You said Eldrenkamp “is” healthy, or “when” he’s healthy?) “That is what I said, yes (laughs).”

This story was originally published September 23, 2015 at 1:50 PM with the headline "Huskies OL coach Chris Strausser talks young linemen, run blocking, Cal and more."