WSU Football Recruiting: Brett Bartolone, WR From California, Becomes Newest Wes Welker Comparison
by Kyle Rancourt on Jan 6, 2012 1:13 PM PST
in 2012 WSU Football Recruiting News
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PrintStop me if you've heard this before:
Small, white, shifty, slot wide receiver who is completely overlooked by almost everyone gets offered by Mike Leach.
Last night, La Habra WR Brett Bartolone committed to Leach and the Cougs, per CougFan. I want to caution everyone to not make this comparison (mainly because it's super lazy. Does every white WR have to be compared to Wes Welker? Wasn't Gino Simone compared to Welker? Ugh) because, unlike Welker, someone else offered Bartolone! I see you, Air Force.
On the surface, a comparison to Welker actually works. But let's not do it, because I might kill myself if I have to go through an entire season of hearing this. Not every under-the-radar guy is going to become amazing. Hell, not every 4 star is going to become even decent. Let's just all try to look at this objectively.
Bartolone is small, (5'10, 180) but not so small that he'll be in over his head. Mainly, Bartolone will be used in gadget plays, as well as in the slot. I'd be shocked if he didn't redshirt. He has the distinct advantage of being high school teammates with current Coug QB Cody Clements. Now, I'm probably the only person in the universe who still believes Clements can actually be an above average QB. Hell, I'm probably the only one who thinks he can even be useful. That said, I'm 100% on board with bringing in a guy who already knows and has a rapport with one of our signal callers.
I really like how well he reads his blockers when he's running the ball. He's shifty, and doesn't necessarily need blazing speed. I've seen it reported that he runs a 4.5 in the 40, and while I don't doubt that he has speed, I don't know how accurate that 4.5 is. He's by no means slow, though, so please don't think that was what I was implying. He'll take a few years to get accustomed to the offense, but he should be a really solid kid in a few years. I'm not sure he'll ever make an All-Pac 12 team, but every single recruit doesn't have to be Marquess Wilson. These are the types of recruits you lay the foundation for success with.
Bartolone will come in, work his butt off, and hopefully catch a few TDs from his former high school quarterback.
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WELLLLL-KAAAHHHH
Two in the cake, one in the puddin'! -Kevin Calabro, Twitter: MichaelTheCoug
by Michael The Coug on Jan 6, 2012 1:18 PM PST via mobile reply actions
You have no idea how much I appreciate your ability to write something
about a new recruit that doesn’t make them out to be the next sleeper 1st round pick that every coach in the country is kicking themselves for missing out on.
There is zero problem with finding a solid-looking player who can help the team plenty without being all world. Go Cougs.
That's one of the main reasons I started writing for CougCenter.
It killed me that every time we got a new recruit, he was talked about like he would be the next great thing. It’s ok if a kid is just solid depth. You’re doing everyone a disservice by putting ridiculously lofty expectations on the kid. The one that stands out the most to me is Gary Rodgers. Barry Bolton of CougFan called him “Carson Palmer with wheels.”
by Kyle Rancourt on Jan 6, 2012 5:31 PM PST up reply actions
This is why I love Kyles write ups
You know you werent gonna read a bunch of BS, and over hype on a recruit.
Your always going to get his honest opinion and a good honest evaluation of a kid.
Recruiting articles are always my favorite read on here
@korbm13
I appreciate it.
With all the sarchasm falling I’ve done lately, my ego sure could use a boost.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jan 6, 2012 6:33 PM PST up reply actions
Who doesn't think Clements is very good?
And what is their basis? An honest question, as I haven’t followed recruiting that much.
I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all out of bubble gum.
Mostly for practice observers
one of whom described his play as “a hot mess that reeks of hot garbage thrown by a wet noodle.”
#CougHarmonyOnTwitter #teamnopants
Damn.
So you’re saying he didn’t exactly captivate the audience? I laughed audibly at that description. I watched a couple practices this summer, but didn’t really pay attention to any qbs except Halliday and Tuel. Wish I’d known his number so I could have seen for myself.
I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all out of bubble gum.
It was real, real bad to start
He improved during the season, but he was still miles behind the rest. As far as his fit for the Air Raid, I feel like his arm would fall off if he had to throw that much – in volume only. The good news is that can easily be fixed with offseason training.
by Brian Floyd on Jan 6, 2012 2:42 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Maybe Leach can have him walk on his hands
through the sand pit.
Which brings up another question. Has he hired a strength coach? I’d assume the offseason program is about to get going once Christmas break is over.
I'm here to kick ass and chew bubble gum, and I'm all out of bubble gum.
I'm told a coach has been hired, yes
by Brian Floyd on Jan 6, 2012 4:53 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
Full information to be announced on or past the 8th of January
If My Life Is Great, Why Am I Not Happy?
by well you win some and lose others on Jan 6, 2012 5:38 PM PST up reply actions
You are not alone
regarding Cody Clements- I think he can be very good, especially in the air raid system that requires some mobility and escapism in the QB. I saw him at a 7 on 7 tourney before his senior year and he was impressive (and there were a lot of higher rated QB’s at the tourney) in his reads and his mobility.
Coincidentally I saw Caldwell (Venice High) at that camp too. I don’t remember Bartalone but if he was a varsity receiver that season he was there. Who knew I was seeing future Cougs that day?
If you can't Go Cougs... don't go.
I thought the same thing of Clements
but people who have seen him during WSU practices were very unimpressed. I was surprised by that, but I haven’t seen him throw since he was in Pullman. I will take their word for it, because you are able to gauge him against Halliday’s and Tuel’s arms.
CougCenter OG since 9/2/2008 | @TheSoCalCoug
I think we all hope and wish for Cody to turn out to be a fantastic QB
Just his RS year hasn’t given us the greatest confidence.
by Samsinite on Jan 6, 2012 2:49 PM PST via mobile up reply actions 1 recs
In the 40? Wow.
CougCenter OG since 9/2/2008 | @TheSoCalCoug
by SoCalCoug on Jan 6, 2012 4:36 PM PST up reply actions 4 recs
4.0 GPA
(for those who didn’t get SoCal’s sarcasm)
by Kyle Rancourt on Jan 6, 2012 5:32 PM PST up reply actions
Stayed out of the sarchasm for once.
Well don, Kyle. You’re getting the hang of things.
"Tonight, we skate with them. Tonight, we stay with them. And we shut them down because we can!" | Herb Brooks
I remember watching Clements' video and thinking
This guy looks pretty good, but that one receiver is making him look great. I’m happy about this pickup.
I'm a glass half full kind of guy. My glass just happens to be half full of bourbon. And sitting next to several empty glasses.
Not to worried about his 40 time,
there is 40 speed and on the field speed. You get him across the middle behind the linebackers and there he goes. Him being a smart guy as well is definitely a plus.
by WazzuCoug07 on Jan 6, 2012 6:18 PM PST via Android app reply actions
Scout's mentioning a possible DC could be in town this weekend
I can’t read the article, but they say “sources in positions to know tell the ..” (writer) that there are 2 names on Leach’s list and one’s coming to town this weekend to interview.
Starts Monday
Team meeting set for Sunday
by Brian Floyd on Jan 6, 2012 8:40 PM PST via mobile up reply actions
I'd imagine that meeting will be about winter conditioning expectations and schedules
I am expecting to see some sore players walking around campus in the coming weeks. I know the Wulff regime improved our weight training and conditioning, but I am expecting Leach to go beyond that.
The blood of "The Five" cries for justice.
WIthout completely sidestepping CF's paywall and copy/pasting
I think it’s ok to tell you that the two names discussed are Mike Breske (Montana) and Andy Buh (Nevada)
White WRs will always be compared to Welker.
Unless they are big, in which case they are compared to Joe Jurevicius or Ed McCaffrey.
I was thinking about this the other day.
I felt like all white WRs are either small (like 5’10, 190) or huge (6’5,225). I don’t recall many 6’2, 210 white WRs.
by Kyle Rancourt on Jan 6, 2012 9:47 PM PST up reply actions
Jared Abbrederis on Wisconsin
is 6’2 and pretty damn good
by WinOrLoseWeStillBooze on Jan 6, 2012 11:24 PM PST up reply actions
Scott Lunde
He was 6’2" and 200 something. He was a good one for us.
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