The State of Husky Football

Let me begin by saying to all the red headed stepchildren that didn't get into Washington, apples. Thank you, thank you, you're too kind. I know, I know. I'm the exact kind of arrogant, self-aggrandizing Husky fan that is the reason all Eastern Washingtonians and Cougs hate UDub. My only response is that yes, you're right, and I'm glad I'm not you.

Now, the assessment of the season that was and the evaluation of the one to come must begin. At the beginning of the season, General Tyrone Willingham stated that the goal for the season was a bowl game. Obviously, that means six wins and the Dawgs fell one short. There are a number of factors that contributed to the outcome of the season, not the least of which was the season ending injury to Isaiah Stanback. However, that alone can't be blamed, especially in the light of the loss to Stanford High School.

Willingham and his staff made some serious miscalculations with in game decisions, made some horrendous judgment calls, and yet, made strides toward rejuvenating the program.

I had previously railed against taking the redshirt off heir apparent Jake Locker, making the argument that Carl Bonnell and Johnny Durocher could get us two wins to make the magic number. Barbecue sauce doesn't help crow, this I now know. One thing we know now is that Carl Bonnell is not a starting Pac-10 quarterback. He is serviceable and his experience this year will do nothing but help this team next year, but it is as clear as the space between Michael Richards' ears that Locker will start next year and should've been put in this season. There, ya happy?

Presently, I'm intrigued by Willingham's current move to remove two juniors from the team. Kicker Michael Braunstein and Safety Chris Hemphill have been told that they will not be asked to return next season, and there are rumblings about a possible 3-4 more players that will be shown the door as well. This is interesting to conceive as anything other than Willingham cleaning house of anyone who can't or won't buy into his, ahem, philosophy. Braunstein is notorious for being a pain in the ass, 5'6" kicker, someone who if he didn't have his football buddies around would've been stepped on long ago. Hemphill, on the other hand, was quite popular with his teammates and this fact led to a very noticeable rift with some of the older players on the team. OG Stanley Daniels spoke out to the media, albeit in a muted way. Willingham's announcement, shockingly during the season, was intended to set a tone for the rest of the season. What it did instead, was to lead to a near mutiny. This killed team moral and gave two guys Ty already didn't like, a reason to be an Iraq-sized problem. The speculation is that Ty will try to fill the two spots with JC players, who'll be able to contribute immediately.

Whatever you can say about the shortfalls of Ty's second season, one thing cannot be disputed; The team performed. Two overtime losses to Cal and Arizona State, a botched clock defeat to USC, and a rivalry game win at Wazzu showed that the team had heart and believed. One thing you have to give Ty credit for is that the team bought in, played hard, and improved. He more than doubled last season's win total, taking the team from being a poor and dead Kenny to a slightly more respectable Ms. Chokesondick. The similarities are striking, I know.

As for next year, it will be a full transition year. Locker will be a first time starter, the running game will be handed over to Louis Rankin and if he qualifies, J.R. Hasty. Two O-Line starters will need to be replaced, but more over, 7 defensive starters graduate. Playmakers C.J. Wallace, Dashon Goldson, and Scott White will be difficult to replace and will leave a big challenge for D coordinator Kent Baer to find answers for.

There is hope however. Marcel Reece showed the flash at WR everyone knew he had in the Apple Cup. Dan Howell and Greyson Gunheim proved to be potential stars. Johnnie Kirton made plays wherever he lined up. Jake Locker was one of the most sought after recruits in the country a year ago and is going to be depended on in much the same fashion that Stanback was. He's going to need to be an immediate playmaker for the offense to rebound.

However, the biggest question mark is going to be the JC transfers that Ty can bring in. If Ty can bring in 4 or 5 JC players with immediate impact potential, the team could stabilize, but if the season's success doesn't translate to recruiting, the team could be destined for another losing season. With so much uncertainty as to who will start and the level of talent in the team undetermined, it is impossible to say whether this team can continue its upward climb or will regress. If the team goes TIMMAY, I may have to go Towelie.

Follow The Bouncing Ball

First, a mea culpa. I didn't post last week because I was too depressed. I couldn't be witty about sports because the Huskies have crapped the bed. I live it and breathe it during the fall and this year was gut wrenching. My hopes got sky high and I bought all the hype. 4-1 start... 4 straight losses. The only analogy I can think of for how I feel is being naked in bed with a beautiful woman, about to have incredible sex, and suddenly, Brian Urlacher comes in the room and starts swinging me around by my junk. Somehow, making jokes about Entourage and the Husky receiving corps didn't seem to matter.

However, I've been reinvigorated. Friday night, it's Husky Basketball season! The Dawgs open against St. Martin's, a sleepy little Jesuit college located in a strip mall, next to a Quizno's in Lacey. Jumpin' crawdaddies, we got a barnburner! This year's team, sans BRoy, Bobby Jones, and walking blackhole Jamaal Williams, will feature a virtual cornucopia of freshman ballers. First and foremost, wunderkind Spencer Hawes, #2 center recruit in the nation, will be a focal point of the offense, as he attempts to pad his resume for his entry into next year's NBA draft. Hawes has expressed interest in staying longer, but then again, don't we all? Hawes had been sidelined recently with a small fracture in his foot, but returned to practice this week.

Next, Quincy Pondexter, or Q as he wants to be called (Can I make my own nickname? I like Horsecock Johnson. It has sentimental value.) is set to be the starting 3, and from all reports, this guy has been taking over practices. He has range to 17 and will take over as the initiator of the offense for BRoy. The one word that I've read over and over again is freak. This guy's athleticism is off the charts. He's going to be fun to watch.

Adrian Oliver will be the likely 2 guard and split time ballhandling with Justin Dentmon. Killer outside shot, sure hands, good defense. In short, Romar's kinda guy. Phil Nelson will come off the bench and provide instant offense. Nelson is 6-8 and his game is most often compared to Adam Morrison. Though his facial hair potential and ability to cry on cue haven't been tested yet, his shooting touch is supposed to be phenomenal.

Of course, the returning starters will be Dentmon and Jon Brockman. Dentmon was one of the best point guards in the conference by season's end and his performance in the NCAA Tournament was stuff of legends. He'll be counted on this year to provide more scoring along with leadership on the floor. No matter how you slice it, Brockman had a disappointing freshman year. After spurring Mike Kryaoihef;arfski, head coach and CEO of Duke to stay home, he was was piled with expectations. While his defense was at times peerless, his offense was spotty at best. With Hawes now next to him, there is a real one two punch in the frontcourt and should free Brockman up to score easier.

The schedule this year will give the Huskies every opportunity to earn a solid RPI ranking for the tournament. The Pac-10 should be the second or third strongest conference in college this year, behind only the ACC and possibly Big East, with strong UCLA, Arizona, Stanford, and Oregon teams.

The real key to the year is a strong start and wins in a tough non-conference schedule. Dates to be circled include a home game against LSU, away game against Gonzaga, and mid-season clash at Pittsburgh. If we win two of these three, we should be in good shape. Not to look too far ahead or anything...

So, yes. I'm bailing on football. No, I didn't sprain anything jumping off the bandwagon. And no, I won't save you a spot over here. I'll see you shortly.