Posted by malamute at 5/16/08 4:59 a.m.

If "P" is for potential, then "M" is for Maisel

For several years now, carpetbaggers carrying some sort of crystal ball, along with tons of arrogance, have bestowed their unbridled optimism on the Huskies' upcoming season. I'm talking about Ivan Maisel, not Ted Miller.

As the season wends south, the resulting disappointment fuels discontent, disappointment, and disenchantment among the fans.

Let's not rest Coach Willingham's future – a winning season would save him -- on the shoulders of young Brandon Johnson, a load much too big for him to carry all alone. In truth, most likely, the running backs will be run by committee this season.

The virtual "P" on Johnson's jersey -- P is for playmaker -- will need some help from a mostly untested stable of wide receivers and from some defensive linemen. The playmaking Johnson will need a couple of playmakers to step the fore. Brandon, himself, is virtually untested, and was somewhat hobbled by injury during spring ball.

Losing Juan Garcia on the offensive line could be a big blow to its performance.

The Huskies lost seven games last season in which leads or ties evaporated in the second half. A lack of depth contributed to the losses, in my opinion. Seven players from that team have signed pro contracts: Marcel Reece, Louis Rankin and Greyson Gunheim all with the Raiders; Dan Howell with the Bengals; Anthony Russo with the Seahawks; and Roy Lewis and Jordan Reffett with the Steelers.

Garcia was considered pro material, and he's apparently lost to next season.

Except for Jake Locker, the quality depth that remains on the team is mostly unproven. Sure there is DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and LB E. J. Savannah -- but who else on the team has pro potential?

The recruiting classes of 2004 through 2007 plus the graduation losses have diminished the overall depth on the squad even more than last season's depth. Those four classes have an average ranking of 35th in the NCAA, according to data on scout.com. The incoming freshman class (2008) has an abundance of potential and just that, potential. That's where Maisel's virtual "P" really lies.

"P" is for potential and "M" is for Maisel's misguided optimism.

Posted by malamute at 5/16/08 5:03 a.m.

Credit: the stuff on the signees I got from Condotta.

Posted by TacomaDawg at 5/16/08 9:00 a.m.

Recruiting classes averaging 35th in the country should lead to a team posting a winning record and a bowl bid. More football teams qualify for bowl games than make the NCAA basketball tournament, so even a team ranked in the 60's should go to a bowl.

Even though I remain supportive of Coach Willingham, the last few Husky teams seem to be underachievers, and many games have been lost that should have been won (i.e. blown leads, crucial mistakes, etc.). Lack of depth is not the sole problem. Poor coaching, especially on defense, was to blame for some of the losses.

Let's remain optimistic and hope the new coaches as well as Locker and the other veterans on the team can lead these young Huskies to a bowl this coming season.

Posted by Leouna at 5/16/08 10:49 a.m.

"As the season wends south, the resulting disappointment fuels discontent, disappointment, and disenchantment among the fans."
-Malmute

This might be our season for discovering our "Chicago Cubs" type fans,

Keep a chin up.

Posted by iluvhuskies at 5/17/08 7:51 a.m.

I'd like to know the HUSKIES

Posted by iluvhuskies at 5/17/08 7:56 a.m.

I'D LIKE TO KNOW THE HUSKIES TOTAL 2007 SEASON YARDS AND POINTS COMPARED WITH ALL PAC TEN TEAMS. SEEMS TO ME WE'LL SOON LEARN WILLINGHAM WAS A VERY GOOD COACH WITH ONE EXCEPTION - HIS CHOICE OF DEFENSIVE COACH. ANYBODY KNOW THE PAC TEN STATS?

Posted by njerald at 5/18/08 1:28 p.m.

Willingham's last year in Purple.

New AD and a 5-7 season will send him packing...........

Posted by dawg84 at 5/23/08 3:40 a.m.

how about Jake Locker leaving after they fire willingham. Jake transfers to ASU sits out a year but plays baseball next two years before returning to football and coach erickson. firing willingham will cost the huskies the most exciting player ever to play at washington

Posted by hsky69 at 5/23/08 8:41 a.m.

100 days fellas 'till we go into that green and yellow hell hole and take it to the ducks. Feathers will be flying and they'll be quacking all the way back up Phil Knight's unpuckered a**!! Let's go Dawgs!!

Posted by Honolulu at 5/26/08 1:14 p.m.

One early football magazine had UW predicted to finish 8th in the conference. I understand why they have ranked them so low. There is reason to hope they may finish much higher as they seem to have more real talent albeit young. A new D-coordinator should help.

Its obvious the defense must improve and Locker must increase his passing accuracy but I believe the key to the season is the OL. I'm much less confident than Ted Miller about how solid is the OL. Pass blocking will be ok but until I see this group able to open some holes for the running game I won't be a believer. Locker is an immense talent but relying on him to improvise for running yardage on a regular basis is not acceptable and will get him injured. OL hit the weight room this summer and get someone in there who can teach technique. No one understands leverage better than Olin Kreutz. How about paying to bring him and Benji Olsen in to teach these guys one on one for a few weeks?

Posted by Dawg53 at 5/29/08 1:11 p.m.

Optimists vs. Pessimists - the big showdown for 2008. Think I'll side with the "glass half full" crowd myself - there's too much to like about this team, esp. with the major upgrade in coaching. I'll stay on record for an 8-4 season, contract extension for Ty, a bowl win in San Diego or El Paso and a Heisman for Locker in 2009...