Slow Wednesday
Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, August 15, 2006
No real news out of Wednesday’s press briefing. Nothing new on the academic front, no new injuries, no position switches, no additions or subtractions. Defensive tackle Jordan Reffett (knee) is back practicing.
Junior college transfer Jordan Murchison apparently has some kind of knee problem that could keep him out of practice from time to time, as it did recently.
Tyrone Willingham was asked about the new rule that switches the 2-inch tee to a 1-inch tee on kickoffs this year, and he thinks it will definitely have an impact on the game in terms of timing on coverage teams. He said there’s a possibility he could use Sean Douglas on kickoffs rather than Michael Braunstein but would prefer not to. He fears that using Douglas in a kicking situation rather than a punting situation could mess with his mechanics.
Willingham was asked about Jake Locker and gave his typical answer that he’s seeing some good things but that Locker has a lot to learn and a long way to go. But he did say that Locker is generating some “ooohs” and “aaahhs” from teammates.
Talked to a couple of freshmen, receiver D’Andre Goodwin and defensive lineman Cameron Elisara. Goodwin said he’s formed a good relationship with Isaiah Stanback and hopes he can work into the receiving rotation but understands it’s a longshot. Incidentally, Goodwin is the cousin of former Husky linebacker Joe Kelly, who was a first-round pick by the Cincinnati Bengals in 1986 and played in the NFL until 1996.
Elisara said it’s taking time to get used to not being the biggest, strongest guy on the field. He sounded like he would be really disappointed if he was asked to redshirt this year. He also said he intends to compete on the Husky track and field team in the spring.
I also talked to offensive lineman Erik Berglund, who said quitting the team in 2004 was one of the dumbest things he’s ever done, and chalked it up to immaturity. He said he regrets it and is thankful that Willingham allowed him to return to the team. He stayed in shape while he was gone lifting packages for UPS and said he feels much better now than he did a few years ago. Berglund is currently No. 2 at right tackle behind Chad Macklin.
