Lappano Lays it Out
Published 9:00 pm Monday, August 28, 2006
Game week interview schedules were changed a little this season. Now offensive players and coaches will be available on Tuesdays, and the defense will be available Wednesdays. So offensive coordinator Tim Lappano sat down with the media earlier today and talked about San Jose State and some other things going on with the offense. Some of the highlights:
From the sound of things, Washington will need to rely on speed and quickness against a San Jose team that likes to take away the middle. That could mean that a guy like Louis Rankin or possibly even Shelton Sampson could become factors. It also sounds like Lappano thinks Isaiah Stanback will have the opportunity to have a big day.
Lappano said all three tight ends – Michael Gottlieb, Robert Lewis and Johnie Kirton – will play regularly. He said a big key is keeping weight on Gottlieb and particularly Lewis, who dropped down to 220 pounds by the end of last season. Lappano also said he’s really happy with what he’s seeing from Kirton out of the backfield in short yardage and goal line situations, and added that if the team were to need a fourth tailback, it would be Kirton.
Lappano said freshman Paul Homer will definitely play for the team this year. Homer was sort of an unknown coming into camp. He’s a 240-pound (though he’s listed at 222) fullback from Omaha who is now a backup to Mark Palaita and Luke Kravitz and will also probably play on special teams. Palaita is battling lower back pain, which makes it even more likely that Homer could play.
Lappano revealed that redshirt freshman Morgan Rosborough is essentially the team’s sixth offensive lineman and would play at either tackle or guard if a starter were to get hurt. He said that though freshman Ryan Tolar is listed as the backup at right guard, he would not play Saturday because he simply isn’t ready, mentally.
Lappano said Marcel Reece is mostly recovered from a foot injury and should be available Saturday. Lappano said Reece’s legs just gave out from the stress of camp and from carrying a bit more weight than he should be. Reece will be used only in the slot for now until he’s more comfortable to be moved outside.
