Locker looks good to go this week

Published 11:32 pm Monday, November 19, 2007

SEATTLE — Jake Locker said Monday that he has full range of motion back in his neck.

He also showed that his sense of humor is 100 percent healthy.

Locker, who missed Washington’s game last week with a neck injury suffered against Oregon State, appeared to still be stiff during Monday’s press conference. Like he had done a week earlier, he turned his body to look at reporters as questions were asked. Finally, Locker was asked if his neck was still bothering him.

“I’m just joking around with you guys,” he said before showing that he could, in fact, turn his head. “I was actually thinking about wearing the neck brace for you guys, but I didn’t go that far.”

Based on his comments and those of offensive coordinator Tim Lappano on Saturday, Locker seems likely to return to his starting role for the Apple Cup, though Tyrone Willingham said a decision was yet to be made.

“We don’t know yet,” Willingham said. “Jake was cleared last week to play, and we chose not to involve him in the action believing that was the wise thing to do. We’ll let him work this week and see exactly what that situation presents.”

Locker, who suited up for last week’s game, said he hopes to play, but that he trusts his coaches to ultimately make the right decision.

“I felt good during warm ups Saturday,” he said. “I felt good throwing the ball around. So I think I have a good opportunity to play this weekend. It was hard to stand and watch. We had a lot of fun this weekend. I thought the guys played really well. But obviously I want to get back on the field.”

Déjà vu for Rankin: For the second time in three weeks, Louis Rankin was honored by the Pac-10 for a big game. Following a 255-yard performance against Stanford, the senior tailback was named the conference’s co-offensive player of the week. This time, after running for 224 yards on 21 carries in a win over California, Rankin got the award to himself.

Not at all surprising, he was also named the Huskies player of the week on offense, while Darin Harris earned defensive honors. Freshman linebacker Mason Foster shared special teams honors with kicker Ryan Perkins.

Scout team players of the week were Brandon Yakaboski, T.J. Poe and Desmond Davis.

Juan could be gone: Center Juan Garcia, is a fifth year senior, but he has another year of eligibility remaining if he wants it. As his play has improved this season, NFL teams have started to take notice, meaning Garcia now has a decision to make.

He said he will make the decision some time in the next two or three weeks. One thing that might keep him around is quarterback Jake Locker, who Garcia says he feels obligated to stick around and protect.

Garcia said money won’t be the deciding factor, but happiness. His only monetary desire is to buy his mom a house.

He hasn’t yet decided whether he’ll participate in pre-game senior day ceremonies this weekend.

“If I don’t come back and I don’t walk, I think I’ll regret that,” he said. But if I do do it and I do come back, then I’ll feel like a moron. I’ll be a trivia question later in life: who is the only Husky to walk twice?”

Speaking of senior day: A list of 21 seniors was released Monday naming the players who will be playing their final game at Husky Stadium, and it looks like this year’s senior day will be controversy free.

At this time last season, it was announced that five players who were juniors eligibility wise, but in their fourth year of school, were not going to be invited back for a fifth year.

The only players listed with eligibility remaining were walk-ons Linus Chou and Sho Yoshinga, who will graduate before next season.

Injury update: Rankin, who left the game with a hip pointer, is expected to be ready this week. Willingham said that Rankin could have gone back into the game if needed, but the strong performance of Brandon Johnson allowed Rankin to stay on the sideline. Byron Davenport, who sat out the win over Cal with a thigh contusion, is listed as a starter at cornerback on this week’s depth chart, though Willingham said a final decision had not been made.