Defense a pain in the foot for White-Frisbee

Published 9:00 pm Tuesday, September 26, 2006

SEATTLE – Jordan White-Frisbee took his latest setback as a sign.

“I guess God just wants me to play offense,” the Husky sophomore said. “To go through it not once, not twice, but three times? I’ll take the hint. I guess my body is meant to play offense.”

The “it” White-Frisbee is referring to is the constant foot pain he’s suffered through since having an outstanding true freshman season as a defensive tackle. White-Frisbee missed all of last season and spring camp this year after twice fracturing his foot. He seemed healthy in the fall and was expected to be part of a strong UW defensive front, but instead the pain returned, keeping him on the sideline once again.

Finally, a few weeks ago, White-Frisbee moved to offensive tackle, a move the team tried last year. He said he’s more comfortable playing on offense this time around.

“This time it was more my decision,” he said. “I think Coach Willingham knows I’m stubborn and if I make a move I don’t want to make, I’m going to be unhappy. But I can’t argue with what my body is telling me. This is what’s best for me.”

Washington offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said he likes what he’s seen from White-Frisbee physically but that he isn’t healthy enough or immersed enough in the offense to be on the two-deeps yet.

“He can move some people and punch and all that,” Lappano said. “Making the transition there in a couple, three weeks, four weeks, you never know. He’s powerful enough to knock you off the football and when he punches you in pass sets, it’s pretty violent. What we’ve seen so far of him, we really like and he’s going to help this offense.”

The move to offense was done this time to ease pressure on his ailing foot. On defense, he’s required to sprint, make sudden changes in direction and be on his toes, which all add stress to the foot. On offense, he’s required to be more flat-footed and there isn’t as much sudden movement. He said it’s made a difference, as he feels healthier, though the pain is still a day-to-day situation.

“It’s nice to not always be in pain every single day now,” he said.

White-Frisbee got in his first game action since 2004 last week against UCLA, playing on the punt block team. He hopes to continue to slowly work into the lineup and eventually get on the field on offense, which will be no easy task as the five starters on the line have played every down this season.

“Nothing against our line, but for my own selfish reasons I want to get out there,” he said. “One way or another, I want to get on the field. Whatever it takes to help the team win, that’s what I want to do. It’s been such a long time since I’ve been out there.”

Back to normal: Lappano said the return of Michael Gottlieb to full health should allow the offense to get back to its two tight-end sets. Gottlieb missed two weeks with a broken hand but returned on a limited basis last week.

“He should be more physical this week,” Lappano said. “Last week he was still favoring his injury a little. This week we’ll see him healthier, playing at full speed. We’ll be able to put a little more of our offense out of two tight end, which is critical in our short yardage.”

Lappano said the return of Gottlieb does not mean that Johnie Kirton will be used out of the backfield on short yardage. Lappano said there still isn’t enough depth at tight end – with Robert Lewis still out with a broken foot – to put Kirton at running back.

No worries on Reece: A week after having three catches for 62 yards against Fresno State, receiver Marcel Reece was silent against UCLA, not making any catches. But Lappano said it was just a matter of other players being open, and said the offense isn’t being geared toward any particular receivers or away from any others.