By Todd Milles
The News Tribune
SEATTLE — It is the thought no college football fan wants to consider.
What would happen if the starting quarterback of a high-powered passing offense went down?
In the case of the University of Washington, losing junior Jake Browning for however long, and for whatever reason, would be a crushing blow to a program that has thoughts of winning the Pac-12 Conference.
But don’t worry, UW fans — Browning has looked healthy and decisive this first week of preseason camp in Seattle.
Which is good, because top wide receiver Dante Pettis doesn’t want to envision life without him.
In fact, Pettis joked if something happened to the Huskies’ leader, he’d go directly to coach Chris Petersen’s office and suggest he move in to play the position.
“I would definitely push for that,” said Pettis — and for good reason, since he threw a touchdown pass last season.
It’s no secret that Browning is the straw that stirs the drink: Of the team’s 804 passing attempts over the past two seasons, Browning has thrown 770 of them.
But Browning isn’t the only quarterback in UW’s fall camp. Three others have been taking snaps.
In descending order, here is what the three backups have shown so far:
K.J. Carta-Samuels, redshirt junior: He is secure as Browning’s backup, having started the one game Browning has missed in two seasons — at Stanford two years ago.
For his career, Carta-Samuels has completed 19 of 37 passes for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
“K.J. is doing a great job of putting the ball where it needs to be,” Browning said.
At times, that has been Carta-Samuels’ problem, trying to squeeze a bullet pass through a tight window. Pettis has noticed that the Saratoga, California product is now more willing to take what the defense is giving him.
“He has improved a lot with his decision-making,” Pettis said. “He’s always had a great arm. But he was so confident in his arm that he would try and squeeze in the ball in some areas he probably shouldn’t have.
“Going through his fourth fall camp, you can really tell he is like, ‘OK, I can’t put the ball in there, let me check it to the next (receiver).’”
Daniel Bridge-Gadd, redshirt freshman: Much like the last UW starting quarterback to wear No. 17 — Keith Price — this Arizona native has no problem trying to make plays with his legs as the clear No. 3 quarterback.
Bridge-Gadd is mobile and dangerous. But what is also obvious so far this fall is that the coaching staff wants him to hold up better inside the tackles and make a throw.
“Daniel is doing a better job of staying in the pocket,” Browning said. “It is something he is focusing on.”
Jake Haener, true freshman: Then there is the newcomer out of Monte Vista High School in Danville, California. He will likely redshirt this season as the No. 4 quarterback.
Haener isn’t very tall (6-feet), but he shows plenty of gumption.
“He is not scared or anything,” Pettis said.
Haener had a tough day Friday with turnovers, which can be expected in his first week on campus.
“He is hitting the ground running,” Browning said. “You are the new guy, and I know the feeling — you get thrown out there, and you’ve got to learn through mistakes. It can be rough.”
Extra points
All the quarterbacks had issues Friday, including Browning, who was picked off twice in live team activity — once by Jordan Miller and once by former Marysville Pilchuck standout Austin Joyner. … The practice Friday was open to the public and about 125-150 people sat through the two-hour workout at Husky Stadium. The team’s practice Sunday is also open, as is the “Picture Day” afterward.
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