Depth Issues
Malamute, 1 June 2008

ESPN's Ivan Maisel recently wrote "...The Huskies must rebuild their defensive line. But the offense is more interesting. The offensive line is solid, which should be good news for sophomore Jake Locker, too often a one-man band at quarterback. If tailback Brandon Johnson steps up, the Huskies may end their streak of nonwinning (sic) seasons at five."

Actually, the Huskies have compiled four-straight losing seasons since their 6-6 season in 2003.

For several years now, carpetbaggers carrying some sort of crystal ball and tons of arrogance have bestowed their unbridled optimism on the Huskies’ upcoming season. As the season spirals south, the resulting tailspin fuels discontent, disappointment, and disenchantment among the fans. (*)

Let’s not rest Coach Willingham’s future – a winning season would save him -- on the shoulders of young Brandon Johnson, a load much too big for him to carry all alone. In truth, most likely, the running backs will be run by committee this season.

The virtual "P" on Johnson's jersey -- P is for playmaker -- will need some help from a mostly untested stable of wide receivers and defensive linemen. The playmaking Johnson, along with Tyrone, will need several other playmakers to don the jersey with the poignant "P." Brandon, himself, is somewhat untested, and was hobbled by injury during spring ball. He recently had minor arthroscopic surgery on his knee. Last season, his freshman year, he carried the ball 51 times for 196 yards, averaging 3.8 yards per carry. His longest carry was for 18 yards. He also ran back 13 kickoffs for 226 yards, averaging 17.4 yards, with a long of 27 yards.

Losing Juan Garcia on the offensive line could be a big blow to its performance. The latest news is that Juan may be on track to return midseason, assuming his rehabilitation proceeds satisfactorily.

The Huskies lost seven games last season in which leads or ties evaporated in the second half. A lack of depth contributed to the losses, in my opinion. Eight players from that team have signed pro contracts as free agents: WR Marcel Reece, RB Louis Rankin and DE Greyson Gunheim all with the Raiders; LB Dan Howell with the Bengals; WR Anthony Russo with the Seahawks; CB Roy Lewis and NT Jordan Reffett with the Steelers, and DE Ceasar Rayford with the BC Lyons of the CFL [see Bob Condotta's blog].

Garcia was considered pro material, and he could be lost to next season in a worst-case scenario. 

Except for Jake Locker, the quality depth that remains on the team is mostly unproven. Sure there is DE Daniel Te'o-Nesheim and LB E. J. Savannah -- but who else on the team has certain pro potential?

Compounding matters, Savannah has been in and out of Willingham’s doghouse. Molly Yanity of the Seattle Post-Intelligencer writes, “His off-the-field record has been less impressive, however. He missed three starts because of unspecified disciplinary reasons before his suspension this spring.”

Whatever Savannah's problem, can incoming defensive coordinator Ed Donatell tag him with some inspirational mojo? His counterpart at UCLA, DeWayne Walker, turned the Bruins’ defense around in 2006 by inspiring his minions to work harder in the off-season -- for one.

Reportedly, on April 15, Donatell said that he’d been talking with Savannah every day since spring practices began April 1 – so that sounds good.

The mediocre recruiting classes of 2004 through 2007, plus the quality graduation losses this year, along with those “unspecified disciplinary reasons,” have the potential of diminishing the overall depth of this year’s squad relative to last season’s. (**) Add Garcia’s uncertain rehab to what could become questions of depth on the OL. Savannah and running back J. R. Hasty -- Hasty has also been in Willingham’s doghouse, and still may be -- were four-star members of the 2005 class.

In the spring game, the three long drives by the second team offense against the second team defense do not auger well for the Huskies’ depth on defense. The first team offense mustered just seven points against the first-team defense, opening up the proverbial can of worms involving pessimism and optimism. Was the defense that good or the offense that bad?

The incoming freshmen class (2008) has an abundance of potential, potential to fill some of the defensive holes, for example.

Relying on an incoming class of freshmen, however, does not necessarily translate into a winning season.

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(*) I'm not calling Maisel a carpetbagger. He's most likely uninformed. :)

(**) Those four classes have an average ranking of 35th in the NCAA, according to data on scout.com. Is the phrase "quality...losses" an oxymoron, considering the losses were from a 4-9 team?

E. J. Savannah is pictured above.