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Articles
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Olympia camp summary By: Richard Linde, Posted 19 August 2003
Washington’s talented trio aside, improved performance, for the most part, marked each day’s practice at Evergreen State College. The running game is returning to Montlake via five talented running backs and an improved offensive line. At Picture Day, Coach Gilbertson told me that the UW would have a running game. In seven-on-sevens during the AM practice Friday, all five running backs looked good; Gilby is a man of his word. The RBs promise to give defenses the uncommon look of a crossover SUV. Kenny James provides the navigation system for uncharted territory; Rich Alexis runs with 240 horsepower; Chris Singleton provides a smooth, soft ride, not seen in other SUVs; and Shelton Sampson can kick it up to 150 miles per hour. Walk-on Scotty Ballew is much more than the spare tire sitting in a wheel well. The offensive line provides the torque to pull the load, winning most of the battles Friday against the defense, in one-on-one battles that tested strength, agility, and the ability to gain leverage. Conversely, Washington’s defense will stop the run, as evidenced by Saturday’s scrimmage. The UW runners were challenged by the first team defensive line; nevertheless, the Huskies should have a much better running game this season. The punting game looks solid in the hands of walk-on Garth Erickson and scholarship freshman Sean Douglas. Walk-on punter Isaac Woldeit, the Rudy of the team, shows promise. Michael Braunstein had a good day kicking the ball; however, most likely, walk-on Evan Knudson will be Washington’s field goal kicker in the opener against Ohio State. Look for Braunstein to handle the kickoffs. Tim Galloway and Owen Biddle will handle the long snaps, while Mike Mapu has the “fastball” for the short snaps and is progressing in that area of special teams play. The UW spent an hour or more on special teams play Friday, practicing a variety of punting and kickoff drills. Freshman Quinton Daniels may be the third receiver Coach Gilbertson is looking for. The UW has a plethora of talented young receivers, and any one of them could step to the fore. It’s experience they lack. On defense, Gilby is looking for a couple of safeties. The NCAA clearing house has resolved whatever issues it had with true freshman Chris Hemphill, and he was at camp Thursday; Gilby wants to give him a look at free safety. A rangy, tall athlete, Hemphill has the look of a player who can provide some help this season. Camp Awards -- Best-hair award: Ben Bandel (see photo above; number 89. Dash Crutchley (85) stands next to him). Mike Mapu has a mop of hair that wins him a close second. -- Most-distinguished-look award: Mike Mapu, who has a touch of gray in his black hair. -- Rudy award: Walk-on Isaac Woldeit. During the gassers, he led the pack to the finish line. -- Starting-tailback award: Rich Alexis. Period. -- Best-shoes award: Me. Terry Johnson complimented me on my white sports shoes, which were designed for Ken Griffey, Jr. -- Most-loquacious award: Ted Miller (Seattle Post-Intelligencer): He can fire off ten words while you’re thinking of one. Although he is from Atlanta, he has a Virginia accent. He attended the University of Richmond, majoring in English. A literature buff, he said he grew his hair long when he was at school and took theoretical literature classes, wanting to be an English professor. I’m glad he isn’t a prof; the dawgs need Miller’s objective coverage. |
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No other college team in America can match the specter of a
Cody Pickett launching passes to a Reggie or an E.T. In college football today,
it is unlikely to find a talented trio that has played together that long, with
that much talent, where one of them hasn’t taken the early path to the NFL. All
three could be playing in the NFL next year – they are that good.