The Clean Slate

Coming off a season in which the Washington Huskies went 0-12, it is interesting to see in season previews how the past comes back to haunt the Huskies.

In truth, there is more different with this team than there is the same. The players are still the same, but so much has changed.

It's nothing to surprising, considering that there is an all new face to the program. None of the coaches from the previous regime were kept, even long time coaches like Randy Hart weren't safe.

Coach Steve Sarkisian has replaced that dour silence of Tyrone Willingham with the youthful enthusiasm of a brand new staff.

The effects are starting to show.

For one, there is a huge emphasis being placed on strength and conditioning, with coach Ivan Lewis being credited with creating a leaner and meaner team as a whole.

Bob Condotta actually has an excellent breakdown on the shape that a lot of the kids are in here.

For a second thing, Jake Locker is back, healthy, and looking extremely comfortable learning the pro-style offense.

Sarkisian said in a radio interview several days ago that there is going to be a lot of give and take between the system he wants to run and the talents of Locker as a runner.

It would seem that Sarkisian understands that while he has a system that he likes, the sheer physical tools that Locker possess give a special kind of advantage. Assuming of course they are used correctly.

The thing that bodes well is that the offense coaches seem to understand the game to an acute detail.

Coach Doug Nussmeier, the offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, is a proven groomer of quarterbacks and shows the direction Sarkisian wants to go with the offense.

Proven quarterback play will be the key to the offense, and it is up to Locker to fulfill that duty. Luckily he has shown the acumen and the drive to be a force on the football field.

It's up to the supporting cast to help him out now.

Since fall camp is just starting, it will be interesting to see how the lot of this shakes itself out.

News and Notes

Marques Tuiasasopo, the Husky legend himself, has been helping out during fall camp as an assistant strength coach while trying to sort out his NFL future. I'll try to have more on this as I learn more, as this is great news to have some of the greats coming back to help with practices.

Desmond Trufant, freshman cornerback and brother of Seattle Seahawk Marcus Trufant, had one of the classes he took in high school rejected by the NCAA clearinghouse and will not be able to suit up for the team in practice yet.