Locker Gives Huskies a Chance at an Upset
September 17th, 2009 by cstarkThe development of Jake Locker under both offensive coordinator, Doug Nussmeier and head coach, Steve Sarkisian gives Washington a definite advantage at the quarterback position for their upcoming battle with the USC Trojans.
The Trojans feature a true freshman in Matt Barkley at QB and where as he is considered one of the outstanding freshmen at that position in the country, the fact remains he is just that, an 18 year old true freshman. He was only 14 of 31 and 1 interception against Ohio State and even though he led his team on a game winning drive to win the game, much of the work was done by running back, Joe McKnight. He already was wearing a brace on his left knee and came out of the Buckeye contest with a sore shoulder to boot and might not even play this week.
Meanwhile, Locker, already a tremendous athlete with 4.4 40 speed, has made incredible strides as a college quarterback. Both Nussmeier and Sarkisian have played the position professionally and have been coaching quarterbacks themselves with Nussmeier most recently working with Marc Bulger of the Rams in addition to developing record setting Drew Stanton at Michigan State.
Sarkisian has only produced the likes of Carson Palmer, Matt Leinart, John David Booty, and Mark Sanchez and now works hand in hand with Nussmeier developing, who he thinks is the best athlete of all of them, Jake Locker.
Already a great runner, Locker has now developed a full arsenal of throws from the deep ball to drag routes, to screen passes, to sit-down routes, to TE routes, to dumps to the backs. He has such a much better understanding of his options on all passes that he has literally thrown to 9 different receivers in each of the first two games. He knows when to run now and he will against USC and he will be the best player on the field.
Jake Locker was already good on a poor team. Now he is great on an improving team. He is humble and a true team player and he alone gives the Huskies a legitimate chance of upsetting USC.
Jake Locker is already signed to be a professional athlete in the sport of baseball but I believe his passion and real goal is to make it in to the NFL as a quarterback. A victory in this game would put him on the map as one the premier players in his position in the country. Of course the win would also make his team the hottest thing in the west.
Jake Locker is the difference in this game. He gives the Dogs the edge.
Scripps Interactive Newspapers Group
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