Football
Associated Press 18y

Year two of Willingham regime begins for Huskies

SEATTLE -- Relaxation replaced apprehension. Knowledge
trumped uncertainty.

The start of Tyrone Willingham's second year at Washington on
Tuesday was filled with far more understanding from all parties
than the same day a year ago.

"That's exactly what it was like last year. Everyone was
nervous about what was going to go on with fall camp," senior
cornerback Dashon Goldson said. "A lot of guys were nervous. This
year we're more relaxed. Everyone knows what's going to happen at
practice and what coaches expect."

The downtrodden Huskies are coming off a 2-9 campaign in
Willingham's first season, and are just 1-15 in Pac-10 Conference
play the in the past two years.

Nevertheless, the stoic coach is approaching 2006 with an air of
confidence that seems to be resonating with his players. Some of
that can be attributed to familiarity. For many players, last year
brought the third different coach in their career at Washington,
each with a different system, approach and terminology.

For example, the Huskies offensive line.

"Every year, except this year, we've had a different offensive
line coach," said fifth-year senior offensive guard Stanley
Daniels. "Each time you have to learn a different scheme, a
different technique, a different lingo and that's a big, big
deal."

Washington will not practice in full pads until Saturday, as
mandated by NCAA rules. Tuesday's practice was the first chance for
Willingham to see if his players followed their prescribed summer
workout programs.

There were a few absences. Junior college transfers Aaron Mason
(OL), Anthony Atkins (DE) and Ashlee Palmer (S) were all still
taking summer classes and will not practice until at least the end
of the second summer school session on Aug. 18. Willingham said
their situation was still pending.

Freshman Leilyon Myers was also having an issue clearing his
high school transcripts with the NCAA and wouldn't be practicing
immediately.

Willingham also addressed the four players previously declared
academically ineligible, including heralded running back J.R.
Hasty. Hasty, wide receiver Chancellor Young, offensive lineman
Nathan Flowers and reserve wide receiver Charles Smith all remain
academically ineligible.

"For any reason, if there is a player that departs our program,
I am upset and disturbed," Willingham said. "What you're in it
for is to help and assist young people. I think we do a fair job of
that, but you're always looking to how I can do it better."

Willingham said he doesn't remember having four players declared
academically ineligible before.

Unlike last year, there was no question who the Huskies
quarterback will be. Senior Isaiah Stanback is firmly entrenched as
the starter after throwing for 2,136 yards and rushing for another
353 yards last year, and then following up with a strong
performance during spring practice.

There are still questions about who will block for Stanback, who
will catch his passes and if there is enough depth at running back
to take pressure off the athletic quarterback. But Stanback has
emerged as a leader everyone is comfortable with.

"The No. 1 thing is his intelligence about the game and about
our system," Willingham said. "Because of his growth in all
aspects, it has pronounced him even more as a leader of this
football team."

Game notes
RB Kenny James, who has a fractured right forearm, will
practice with a splint for a few weeks, but should be ready for the
season opener on Sept. 2 against San Jose State. ... Willingham
wouldn't fully rule out using freshman QB Jake Locker at another
position, but said it probably wasn't realistic and he has no
intentions on using Locker as anything but a quarterback. "I do
believe and I do like Jake's future at quarterback," Willingham
said. ... Goldson, who moved from safety to cornerback during
spring practice, sprained his right ankle a few weeks ago and will
be limited for the first week of practice. ... Redshirt freshman OL
Morgan Rosborough was listed at 390 pounds on the Huskies' roster.
Asked if he is less than that, Willingham said, "I think he is,
but I'm not sure if he had breakfast this morning."

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