Huskies open fall camp with some distractions
SEATTLE (AP) -- Just what Washington coach Tyrone Willingham needed to start a season where his job is likely at stake: distractions.
The Huskies opened fall camp Monday with the overwhelming belief that Willingham must produce a winning season or else be looking for a new job come next year. But what could have been a day focused on the offseason improvement of sophomore quarterback Jake Locker or the philosophy of new defensive coordinator Ed Donatell instead was dominated by classroom and courtroom issues.
First came the classroom, where starting linebacker E.J. Savannah, the Huskies defensive MVP from a year ago, is academically ineligible. It's another blow for Savannah, who is still recovering from a broken left arm suffered in the spring during a non-football-related incident.
Willingham said Savannah's absence is "indefinite" and even if his academic situation is resolved, other off-the-field issues might still preclude him from being immediately welcomed back to the team.
Once Savannah negotiates the academic hurdle, "all the other things will be considered," the coach said. Willingham has not detailed what the other issues are.
Washington is fortunate to have depth at linebacker, but being without Savannah could be a significant blow. The Huskies will have an almost entirely new defensive line this fall and the depth of the linebackers had some believing that Donatell might consider using a 3-4 defense to make up for the lack of experience.
Last year, Savannah led Washington with 111 tackles and ranked sixth in the Pac-10 with 8.5 tackles per game.
"E.J. was our most productive linebacker last year. But I also think E.J. has an obligation to this team that he hasn't been taking care of," starting linebacker Donald Butler said. "We have to move on. I hope E.J. is here."
Savannah was also held out from the start of spring practice in April. At that time, he was academically eligible but had not "lived up to all the responsibilities of the football team," Willingham said then.
Savannah was at practice Monday, watching in a T-shirt and shorts. He was unavailable for comment.
Two freshmen also have academic issues awaiting resolution from the NCAA clearinghouse. They are Vince Taylor and Senio Kelemente.
Then came the courtroom news, after Willingham had wrapped up his pre-camp media briefing.
Reserve tight end Chris Izbicki was charged Monday with two misdemeanors after being arrested July 20 during a concert at the White River Amphitheater in suburban Auburn. Izbicki was charged with second-degree criminal trespass and minor in possession, and faces an Aug. 14 arraignment in King County District Court in Burien.
Izbicki was at practice Monday afternoon and is expected to compete with starter Michael Gottlieb and freshman Kavario Middleton for playing time this fall.
Aside from the academic and legal problems, the Huskies entered camp Monday at full strength, including the remarkable recovery of center Juan Garcia. While Willingham is taking a cautious approach with his sixth-year center, the fact that Garcia was on the field Monday was another step in his stunning recovery.
The second-team All-Pac-10 selection last year sustained a bone, joint and ligament displacement of his left foot during an April 18 practice. Garcia, who was granted a sixth year of eligibility by the NCAA after missing the 2004 and '05 seasons with injuries, chose not to have surgery on the foot in hopes of playing again by the middle of the '08 season.
Garcia has steadily been ahead of schedule in his recovery from the same type of injury that ended the college career of former Huskies quarterback Isaiah Stanback during a 2006 game. Garcia worked on some drills Monday with his fellow offensive linemen before doing individual work while team drills were taking place.
"There is a great concern as to how well he is progressing. We think it's excellent to this date," Willingham said. "But now we begin practices and that's a different issue. So the posture that we will take is we will be very guarded with him, what we do, how we structure him, to ensure the best case scenario for him." Notes: Among the new additions to the Huskies roster is WR Chancellor Young, who transferred from Duke to Washington in 2005 before becoming academically ineligible. He is participating in camp as a walk-on. ... With Savannah out, Willingham said the starting linebackers to begin camp are Butler, Mason Foster and former walk-on Joshua Gage. ... When asked if he expected his team to make a bowl game, Willingham replied: "yes."
AI
