The Morning Haul: 8/23

ASJ is cleared to play in the opener! It wasn’t really announced, necessarily, but Sark specifically did not include the star tight end’s name when listing the players he expects to miss the home contest against Boise State on August 31st. It turns out that veteran offensive lineman Erik Kohler and freshman corner Patrick Enewally are the only two currently expected to sit out the game. Hopefully the team avoids further injury, because if they do, they are going to be entering the season in much, much better shape than last season.

Stories Especially Worth Reading:

I know, I know. Another Times articles. But this one is about Deontae Cooper and it’s by Jerry Brewer. Use one of your monthly quota. It’s something that just about every Husky fan has said multiple times in the past few years, but I don’t care: I can’t wait to see Cooper run the football. It will be one of those rare, all is right with the world type moments, and hopefully it will take place during the very first game in the new Husky Stadium. I’ve never met Cooper, but as a freshman at UW I would often see him walking to class, always smiling even when he was on crutches from the last ACL tear. I think everyone needs to see this guy get what he’s worked for.

From Wednesday, but in case you missed it, here’s a look at greyshirt defensive tackle Jaimie Bryant and former verbal commit Sammy Long. A year in limbo like that has to be tough for a young player, though if he reports to the team in shape and mentally focused after such a significant period on his own, I would think it would reflect well on his personal work ethic. Oh, and more on those freshmen wide receivers that you’ve been hearing so much about.

Here the Dawg Pound examines the cornerbacks, and in this post focused on the kicking job won by Travis Coons, Gregg Bell also delves into the cornerback competition. Interesting in that the Dawg Pound tabs Marcus Peters as the leader and the number one man. On the flip side, Bell feels that Ducre is the closest to a lock while Peters and Cleveland Wallace are competing for the second spot. Just goes to show that the secondary is not settled and that multiple players will need to step up, most likely Peters and Ducre, for Washington to succeed on defense this year.