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Playing Locker on other side difficult to defend.

Article Excerpt
Byline: Bob Clark The Register-Guard

Is Washington serious about moving Jake Locker to another position while his broken right thumb heals?

"It is possible," UW coach Tyrone Willingham said Monday. "I can't tell you where right now."

Willingham said there were up to seven positions that Locker could play on the football field, and while he obviously would make a good running back, playing a skill position on offense won't be possible with the cast on his broken thumb.

"Hopefully, for the Apple Cup (on Nov. 22), maybe he can come back and play quarterback by then," UW offensive coordinator Tim Lappano said.

But defense? Locker said he wants to return in a couple of weeks and play somewhere, so safety or maybe outside linebacker would seem like the only options. Are the Huskies that desperate? Well, ...

"If he wants to do it, let's go," Lappano said. "That's coach Willingham's call but you know (Locker) is asking."

Let him ask. Then tell him no.

There is, first of all, the increased risk of injury.

"Well, you always run that risk," Willingham said. "But this is a young man, like a lot of the young men in our program, (who) would be willing to do anything to help the football team be successful and win."

Locker always seemed like an injury waiting to happen, with his all-out style of running and playing. He was injured throwing a block.

But play him on defense?...