Washington Huskies

All players are equal, but some players are more equal than others. That's the basis of our Most Important Player series.

First off, quarterbacks are excluded to make things more interesting. It goes without saying, for example, that Oregon's Marcus Mariota is the Ducks' most important player.

And most important doesn't necessarily have to be "best." An All-American's backup can be pretty darn good, too.

Our most important guys are players who could swing a win total one way or the other, based on their living up to expectations. Or their absence.

Washington: S Sean Parker

2012 production: Tallied 77 tackles, 3.5 tackles for a loss and two interceptions with six passes defended. He also forced three fumbles.

Why Parker is so important: As stated above, quarterbacks are excluded from this series. But we never said anything about excluding the quarterback of the defense. And that's exactly what Sean Parker is for the Huskies -- a quarterback at safety who headlines a surging secondary.

There are a lot of different directions to go with the Huskies. Running back Bishop Sankey is an obvious choice. He's a 1,400-yard rusher who has quickly climbed from by-committee option to A-list playmaker. Kasen Williams and Austin Seferian-Jenkins are strong options as well.

Defensively, there are some good linebacker options in Shaq Thompson, John Timu or Travis Feeney. All could fill this space.

But Parker, who was selected by his teammates as a captain last year, is the guy who makes everything click.

"Tremendous player. Great leader. Really exemplifies what we want back there," said head coach Steve Sarkisian.

As documented, the Huskies' defense made huge strides in 2012 -- particularly in the secondary -- in their first year under defensive coordinator Justin Wilcox. And if they hope to be a Top-25 team -- as many have them slated -- that defense will have to keep improving. Parker will have to keep improving.

He stepped up in some of Washington's biggest games last year. He forced a fumble, had five tackles and a tackle for a loss in the win over Stanford. Against Oregon State he broke up three passes and had an interception that stopped an early drive deep in Washington territory.

This year's schedule isn't quite as daunting. But they still play in the Pac-12 North and they have to travel to Arizona State and UCLA -- not to mention the home opener against Boise State in a rematch of last year's bowl game. But there is plenty of leadership on the Huskies this year and Parker, an all-league honorable mention pick last season, is considered the leader of the leaders.

He's started in all 13 games each of the last two seasons and has been through the peaks and valleys of the program. The Huskies have a chance to ascend to peaks they haven't reached in a decade. If they do, chances are Parker plays a huge role in getting them there.

SEATTLE -- When Steve Sarkisian met with the media Monday, Washington’s coach talked about a team that is “poised for a great run” in 2013.

That journey begins Tuesday when the Huskies take the field for their first spring practice.

“We’re champing at the bit to get on the field and get going,” Sarkisian said.

Sarkisian believes the pieces are in place for the program to compete for a Pac-12 title. To do that, Washington needs to find success and build confidence this spring.

Here are five storylines to follow as the Huskies set out to reach the lofty expectations that have been set in front of the program:

1: Can Keith Price regain the form he showed as a sophomore?

Heading into the spring, Price is Washington’s quarterback. Sarkisian made that clear when asked about the senior quarterback.

However, Sarkisian also made it clear that the Huskies’ passing attack needs to take a step forward, and Price needs to regain the confidence he had as a sophomore.

“The goal is to get Keith Price back to playing the way he was two years ago,” Sarkisian said.

With the way Price, and the team, struggled at times last season, both the quarterback and coaching staff tried to manufacture the energy Price produced so naturally as a sophomore.

It didn’t work.

“It’s developed through confidence, through belief to where it exudes out of him and it’s not trying to be created superficially,” Sarkisian said.

Through Price’s offseason training, Sarkisian believes the quarterback will regain his swagger in time for theseason. But the other quarterbacks in the program -- Cyler Miles, Jeff Lindquist, Troy Williams and Derrick Brown -- will get their opportunities.

“We’re not going to be stubborn enough to think, if another guy is playing better that guy won’t get that opportunity to beat him out,” Sarkisian said. “[Price] understands the focus of this spring and what he needs to do for himself so that he can perform to the highest level of his capabilities.”

(Read full post)

Editor's note: Throughout the week, HuskyNation will look back at the top 5 moments of the 2012 season. Here is No. 5:

SEATTLE -- When Washington started its 2012 campaign, one of the biggest question marks was pointed at the defense.

After giving up 777 yards and allowing 67 points during a loss to Baylor in the Alamo Bowl to end the previous season, the Huskies revamped their defensive coaching staff. Coach Steve Sarkisian entrusted Justin Wilcox with the job of pointing the program in the right direction on that side of the ball.

Washington started strong on defense in Week 1 with junior safety Will Shamburger capping a strong performance during a 21-12 win over San Diego State. In fact, after the game, quarterback Keith Price said the defense “won the game for us.”

After posting 14 points in the first quarter, the Huskies’ offense was unable to score over the final three frames. Offensive struggles allowed the Aztecs to hang around.

Then the defense delivered.

San Diego State quarterback Ryan Katz completed a pass to Colin Lockett. After an 8-yard gain, Princeton Fuimaono and Talia Crichton hit Lockett, who fumbled the ball.

Shamburger scooped it up and sprinted 44 yards for a touchdown. It was Washington’s only second-half score and essentially sealed a season-opening win.

But, as much as the turnover and touchdown helped to wrap up a victory, it was also the first step toward proving the Huskies were going to be better on defense in 2012.

“We're not going to be the defense of the past,” linebacker Travis Feeney said after the game. “We're going to step it up this year and make sure our defense is good. We're going to be on top of things, as we were today -- always yelling for the ball, always stripping, and always forcing turnovers. Turnovers win the game. That's what we did and it won us the game.”

A look at positives and negatives from No. 23 Washington’s 52-21 loss to No. 2 Oregon at Autzen Stadium.

THREE UP

Bishop Sankey: The sophomore running back had with his third consecutive 100-yard rushing performance, finishing with 104 yards and two touchdowns on 25 carries.

Travis Feeney: The redshirt freshman has been described as long and rangy, and he showed Saturday he is capable of covering a lot of ground. He finished with 12 tackles -- 10 solo -- matching safety Sean Parker for the team lead.

Shaq Thompson: If there was any doubt the freshman is destined to be a big-time player, Thompson erased it against the Ducks. Playing in a hostile environment against the nation’s No. 2 team, Thompson totaled eight tackles. He also picked off a pass on the Ducks’ first drive on a ball that was deflected by cornerback Desmond Trufant.

THREE DOWN

Keith Price: The junior quarterback didn’t have his best night, turning the ball over three times against Oregon. He threw a pick-six in the first quarter and fumbled in the second quarter. That fumble led to another touchdown for the Ducks and, before the game ended, he added a second interception. He finished his day completing 19 of 31 passes for 145 yards.

Austin Seferian-Jenkins: It was clear Washington’s game plan included getting the sophomore tight end involved early. However, after catching a 28-yard pass in the second quarter, he suffered an injury and didn’t return. He finished his day with two catches for 33 yards.

Muffed punt: The Huskies had a chance to take control of the game early. They forced a turnover on Oregon’s first drive and forced on punt on the second. However, that punt was muffed by Marvin Hall and set up the Ducks’ first touchdown, putting Washington in an early hole.