Ben from Pullman, Wash., writes...

Ben from Pullman, Wash., writes: I was wondering why ESPN and everyone is in love with Jake Locker. ... I know he has the athleticism and talent, but his statistics are not even close to a Heisman or a first round quarterback pick. If you look at his career stats page, you will see he only completed 58 percent of his passes last year.

Ted Miller: People are impressed by Jake Locker because: 1. he's big; 2. he's fast; 3. he's smart; 4. he's a great "character" guy; 5. he's got a great arm; 6. his passing has progressively improved; 7. when you watch him on film, it doesn't take long before you go "Wow."

His numbers haven't been terribly impressive because he began as a raw talent and his supporting cast was mediocre-to-bad. He'll pile up plenty of numbers this season.

And, by the way, I get a lot of this in the mailbag. I wish no ill on any team, but the obsessive Locker-doubting makes me wonder if there might be some karmic problems hitting some teams this season when the Huskies come to town.

Jake Locker Magazine Sporting News Article Photo

Tours Northwest Supports Jake Lockers Bid for the Heisman Award - Support Tours NW

Like Erastus Brainerd 103 years ago, we are promoters for all things Seattle and the Northwest! We crow about independent small coffee shops along with Starbucks; we point out Fran's and Theo as well as the hidden gem of Rosie's Chocolates in the Market. We love the new and small (Bad Monkey Bistro) as well as the experienced and fabled (Tom Douglas). We are hot on the leading edge of what is happening in South Lake Union (aka Allentown?) where Amazon is about to bring 10,000 employees/customers to the businesses in the area (the new Pearl District?).

And we will be touting the amazing story of Jake Locker, the UW Quarterback, as it unfolds this year. Jake is an underdog's underdog for the Heisman trophy. We will allude to him whenever we can on our tours to those people from across the country so they too will recognize his name, and pay attention to his exploits.

Each day a guide will be awarded the Locker jersey - No. 10 - to wear during his tours. It will be awarded for qualities that Jake undoubtedly has in spades as a Pac 10 quarterback and local boy made good: teamwork, flexibility, calmness under pressure, etc. WWJD?

Above is a picture of our Guide Gathering (at Bad Monkey Bistro) on July 29th. Dan Malmanger, the owner of Tours Northwest, is donning the purple jersey for this picture, but starting today there will be a new wearer each day. Stay tuned!

"Pizza With Jake Locker" May Be The Cutest Video Ever!

Jake Locker's Summer Schedule Focuses on Football

It appears as though Jake Locker plans to stay around campus this summer and focus on his senior year of football rather then play baseball. "I think it's an important summer for us, so I'm going to spend the summer with those guys and concentrate on the football season."

In addition, he will attend the Manning Passing Academy July 8-11 at Nicholls State in Louisiana, and will also likely attend one of the Steve Clarkson's camps this summer too.

See Why Jake Locker Could Go First to Buffalo in the 2011 NFL Draft

The Bills still do not have an answer under center, and Locker should stay at/near the top of the draft board if he stays healthy.

He's a big, mobile quarterback playing in a sophisticated system at Washington who could be the savior in Buffalo.

Another consideration for the Bills when picking Locker over other top quarterbacks in the 2011 class is the weather similarities between Washington and Buffalo. Nothing against Ryan Mallett, but it doesn't snow sideways in Arkansas.

Bleacher Report

ESPN Interviews Jake Locker

Short interview talking about why he came back and the Heisman hype for 2010.

Jake Locker Ranked as the #1 QB in the Pac-10 for 2010

The Bleacher Report ranked the QB's heading into the 2010 Pac-10 football season and had this to say about Jake Locker.

"Locker is not only the best in the Pac but possible the best in the Country. He has an amazing arm, elite speed and can fit the ball anywhere. He completed over 57% of his passes and would have done more if not for all the dropped passes. Locker also threw for 2800 yards, and 21 touchdowns. Jake Locker was not told not to run to much this year due to the fact the coaching staff wanted to protect him but locker still put up, over 300 yards rushing, and seven touchdowns.

Jake is number one because not only does he have skills, but he also has leadership, and is smart and studies the game more than anyone.
No other Quarterback makes a bigger impact on their team than Locker does."

You can follow the link to read more of the article.

Jake Locker Announces "Run of Hope" Benefiting Children

Jake Locker announced to the local media the formation of a fun-run
benefiting Kyle Roger, a young boy Locker befriended who died recently
of brain cancer. Here is information on Roger and here is information
on the Run of Hope Seattle,
which will be held Oct. 18.

Proof Coach Sark Will Be Able to Make Jake Great!

If you happen to have watched the Jets game tonight you saw in Jets QB Mark Sanchez, great college coaching and fundamentals taught by Coach Sarkisian while he was QB coach and OC at USC. The play I'm referring to in particular was the long pass down the sideline that Mark threw from about the 5 yard line. The ball was snapped Mark scanned the middle of the field made a slight shoulder fake to his left, which freezes the safety, then he adjusted to his right, planted his foot and made a great pass down the sideline.

That slight shoulder movement to his left is what great coaching is all about. Rather than just drop back and square and throw that little movement cleared enough room down field for the ball to be delivered perfectly and is proof that coach Sark knows how to work with QB's at the college level!

What are your thoughts?

Coach Sark Introduces New UW Football Jerseys to Team

In a recent team meeting a day before the 2009 UW spring scrimmage, the team was introduced to two of the three new Jerseys. While the purple on gold looks great and more traditional it was the white on white that got the players attention.

The video would not post but you can link to it here:

Correct Guess on the Wrong End of the Score.

Well, on what could only be described as a beautiful night at Husky Stadium in the weather department, I ended up calling the game outcome correctly I only wish it would have been reversed in terms of the final score. The UW lost to Stanford by 7 in a game that took more than the UW's pride. Jake Locker, the wonderkin from Ferndale, fractured his thumb and is more than likely lost for 6 weeks at playing QB. Jake played safety in high school so there is some talk of him returning to that position within a few weeks to get his athletic ability on the field as he can still play with his hand in a cast for the time being. The UW also lost a running back and a receiver so injuries are starting to mount.

Perhaps the biggest result from tonight is that by being 0-4 with two losses against teams they could of and should have beat, the UW is basically guaranteed a losing season and will more than likely be lucky if they can piece together wins against UCLA and Washington state. Tyrone is basically out the door now as a search for a new coach and staff will more than likely begin behind the scenes. I, for one, have been one of those who wanted Tyrone to be successful here because I believe the measure of a good football team is in more than just wins and losses.

We'll see where the next two months lead us.