T.J. Duckett?

I wrote a while back that I have learned to never question Tim Ruskell, because he usually knows what he is doing. I just don't get the Duckett signing, though. Ruskell has said he believes Shaun Alexander can still be productive with fixes on the offensive line and with his health. Maurice Morris has also proven that he can be a contributor as a change of pace back and as a pass catcher. Leonard Weaver was one of the breakout players on last year's team and can be a contributor both in the running and passing game as the full back. So, where does Duckett fit in? At first glance I thought it was with intention of fixing the problems with short yardage situations. But if the problems last season were truly due to the line then that should be fixed with the upgrades on the line. Does this mean the Seahawks pass on taking a running back in the upcoming draft? A draft which is clearly deep at that position and with Ruskell knowing that Alexander is at least close to being finishes if he isn't finished already. It simply doesn't make sense. Maybe all Ruskell's talk about Alexander isn't true and he is just buying his time until he cuts him in June. Otherwise I'm not sure what Duckett gives you that Leonard Weaver doesn't already and he would be just taking a roster spot or carries from the running back of the future.

Joe Wolfinger Comes Alive

Even though the Huskies only got a split in the Bay Are this past weekend, the Huskies managed to play well in back to back games for the first time in a long time. At the center of this inspired effort? None other than 7-footer Joe Wolfinger, who shot the lights out and scored 29 points for the weekend. The Huskies haven't had this kind of inside-outside threat since the Mike Jensen days! Ok, let's not go overboard here, let me rephrase that. The Huskies haven't had this kind of soft big man and defensive liability who can shoot the deep ball since Mike Jensen! Better. Hey, the Dawgs did manage to go to the tournament three years in a row with Jensen as the lone true big man in the starting line-up. Let's not forget that experience wise Wolfinger is essentially a freshman. He red shirted his first season at UW and sat out last season with a foot injury. It should be no surprise the guy is showing improvement. Big guys tend to be slow to develop as it is, but then also throw in the fact that he sat out an entire year, because of injury and then was limited throughout the off-season and early season practices. Like Jensen, Wolfinger will probably never be a big low post threat or great rebounder or a defensive presence. But if he can continue to fill the role he played over the weekend -- shooting and pulling an opposing big away from the basket -- then he can be a solid contributor in the future. Heck, in my book all he has to do pass Jensen is not make a stupid foul in the closing seconds of a tournament game and not cost the Dawgs a trip to the Elite-8.