Steve Sarkisian leads the UW football team onto the field through a cloud of smoke.
From head coach Steve Sarkisian to volunteer assistant Marques Tuiasosopo, it’s hard not to like the coaching staff of the University of Washington football team.
A group of passionate, excited young teachers that, in many cases, look like they could still take the field themselves are the men in charge of guiding the current roster of Husky players.
Not one year ago, it was an entirely different group that patrolled the Washington sideline on gameday. Led by Tyrone Willingham, the 2008 Husky coaching staff was older, more reserved, and lacking the spark that fades with age and losing. The dispassion exuded by those coaches spawned an atmosphere of gloom and doom on Montlake that seemingly could not be lifted.
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Fun fact: Big Ben sits at his winter weight all season in order to absorb hits from pass-rushing defenders.
Our preview of the 2009 NFL season continues with the AFC North. Teams are ranked by projected finish.
1. Pittsburgh Steelers
Their offensive line is nearly as protective as Travis Henry’s condoms, but that won’t slow the Steel Town juggernaut down any.
Quarterback Ben Roethlisberger is used to making quick, short passes under pressure and he can expect more of the same in ’09. Per usual, wideout Hines Ward will benefit most from this arrangement.
Joining Big Ben in the Steelers’ backfield is the two-headed tailback monster of Willie Parker and Rashard Mendenhall. Both backs were injured in 2008, and are looking to rebound on disappointing seasons from a year ago.
If the line can hold at all, this offense has a chance to make noise.
Not that it matters all that much with a defense as strong as Pittsburgh’s. Opponents can expect a heavy dose of the Steel Curtain’s hard-nosed attack, and that should be enough to lead the black-and-gold to the top of the division once again.
2. Cincinnati Bengals
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