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Times reporter Bob Condotta keeps the news coming about the Montlake Dawgs.

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August 21, 2007 5:17 PM

Tuesday practice notes

More today from Bud Withers, who's subbing for Bob Condotta:

One aspect of his defense that UW coordinator Kent Baer would like to see improve is that of takeaways. But he's not sure exactly how to go about it. Baer doesn't buy the theory that it's something easily practiced.

Referring to Mike Holmgren's late defensive guru Fritz Shurmur, Baer said, "I got to spend some time with him at clinics and read his book. He said he was always amazed at how defensive coordinators try to come up with drills [for takeaways]. The bottom line is, they just happen."

But Baer concedes, "When you start creating turnovers, it's like wildfire. It happens even more."

Washington created only 14 takeaways last year and was eighth in turnover margin in the Pac-10, committing 22 turnovers. The Huskies recovered only four opponent fumbles.

"I've been on teams where they had a whole lot of turnovers and scored a whole lot of points," Baer said. "And I've been on teams where we emphasized it just as much and didn't get them."

In other news:

While UW coach Tyrone Willingham let float the hint that Washington could use both quarterbacks, Jake Locker and Carl Bonnell, while games are in question, it's clear where his sentiment lies.

"I think leadership is best when you have a real vision of that leader," Willingham said. "I think it would be very difficult for us to have two head coaches. I would think it would be very difficult to have two quarterbacks extend their leadership on a football team."

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