Is Washington Quarterback Jake Locker Good or Not?

Quantum physicists need not continue to pester me with tales of parallel universes existing in an infinite number of dimensions, for here in the Seattle sports world their theories have taken life.

In one universe, Washington quarterback Jake Locker is the team's best player, a semi-finalist for a national award given to the nation's best college QB, and a possible top five pick in next year's NFL draft.

In another universe, Locker isn't that good.

How else to explain the wildly different conclusions evident to our area's sports fans? Thousands of Washingtonians buy Jake Locker's #10 jersey. Locker gets the biggest cheers in pre-game introductions. And Seahawk fans (many of whom double as Husky adherents) want our NFL team to make Locker their quarterback after he leaves Washington.

And then there are other fans. Who note that the Huskies have lost 18 of Locker's 24 starts. That Locker throws crippling interceptions. That he makes poor reads. That three freshman Pac-10 QBs have amassed better completion percentages and quarterback ratings than Locker.

Spurred by Locker-crazy visitors to his blog, astute Seahawks blogger John Morgan of the site Field Gulls scouted the Husky quarterback in Washington's game against Oregon this weekend. He did not like what he saw.

(Locker) makes some curious reads and does not show consistent accuracy. Locker has a nice mix of touch and arm-strength, but those are secondary abilities, of little worth before a quarterback has mastered pocket-presence, read and accuracy. ... He exhibits major red flags: pocket presence, decision making and consistent accuracy. ... Locker must first prove he can be a great college quarterback before Seattle fans envision him a great Seahawks quarterback.

To be fair, Locker was struggling with a bruised quadriceps suffered early in the game. Still, a great college quarterback should be able to succeed without much mobility. Marshall University's Byron Leftwich, a future NFLer, once led a 17-point comeback playing on a broken leg.

While there's no question that Locker is the best athlete to play quarterback at Washington, athleticism is not important for a quarterback in a pro-style system like Steve Sarkisian's.

Look no further than the Seahawks: Backup Seneca Wallace can dunk a basketball, while starter Matt Hasselbeck, with his wrecked back, would probably need a ladder just to touch the net. But Hasselbeck's started the Seahawks' only two wins this season. Wallace is 0 for 3.

Lord knows I'm rooting for Locker; I'm hopelessly addicted to Washington football, have been since I was four years old, and I'd prefer to see wins when I, inevitably, watch the games. (I've seen or heard every Husky game live since '04 save one, and that one was because I was at a Husky basketball game. Yes, ladies, I'm single).

I tend to agree with Morgan, though. Locker may be a terrific, game-changing college player, but he isn't NFL-ready. The Seahawks should be on the lookout for Matt Hasselbeck's replacement, but Locker isn't it.