Good morning Cougs. Lots to get to on a busy Tuesday, so here we go.
This
week's release has been, well, released. Some glimmers of hope as well, as both Bernard Wolfgramm at d-tackle and Chima Nwachukwu at strong safety now have the "or" next to their names, meaning they COULD either play or start? We'll see. The rest of the week will tell the tale there. Talk about a defense that needs reinforcements right now! You know, with this week's release, there are only THREE cornerbacks even listed?? Aire Justin at one corner, Terrance Hayward at the other corner, and Shane Thomas is the backup to both positions. Brandon Jones, nursing a back injury suffered vs. the Beavs, isn't even listed on the depth chart. Get ready for a ton of 3-man defensive fronts, with every linebacker dropping deep into coverage. They have no other choice.
I guess if Justin or Hayward need a breather, they might be able to throw Chima in there at corner for a few plays?
Grippi's post-practice report says Chima was running with the DB's on Monday, so that's good. I guess if Chima can't go, Easton Johnson, still sporting jersey #81 as a WR, will start at safety. Johnson, you might remember, logged 10 tackles at the strong safety spot after switching positions last week from wide receiver to safety(!). Amazing.
It also sounds as though Jeff Tuel practiced a little bit, and he's got that "or" next to his name on the release as well. But as Sir Grippi points out, even if Tuel can play on Saturday,
according to Paul Wulff, Kevin Lopina will start.
Meanwhile,
Paul Wulff's conference call yesterday came with some news - Wulff says he and his coaching staff are welcome back next year, per Howie Stalwick:
In a conference call with reporters ahead of Saturday’s Apple Cup against Washington, Wulff said Sterk has been “very reassuring about what we’ve been doing.”
“(Sterk’s) very excited about how much work we’ve done and moving forward. It’s been outstanding,” Wulff said. “As we move into next year you’re going to see a hugely improved team, one of the most improved teams around. We’ve got all the ingredients to take a giant step as a team.”
That's great for Wulff, if true. I mean we all want to believe this, that Sterk and the rest are all on the same page, excited about where this thing is headed, not where it's been. And maybe he's right, and things are about to take a huge step forward next season with yet another year of off-season conditioning, growth, a return to health for an amazing number of injured, and of course, more recruits to come in and provide the depth they so desperately crave in Pullman. But will the entire coaching staff get off scott-free? That might not be as clear. I guess we'll see what happens after Saturday, but it sure sounds promising for Wulff.
Moving on,
Bud Withers absolutely NAILED the current WSU "situation" with coach Wulff and the program in general. Among the many things to see here are Wulff's continued avoidance of the JC quick-fix, the absolute lack of playmakers and speed and how that's about to change, and his absolute belief that they are killing it in recruiting right now (despite the national recruiting rankings in the 50's or somewhere in there). A good perspective on pretty much everything, as we've come to expect from Withers.
Finally, we heard from Richard Bray, director of Donor and Community Relations, Society of
St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King Co. There is a good cause going on this week, in an effort to help Seattle's homeless. Check it out:
As the weather turns bone-chilling cold, Washington Husky and Washington State Cougar fans are being challenged to see who can bring more blankets and coats for the homeless and needy as part of St. Vincent de Paul of Seattle/King County’s “Competition of Caring” drive-- part of the Apple Cup football game on Saturday, November 28. Fans are invited to bring an item to Husky Stadium between noon and 3:30 pm as they enter the stadium. There will be a Cougar Bin and Husky Bin at each location. Fans will place items in their favorite team’s bin. One hundred volunteers from community will be on hand to encircle Husky Stadium to collect donations. St. Vincent de Paul will announce the Competition of Caring winning team by twitter at www.twitter.com/svdp_seattle.org.
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