Cougars report: Strategy and personnel

May 2, 2008
The Sports Xchange

Strategy and personnel · Inside slant · Notes, quotes

2008 OUTLOOK: With a new coach, offense, defense and quarterback, this looks like a rebuilding year for the Cougars, who also have some severe depth issues that will make negotiating a 13-game schedule dicey. Still, there are some reasons for hope. The personnel on hand seems a good fit for the no-huddle, spread offense being installed, especially a group of receivers that may be the strength of the team. And while the defense struggled last season, eight starters return and a couple of other players are back from injury or academic issues. A bowl game of any sort would be a major victory for Wulff.

SCOUTING THE OFFENSE
Moving the ball wasn't WSU's problem last year; the Cougars ranked second in the Pac-10 in total offense at 435.6 per game. The Cougars lost four-year starting QB Alex Brink as well as starting receivers Michael Bumpus and Charles Dillon. Senior Gary Rogers, who has seen some spot playing time in key situations, will take over as the starting QB, running the team's new no-huddle, spread offense. Four offensive linemen return, and Brandon Gibson is back to lead a receiving corps that should still be solid. The biggest concern is at running back, where leading returnees Christopher Ivory and Dwight Tardy are battling injuries -- Ivory also has academic issues.

SCOUTING THE DEFENSE
The Cougars rarely stopped anybody last year, which raises an important issue -- is having eight returning starters from a group like that a good thing? But the new staff is tweaking things a bit, returning to a 4-3, hoping to better utilize the talent on hand. Andy Mattingly, a rising star as a linebacker a year ago, is moving to defensive end to take advantage of his pass-rush skills. WSU's linebackers will be the strength of the defense and will feature three returning senior starters led by MLB Greg Trent. The secondary may be the biggest question and wasn't helped by the absence during the spring of starting CB Devin Giles, who sat out to concentrate on academics.

SCOUTING THE SPECIAL TEAMS
In the Mike Price era, special teams were often a strength. Not so the last few seasons, and the placekicking spots were a particular struggle. WSU ended the spring with uncertainty there, walk-on sophomore Patrick Rooney looking like the starter before missing three attempts in the spring game. Sophomore Reid Forrest, seventh in the Pac-10 last year at 40 yards per game, is back as the punter. Bumpus was the team's main returner the last few years and will need to be replaced, roles that won't be set until the fall.

ROSTER REPORT

--Andy Roof, a senior defensive tackle who returned to the team after a year away to battle personal issues related to alcohol, was arrested on suspicion of assault in late April. His status is uncertain. He had been contending for a significant role up front after moving from offensive line.

--Starting free safety Xavier Hicks was sentenced in April to 45 days in jail after a plea bargain on assault and theft charges. He must serve his time by July 1. It is uncertain if his status with the team will be affected. He practiced throughout the spring after being charged.