A GRIP ON SPORTS

Yesterday we didn't write a lot due to back problems. Well, after a trip to the doctor and pharmacist (who I presumed was a Cougar because almost every pharmacist around here is a Cougar), we're doing a bit better. A bit better, as in we can actually sit at our computer and type without screaming. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

I don't want to sound like a wuss, but this isn't easy today. Read on.

COUGARS

FROM SEATTLE — Heading back to the Palouse this morning, but wanted to put this post together first because there are a few links out there worthy of your attention. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS • ADDITION: 9:25 A.M.

Really, could there have been better weather to celebrate Mother's Day? The sun was shining, the temperature rose into the high 70s and the weeds seemed to almost pull themselves. OK, I was exaggerating a bit on that last part, but it was nearly perfect. And if you live outside of the Inland Northwest and your day was cloudy and blah, I'm sorry for gloating. Read on.

University of Idaho wide receiver Ken McRoyal was shot and killed at around 1:30 a.m. Sunday morning at a Los Angeles party, according to a Los Angeles TV station. UI confirmed McRoyal's death, but provided no details.

McRoyal, a senior-to-be and former walk-on from the Los Angeles area, posted on his Facebook page that he was in LA to visit his 2-year-old daughter. “It’s a devastating loss,” coach Robb Akey said. “We’ve lost a brother, a teammate, a family member. But, more importantly, a momma lost her son today.”

More details to follow.
  

A GRIP ON SPORTS

So what's a blogger to do on Mother's Day? Tell a story about mom? Would that be present enough? It's going to have to be. Read on.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

As most of you know, I'm a big Felix Hernandez booster. The guy can pitch, it's as simple as that. But yesterday evening, I found myself quietly rooting for Hernandez to fail. Don't judge me. Read on.

COUGARS

FROM SEATTLE — There's just enough news to link to on this Saturday that we'll put together a morning post for you. Read on.

It wasn't exactly how you draw it up.

Spokane survived a sloppy, penalty- and turnover-filled game to pull out a 68-62 win over New Orleans on Friday night. Some of the uneven play was to be expected with Spokane working in seven new starters and losing standout receiver Brandon Thompkins to injury for most of the game. Some miscues simply couldn't be explained, such as a New Orleans' receiver getting behind three defensive backs for a 28-yard touchdown catch on the final play of the first half and Spokane messing up a potential game-winning PAT.

The Shock won it overtime when Terrance Sanders made his second interception of the game, to go along with two kick returns for TDs. Sanders' OT pick and 31-yard return set up Kyle Rowley's game-winning 1-yard TD run.

My unedited game story is below.

COUGARS

FROM SEATTLE — Over on the west side of the state for a few days, and the WSU news keeps coming — Cougfan.com is reporting that Paul Wulff has been hired as an offensive assistant for the San Francisco 49ers.

I've spent the last couple hours trying to track down some details, but messages left for both Wulff and the 49ers have not been returned yet. According to Cougfan, Wulff didn't want to go into much detail about the position, so little is known about what his duties might be.

I'll update when I can obtain more information.

Christian Caple can be reached at christianc@spokesman.com. Twitter: @ChristianCaple

It's been a while since Spokane played an AFL home game. It was April 14 when the Shock thrashed Milwaukee. The Shock then had a bye, defeated Jacksonville on the road before losing big at Utah last Friday.

Now they're back home with several new faces on the roster. More on tonight's game with New Orleans.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

When I started this morning, the temperature outside was in the mid-30s. Now it is in the mid-40s. Oh the power of sunshine. Now if the sun could only make up for no Mariner game and little other news to link. Read on.

COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN — There are a few reports circulating today that 6-foot-10 center James Hunter, who played at Gillette (junior) College the past two seasons, has committed to play at Washington State.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

One of the definitions of ownership is “legal right of possession; proprietorship.” Sounds like what the Mariners have over the Tigers right now. Read on.

COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN — We have a few WSU-related links to pass along. Continue reading if you want to continue reading. We'll keep it short.

The moves keep coming for the Spokane Shock. The team put OL Palauni Ma Sun (knee) and DL Jonathan Williams (shoulder) on injured reserve and signed three players, including two who have worn Shock jerseys in the past.

Spokane is bringing back LB Levi Madarieta, who played on the Shock's 2006 arenafootball2 championship team before joining the Boise Burn, and DL Mike Alston, who was on last year's squad. DL Chris Tucker also signed with Spokane.

Spokane is one beat up football team.

The team practiced Tuesday at the Arena with the number of sidelined players (11) chasing the number that suited up (20). There were several new faces and probably will be a few more before the Shock take the field against New Orleans on Friday. The practice was sloppy and head coach Andy Olson gave the players time to reflect on that fact afterward with some extra conditioning.

More here.

A GRIP ON SPORTS

A little known fact: I grew up next to a major league baseball pitcher. A former Mariners pitcher. And, from time to time, I would spend a few days with him in Seattle. Once, while driving to the Kingdome, he made a statement that resonated through the years last night, following the last out of the M's loss, an out that prompts a little baseball etiquette lesson. Read on.

COUGARS

FROM PULLMAN — No major news on the WSU landscape on Tuesday, but there turned out to be enough to put together a post, pass along some notes and some links, then be on our way. Read on.

Spokane made changes to nearly 1/3 of its roster Monday, most notably signing OL Chris Pino (a familiar name to Shock followers), putting LB Beau Bell on injured reserve and placing WR Adron Tennell and DL Brandon Sharpe on league suspension.

I'm heading out to Shock practice in a couple minutes and I'll post a notebook later tonight.

More on Monday's moves below.