All the pads come out today

COUGARS

Just a quick note – with a few links – before I head out to practice – the first with full pads – today.

Before we get into the links, I noticed there were some pissy back-and-forth comments between posters yesterday. It wasn’t too bad, but I don’t want to let it get out of hand.

I know there are a lot of places on the Net where civility has gone out the door (I know, because I visit them once in a while). But that’s not going to happen here. You can get on each other a little, you can disagree with each other’s views, but if it gets personal, awful, terrible plagues will descend on your house (frogs, locusts, etc.). And you just might get banned from this site. And when I say personal, I mean that about the WSU players and coaches as well. An opinion about performance is one thing; a personal comment is another. So, please, keep it civil. Remember my rule: If you wouldn’t say it to your mother, don’t say it here.

Now if you think what I’ve written is full of the stuff you put around your tomatoes, well that falls in the performance category, doesn’t it? You can disagree with what I write all you want. I’ll read it and, if it has merit, I’ll take it to heart. If it doesn’t? I’ll just laugh and move on – as long as it’s not personal.

What Robert wrote today wasn’t personal. He thought I should have pointed out in my story this morning on kickoffs how bad the Cougars were last year. He even included statistics.

Thanks Robert, I do understand your point, but I was using this story to look forward not backward. There is a new rule in place, a new coach in place (Dave Walkosky), possible a new kicker, there is a new emphasis … so fans can expect to see something different this season.

Over the next couple weeks, we will be looking at positions, including special teams. That’s where I thought it would be more appropriate to delve into last year’s troubles in all the units – and what’s been done about it – in more depth.

And Rufus, coach Doba never got upset about asking about the injuries. His comment was said in jest, which sometimes is hard to convey in the written word.

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In other Cougar news, Craig Smith of the Times wrote about running back Chris Ivory, who came into camp looking more like a linebacker this year.

• Today’s the first day of practice at San Diego State, the Cougars second opponent of the season (Sept. 8 in Seattle). The Union-Tribune had this story.

• Well, it’s time to get to practice. I’m going to write my story for the paper after it is done, then head back to Spokane for a quick visit with the family - Kim and I will be celebrating our 28th anniversary tonight - so don’t expect another long post until tomorrow. I guess I could post, but that might mean I’m not celebrating 29 next year …