WSU’s late Monday practice over
COUGARS
Had a chance to talk with Paul Wulff after Monday's practice and asked him some questions concerning a big hit in the Oregon game and some off-field problems. Read on for what he had to say and news about a receiver who will be out for at least a while.
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• When the news broke today concerning the arrest of Jamal Atofau and Andre Barrington – you can read the unedited version of our story here, which we added to this morning's post, so scroll down a little – we were unable to talk with Wulff at the time. But he didn't duck questions about the incident tonight, saying the two were indefinitely suspended. I asked if previous incidents a player was involved plays a role in decisions concerning future punishment, Wulff said "absolutely." I followed that up with a question concerning academic problems and if they would play a role, and Wulff answered in a longer manner. "Not necessarily on academics but like any athlete, if you acquire X amount of issues, there comes a point where enough's enough. So unfortunately at times you have to make tough decisions. And everything isn't necessarily related to legal issues. There are other issues that happen that are a detriment to a team (during) someone's career. You have to weigh in all those factors." Asked if that meant that either or both may be kicked off the team in the near future, Wulff said, "I can't give you that comment yet." I would not be surprised one bit if both were no longer members of the team and an announcement to that effect was made soon. ... I also asked Wulff about Anthony Carpenter's hit on Kenjon Barner and if he felt there was any chance he might be sanctioned for the blow. "Absolutely he should not," Wulff said. "If you look at it, he actually was blocked in the back and slightly got pushed awkwardly into (Barner). If you see it, he was actually going at a different angle and he got pushed in the back and it kind of threw him a little bit across his body right into where he hit him." I asked if Wulff had been contacted by anyone from the conference about the hit and he said no. ... There were quite a few players not practicing Monday, most nursing the usual soreness issues from Saturday or other, earlier injuries. That list included Nolan Washington, Alex Hoffman-Ellis, Chantz Staden, Casey Hamlett, Steven Hoffart, Mike Ledgerwood, Adam Coerper, Chima Nwachukwu and Tyson Pencer. However, one player did get hit with a major injury Saturday. That would be senior receiver Jeffrey Solomon, who suffered a partially torn ACL and knee bruise. The injury will, at the least, cost him a few games if it heals quickly and, at the most, the rest of the season if it doesn't. Solomon, who was on crutches Monday, is third on the team in receptions with 17 for 236 yards (a 13.9 yards per catch average). He had one touchdown and a long of 59 yards. He was injured late in Saturday's game. ... Tight end Andrei Lintz returned to practice Monday. He missed Saturday game with a sore neck.
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• That's all for now. We'll be back in the morning as usual. Until then ...
