Lots of news from WSU, Pac-10
COUGARS
Yes, it's Wednesday already and the short week just seems to get shorter. Let's get right to it. After all, we have some more from long snapper Zach Enyeart, the video star. Read on.
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• Washington State: Yesterday was filled with an eclectic mix of Cougar items, from Louis Bland's arrest to Ken Bone's interview sessions to, yes, we can say it, a long-snapper-turned-web-star. We talked with Zach Enyeart last night by phone from Arizona, where he and punter Reid Forrest are staying while they get ready for Pro Day at WSU and the NFL draft. Turns out the idea for the video came from a couple marketing guys in Enyeart's agent's office and they had kicked it around even before he signed. But it's something he knew he could pull off, so last Saturday, while Forrest was at the NFL combine, they decided to film it. It took about six hours total, was shot at Tempe High, the house Forrest and Enyeart are staying in and the golf course next door. The longest scene to film was the first one, the one from the stands into the trash can. Enyeart said that was one he wanted in for sure, a 35-to-40-yard snap from elevation into a trash can. He said about six rimmed off before he finally made one. From there, it was pretty easy. After all the shots were done, the guys cut it together and they posted it on Monday at about 4:30. The response has just blown Enyeart away. He said that, sure, he sees it as a promotional tool of his abilities, but more than anything, after seeing the trick shots by the guys throwing the football, he thought it would be fun trying to top it by snapping. (Having a son who was a long snapper all through high school, I know that they look at the world upside down.) When the video went viral, spread around the world by Facebook and all that social media yahoo stuff, the calls started coming. Then PTI picked it up and showed it yesterday. Enyeart and Forrest watched the show, "cracking up the whole time," Enyeart said. Then even more calls came. A buddy in New York called to let him know he saw it on PTI in a barbershop with a bunch of strangers. Talk about surreal. Enyeart's 15 minutes of fame probably aren't over yet, but today it's back at working out with Forrest as they try to realize a dream. And, if someone tries to top the video? Enyeart says he's ready with some other shots, maybe even some from WSU (he mentioned the library but I'm not spilling any secrets here). ... I have one other piece of Washington State news I swore I passed on last week but, after doing a search, I realized I hadn't. Former safety LeAndre Daniels underwent more surgery on his neck in Seattle in late February and is back in a halo. Though Daniels had been healing well from his first surgery and was out of the halo, imaging showed more work was called for to make sure the neck was stable. After talking with an expert in Seattle, Daniels decided to move forward and get it done now. The hope is, after this surgery heals, he'll be good for the rest of his life. ... According to Scout.com this morning, Washington State offered Deone Bucannon's brother David a ride last night. ... And that's it from Pullman today, where the big snow dump (there was more than a foot on the ground) is starting to melt away.
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• Around the Pac-10: Lots of stuff here. ... Arizona lost twice in Los Angeles last week and a culprit was discovered. It was the media's fault. This week, no interviews from the players in Tucson. ... Stanford played its final non-conference game of the season – the Cardinal meet Cal this weekend – and defeated Seattle U., 77-66, in Stanford. ... Washington is trying to get back on track after the defeat to WSU and with UCLA coming in Thursday. The formula? Work on the defense. ... Isaiah Thomas worked on a lot in his two years at prep school. ... Are the Bruins a team on the rise? And what can football coach Rick Neuheisel learn from Ben Howland?And how good has Reeves Nelson been? ... Oregon State will try to get another win at McKale. If that happens, the Wildcats may never talk with the media again. ... Which Pac-10 players make their free throws (and shots) down the stretch? This post tells you. One thing it shows, the Cougars seem to shoot well when it really matters. ... A last piece of news. Oregon State receiver James Rodgers had to have more work done on his injured knee, which is not a good thing. Sadly, there is some question whether Rodgers will be able to get back on the field next season.
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• That's all we have this morning. We'll be back at some point today, so you can either check here every 5 minutes or so or you can follow us on Twitter (vinceg55) and you'll know right away when we've put something up. Until later ...
