What’s wrong with a little mystery between rivals?
A GRIP ON SPORTS
How would you define "gamesmanship?" Type the word into your Google machine and it spits out such words as "questionable" and "ploy" and "unethical." All words with negative connotations. But is it really all that bad? Read on.
• Yesterday, Eastern Washington University football coach Beau Baldwin told the Eagle faithful Vernon Adams' playing status was a "game-time decision." That, it would seem, would be the height of gamesmanship. See, Adams (pictured), quite possibly the best quarterback at the FCS level, has been out since Oct. 4 with a couple broken bones in his right foot. This week's game vs. Montana marks five weeks since the injury, the earliest time frame given for his return when he was injured. So will he start in arguably the Eagles most-important regular season game – both teams have just one Big Sky Conference defeat – or will backup Jordan West continue to lead the offense? "They'll both practice," Baldwin said yesterday, "and it will be a game-time decision." That's certainly not definitive either way, positive or negative. Baldwin may actually know the answer, whether it is Adams will sit this weekend, rest up during next week's bye and then shake the rust off in the final regular season contest against Portland State or be ready to go full-bore against the rival Grizzlies. But even if Baldwin does – and there is no evidence that is true – why let anyone know? There is no upside to it, other than adhering to the old English proverb that honesty is the best policy. By injecting doubt, Baldwin is forcing the Griz to prepare for West, a more traditional, drop-back passer whose launch point in the pocket is pretty consistent, and Adams, the most elusive, accurate-on-the-run quarterback in the Northwest. Two things to prep for means less time working on either one. That's just good sense. And gamesmanship. But there's nothing negative about it, no matter how you define it.
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• WSU: There is no gamesmanship going on at Washington State, this week at least. Luke Falk is the starting quarterback. Connor Halliday is, as of yesterday, still at Pullman Regional Medical Center, recovering from surgery on his broken ankle. Jacob Thorpe has more in this story on Halliday's injury, something Mike Leach talked about yesterday in his news conference. ... Speaking of the media availability, there are videos here on the blog of Leach and the two players who spoke. ... Jacob also has his first look at Saturday's opponent, Oregon State as well as a morning post today with links. ... Jacob's grades for the USC game were not all that positive, especially for the receivers. ... Oregon State's defense (pictured) isn't getting better. ... Mondays are always a good day for looking back on the weekend's games. ... Klay Thompson's exceptional start to the NBA season has been recognized by the league.
• Gonzaga: NBCSports.com takes a look at the upcoming GU basketball season.
• EWU: The status of the quarterbacks is the subject of Jim Allen's story this morning. ... It's not going to be fun in Missoula tonight as 60 Minutes Sports will air a report on Showtime delving into the rape allegations of a few years ago.
• Preps: Jim, pulling double duty, also has an advance of the girls' soccer postseason in Washington. ... The final NWPrepsNow power rankings have Lake City in the top spot.
• Whitworth: The Pirates traveled east on Interstate 90 and lost 94-79 to Montana in an exhibition game. George Valle led Whitworth with 21 points before fouling out.
• Seahawks: We've said it before. Pete Carroll is always looking for the pony. Pessimistic he's not. And he sees the corner being turned for the Hawks. He sees the injuries starting to clear up. And he sees a few breaks coming Seattle's way. ... Hey, Marshawn Lynch spoke with the media Sunday. ... The snap count numbers vs. the Raiders are interesting. So are the TV ratings.
• Mariners: Their peers believe Felix Hernandez was the best pitcher in the American League this season and Chris Young made the best comeback. Both won the players' awards last night. ... The M's didn't give any of their potential free agents a qualifying offer yesterday but some of the players they may have targeted were recipients. That means if the M's sign them, they will lose their first-round draft pick. ... The M's made a minor roster move yesterday.
• Sounders: The 1-1 draw in Dallas was built upon strong goalkeeping from Stefan Frei, solid defense and, quite possibly, a player missing for FC Dallas.
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• That's it for this morning, as wet and windy of a day as we've seen in a while. We're back on the radio this afternoon, teaming with Keith Osso and Rick Lukens at 700 ESPN. You can listen here between 3 and 6 p.m. Until then ...
