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Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Many Questions Await Cougars In Spring Drills Practices Start Wednesday, But Everyone Won’t Be There

Ryan Leaf will be the quarterback, Michael Black will be the running back and at least one coach will mention just how hard these kids have worked during winter conditioning.

This much seems certain.

Just about everything else is subject to debate as Washington State prepares to open spring football practices Wednesday.

Who will replace All-America offensive lineman Scott Sanderson and all-conference middle linebacker James Darling?

Will Leaf’s left knee, the subject of a Jan. 28 operation to repair a torn meniscus suffered against Oregon State last season, allow him to participate fully this spring?

Perhaps most significantly, will starting defensive tackles Leon Bender and Gary Holmes remain starting defensive tackles? Will Bender, whose academic troubles are again an issue, even be part of the team?

“Leon won’t be involved in spring ball,” coach Mike Price revealed in an interview. “He just needs to continue to work hard to get his act together.”

Holmes, meanwhile, has been bothered by recurring back pain.

He was injured last summer and was not at 100 percent last season. The 6-foot-5, 320-pound Bender and the 6-7, 315-pound Holmes gave WSU an intimidating defensive front. Bender, after missing the 1995 season to bring up his grades at a junior college, led the Cougars with 13.5 tackles for losses last season. Holmes had six tackles for losses and a 55-yard interception return.

Their uncertain status is one reason Price and defensive coordinator Bill Doba have altered WSU’s defensive approach.

“We’re going to do some interchanging of the defensive tackles and the defensive ends,” Price said. “That might mean a linebacker rushing on the end.

“We’re going to try to use our personnel on defense a little differently to play our best players so we don’t get stuck having to play with a tackle that’s maybe not as good as a backup end.”

That means ends Dorian Boose and Shane Doyle will play tackle, too. Boose, at 280 pounds, was already equipped. Doyle has added 30 pounds and now weighs 275, Price said.

Most of the other developments so far have involved position changes.

Bryant Thomas and Nep Drummer have moved from receiver to defensive back; Jason Clayton has moved from receiver to running back; and Chris Dixon has moved from linebacker to running back.

Spring notes

Delmar Morais, who started at defensive tackle until suffering a season-ending knee injury in late September, will again compete for playing time, Price said. … Love Jefferson and Ivan Mercer are the favorites at tight end. Former Colfax High star Jon Kincaid, who suffered a severe ankle injury against Oregon last season, may not be able to return.

Price called this team the fastest in his nine seasons at Washington State. He said cornerback Dee Moronkola recently ran the 40-yard dash in 4.25 seconds. … Cutting down on penalties is again a top priority, Price said.

“I think as our team matures we’re going to become a more disciplined team (and) cut down our penalties,” he said. “We have six veteran wide receivers, a veteran running back, a veteran center - that should help.” The Cougars have for many years ranked among the most penalized teams in the Pac-10.

, DataTimes