Ailing Cougars Set To Don Pads
Uncertainty at right offensive tackle and two nagging injuries on defense are the primary concerns as Washington State opens the full-contact portion of two-a-day football practices today.
Junior Ryan McShane is battling sophomore Rob Rainville and freshman Jon Ottenbreit at right tackle, while starting right cornerback Shad Hinchen and projected starting defensive tackle Gary Holmes continue to miss valuable practice time with painful ailments.
“Offensive right tackle is a big question mark for us right now,” head coach Mike Price said. “Right now, I’d say Scott Sanderson, Jason McEndoo, Cory Withrow and Brian Chiu can all play at this level and play very well. We’re looking for the fifth guy and haven’t found him yet.”
Zach Edwards, who was No. 1 on the pre-season depth chart before undergoing season-ending shoulder surgery last August, is battling Chiu at right guard, but hasn’t been entirely healthy. McShane had been considered the favorite at right tackle, but has yet to fully recover from injuries sustained in an auto accident.
“Ryan is going slowly in getting back into health and Robby Rainville has made the greatest improvement from spring to summer camp,” said offensive coordinator John McDonnel, who also helps coach the offensive line.
On defense, Hinchen is suffering from tendinitis in his knees and Holmes received an injection for a herniated disk in his back, according to Mark Smaha, WSU’s director of athletic medicine. Both players are out indefinitely.
“Hinchen has a really acute case of tendinitis, but it shouldn’t threaten his season,” Smaha said. “With Holmes, it’s not a huge chunk, but it is there. It isn’t considered surgical at this point.”
Hinchen became a starter midway through last season and figures largely in the plans of secondary coach Craig Bray. “I think he has the potential to be one of the better corners in the league,” Bray said. “He was having a good camp. (His injury) worries us a little bit because he can’t even jog right now.”
With Hinchen and several other veterans returning, Bray feels he now has the depth to employ coverage schemes using five or six defensive backs.
“We’re not going to be able to line up and take away the best receivers in the country on a consistent basis singling people up,” he said, “but by changing up coverages and making sure we have help in certain places, I think we’re going to be good.
“And as good as we are is always going to be predicated on how well we are at defensive line, because we’re only as good as the time we give the quarterback to throw the ball.”
That’s where Holmes would help.
“He’s missing a lot of valuable experience and practice time, but I expect him to be OK,” Price said. ” I don’t know if he’ll be ready for Colorado (in the season-opener Aug. 31) or not.”
Quotebook
“I’ve never seen a guy play in 1-1/2 games and get more press and more writeup in my life.” - Price, commenting on defensive tackle Leon Bender, who continues to attract attention while awaiting word on his eligibility.
, DataTimes