Underclassmen Filling The Gap Simmons, Genatone Look To Be Solid Middle Linebackers For WSU

Champ Simmons was supposed to be, at best, a spot player this season.

Turns out he is the player on the spot.

Right now the sophomore has the edge over freshman Al Genatone in the battle for the starting middle linebacker position. Had Curtis Holden, the sixth-leading tackler in the Pac-10 last year, not had academic trouble, Simmons and Genatone would be battling for the second-string job. Instead, they are battling not to be second string.

“A couple of days ago Genatone looked better than Champ,” said defensive coordinator Bill Doba. “But Champ has got the edge because of the spring.”

Genatone missed spring ball because of a broken thumb that required surgery. Holden was being held out of spring ball by the coaching staff because of his grades. So Simmons was moved from the outside linebacker spot to the middle.

“The first time this spring we moved inside, he said `Oh great, that’s what I played in high school”’ said Doba. “And you could see, without any coaching, he did it all naturally.”

But natural ability is only going to get you so far in the Pac-10. Both Simmons (6-foot-1, 212 pounds) and Genatone (6-0, 220) are finding that out.

“My biggest thing now is getting off blocks and making tackles,” Simmons said. “Getting into the backfield and getting the tackle.”

“He is a smart football player,” said Doba. “He knows all his assignments. He’s just got to read his keys a little quicker. He is getting cut off by the center and other people. Film will help you but you really got to be on the field and gain experience.”

Simmons did get a little time on the field last season as one of the five true freshmen who played. But he did not start and most of his six tackles came on special teams.

Still, compared to Genatone, Simmons is a veteran.

“I’m pretty rusty,” Genatone said.

Genatone has tried to knock some of that rust off this fall. Genatone does provide the Cougars with more of a solid presence as far as working off blocks and getting to the ball carrier. Where Simmons has to use his quickness and cannot take on the bigger players, Genatone might be able to inflict a little more damage, bounce off and wrap up the ball carrier.

“He keeps his shoulders parallel and works downhill really well,” Doba said. “And he is doing a nice job with his pass drops.”

The pass drops could be an important factor this season. If Lamont Thompson does not make it back the secondary may not have the personnel to cover mistakes.

But one thing for certain is that the two outside linebackers, juniors Raonall Smith and James Price, can make up for a lot of inexperience in the middle.

“If you are going to miss one (a player of Holden’s caliber), this would be the year to miss one because those other two can make up for a lot,” Doba said.

“That just makes it easier for me to be a role player and go out there and do my job,” Simmons added. “I don’t want to try to do too much but do enough.”

Class of 1999 update

Former Cougars linebacker Grady Emerson has landed a coaching and teaching job at Gonzaga Prep. Emmerson, a member of the 1997 Rose Bowl team, will be teaching math at G-Prep. He will be coaching linebackers and defensive line.

Another former Cougar, Steve Gleason, is continuing his quest to make the NFL. Gleason, a former G-Prep standout, has been a specialteams standout for the Indianapolis Colts. He has switched position from linebacker to safety.

Rian Lindell, the Cougars kicker for the past three seasons, was recently cut from the Dallas Cowboys. Lindell was one of two kickers left in camp (Tim Seder of Ashland College was the other) before the cut on Tuesday. It is likely he will be given a shot with another team.

Offensive lineman Ryan Tujague is still with the New England Patriots. Safety Earl Riley continues to stick with Kansas City. Rob Meier, the only Cougar drafted last season, is still on the Jacksonville roster.

Injury report

Offensive lineman Ryan Raymond underwent another MRI on his knee and the results showed no significant damage and should return in a week. It was confirmed by the training staff that wide receiver Jason White had a high ankle sprain and is expected to be out at least three weeks.