Defense mechanism in place
PULLMAN — Not many people would expect every single preseason question to be answered in a month of spring practices.
On offense — quarterbacking quandary aside — that hasn’t been the case for Washington State University. Holes on the offensive line, depth problems at running back and health issues at wide receiver and tight end have practically vanished in a flurry of offensive productivity.
On defense, though … well, that’s another story.
The linebackers, without Will Derting all spring, barely have enough scholarship players to take the field. The defensive line could be strong, but it needs to mature and could use a little more depth. The secondary is looking for three new starters, and has been hit-or-miss thus far.
Add it all up, and it’s no wonder why head coach Bill Doba is playing defense while talking about his defense.
“It kind of looks like, ‘Oh boy, what’s going to happen to our defense?’ And I think our defense is going to be just fine,” he said Tuesday, harkening back to the team’s most recent scrimmage for an example.
“I know the defense has been taking the rap for not stopping anybody, but when you break it down the one defense gave up one touchdown on Jerome Harrison’s run, and hopefully a lot of defenses give up a touchdown on that run. He had the whole flow going (one way) and reversed his field. He made a great play. You’ve got to remember, when we go one versus one, we’re putting the ball on the 50, the 40, the 30.”
But even on Harrison’s dazzling, 40-yard touchdown scamper from Saturday, Cougars defensive coordinator Robb Akey pointed out that there’s another way to look at it.
“It was a great run, but we also had an opportunity to make a tackle for a loss, so I was disappointed,” he said. “We’re making progress. You always want to be demanding and you don’t want to see big plays given up.”
While players like Harrison may be destined to get their touchdowns no matter who is playing defense, Akey said he’s looking forward to the day when the most basic questions on his side of the ball are answered, even if that won’t happen until August.
“I’m anxious to get the secondary solidified, but that’s not going to happen until two-a-days,” Akey said. “And we’re going to have to stay healthy at linebacker, and we’re going to have to stay healthy at defensive tackle. That’s for sure. What we’ve done is try to stay very basic with what we’ve done defensively so our secondary that is young and is competing can get good at the basic things that we’re going to hang our hat on. We can expand on the other stuff later and then we can bring in little pieces. We’re still trying to find out what guys can do.”
Notes
Defensive end Mike Graise, praised earlier in the day by coach Bill Doba for having a nice spring, was out Tuesday afternoon with a sprained right wrist and his return by the end of the week is uncertain. … Defensive end Adam West and fullback Brandon Asuega-Stark both made returns to practice after missing last week with injuries. … Cornerback Ian Bell also missed practice with a sprained ankle. … The Cougars will be back on the field at 3:30 p.m. Thursday, then again at 1 p.m. Saturday for the final scrimmage, the Crimson and Gray game. … Former WSU wide receiver Chris Jackson, currently a WR/linebacker for the Georgia Force (8-3) of the Arena Football League, was named U.S. Army Ironman of the Week. In Saturday’s 56-53 victory over the Austin Wranglers, Jackson had 13 receptions for 133 yards and two touchdowns. He added a 7-yard rushing TD, a 57-yard kickoff return for TD, and two tackles on defense.