Eagles work past pesky injuries
Despite a host of nagging injuries, Eastern Washington football coach Paul Wulff was pleased as the first week of practice for his fourth-ranked Eagles came to a close.
“So far, it’s been real solid,” he said on Thursday. “The kids have been real consistent in their effort and performance. We’ve been real happy with that.
“We’ve missed so many kids so early in camp. Normally as camp goes along you lose kids, but it started with so many kids down. It’s a little hard to judge, but it’s been a solid, solid first week. By no means are we ready to play a game. We have to keep practicing and those injured kids have to get on the field.”
The Eagles open at San Jose State on Sept. 3, and none of the players currently sidelined are expected to miss the game.
“There are two ways to look at it,” Wulff said. “There’s the frustration that the kids that are injured need to get more reps to get better. That slows up their progress as a player.
“But it gives kids more reps who wouldn’t have got as many, so you’re developing good depth. … As the season progresses you’re going to have some injuries so you’re going to have kids step in who have played a little bit.”
Though the Eagles are a veteran team, a couple have stood out, starting with senior wide receiver Craig McIntyre.
He has been the main target for All-American quarterback Erik Meyer and backup Chris Peerboom with All-American wide receiver Eric Kimble nursing a hamstring he injured before camp.
“We’re very happy with Craig,” Wulff said. “Obviously, with Eric on one side there’s going to be an opportunity for him to have a lot of one-on-one matchups. Being a senior, he has to take every one of those. If he can execute we can have a big year on offense and that will actually free Eric up again.
“Craig needs to be a threat. We need him to play at an all-conference level. He can’t play at a level below an all-conference level.”
While Kimble was all-everything last year, setting Big Sky records for season (19) and career (34) touchdowns, McIntyre had 38 catches for 520 yards and four scores. The former walk-on from West Valley was honorable mention all-conference.
“Johnny Hanson has played well at defensive end and Jesse Hendrix has had a very good camp at corner,” Wulff added. “Harrison Nickolao (295-pound senior defensive tackle) has played well; he has lost some weight. (Sophomore offensive right tackle) Zach Wasielewski is doing a fine job taking over for (graduated) Paul Terrell and (backup left tackle) Chris Perkins has played well.”
His list of newcomers included tight end Shawn Powell, who has been slowed by a hip flexor, running back Dale Morris, the brother of Seahawks running back Maurice Morris, and left guard Julian Stewart.
The Eagles have one practice today at 9 a.m. and two Saturday, including a scrimmage at 2:30 at Woodward Field.