Cougars finish first day of practice

PULLMAN – The t-shirts are easy to spot when surrounded by a crowd of Washington State football players.

On the back, in big, block letters, is the word FINISH.

That, as head coach Bill Doba and quarterback Alex Brink noted Sunday afternoon, is the goal for the 2006 season, and with good reason after so many fourth quarters went awry in 2005.

“It’s been a catch phrase, whatever, the whole offseason,” Brink said. “We’ve put on t-shirts and used it as motivation. We’re not dwelling on last year at all. It’s something we need to be aware of, need to learn from.

“People outside the program are going to bring it up no matter what, until it changes, until that perception changes. When we win a few close ballgames, we’re going to be a ‘clutch team.’ Or something like that. We’ll get there eventually.”

Before the Cougars can put any finishing touches on games this season, however, they needed to start. And Sunday was the day for just that, with WSU taking the practice field for the first time of the fall, peering less than a month ahead with a night game at Auburn looming as the season opener.

Before taking on a team that is touted as a top SEC power and national title contender, the Cougars have plenty of work to do. But in the beginning, at least, Doba said the focus is on getting details right – especially with players on the practice field sans pads for the first few days.

“We can’t get a lot (of contact work) done anyway, so this is kind of the time where you set the tempo in practice and insist on the little things,” he said. “It’s how much they retain from the spring practice. We’ll find out … how much the (new kids) can do or how quickly they can learn.”

Though it’s been no secret through the summer, the most pressing concern for WSU resides at cornerback, where outside of Tyron Brackenridge – himself largely unproven, but having nailed down a starting spot – everything seems to be up for grabs.

Don Turner took most of the repetitions with the first team Sunday, but that’s no surprise as the senior, a University High grad, is the most experienced veteran amongst a host of newcomers and fresh faces.

Junior college transfers Markus Dawes, who made a nice interception on the final play of practice, Brian Williams and Brian Walker, whose arrival remains in doubt because of transcript issues, could be a factor. So too could true freshman Kerry Maddox, who played in the Texas high school all-star game just last week. And sophomore Courtney Williams might also be in the discussion as well.

Doba and the Cougars would like to get that settled as quickly as possible, and it’s clear from an observation from the coach following practice that he doesn’t intend to waste any time as August days dwindle and the date with Auburn nears.

“I heard somebody say, ‘One down, 28 to go.’ Well that’s the wrong attitude. We’ve go 28 more to get better. It’s not one down. Every practice is an opportunity to go out and improve.”

Notes

Doba said that defensive lineman Odell Howard and Paul Stevens are suspended indefinitely, stemming from a violation of team policy. The head coach declined to provide any further detail, saying “I’d rather talk about the guys who are here.” … Aside from Walker, Bryan Tarkington remains ineligible to practice with the team because of transcript issues. The defensive tackle, whose arrival was first anticipated from junior college a year ago, is in Pullman pending the paperwork. Freshman Marcus Richmond is also still waiting for approval from the NCAA Clearinghouse before beginning practice. … One returner, Jason Price, a tight end whose Cougar career began in the spring, is at home because of NCAA academic issues. Doba said he was unsure when or if those would be resolved. … Three scholarship returners are injured and unable to practice at this point: linebacker Jason Stripling, out until at least mid-September; tight end Bryan Baird; and offensive lineman Colin Donovan. … Doba was impressed with junior college wideout Charles Dillon, suggesting the newcomer could have an impact this season. … Defensive tackle Ropati Pitoitua will miss part of today’s practice to become a U.S. citizen.