Grip on Sports: Our early warning system is working overtime this time of year
A GRIP ON SPORTS • The front page of the S-R this morning took me back to the 1980s, when the Cold War was all the rage. It also got me thinking about early warning systems and all that. It can apply to sports you know. Read on.
••••••••••
• The DEFCON warning system was instituted by the U.S. military back in the 1950s, and made famous in movies ranging from “War Games” to “Crimson Tide.” But the system’s knowledge has receded into the background as the Cold War melted away and the earth seemed at peace.
But the sporting world is never really at peace, is it? There are always warning signs out there if you are willing to look. We are. So we did. And we pass along our thoughts for some of the area’s teams. Remember, DEFCON 5 is peace, DEFCON 1 is war. In simpler terms, 5 is let’s-watch-TV relaxed, 1 is oh-my-goodness-we’re-in-trouble bad.
• Mariners, DEFCON 2: You would think the M’s would have receded to a 3 or 4 by now, but don’t be fooled. Though they are playing better, the warning signs still remain. We’re keeping them on high alert due to the problems with the starting pitching.
(The Times’ Matt Calkins delved into those problems today with his column. He didn’t say it in so many words, but I will: Relying on hitting to get you through the stretch run, or to the World Series, is a risky proposition with a high probability of failure.)
• Seahawks, DEFCON 3: Yes, Seattle is solid. And, yes, the Hawks have just as good a shot as anyone in the NFC to make the Super Bowl. But the past couple years have been marked by injuries (see Thomas, Earl), odd losses (see Rams, Los Angeles) and players expressing themselves in ways detrimental to the team (see Clark, Frank).
Pete Carroll will probably be happy when the real games begin. At that point the enemy becomes whoever is on the schedule that week, not each other or some straw man an outspoken player wants to knock down in the national media. And the DEFCON level should move back to 4. At least until the first Rams game.
• U. of Washington, DEFCON 4: The Huskies are going to be good again. Really good. Every thing I read about them enforces that, especially the way the defensive front is playing – all the while facing an excellent offensive line. Heck, it’s so quiet near Montlake, I was tempted to make UW my only DEFCON 5 entity. OK, I will. Put them at the peace setting.
• Washington State, DEFCON 3: It seems as if the questions at wide receiver are being answered positively. It also seems as if the questions up front are still there. If those were the only two items to discuss, the Cougars would be at DEFCON 4. But there is one more area of concern. No, it’s not whether Mike Leach will type something on Twitter Bill Moos will regret. We know that’s going to happen at some point.
It’s more a worry whether Cougar fans will be happy if WSU goes 8-4 or 7-5 in the regular season. A couple of years ago a record like that would have made them ecstatic. Now the expectations have been raised. (Sorry, but I may be contributing to that.) A good season may not be good enough.
• Eastern Washington, DEFCON 4: There was so much turnover in Cheney in the offseason, everyone should be on alert. And the early season schedule features four tough battles, three of them on the road. But when you have the best FCS quarterback in town and a winning tradition, there are many reasons to stay calm. But in the ever-changing world we live in, that tranquility may not last.
• Idaho, DEFCON 2: The Vandals are in their final year in the FBS ranks. They have a veteran quarterback and are coming off a 9-4 bowl season. There is a veteran coach with job security leading the way. All of those things should lessen the worry. But there is a flip side to each one.
This is the final FBS year, the final year in a Sun Belt Conference that kicked Idaho out and has no love lost for a school thousands of miles away from everyone else. Matt Linehan’s presence has caused three talented backup quarterbacks to leave in the past three years, so depth at the most important position is problematic. And there has been a dustup between coach Paul Petrino and someone just about every year. All that being said, the Vandals seem to thrive on anxiety, so DEFCON 2 probably helps them.
• High school football, DEFCON 1: The doctor portrayed by Will Smith in the movie “Concussion” came out recently and called youth football a form of child abuse. Schools all over America have seen their number of participants fall. It’s tough to find enough officials. Crowds are down, reduced by a variety of reasons including colleges playing more games on Friday nights.
The sport has to battle back. But how, no one is quite sure.
•••
WSU: So what is happening in Lewiston? Theo Lawson tells you every day. Well, after today, he will be back in Pullman, as the Cougars are cutting short their time in the valley and heading back to Martin Stadium. Theo has that story as well as telling us kicker Erik Powell is working smarter, not harder. Oh, and a high school lineman in California has committed to WSU. … Creativity is the watchword at preseason camp, even from the announcers. … The Times’ Stefanie Loh passes along a story on the Cougars’ young linebackers. … Dale Grummert has a story on new center Fred Mauigoa. … Sports Illustrated takes a look at the Cougars. … On the golf course, Derek Bayley dropped into second at the Washington State amateur. … Around the Pac-12, there is always news to pass along and we do that every day. … Here are six Washington players who impressed during the first week of camp. Dante Pettis has always impressed. … As Oregon’s linemen work toward the perfect pad pop, there have been some number and position changes. … An Oregon State tight end has returned from a knee injury and joined in practice. … Colorado will rely on its offense. … Maybe it’s the altitude, but Utah always seems to have great punters. … USC’s defense is pretty much set. So is the team’s attitude. … UCLA will have a sophomore in the middle of its defense. … Arizona State expects its defense to be better. … So does Arizona.
EWU: The best receiver in Eastern history is gone to the NFL, but as Jim Allen relays, Cooper Kupp is still on everyone’s mind. Though there is a new generation ready to blaze its own routes. … If you are happy with the Eastern radio broadcasts, then you should be happy over this news Jim passes along. … Elsewhere in the Big Sky, Montana State’s defense wants to give its offense more chances with the ball. … Idaho State’s president has announced his retirement just days after a booster revolt. The players are trying to ignore it. … North Dakota has a big hole to fill. … A lack of height hasn’t stopped a Southern Utah defensive lineman.
Idaho: The Vandals granted Gunnar Amos, the former Coeur d’Alene High quarterback, his release. Amos is headed to Idaho State.
Preps: Central Valley High has a new athletic director but her face is familiar to GSL fans.
Indians: Games in the lower ends of the minor leagues are about learning. And learning always includes making mistakes. But usually not as many as were made last night in Everett, where the Indians dropped an 8-7 decision in a game with nine errors. … Around the Northwest League, Hillsboro lost to Salem-Keizer again and Boise pounced on Eugene once more.
Mariners: For the first time this season, the M’s sit three games above the .500 mark. They have the best record in the American League since the All-Star break. And they have a lead in the race for the second wild-card spot. All good if you are a Mariner fan. Another good thing for M’s fans? Dave Nichols’ Mariners Log. With links to lots of stories.
Seahawks: Believe it or not, the Hawks are already through nine practices. … Have they decided who will be the backup quarterback yet? Probably not. … Germain Ifedi has recovered enough from Clark’s punch to return to practice. … The devil is in the details of any contract.
•••
• Sooner or later this hot weather will break. My money is on November, but it might happen before then. Until later …