Washington State Football: Cougar Commentary
By Lew Wright
Nov. 23, 2012; Pullman, WA, USA; Washington State Cougars head coach Mike Leach takes the field before a game against the Washington Huskies at Martin Stadium. Mandatory Credit: James Snook-USA TODAY Sports
On the eve of Independence Day for our proud nation, let me weigh in with some independent thought on the state of Washington State Cougar football.
Fall camp has yet to begin for head coach Mike Leach and his squad of competitors itching to get back to playing the game they love. The coaching staff has returned from their recruiting road trips.
There will be no, repeat, no NLOI signed by high school or JC prospects between now and February of 2014.
The same can be said about ever other top notch Pac-12 football program at this time of year.
Truth be told, there are few facts featured in football fodder of late.
Projecting season records, player performances, Heisman candidates, bowl games or the all-important Top 25 before perennial powerhouses Western Carolina and Middle Tennessee charge onto the field to begin College Football 2013 is fun but rather hollow failing to fill a ferocious appetite for Cougar football.
So what is a writer who covers college football supposed to offer as insightful content as fans across the country are poised to fire up their grills, munch on way-too-many tasty chips and enjoy their favorite adult beverage?
Simple answer to questioning current content. Writers tend to set aside their reporting hats and get downright creative this time of year.
With the disappointment of Washington State’s 2012 campaign lingering, SI.com put out a story detailing why Mike Leach has “Something To Prove” in just his second year in Pullman.
Really?
Good chance I’m overreacting, but Leach has an extensive résumé for any and all to peruse. Perhaps writer Zac Ellis was suggesting the 3-9 record posted by WSU last season calls into question whether or not Leach is a Pac-12 caliber head coach.
That, my friends, is some pretty darn creative stuff!
Athlon Sports recently published a story by Joe DiSalvo on the best players in the conference. Big surprise in this piece was DiSalvo snubbing the entire WSU roster.
OK, maybe that shouldn’t come as a surprise.
Cougfan.com has completed running a series on the Top 10 Cougs for 2013. Nice twist by the folks at CFC.com. They polled their readers to compile their list. Their angle reminded me of voting for prom queen in terms of importance.
Just because we haven’t even seen to what degree the veterans have matured going into fall camp or if there will be any true freshman capable of following in the footsteps of the 17 first-year guys who saw playing time for the Cougs in 2012, lets tap ten top players to tackle the 2013 turnaround.
Imagine you and I are on common ground when it comes to measuring how anxious we are to see the Cougs take the field against Auburn in just a few short weeks. Sharing our reasoning will assuredly offer independent perspectives.
There are a myriad of ways we can appreciate our independence.
Talking, reading or even writing about Cougar football are just a few of the options we are free to pursue.
Dare to be different. Set aside our natural desires to wax on with our individual and unique expert opinions.
Dec. 23, 2012; Glendale, AZ, USA: Detailed view of an American flag during the game between the Arizona Cardinals against the Chicago Bears at University of Phoenix Stadium. The Bears defeated the Cardinals 28-13. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
Tomorrow is about waving the flags…Old Glory, WSU, state flags, etc.
In particular we should unfurl the stars and stripes honoring the rich heritage, sacrifices made to install and preserve our independence and the uncommon history of America.
After that, we are privileged to return to substantive discussions about whether Mike Leach will prove something this coming season, or the need for a running game, or better play by the offensive line, or nasty effort in the trenches from the defensive line and on and on and on…
GO COUGS!!!