Cougs ramping up for first scrimmage

by Jeff Nusser on Apr 3, 2010 10:45 AM PDT

The first scrimmage of WSU football spring practice is taking place as I write this, but since you're obviously not there, I figured I'd pass along a couple of items of note from this morning.

First, our defensive line took another huge blow yesterday. If you've been following Toby Turpin's academic issues from the beginning, you could infer from the reports that it didn't look good. Well, it isn't good, says Grippi:

(D)efensive tackle Toby Turpin had been dismissed from WSU by the Student Conduct Board, we learned this morning. The 6-foot-5, 301-pound Turpin, who started six games last season and made a career-high 28 tackles despite being suspended for the final two games for an undisclosed violation of team rules, was slated to compete for a starting spot. Turpin, from Los Alamitos, Calif., was dismissed from WSU for an academic infraction, according to sources with knowledge of the situation. We'll try to get comment from Wulff today.

Although we can probably guess what the infraction was based on who was involved with the decision, we're not going to speculate publicly. All I know is this is a big dang deal. At this rate, it might not matter at all how improved the offense is -- between the loss of Turpin and Bernard Wolfgramm's chronically tender back, there just might not be enough beef in the middle to stop anyone and keep offensive linemen off our linebackers.

On a brighter note, Paul Wulff is happy with his team's progress.

Paul Wulff after spring practice (via WSUCougarAthletics)

That's it for this morning. We'll be back when the reports from today's scrimmage are in.

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From what I hear Bernard is much healthier this spring.

Losing Turpin does hurt for sure but hopefully Bernard and Rankin can pick up the slack.

by Cougars Hunt and Kill on Apr 3, 2010 11:15 AM PDT reply actions

From Ted Miller

Defensive tackle Bernard Wolfgramm continues to struggle with back problems, but Wulff said he was “moving around and participating in drills better since his back surgery. So that’s promising.” Still, it’s likely his action will be limited this spring.

http://espn.go.com/blog/pac10/tag?name=bernard-wolfgramm

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Apr 3, 2010 11:19 AM PDT up reply actions

depth or not

i can’t muster up anything other than apathy towards a player who hasn’t done anything in his first four years not getting to come back and do nothing for a fifth.

we’re going to suck out loud this year again anyway. might as well the new DTs to the wolves….again.

Witches of Eastman

by BigWood on Apr 3, 2010 12:59 PM PDT reply actions

When healthy with his head screwed on straight last year

I thought it was pretty clear he was our best tackle.

CougCenter

by Jeff Nusser on Apr 3, 2010 7:22 PM PDT up reply actions

5 remain from the 2006 class

Micah Hannam – Likely starter at right tackle depending on Gonzales
Kevin Kooyman – Likely starter with Rankin moving inside :(
Reid Forrest – A really good punter but not a position player
Marcus Richmond – Backup
Anthony Houston – Special teams

This isn’t meant as a dig to Doba or an excuse for Wulff but facts are facts. Very little productivity from the ’05 and ’06 classes. The 2007 class appears to have 10 players left with probably 5 starters in Guerra, Roxas, Blackledge, Nwachukwu, and Justin and probably 3 solid backups in Ayers and hopefully Pencer, and Lobbestael.

Attrition is a killer.

by BornCoug on Apr 3, 2010 3:17 PM PDT reply actions