Deone Bucannon named to NFL all-rookie team by Pro Football Writers of America

While he was playing at WSU, we all thought that Deone Bucannon has the ability to do something special. He had the speed, the skill, and definitely the power. (Exhibit one) (And two) (How about a 3rd?) A lot of people, however, were surprised when the Bu-Cannon went as early as he did. Most mocks had him into the second or third rounds. Arizona saw something they liked and took him in the first round with the 27th overall pick.

As the season drew closer, playing time looked like it was going to be light. Arizona is home to some very good safeties, including Rashad Johnson, Tony Jefferson and Tyrann Mathieu and Bucannon appeared to be behind all of them. But, once linebacker Daryl Washington was suspended for his 2nd substance abuse violation, the Cardinals saw an opportunity to move Bucannon into his spot. Nearly all of Bucannon's snaps came as part the team's nickel package against multiple receiver sets. He was in a coverage role, but his official title for pretty much all of his playing time was linebacker.

Despite all this, The Pro Football Writers of America have named Bucannon to the All-Rookie team as a safety, along with Green Bay's Ha Ha Clinton-Dix. The full list of honors is here.

Bucannon himself has mentioned that he sees himself moving back into the full-time safety position at some point. But, with Arizona's defensive coordinator leaving the team to become the head man for the New York Jets, we'll just have to wait and see what happens to Bucannon and the entire Cardinal defense.

As long as we get to watching Deone do stuff like this, I don't care what happens.

Important Internet Poll: Update!

I mentioned last week that, unlike other internet polls, WSU was involved in one that actually matters this time. Coach Kent is participating in the Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge in an attempt to raise money for Team Gleason. You have until January 25th to vote and right now he's only standing at 2% of the vote. We can do better Cougs.

Home | Infiniti Coaches' Charity Challenge
Coach Kent is participating and attempting to win money for Team Gleason. It's a bracket style tournament, with more money given out the deeper the coaches go. Get in there. Vote early. Vote often. Win money for Team Gleason.

Basketball

Cougars Hit The Road For Matchup At No. 9 Oregon State - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
WSU faces Oregon State Friday on the Pac-12 Networks at 6 p.m.

Pac-12 men's basketball power rankings - Boulder Daily Camera
Two weeks into the Pac-12 season, it's tough to make sense of the conference. (WSU is 4th! 4TH!!)

Awards!

Presley, Halliday Named Sports Star of the Year Nominees - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State student-athletes Connor Halliday and Tia Presley were nominated for the 2015 MTR Western Sports Star of the Year Awards, the Seattle Sports Commission announced recently.

Non-Revenue

Cougar Soccer Adds Two Student-Athletes - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Grace Hancock and Julia Reneau have each enrolled at Washington State for the 2015 spring semester and will compete in women’s soccer for the Cougars next fall.

T&F Starts Indoor Season at Seattle, Boise - Washington State University Official Athletic Site
Washington State University’s indoor track and field teams open the 2015 indoor season at two different meets.