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WSU Pre-Spring Glance, RBs
Written by LucasCoug   
Tuesday, 23 February 2010 08:00

Replacing a great one.

Before we take a look at the Cougars pre-spring depth at running back, here are a few notes from around the league.

The Oregon Ducks still cannot stay out of trouble and Ian Furness had a guy join him yesterday from Oregon Sports Net to discuss. After a few arrests last week, the weekend featured more of the same when a linebacker was arrested for DUI and suspended for the 2010 season.  Wide Receiver Jamere Holland was subsequently booted from the team for a very explicit Facebook post. Funny, but I don't remember these kinds of shenanigans going down under the watchful eye of Bill Moos.

Please stop it Oregon, this is getting downright embarrassing.

Vince Grippi has a great column and interview with Jim Sterk as he departs for SDSU.

Meanwhile, on Sunday night's edition of Q It Up Sports, Quincy Pondexter not only talked about how great he thinks he is, but he guaranteed victory in Pullman in this weekend.  If I remember correctly, the last time a Dawg guaranteed victory over the Cougs it ended a little something like this.  Not to mention the Mutts on the road are nothing short of awful.  With Klay having already decided to return to Pullman next year, maybe he can concentrate on putting the rock in the hole.

Now let's take a look at the pre-spring depth chart for Running Backs, based on eligibility:

Chantz Staden (RS Sr), 5'10", 202 lbs: Staden appeared in 11 games in the 2008 season and racked up 141 yards on 52 carries (2.7 YPC).  Also served as our primary return specialist in 2008, returning 43 kick offs for 22.5 yards an attempt.  He sat out all of last season with a knee injury, but according to Longball, he currently looks a lot beefier.

Marcus Richmond (RS Sr), 6'1", 220 lbs: After posting record setting numbers coming out of high school in Arizona, Richmond has posted very few yards on less than 40 carries in his Wazzu career.  Does provide nice depth, but can't envision him even taking a snap this year.  Will likely be behind Montgomery, Staden, Mitz and Winston.

James Montgomery (RS Sr), 5'10", 202 lbs: According to Coach Wulff, the Cal transplant should be fully recovered...but not until Summer Camp kicks off in August.  Was without a doubt our best back before going down with a freak injury against Hawai'i last season.    Averaged 4.5 YPC on 37 touches.  Expect good things from Monty playing behind a more experienced OLine, with a much better blocking scheme.

Logwone Mitz (RS Jr), 6'1", 224 lbs: Unless he has a breakout year before he leaves, Mitz will likely best be remembered for his 59 yard scamper to get the Cougs fired up and on the scoreboard during the 2008 Apple Cup.  Mitz showed me some great flashes last season and I think it should translate well this year.  When I was on the sideline of the Notre Dame game, he broke off some really nice chunks of yards and when I turned and asked John Johnson whether Mitz will be a Junior or Senior next season, JJ responded "Junior" with a big smile.

Carl Winston (So), 5'8", 197 lbs:  Had his redshirt burned last season after Montgomery went down with an injury.  Had 36 carries for 142 yards (3.9 YPC).  If the team can remain healthy, you would love to see a redshirt applied to this kid, much like they plan to do with Alex Reitnour on the OLine.  Showed some elusiveness reminiscent of Jerome Harrison.

Arthur Burns (RS Fr), 5'10", 206 lbs:  Don't know a ton about Burns other than he get moved to Linebacker late in the season, due to injuries, but didn't play.  Tons of depth at LB leads me to believe he will be carrying the rock for us.  Rated the #68 RB in the land coming out of high school in 2009, with 4.45 speed!

Overview:  With James Montgomery apparently out for spring ball, I would imagine a fierce competition amongst Mitz, Staden, Winston, and maybe Burns and Richmond to be Monty's backup in the Fall.  Love the depth at this position, and I guarantee that with better play from the hogmollies up front, this group will reap the benefits.  These guys have the ability to give the team at least 150 yards per game on the ground, and that would be a drastic improvement over the 848 yards in 2009.

That is all for today.  Go Cougs!

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Anyone
written by gp, February 23, 2010
Hear why atofu was arrested, i cant seem to find it anywhere. thanks
Jamal Otofau
written by Chris '04, February 23, 2010
According to the Pullman Police log, he was involved in a fight. He was arrested for Assault 4th Degree on Feb 19th.
Burns..
written by CWaldburger, February 23, 2010
Man, at 5'1", 206lbs he redefines bowling ball...smilies/grin.gif
Good work Lucas
written by SeanHawk, February 23, 2010
I am holding my breath on Monty after the leg injury, plus knee surgery on the other leg. I hope he can still slash-n-dash by the fall after the injuries. To think how well he was playing even with our lousy QB play and a young, struggaling oline is amazing!

I would love to see Mitz get more touches in short yardage. He is the biggest, most physical, experienced guy on the roster. It is his time to shine and I hope we see good things this spring from him.

Winston is a guy I want to see a lot of this spring. Good quickness, and some junk in the trunk too. Overall, even with losing Tardy, there are still some decent options back there. Now if only the oline is up to task!

On Atofau, wow, another 4th degree assault? Are we trying to set a record at getting arrested on that charge as a team? Is that the third time this year? As many have said, 4th degree is pretty much not a big deal and could be a wide variety of things, but, as usual we should let things settle in and get the details.

...
written by DavidB, February 23, 2010
At least we aren't Oregon...yet. What's with some of these guys? They need to stop and THINK! We were all young and pretty much dumb at some time in our lives. My question becomes, is there anything the athletic department does for the players who may be at risk of this behavior, or all players for that matter to let them know just how not to act in certain situations. I'm more than just a little bit ignorant as to what 4th degree assult is, but as has been pointed out it can't be that serious. Unfortunately it's public and high profile when it concerns an athlete.
As to running backs, I hope Monty can return to the form he had before his injury. Mitz on the other hand needs to step up and show he really can carry the mail. I don't know anything about his work ethic, but I see his skills, and they are there. (I don't know much about anything do I!)
Players
written by Chris '04, February 23, 2010
I have a hard time faulting the players for these stupid little fights some times. From what I've heard, a lot of times they are antagonized ALL NIGHT LONG but stupid drunk college kids. At some point, one of the drunks usually throws the first punch, but ends up getting pummeled by the yoked football player. You have every right to defend yourself, even if your a huge athlete.
...
written by LucasCoug, February 23, 2010
4th degree assault can be as simple as striking fear in somebody or being a bystander in a fight. My senior year I was the victim in a fight and had 4th Degree Assault Charges.

At the time, I was on the Inter-fraternity Council, and the office's director knew about my charges before I did. Needless to say, they were dropped and I never even spoke with PPD.
...
written by DavidB, February 23, 2010
It would be sort of tough to walk away if you're being challenged like that. Can't really blame the kids. I saw some of that when I was in school but don't recall it being an assult charge.
...
written by Soze, February 23, 2010
I'm going to assume that "4th degree assault" is just the terminology to track incidents and really has no punishment behind it. We are only hearing about it, because he's on the football team. I don't think anyone should worry about it... I bet half this board has police records that they don't even know about (I'm looking at you Kaddy and Hooty!)
Sweetness
written by gp, February 23, 2010
Its official. MOOS!
...
written by DavidB, February 23, 2010
He aceppted? How long ago?
True on Moos
written by SeanHawk, February 23, 2010
Cougfan broke it 20 minutes ago. Our guy confirms it too, announcement this afternoon, maybe press conf later tonight or tomorrow, not sure. Either way, GREAT news, and welcome home Moos!!!!!
...
written by DavidB, February 23, 2010
For better or worse, here we go. Hang on people I see some fur about to fly and it won't be all Cougar fur. I hope he does the job everyone thinks he will. It'd be very good for the program and the university as a whole.
...
written by DavidB, February 23, 2010
Now that it's official, let's all get behind this guy and show him how loyal Cougs support their university. No matter what they say, "It's all about the money." I hope he, and we, are ready, willing and able to raise the funds to bring our athletic budget up to other Pac-10 schools.
...
written by dawg, February 23, 2010
haha you d-bag cougs. you really think you will win this saturday just because its in pullman. what, is that gym worth 30 points or something?
...
written by DavidB, February 23, 2010
Hey Dawg are you making the trip, or do you just get off by mouthing off?
DavidB
written by LucasCoug, February 23, 2010
We have a "don't feed the trolls policy" in these parts
...
written by WallaCoug, February 23, 2010
Hey C. Waldburger,

The kid is 5-foot-TEN (not ONE) and 200+ pounds.

Yea Moos! Go Cougs!
...
written by LucasCoug, February 23, 2010
I fixed it, it was a typo on my part smilies/wink.gif
galvin
written by AZjoe, February 24, 2010
look for true freshman ricky galvin out of Berkeley High School (Berkeley, CA) to be an absolute STUD for the cougs the minute he sets foot on campus. The incumbents better watch their backs because Galvin is fast as $hit and is gonna fly past these guys. Tedford will be ripping his hair out that he didnt snatch this guy up!

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