Happy Monday Cougs.  Here's hoping the weekend treated you well and you are back to the grind, ready to roll for another week.

First, a moment of silence for the fading-fast Coug hoopsters.  What a tailspin, and while I'm no expert, I can't even blame it on Klay Thompson's struggles anymore, as he appears to be scoring again these last few games.  But for whatever reason they just can't buy a win right now, pure and simple, and it could be a quick exit on Wednesday from the Pac-10 tourney.

That said, I thought it would be fun to go in the way-back machine to, oh, I don't know, how about 2008 Mr. Peabody? 


The hoops team went to the Sweet 16 not so long ago, remember?



One Shining Moment is right!  That two-year run with the 2007 breakthrough year and the 2008 Sweet 16, that's just something I know I'll never forget.  So many good players too - Weaver, Low, Rochestie, Baynes, Cowgill, Harmeling, the list just goes on and on.  At first I wasn't sure about embedding a video like that, and what good it could do.....but then I thought it is easy to forget the good when you are struggling through the bad?!?  I don't know about you, but I wanted to feel good about hoops again.....if only for a little while. 

Anyway, enough hoops.  Today is the day we flip to the defensive side of the football, and take a glance at the pre-spring condition of the WSU defensive line (note - our pre-spring glances can be found here for QB's, here for running backs,  here for WR's and here for O-line and tight ends).  Read on for more....


Defensive Line
Projected Starting Tackles:

Bernard Wolfgramm (RS-SR), 6-3, 288. 
2009 Stats: 9 games (9 starts), 10 tackles, 1 tackle for loss. 
Notes: Have to say that overall, many were disappointed in Wolfgramm's production in 2009.  While true playmaking d-tackles can be difficult to find, still, just 10 total tackles in nine starts isn't what a lot of people had in mind with Wolfgramm coming into the season.  To be fair, he was beat up a bit last year, fighting a back issue that caused him to miss a few games.  And as you'll see in a moment, there is some serious competition coming up among the d-tackles, so, let's hope he's healthy and ready for spring ball.


Dan Spitz (RS-Soph), 6-7, 270
2009 Stats:  9 games (5 starts), 16 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack, 2 QB hurries, 2 forced fumbles.
Notes:  A pleasant surprise, Spitz played in 9 games, starting 5 games up and down the defensive line with two starts at right defensive end, two starts at left defensive end, and a start at d-tackle.  With his wide frame and already at 6-7, 270, his days of playing end are probably over.  Spitz is in that mold that these coaches love, a smart, high-energy player with the wide frame/right kind of weight, where you can build and grow over the years.  Keep an eye on Spitz this spring!

Projected Backup Tackles:
Anthony Laurenzi (RS-Soph), 6-3, 290
2009 Stats: 11 games (5 starts), 10 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass break-up, 1 QB hurry, 1 blocked kick.
Notes: Like Spitz, a pleasant surprise and a guy the coaches love, for today and what he can bring in the very near future to the position.  Shows a nice ability to get some pressure up the middle, an area where the defense desperately needs it!  And, you should probably rank him as a co-starter at tackle.  Laurenzi could unseat Wolfgramm with a big spring, so don't be shocked to see him emerge from the upcoming practice sessions as the starter next to Spitz.

Brandon Rankin (JR), 6-4, 265
2009 Stats: JC All-American with 24 sacks in 2008 . 
Notes: Already enrolled in January and raring to go, Rankin is a big-time pass rusher.  But while everyone thought he would immediately walk in and start at defensive end from day one, well, why list him here among the tackles?  Because there has been some "buzz" of late that Rankin is larger than his reported 265, maybe more like 275 or somewhere in there.  And Paul Wulff surprised many at the Seattle Football Dinner, where he mentioned that Rankin could end up at tackle this spring.  While you hate the idea of taking such a skilled pass rusher out of his natural position, well, Rankin could be much better suited to attack the opposition from the inside, matching his explosiveness with his newfound bulk.  No matter where Rankin plays, he'll be a clear upgrade in sheer talent and ability compared to some of what we have seen the last few years in Pullman!  I think we should all expect a lot of noise from Rankin this spring. 

Justin Clayton (RS-FR), 6-4, 266
Notes:  Opened a lot of eyes on the practice squad last year as a true frosh, they were able to hold off burning the redshirt with all the defensive injuries up and down the line in '09.  Clayton originally came to WSU as a defensive end, but another in the big-frame types, he's already nearing 270 pounds and might be better at tackle than end.  Coach Wulff made mention of Clayton several times last year, saying he has a chance to be a really good, strong, physical addition to the defense.  A productive spring should move him right into the mix for immediate playing time in the rotation.

Josh Luapo (RS-SR), 6-0, 321
2009 Stats:  2 starts, didn't record a single tackle, assist, QB hurry, etc.
Notes:  Suffered a tough knee injury in the third game of the year vs. USC, and never did anything after that.  Not sure how healthy he'll be this spring, but they may keep him limited until fall camp.  If healthy, he will definitely be in the rotation, given the possible loss of this next guy....

PROBABLY not available for spring ball:
Toby Turpin (SR), 6-4, 285
2009 Stats:  28 tackles, 3 for loss, 2 sacks, 1 pass break-up, 1 QB hurry, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 blocked kicks.
Notes:  Disappointing to say the least with where Turpin is now.  He clearly showed ability last year, leading the defensive tackles in all the key stats while starting six games, but he was suspended late in the year and missed the last two games vs. Oregon State and UW.  Now, per the latest from Grippi, he's in academic hot water and his WSU career is in serious jeopardy.  A player who could have a huge impact to the depth inside, now, he may be done.  We'll see how it all plays out, but from all accounts, it doesn't sound promising.


Projected Starting Defensive Ends:

Travis Long (Soph), 6-4, 250
2009 Stats: 47 tackles, 6.5 for loss, 2 QB sacks, 2 QB hurries, 1 forced fumble.


Notes: The true frosh is already a mainstay at defensive end, and should be a four-year starter when it's all said and done.  Aggressive, smart, and a pretty good all-around player, he was All-Frosh Pac-10 last year, leading the WSU d-line in every key stat (tackles, tackles for loss, and tied for the lead in sacks).  Started every game last year, from week one vs. Stanford to week twelve vs. UW.  But it must be noted that after a really strong start, he started to wear down a bit, hitting the frosh "wall" as so many usually do.  Long's weight dropped as the year wore on as well, so it will be interesting to see what they do with him this spring.  I would bet he'll be up in the high 250's for weight, maybe even 260, when the depth charts are released for spring ball.  They are going to want to keep him as heavy as possible without losing any of his ability to cause havoc up front!  A potential rising star, Long may be the best defensive player on the roster this spring.

Kevin Kooyman (Medical RS-SR), 6-6, 260
2009 Stats: Started the opener vs. Stanford and that was it.  Logged 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 tackle for loss and forced a fumble.
Notes:  As most everyone knows, Kooyman applied for and was awarded the medical redshirt for 2009, going down for the season after week 1.  The idea of pairing Kooyman up with Long is intriguing for 2010, but the Cougs have to be careful for how they handle Kooyman's workload this spring.  This is it for him, and I would bet keep it light with Kooyman.  I mean they know what they have here, and it's all about getting him on the field in September at this point.  But having him back is a huge boost to the line!

Backup Defensive Ends:
Casey Hamlett (SR), 6-3, 250
2009 Stats:  Played in all 12 games (and a surprising 8 starts), with 20 tackles, 2 sacks, 2 tackles for loss, a fumble recovery, a forced fumble, and a QB hurry.
Notes:  A nice boost from a player many of us thought would just be another body in the defensive end rotation after transferring in from Western WA.  Instead he fought his way into the starting lineup and stayed there for the bulk of the season, he's a real hardhat-and-lunch-pail type.  With the return of Kooyman, Hamlett goes back to the bench, but should be the first guy in to spell either Kooyman or Long. 

Jordan Pu'u-Robinson (RS-FR), 6-3, 256
Notes: Redshirted last year, he should get plenty of reps this spring.  Pu'u-Robinson is often mentioned along with Justin Clayton as a young defensive lineman with real promise.  Now, he was briefly suspended this year, charged with the dreaded "4th degree assault". But as many of you already know, that can range from being in a fight to even verbally threatening someone, but the good news is those charges have now been dropped and young Jordan is set for spring ball.  An athletic type who played some defensive end, tight end and even QB in high school, there is some thought that with enough bulk he could end up playing tackle.  But for now, he's likely going to be an end.

Adam Coerper (RS-Soph), 6-4, 259
Notes:  Didn't play last year, but like Pu'u-Robinson, should be in line for a lot of action in the upcoming practices.  A scrappy kid from Hood River, OR, he was named the top Scout team defensive player for WSU in '08.  Yet another one of those big-framed athletic kids, he was a defensive end, tight end and even a punter in high school.

Jessy Sanchez (RS-SR), 6-2, 248
Notes:  Was eligible to play last year but didn't record a tackle, sack or any other stat in the book.  Initially thought of as a defensive tackle, he's now going to stay at defensive end.  Sanchez may not have much of a chance for significant time, but could play his way into the rotation with a big spring.

Bottom Line:
Just in spring ball alone, there are a lot of bodies here.  But remember, this is JUST spring ball.  There are going to be even more names in the fold by the time we hit fall camp, but for now, there are plenty of players to fight it out this spring. 

With or without Turpin, the tackles look to be in good shape, with another off-season of growth from Spitz and Laurenzi as well as the initial shot at playing time for Clayton.  Wolfgramm and Luapo have to get healthy and do their thing, which is use their bulk to plug holes and stop the run when called upon. 

And with Rankin, who knows.  Maybe we are too far off speculating here, but when you hear Wulff himself say that he sees Rankin potentially moving inside to tackle, it's a situation that bares watching.  Or maybe Rankin will become that player who comes off the bench on third downs as a pass-rushing defensive tackle?  I know I like the idea of seeing him give a burst up the middle, while having Long and Kooyman on the edges.  But the level of depth that could develop inside this spring is intriguing.

At end, it's a nice group, highlighted by Long and Kooyman.  There doesn't appear to be as much depth behind those two compared to tackle, but of course, that would change if Rankin does in fact stay at defensive end.  I am anxious to hear about Pu'u-Robinson this spring, as an athletic kid who will mainly be outside.  The door is certainly open to establish himself as a top backup at one of the pass-rushing spots by the end of spring.

Overall, I am beginning to understand why Wulff said last fall that this COULD be one of the deepest, most physical lines we've had in some time.  It would be nice if Turpin can get his act together and we can see him as a senior, but it doesn't sound likely.  But still, adding in the redshirts to the mix like Clayton and Pu'u-Robinson to go with some good young players like Long, Spitz and Laurenzi, you can see this thing is starting to transform into a unit to be reckoned with.  Sprinkle in a healthy Wolfgramm and Luapo for depth, and the rebuilding of the defense could take a significant step forward, all starting with a new level of play up front!

All for now.  Enjoy your day, and GO COUGS!