COLLEGE FOOTBALL: Cougars see crossroads at corner

TODD MILLES

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PULLMAN � Position battles, especially for starting jobs, haven�t exactly hit crunch time. One worth noting at Washington State University is unfolding at the left cornerback position opposite Alfonso Jackson.

Markus Dawes came out of spring camp with the nod, but since has had surgery on his troublesome right shoulder and has not participated in any contact in August.

Romeo Pellum, who appeared in 10 games as a true freshman last season as one of WSU�s nickel backs, currently occupies the first-string position. But he is the least experienced contender.

Devin Giles, after being away from game action for two years, earned a starting cornerback position last season as a sophomore with his athleticism and makeup speed. He started all 12 games, but then missed spring camp because of his grades. Right now, he is No. 2 behind Pellum.

�I�m not too caught up in right now who is the No. 1 or No. 2 guys,� said Jody Sears, who as co-defensive coordinator with Chris Ball oversees the cornerbacks. �I just want them to get better, keep learning and staying to our core values.�

WSU�s defense is expected to be more pressure-oriented this season, meaning the cornerbacks will be asked to come up in press coverage at the line of scrimmage.

That seems to be one of Pellum�s strengths, and based on the way he was irritating star receiver Brandon Gibson on Thursday during a few scrimmage plays, he�s making a good impression.

�I like it because I am up close with the receiver,� Pellum said. �I can run with them, go wherever he goes, instead of reading everything.�

His technique lags behind the other two, but Sears said the Norwalk, Calif., native is quickly closing that gap. �He�s growing up in front of our eyes,� Sears said.

At the start of the spring semester, Giles needed to make up 18 credits, so he was not allowed to participate in spring camp.

He spent his afternoons with a tutor, not practicing with the team. He appealed one course grade and was eventually granted the credits. He made up the majority of the rest.

After taking one summer class, Giles was caught up academically and ready to get back to work on the field. �This is the way I like it, a little competition. If it was easy to get it back, I wouldn�t want it,� Giles said. �I�ve had to start all over again, work my way back up.

�Romeo and I, we�re best friends. But out here on the field, we ain�t no friends. Only one gets the job.�

Extra points

The receiving corps is thinning out enough to be a concern. A day after sophomore Daniel Blackledge (hamstring) was sidelined indefinitely, speedster Jeshua Anderson stayed for the early part of practice Thursday, then went into the locker room. Coach Paul Wulff said afterward that Anderson is suffering from a muscle-related issue near his abdomen, possibly a hernia. �He may have something that may put him out for a while,� Wulff said. Senior Benny Ward has assumed Anderson�s starting outside spot for now. �

One thing will be different under Wulff in practice: The team will participate in more controlled scrimmages. The first-year coach hopes that will lead to more consistent energy, something he wants to see more of. �You can�t have great energy at the beginning of the game and let it die down. If you don�t practice it or work at it you won�t have it,� Wulff said. �

In the first few days, starting quarterback Gary Rogers has looked sharp, especially throwing the ball. Wulff wouldn�t say the gap between Rogers and backup Kevin Lopina has widened but noted �the ball coming out of someone�s hands with confidence has everything to do with their comfort level.� �

Injury-riddled receiver Keith Rosenberg has changed his name this summer, to Keith Parr, Jr., taking his father�s last name. �

Offensive linemen were required to wear protective knee braces during spring camp, but that has become optional so far this fall.