Doing Is Believing, Cougar Says -- WSU's Mike Bailey: Confidence Is Key For Team's Offensive Improvement

Change quarterbacks? Forget it, says Mike Bailey. Change the offensive scheme? No way, the Washington State University offensive tackle says.

Instead, Bailey said, if the Cougars do nothing more than have confidence in themselves, offensive production will return to the circus-like levels of past seasons.

"People need to believe in themselves," said the fifth-year senior from Medford, Ore., his voice still hoarse from the flu he has battled for a week. "I just think they need to realize that they can play football. They need to believe in that and need to start playing like it.

"I think, right now, the whole offense is a little tentative."

So tentative, that in the past two games, the Cougars have scored just one touchdown and gained an average of just 276 yards in losing to USC 34-3 and beating Pacific 12-0. Those numbers are down considerably from the averages of 28 points and 406 yards in 1992, and down from this season's averages of 27 points and 365 yards.

Coach Mike Price put a premium on offensive improvement in practices this week for tomorrow's Pac-10 Conference game against Arizona State in Pullman. Because of injuries and illness, Price is not sure the goal was met.

Bailey, however, thinks a meeting of the offensive players - and no coaches - last Monday night might have a positive effect on the offense tomorrow.

"When people come in for double-days (preseason practice), they're all pumped up, but by the sixth game of the season you're starting to get a little beat up, worn down and tired," Bailey said. "So we had to go back to ourselves and tell each other to pick it up."

Although Bailey didn't attend the meeting because of his illness, he is convinced it was a positive experience.

"I heard it was a good meeting and then from what I saw in practice I think it was good," Bailey said. "Now, what we have to do is believe in ourselves and execute."

However, it is not known for sure who will be doing the believing and the executing. A rash of injuries described as "unbelievable" by Price has left coaches wondering who they will have available.

WSU's preparation for tomorrow's game has been made more difficult by a rash of injuries. At least 10 starters, including seven on offense, were in various states of disrepair yesterday, although none had been ruled out of the game.

Offensive starters ailing included quarterback Mike Pattinson, who is virtually certain to play despite bruised ribs; tight end Brett Carolan, the team's No. 1 receiver, sore toe; running back Delton Johnson, the team's rushing leader, bruised shoulder, and flanker Deron Pointer, bruised shoulder.

In addition, center Steve Wolfe had not practiced since undergoing arthroscopic surgery Monday on his left knee, left guard Josh Dunning still was recovering from arthroscopic surgery on a foot injured against USC on Sept. 25, and Bailey was not fully recovered from the flu.

"If Wolfe, Dunning and Bailey don't play, that's a pretty good chunk of your offensive line missing when you're trying to improve your offense," Price said.

Defensive starters who were ailing included cornerback Greg Burns, sprained ankle; cornerback Torey Hunter, hamstring, and end DeWayne Patterson, knee bruise.

In part because of the injuries, Price said he couldn't tell if his offense has improved.

"The guys have looked pretty good in practice," Price said. "And it's hard for me to go into a game pessimistic. So I'm still optimistic, if you can believe that."

And Price doesn't want anyone to think that by mentioning the injuries he is making excuses.

"I'm not making any excuses," Price said. "I'm not stressing the injuries with my players."

Price said that at this point in the season teams all over the country probably have injury lists similar to that of the Cougars.