Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 16, 2007 14:04:45 GMT -5
By MICKEY FURFARI, For The Inter-Mountain
MORGANTOWN — West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez said after Wednesday’s practice session that he’s hoping to use more players this football season.
“I’ve say that every year, but I do think we’ll have more players that we feel we can win with, he explained. “Maybe 40 as opposed to 25. I just don’t know yet.”
In that connection, he mentioned nine newcomers who he said have been performing well during the first 11 days of training camp.
Three are skill freshmen that he continues to be impressed with: Running backs Noel Devine, Jock Sanders and Brandon Hogan. “All have done a pretty good job,” he said.
“Donnie Barclay may have a chance to get on the depth chart up front (on offense). Then there’s wide receiver Will Johnson, who has done some good things.”
Defensively, Rodriguez singled out junior-college transfers Archie Sims at linebacker and Tony Wood at defensive back. Safety Ryan Mundy, who graduated from Michigan with a year of eligibility left, and freshman linebacker Pat Lazear rounded out the list of elite.
He said some of them might be in the two-deep eventually.
The veteran coach added that he likes the entire freshman class. All of the recruits have a good attitude and are working hard.
He thought Wednesday’s practice session was pretty good. One half was devoted to fundamental drills and the other half to scrimmage situations. The latter lasted about an hour and a half.
“We moved the ball around a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “Adam Bednarik and Nate Sowers devoted full time to pass receivers and neither passed the ball.
“Both of them know where to line up and where to go, and they know the system very well.”
He also praised Pat McAfee. “He kicked the ball really well today,” he observed. “He punted OK, too. I think we have a good group of special teams guys.”
NOTES: Veteran cornerback Antonio Lewis sprained his shoulder and will be out about two weeks.
n Rodriguez said a combination of matters contributed to WVU’s very low ranking on pass defense last season, including poor pass rush and poor coverage.
n The Mountaineers practice twice on Thursday, once on Friday in full pads, and wind up camp with an officiated scrimmage on Saturday.
Contact The Inter-Mountain at our two locations.
520 Railroad Ave., PO Box 1339
Elkins, WV 26241
Phone: 304.636.2127
Fax: 304.636.8252
40 East Main Street, PO Box 2076
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: 304.472.8302
Fax: 304.472.6416
MORGANTOWN — West Virginia Coach Rich Rodriguez said after Wednesday’s practice session that he’s hoping to use more players this football season.
“I’ve say that every year, but I do think we’ll have more players that we feel we can win with, he explained. “Maybe 40 as opposed to 25. I just don’t know yet.”
In that connection, he mentioned nine newcomers who he said have been performing well during the first 11 days of training camp.
Three are skill freshmen that he continues to be impressed with: Running backs Noel Devine, Jock Sanders and Brandon Hogan. “All have done a pretty good job,” he said.
“Donnie Barclay may have a chance to get on the depth chart up front (on offense). Then there’s wide receiver Will Johnson, who has done some good things.”
Defensively, Rodriguez singled out junior-college transfers Archie Sims at linebacker and Tony Wood at defensive back. Safety Ryan Mundy, who graduated from Michigan with a year of eligibility left, and freshman linebacker Pat Lazear rounded out the list of elite.
He said some of them might be in the two-deep eventually.
The veteran coach added that he likes the entire freshman class. All of the recruits have a good attitude and are working hard.
He thought Wednesday’s practice session was pretty good. One half was devoted to fundamental drills and the other half to scrimmage situations. The latter lasted about an hour and a half.
“We moved the ball around a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “Adam Bednarik and Nate Sowers devoted full time to pass receivers and neither passed the ball.
“Both of them know where to line up and where to go, and they know the system very well.”
He also praised Pat McAfee. “He kicked the ball really well today,” he observed. “He punted OK, too. I think we have a good group of special teams guys.”
NOTES: Veteran cornerback Antonio Lewis sprained his shoulder and will be out about two weeks.
n Rodriguez said a combination of matters contributed to WVU’s very low ranking on pass defense last season, including poor pass rush and poor coverage.
n The Mountaineers practice twice on Thursday, once on Friday in full pads, and wind up camp with an officiated scrimmage on Saturday.
Contact The Inter-Mountain at our two locations.
520 Railroad Ave., PO Box 1339
Elkins, WV 26241
Phone: 304.636.2127
Fax: 304.636.8252
40 East Main Street, PO Box 2076
Buckhannon, WV 26201
Phone: 304.472.8302
Fax: 304.472.6416
