Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 18, 2007 15:16:59 GMT -5
By MICKEY FURFARI, For The Inter-Mountain
MORGANTOWN — Adam Bednarik, the hard-luck West Virginia University fifth-year senior, doesn’t necessarily look at playing wide receiver as a sense of urgency.
“I just look at it as an opportunity to go out on the field and play as hard as I can for this team,” he said. “The doctor told me that I was unable to play quarterback last year. So this year I want to try to make an impact in any way I can because this is my last chance.”
Coach Rich Rodriguez rates Bednarik as one of the squad’s better athletes, and believes he can be a fine contributor as a pass-catcher. He has been performing well since preseason practice started on Aug. 4.
“Catching the ball made me feel good,” he said. “When you move from one position to another, and show you can make plays, it has to be a good feeling. I’m sure it feels just as good for Nate Sowers.”
Sowers, a sophomore, switched from quarterback to receiver in the spring. And the Martinsburg native is practicing at WR full-time now.
Rodriguez envisions the possibility that WVU might have four quarterbacks on the field at the same time - Patrick White and Jarrrett Brown, the top two signal-callers, and Bednarik and Sowers in slot roles.
“I try to be unselfish,” said Bednarik. “Coach Rodriguez doesn’t want any selfish guys on the team. I’ll do anything I can to help us win games.”
He was 5-1 as the starting quarterback in 2005 before being injured. He missed all of last season recovering from shoulder surgery.
Bednarik took snaps at quarterback as well as at receiver in the spring and also in the early drills of the current camp.
“I played wide receiver when I was a junior in high school,” he recalled. “That was the last time I did it, though.
“Obviously, I love playing quarterback. But if I can be on the field playing receiver or whatever, then I’ll give that 100 percent.”
Bednarik, at 6-2 and 225, certainly is big enough to excel as a blocker, and he vows to block as hard as he can.
“I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got,” he said.
Asked if there is any advantage for him at WR that he has played quarterback, he replied: “I definitely think there is because a lot of what we’ve had receiver reads off different coverages by defenses
“Having played quarterback and constantly read coverages, I know where I need to be against different coverages. I think that’s an advantage for me.”
Bednarik said he’s grateful that Rodriguez hasn’t forgotten about him.
“I really appreciate the fact he’s still looking for ways to get me on the field. That makes me feel good about myself.”
With three quarterbacks who have started and won games, WVU considers that position as one of the team’s best equipped.
In all, the Bethlehem, Pa., native has appeared in only 12 games as a Mountaineer, including seven starts. He has completed 55 of 75 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns.
He also has netted 176 yards and scored once on 58 rushing plays.
He is a second cousin of NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik.
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 — Adam Bednarik, the hard-luck West Virginia University fifth-year senior, doesn’t necessarily look at playing wide receiver as a sense of urgency.
“I just look at it as an opportunity to go out on the field and play as hard as I can for this team,” he said. “The doctor told me that I was unable to play quarterback last year. So this year I want to try to make an impact in any way I can because this is my last chance.”
Coach Rich Rodriguez rates Bednarik as one of the squad’s better athletes, and believes he can be a fine contributor as a pass-catcher. He has been performing well since preseason practice started on Aug. 4.
“Catching the ball made me feel good,” he said. “When you move from one position to another, and show you can make plays, it has to be a good feeling. I’m sure it feels just as good for Nate Sowers.”
Sowers, a sophomore, switched from quarterback to receiver in the spring. And the Martinsburg native is practicing at WR full-time now.
Rodriguez envisions the possibility that WVU might have four quarterbacks on the field at the same time - Patrick White and Jarrrett Brown, the top two signal-callers, and Bednarik and Sowers in slot roles.
“I try to be unselfish,” said Bednarik. “Coach Rodriguez doesn’t want any selfish guys on the team. I’ll do anything I can to help us win games.”
He was 5-1 as the starting quarterback in 2005 before being injured. He missed all of last season recovering from shoulder surgery.
Bednarik took snaps at quarterback as well as at receiver in the spring and also in the early drills of the current camp.
“I played wide receiver when I was a junior in high school,” he recalled. “That was the last time I did it, though.
“Obviously, I love playing quarterback. But if I can be on the field playing receiver or whatever, then I’ll give that 100 percent.”
Bednarik, at 6-2 and 225, certainly is big enough to excel as a blocker, and he vows to block as hard as he can.
“I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got,” he said.
Asked if there is any advantage for him at WR that he has played quarterback, he replied: “I definitely think there is because a lot of what we’ve had receiver reads off different coverages by defenses
“Having played quarterback and constantly read coverages, I know where I need to be against different coverages. I think that’s an advantage for me.”
Bednarik said he’s grateful that Rodriguez hasn’t forgotten about him.
“I really appreciate the fact he’s still looking for ways to get me on the field. That makes me feel good about myself.”
With three quarterbacks who have started and won games, WVU considers that position as one of the team’s best equipped.
In all, the Bethlehem, Pa., native has appeared in only 12 games as a Mountaineer, including seven starts. He has completed 55 of 75 passes for 532 yards and four touchdowns.
He also has netted 176 yards and scored once on 58 rushing plays.
He is a second cousin of NFL Hall of Famer Chuck Bednarik.
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
