Post by WVUfanPHILLY on Aug 15, 2007 0:31:38 GMT -5
MORGANTOWN — The second week of West Virginia’s football camp began on a much better note than the first one ended.
Still, that was of only mild comfort to Rich Rodriguez.
“It was better than Saturday,’’ Rodriguez told the media after Monday’s afternoon workout. “But I could get you guys out there and it would be better than we did Saturday.’’
Well, not likely, but that’s another matter entirely.
After a day off on Sunday, the Mountaineers held the first of eight practices over six days that will end their preseason camp. And Rodriguez said he pretty much liked most of what he saw.
Still, after the way last week ended — with a sloppy scrimmage at the end of a disjointed week of practice thanks to weather and class schedules — it will take more than a day to convince Rodriguez that the ship has been righted.
“I’m not going to pat them on the rear for having a decent practice,’’ Rodriguez said. “They’re supposed to practice like that all the time. Let’s do it at the end of the week with the same kind of enthusiasm and intensity. Then they’ll get good words. Right now it’s just better than it was. That’s all it was.’’
Even though the intensity was up on Monday, there were still problems. With just over 21/2 weeks remaining until the season opener at home against Western Michigan, more than a few potential contributors aren’t even practicing. At least nine players were dressed in red jerseys Monday, indicating they would do little more than watch. Another, wide receiver Wes Lyons, is also still slowed by a knee injury.
The wide receiver corps as a whole was hard-hit Monday. In addition to Lyons, Tito Gonzalez, junior-college transfer Alric Arnett and true freshman Will Johnson missed practice with one injury or another. All four are in the mix for playing time.
There were also three offensive linemen out, including starting right guard Eric Rodemoyer, who has an ankle injury.
And on defense there were three potential starters watching from the sidelines — linemen Johnny Dingle and James Ingram and linebacker Marc Magro.
“I can’t worry about it,’’ Rodriguez said. “I’m only worried about who’s practicing, not who’s not.’’
Briefly
The last of West Virginia’s freshmen — at least those in camp — has been released by the NCAA Clearinghouse and appears ready to play. And that’s a big one because Brandon Hogan seems to be one of a handful of freshman certain to play right away. The 6-foot, 175-pound former high school quarterback from Virginia has been working at slot receiver and as a punt returner.
Speaking of punt returners, there was a rather large group working there before Monday’s practice, including Hogan and last year’s main returners, Antonio Lewis and Vaughn Rivers. Safety Quinton Andrews, junior-college cornerback Ellis Lankster and kickoff returner and receiver Darius Reynaud were also fielding punts.
With Rodemoyer out, the right guard with the No. 1 offense was 6-3, 280-pound Derek Hayes, a redshirt freshman from Tallahassee, Fla. In Magro’s place at linebacker was John Holmes. And among those getting plenty of snaps at wide receiver with all the injuries was No. 3 quarterback Adam Bednarik.
Eddie Davis, who played sparingly as a tailback last season as a true freshman before getting a medical redshirt, is working some with the outside receivers.
To contact staff writer Dave Hickman, use e-mail or call 348-1734.
© Copyright 1996-2007 The Charleston Gazette
Still, that was of only mild comfort to Rich Rodriguez.
“It was better than Saturday,’’ Rodriguez told the media after Monday’s afternoon workout. “But I could get you guys out there and it would be better than we did Saturday.’’
Well, not likely, but that’s another matter entirely.
After a day off on Sunday, the Mountaineers held the first of eight practices over six days that will end their preseason camp. And Rodriguez said he pretty much liked most of what he saw.
Still, after the way last week ended — with a sloppy scrimmage at the end of a disjointed week of practice thanks to weather and class schedules — it will take more than a day to convince Rodriguez that the ship has been righted.
“I’m not going to pat them on the rear for having a decent practice,’’ Rodriguez said. “They’re supposed to practice like that all the time. Let’s do it at the end of the week with the same kind of enthusiasm and intensity. Then they’ll get good words. Right now it’s just better than it was. That’s all it was.’’
Even though the intensity was up on Monday, there were still problems. With just over 21/2 weeks remaining until the season opener at home against Western Michigan, more than a few potential contributors aren’t even practicing. At least nine players were dressed in red jerseys Monday, indicating they would do little more than watch. Another, wide receiver Wes Lyons, is also still slowed by a knee injury.
The wide receiver corps as a whole was hard-hit Monday. In addition to Lyons, Tito Gonzalez, junior-college transfer Alric Arnett and true freshman Will Johnson missed practice with one injury or another. All four are in the mix for playing time.
There were also three offensive linemen out, including starting right guard Eric Rodemoyer, who has an ankle injury.
And on defense there were three potential starters watching from the sidelines — linemen Johnny Dingle and James Ingram and linebacker Marc Magro.
“I can’t worry about it,’’ Rodriguez said. “I’m only worried about who’s practicing, not who’s not.’’
Briefly
The last of West Virginia’s freshmen — at least those in camp — has been released by the NCAA Clearinghouse and appears ready to play. And that’s a big one because Brandon Hogan seems to be one of a handful of freshman certain to play right away. The 6-foot, 175-pound former high school quarterback from Virginia has been working at slot receiver and as a punt returner.
Speaking of punt returners, there was a rather large group working there before Monday’s practice, including Hogan and last year’s main returners, Antonio Lewis and Vaughn Rivers. Safety Quinton Andrews, junior-college cornerback Ellis Lankster and kickoff returner and receiver Darius Reynaud were also fielding punts.
With Rodemoyer out, the right guard with the No. 1 offense was 6-3, 280-pound Derek Hayes, a redshirt freshman from Tallahassee, Fla. In Magro’s place at linebacker was John Holmes. And among those getting plenty of snaps at wide receiver with all the injuries was No. 3 quarterback Adam Bednarik.
Eddie Davis, who played sparingly as a tailback last season as a true freshman before getting a medical redshirt, is working some with the outside receivers.
To contact staff writer Dave Hickman, use e-mail or call 348-1734.
© Copyright 1996-2007 The Charleston Gazette
