Post by smiteedawgwv on Aug 10, 2010 20:57:24 GMT -5
By Geoff Coyle for wvillustrated.com
Aug. 9, 2010
Day 3 PHOTO GALLERY
- The Mountaineers practiced on the grass field Monday, the first time the media has been privy to such a setting in recent memory. A grounds crew laid down new sod last year on the field, and many of the players were commenting on how soft the turf felt when compared with the artificial variety they have become accustomed to in the stadium and the indoor facility.
- It was also the first time the players put on shoulder pads and practiced in “shells” so far this camp. Scooter Berry had this to say about the day’s gear on his twitter account earlier in the day:
“We in Shells today a lil hittin is on the agenda!!!!”
There may have been a little hitting, but most of it was saved until after the security had shoved the media from the premises, so there was not much physicality to comment on. You can be sure that Coach Stewart will have a few words to say about it in his press conference, though.
- We did briefly get a glimpse of the linebackers working on blocking and pass rushing before trying their moves on the halfbacks and fullbacks. For the most part, the defense dominated the drill.
One of a few sparks for the offense came when freshmen Trey Johnson and Jewone Snow went at it and Johnson (5-10, 172) handled Snow (6-3, 230). One of the linebackers called out to Snow not to let such a small player show him up, while Johnson got praise from his impressed group of blockers.
Matt Lindamood took Branko Busick to the ground on the final rep of the drill, but Busick demanded another chance to get past Lindamood and to the quarterback. So they lined up and went at it again, but with the exact same result.
[glow=red,2,300]The highlight of the entire drill was Bruce Irvin, who completely manhandled anyone who Coach Beatty put in his path. It did not even look fair for most of the reps he took. Noel Devine, Ryan Clarke and any number of other blockers barely got a hand on him before he brushed past for the sack. At one point, an incredulous defender remarked, “That (expletive) is strong!” Indeed, he appears to be fairly strong. [/glow]
- Mike Joseph and his staff had a sand pit installed at the back left corner of the field in the past few weeks. The pit – which measures roughly 30 yards in length, 15 in width and about two feet in height – is meant to serve as a surface for plyometrics and other workouts that are considered high impact. By using the sand, the impact is reduced significantly and the chance of injury diminishes.
- The receivers and defensive backs had a one-on-one period, and there were mixed results. J.D. Woods had a spectacular grab down the sidelines over Keith Tandy, and the very next play
Anthony Vecchio had another interception on the drill, but cornerbacks coach David Lockwood admitted afterward that it was mostly the result of his vastly underthrown pass. Eddie Davis ended the drill on a nice catch, barely keeping his feet in bounds as Pat Miller swatted at the ball from behind.
Aug. 9, 2010
Day 3 PHOTO GALLERY
- The Mountaineers practiced on the grass field Monday, the first time the media has been privy to such a setting in recent memory. A grounds crew laid down new sod last year on the field, and many of the players were commenting on how soft the turf felt when compared with the artificial variety they have become accustomed to in the stadium and the indoor facility.
- It was also the first time the players put on shoulder pads and practiced in “shells” so far this camp. Scooter Berry had this to say about the day’s gear on his twitter account earlier in the day:
“We in Shells today a lil hittin is on the agenda!!!!”
There may have been a little hitting, but most of it was saved until after the security had shoved the media from the premises, so there was not much physicality to comment on. You can be sure that Coach Stewart will have a few words to say about it in his press conference, though.
- We did briefly get a glimpse of the linebackers working on blocking and pass rushing before trying their moves on the halfbacks and fullbacks. For the most part, the defense dominated the drill.
One of a few sparks for the offense came when freshmen Trey Johnson and Jewone Snow went at it and Johnson (5-10, 172) handled Snow (6-3, 230). One of the linebackers called out to Snow not to let such a small player show him up, while Johnson got praise from his impressed group of blockers.
Matt Lindamood took Branko Busick to the ground on the final rep of the drill, but Busick demanded another chance to get past Lindamood and to the quarterback. So they lined up and went at it again, but with the exact same result.
[glow=red,2,300]The highlight of the entire drill was Bruce Irvin, who completely manhandled anyone who Coach Beatty put in his path. It did not even look fair for most of the reps he took. Noel Devine, Ryan Clarke and any number of other blockers barely got a hand on him before he brushed past for the sack. At one point, an incredulous defender remarked, “That (expletive) is strong!” Indeed, he appears to be fairly strong. [/glow]
- Mike Joseph and his staff had a sand pit installed at the back left corner of the field in the past few weeks. The pit – which measures roughly 30 yards in length, 15 in width and about two feet in height – is meant to serve as a surface for plyometrics and other workouts that are considered high impact. By using the sand, the impact is reduced significantly and the chance of injury diminishes.
- The receivers and defensive backs had a one-on-one period, and there were mixed results. J.D. Woods had a spectacular grab down the sidelines over Keith Tandy, and the very next play
Anthony Vecchio had another interception on the drill, but cornerbacks coach David Lockwood admitted afterward that it was mostly the result of his vastly underthrown pass. Eddie Davis ended the drill on a nice catch, barely keeping his feet in bounds as Pat Miller swatted at the ball from behind.
