Post by rainman on Aug 28, 2007 6:08:18 GMT -5
Amped up for ‘D’
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday he’s pleased with the progress of West Virginia’s football defense as the team pushes preparations for Saturday’s season-opener against visiting Western Michigan.
“I think our defense has played pretty well,” he said on the first Big East weekly teleconference of the 2007 season. “I’m really excited about some of the things we’ve been doing scheme-wise, defensively.
“We have a couple new players, like Ryan Mundy, that came in to give us some depth and competition in the secondary. So I’m pleased with the defense so far.”
Mundy, who can play two safety positions, started 18 of 35 games at Michigan. He graduated in May with a year of immediate eligibility remaining. The other newcomer, junior-college transfer Ellis Lankster, is under suspension.
Rodriguez thinks those in the secondary are performing with a chip on their shoulders after the defense ranked 109th in pass defense last season.
“We know they can play better, and I am anxious to see how we do, defensively, this weekend,” he said.
All-America tailback Steve Slaton and All-Big East quarterback Patrick White, both widely publicized as Heisman Trophy candidates, are handling all of the hype very well, according to the head man.
“Last year they handled it very well and are doing so now,” he said. “I’ve seen Pat emerging as a leader in the last week or so. And Steve had an excellent week of practice.
“So those two are ready to go. We need this week to get some execution down. But I’ve been pleased with both guys.”
Rodriguez also said he’s happy with the way tailbacks Noel Devine and Jock Sanders are developing as true freshmen. They’re still competing for the No. 2 spot behind starter Slaton.
All of the plays now are in WVU’s repertoire. He said it’s now just a mater of retention and for the rookies to adjust to the tempo of play, game by game.
Rodriguez emphasized that the Mountaineers are in no way taking Western Michigan lightly.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for (WMU coach) Bill Cubit,” he stated. “We have known him for a long time, and they are picked to win the Mid-American Conference.
“We got our players’ attention the other day when we showed them that Western Michigan nearly beat Florida State at Florida State. They beat Virginia last year (on the road).
“Those are ACC programs with a lot of tradition. So we’ve got to play well and execute or we’ll get beat.”
Rodriguez said WVU should be relatively healthy for the game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. It will be televised locally and it also will be part of the ESPN package.
By Mickey Furfari
For the Times West Virginian
MORGANTOWN— Coach Rich Rodriguez said Monday he’s pleased with the progress of West Virginia’s football defense as the team pushes preparations for Saturday’s season-opener against visiting Western Michigan.
“I think our defense has played pretty well,” he said on the first Big East weekly teleconference of the 2007 season. “I’m really excited about some of the things we’ve been doing scheme-wise, defensively.
“We have a couple new players, like Ryan Mundy, that came in to give us some depth and competition in the secondary. So I’m pleased with the defense so far.”
Mundy, who can play two safety positions, started 18 of 35 games at Michigan. He graduated in May with a year of immediate eligibility remaining. The other newcomer, junior-college transfer Ellis Lankster, is under suspension.
Rodriguez thinks those in the secondary are performing with a chip on their shoulders after the defense ranked 109th in pass defense last season.
“We know they can play better, and I am anxious to see how we do, defensively, this weekend,” he said.
All-America tailback Steve Slaton and All-Big East quarterback Patrick White, both widely publicized as Heisman Trophy candidates, are handling all of the hype very well, according to the head man.
“Last year they handled it very well and are doing so now,” he said. “I’ve seen Pat emerging as a leader in the last week or so. And Steve had an excellent week of practice.
“So those two are ready to go. We need this week to get some execution down. But I’ve been pleased with both guys.”
Rodriguez also said he’s happy with the way tailbacks Noel Devine and Jock Sanders are developing as true freshmen. They’re still competing for the No. 2 spot behind starter Slaton.
All of the plays now are in WVU’s repertoire. He said it’s now just a mater of retention and for the rookies to adjust to the tempo of play, game by game.
Rodriguez emphasized that the Mountaineers are in no way taking Western Michigan lightly.
“We’ve got a lot of respect for (WMU coach) Bill Cubit,” he stated. “We have known him for a long time, and they are picked to win the Mid-American Conference.
“We got our players’ attention the other day when we showed them that Western Michigan nearly beat Florida State at Florida State. They beat Virginia last year (on the road).
“Those are ACC programs with a lot of tradition. So we’ve got to play well and execute or we’ll get beat.”
Rodriguez said WVU should be relatively healthy for the game, which kicks off at 3:30 p.m. It will be televised locally and it also will be part of the ESPN package.
