The Register-Herald, Beckley, West Virginia

Sports

March 25, 2006

WVU defense outshines offense in first scrimmage

By Mickey Furfari

MORGANTOWN — “I was really pleased with our defense,” coach Rich Rodriguez said Saturday after West Virginia’s first scrimmage-like session of spring football practice.

That’s not surprising, though. He admitted that it’s usually that same situation this early in spring or fall drills.

Because of 35-40 degree temperatures, WVU decided to practice at the Caperton Indoor Facility which has new, soft turf.

“There was some good hitting,” Rodriguez observed. “But the defense won today on our point system as far as being physical.”

He attributed part of that to excitement among those battling for open spots in the secondary. But he said part of it also resulted because the offense was “soft.”

What didn’t he like about the offense, which actually has more veterans?

“I thought they lacked intensity,” Rodriguez replied. “I thought they lacked leadership. I thought they made too many mental mistakes.

“To be truthful, other than (fullback) Owen Schmitt, I didn’t see anything I liked. But they will be all right.”

He explained that the offensive players have a lot of assignment work and other things they’ve got to do, so they normally start off slower than the defenders.

“l don’t think our veterans are screwing up as much as our young guys,” said Rodriguez, in his sixth year here. “But I don’t expect our veterans to screw up at all.”

He does think Damien Crissey and John Bradshaw are looking pretty good at the tackle positions in the offensive line.

“We got spoiled there with Garin Justice and Travis Garrett,” he noted.

Both of those senior standouts departed after last season.

Rodriguez thinks WVU’s overall speed may be better this year.

“But it’s hard for me to tell because I’m here all the time,” he said.

“It’s difficult to judge a team ’til you play an outside team. But I think our fast guys have stayed fast and that we have some young guys that play pretty fast.”

Prior to the start of the 90-minute situational scrimmage, the Mountaineers spent an hour tuning up in various position drills by groups.

The coaches also held exercises for special teamers, including punting and field-goal kicking.

Sophomore Steve Slaton, the holdover starter, got most of the reps at tailback. He sparkled both as a runner and pass-catcher.

“I don’t want to give him that much work, but we don’t have very many tailbacks,” Rodriguez explained.

Jetavious Best, a 5-foot-10, 180-pound mid-year recruit from Florida, showed some fine running ability. But the coach said the youngster is still very confused.

“He’s a freshman, so all the guys have got to help him out,” Rodriguez said. “He’s got a lot of ability. He can do all the stuff you want him to do.

“He will be OK. It was just a poor practice for him. He’s ‘swimming’ right now.”

Rodriguez thought defensive lineman Johnny Dingle and free safety Quintin Andrews looked pretty good. He also liked the way the linebackers are running around, especially Jay Henry.

“We’ve got some veterans there,” he said. “But cornerback is still an area of concern, and there’s still concern at the safety positions. I do think we’ve got the talent that we need to have, though.”

The aforementioned Henry made a terrific hit in tackling Slaton on one running play. Defensive back Aaron Meckstroth jolted freshman quarterback Nate Sowers on another fine defensive play.

Safety Larry Williams came up with a fumble recovery and DB Eric Wicks intercepted a pass.

WVU now has held four of its 15 sessions of spring practice.

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