Preseason Thoughts
August 26, 2003 10:21 AM | General
Tuesday, August 26, 2003
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Each year we always hear about new names in the football program -- players people read a lot about but have never seen.
This year, the most talked about player coming into fall camp was junior college transfer Kay-Jay Harris. At this point, Harris has not had the immediate, in-practice success that a lot of people expected.
That’s not to say he won’t be a successful running back at WVU, but right now it looks as though it is going to be at least several games before he does get comfortable and find a niche in Rich Rodriguez’ offense.
 |
|
| Middle Tennessee State transfer Brad Cooper has seized the West Virginia place kicking duties this fall. (All-Pro Photography/Dale Sparks) |
On the other side there is kicker Brad Cooper, who came into camp literally as an unknown commodity even to the most ardent West Virginia football fans. The Middle Tennessee State transfer could prove to be an incredibly important part of this year’s team. His kickoffs can give us the field position that is essential to being successful, and his ability to kick field goals could give West Virginia coaches another reliable scoring option once the team crosses the opponent’s 40 yard-line.
There are also a handful of wide receivers that could wind up helping West Virginia down the road in junior Jubal Thomas and sophomores Brandon Myles and Chris Henry.
Like Kay-Jay Harris, their real impact probably won’t be felt until the leaves change colors, but those three are names that could really help the passing game when West Virginia gets into the heart of its conference schedule.
Chris Henry is in the mix going into the first game and I think that he is a work in progress. He is learning what it takes to play at this level – what is required in practice, what is required as far as blocking goes -- and I think he has shown that once he catches the ball he knows exactly what to do with it.
But he must be able to block aggressively and he must also be willing to work hard on every single snap before Rich Rodriguez will give him a free pass onto the football field. With all that said, he’s got the Mercedes engine, all he needs to do is learn how to hit the gas.
Yet perhaps even more important than the new faces are the old faces we’ve come to know.
From what I’ve seen of preseason practices, sophomore Mike Lorello has been extremely physical and matches that with great football instincts. Mike is a guy who could be a solid player in defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel’s secondary for another three years.
Tory Johnson has really turned the corner as well. He’s in great condition, he’s extremely athletic and he could make the tight end position a real positive for us this season.
Also, Aaron Neal is someone to pay attention to. Last year he was in the same situation that Jubal Thomas is in right now. But it took Aaron a long time to get things going.
In talking to some people around the Puskar Center, Aaron’s West Virginia career was really at a crossroads earlier this summer. Neal had to make a decision of whether he wanted to buy into the system and be a leader or be a laggard. He chose to be a leader this year and I think he’s tougher and he has shown that he’s got the ability to be a productive player for the Mountaineers. Aaron Neal certainly has got that prototypical wide receiver body that everyone is looking for out there.
Winning Formula for Wisconsin ...
The most underappreciated aspect of football from a fan’s perspective may very well be what decides Saturday’s Wisconsin game: special teams.
Throughout the season, Barry Alvarez teams earn a living by beating people at what is called “hidden yardage.” What I mean by hidden yardage is the net yardage Wisconsin gains on its opponents through the kicking game – both on kickoffs and on returns. Before you know it, by the end of the game Wisconsin has 125-135 net on a team that isn’t accounted for in the rushing or passing statistics. What that essentially means is field position.
Brad Cooper and Todd James have to have tremendous games kicking the football and the coverage team has to bottle up a dangerous return man in Jim Leonhard. Also, our ability to return kicks is essential.
Special teams will be absolutely huge in this football game, particularly because it is a season opener and it usually takes teams a while to really organize those units.
Keep an Eye On ...
West Virginia’s defensive line, are they getting knocked backwards or are they moving Wisconsin’s offensive line backwards? If Wisconsin is absolutely manhandling us up front it’s going to be a long afternoon because the Badgers have Anthony Davis back there. He’ll line up seven yards behind the line of scrimmage, pick his hole and run all day. If West Virginia can’t stop the run then we’re at Wisconsin’s mercy.
Also, West Virginia has added more to its odd-stack package this year which is designed to get more pressure on the quarterback. Aside from the defensive line and how they play up front will be how our package of blitzes is working against them.
If Jim Sorgi has enough time to drop back, go to McDonald’s and order fries, and then throw the ball we’re in trouble. He’s 6-foot-5, 190 pounds and we’ve got to make him uncomfortable some way. Whether it’s Grant Wiley, Leandre Washington or one of the defensive linemen, we’ve got to have some kind of pass rush against him.
I hope to see you Wednesday night at Hazel Ruby McQuain Park for the last installment of Pig Stock 2003 and also Saturday when West Virginia plays host to Wisconsin.
