Scrimmage Recap
March 10, 2007 08:37 PM | General
March 10, 2007
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| Rich Rodriguez |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – Stingy red-zone defense, a couple of booming field goals, and an impressive display of athleticism from an offensive lineman were the highlights of West Virginia’s first spring scrimmage Saturday afternoon at Mountaineer field.
It was only the second day of full-pad workouts for the Mountaineers and the WVU coaching staff chose to limit Saturday’s workout to a situational scrimmage. West Virginia coach Rich Rodriguez noted that the first full scale scrimmage would be next Saturday.
Rodriguez was frustrated with the pace of practice, which ended up being over three hours long, but he explained that the extra work was necessary both for player reps and for the teaching opportunities that spring ball provides.
“It seemed excruciatingly long today. I was gnawing my teeth a little bit,” Rodriguez said. “We don’t go as fast because we are getting everybody reps and doing a lot of teaching. It was a beautiful Saturday afternoon so we got a little extra work in.”
That work consisted of situational plays in which the first, second and third teams took the ball in different down and distance situations from varying spots on the field.
The scrimmage began with each unit working on third and short situations from their own 25 yard line. The biggest highlight of this segment was a gorgeous flick-pass under pressure from Jarrett Brown to Wes Lyons on the second unit’s first possession.
Patrick White also found Darius Reynaud down the seam for a long gain.
Adam Bednarik worked at quarterback with the third unit, completing multiple passes to running backs in the flat as well as to tight ends over the middle.
“He’s taking a lot of reps. He’s not 100 percent in terms of arm strength but it was really good for him to able to make a couple throws and I think he’ll get his strength back as we go along,” Rodriguez said.
The coach was pleased with all three of his quarterbacks on Saturday, noting their improved accuracy and footwork from Friday’s practice session.
After each unit took some reps with 3rd and 6 situations, the scrimmage moved to 2nd and 10 work at the opponents’ 25 yard line.
One drive ended with a score when Pat McAfee blasted a 47-yard field goal through the uprights that would have been good from about 60 yards out.
The third team offense and defense combined to provide the play of the day when freshman defensive back Sidney Glover picked off a Bednarik pass in the end zone and had nothing open turf in front of him for what appeared to be a 100-yard interception return.
But tackle Selvish Capers, a former tight end, took off after Glover with Capers at least 10 yards behind Glover. Capers closed the gap by midfield, and Glover tried two cutback moves before Capers and another offensive player dragged Glover down at the 15 yard line.
“That’s not good. That’s good for Selvish I guess but maybe he was chasing him because he missed his block,” Rodriguez joked. “If we have linemen chasing down defensive backs I really have to question that.”
Rodriguez went on to talk about Capers’ potential and how he can help the Mountaineers in the trenches.
“Selvish has got the physical ability but he’s got to get tougher and he’s got to know our system,” Rodriguez said. “There were a couple things we saw in the W drill where it’s one on one that got us really excited. If he continues to progress and gets the mentality that the guys up front have to have, he can be a factor for us.”
The scrimmage ended with a goal line situation in which each unit had one play to score from the eight yard line. Each unit got two chances in the drill and the defense held the offense out of the end zone on five of the six attempts. The third team offense finally scored when sophomore wide receiver Mike Poitier caught a Bednarik pass at the three yard line and slipped between two tacklers to get in.
Rodriguez was pleased with the defensive effort.
“Obviously it is tilted toward the defense in that they just have to make one stop from the eight yard line but they did a nice job,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez noted that the defense should get a bigger boost later in the spring when they begin blitzing more and employ more schemes.
“It’s a really limited package. We aren’t doing a whole lot scheme wise right now and when we get more multiple with our blitz packages it will be even better for them,” Rodriguez said.
Defensive improvement will continue to be a big theme as the Mountaineers work toward next fall.
“I think they did some good things and I also think there are some other things we have to get better at,” Rodriguez said. “I want them to play and be coached with enthusiasm and I think we are seeing that. We have to get some confidence. We have enough ability over there.
“The defense has to play with a tremendous amount of hunger and eagerness to prove themselves. I don’t think anyone liked the way we ended the year playing defense.”
Rodriguez has been pleased with the play of the corners and the defensive linemen early this spring.
“I like that our corners are being a little more aggressive,” Rodriguez said. “Our defensive line has been pretty physical and has controlled the line of scrimmage at times.”
Rodriguez is pleased that Bednarik is getting healthier at the quarterback position, freeing up Nate Sowers for reps at wide receiver, a position that is shaky in terms of depth heading into the fall.
“Nate probably won’t take many snaps at quarterback because we have three guys there and we have a need at wide receiver,” Rodriguez said. “We really want to find seven or eight guys for that rotation and right now that’s a struggle. We have some ability there but that is my biggest concern offensively.”
Finding a reliable backup to Steve Slaton at running back has become a high priority. Rodriguez sees this as a big spring for all the running backs hoping to make an impact this fall.
“I think Ed Collington is making some progress and this is a big spring for him; all those running backs -- Jetavious Best and Eddie Davis are getting better as well,” Rodriguez said. “Owen Schmitt is taking some reps but we are going to limit him more and more as the spring goes along. Jason Gwaltney is in there too but he is taking very few reps by design because he has to prove himself to us more academically.”
The team is off Sunday before resuming its Monday-Wednesday-Friday practice schedule with another full-scale scrimmage set for next Saturday.
