Constant Contributor
July 16, 2007 01:42 PM | General
July 16, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – In the evolution of Rich Rodriguez’s high-octane spread offense, the tight end position has often been perceived -- fairly or unfairly -- as somewhat of an afterthought.
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| Tight end Mike Villagrana is looking for a few more passes this year.
Pete Emerson photo |
The days of Marc Bulger rolling out on the quarterback bootleg and hitting Anthony Becht over the middle are a distant memory in the minds of Mountaineer fans. In the current offense, the tight end is used primarily for blocking, with the occasional pass thrown his way.
In recent years, Rodriguez has talked of attempting to get the tight end more involved, only to see them catch a couple of balls per season. However, as senior tight end Mike Villagrana readies for his senior season, the Youngstown, Ohio, native has a reason to be optimistic about his role as a pass-catcher in 2007.
“I think they are going to make a really good effort at getting us more involved in the passing game,” Villagrana said.
Villagrana explains that the tight end rotation will have a lot to do with the speed of West Virginia’s offensive tempo during games.
“This year we are going to switch it up a little bit with Owen (Schmitt) at tight end. We’re going to try to switch up the tempo,” Villagrana explains. “If we’re trying to speed it up he’s going to stay in and go to tight end. If it’s a slower tempo I’ll stay in.”
Villagrana also believes the tight end position will be one of increased depth this season, with fellow senior Owen Schmitt joining him in the rotation along with junior Sammy Morrone. The Paris, Texas, native is a converted fullback whom Villagrana says is enjoying his new position.
“Sammy is a hard worker. I think he is happier at tight end because he doesn’t have to take so many blows during practice. He’s working hard, asking a lot of questions and getting used to the position. He’s doing really well.”
Villagrana used to man another position himself, switching from nose tackle to tight end during the 2004 season. He says the decision to make that move was the best thing that could have happened to him during his Mountaineer career.
“I think it was a blessing me moving to tight end. I came in here at 250 pounds playing nose tackle and getting beat up in this 3-3-5 defense,” Villagrana said.
“I always wish to get the ball here and there but I’m always happy to make some kind of contribution to a touchdown like a pancake block. I get almost as much fulfillment out of that as scoring a touchdown … almost,” Villagrana says with a laugh.
Villagrana echoes the sentiments of nearly every WVU player you talk to when he explains the rigors of the summer conditioning sessions the players are going through as they ready themselves physically for fall camp.
“It gets worse every year. It’s tough. They messed up the hill this year so we thought maybe we’d get out of it but (Mike) Barwis found a new hill,” Villagrana said. “It’s pretty difficult but it pays off. Everything pays off in the end.”
Villagrana, who is best known for his touchdown catch in the 2005 Virginia Tech game, explains that the conditioning has its rewards at the end of games.
“When we get into the fourth quarter the hard work we put in during the summer really shows. After the third quarter when we sprint to the other side of the field, I think that’s an intimidating factor,” Villagrana says. “When we’ve gone three quarters in a battle and the other team sees us sprint they know we’re ready for that fourth quarter.”
Villagrana is pleased with Bill Stewart’s move to tight end coach. Stewart worked as quarterbacks coach the last seven years but was moved to tight ends in the off-season after the hiring of Rod Smith.
“I like him a lot. We go over plays and film that we are not even in on. He teaches us a lot more about football,” Villagrana said. “He’s really smart and a really good coach. I really appreciate him being there. I love Coach Stewart.
“He gives us a better perspective of the whole picture. I thought maybe some new guy was going to come in and try to prove a point,” Villagrana said. Coach Stew understands everything and he’s helping me understand a lot more of the game.”
While he never loses sight of a chance to get his hands on the football, Villagrana just wants to make a positive contribution in helping the Mountaineers reach their ultimate goal in 2007.
“I wish I could get the ball a little bit more but that’s part of the offense and I have accepted it,” Villagrana said. “I’m not a selfish player. I want to do my part to contribute and get that national championship.”
