Groundhog Day
August 04, 2007 10:37 PM | General
August 4, 2007
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – The first day of fall camp for Rich Rodriguez is like Groundhog Day – they’re just about all the same to him.
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| Quarterback Patrick White hands the ball off to Steve Slaton during West Virginia's first football practice of 2007 at Milan Puskar Stadium on Saturday.
Joe Sadlek/All-Pro Photography |
“Heck you can go back and see what my remarks were, I don’t know,” he said after Saturday’s two-hour workout at Milan Puskar Stadium. “I don’t remember but I probably gave you the same scenario and if I didn’t I was probably lying. I’m being honest now: it’s all about the same.”
Rodriguez heads into another August having to downplay high rankings and Heisman trophy candidacies. He admits he’s getting used to it because he basically ignores it.
“I don’t really talk about it much,” the coach explained. “I just kind of ignore it and that’s basically what all of the coaches are doing. Who cares? It’s exciting for the fans and it makes good print; we’re already sold out of season tickets so it doesn’t matter whether you’re first or 101st. And I don’t know what makes a Heisman candidate? They got a lot of yards last year and they’re coming back, I guess.”
Rodriguez said most of the NCAA Clearinghouse issues with the newcomers have been resolved except for Virginia standout Brandon Hogan. His situation should be cleared up soon.
“We don’t expect any problems there,” he said. “Any of the guys that are in camp now … if they’re not eligible it will surprise us.”
Rodriguez admits he likes what he saw of his freshmen in the two hours he was with them on the practice field Saturday afternoon.
“There are some talented guys,” he said. “I think that freshmen class is one of the most athletic we’ve signed. How that translates into how they’re going to be able to help us? We’re consciously making an effort to make things simple for the young guys to see if they can help. But after day one, none of them are ready.”
That may change in a couple of weeks, particularly at wide receiver where Rodriguez said there could be some opportunities for youngsters to earn playing time.
“A couple of the new guys we’ve got a wide receiver there is no question in my mind once they learn what they’re doing -- now when that is I don’t know? But once they learn what they’re doing they won’t just give us depth, they’re going to give us some quality playing time.
“I’m anxious to see over the next couple of weeks if any of those freshmen or (junior college transfer) Alric Arnett gets into the rotation. I have a feeling they will.”
Rodriguez expects to keep the freshmen at one spot for at least the first two weeks before he considers moving them to different positions if the need should arise.
“Some young guys can pick things up quicker at one position. Maybe a receiver can learn two positions or maybe a running back can learn the slot or a corner can learn both sides,” Rodriguez said. “I don’t know if that’s going to happen. We certainly don’t want to overload them.”
Michigan transfer Ryan Mundy is one newcomer Rodriguez said will be force fed because he’s only got one year of eligibility remaining.
“The two safety positions the bandit and the free are very similar in their responsibilities and he’ll learn both of those,” Rodriguez said. “He’s pretty comfortable doing that. Ryan is a guy we think can learn both of them before the first game.”
There is also the issue of touted freshman running back Noel Devine learning the offense in an effort to add even more firepower to an already explosive backfield. Rodriguez cautions fans that it will take some time.
“Steve Slaton was probably as talented as any freshmen we’ve ever had and he didn’t start until the fifth game,” Rodriguez said. “Those guys are all swimming right now. They think we’re talking Chinese and we’re just doing elementary stuff.”
Class continues tomorrow afternoon.
Briefly:
“What he needs to realize is he’s been here long enough that he can go ahead and assume some leadership role,” said the coach.
Redshirt freshman Eric Rodemoyer is the leading candidate to replace Jeremy Sheffey at right guard.
“Rodemoyer is a young guy but he’s going to be surrounded with enough guys that can play,” Rodriguez said. “If you’re ready you’re ready. Whether you’re a redshirt freshman or a redshirt junior it’s our job to get them ready. I think we’ll have a little more depth there than we’ve had.”
“We’ve added a few things,” Rodriguez said. “But the biggest thing we’ve got to be careful of is we can’t get away from the things that we do well – what our quarterbacks do well, what our backs and receivers do well.”
“There are some things that we’ve got to get better at defensively and our guys know that.”
