Football: Coach Bill Stewart and Player Quotes
April 01, 2009 07:06 PM | General
April 1, 2009
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University Coach Bill Stewart and player quotes following Wednesday evening’s spring practice.
Head Coach Bill Stewart:
On today’s practice:
Practice No. 6 had good intensity today by one side of the ball. I thought the offense came out to practice and it seems like when No. 47 (Reed Williams) isn’t on the field, our defense falls apart and that’s what we saw today. Our defense was another Greenville, N.C. and I’m not pleased at all with that.
These defensive youngsters need to quit reading the press clippings and understand that every day on Mountaineer Field, when you wear the Old Gold and Blue, every time out you strain and play physical football. That did not happen on one side of the ball today. That will be corrected by Friday’s practice. We have 500 coaches coming here and I can assure you that we’ll be flying around a lot better on Friday. I promise you it will get corrected.
Scooter Berry did look like he had a good day, however, from what I saw.
On Noel Devine’s return:
It’s nice to see No. 7 back. He brings electricity into the plan and he hit some holes today, and that was fun to watch.
On the quarterbacks:
Again, Jarrett Brown was really grasping what we were trying to do offensively. He made some fine throws and reads today. There are a couple things that he could have done a little bit better but there were some fine reads and I thought he threw the ball well.
I also thought Coley (White) had a better day today throwing the ball so I was pleased with that.
On the tight end position:
I think Tyler Urban has really given us some more opportunity to make the offensive scheme a little bit better than what we first thought. He really brings a lot to this offense. We knew he had a chance to be good last year as a freshman. Will Johnson coming back, even though he’s a little banged up, is 230-some pounds and not 216. So those two men have really stepped up and have done a nice job. It gives us such a dimension to have that tight end-anchored running game that we can run to. They both did a nice job.
On Wes Lyons:
Wes Lyons continues to do well and he’s finally healthy. We have him in the slot and he can even be in a tight end role. I’m really pleased with what he’s doing. He’s had six pretty good practices and we just pray that he stays injury-free. He knows he can be one of four positions now, instead of one of two. Out wide, X and Z, he’s fighting Alric Arnett and Bradley Starks and inside he’s playing the two slot players. We’re just going to start throwing the ball up to him. He’s 6’8” and jumps 38 inches, you add an arm length with that and that’s over 10 feet to me. He’s doing a good job. The slot just gives us a place where we can use him and option routes and over-drag routes – he’s a big target. That will help us, hopefully, come fall. He’s such a long-legged guy and he’ll use his height as an outside receiver. I thought that was a brilliant move by our offensive staff. I’ve said that before and I’ll say that again. He has to be healthy to make plays and this is his sixth straight practice and he’s done a nice job.
On the offensive line:
They’re not savvy enough inside. Our tackles are playing ok but our inside guys are just too young; they aren’t ready. That’s what spring is about and that’s what camp is about. We don’t have to be ready until September and that’s a blessing. Now when September gets here, I’ll be begging for three more weeks until we have to play. They’re not gelling inside quick enough but that will come.
On Jock Sanders:
He’s still in the dog house and he will be for months. I haven’t even started on his paperwork yet.
Player Quotes
Bradley Starks
On playing wide receiver:
I’m getting comfortable at wide receiver and I like it more and more each day that I do it. I’m learning new things every day.
On practicing full contact:
Yesterday’s practice I was in a white jersey, also. I’m getting in the swing of things now, using my arm more and more for blocking. It’s been awhile since I’ve been able to use that arm with force so to be able to get out here and do that today felt good.
Noel Devine
On coming back:
This is my second family. Even the guys that I’m not really close to said something to me so they all really supported me.
On the offense:
I’m excited. Today was my first day in pads and I’m ready to get to Friday and keep it going. I feel like defenses have respect Jarrett’s arm and his running ability, and see the receivers as threats. It’s going to open up the run a lot.
On Wes Lyons:
I’ve been noticing Wes since the bowl game. He came back strong from his injury and now that he’s 100%, he’s doing great. He’s a big threat on our team and I feel like he’s going to be the underdog. It helps get all of our receivers on the field and with all of our receivers on the field; I feel like our entire offense is a threat and that we’re complete. Now we have to execute. He’s been here for three years and I think people underestimate him. He’s going to show people what he’s capable of doing.
On the offense:
I think it’s going to be a balanced offense and it’s going to open up a lot of the run.
Jarrett Brown
On Noel Devine’s return:
I told him when he scored a touchdown off to the left that I missed him. It’s another dimension when you have to cover 50 yards down the field and the line of scrimmage. He’s explosive and that’s the ability he has.
On the offense:
I think we’re doing really good things. I think our offensive line is really stepping it up and they are starting to get the picture. We build around them. I think the receivers are a great core and they are stepping up. I’m trying to step up myself so I think we’re going to come together as a whole.
