Friday Practice Recap
April 03, 2009 08:14 PM | General
April 3, 2009
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| Bill Stewart |
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. - Bill Stewart was pleased with the work his football team got in Friday afternoon despite practicing in steady rain at Milan Puskar Stadium.
The Mountaineers had a two-hour workout in shorts and shoulder pads in front of approximately 300 high school football coaches on campus for Stewart's annual coaches' clinic.
"We checked the Doppler and we thought this was going to blow through," Stewart said. "The rain was supposed to stop at 4:30 and lo and behold it didn't. But it was a good day."
Working out in the rain gave the team an opportunity to handle the football in less-than-ideal conditions.
"I was really pleased with the way both sides concentrated," Stewart said. "It certainly wasn't hurricane weather, but it was distracting and that was good because we are going to play in weather like this at some point in the next couple of years."
Stewart singled out several players for their performances Friday.
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| Eain Smith |
"I was pleased with how well we caught the ball and how well we broke on the ball. There was some nice plays defensively interception wise - I know Eain (Smith) got a big one. That was really good to see," Stewart said. "And I keep seeing Alric Arnett. He keeps making big-time plays down the field and I keep seeing Wes Lyons on scramble drills. He's a big man and Jarrett is looking for him."
Stewart said Lyons continues to show signs that he is going to be a factor in the passing game for the Mountaineers this fall.
"Wes Lyons has been healthy and that's what excites me. He has always had a bump or a nick and that's been frustrating," Stewart noted. "I'm pleased with what he is done. I think our offensive staff is using him very wisely. It's good to see him in that slot and outside. He's got to learn all four positions. He's got to learn X, H, Y and Z. He's got a lot on his plate, and I think he can handle it."
On the other side of the ball, junior linebacker Pat Lazear was one of the players that caught Stewart's eye.
"I liked the way defense came down hill today. They looked like the defense of old. I saw Pat Lazear make some plays, Scooter and Chris Nield did a good job, and when 47 (Reed Williams) is in there we are a different football team.
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| Trippe Hale |
"Trippe Hale made a couple of big licks out there. Trippe has one speed - his motor goes full. There is no idle, there is no low gear; it's full speed," Stewart said.
Saturday the team will have its first officiated scrimmage of the spring. West Virginia will begin practice with the Victory drill and scrimmaging will consist mostly of situational work.
"I hope the weather is going to be advantageous for us to get a lot done," Stewart said.
Briefly:
"Those guards are learning every day and it looks like they are getting better and better. We only had one bad snap and that was on the inside drill when Eric (Jobe) and Coley (White) did not get on the same page," Stewart said. "We took a lot of snaps out there in some bad weather.
"We shortened practice about 10 minutes to make sure they have their legs for the scrimmage," Stewart said.
"(Saturday) is going to be Mountaineer football at its best I hope. I hope we hit each other hard and I know we will compete. I want them to strain and that's what we are looking for every time."
"There is a method to the madness," Stewart said. "I want to stress them and strain them and see what kind of grit and resolve they have and then we are going to reward them with some time off with their family."
