Weekend Notes
July 10, 2009 06:08 PM | General
(6:10 pm)
Post your comments
 |
 |
| Brandon Hogan | Keith Tandy |
Either by design or by coincidence, the two guys heading into fall camp as West Virginia’s starting corners, Brandon Hogan and Keith Tandy, were both quarterbacks in high school.
Asked about that yesterday, Tandy believes it’s because the spread offense that has become so popular today requires the best athletes to play quarterback in high school. And when they advance to college, that athleticism naturally transfers to defensive back.
“We have a lot of guys that played quarterback in high school come and play DB here. I think now the more athletic players in high school are playing quarterback,” he explained. “Now it helps you read stuff when you used to play quarterback. You realize what you did in those situations and now you know what they’re trying to do.”
Tandy said he will sometimes revert back to his quarterbacking days to try and disguise coverages.
“When I used to look at coverages and try and figure out what they were doing now I think about that and I try not to show the quarterback what we’re doing,” he said.
WVU coach Bill Stewart said last spring that he wants the defense to bring more pressure this year, meaning Hogan and Tandy will get plenty of chances to display their great athleticism this fall.
From the mail bin ...
Ryan writes: John, this is slightly off topic but has anyone ever asked you what recruiting class you thought was WVU’s best? And if so, how did you answer?
No, Ryan, I haven’t been asked that and if somebody did (such as you are doing right now), my honest-to-God answer would be I don’t know. Therefore, I tracked down a guy who might be better equipped to answer your question - Donnie Young.
 |
||
| Donnie Young |
Donnie has served in some capacity on West Virginia’s staff since 1970. He believes the two strongest recruiting groups Don Nehlen’s staff put together came in 1984 and 1992.
The ‘84 class included Willie Edwards, Undra Johnson, Kevin Koken, Bob Kovach, Bo Orlando, Chris Parker, Calvin Phillips, Rick Phillips, Robert Pickett, Brian Smider, John Stroia and Craig Taylor. All of those players helped the Mountaineers reach the national championship game in 1988.
“That was the first time we were successful recruiting Florida players,” Young mentioned. “We also had some kids in that class that other people really wanted like Brian Smider from Pittsburgh, who we were able to beat Penn State for.”
Young also thought the ’92 class was exceptionally strong with DBs Aaron Beasley, Mike Logan, Charles Emanuel and Vann Washington. Beasley, a consensus All-American, was the only one of the four not to redshirt his first year. The remaining three helped the Mountaineers field the nation’s No. 1-ranked defense in 1996.
Before Nehlen, Young thought Bobby Bowden’s first full recruiting class in 1971 was outstanding. That group included Tree Adams, Danny Buggs, Bubba Coker, Greg Dorn, Jeff Merrow, Ron Lee, Charlie Miller and John Spraggins.
Buggs, Merrow and Lee went on to distinguished careers in pro football.
Considering the circumstances (poor facilities and losing records), Young pointed out that Frank Cignetti’s staff assembled strong recruiting classes in 1977 and 1978.
Cignetti’s ’77 group included Robert Alexander, Delbert Fowler, Jeff Seals and Fulton Walker, and his ’78 class was headlined by Darryl Talley, Oliver Luck, Calvin Turner, Mark Raugh, Darrell Miller, Andre Gist, Dane Conwell and Curlin Beck.
“Those were awful good football players,” Young said.
Those two recruiting classes helped West Virginia to back-to-back bowl appearances for the first time in school history in 1981-82.
Ryan, I hope this helps.
This and That ...
 |
||
| Da'Sean Butler |
Before today’s game against Russia, Butler was averaging 8.8 points and 4.4 rebounds per game, while shooting 53.3 percent overall and 66.7 percent from 3-point range (10 of 15). Butler had made two starts, and has played at least 13 minutes in each game of the tournament.
The 6-foot-7 forward failed to make a field goal in today’s 69-68 loss to Russia. U.S. will now face Israel on Saturday’s bronze medal game.
Austin Markel, who signed a free agent contract with the Marlins last week, is batting .286 at Jamestown in the New York-Penn League.
Vince Belnome, drafted in the 28th round by the Padres, is playing well at Eugene where he is hitting .313 with three home runs and 16 RBI in 19 games.
And Minnesota's fifth-round pick Tobias Streich is hitting .275 with three home runs and 10 RBI at Single-A Elizabethtown.
A total of 13 players from Greg Van Zant’s Mountaineer program are presently playing professional baseball.
 |
||
| Lisa Stoia |
Speaking of women’s soccer, West Virginia will begin the preseason right around the time football opens camp in August. Coach Nikki Izzo-Brown’s Mountaineers have made nine straight NCAA appearances – the ninth longest active streak in the country, according to women’s soccer sports information director Tim Goodenow.
... And finally, wasn't it Napoleon who once said he would take two dumb generals over one smart one?
Well, I guess you can call it dumb luck that I’ve decided to lose a few pounds. The decision came about not because of vanity, but rather out of necessity.
You see, about a month ago I went out looking to buy a couple of new suits. I met a personable young salesman and I asked him to steer me to the rack with the 46s.
He took one look at me and said, “You're a 44.”
So he grabbed a nice looking charcoal-gray 44 off the rack and I put it on. Lo and behold, the jacket fit perfectly. Tempestuously, I grabbed another 44 and told him I would get them tailored later.
The problem came when I got home and tried on the slacks – OJ had an easier time getting the murder glove on than I did trying to fasten the button over my expanding belly.
Jackets and slacks have corresponding sizes. A 46 jacket comes with a 40 waist-sized pant - a 44 jacket comes with 38 pants.
And I knew the 38s were going to be a big (or small) problem.
Consequently, I am now officially on a diet – not because it is a wise and healthy choice, but rather because the money I sunk into those two new suits doesn’t go to waste.
I’ll keep you posted.
Have a great weekend!
