Day One Fall Camp Update
August 07, 2010 09:16 PM | General
August 7, 2010
Coach Bill Stewart – 2010 Football Camp Press Conference 1
Opening Statement
It’s a pleasure to be with you today as we open the 2010 edition of Mountaineer football. Our players are very excited. They looked very enthused today out there practicing at a fast speed. We have good potential this season, but we have a long way to go, as do about 119 other Division 1 football teams.
(newcomers that have reported for camp, and who didn’t report for camp?)
Everyone that was expected to be here is here, with the exception of a lineman that we are still waiting to receive clearance for the eligibility center. We’re also missing a slot receiver. The lineman is from Virginia – Quinton Spain. Dante Chambers is the receiver. They will be en route as soon as the eligibility center approves them.
The rest are here to my knowledge. There is a lot of potential and a lot of good players. Their heads are spinning, especially at the quarterback spot – two good players, but their heads are spinning.
(on the play of quarterback Geno Smith)
Geno was not moving quiet as nimble as I’ve seen him move in the past, but he was moving well enough. As I’ve said earlier, he’s a real student of the game. He’s had a good summer practicing by himself.
(on the thought process of giving receiver Ivan McCartney the No. 5 jersey)
Myself, our staff, the sports communications department and our seniors decided last year that it was right to not give out Pat White’s jersey last year. As time moves on, it’s time to press on in life and go.
That No. 5 has been worn by several great West Virginia players, and it was just a year of honor and respect to Pat White. Now, it’s out there on the playing field again and hopefully another young man will take it and do great things.
(on the discussion he had with the team regarding the NCAA investigation)
I addressed it with the team and staff very briefly last night. That is not on our mind. It has been addressed by director Oliver Luck and it is not what we’re thinking about right now.
This football team, led by Bill Stewart, our staff and seniors, is going to concentrate on the 2010 season with full effort.
We will not talk about it anymore. It has been addressed by Mr. Luck and it’s over at this time.
(on offensive linemen Nick Kindler and Ryan Spiker)
Nick Kindler is on the injured shelf right now. He’s going to be coming to camp Monday for rehab. We will count him in the camp count so he can get rehab for the next four seasons.
Ryan Spiker has decided to not be a part about of the Mountaineer family.
(on the beginning of Noel Devine’s senior season)
(Devine) and Jock Sanders, and the remaining members of the senior class – these guys have done everything the right way all summer. There is a lot of idle time right now. College players stay on campus, and we can’t watch over all of them. It’s easy for the wander.
These guys have led with such clarity, enthusiasm, emotion and pride and it has been really neat to watch. I’m so proud of our senior class, led by Devine and Sanders.
I’ve seen a more mature Noel Devine. He got sick up in Newport (R.I.) and we couldn’t run him today because he lost weight. He’s a rock-solid 178-pounds. His body percent fat is so low that we have to watch him. He has to get his weight back up. When you are as built as he is, and are suddenly five-pounds lighter, that’s a big drop.
He went today, but I just didn’t run him in sprints.
(on the quarterback reps)
I’ll let (quarterback coach) Jeff Mullen answer that. As an overall plan, Geno will go, then a younger quarterback would go. Then we would pull Geno out, and we let Jeremy (Johnson) and Barry (Brunetti) take reps in the skeleton. We didn’t do that in the team scrimmage. Geno always went with the 1s and 2s.
Coley White worked very hard today at slot. He caught the ball well and I’m very proud of him – he’s giving great effort.
Right now, Geno is going to get 50 percent of the work, and the two freshmen will get 25 percent each. As we go along, we’ll see who steps up.
(on the condition of the players at camp)
There are 100 student-athletes here and they are all in good shape. I saw one young freshman struggle today, but it’s year-round conditioning anymore, and we’re ready to go.
(on the play of the receivers and their experience)
When you have players like Jock Sanders and Tavon Austin (you’re OK). We want to put our best players on the field. I’m not going to let Tavon stand on the sideline and wait for Noel or Jock to get hurt – that’s not smart.
We can always play one tight end, Brad Starks out wide, Jock and Tavon, with Noel in the backfield. If you bring Jock in motion, you have your twin backs, like we’ve always had in the past, and you three pretty good wide outs. We also have Tyler Urban and Will Johnson that can play the tight end/fullback.
We have enough in the arsenal, we just have to fine tune it and get the match-ups each week for the opponents.
(on the leadership in the huddle)
Geno has that air and confidence about him, having called his own plays for two years at state-champion Miramar (Fla.). That’s 5A football. He’s a confident young man. He wasn’t your normal freshman last year because he played under a great system. Now, he still has that leadership mode.
Before, Noel would just look (in the huddle), Jock would say something and Brad Starks wouldn’t say much. Now, they are saying more to help Geno in times. It’s more of a team and offensive leadership then what was in place in the past. When Pat was here, he did it all. Jarrett (Brown) was a quite leader – he didn’t say much because he was a first-year starter. Geno is much more vocal than Geno was. He has command of that huddle. What will be very interesting is when Geno is out, and whoever comes in at quarterback, those other guys are going to have to turn around and help and get involved.
(on the state of Scooter Berry)
He’s close to social security. He’s been here a long time.
Scooter is nicked up. He’s been in the wars and he’s been in there banging. Scooter is probably in the best camp shape ever – he’s ready to go.
What he and coach Kirelawich need to work on is their communication. Scooter needs to tell his coach when he needs a break. I trust him – he’s a five-year guy.
(on the play of Bruce Irvin)
He doesn’t look like anyone we’ve had before. He’s a sharp, consciousness guy. Last night, he came up with the freshmen. He acknowledges that he’s a newcomer. It will be a great story if he has success.
(on who stood out today)
Tavon Austin is quick. He did a really nice job. Of course, that whole defense – I smile a little bit when I see them.
I told the team after practice that I thought, from what I heard today, that the seniors and the upperclassmen did a tremendous job with our young people, getting them in place, lined up, and keeping them enthused. That was neat to see and hear.
(on the depth of the offensive line and the play of the younger players)
There has to be a trust between coach Johnson and our football staff on what they (the younger linemen) and what they can do. It’s time for them to step up. It’s time for Chad Snodgrass. It’s time for Cole Bowers. It’s time for guys like John Bassler and Jeff Braun to step up and play.
That’s not just for the offensive line, it’s for all of the young guys in our program. We do have a lot of nice veterans, but we’ll just have to see. Like I said, we have a lot of potential, but we sure have a long way to go. I saw talent today, but I did see heads spinning.
It’s camp time, and it’s a great time. We’re here in the hills of West Virginia with great enthusiasm.
Select Players
Defensive lineman Chris Neild
(on the first day of camp)
Today was good. We had a longer practice then usual, but I think we got a lot of good work in. We are all pretty sore because we had last week off. Getting the soreness out the first day will definitely help us later.
(on playing along side Scooter Berry again)
It’s a delight to have him out there. He’s been on the sideline with injuries and stuff, and having him out there is great. It definitely helps the line out a lot.
(on what the team is working on)
Just the basics. We always work on the fundamentals. We don’t have that many new guys. The only new guy out there is Trevor Demko and he’s doing well. For being a young guy, he’s showing a lot of promise. We’re really trying to work with him and get him acclimated.
Running back Noel Devine
(on his sickness in Newport, R.I.)
I rarely eat clams. I was just hoping for an experience to try them and see what they were like. I don’t think that turned out too well.
(on his weight loss and its effects)
I lost seven pounds. I have gotten most of it back. I don’t really feel the effects, but I did feel a difference. I kept cramping up.
(on day one of camp)
Day one was pretty impressive. The offense was doing well. Geno looked pretty good and the linemen were looking well. I’m impressed so far and we just have to stay consistent.
This is my senior year and I’m just trying to enjoy everything and embrace it all. It’s the first day of camp in my last year.
(on the play of Colely White)
He’s still learning. I’m hoping by the end of camp he will be more advanced. He’s been knocking out seven-on-sevens, and I think that’s great for him. He has a lot of speed.
(on being held out of sprints due to illness)
I’m a runner! That’s what I was born to do.
(on his personal growth over the last four years)
Obviously I’ve grown a lot – physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually – and as an overall person. On the field and off the field – West Virginia has provided me so much and it’s a blessing.
Quarterback Geno Smith
(on camp conditions)
It’s 26 tough periods. Everyone’s feet hurt out there on that turf – it’s hot. A lot of (the hurt) just comes with the wear and tear of practice. Once I get acclimated to practice, it will all be good.
(on the difference between 7-on-7s and camp)
There isn’t as much running (in 7-on-7s). At camp, we’re running each period and doing different drills. There is more stress on your feet and I just need to get used to it. It’s not something that pains me during practice, more so once we’re done.
It’s just something I have to get out of my head. Your foot will cramp up. I just have to get that out of my head during practice and I’ll be fine.
(on approach as the No. 1 quarterback)
It doesn’t change anything. I treat practice, games and meetings all of the same way. Being the starter makes you want to prepare harder. It’s not that you want to be perfect, but you want to try your best. Being the starter is definitely different then being the back-up and doing the same thing every day.
Line backer JT Thomas
(on the team’s performance today)
Today we did a lot of 7-on-7s and just a little bit of team scrimmage. We couldn’t do much because we only had on vests, but everyone is happy to be out on the field running in new gear and to back on their jerseys. It was very enthusiastic out there today. We all had a good time.
(on his camp condition)
I weighed in at 227 pounds today, and I usually play at 220. This is the best I have ever felt. It’s largely in part to the fact that my mom is in town. She has been in all summer and she’s been feeding me three meals a day. I feel very big and strong.
(on what he can do this year that he couldn’t before)
Experience is a big thing for the older guys. We know exactly what is coming and prepare better than the younger guys. We had last week off, so no one is in football shape right now. You’ll see us playing a lot faster five days into camp.
