05/19/2008

Spring developments

Will Johnson



It has been duly noted how much Will Johnson has impressed the staff at his hybrid fullback/tight end position. From everything I have taken in, the press articles and viewing the Spring game, I am extremely excited to see how big of an impact this young man can have. It seems to me that he has the size and athletic ability to be a contributor in the passing game. I am a bit anxious however to see just how capable he is at creating the huge running lanes and down field blocks that were handled so well by Owen last year.

Bradley Starks

Another break out player of the Spring is QB-turned-receiver, Bradley Starks. The coaches are raving about him and it seems he has broken the top three of the receiver rotation. Some think he could be the home-run threat that we have so often lacked in the past. I am very skeptical of this assessment. I believe that Bradley will be able to be effective in an offense that is going to see much more of those intermediate 10-20 yard passes, however I do not him seeing creating the separation or making the plays needed on the long balls. Rather he joins Dorrell Jalloh, and Will Johnson as very capable route running and possession receivers while Jock Sanders and Brandon Hogan are the playmakers that take short passes and turn them into big yardage. I believe the most capable players at completing the long receptions will likely be Tito Gonzalez and Alric Arnett, but we will just have to see. 

No idea about offense

While we have heard a lot about what to expect in the types of changes that will be made to the offense and how it will not be changed it does not seem like anyone besides the coaches and players actually knows what to expect. The offense shown at the spring game was exactly what we have known. I expect that we will not really know much about how different our offense is under the new staff until Villanova on opening day, and possibly not even then.

Worried about injuries on defense

We have lost a very likely contributor on defense in junior college addition Brantwon Bowser at corner and the Zac Cooper & Reed Williams availability this season is still very much in jeopardy. If they are unavailable then we will need to see some certain players step up and perform in huge ways to have another solid defense in ’08.

Spring Experiences

Met Logan Heastie at the Spring Game.

After the Spring Game I briefly spoke to him and let him know how proud and excited I was that he was a Mountaineer. I stated that I hoped we threw it more than we did in the Spring Game once he arrived and he assured me that he thought that would be the case. I do not know that many other fans noticed him, it might be that they are all just better mannered than I. One thing was evident though, just like his friend Tajh he is someone that seems to have that high quality character which Coach Stewart has mentioned.



Got season tickets

I have secured tabs on Touchdown Terrace tickets for the upcoming season which I have sat in the the past two seasons and have enjoyed thoroughly. They should allow me to attend all the home games. I also plan to be at the Colorado and Pittsburgh away games.



A Heisman Campaign

I have began an effort to organize an Unofficial Heisman Campaign for Pat White this season. While the school is making an official effort, it is my hope that what I will organize will embody the fans support of our team and its players. I hope that others are willing to show just how proud they are of Patrick and what he has accomplished as a Mountaineer.
(site to be located at WHITEFORHEISMAN.COM)