I realize that we are in the middle of a very successful basketball season, but it’s never too early to talk about football right?
So today I thought I would take a closer look at the 3 biggest questions that need to be addressed during spring practice.
1) Special Teams. Ok, so not all of special teams needs an overhaul. We fared generally well in most areas of special teams, but one glaring weakness is kick-off return coverage.
One addition & one coaching change could pay immediate dividends. Coach Stew announced yesterday that he has relinquished the role of special teams coordinator and has handed the reigns to two assitants. Dave McMichael (who will also coach the tight ends) will be the special teams co-coordinator in charge of offensive special teams (i.e. field goal, kick-off return, etc). Veteran coach Steve Dunlap will coordinate the defensive special teams which includes the kick-off return coverage unit.
The one addition is kicker/punter & West Virginia native Corey Smith. Smith, a transfer from Alabama, is said to have a big leg so his addition could mean that we can finally put a kick into the end zone.
Regardless if we can kick it in the end zone or not, until we can prove to teams that we can stop them at or inside the 20 the opposition is going to continue to bring it out and test our special teams.
2) We need to find a quarterback. Is Geno Smith the man? Only time will tell for sure and we may not know anything until fall camp. Smith has been slow to return from a foot injury suffered during winter workouts and will likely be limited this spring.
We are dangerously thin at QB having only Smith, Coley White & wide receiver Bradley Starks among the scholarship’d athletes on the roster this spring. Heralded recruits Jeremy Johnson & Barry Brunetti will be here this summer.
Let’s hope that Smith shows us that he can stay healthy and be the go to guy when he gets his opportunity. Otherwise, we may have to rely on one of the true freshmen to step in.
3) Develop some depth on the offensive line. The crew from last year took almost every snap the entire season. That is almost unheard of for the offensive line position! A tip of the hat goes to Mike Joseph for keeping these guys healthy and in great shape.
In 2009, we recruited 5 offensive linemen (Cole Bowers, Pat Eger, Nick Kindler, Ryan Spike & Jordan Weingart) all of which will be redshirt freshmen this season. Who amongst that group will step up and provide depth or possibly compete for a starting spot?
There are other storylines that will play out during spring practice (i.e. who replaces Reed, how much impact will McMichael have in his return to WVU, wide receiver depth, etc), but the above 3 items are the big ones. If we are able to find answers to these 3 questions we will have a successful 2010 campaign and will compete for the Big East Championship.
Ern is the generalist of the group. He contributes original content, posts links to news articles, tracks all the developments in Morgantown, keeps his pulse on the Mountaineer fan nation, etc... he does it all. 
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The only facet of special teams I am truly concerned about is kick-off coverage. It would not take very much at all to show improvement in this, and, I do think there will be improvement. On the offensive line, I think if nothing else, we will have to force the depth issue. I think, even before practice starts, we need to decide that there will be at least 8 offensive linemen to play, regardless of anything. The quarterback position is the one problem that concerns me the most. With a healthy Geno Smith, I think we would mainly need to develop a backup, but, Smith is not healthy. I hope Mr. Smith is not injury prone, and, it is much to early to say that he is, however, it does cross my mind. In fact, it crosses my mind to the extent that I think quarterbacks number two through three are my biggest concerns. For the record, if Geno gets healthy and stays that way, I believe we will have a very good season. While we are bringing in extremely good talent, I am hoping a freshman quarterback will not have to lead this team this season.
Was the injury to Geno Smith’s foot a re-injury of his ATV accident or a different injury all together? I havent heard much about this. If it is a different injury then I would think it is bad luck, however, if he re-injured the same foot then it would be cause for concern.
Unfortunately, I do not know if the two are related. I know this injury was on his left foot – was that the same as the foot he injured during the ATV accident? I do not recall. This injury apparently happened during a ‘routine’ workout.
Two interesting developments is that Coley White will be moved to receiver once spring practice is over. The shocking news is Logan Heastie. He went from enrolling in school early to get a quick start and play immediately, to being re-shirted, to now not even knowing whether he will be playing football anymore…. very interesting.
A 4th question should be added. What about our offensive coordinator? He needs to find some type of consistency in his play calling. He seems to start off like a ball of fire and tends to fizz like a sparkler. Personally, I think he needs to go.
To answer Douglass – The injury is the same foot but a different bone. He broke it while planting on a running move. Also to Larry. It’s not really fair to judge an OC on his playcalling with 3 different QB’s when they all have different strengths and weakness and do not fit the system you are trying to install for the future. Also The Head coach needs to keep his nose out of your playcalling also when his choices are not the same as yours and are more conservative.
Mullen is preparing to call plays for his third QB and has only had to call plays for 2 so far. (one game against lowly Marshall shouldn’t count as 3 QB’s) And while that may have been a difficult task, it has little to do with the criticism he is receiving. It’s more about establishing an identity within the game. His approach in several games appeared to be Jeckyl and Hyde. Devine gets the ball and then he doesn’t. Passing attempts are made downfield for a while, and then there are nothing but screens in the passing game. Led to a lot of wasted offensive possessions. Stewart’s interference may be a valid point, but the difference in QB’s shouldn’t be that much of a factor in the offensive struggles. After all, Cincinnati started 4 different QB’s in 2008 and won 11 games and a trip to the orange bowl.
I have always wondered about the dynamic that existed between Holliday and Mullen. I’ve never read a quote but I’ve heard rumors that the two had differing opinions about the play calling. They shared the booth together. Again, this is speculation on my part. Yet, Mullen seems far more at ease in his press videos than he did prior to Doc taking the job at Marshall. Thoughout the season last year Stewart openly stated that he made this call or that. He also referenced there was discussion going on about the correct play to call, and he made the final choice. If nothing else it will be an interesting development to keep an eye on next year.
one question you didn’t bring up, and it’s the biggest we have faced in years. How do we educate steward on football decisions, and how do we keep him off camera and not embarrass everyone that ever had anything to do with wvu sports… May God help us get rid of this idiot
i have only one big queston,,,,,,, when will stewart, mullen ,and johnson start earning their huge salaries???????????