Welcome to the Friday Feedback. Call this our scrimmage as we near the end of camp and get to the editions that really count. Tomorrow, West Virginia scrimmages, and as we discussed previously, it sort of starts to take form and starts to count from there. Everything leading up to it matters, but the coaches are going in with people and things they want to see and work on, because camp ends Tuesday.

They want to walk off the field Saturday with answers, so figure they’ll leave as few questions out there as possible. We’ll pay attention to who goes where and when, as well as what the Mountaineers do in different scenarios and spots on the field, but as always, we’ll do it with the appropriate amount of skepticism.

It’s going to be the most informative day of the 13 camp days, and it will shape what happens when the Mountaineers begin what they call practice as they ready for Missouri.

Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, keep your cool.

Dann White said:

Once again, I have crafted a beautiful comment regarding the seemingly hostile attitude regarding Skyler Howard, a young-fellow with a heart as big as Texas; who apparently is now to be roasted for being our best hope at QB. Once again I let it sit for 2-3 hours and deleted it by default when I closed the browser.This young guy is two (2), yes-two drops-muffs-breakups a game from a 62% completion ratio last year and one would think he had been running around Morgantown wearing a Pitt Jersey. I, personally refuse to criticize a kid who has fought so hard and overcame so many obstacles, because I am unhappy with our seeming inability to recruit a blue-chip quarterback. A problem, apparently going around a whole host of schools not named Alabama, Ohio State, UCLA, and Stanford.
I hope the new kid, Grier is good as expected, hell, I hope he is phenomenal as a Mountaineer, (as much as I detest the fact that he wasn’t interested in donning the Old Gold and Blue as a prep player) but I am so hoping for a suck-it-up grind it out conference championship and a surprise appearance in the playoff THIS YEAR. Please, let me have this one last chance to dream….
I have to admit that I likely will be in the higher-than-nosebleed seats when he takes the field as a Mountaineer, my ability to watch, enjoy, or even be aware of WVU Football at that point is a concept that is certainly debatable but far beyond any discussion group I am likely to attend. Like those comments I keep deleting, such things just seem to lose importance when compared to our mortality.
This blog has been a high point, by the way.
While still reserving the right to get well, (I and the doctors are trying) I would like to take in one home-game this year. If anyone has some tickets to sell or barter (at least 4) I could use them. I’d like to catch a cool weather game (My Birthday is October 9TH) so if you have some to part with or even a suggestion, my email isdwtoo@hotmail.com .
Meanwhile, know that I hate to not participate, but there seems to be a contradiction between high doses of narcotics and moderate periods of comprehensible commentary on any topic. For now, I guess my choices are made for me. I’m still here, hovering about like a guardian angel. Watch what you say…….Dann

Party with Dann?!!?

Mr Burns said:

Um, Shelton, there are times when it is wise to run out of bounds.

Funny, I asked Skyler Howard about that, just to see if it was true. He said it was, but added, “I’m OK with that, as long as it isn’t a two-minute drill.”

Sid Brockman said:

“Right now, Skyler Howard doesn’t throw interceptions.”

How I wish that statement were true. Mr. Carrier will be proved wrong soon enough.

I’ve learned my lesson.

smeer said:

the gist is, our receivers are getting plenty of reps playing DB on Howard’s errant throws. that could translate into the season. doesn’t make us successful – the question becomes how many plays do our receivers get to play receiver and how many plays do they get to pretend to be Karl Joseph? over/under on pass breakups by our WRs per game?

A liberal interpretation, but I’ll play along. Seems like 0.5 is about right.

ccteam said:

The contrarian in me has to point out that if WV receivers drop a few less Howard’s numbers will make a significant uptick on that alone.

I mean, they dropped, what, three for sure against TCU, plus a fourth that was debatable? And to be fair, what Tyron Carrier was saying when he said his receivers break up interceptions is that they will break up interceptions and try to separate head from body to do so. He’s trying to convince people his players are physical. It’s funny how one question on the first day and one reserved answer from the head coach turned into one of the big camp storylines.

SheikYbuti said:

Skyler tries hard, and he appears to have an excellent attitude. He was lightly recruited, no doubt for good reason, and he just hasn’t shown anything beyond journeyman skills. It’s not his fault he’s not ubertalented, but one could say the same about every QB who’s suited up for the Mountaineers since Geno left. Holgorsen was offered the job because he was supposed to be an offensive genius and quarterback guru, and, for the longest time, he has utterly failed to recruit talent commensurate with his coaching reputation. Grier most likely represents a breakthrough in that regard, but he’s not going to be chucking the pigskin all over the lot until next season. In the meantime, I’ll hope for the best out of Skyler, but I’ll be extraordinarily surprised if he’s anything beyond serviceable. Can’t help that I’m bummed out about that.

He’s got to produce. Now, who “he” is, I’ll leave that up to you, but it’s a sweeping, accurate and fair generalization.

Mack said:

You forget how (crappy) it was.

Yes! That’s why you have to watch the pressers from start to finish.

Sid Brockman said:

I think it’s rare that the NT in that defense is NOT Mr. Indispensable. He controls so much.

Indeed, but I think WVU would have an “easier” time replacing anyone outside of Darrien Howard given his skill, production and execution and what it would take to fill his spot.

Brian said:

Real tragedy that D. Howard is not a redshirt Junior this year.

Indeed, as well, and you just hope it doesn’t cost him a pro career. I’ve no question he’d be a pro if he was a redshirt junior today.

Dennis said:

I think you meant “acclimate” instead of “acquiesce” !

I don’t !

netbros said:

“he likes to score touchdowns” makes him “my kind of back” too. Nothing in the comments about breakaway runner. That would be nice too. We haven’t really had one of those since Noel (and Tavon against Oklahoma).

I have to think “likes to score touchdowns” was an unintentional call back to Wendell Smallwood. Also, that line we’ve had here about Crawford pulling away from no one on film? Let’s just say someone else has heard that and I’ve been assured he played against the best and fastest defenders in junior college … which is probably true.

tls62pa said:

HCDH spoke multiple times about specializing and getting guys focused on one task today. Just something important to note.

Oh, yes. He was all over that talking point at the Big 12 media days.

Receivers used to learn one position and stick with that. In the past few years, whether by need or creativity, some learned inside and outside positions or how to play an inside or outside position on both sides of the field.

Holgorsen never liked that and hopes those days are over.

“We’ve focused on that quite a bit,” he said. “If you look back at what I did at Houston and Oklahoma State and my first year here, we didn’t do a whole lot of that. We’ve done quite a bit of that over the last three years.

“I think we’re at a point now with enough weapons at our disposal that we can get guys more solidified at a specific position. If you’re not good enough at all those positions, that’s when you’ve got to move people around.”

CC Team said:

The beginning of the end of Crest at WV? Can’t see why he would stay as a third string qb.

That shoulder, man. it may have derailed everything.

Bobby Heenan said:

a few (snarky thoughts):

– Third team QB William Crest. I can’t believe he won’t transfer if that stays the case by the end of the fall. I just don’t see him ever taking meaningful snaps here, either at QB or at some sort of “slash” position. Look at that WR talent and tell me you’d rather have Crest out there catching passes more than any one of the the top 6 receivers. No way.

– I’m definitely behind on my WVU football reading, and I think Mike has covered it some (so apologies), but Xavier Preston was the talk of the team at one point last year. Now he’s stuck behind Arndt and I haven’t heard much about him. Hmmm…

– Ricky Rodgers must just love the WVU dance program. Look at that depth chart/talent at outside reciever and tell me he breaks through White, Gibson, Durante (he’d move back outside if white or Gibson got hurt) or Jennings…all of whom in theory will be back next year. Rodgers was a highly rated recruit who I think can play…and maybe this WR crew is over-hyped, but man a guy like Rodgers is a regular contributor on any other WVU WR crew that I can remember over the past 10 years other than this one.

Yeah, I don’t know how you look into the crystal ball and say Crest is better than third-team this time next year. The way Cody Saunders looked late in the spring, and the fact he’ll get a lot of work this season, even the third-team could be dicey. Preston is out for the first game for a team rules thing. And Rogers is, near as I can tell, pretty popular among teammates. Gibson says he has the best body control and strong hands. Honestly, if he’s your third guy, your team is doing well. Now, does he recognize that and say, “Wait, I can do better?” Stop it. It’s August.

Down South said:

Mike’s love of Khairi Sharif makes me laugh every single time. I saw a YouTube video yesterday of the corners going through drills with Blue Adams. I literally didn’t recognize any of them, which I took to be a bad sign.

But seriously, how good must Toyous Avery be?

TLS62PA said:

If your goal was to make me look up Carter Walburn, you succeeded.

Remember the name.

netbros said:

Have any candidates for “interviewee of the year” developed yet? There always seems to be one: outspoken, off-kilter, humorous, maybe even a little controversial.

You know some of the answers. Tyler Orlosky is so smart and honest as well as an admitted smart ass. Jarrod Harper, Shelton Gibson, JaJuan Seider. They’re all good. Tony Gibson gets a mention for endurance. Those guys. New ones? Carrier is great. I think I’ve used something from Matt Caponi every time I’ve talked to him. Rasul Douglas is a lot of fun. I guess Al-Rasheed Benton would be a new name, but he’s always got something. But to be completely honest with you, Crest is wonderful. Not the best circumstances, but, man, he says all the right things and he does it the right way. Also, I’ve heard Jovon Durante is the funniest guy on the team. I can’t wait for that one.  

Mack said:

Kind of curious, myself, about whether Brendan Ferns will be a player who plays this season.

He will. Some special teams and some defense. WVU knew he’d get it, but he’s getting it faster and at a higher level than what was expected.

CC Team said:

I think The Ferni is better than The Fernses. The Ferns brothers, your first choice is grammatically correct.

Interesting. But if you have one cactus and two cactus, might you have one Ferns and two Ferns?

JAL said:

Did not realize so many were off limits. Would make fresh interviews difficult.

I felt like I needed to color in some things. It’s weird to read stories about a player and not see quotes from that player.

Bobby Heenan said:

That Durante as IR move is interesting. I hope it works out, but it’s going to be dicey. I think he’s got the most potential of all the WR’s, so we’ve got to get him on the field, but inside is tough. I feel like more so than outside you’ve got to have that sense for space and “feel” when to sit down in the zone underneath the safeties or when to keep running across a LB’s face. Devon Brown and Tavon were very good at this. Welker is the master at that “feel” for when to find that little crease inside a hectic middle of the field.

Jovon is IMO naturally an outside guy with that straight line speed and height, but I like that Dana is trying to find a way to get him on the field, because he’s a burner with good body control and if he avoids those drops he’ll be another dangerous weapon out there.

If Durante’s head is in it, he’s one of the five best guys Dana has. You find a spot for him. I don’t think he’s one of the two best outside guys, even in the best five conversation. I asked Carrier about Durante Thursday and wondered if he was still an inside guy or an outside guy or both. “He’s the guy.” Also, Durante is playing the H position, which is what Carrier and Welker played, and that position goes vertical more often than the Y.

Wayward Eer said:

I like that group of inside guys. One thing I always like at the games is when we can take those easy 5-10 yard throws and turn them into nice gains (didn’t say tunnel screens but wonder if we are going to see more of them this year). I really felt like the short/intermediate game was missing last year.

Daikiel Shorts, Devonte Mathis, Gary Jennings and Durante are all different players. The first three are bigger bodies. Jennings and Durante can fly. We haven’t even mentioned Steven Smothers. There’s a lot of potential in there, and have I mentioned Justin Crawford is already capable of lining up in a two-back one play and in the slot the next?

Foul Shot said:

Have to see some improvement from Durante consistently catching the ball. He left a least a couple of long TDs out there last year. Not much the QB can do when you put the ball on the receiver’s hands and it falls to the turf.
It is nice to the see the publicity WVU is getting from the Olympic golds this past week. And, from a WVU Engineering student to boot!

It’s definitely not easier to catch passes in the slot. Carrier said it was a concern when they moved Durante inside, where the ball is on you faster and you don’t have nearly as much time to spy, track and adjust. Then there are all the bodies in close proximity and the fact you typically work on the horizon and not up the rail. But Carrier also said other coaches have told him the receivers aren’t dropping passes like the were last season. 

Mr Burns said:

WVU needs to generate interest in the program. Maybe HCDH was convinced that he REALLY NEEDS to promote. He doesn’t need to be Harbaugh (please don’t be Harbaugh), but allowing more media access could be a step in the right direction. Maybe he could appear on the Weather Channel.

This is about the scrimmage and, specifically, the decision to open it to the media, and you are correct. The offense is going to look good. The media will be grateful. Assume some people will be impressed and thus excited. 

Chris said:

Can’t read to much into these lineups because they were by design to put certain players in these situations to see how they would react but i do like the 4 receiver package Dana has said a lot about going back to the basics of the air raid offense i believe we have the talent now to do so. The coaches are putting a lot of these new guys in with the 1st and 2nd teams to get as many reps for them as possible.

Exactly. There’s no way I’m saying four-wide is WVU’s main formation, though I do think the fact Dana has so many receivers and a very good offensive line creates the possibility we see more of it. He’s needed a tight end or an extra back to help with pass protection before. But you have to assume that formation and the 3-1-7 defense were both out there for certain reasons. One was to give a campus in Columbia, Mo., something to consider. Another was to get a bunch of defensive backs on the field at once and see what they can do. But, without question, one was to see what the four-wide looked like. Also, I’m delighted to know this is a place where we can discuss EIGHT PLAYS and understand it should not be taken too seriously or that we should project it across an entire season. Some people …    

Clarence  Oveur said:

“It’s not necessarily pressure, it’s more [goes on to describe a pressure situation].”

Nana Kyeremeh’s not necessarily a backup, he’s more of a guy not getting first-team reps right now.

smeer said:

are you planning a regular season Bingo? a bowl game Bingo? (optimistic) even a Big12 games Bingo?

Not in the regular season. I do need to breathe and eat. Bowl game? Absolutely. This was a lot of fun. Other reporters and some folks inside the Puskar Center were pointing things out to me, and that’s always a good sign. I feel strongly about Tuesday Haiku for the same reasons. Speaking of …

… let’s finish with what’s rapidly becoming the best part of the week.

Shoot4Show:

Cockeyed video
Lends a fresh new perspective
Fan’s view always skewed

overtheSEC said:

Changes from last year?
Only guarantee so far
No trough urinals

Loopy Hoopy said:

which chair did he choose?
brown? round? square? pink cupholders?
Fake Tony Stark knows.

Sid Brockman said:

The first week is done.
What is it that we have learned?
The Kool-Aid tastes great.

Drew said:

Hello, 911?
Please help, standpoint is missing.
Where has standpoint gone?

NotFooled said:

d-line looking thin
skylar and boys get in synch
dana snorts and coughs

smeer  said:

pretty stadium
B12 money. true colors!
congestion no more

pretty or nasty?
tyron is tough. recievers?
let’s get physical

Olivia! love
Bolivia! not so much.
pretty Newton John

DMX said:

Stop drop shut em down
open up shop oh no that’s
how Ruff Ryders roll

Enjoy the weekend!