Friday Feedback
August 26, 2016 by Mike Casazza
Welcome to the Friday Feedback, which sees just one last hurdle between us and it. We’ve placed all these obstacles along the way to the regular season — media days, the start of camp, the big scrimmage, the end of camp, the mock game week, things like that — but this is the beginning of the end of the offseason.
Today, West Virginia does that seemingly trivial/seemingly priceless mock Friday night, in which the team gets on a bus and goes to the hotel and simulates a Friday before a home game. Tomorrow will be treated much like a game day, and the Mountaineers will do some important physical and mental reps and finish it off by singing “Country Roads” at the end.
And then that’s it. Sunday is an ordinary Sunday. Meetings. Film. A light workout. Monday is an off day for school. Tuesday is prep for a real, live opponent. We really need it, too. I wrote a story about Marvin Gross. I’m concerned about who the backup place kicker is. I know what happens if Hodari Christian gets hurt. I need to know who’s on the front line in kickoff returns. It’s bad.
Onto the Feedback. As always, comments appear as posted. In other words, you’re always on the clock.
Sammy said:
I don’t understand the stuff about him having a safety body. Did Daryl Worley have a safety body? (He is going to probably start for the Panthers.)
It just seemed weird. I just want the two best corners to play.
He’s big? Bigger than a cornerback typically is? He’s stout and he can run, and you kind of need that at safety if you’re going to be used in coverage but also asked to come up and cover tight ends and stop the run. WVU uses a nickel similarly.
I love you, Doug! said:
Hey, if this kid turns out to be even a bit of Ryan Mundy, I’ll take it.
It’s the obvious comparison, but it’s not off base.
avb31 said:
Does it concern anybody else that this kid was buried on Iowa’s depth chart? Might not be fair to hope he has a Mindy type impact here.
It’s worth considering. Anytime you see a guy who wasn’t good enough to start at one school, you wonder why that’s going to change at a new school or if it’s going to be an upgrade. But he played nickel at Iowa — he was basically a starter — and couldn’t get time at corner because there are two all-conference types on the roster. Desmond King was a consensus All-American. He and Greg Mabin are NFL players. Maybe Fleming isn’t, but the fact those two probably are shouldn’t be seen as the reason why.
SheikYbuti said:
I was highly impressed with the No. 5 WVU women’s soccer team in its opener tonight. Without Kadeisha Buchanan and Ashley Lawrence (who were busy earlier in the day helping Canada to a bronze medal), the team went up to State College against defending national champion and No. 2 ranked Nittany Lions, rallying late for a 1-1 tie in front of a record crowd of more than 5,700. It would seem that the Kicking Nikkis have something special this season (more so, perhaps, than even last year, when PSU ended WVU’s season on the same field in the Elite Eight).
They’re going to be good. They’ll be good for as long as the boss is there.
Vaughn said:
While I am concerned with Durante’s pass catching in tight spaces based on what we saw from him last year (some ugly and unforced drops), I don’t think this means he won’t be able to get down the field. Jordan Thompson had plenty of situations where he was sent up the seams or on flag patterns and got deep on defenders. I think Durante will have those opportunities, plus the thought of him running dig routes matched up against safeties or LBs is enticing. His speed and twitch makes this seem like the perfect position for his skill set, assuming he can hold onto the ball. The concern with the drops is magnified in the middle of the field where drops and tips can end up in the hands of defenders, but hopefully his improvement is as great as the coaches are saying. I can picture Durante making the same explosive type of play that Tavon made on 4th and 4 against Texas in 2012 on the crossing pattern that made Mack Brown almost pull his hair out. (Link below for your viewing pleasure)
Fair to be wary, but be fair and temper expectations, too. WVU hasn’t used his position — the second inside receiver — regularly the past few years. I don’t think everything changes in that regard solely because of Durante. He’ll be on the field a few snaps every game, but I’m interested to see if he plays any at the other inside receiver position, meaning he’s the third receiver. To my knowledge, he’s just an H and not a Y. If he’s not a Y, he’s not going to be anything like 2012 Tavon mainly because he won’t be on the field. I still think he can be a goal line problem when Ka’Raun White and Daikiel Shorts are outside receivers and someone has to play inside because Shorts shifted outside. You only have to create a little space inside near the goal line, and Durante has that ability. (I think Trevon Wesco could have been a goal line factor, too, but his knee injury cost him.)
Bobby Heenan said:
That clip is a great example of inside WR play.
It’s not just his speed that lets him slip around the back of the LB – he gives a little hesitation move where he acts like he’s going to sit down at the 1st down marker, then takes the route in behind the LB. He’s on the same page as Geno (who has a nice amount of time in protection to give that extra second to let him make the double move) as well. The speed and elusiveness turns that play into the TD, but the route and the “feel” for finding that open space and connection with the QB is what gets him open. That feel and connection is the hard part. Durante has the speed.
Bingo. So consider my reminder: Temper. Expectations. Durante not only has to have all the details down, but so, too, does Skyler Howard. Geno and Tavon spent four years together. Durante missed the entire spring.
Foul Shot said:
Ty, quick question, aren’t reporters locked out of viewing most of practice?
Dude has to catch the ball.
If he was catching the ball, they would not be searching for a workable spot for him.
This is a very good point. Also, Carrier didn’t exactly answer my question, did he?
Sammy said:
Not really fair to compare him to Tavon, who was unbelievable and did things you and I will never see again, stayed four years, and was a top 10 draft choice. Putting Durante inside is a good move, even if he’s not 100% sharp. Shorts is still there to be the trusty guy inside.
The big development is the fact that we’re using an H/second inside receiver again, as Y became the most important position because we didn’t really use an H much as we typically used Cody Clay or Wellman as tight end or extra blocker. The bigger issue to me is if we’re going to get away from the power runs this year because we don’t have a Cody Clay. I hope not.
This is also a very good point. I don’t know what they’ll do about that. Wellman is much better off in the backfield. I think the story is the same with Ferns, but I haven’t seen nearly enough to come to that conclusion. Are we throwing the keys to Stone Wolfley? Wesco? Would Jon Lewis be the guy there if Fields and Pegues weren’t out? This really hasn’t gotten much attention, has it?
Drew said:
Is that THE Dave? Or a different Dave?
Different Dave. But that’s OK. Hi, Dave. All of you.
Fake Bob Huggins said:
Gold Rush in two weeks
First tailgate of the season
Buy my #$%@-ing shirt
Do it.
Sid Brockman said:
So, is this where the blame goes the first time a WVU front-seven (six?) player attempts to pick up instead of fall on a fumble and bungles it?
Yes! All my fault, too.
Down South said:
Fat kids fall on it. Skinny kids pick it up.” That’s my youth football coaching philosophy. Of course, some 11- and 12-year-olds are a little offended when they find out they are fat kids.
Darrien Howard would like to speak to you.
Drew said:
Turnovers are the important part. Return yards are gravyand usually highly dependent on circumstance.
Is this his way of preparing us for situations where this team is going to beed to score as much as possible to win?
Bruce Tall and I wandered down an alley about this point. Tangentially, but still. He said college football is so score-driven now — allowing 14 points a half is a more likely goal than allowing 14 points a game — that you sort of expect everyone on the field to do something about scoring. Turnover returns, punt returns, kick returns, field goals, so on and so forth. Is that more important in 2016 because of what the defense is replacing? Hard to argue otherwise.
Matt said:
So clock management, play calling, dropped balls by the receiviers and poor personnel management had nothing to do with it? I think those had more to do with the losses than the lack of yards on a T.O..
Nope. Only turnover returns. That was the only item on your list that had anything to do with WVU’s five losses. Everything else was handled perfectly. No issues at all.
Mr M. said:
Turnovers for ’15. Our defense picked off 23 passes and recovered 8 fumbles compared with opponents’ 15 and 7 respecitvely. So 31 to 22. It’s interesting to note we netted 80 yards from our 23 interceptions (3.5 yds per int) while opponents gained 191 on their 15 ints (12,7 yds per int).
Ah, good digging. Everything matters.
Bobby Heenan said:
I love that Smallwood quote – “we thought he was slow.”
I did too. He always hit the hole hard but never seemed to pull away at that second level. I was shocked at his sub 4.5 40 at the combine that as I recall was top 2 or 3 of all backs at the combine. Where was that?
He had it, but he didn’t display it. Maybe he couldn’t. Fresh legs — and a healthy ankle — and specialized practices can skew the 40-yard dash times, but he also didn’t have to steer clear of defenders and wear all that gear when he was at the combine.
I love you, Doug! said:
Bobby, here’s something I just thought about: Might Smallwood and more recent WVU backs have encountered more second-level bodies they had to avoid than Steve Slaton and Noel Devine? Teams know those WVU offenses were going to run the majority of the time and stacked everyone in the box. If Slaton or Devine could break through the initial gang of bodies, it was clear sailing. But defenses have to play run-pass against a Holgo offense, meaning there are more bodies further downfield to avoid/run away from. Just a thought.
Interesting, except I think the defenses sat on the run last year. I thought defenses were spooked by Kevin White and Mario Alford in 2014, and no one broke off a bunch of long runs then. I thought the receivers were better blockers in 2014 than they were in 2015. None of that explains the trend of the past two years. I’m inclined to think some guys at this level are just special.
Sid Brockman said:
Recent WVU backs weren’t in the same league as Slaton or Devine. Those guys has elite speed. Smallwood had good burst, but I’ve never felt his top-end speed was great.
Agreed.
Mack said:
If Slaton got past the linebackers, it was a touchdown every single time. With Devine that wasn’t the case. He got caught from behind a bunch of times. I remember there being a stretch where he had a bunch of 60’ish yard runs that weren’t touchdowns. Smallwood wasn’t even in the ballpark of those two in terms of speed. If Smallwood was a homerun hitter, then we’d remember him as a homerun hitter.
Slaton was the most dangerous back I’ve seen here. He could score on any run. Noel was the most exciting. He could do something wild on any run, but he did get caught a bunch. Smallwood was … he was Smallwood. Productive, reliable, blessed with occasional bursts and that’s about it, but that’s still really good.
Gordo said:
I don’t understand why the coaches are only “comfortable” with 4 receivers but also give high praise to Gary Jennings, who is not listed in the top 4.
I can’t remember the last time WVU had more than three and wasn’t afraid to admit it, though.
WaywardEer said:
In looking at that depth chart it really strikes me that the “wrong injury(ies)”, Orlosky/Bosch, any of the starting dline, Benton, or Tyler/Harper/White could really put this team in a really bad spot. Maybe my 1st game anxiety is starting to set in but for some reason this depth chart is really concerning. With the insertion of Preston and maybe Pankey it would alleviate part of those concerns but for game 1 we are a little more fragile than I thought or I am not giving enough credit to guys like Lingafelter, Jon Lewis, Arndt and Sharif.
No one’s better off injured, so, sure, you’re leery. And you’re right that the depth will be better once Pankey and Preston return. But Lewis is solid. Arndt had one of the best reputations after camp. You know better than to worry about Sharif. Lingafelter is really the unknown there, and we’re talking about a guy who’s essentially going to play third-team reps when Pankey gets back.
Sammy said:
Over/under on Eli Wellman carries this year? I feel like 20 is optimistic.
I did love those NEXT OWEN SCHMITT stories way back in 2015, though.
Thatwasgraphic said:
Other than the fact that he is a true freshman – why not give Saunders the No. 2 nod. Every mention of him has been positive from spring practice up to this point a least. Chugunov and Crest haven’t exactly been lighting things up.
That “he is a true freshman” thing is a big deal, though. And remember, he’s lighting up second- and third-team defenses and combinations of the two.
Down South said:
With Will Grier eligible next year, it doesn’t make sense to burn Saunders redshirt. You’d essentially be wasting a year of his eligibility for some garbage time snaps. And Dana has been really consistent about the percentage of practice reps that are taken by his starter and second-teamer. If you’re going to redshirt Saunders, you don’t waste those second-team reps on him because you need to have a second QB ready to play if it becomes necessary. Now, if Howard went down for the season in week one, I would say this conversation would change significantly.
Let’s be real here: Saunders is redshirting. He only plays if Howard and Crest and/or Chugunov gets inured.
I love you, Doug! said:
Didn’t Skyler get a Herbie nomination?
For what? And I’ve never once seen Kirk here, so …
Mack said:
“whoever is picked when the time comes will depend on the situation, I think. Run out the clock? Crest. Get the offense some reps? Chugunov”
To me, this clearly means Chugunov is #2. It’s like saying, “Need someone to actually play the position? Chugunov. Need someone to just stand behind the center? Crest.”
A valid translation. Crest can run the ball, is what I intended to say. If Howard is hurt and WVU is ahead by 10 points with six minutes to go, Crest gives you that ability. If WVU is down 10, Chugunov throws better. If you’re up 28 in the fourth quarter against Youngstown State, Crest can spin the clock, but Chugunov can better simulate what the offense does, and that’s a good spot for the backup in case he is needed in a more-dire spot.
Snazzy Britches said:
I want to see my Super-Dooper Mountaineer Underdog guy do well. I am talking about Shane Commodore, who had a terrific spring game, and I haven’t heard diddly about since then by Mike or Alex over at Metro News. What’s the deal? Is this young man going to play or not. I think he could be another Jared Barber, given the chance.
He’s still out there. Doing some work at backup free safety and backup bandit now, but he’s in the unfortunate situation of being behind Sharif. I do think he can play in nickel and dime packages.
Down South said:
Over/under on Facebook Live questions that may get Mike fired every week has to be double digits. Just has to be.
Not going to lie, I liked the chat. I think it was the noise it made when a new question or answer got posted. Or the fact that it was asynchronous and I could enjoy it when I wanted to. Or the fact that I prefer text to video. But I know that I am statistically in the minority on my preferred method of consumption. I guess part of the appeal of conservatism is the desire to hang on to the things that made us fall in love in the first place. Guess I will just sit here and wait to send my first GALB text (Grown Ass Little Brother).
Hopefully under. Need to get overall questions into double digits first. The chat was all right, but numbers don’t lie. It wasn’t becoming more popular. It plateaued. And it was regularly getting more action after the event. I always thought it took away from the F Double, and I’d rather keep this and get rid of that.
EersNC said:
I also prefer text to video. Don’t really want to watch a video with the sound on at work. That’s why I love the G&B. Oh well, “progress.”
I prefer talking to typing. Also, this Facebook Live chat is the least intrusive thing we do. It’s like five minutes long. You can tune in on your phone, walk to the soda machine, get a Nestea and walk back to your desk and we’ll have started and finished.
WaywardEer said:
Text for me too. You’re right it probably is a generational thing, plus the whole watch video at work is an issue for me also. Oh well, it’s not like I am going anywhere. While I do not comment much, I enjoy the content and the comments, more than any other forum I have looked at. Onward and upward right!
Ear buds! You can watch it with your eyes open or eyes closed and it’s the same. Minimize the window, work on those TPS reports on your desktop and you won’t miss a thing.
Mr Burns said:
Well, the tier 4 audio is much improved. I will now resume weeping over the loss of the chat.
It’s still a chat. Abbreviated chat. Also, does everyone remember how profoundly screwed up the live chats were last year and all the nonsense we had to endure just to get it back?
Snazzy Britches said:
Having followed Mike’s blog for a couple of years, I appreciate the growth and the willingness to change inherent in the evolution of the style and content of the blog. I really appreciate how Mike seems to shepherd his group of dedicated readers/commenters through the ups and downs of life as a Mountaineer fan. Mike, are you working on any new books? I loved that first one; bought about five copies to give as presents. If you’ve got writer’s block, I’d love to see a book about Nehlen’s first three years, which laid the foundation for success for the next three decades. How did pick us up and carry us from the Old Mountaineer Field/Frank (bless his heart–the guy had no support AND cancer) Cignetti period into the Hostetler/beating Oklahoma season and beyond. That would at least be a big chapter if not an entire book, and enough players/WVU staff/coaches are still alive to make this fraught with primary sources. Go get em, Casazza–write that Great Mountaineer Novel.
Last things first: I do have a book idea up my sleeve, but it’s not at all what you’re thinking. It’s not. As for the stuff at the top, I really appreciate this. We haven’t had this talk, but let’s have it now. I made some changes, and others could be coming. There are a bunch of reasons behind all of that. I could discuss it at great length, but I’ll simply say I’m adapting to a lot of different things I can and cannot control. But if you’ve been around here for a while, you’re used to changes. We’ve kept and ditched a variety of ideas, and that’s not going to stop. But I’ve come to recognize this: If you’re in the media, you need to produce multiple and distinct delivery methods — and multiple and distinct products. Big difference there, but you need the methods and the products. I have the newspaper at my disposal, and I don’t think my work blends in with the work of others. We created this blog, and look at all the things we do online with words, videos, photos, gifs and even poetry. I like Twitter for information and interaction, but Facebook is just enormous with greater potential. Mobile users are the fastest-growing demographic — and that’s why I was so attuned to concerns about how the blog looked online — and there’s really no circulation area. I need to tap into that, but I only have so many days and hours inside those days. Ninety-percent of our social media traffic comes from Facebook. More than 1,200 people watched that goofy video yesterday and it reached twice as many people. That chats didn’t do that. I can’t ignore that. I need to do more with Facebook, so there’s a specific page now that will house stories and other — sorry! — unique contact. If brief chats or updates before or after a game draw people there or if those elements merely compliments the rest of the content there, that’s a win.
overtheSEC said:
I enjoyed this Mike. I don’t know about others, but I was about a minute late to the FMO today so I updated my notifications in Facebook and would suggest others do the same.
Here’s how I did it:
Go into the Facebook app, and go to Mike’s WVU Sports page, then click on More and choose Notifications. Scroll down to Live Videos and select “New Live Posts”.
That’s it!Next week you’ll get a notification when Mike goes live and can go right to it, rather than wait for him to send the link, or for your feed to refresh. (On that same page you can also opt in for notifications when Mike posts photos, videos, etc.)
Hope that helps everyone and we can all be there from the beginning while it’s still live.
Good tip. I’ve already come to realize that I need to fill the first minute or two so people can get to the chat without missing anything. So expect filler and then the chat. Now the challenge is what to do with that filler. See? It never ends.
Clarence Oveur said:
Mike, if you’re gonna take some questions you’ll need to clear your throat more often.
Enjoy the weekend!