The Sock 'Em, Bust 'Em Board Because that's our custom

Mike Smith no longer what he never was

February 2, 2012 by Mike Casazza

And that would be a WVU coach. He’s now and again the outside linebackers coach for the New York Jets, essentially returning to where he was before joining the Mountaineers staff last month.

Smith had been an intern with the Jets before accepting the OLB job after the regular season. Last month, he was hired by WVU. The Mountaineers confirmed the move back to the Jets with a two-sentence release — and this comment-on-a-departure used to be something WVU never did, so I guess I can no longer say it’s something WVU never dos.

Anyhow, you’re going to get different spins on this, but Smith had a one-year deal with WVU for $250,000. The Jets offered up more years and I’m sure the money is better. If not, it’s at least competitively comparable, and in the NFL, your average assistant salary is right around $350,000.

Also, this is a guy who was busting his backside to get in at the NFL level. He’s in the NFL now and I wouldn’t discount the possibility he did a lot of soul searching in the past two weeks. I say that because he has a clear title with the Jets. I’m not sure it was so clear at WVU and that may have been a factor. Then again, the NFL moves fast and forgets faster and I wonder if a guy stiffs a NFL team, comes back hat in hand and gets not only what he wants, but what he had and deserted.

Right now, I have no idea who is doing what on defense and, who knows, that conversation may soon expand to involve offense, too.

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WVU’s new seven-man front defense

by Mike Casazza

Dana Holgorsen said Wednesday the 3-3-5 is gone from West Virginia and will be replaced by a “3-4 or a 4-3 or something.” Joe DeForest, still indecisively labeled as the co- and perhaps one day sole defensive coordinator, said it will be a 3-4 and a 4-3, though not at once.

I have no idea what’s going to happen — and DeForest says he’ll need to familiarize himself with the personnel during winter conditioning and then spring football — but it sounds like a base 3-4 that will at times move one linebacker down to the line of scrimmage and one linebacker over to the vacated outside … and either look will incorporate nickel and dime packages without any problem. Still, any morphing from a 3-4 to a 4-3 and vice versa will be determined by game situations, and, you know, who can actually play.

And the truth of the matter is there will be virtually no discernible difference.

“There’s none at all,” he said. “It’s a slight front look. It’s still multiple, but 4-3 and 3-4 is based on the personnel you have on the field and what they can do.”

So … it’s the 7? It’s the 7.

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Dana Holgorsen details recruiting class of 2012

February 1, 2012 by Mike Casazza

Thumbnail biographies for the 26 players introduced Wednesday, the first day of football’s signing period.

Probably the most noteworthy thing to come out of the day was not even related to recruiting. Note within his comments that Holgorsen talked about certain players who will rush the passer from the defensive end and outside linebacker and how linemen would become rushers and linebackers and safeties could become the same at the outside linebacker position.

Well, the 3-3-5 officially died today and will be replaced by a defense that is 3-4 in nature, but will at times look and play like a 4-3. Joe DeForest, the for-now co-defensive coordinator,  said his defense will be multiple and play like a 3-4 and a 4-3 and will often line up in a way that will be impossible to distinguish. More on that tomorrow …

On Kevin Jones…

by Mike Casazza

He’s doing an awful lot for WVU. Really, try to find a player more valuable to a team than Jones. There may be competitors. There may even be someone who is superior in that regard. I just wonder if any player’s performance is as critically attached to the outcome as is Jones’ with the Mountaineers.

Try and follow me here: When he’s going good, so is WVU and so are his teammates. When WVU struggles, he still usually solid and good for 20 and 10, but it is what his teammates don’t do to facilitate that often eludes victory. Bob Huggins thinks similarly …

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Signing day is here … and almost over

by Mike Casazza

Funny thing about this day is all the buildup and all the anticipation has turned National Signing Day into a made-for-TV occasion. And right now, at 11 a.m., the 11th hour, it’s nearly finished at WVU.

Nineteen players have already sent in their NLIs and two more are on the way, meaning there are  but a handful of additions remaining out there. The Mountaineers don’t have a whole lot left to do. Fun day, exciting day, crazy day, but I’d suggest practicing patience. Use the past as a guide.

They’ve lost one player (J.T. Washington to Arizona) and didn’t get a few that were on the fence (Joel Caleb to Virginia Tech, Deaysean Rippey to Pitt, Dan Gray to Florida, Teko Powell to Illinois). Nate Smith will probably join Washington and change his mind for Temple. Schyler Miles will pick between Florida, WVU and Kansas later today. Adam Pankey picked WVU over Pitt and Deontay McManus stuck with WVU, in case you were nervous about either.

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‘I know what I’m talking about …’

January 31, 2012 by Mike Casazza

And you owe it to yourself to hear Jay Bilas’ justification for putting WVU’s student section “right up there with the best in the country.” You should probably follow @JayBilas on Twitter. I don’t know who Twitter has been better to than Bilas. I think he’d probably say he’s meant as much to Twitter, too.

Quick stat on Kevin Jones

by Mike Casazza

Working on a story about the stretch of games he’s having in a season that’s threatening to get away, and I see he has eight games without a double-double. In those eight games, he’s had no fewer than 12 points and rebound totals of 8, 9, 9, 8, 7, 5, 7 and 8. He’s pretty good, huh?

Texts from the Backyard Brawl

by Mike Casazza

Well, I hope that’s not the last time those two play at the Coliseum for a long time. Where would we be without the Backyard Brawl and a game that you can guarantee is good for a rowdy crowd, a technical foul, people throwing stuff on the floor and just a delightfully even mix of dislike and respect between the two teams? I need that every winter, twice if possible.

Now, the outcome? You didn’t need that and you now have your first three-game losing streak since the 2005-06 season, though those Mountaineers made it to the Sweet Sixteen before they were Paulino’d — and I still think that team had a chance to make some real noise if not for a running 28-footer.

But that team was also very seasoned and savvy and could pick itself up after two three-game skids in that season. These guys? Not so much …

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WVU v. Pitt: Look who’s in the backyard

January 30, 2012 by Mike Casazza

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9WbfyFnWIU

Not sure words or even pictures can accurately depict the line of students waiting to get into the game at 4:58 p.m. I think a video does it just a little bit more justice.

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Tell your friends

by Mike Casazza

Tonight’s game is too big an occasion to neglect. Texts From Game Day. Hit it strong.

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