Looking for Tailback Depth
3 years 7 months ago - 3 years 7 months ago #131
by wvu4u2
Looking for Tailback Depth was created by wvu4u2
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — As West Virginia continues its search to build depth behind tailback Leddie Brown, Mountaineer coach Neal Brown sang the praises of sophomore Tony Mathis following Saturday’s practice.
“Some guys stood out today,” Brown said. “Tony Mathis had a really nice day offensively.”The practice featured a contact scrimmage with Big 12 Conference officials, and Brown estimated the starting and second units each got in around 40 plays.“Our first group with the offensive line ran the ball effectively versus our (No.) 1 defense,” Brown said.
With top tailback Leddie Brown being held out of most full tackle events by design, the coaching staff has been afforded a closer look at both Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow.Neither is being counted on to be the Mountaineers’ primary ball-carrier, but both have the opportunity to take on an expanded role.Last season, Leddie Brown had 199 of West Virginia’s 358 rushing attempts and compiled all but 348 of the team’s 1,358 rushing yards.
Of the remaining 159 carries, 78 went to Alec Sinkfield, who since transferred to Boston College.Mathis, meanwhile, had 18 carries for 55 yards, while Sparrow finished with three rushes for 10 yards.“It’s a definite backup position. The way we’re attacking this is we have two guys that have fifteen opportunities in the spring — Tony Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow,” Neal Brown said. “They’re competing and we have two more guys that are going to be true freshman that’ll be here in fall camp with the same opportunity. “You have to have at least three running backs ready to play,” he continued. “We were fortunate last year with Leddie, but we need help running the football. He can’t be the only guy carrying the load and we have to be more productive out of that second running back spot.”The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Mathis has every chance to earn that spot.“Mathis had a productive day and it’s been that way this whole week,” Brown said. “He is showing improvement and this football team needs him to keep coming.”
A’Varius Sparrow looks for running room during Saturday’s scrimmage. Photo by Greg
Carey/WVMetroNews.com
WASHINGTON MOVES TO LINEBACKER: West Virginia’s linebacker room got a new addition with redshirt freshman Devell Washington changing positions from wide receiver.At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Washington will look to make an impact at will linebacker.
“Devell came to us, he wanted to try it,” Brown said. “From a body standpoint and an ability to help us, I think he can do it. He had an interception in the scrimmage today. He’s got good awareness and we really noticed that he had the attributes to play defense on special teams last fall. On our scout team on special teams, he did a really good job on kickoff, punt and punt return. “He came to us right as we were going into (last week’s) break and we made that decision coming out of the break to play him at will.
He got a bunch of snaps today. Our numbers are low at that position.”Brown added that Washington got more usage at will linebacker Saturday due to the absence of Exree Loe, who was out sick.Washington already having a stature similar to other WVU linebackers could help the learning curve for someone who also played safety in high school.“I think this will stick and he has real potential at that position, especially how we use the will playing outside the box so much,” Brown said. “If we were going to recruit a will linebacker, it would look just like Devell
seem more at WV metronews .com
“Some guys stood out today,” Brown said. “Tony Mathis had a really nice day offensively.”The practice featured a contact scrimmage with Big 12 Conference officials, and Brown estimated the starting and second units each got in around 40 plays.“Our first group with the offensive line ran the ball effectively versus our (No.) 1 defense,” Brown said.
With top tailback Leddie Brown being held out of most full tackle events by design, the coaching staff has been afforded a closer look at both Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow.Neither is being counted on to be the Mountaineers’ primary ball-carrier, but both have the opportunity to take on an expanded role.Last season, Leddie Brown had 199 of West Virginia’s 358 rushing attempts and compiled all but 348 of the team’s 1,358 rushing yards.
Of the remaining 159 carries, 78 went to Alec Sinkfield, who since transferred to Boston College.Mathis, meanwhile, had 18 carries for 55 yards, while Sparrow finished with three rushes for 10 yards.“It’s a definite backup position. The way we’re attacking this is we have two guys that have fifteen opportunities in the spring — Tony Mathis and A’Varius Sparrow,” Neal Brown said. “They’re competing and we have two more guys that are going to be true freshman that’ll be here in fall camp with the same opportunity. “You have to have at least three running backs ready to play,” he continued. “We were fortunate last year with Leddie, but we need help running the football. He can’t be the only guy carrying the load and we have to be more productive out of that second running back spot.”The 5-foot-11, 206-pound Mathis has every chance to earn that spot.“Mathis had a productive day and it’s been that way this whole week,” Brown said. “He is showing improvement and this football team needs him to keep coming.”
Carey/WVMetroNews.com
WASHINGTON MOVES TO LINEBACKER: West Virginia’s linebacker room got a new addition with redshirt freshman Devell Washington changing positions from wide receiver.At 6-foot-2, 215 pounds, Washington will look to make an impact at will linebacker.
“Devell came to us, he wanted to try it,” Brown said. “From a body standpoint and an ability to help us, I think he can do it. He had an interception in the scrimmage today. He’s got good awareness and we really noticed that he had the attributes to play defense on special teams last fall. On our scout team on special teams, he did a really good job on kickoff, punt and punt return. “He came to us right as we were going into (last week’s) break and we made that decision coming out of the break to play him at will.
He got a bunch of snaps today. Our numbers are low at that position.”Brown added that Washington got more usage at will linebacker Saturday due to the absence of Exree Loe, who was out sick.Washington already having a stature similar to other WVU linebackers could help the learning curve for someone who also played safety in high school.“I think this will stick and he has real potential at that position, especially how we use the will playing outside the box so much,” Brown said. “If we were going to recruit a will linebacker, it would look just like Devell
seem more at WV metronews .com
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