West Virginia’s 15th practice of fall camp was not a good one for the offense, particularly for the signal callers. Read more: WVU’s Practice No. 15: Rough Day for the QBs
Head Coach Rich Rodriguez was visibly upset about his team’s performance in today’s practice, noting he didn’t think they got much better today.
He sat down to speak to the media after practice as well as inside wide receivers coach Logan Bradley and nickel’s coach Henry Weinreich.
Rich Rodriguez
While the defense seemed to have a good practice, according to Rodriguez, the offense struggled mightily today.
He put a great emphasis on how all the quarterbacks faced their struggles today. It would seem they are continuously making the same mistakes throughout practices.
Due to this, Rodriguez didn’t believe they progressed like they should have today. He didn’t specify anyone in particular, but did note that some of the defense’s turnovers were because of mistakes made by the younger QBs.
While this is not a great sign for the outlook of the QB room, there is still time to get the mistakes fixed before the season starts. Rodriguez stressed that they will bounce back, and tomorrow’s scrimmage will be a perfect opportunity for that.
Related: WVU’s Practice No. 14: Short Practice Leading up to Scrimmage
Moving over to the third phase of football, Rodriguez talked about the emphasis they have put in practice on punting and punt coverage. While it is difficult to simulate live kick-offs in practice, it is much easier to do so in punting.
That is one area Rodriguez wants to be ready once Robert Morris rolls into town to open the season. He doesn’t want them to have any problems in the punting game, since you see that more often than the kickoffs.
To close out his presser, Rodriguez believes all the players they got from smaller schools should have more to prove. He hopes that mentality can bleed over to the entire team.
Logan Bradley
Staying on the offensive end, inside wide receivers coach Logan Bradley got to speak to the media for the first time during fall camp.
Bradley has been extremely impressed with the top three slot receivers on the roster— Rodney Gallagher III, Oran Singleton Jr. and Jarod Bowie.
He praised all three of them for what they specifically bring to the table. Gallagher brings hard work and consistency each day. Singleton is a vicious route runner that allows him to fit anywhere in the offense. And Bowie’s big play potential makes him a threat any time he touches the ball.
While not all of them can play at once, Rodriguez is no stranger to playing a lot of guys. All three of them will get ample snaps each game.
For Bradley personally, ever since his time coaching at Liberty University he has wanted to coach alongside Rodriguez. While Rodriguez was coaching at the University of Louisiana-Monroe, they faced each other when Liberty was the heavy favorite.
Even so, Rodriguez’s squad took down Liberty, and that was when Bradley knew he wanted to coach with him. He saw how Rodriguez’s team consistently outworked and outhustled their opponents.
After joining the coaching staff, Bradley was shocked in the first practice at just how fast Rodriguez wants them to play. He was also surprised when Rodriguez yelled at him for the first time but was able to leave it all out on the field immediately after practice ended.
He believes that style helps not only the players get better, but the coaches as well.
Henry Weinreich
On the defensive side, nickels coach Henry Weinreich also spoke to the media for the first time during fall camp.
Weinreich explained how a nickel is essentially an extra defensive back that can play man, zone or rush the quarterback.
Currently, WVU has four to five guys on their roster who are primarily nickel corners. They are led by Jacksonville State transfer Fred Perry, whom Weinreich praised for his football intellect.
Related: WVU Women’s Soccer Falls in Opener Against Virginia
Weinreich talked about how his background as a chemistry major and substitute teacher has helped him in being a better coach. He is able to teach his players to conceptualize and understand the base level of concepts, something you have to do a lot as a chemist.
He also talked about how defensive coordinator Zac Alley’s defense may look difficult to understand; at its core, it is easy to learn. What makes it so effective is that they do a lot of different things each week, instead of just having a base defense.
Similar to Alley’s philosophy, Weinreich just wants his players to play smart, physical and fly to the football.
Fan Day Rescheduled
On a different note, it was announced today that West Virginia’s fan day has been rescheduled to Friday, Aug. 22, from 4:45-5:45 p.m., at the Caperton Indoor Practice Facility (IPF)
Today’s practice was not good for the offense and they will have to bounce back in tomorrow’s scrimmage.
This is especially true for the QBs, as they are still in a heated battle for the starting job. After the scrimmage, the coaching staff will sit down and evaluate who is ready to win.
Return tomorrow to stay up to date as we inch closer to the start of the season.
WVU’s Practice No. 15: Rough Day for the QBs
