WVU's Big East BB slate anounced... WOW!!!

WVU will play the following teams at home: Cincinnati, DePaul, Georgetown, Louisville, Marquette, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Rutgers, Villanova. WVU has road games against: Connecticut, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, Providence, Rutgers, St. John’s, Seton Hall, USF, Syracuse. Think about this, WVU plays 5 teams on the road that participated in last year's "big dance".

I am of a mind that the European trip is vital in bringing this team to be on the same page. There simply aren't any easy nights in Big East play. To again make the Dance WVU is going to have to hold serve at home, win all four games on the road against likes of Rutgers, Setan Hall, USF and Providence. I am not saying that even that will be easy to do with a youthful team.

Bob Huggins has much work to do this season. Thank all that is right and holy that we have him steering this ship through that gauntlet.

Anyway, it might be a little early to obsess about the upcoming round-ball season but hard not to be impressed with this in-conference schedule. RPI-SOS shall like us again.

Da Geek

The number 10 recruit is a WR, Deontay McManis

He is listed as a 4 star prospect in both the Rivals and Scout publications. He touted offers from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, UConn, South Carolina, Michigan to list a few. He is from Baltimore Maryland and was recruited by Daren Roberts. Coach Roberts is looking like he is going to do just fine in his new role with the Mountaineers. Deontay's measurable(s) are listed as follows: 6.2 215 lbs and runs a 4.5 40. It appears that the skill positions are starting to fall in line for this staff. As is always the case verbals are verbals but what I saw last week in terms of recruiting momentum is something to feel great about.

Welcome home Deontay


DaGeek

Number 9 committ comes in form of Cornerback DaQuan Davis

WVU gets a hard-nosed corner-back in Da'Quan Davis. He measures at 5'll" and 172 lbs. He runs the 40 in a 4.5., and shuttle in 4.1. He hails from Towson, Maryland.

Always an important position to fill, the CB becomes a man on an island. Da'Quan will have high expectations placed upon him in the 3 3 5 to produce. This position is usually a thin one at WVU so I am excited that he has decided to come ball at WVU. He had an offer from Marshall as well. It looked like he was about to get offered from South Carolina, Maryland, and Virginia. WVU was the first to make an offer and it appears that that was the clincher. Def Coordinator Jeff Casteele was primary recruiter.

This momentum is something to talk about now. Both Offense and Defense is being addressed in the 2012 class.

Welcome to Eer family Da'Quan.


Da Geek

And then there were 8...WVU gets verbal from Albert Reid

This 5-foot-10, 193-pound tailback out of Friendship Collegiate Academy, Washington, D.C., decided to commit after a recent visit to Morgantown. He stated that WVU was like a second home. He tallied offers also from Cincinnati, Iowa, Stanford, Vanderbilt, and Colorado among others.

WVU nets yet another RB/Athlete its third for the class. This position which, should be noted transfers into slot receivers as well, is becoming a theme of the 2012 class. The momentum of this June is very encouraging. After what appeared to be a rough month for then HCIW, Dana Holgorsen, he has amped up the verbals, and with it some good will.

Holgorsen could throw his hat in the upcoming US Presidential race with the commits he is receiving. Recruits are committing from Texas, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey I challenge you to find a candidate wouldn't want to have those states in the 2012 election. Of course he is running (or passing) on the Eer Nation ticket.

Welcome to WVU family Albert.

Da Geek

Lucky No. 7 WVU gets an offensive Lineman Tyler Orlosky to verbal.

Offensive Line is always an important part of a successful offense. WVU has found just that in the State of Ohio. He chose WVU over Michigan State, Northwestern, Illinois and others. His measurable(s) 6-foot-4, 290 are none to shabby prior to the weight and size WVU's strength and conditioning coaches shall pack upon that solid frame. Welcome to the EER family Tyler!!!

Da Geek

HypnoCoffee

The many posts you have read this summer have been researched formed and written at one of this writer’s favorite watering holes. I want to commend the same to all of my readers. You may find them at 737 William Ave. Davis, WV. If your pleasure is Coffee and its derivatives, Beer, Cider or Ale this place is the place for you. Oh and did I tell you that it is equipped with free Wi-Fi. The owner, Kade Archuleta is an energetic entrepreneur who is making this place into a must visit for all who travel to beautiful Tucker County, WV.

Keys to Success

Offense:

O-line- should be improved and healthy. Add a coach to the mix and this could be on par with the 2005 line.

Geno- A lot to learn and a LOT of hype. I think he's up for it.

RBs - I think this could be a strength. There's a lot of depth and young talent. It's a good combination. This could be surprise strength-particularly with improved line plane.

WR's - I think we have the talent and depth to spread the field the way Coach H wants. Austin and Bailey are big play makers. They should rack up the statistics this year!

Ball control- The one question on O. Can they consistently make first downs? This offense is fast paced and sometimes it can be over before it starts. I don't want our D on the field for long stretches of time.

Turnovers- Last year this was an Achilles heel. Not that we had a lot of turnovers, but the timing was horrific. I expect this will be a point of emphasis in Holgorsen's offense.

Defense:

Pass rush - Uuumm...... CHECK! I wouldn't want to be an opposing QB, it just kills the ribs!

Pass defense: A lot of youth here but the rush should help the amount of time we need to hold in coverage.

Rush Defense: This is the number 1! key to the season. Teams will try to run right at us. If LSU would have run Riddley up the middle early in the game last year, I don't think we'd have been in the game. But that's the mad hatter for you and not our problem. However, we do have LSU again this year and even the hatter watches tape. Man, I wish we had Nield for another year. That guy could occupy three blockers and free up our linebackers.

We need a big year out of Najee Goode! I'm also concerned about our fundamental tackling skills. Corners and safeties are going to have to be active in pursuit. Young defenses usually struggle with missed tackles. I'm concerned with our ability to finish plays on D.

Special teams: They have got to get better. I think Bittancurt is capable. I also think our return teams will be exceptional. But kick coverage must improve. On the positive side, it can't get that much worse. Bring in the starters! This shouldn't be a youth only team. The best special teams in college football are played by defensive starters and burners.

All that being said, I have high hopes for this team and the future. I believe in Coach Holgorsen and what he brings to the table. This team may be a little over-hyped by a lot of the fans, which can be a dangerous proposition for a new coach. 9-3 would be acceptable for a first year, but I think most of us expect more. Go Mountaineers.

Greg

WVU receives its first Legacy Commitment of the 2012 class Brandon Napoleon

Brandon, is now poised to pick up where his father left off. Eugene, Eer-nation will remember was a part of the triple threat in the late 80s that included AB Brown and Undra Johnson. Those were exciting times and the future for Brandon looks to be exciting as well. It is always nice to have a student athlete join the Eers with an understanding of the tradition of success. Brandon is equipped with that as well as an impressive and athletic body. It appears he is projected as an athlete at WVU. He is 6 feet tall weighing in at 175 lbs., and runs a 4.45 in the 40 yard dash.

He joins the five other commits to the 2012 class: Running Back from Florida, J.T. Washington Imarjaye Albury Defensive Tackle from Miami, Florida; Pro Style QB Ford Childress from Houston, TX; Safety Jarrod Harper from
Frostburg Maryland; and Outside Linbacker Joseph Jackson from Jacksonville, Fl.

Welcome home Brandon

Da Geek

Noel Devine and Jock Sanders (Did Stew Derail their WVU and NFL careers?)

The Sunshine State blessed WVU with 2 very special players in 2007. Noel Devine was already a legend on You Tube and a 5 star talent who was expected to take Morgantown by storm. Jock Sanders was a lesser known talent to the media at large but not so much to the then WVU coaching staff. They realized that Jock was going to be an impact player for years to come. Noel made impact runs throughout that first season’s campaign with huge runs against Maryland and Marshall. Noel saved his best performance from that season for the 2008 version of the Fiesta Bowl where he set the WVU single rush yardage record.

While both would continue to astound WVU faithful for the following 2 years, expectations for the 201o campaign were through the roof. Heisman campaigns were implemented for Noel pre-season. And then 2010 happened, Noel went from Heisman Hopeful to target for every defender he faced. He was not put in a position to succeed like he was in hi inaugural season. He went from being in space to running straight up the gut. Though no one can question his strength, Noel’s diminutive size would suggest that he would be better utilized in space. Jock was used as Noel’s back up in the running back position for most of his early career moving to the slot later on in his Career. Both were utilized in the return game.

Admittedly, I think the slot was a good spot for Jock, I however, think throwing the ball to him in the flat or bubble screen repeatedly with no medium or deep rout mixed in cost him dearly in terms of yardage. Jock caught 10 balls in a game that netted 30 yards, this from a guy that was exceptional after the catch. I have stated in the past that scheme is a much bigger part of a team’s success than athleticism. This is my case in point.

Steve Slaton and Darius Reynaud were the predecessors at their relative positions. Both players are on NFL rosters. I am hopeful that Noel and Jock will too see success at the next level but I have to question whether they both could have or should have found their way onto the draft board. While looking backwards isn’t the focus of this blog, I feel that this is an issue that could be honestly and critically debated. I am hopeful to hear all of your thoughts.

Good luck to both of these athletes in their future endeavors.

Da Geek

From Sky-Diving to dropping bombs on Marshall going to be a heck of a ride.

Coach Holgorsen has had an interesting ride since arriving in Morgantown. Some of it has been exciting some of it has been excessive but all of it has been interesting. I am excited by the prospect of writing about this guy for his tenure at WVU. He brings a football MENSA brain and a bit of a Fraternity Boy attitude. While, it shall be advisable for him to dial some of the public antics down a few notches it should be noted that his personality got him this far. So I am all for him cutting loose if that is necessary for him to function in the high-pressure job of College Football Head Coach. Editorial commentary aside, I am very excited by the prospects of watching him lead WVU Football into the elite category once more.

Coach Holgorsen much like his boss Oliver Luck have made it abundantly clear that the singular goal of this football program is championships, both of the Big East and of course National variety. The above goals require some up-grading in the WVU athletic budget. I think that some measures taken by Oliver and the WVU BOG has moved us in that direction. While, I am not so fond of paying more for football tickets, I am willing to do my part. I also think I would rather pay 10 dollars for a beer at MP Stadium if I can toast the Eers come the New Year when they hoist the BCS Championship Trophy. As I understand it. Another way that WVU is going to attempt to increase revenue is to further capitalize MP Stadium with banner advertisement. And the big rumor is that WVU shall add additional high dollar seating on Press box side of stadium. So Coach Holgorsen, it looks like a commitment is being made toward the excellence you desire.

Coach Holgorsen made an interesting comment in an interview yesterday regarding "being prepared for future conference expansion." I think he and Mr. Luck understand that standing still is going backwards, that type of progressive thought can reap some wonderful benefits. If you want to compete with the elite you need to think like them. WVU is moving in that direction. We have new leadership and it appears we have new commitment to excellence. Eer Nation get ready for some fun.

Da Geek

Brand spanking new site...WVUHeisman.Com

I am excited to announce to all of Eer Nation that a brand new site dedicated to the promotion of WVU Football Stars. This site will feature players like Geno Smith, Tavon Austin, and Bruce Irvin. I would say some others shall also get some pub in the very near future. Do yourself as a Mountaineer Football Fan and check out this site daily, comment on the posts, and participate in the WVU Heisman Hype. Exciting things are coming just can't wait for September. You will find a link directly on this site to the right.

Go EERS!!!

Da Geek

The Signal Caller has done it again... Pick up his latest publication.

This is a must read for Mountaineer fans as well as Big East followers. This publication is jam-packed full of interesting nuggets as well as some fun articles. I was really fond of his take on the contributions of Rasheed Marshall.

Anyway, you can pick up copies at Dairy Marts, Go Marts, Arrow Head in Deep Creek Maryland, as well as Siriannis Pizzeria in Davis WV among other wonderful places in four States. Of course you can opt to order a copy off of his website linked to the right. Bruce Irvin is featured on the cover. What are you waiting for go get your copy now.

Da Geek

FauxBruceIrvin.com

I highly recommend checking this site FauxBruceIrvin. It is the best place to find information on WVU's sack-master: "BruceAlmighty" as coined in TheSignalCaller's latest pre-season publication. You will find it linked to the right of this blog. Also you can click directly to it. You can follow his posts on twitter as well @fauxbruceirvin.


DaGeek

Holgorsen Era of WVU football begins this date at 9:00 pm.

Oliver Luck announced tonight at a presser in Morgantown that Dana Holgorsen shall be the Head Coach of the WVU Mountaineers. This came after what would understatedly be referred to as a tumultuous week. I am of the opinion that this issue has been settled in a timely way. At least we can now move on to the task of preparing to put up gaudy offensive numbers and get the staff finally on the same page with one man in charge. The way that this ended shall be a bitter pill for Stew to swallow but I think that to prolong this would be detrimental to a successful '11 campaign. Holgorsen has asked Mountaineer Nation to unify in his remarks tonight. I am on board with that but I would guess that the Message Board wars will rage for some months to come. I just hope that we as Eer Nation will rally around our new leader and help get these guys our beloved Eers to the BCS.

Some things to ponder:

• Just how many sacks will the tandum of Bruce Irvin and Julian Miller tally this year?
• With the Air Raid Offense in full effect will the receiving records be shattered this season?
• Will our QB be getting an invite to the Touchdown Club in NYC this December?
• Could Tavon Austin be the most explosive player to don the Old Gold and Blue?
• Which Running Back will be the starter after fall camp? (Depth appears to be great.)

I think with the leadership and football acumen we shall witness on the sidelines this year we shall see some pretty amazing things.

Welcome aboard to our new Head Coach!!!

Let's Go Eers!!!

DaGEEK

Loyalty, self-interest, and the WVU Head Coaching Job

[Caveat: The following assumes that Colin Dunlap was not lying during his 93.7 interview. If he was, then I'll retract this post.]

We've heard much over the last three and a half years about Bill Stewart's loyalty to the State of West Virginia and to WVU. The events that have been disclosed over the last week, specifically that Stewart contacted multiple reporters in an attempt to generate negative publicity about Dana Holgorsen, give us reason to question that notion. While I don't doubt Stewart's loyalty the the state for a second, I believe that he subsumed his loyalty to WVU to the previous, now-departed cronies that ensconced him as Head Coach. Now that Pastilong, Garrison, Manchin, etc, are gone, Stewart has acted repeatedly to undermine both his colleagues and his boss. Such behavior is not the sign of loyalty. It is the sign of a man motivated by naked self-interest.

Not surprisingly, many football coaches are motivated by naked self-interest. Saban, Petrino, and Kiffen all come to mind as especially potent examples of this character trait. So does another familiar name from around these parts: Rich Rodriguez. How devastatingly ironic that Bill Stewart has engaged in a sort of disloyalty more atrocious than that of his predecessor. It's one thing to leave West Virginia and go to Michigan, even if you lie and deceive in the process. Quite another to try to defame Dana Holgorsen, sabotage Oliver Luck and sully the program in the hopes of eking out.... what? a tenuous chance of remaining head coach? At the expense of how much humiliation and setback for the program he claims to love?

Holgorsen and Luck, of course, have erred as well. Holgorsen by choosing to disagree with the determination of a bartender that he was too drunk to serve. And Luck, by failing to fire Stewart for cause for the NCAA violations under Stew's watch.

I feel like the most appalling thing about this whole charade is that Bill Stewart hasn't grasped the reality of the situation. Most AD's in Luck's position, if they want to install a new coach, will dispense with the incumbent in as unceremonious and inexpensive a manner as possible. But Luck, placing value on the "loyalty" Bill Stewart has shown, gave him a golden parachute- another year in his dream job, and a cushy financial package in a post-coaching role with the Athletic Department. In reality, there is a strong argument to be made that Luck could have gotten the university out of its contractual obligations to Stewart because of the NCAA violations Stewart oversaw. He could have been cashiered, tossed to the curb, and disgraced. But Luck treated Stew better by an immense long-shot than he had to. And this is the thanks he gets.

I am of the opinion that Stewart's sense of judgment in these events is many times worse than Holgorsen's or Luck's, and that Stewart should be severed from the program as soon as it's feasible.

WVU ads 5th verbal to 2012 football class

Florida RB J.T. Washington gave his verbal commitment to WVU today. This was confirmed on both WVSports.com and EerSportsdotcom; The Rivals and 24/7 sites. His stats are as follows: Ht:5'9" Wt:160 lbs 40:4.48 secs Bench Max:260 Squat Max:415 He looks like another speed master from the Sunshine State. Welcome home J.T. !!! Click on and see TouTube video of him.

He joins the four other commits to the 2012 class: Imarjaye Albury Defensive Tackle from Miami, Florida; Pro Style QB Ford Childress from Houston, TX; Safety Jarrod Harper from
Frostburg Maryland; and Outside Linbacker Joseph Jackson from Jacksonville, Fl.

Looks like this class is going to be a talented and fast one. Future looks bright indeed. Cautious note of author these are verbals only.

Da Geek

Pass me a brew...please...Let's Go Mountaineers!!!

It is official, the WVU Board of Governors passes beer sales at MP Stadium by a 10-5vote. Let's Go Mountaineers!!! Let's go drink some beers!!! That cheer takes on a whole new life today. I am excited and I am starting to save the money right now to afford my $10 dollar beer for the Marshall game.

On a serious note, I am of the belief that this isn't going to drastically change the "behavior issues" continually being debated regarding this issue. I do believe that the revenue generated from beer sales will be significant. I am looking forward to another excellent season of Mountaineer football and now I am going to get to drink my first MP Stadium beer on a Sunday. Let us hope that the selection of beers will be a good one.

Oliver luck said,"the beer will be sold in plastic containers, it will not be sold near the student section and only two beers will be sold per visit to the beer stand. The vendors will not be selling beer in the stands. The fans will have to get up and walk to a stand to buy it. Those fans who have had enough will not be served."

Da Geek

Link to video of Coach Holgorsen responding in part to last two weeks.

Coach Holgerson says, he is far from perfect. Well I don't need perfection in the person as that is a standard that cannot be achieved. He indicates that he is going to try to understand the expectation of the people of the great State of West Virginia and live up to those expectations. He is excited to get to football. Music to my Eers!!!

Da Geek

Vindication. WVU disputes claims in Chuck Landon's Article as being blatant inaccuracies and outright lies.

Mike Casazza reports in today's Daily Mail that the Huntington Herald Dispatch and Wheeling News Register got it wrong. I would go on to say that the secondary "news- agencies" got it wrong as well by re-reporting the "news" or commenting on those reports in columns etc. I think that this type of "journalism" is reprehensible.

While WVU is not taking any legal action against those newspapers it is clear that they have responded regarding these matters. "A WVU source said Wednesday the university will not take any action, but "knows the Herald-Dispatch story had blatant inaccuracies.""... "The column also cited a source that said Clements told Luck "that if he read one more article about the coach-in-waiting, it would cost Luck his job."One WVU representative close to Luck and Clements called that an "outright lie.""- Charleston Daily Mail

So where does this story go from here? I am hopeful that it shall be dead. One thing I know for sure Chuck Landon's credibility is now called completely into question. He frankly should lose his job over this activity. I fear however, that the Huntington Herald Dispatch has received so much attention regarding his column that he will get a raise. I can't wait till September 3. At that time Coach Holgorsen will be afforded an opportunity to hit ole Chucky right where it hurts the most, on the scoreboard.

Air Raid sirens from Morgantown will be sounding so loudly that even those in Huntington shall hear them.

Da Geek

Today's links of note...

Orlando Sentinel adding to hype of Geno Smith. It is nice to be noticed in Orlando, Fla. “All the great ones, they either have it or they don’t. Geno’s got it,” WVU coach Bill Stewart reflected about his quarterback. “He’s got that ‘it’ factor.”

Charleston Daily Mail questioning the use of a sports column. Mike Casazza makes excelant points about the ethics of the press. One such point, " I just think, well, I think it was wrong on a few levels, none greater than using a column to deliver news because you can tiptoe around providing facts in an opinion-based format … and very few people will realize the distinction." I think it is a must read in reaction to the article written by Chuck Landon.

Scott Grayson of West Virginia Illustrated does a nice expo on the newest members of the WVU HOOPS team. Will this class rival the one that lead us to the final four? I don't know but this batch of youth looks pretty impressive. I know Da Geek is excited to see the newcomers this November. I would love to see some of their play in Europe this summer but I have my doubts about seeing anything on the TV. One this is for sure these new-comers shall get thrown into the deep end of the practice pool in short order for Coach Huggs.

Garrett Cullen of Metro-News comments on the need for Tyler Bitancurt to return to his first year form this up-coming season. "“(More) consistency,” Bitancurt said of his summer goals."

Phil Steele did his all Big East Team. It was echoed on ESPN's Big East Blog. Notable Mountaineers making first team honors are: Quarterback Geno Smith; Receiver Tavon Austin;Center Joe Madsen; Offensive Guard Josh Jenkins; Offensive Tackle Don Barclay; Defensive End Bruce Irvin; Defensive Tackle Julian Miller; Linebacker NAjee Goode; Corner back Keith Tandy; Safety Terence Garvin all made the mark. I am of the opinion that there are a few members of the WVU receiving corps which shall make the post season mark: Tyler Urban and Stedman Bailey.

Off of Smoking Musket a little insight into Chris Neild as a Red Skin. What does Coach Shanahan think of him? "Everything," Shanahan blurted at a press conference following the Draft when asked what he liked about Chris Neild. "I love the way he competes. I love how important football is to him, because you can tell. He's got a mindset when he plays, and you can tell he really enjoys football. He lines up right over that center and competes on every down. I'll be surprised if doesn't come in here and do everything possible to make this football team. Just talking to him, I could tell he's excited and wants to get here right away and do what he can do to make this football team. He's a great competitor." Well Chris if you are going to impress someone that is the guy to impress. Good luck as a Skin.

I hope you have enjoyed these excerpts as well as the full articles linked from here.

It is a hot day to be a Mountaineer at least where I am. :)

Da Geek