West Virginia Notebook: Right side of offensive line remains unsettled
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Bill Stewart
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MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- The biggest question mark with the West Virginia team going into preseason camp didn't get any bigger as camp progressed, ending on-field drills with a full-scale scrimmage Saturday.
That said, that question mark -- the right side of the offensive line -- didn't get any smaller, either.
When asked after the scrimmage about his thoughts onthe right side of the offensive line, as it stands now, coach Bill Stewart stopped in his tracks.
He thought a moment -- and then unleashed something that brought laughter.
"I'll run left," he said, a big smile pushing across his face.
That was an easy one; Stewart was quick with a joke -- but what is going on with that side is nothing to laugh about. It appears it needs to drastically improve between now and when West Virginia opens Sept. 4 against Coastal Carolina and keep improving through the season and into Big East Conference play.
During the scrimmage, the known commodities, and returning starters, were in place: Don Barclay started at left tackle, Josh Jenkins at left guard and Joe Madsen at center. But, with the first unit, redshirt freshman Cole Bowers was at right guard and redshirt sophomore Jeff Braun was at right tackle.
There has been apprehension -- largely because of lack of experience -- about both. In addition, senior Eric Jobe, who has played some center in the past, was infused into that right guard position in some first-team spots.
"Cole Bowers and Eric Jobe [along with the players on the left side] give us our top six linemen," Stewart said. "Cole Bowers is good enough to play tackle, even to spell Jeff Braun."
Still, as camp breaks today with West Virginia's Fan Day, the offense looks to be in place from top to bottom, front to back ... except for the right side of the line.
"All [offensive line coach] Dave Johnson is doing is preparing his line for a war in the trenches," Stewart said.
With some fans in the stadium watching the scrimmage, all sitting on one side, first-team fullback Ryan Clarke
First Published August 22, 2010 12:00 am
