MORGANTOWN -
The West Virginia University football team will hold its
first practice later today. The Mountaineers have less than one month until the
2012 season opener against Marshall. In that time, the coaching staff hopes to
answer numerous questions regarding its depth chart.
There are always questions facing a team heading into a new
season. Despite the preseason hype, there are also questions facing the
Mountaineers.
These are five questions this reporter will be looking for
answers to throughout camp:
1) How Healthy Is Dustin Garrison?
Garrison adds so much depth and experience to the WVU
backfield. He is expected to be totally healthy and a full participant in the
Mountaineers first practice today. Garrison rushed for 742 yards and six
touchdowns as a true freshman last season. That includes rushing for 291 yards
and two touchdowns against Bowling Green last October.
The backfield of Garrison, Buie and Alston sounds very good
and should be very productive. But without a healthy Garrison, Buie and Alston
do not deliver the same punch.
Garrison suffered a torn ACL in practice the week of the
Orange Bowl and missed the game against Clemson.
So, how healthy is Garrison? We should be able to figure
that one out pretty quickly once we see him try to cut and juke in practice.
2) Will Paul Millard Be Ready If Needed?
WVU fans do not want to see Paul Millard in a game unless
the Mountaineers are blowing out an opponent. However, he has to be ready
should he be needed. Whether it be because Geno Smith takes a big hit and has
to come out for one play, or Smith suffers a worse injury and must miss a game
or more.
When Millard spoke to the media this offseason he sounded a
lot more confident than he was a year ago. He also has clearly accepted his
role and understands the importance of that role better than he did last year.
Millard is focused on serving as Geno Smith's backup and
working to better understand the offense and be ready for his turn to compete
for the starting job once the 2012 season is history.
3) Will The Secondary Be Ready For Big 12 Offenses?
Fortunately, this secondary has had to face Geno Smith and
the rest of the WVU offense throughout the summer in 7-on-7 drills. That kind
of day after day challenge of facing those guys has to count for something this
season.
The Big 12 has a reputation for being an offensive league.
With half of its quarterbacks named to the Manning Award Watch List, it appears
it will be a league heavy on offense once again.
WVU Defensive Coordinator Joe DeForest stressed forcing turnovers
to his defense throughout the spring. One position that needs to force
turnovers is defensive back. Terence Garvin is expected to be healthy and back
in full force at Safety. The question is just how the WVU cornerbacks will
stack up to Big 12 passing offenses.
There are quite a few guys competing for playing time at
corner and that competition should help push a couple of them to the surface as
starters.
4) Will The Offensive Line Develop Some Depth?
This is a pretty big question. Offensive line coach Bill
Bedenbaugh closed out spring practice without feeling he had adequate backups
on the offensive line. Clearly Bedenbaugh challenged his second team to improve
throughout the offseason.
It probably will not take Bedenbaugh long to figure out if they
improved enough. It will certainly help having Mark Glowinski, a junior college
transfer, on the roster. Glowinski was not here in the spring and is expected
to push some of the starters for a spot on the first team.
5) Is Will Johnson As Advertised?
True freshman Will Johnson is in a tough spot. The coaching
staff raved about him on signing day and quarterback Geno Smith did the same at
Big 12 media day. Johnson is a 6-foot-6, 245 pound receiver that is being
compared to New England Patriots Tight End/Receiver Rob Gronkowski.
Johnson is expected to create mismatches against linebackers
and corners. Smith said he has great hands to go along with his size and speed.
Will Johnson deliver what Holgorsen expects out of him this
fall? If Johnson does live up to the expectations, he could prove to be another
big weapon for Geno Smith as the Mountaineers try to march down the field.
Those are some of the questions to keep in mind as WVU takes
the practice field for the first time later today.
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