Linebacker picture not so scary
July 17, 2007
http://wvgazette.com/section/Sports/Mitc...2007071618
ON ONE level, West Virginia University’s linebacker situation is scary.
The Mountaineers, after all, won’t have speedy “Boo’’ McLee, whose eligibility expired.
However, heading into one of the most promising seasons in school history, defensive coordinator Jeff Casteel seems anything but scared.
If anything, he seems more at ease. Confident.
And there are a few reasons.
We’ve well documented one, the rise of second-generation Mountaineer linebacker J.T. Thomas.
But also in the mix now is Pat Lazear. And Archie Sims. And that blinking you see on the radar screen? That’s redshirt freshman Anthony Leonard.
“I think we’ll be a little faster and more athletic than we’ve been,’’ Casteel said calmly.
With more depth.
Here’s the scoop. At the strong-side ’backer, WVU will probably use the one-two punch of John Holmes and Marc Magro. Holmes is there after playing in the secondary last season. He lends speed and athleticism to the lineup. Magro is the man Casteel will turn to when a physical presence is needed.
At middle linebacker, Reed Williams and Bobby Hathaway form an experienced combo that should be solid.
And at weak-side, Thomas seems ready to ascend, while sophomore Ovid Goulbourne had a good spring following a hamstring injury.
That, though, may not prove to be the two-deep against Western Michigan. Because of the aforementioned names.
Lazear and Sims have been in Morgantown since the first summer school term. As hard-core college football fans know, Lazear has a very troubled past. It was a substantial gamble indeed when Rich Rodriguez took him. But the guy can play football. Check out any of the YouTube films floating on the Internet and you’ll see he can lay the wood. All the big Division I-A guns were after Lazear — until the bad press hit. Now, he may press Williams and Hathaway.
Sims is a junior college recruit with loads of ability on the outside. The Mountaineers lost the first round with the athlete when he signed with Mississippi State. But the WVU coaches were right back after him when he went to Jones County (Miss.) Junior College. The payoff could come this season.
Leonard, meanwhile, may be more of a no-name to WVU fans. But that shouldn’t be the case. Leonard was a first-team Quad-A pick from McKeesport (Pa.) High and a Pittsburgh Post-Gazette Fabulous 22 selection.
“He really played well in the spring,’’ Casteel said. “He’s gone from 240 [pounds] to 229, 230.’’
Thomas — deservedly — received most of the post-spring ink, but go back and check the team awards handed out after last season. Sharing the Danny Van Etten Award for the newcomers was Thomas, Marcus Law, Scooter Berry — and Leonard.
And not even mentioned yet is Mortty Ivy, who was behind Holmes in the spring when Magro was sitting.
“The last week of spring, Mortty started looking better after that knee injury,’’ Casteel said. “Plus, he had a good summer.
“Magro sitting out the spring [practices] was probably a blessing. It allowed others to get reps. And, really, Marc didn’t need to go through that. He can line up at the ‘five’ technique, middle linebacker ... he can do a lot. And now he’s back at full strength.’’
Mix it all together and you have reason for Casteel to smile.
“I think we have a lot [of linebackers] with the ability to play,’’ he said. “And we want to play as many as we can to keep everyone fresh.’’
The other benefit is the experience that will pay off in 2008 and beyond. But two of the above will be gone after 2007.
“After this season we lose Magro and Hathaway,’’ Casteel said. “So we’ll be getting younger guys quality reps. Hopefully, we’ll get better and better and be able to reload instead of rebuild.’’
To contact sports editor Mitch Vingle, send e-mail to mitchvingle@wvgazette.com or call (304) 348-4827.
