Quick Hits: Information Overload, QB Evaluation, Matt Sieg's Progression + More

Another day of spring practice is in the books, and WVU head coach Rich Rodriguez was none too pleased with how things went on day nine and told reporters he plans to scale back how much they are installing to make sure they are able to get more crisp practices in.

Here's everything he said in Thursday's press conference.

Early impressions of the defense

“There’s a lot of new guys. I like our athleticism. I think we got a little bigger in the secondary. We had some pretty good athletes, but I think we got a little longer. We have more athletes. We should have more depth if we’re lucky and don’t get anybody hurt. But it’s still a work in progress, I think we’re still kind of learning how to play and the level of intensity.”

Thoughts on the defensive line

“Eh, okay. I like their work ethic. I think they’re working pretty hard. Like I said, I think our athleticism, I think there’s more guys that should be in the mix, but again, it’s still early. We’re nine practices in, and I don’t think we got a lot better in practice nine myself.”

Matt Sieg playing both sides and how he is progressing

“He’s not been playing both sides. He’s just been playing defense. I’d like to maybe get him a few reps at the end of spring ball because I think he can handle it. He’s a sharp guy, so he seems to pick up what we’re doing defensively pretty well, but it’s a lot. We’re probably doing more than we need to. He’s comfortable there (at safety). He’s confident. And he’s sharp enough that a few of the things we might use with him on offense, he can come over and do that. I think I talked to him briefly about it a couple of weeks ago, but I hadn’t really even thought about it. Before the end of spring, we’ll have a couple days where he’ll have a few plays and see what he can do with that.”

Installing too much

“I would say we’re doing too much, but there’s things you got to put in. Part of the issue is you want to see what you guys can do, and there’s certain plays that highlight certain things that they do, and you got to have that in so you can handle it or see if it’s going to be a good fit for the fall. Now we have fall practice to do that too, but I want to be somewhat game-ready April 18th, so we’ll dial it back some more. Our most important thing coming out of the spring is getting our players better and then us evaluating where we’re at at every position, so when you guys ask these questions, I ain’t got to give you the runaround, which I’m doing.”

Evaluation of cornerbacks

“A little bit longer there. I think they’re progressing, but it’s almost a whole new room. I think Keyshawn Robinson was one guy that played a little bit, and Nick Taylor, I think he was mostly safety, and now he’s at corner, and I think he’s comfortable there. All the other guys are new. There’s some size there and pretty good athleticism, but I yelled at them a lot today. It’s going to be really competitive. If you were to say who’s going to be the top two or top three? It’s really competitive. It’s pretty wide-open right now.”

Update on the quarterbacks

“They are mostly what we thought they were. Scotty is making good progress. You could tell he’s got some experience. Mike Hawkins has done a really good job. He’s a little bit quieter, but he’s very competitive and has done a really good job of picking it up quickly. I’m really pleased with the way he’s grasped some of it. I think Max Brown has gotten a little bit better. And the freshmen look like freshmen sometimes, but they have some skill too. I like the young guys that we have.”