Coley White Could Go Wild in the Wildcat

With the injury to Geno Smith’s fifth metatarsal in his left foot, Coley White will get the majority of reps at quarterback for the Mountaineers during spring workouts.

What has been overlooked is the potential development of White as a quarterback. With increased playing time comes increased experience. With more experience comes better play.

I am not implying that I believe Coley will actually beat out Smith for the starting job next fall. Although the possibility exists, the probability does not.

It was planned for White to move to wide receiver this spring to allow him to garner more playing time. Additionally, the move would help fill recent vacancies at the wide receiver position.

Logan Heastie and Deon Long, both receivers WVU offensive coordinator Jeff Mullen was counting on, are not present at spring practices thus far. Further, it is not believed that either player will report.

The epiphany I am referring to is the development of a “Wildcat” formation for the Mountaineers. Coley White certainly possesses the pedigree to develop into such a threat.

White’s arm raises the most questions regarding his ability to play quarterback for the Mountaineers. His legs are a completely different matter.

Numerous FBS schools have developed the formation made famous by the Miami Dolphins. All that is needed is that special athlete with the necessary tools to run the formation.

In Coley White, WVU has such an athlete.

To this fan, the thought of White running the zone read plays of old with Noel Devine is too compelling to not develop. Yet, it is that compulsion that may never see the Mountaineers develop a “Wildcat” package.

For Bill Stewart and Jeff Mullen to allow Coley White to run the zone read running plays that Pat White made famous would be in direct conflict with the offensive strategy now employed.

Should the move prove successful to any degree, fan backlash for Stewart and Mullen might prove hostile at best. Pandora herself could not fathom the reaction Stewart and Mullen would receive.

It was Bill Stewart that chose to forgo the zone read offense that the previous coaching staff made so famous. Stewart chose to install an offense that was predicated on balance between the run game and passing game.

The Mountaineer football team enters the 2010 season with little depth at the quarterback position. Two of the players on the depth chart for opening day have not even graduated high school yet.

It does not take the proverbial rocket scientist to realize that the WVU offense will rely heavily on the run in the coming season.

One of the potential strengths of the team is the offensive line. The offensive line returns four of five starters for next season. The players providing depth for the offensive line are already on the roster.

Further cementing the running game as top dog, WVU is suddenly very thin at wide receiver. WVU will be looking to its crop of high school seniors to provide depth this fall.

Stewart has moved cornerback Edie Davis to the offensive side as a wide receiver. Davis is a 6’0”, 188lb senior. David Lockwood calls Davis one of the fastest on the Mountaineer football team.

Davis has experience as a receiver for the Mountaineers. Still, one has to wonder if the move will prove successful. Previously, Davis was moved to cornerback.

The 2010 version of the Mountaineer defense is as experienced as they come in college football. Weakening the secondary to provide depth at the receiver position appears to be irrational.

Davis played in all 13 games last year as a backup cornerback.

Which brings us back to the original question, should WVU develop the wildcat with Coley White as the star?

The answer is so obvious, even a writer can come to the proper conclusion. Stewart and Mullen should walk through the firestorm of critics, and allow the wildcat to emerge in Morgantown.

At the end of the season, wins and losses define the overall performance of sports teams and their coaches.

Perhaps, instead of asking should Stewart and Mullen develop the wildcat, we should ask why they have not already.