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Tony's Take

Rambling Thoughts [ Tony's Take Home ]
Tony Caridi
Tony Caridi
Tony Caridi begins his 12th full season as radio play-by-play announcer for Mountaineer football and basketball on MSN and his 23rd overall with the network. Tony has become a household name throughout the state for his work on MSN. Prior to 1997, Caridi served as play-by-play man for the network's football replay telecasts. Along with his play-by-play duties, Caridi continues to serve as a co-host and feature contributor for the popular television shows Mountaineer Magazine and Mountaineer Jammin'.

Posted by Tony Caridi on Monday, September 15, 2008 (12:44 pm)
Go to Tony's Blog Page to Comment

DOWNLOAD TONY CARIDI'S GAME CHARTS

Rambling thoughts as we prepare for a trip to the Rockies. Rather than having you scan the nearly 40 pages of games notes from the folks at Colorado, I offer a Reader’s Digest review.

  • Seventy four percent of the Colorado roster consists of players from Colorado, California and Texas—82 of the 111 players hail from those three states.

  • It’s tough to run on the Buffs in Boulder. The last opposing player to gain 100 yards there was Kansas State’s Alan Webb in November of 2004. In fact, the Buffs have allowed just six 100-yard rushers during the last 39 games. Hmm … this will be interesting.

  • Colorado coach Dan Hawkins has created a word: “conflama”. Hawkins uses the word to describe people who love to create conflict and drama. The term is used by the coach when people outside of the program choose to look at the negative without choosing to understand why something is the way it is.

  • Hawkins, who is 7-1 in games following bye weeks, believes the four most important positions on a football team are offensive and defensive lines, quarterback and cornerback.

  • Colorado true freshman running back Darrell Scott was considered the nation’s number one high school ball carrier last season. Scott has rushed for 93 yards in his first 24 college carries.

  • Scott’s uncle, Josh Smith - that’s right uncle - currently leads the Buffs in kick returns. Uncle Josh has returned four kicks for a 50-yard average.

    Colorado quarterback Cody Hawkins set every freshman passing record and total offensive record in school history last season – that’s every one of them.

  • For the first time since the inception of the Ralphie program (circa 1966), the university is using two different live buffalo mascots. Contrary to reports, Ralphie IV is still alive and working although Ralphie V made her debut in last April’s spring game.
    User Comments [ post comment ]
    12 comments posted

    User Comment
    Posted by Dave and Emily on 9/17/08 at 5:33 PM
    We are all looking forward to the Mountaineer serving up Buffalo Burgers Thursday evening. I can't wait to hear the sounds of his musket! Go eers!
    User Comment
    Posted by Henry Hall on 9/18/08 at 8:03 AM
    I keep heaering that Kerns is not ready yet? What is he missing. We need is power running as well as speed.
    User Comment
    Posted by 60 grad on 9/18/08 at 11:55 AM
    Is Kerns hurt?--What does it mean " he isn`t ready" ? He was ready enough to still be in the running as the #2 tailback in fall practice--Is it a discipline issue? Coach Stewart will learn that the easiest way to handle tough questions is just to give a truthful answer--it will come out later anyway--
    User Comment
    Posted by Chuck on 9/19/08 at 10:36 AM
    What did a 3rd string qb make that throw instead of Barret Brown to a wide open receiver that would have put us ahead?
    User Comment
    Posted by Chuck on 9/19/08 at 11:18 AM
    I ment Jarrett Brown. sorry for the typo just so disgusted
    User Comment
    Posted by Willie on 9/19/08 at 3:04 PM
    What has happened to the Mountaineers? The defense looked better against Colorado but our offense still looks very confused especially with that "hey diddle diddle up the middle" stuff. The Mountaineers could have won the game last night if the last minute had not been wasted with very poor time management. I hope things get turned around soon because the respect the Mountaineers have worked so hard for is slipping away.
    User Comment
    Posted by Irv on 9/19/08 at 4:14 PM
    I am disappointed with the coaching this year. The end of regulation was a good example of lack of coaching. We might as well look forward to basketball because this is going to be a long season. How can an experienced offensive line against a non-experienced defensive line not allow White to get 2 inches? The offensive line has been a big disappointment.
    User Comment
    Posted by WVUgirl2003 on 9/19/08 at 11:56 PM
    Chuck: My guess would be if Colorado saw Pat White and Jarrett both out on the field, they would have called a time out before the play knowing that something was up..... they would have been ready/ expecting some kind of trickery..... having Starks come out, who has already been on the field as a WR, is much more effective in disguising what we're doing...... tell me you wouldn't be thinking to yourself "oh my gosh, jarrett and pat are both out there, i wonder what they're gonna do....." It would have called attention to the play at hand before it happened. Starks has proven time and time again in practice that he has a great arm.... just had a very off throw on this one..... but it was a MUCH smarter play that what you're suggesting the coaching staff should have done insteady. Please people- use your brain before you start questioning the coaching staff. And, if any of you honestly thought that WVU was going to come back, losing all the playmakers they did on both sides of the ball- including the vast majority of the D, and the MAJOR losses of Schmitt, Slaton & Reynaud on the O--- if you thought there wouldn't be an adjustment and growing period.... you're kidding yourself. It wouldn't matter who the coaches were this year, even if Roots Rod himself had stayed- he'd be dealing with the loss of those players, and trying to compensate as we are.... I wouldn't doubt for a second that he could have just as easily lost these last 2 games..... heck, he probably got out while he knew the getting was good..... his stock was sinking faster than our own current market......
    User Comment
    Posted by Dave and Emily--- aka Las Vegas eers on 9/20/08 at 1:06 PM
    There is a time to run and a time to pass. Unfortunately our coaches didn't recognize this. It appears we will do anything to avoid short passes down the field since anything thrown is wide or behind the line---we are too predictable. Too bad the one creative play of the game by the eers was muffed by Starks--it would have been a thing of beauty . As I sat in the end zone I tried to pull the floater toward Devine while it fell like a wounded duck five yards behind the fleet receiver. Sick but a good try!. Go eers!!!!

    We were at the game and in the the end zone when the plunk of Pat's ball off the upright was like a kick in the head for all the eer fans. Good effort by the players but some real questionable play calls.
    User Comment
    Posted by woody on 9/21/08 at 10:46 AM
    Starks is struggling; go to your seniors like Jalloh. Maybe Starks should have taken the gloves off, or does he throw with gloves on all the time. We have to be more prepared, like in our time management. The T.V. commentators said White should have called time out, I agree. Coach Stew was staring/squinting out at White like he was looking for an answer. I trust Stew. It just looked like he forgot his glasses and his contacts. He looked like he was squinting to see. Give that 250 lb. recking ball Thor Merrow a shot at fullback. Najee Goode is going to be a good one when he learns to stay at home and not give up the outside. Najee, you've got help on the inside. I think we can all take a lesson from Joe Pa, when in doubt go with your upper classmen. That's why they are called upper classman. They have been there and they deserve their chance. Our coaching staff is under too much pressure. They just need to go with what is tried and true, and with what they know. You can't get blood out of a turnip, but a blind pig will occationally find and acorn. See ya in the stands. Go Eeeeeers! Wecome back Reed!
    User Comment
    Posted by WV Lee in Fla on 9/21/08 at 11:26 PM
    I have to say, Thurs should not have happened. I do not like arm-chair quarterbacking, but...... This team should be 2-1. I know that coming together as a new coaching staff and team isnt instantaneous. I still believe we have the right coaches, great coaches, but I hope we learned a ton Thurs. night. If not, Marshall may finally have their chance for the BIG one! Why are we taking such radical extremes from all pass to all run? If we dont find a balance we are going to get killed against good defenses. We were so one dimensional and predicatable. .I am SO PROUD of our defense! They are growing by leaps and bounds. It was good to get Reed back, he is a difference maker, but the entire d played an incredible second half. They have gotten back to WV football, taking it to the opposing offense, instead of sitting back and waiting. Our defense has come to be known as aggressive, quick and confusion causing. But the offense. I believe Pat White can throw the ball. We must throw 10-15 times a game to have our normally dangerous running game. It was just frustrating to see the hesitation, seeming confusion and poor play calling at the end of the game. We should have been aggressive, wide-open and on the attack in the final minute and gotten Pat in range to end the game. Then, in the red zone. Why didnt we spread things out and give Pat White a chance. Everyone knew he was going to run. If we had mixed it up a little, put some receivers in the end zone, I am convinced he would have had someone wide open or at least the room to run. I hope the guys dont lose heart. It could still be a great season, BIG EAST and who knows what else, but come on Coach Mullen, dont be so timid, open it up. Our defense needs some help!
    User Comment
    Posted by wvu 47 fan on 10/18/08 at 10:43 PM
    Our D isn't doing to bad considering the under classmen we have playing now at the present. The D is lacking the leadership & that's what makes Reed Williams so valuable to this team. You have to notice him on the sidelines in street clothes still giving his leadership, advice, & continued support of the under classmen that are in there playing now. But as you can see during the games Reed is sorely missed in the middle of that D. Go WVU!!!

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