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Monday, 16 August 2010 19:09

Written by Colin Dunlap

So it came to light today that freshman quarterback Jeremy Johnson -- a Texan -- might be struggling a bit with, you know, being so far away from home and all.

Fair enough, it happens to a bunch of college freshmen all over this country. But it makes the news when you are a very good quarterback, that's just the way things go. 

After practice, (a practice Johnson did not go through) Bill Stewart had this to say about this issue: "Today, we have a young man fighting a little home sickness right now. Jeremy Johnson is a long way from home and hopefully we can nurture him through this."

Naturally, it would seem everyone is hoping for the best for Johnson.

But let's get into a few things here: What do you think sparked this? And, what if he decides to leave?

Sure, this might be a simple case of being a long way from home and a kid being antsy. But, with that said, there are also newcomers from Florida (a few), Tennessee (which we will get into in a minute), Georgia and California among the guys from Pennsylvania, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland and New Jersey --- and none of them seem to have an itch to want to get out of Morgantown.

Which leads people to think this; Could Johnson's homesickness really be spun into a positive in so much as this: Could it be an indication of just how good Barry Brunetti -- the other highly-sought-after freshman QB -- is doing in camp. That's my thinking, at least. While everyone is looking at this Johnson homesickness situation narrowly, think about it in a wider scope. Perhaps, just perhaps, Johnson getting antsy and wanting to get out of Morgantown has as much to do with Brunetti being very, very, very good as it does with anything else.

Think about that for a moment.

To me, that's what could have sparked this homesickness, or at least helped give Johnson a stronger case of the ailment.

Now, in terms of what happens if he decides to leave this season.

The QB depth chart is this:

1. GENO SMITH

2. BARRY BRUNETTI

3. COLEY WHITE/BRAD STARKS

To me, that's not really that bad of a two-deep and, mirrors what happened last year. Think about it, last season, Jarrett Brown was a first-year starter with some snaps under his belt (which Smith is now), the backup was a freshman (which Brunetti is now) and when it gets to that third spot, you are kind of in a crapshoot situation anyway (which it would be now). 

So, while much is being made right now about this possible case of homesickness and, if Johnson follows through and goes home how it will impact the Mountaineers, I'm saying it really wouldn't be that big of a deal.

Comments (5)

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written by wvmountydog, August 16, 2010 - 10:51 PM

*t probably would impact Coley White and his chance to switch to slot receiver more than anything else.

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written by KeyserCouchburner, August 16, 2010 - 10:56 PM

I caught Stew's press conference on the way home from work. I think the fact that JJ didn't practice today and in particular Stew's use of the word 'defection' indicate that there's a little more than homesickness going on. Perhaps it was never in the cards to expect three highly rated underclassmen QBs to stay on the team...I'm sure it's tough to go from being a stud in Texas to potential third stringer/wildcat back in Morgantown. But this flies in the face of his previous comments about doing anything he can to help the team, and it doesn't speak well of how he handles a little adversity if this is his response after only a week of camp. I have heard lots of split opinions on who is the better QB, including some speculation that one of the freshmen will supplant Geno by midseason. I don't have a dog in the fight and have no idea, just what I read and hear, but I would like to see him stick it out at least until classes start, but I guess there are issues with transferring and redshirting that force hasty decisions. Hopefully some of the older guys can talk him back from the ledge...I believe tomorrow is the first media availability for the freshmen, I wonder if he will be there.

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written by Jal, August 17, 2010 - 09:36 AM

*t is not a big deal but it could have impact. Always good to have quality QBs but players willing to sit for 3 years like Brown did are rare. My concern is that QBs take a pounding and I can see having to use #2 during the season and then having the #3 as backup. While Starks and White can play QB they were moved to other positions because they are not considered as good there as Smith, Brunetti, and Johnson. Still, it would be a luxury to have a Soph and two freshmen all capable of giving quality performances at QB.

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written by c_dunlap, August 17, 2010 - 09:50 AM

Another point....couldn't indecision hurt recruiting?
If you know you can/cannot recruit a QB, if you can/cannot walk into a living room and tell them exactly the QB status, that changes things, right?

Just seems a situation that needs cleared up -- one way or the other for a bunch of reasons -- ASAP.

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written by Jal, August 17, 2010 - 01:07 PM

Colin

Good point. Indecision can hurt recruiting. have to quickly decide whether he wants to stay or go.

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