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The Shotgun/Throwdown: Thursday (4/28/11) Edition

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Welcome, By-Godders, to the Shotgun/Throwdown, WVU's nationally recognized best place for sports links, information, sophomoric humor and daily distractions. We're being brought to you today by Cascade Premium Lager, in honor of today's Miss Throwdown.

All that's left now for Spring Football is the Gold/Blue Game tomorrow (I don't believe the format, if any, has been announced). With a full slate of activities on tap, the spectators should have a good time, despite the unpolished offense that they'll see. If you can't make it to the event in person, several of the media outlets will be streaming live. In NFL Draft news, Chris Neild gets the spotlight today among the WVU hopefuls. Plus, Joe Mazzulla already has a job offer.

What You May Have Missed:

WVU's Joe Mazzulla Has Coaching Job Offer, Tough Decision - WVillustrated.com
Division-II Nova Southeastern University in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla has offered him an assistant job already...solely based on his post-game remarks and a phone call with Billy Hahn

WVU football: Neild ready to learn his future - Charleston Daily Mail
This is one Mountaineer I'm not worried about finding a niche in the next level

HERTZEL COLUMN: Neild could be draft sleeper - Times West Virginian
This is worth the read for the introduction anecdote, if nothing else

WVU has history of late picks doing well - Times West Virginian
Bob has a pretty good list of 10 guys who did well in the NFL, despite being 3rd round selections or later

Post-Spring Top 25: LSU, Oklahoma top rankings - Sporting News
WVU checks in at #22

College Football Mailbag - Stewart Mandel - SI.com
Mandel addresses the Villanova football question (vs. the UCF one specifically) and one about Dana Holgorsen on page 2

News of Note:

Day 14 Recap - WVMETRONEWS.COM
Article, gallery and videos of the last practice before Friday's "game"

Don’t be disappointed on Friday - Daily Athenaeum
Temper the expectations is the message here...after all, the new offense has only been practiced 14 times to date

Quick Hits: WVU Spring Practice Day 14 - WVillustrated.com
Coyle's Notebook

New coaches, offense boosts WVU’s attitude - Daily Athenaeum
Several players recall the awkward transition put on them with the staff changes and what was going through their minds at the time...they're believers now

Defensive Line Battle Will Continue - WVMETRONEWS.COM
“I don’t have to make a decision on who's number one until September,” said defensive line coach Bill Kirelawich. “[Marshall head coach] Doc [Holliday] will find out who's number one when you guys do. Let them live in doubt over the summer.” - have I mentioned that I love having Kirlav on the staff?

Line improvement critical for WVU - Times West Virginian
This, once again, is my biggest concern going into the season

WVU's Barclay making the most of his time off - Charleston Gazette
Despite being held out of contact drills, WVU's best lineman is still taking advantage of the opportunity to learn what his new mentor wants and expects, while also helping the new guys

WVU football: Francis amazed by Division I perks - Charleston Daily Mail
Gloves, cleats, wristbands, etc......all stuff that was his own responsibility before at JC

Injury could be blessing for Rader - Charleston Gazette
The converted TE is getting a chance at an interior guard position

Football: Select Player Quotes - MSNsportsNET.Com
...from the conclusion of Wednesday's practice

Offensive Guard Josh Jenkins - Mountaineer TV
Offensive guard Josh Jenkins talks about the line jelling this spring.

VIDEO: WVU Spring Practice Day 14 Interviews - WVillustrated.com
Garvin, Kovatch, Willie Milhouse, Casey Vance, Geno, Urban and Najee Goode

Around the League (and Beyond):

Plotting a Big East coup - On the Banks
Good piece on the history of the football members and basketball members (and UConn and 'Nova upgrading football) and how they should split

Rutgers' struggling offense must now deal with injury to C Dallas Hendrikson - Star Ledger

Syracuse football links: Macky MacPherson lives his dream for the Orange - Post Standard

Big East NFL Draft Picks Since 2000 - Big East Coast Bias
Check out this new SB Nation Big East-centric blog as a whole while you're at it

UC’s draft hopefuls - Cincinnati Enquirer

USF's McClain climbing draft boards - Tampa Tribune

Rick Pitino hires Kevin Keatts as third assistant basketball coach - Courier-Journal

What's On Tap:

Football: Spring Game Information - MSNsportsNET.Com
Includes parking lot guide for tailgating and other pertinent information with the schedule of activities

Fun Activities Planned for Friday - MSNsportsNET.Com
Full schedule of events surrounding the Gold/Blue Game, starting with the Garrett Ford luncheon

Video of Interest:

Video of (Dis)Interest:

This is set up to look legit, but it's a commercial, designed to hopefully go viral...still funny though:

Miss Throwdown:

Today's Miss Throwdown is another one of SI's bathing suit beauties. Here's today's gallery of Australian Jessica Hart (Click on the picture):


Cascade image via www.landor.com