Mountaineer Morning Links: Monday (3/18/13) Edition

More Pro Day coverage, hoops & football notes, football assistant coaches features, WVU Pros updates, Big 12 roundup & more

By WVUIE97@WVUIE97 Mar 18, 2013, 9:19am EDT

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 Ename Abbey Ale.

What You May Have Missed:

Gold and Blue Now: Monday, March 18 - WV MetroNews
we take a look at the Big 12 teams in the NCAA Tournament, Shannon Dawson says the new guys are still thinking to much and Brian Mitchell talks about defining the cornerbacks weaknesses.

Celebrating another title for WVU rifle - Charleston Gazette
It didn't make big headlines at the time, but West Virginia University's most successful athletic team collected another big-time trophy last weekend.

Big 12 Commissioner Discusses WVU Travel, Expansion - WVillustrated
Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby addresses West Virginia's travel concerns after its first season in the league. He also discusses expansion and the conference's views on that topic.

WVU Drops Series at Kansas State - WVU Athletics
The WVU baseball team dropped the Big 12 opening series to K-State.

West Virginia Pro Day impressions - NFL Videos
NFL Network draft analyst Mike Mayock shares his thoughts on QB Geno Smith and WR Tavon Austin following their pro-day workouts in West Virginia.

Tavon Austin Continues Strong NFL Campaign at Pro Day - WVillustrated
Geno Smith isn't the only WVU player with first-round potential.

Mike Mayock talks pro day with Geno Smith - NFL Videos
Former West Virginia quarterback Geno Smith spoke with NFL Network's Mike Mayock to review his pro day performance in front of NFL general managers and scouts.

BREAKING: Baylor's defense is actually better than air - Campus Union/SI.com
Troll hard Patrick, troll hard

49 in 49: QB Geno Smith - 49ers.com
Former West Virginia QB Geno Smith is considered by most to be the top QB in the 2013 draft and is profiled on day four of Big 12 week.

Geno Smith climbing up the Jets' draft board - Green and White Report
With April's NFL draft fast approaching, the New York Jets could have a chance to take their quarterback of the future in West Virginia star Geno Smith.

Lights, Camera, Action for WVU's Geno Smith - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineer QB is star of documentary as he stars in workouts leading up to NFL Draft.

Nehlen, Braun hoping for a shot in the NFL - Times West Virginian
Perhaps the best two examples of who benefitted most from Pro Day were Nehlen, a gifted athlete whose chances were limited at WVU, and offensive lineman Jeff Braun, a versatile, dedicated player whose athletic skills may have been underrated.

Jeff Braun Confident, Working for NFL Future - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineer lineman is using his versatility to show league representatives that he's worth a shot with their team.

Pat White Follows Heart Back to Football - WVillustrated
Former Mountaineer QB talks about the difficult road of self-doubt that took him away from football before bringing him back.

Jedd Gyorko closing in on starting job - WVU Pros
The former Mountaineer is slated to win the starting second baseman job this year after putting in his time in the minor leagues.

Kevin Jones returns to his dominant form for the Canton Charge - WVU Pros
The Cleveland Cavs sent Kevin Jones back to the Canton Charge earlier this week for the fourth time this season, and he shows no sign that the roster shuffle is getting to him. We also check-in on Alex Ruoff.

News of Note:

Season was bust for WVU, Marshall - Charleston Daily Mail
This is the eighth time that the Mountaineers and Thundering Herd have finished with losing records in the same season

WVU ends season, plans for future - Times West Virginian
"For whatever reason, this group is the worst we’ve ever had at getting to the ball."

Spring Practice Report: Day 3 - WVSports.com
But today, the pads came on, and the sound of them popping resonated throughout all of Milan Puskar Stadium.

Video Blog: Day Three - WVU Sports with Mike Casazza
Day Three overall, Day Two for me and Day One in pads. Peep the tie.

Mountaineers Compete in First Day of Pads - WVillustrated
News and notes from Friday's spring practice in Morgantown, including a look at WVU running backs taking on the linebackers.

West Virginia 2013 Spring Preview - Saturday Edge
Short Q&A I participated in

HERTZEL COLUMN: Galloway set for new batch of receivers - Times West Virginian
"I wanted to learn this offense and see what was going on. It was an easy choice," Galloway said.

Seider Returns to His Roots - WVU Athletics
JaJuan Seider is ready to sell WVU to top South Florida recruits.

West Virginia assistant Seider comes home - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
"As a coach in this profession and at this level, it's a dream to be back to the place where you first started," said Seider

WVU’s Seider finds move bittersweet - Times West Virginian
How could he say goodbye to Doc Holliday, his head coach at Marshall, his mentor, the man who had recruited him to WVU and who had brought him to Huntington as an assistant coach?

Secondary not lacking for talent, Mitchell says - Charleston Gazette
Brian Mitchell has coached college secondaries long enough - 18 years at BYU, Texas Tech and East Carolina - and played the position well enough - at BYU and for three years in the NFL - to know talent when he sees it

HERTZEL COLUMN: Crook hopes offensive line is revamped " WVU Sports " The Times West Virginian
He’s hoping he’s got the kind of players who have those football smarts here for there’s a lot of work together patching together an offensive line that lost its starting center and two starting guards.

DeForest embracing new role - Charleston Gazette
Forgive Joe DeForest if he's not much into reminiscing or looking back these days, at least not toward recent events.

WVU Assistant Football Coaches’ Quotes - WVU Athletics
Friday post-practice comments.

VIDEO: WVU Assistant Coaches Meet the Media - WVillustrated
Coaches Seider, Dawson, Gibson and Galloway

WVSports.com TV: JaJuan Seider - WVSports.com

WVSports.com TV: Shannon Dawson - WVSports.com

WVSports.com TV: Joe DeForest - WVSports.com

PHOTOS: Mountaineer Football Spring Practice - WVillustrated

Recruiting:

Photo Gallery: Donte Grantham - BGN
WVU prospect Donte Grantham (32) scored 20 points and pulled in 17 rebounds in Martinsburg's AAA State Championship win. Here's a look at the Bulldog in action.