Schmitt is learning another position in addition to fullback. You mean he's finally being used as a tailback? Of course not silly, he's learning to be a blocking tight end. WVU doesn't throw to the tight end, so this makes perfect sense from a Caste System perspective. [I've highlighted some of the racial stereotypes in this article about a player who would bea power back coveted by the NFL except for his "handicap." Also I kept in the follow-up at the end about two of Schmitt's affletic teammates being arrested. Just another typical day in the Caste System. . .]
Fullback adds to his versatility
MORGANTOWN, W.Va. -- Fullback Owen Schmitt is practicing as often, if not more, at the tree-falling-in-the-forest position of West Virginia's spread offense: tight end.
It is a position that didn't catch a pass last season; only two were thrown in its direction.
It is a position that caught all of three passes the season before; a guard, Ryan Stanchek, and a quarterback, Adam Bednarik, were credited with almost as many receptions, two combined.
It is a position that caught one pass in 2004, four in '03 ...
You get the picture: Tight end is hardly in the team picture, when it comes to anything other than blocking.
So why is Schmitt, a
Scout.com All-America at fullback last season and a preseason selection this one by
ESPN.com, taking his 20 career receptions -- the same amount compiled by tight ends the previous four season -- and performing double duty at that spot?
"It's fun to learn new stuff," Schmitt said from underneath a West Virginia ballcap that temporarily conceals his Mohawk 'do. "Keeps it more interesting."
In fact, the move makes sense. For one thing, Schmitt, a 6-foot-3, 260-pound senior, usually will be blocking the same defender he might have to pursue from his backfield position. For another, he has NFL quality hands, having finished fourth last season with 12 receptions ... despite being healthy for only the first four games and the Gator Bowl.
Not that at tight end he would be guaranteed of seeing passes heaved his way.
Same for fullback.
"It's not really a position that people use anymore," Schmitt said of fullback. "Speed is the game now. They're going four wides, maybe a tight end on the line. A lot of the fullbacks you see now are dual guys."
So Schmitt is joining the movement rather than fighting it.
A lad who
grew up idolizing fullbacks such as Tampa Bay's
Mike Alstott and his beloved Green Bay's William Henderson,
Schmitt also enjoyed "the old-school stuff, Larry Csonka and John Riggins." Yes, he's familiar with not only Csonka's 1970s show, but also his syndicated television work from ESPN Classic reruns: "I mean, he was the host for 'American Gladiators,' " Schmitt noted.
Nowadays, this fullback-tight end tries to more closely scrutinize fellow hybrids in the NFL.
A poster of Jim Kleinsasser, anyone? "He's fun to watch," Schmitt said.
But even the Minnesota Vikings veteran essentially has dropped half of those duties, having last carried the football as a fullback in 2003.
With a Mountaineers offense trying to regularly involve everybody's All-American Steve Slaton, last year's Big East offensive player of the year Patrick White and speedy receiver Darius Reynaud, if not also capable backups Jarrett Brown at quarterback and possibly freshmen tailbacks Noel Devine and Jock Sanders, it will remain to be seen if Schmitt's move doubles or halves his chances at touching the ball.
2 defenders arrested
Two players expected to play key roles on defense, redshirt freshman linebacker
J.T. Thomas and junior cornerback
Ellis Lankster, were arrested early yesterday morning on charges of receiving and transferring stolen property, a felony under West Virginia law.
Morgantown police said the two were arraigned by a magistrate and they apparently posted bond, but those records weren't available.
No other details were furnished by police, who said their report remained incomplete as of late last night.
The status of Thomas and Lankster on the third-ranked team was under review by Rodriguez.
"I am aware that Ellis and J.T. have been involved in an off-campus situation," Rodriguez said in a statement released early last night.
"I am investigating at this time and will make the determination about their status within the football program after all the facts are in."
Rodriguez offered no specifics.
Lankster made an interception in Saturday's scrimmage, but Thomas sat out because of an injury.
After the scrimmage, Rodriguez provided a caution about the end of summer camp and the start of school:
"Well, our guys can't afford to run around and play around. Like tonight, our guys have curfew at 11 [p.m.].
"There are people they hang around with in a dorm or downtown, and they might not have a curfew. But our guys have to be different, and I think they understand that. I hope they do.
"I better not be getting any late-night phone calls, if you know what I mean."
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/07232/810760-144.stm
Edited by: Don Wassall 
