With the NFL Preseason concluding last weekend, many familiar Mountaineers have either earned a starting role or made an NFL roster. Unfortunately, other clubs have released players that can now look for an opportunity on another roster or practice squad. Although many Mountaineers are ready to compete for wins and losses at the next level, others are still looking to prove they belong in the NFL.
Geno Smith, QB, Seattle Seahawks
Coming into the final week of the preseason, the quarterback competition between Geno Smith and Drew Lock was a toss-up. Smith had wasted an opportunity to secure the starting role when the Seahawks announced that Lock would sit out the second week with COVID-19. However, after the game on Friday night, Pete Carroll, the head coach of the Seahawks, announced Smith would start week one when the Denver Broncos visit Seattle in less than two weeks.
While Smith put on a solid performance, the battle ultimately came down to turnovers or lack thereof. The former Morgantown star completed 50% of his passes, threw for 43 yards, and led the team down the field to kick a field goal on one drive. Although this performance would not usually favor Smith in a competition, Lock did throw three interceptions during the contest. Overall, Smith had a more consistent preseason and has a golden opportunity to prove he is a starting-caliber quarterback in the NFL.
Will Grier, QB, Dallas Cowboys
Smith was not the only quarterback battling for a position Friday night. Although Will Grier was not competing for a starting position, his athletic ability was on full display as the quarterback played for a spot on the 53-man roster. Although Grier did miss a few throws early, he proved he is a suitable backup for Dak Prescott, completing 12 of 22 passes for 88 yards and two touchdowns.
Cooper Rush, the other backup quarterback on the roster, completed two of five passes for twenty yards.
Unfortunately, on Tuesday, the Cowboys announced that Grier was among the team’s cuts. However, Rush was also let go by the Cowboys, leaving them only one active quarterback on the roster. Therefore, it would not be a surprise if the Cowboys re-signed Grier to the practice squad or the active roster in the coming days.
David Long Jr, LB, Tennessee Titans
One Mountaineer not on the roster bubble is David Long Jr. With many preseason storylines generated from cuts and players making rosters; most starters often remain quiet due to a lack of time on the field. Unsurprisingly, this is precisely how the Titans have handled their starting linebacker this preseason.
Although Long Jr. has had a quiet preseason, he exploded onto the NFL scene last year with the Titans. While the linebacker did miss six games due to injury, Long Jr. had 75 total tackles and two interceptions, helping the Titans to the number one seed in a crowded AFC. This year, the Mountaineer will focus on becoming more of a vocal and emotional leader for the Tennessee defense.
“When it’s needed,” said Long Jr. “You know, I’m not about to be the ‘ra ra’ guy, you know, but when I see my voice needs to be and I need to step up and say something or get them going, I will.”
Currently, the West Virginia product will start at inside linebacker. Especially with Long Jr. being a force for the Titans’ defense a season ago, West Virginia fans will have to tune in on Sundays to see if Long Jr. can continue making big plays for Tennessee.
Tony Fields II, LB, Cleveland Browns
Although Tony Fields II only attended West Virginia for a season, his playmaking ability was on full display for the Mountaineers fans in 2020. NFL scouts also recognized the West Virginia products’ abilities, which led to the Cleveland Browns selecting the linebacker in the fifth round last spring. Although Fields II had a measly four tackles during his rookie year, the linebacker has impressed Browns coaches enough to earn a place on the initial 53-man roster.
Quietly, the Mountaineer has had a stellar camp, clearly improving from his rookie season. However, his ability to find the ball and cause turnovers early in the Browns training camp could force the coaches to move the linebacker up the depth chart.
Fields II also has the uncanny talent to maneuver and accelerate through traffic.
Tony Fields II is someone that can help the Browns make plays on defense, and a rising star the West Virginia faithful should monitor as the NFL season begins.
David Sills V, WR, New York Giants
David Sills V is a name West Virginia fans will recognize instantly. In 2010, after verbally committing to USC in seventh grade, Sills V announced his commitment to play for West Virginia four years later. After Skyler Howard beat out Sills V for the starting quarterback role, the Delaware native impressed coaches at wide receiver. The former quarterback even caught the game-winning touchdown in the 2016 Cactus Bowl.
After spending a season at El Camino College, the wideout went on to have a phenomenal junior season, catching 60 passes for 980 yards and 18 touchdowns. He also earned a spot on the 2017 All-Big 12 First Team.
His senior season was just as impressive, catching 65 passes for 986 yards and 15 touchdowns. Sills V’s play earned him selections to the 2018 All-Big 12 First Team and 2018 College Football All-American Team.
While Sills V’s collegiate performance will live forever in Morgantown, his professional career has been windier. After signing with the Bills organization as an undrafted free agent in 2019, Buffalo released Sills V a few months later. Luckily, the wideout signed with the Giants practice squad, where the former Mountaineer has dealt with injuries ever since. However, this preseason has felt different for the wideout after re-signing with the Giants this spring.
Sills V has made an impression on Giants coaches this summer as he enters his fourth year in the NFL. One play that caught many Mountaineers fans’ eyes was when Sills V beat the fourth-overall pick, Sauce Gardner, in joint practices with the Jets.
On Tuesday, the Giants organization announced Sills V had made the initial 53-man roster, a first in his career.
Although David Sills V endured unexpected turns throughout his football career, this beloved Mountaineer has finally proven he belongs among the professional ranks as the wide receiver continues to show the NFL he can be a difference maker.
In addition to the players above, several former Mountaineers also made an initial 53-man roster. Rasul Douglas, CB, Green Bay Packers, Mark Glowinski, OG, New York Giants, and Kyzir White, LB, Philadelphia Eagles, will all start for their respective teams.
Yodny Cajuste, OT, New England Patriots, and Colton McKivitz, OT, San Francisco 49ers, have also earned spots on their respective teams but will primarily serve as backups to begin the season.
Unfortunately, many Mountaineers did not make an NFL roster. Several notable players were released on Tuesday and earlier this week. Some recognizable names include Leddie Brown, RB; Tavon Austin, WR; Daryl Worley, CB; Kevin White, WR; Nick Kwiatkoski, LB; Trevon Wesco, TE; Kenny Robinson, CB; Adam Pankey, OT, and Garry Jennings, WR.
While these former West Virginia standouts could sign with another organization or on a practice squad in the coming days, one thing is certain, they all will search for their next opportunity to prove they can compete in the NFL.
Photo by Corey Sipkin / New York Post
