Post by FIUPantherFan on Apr 13, 2008 9:04:20 GMT -5
From: THE MIAMI HERALD
Posted on Sun, Apr. 13, 2008
FIU's Weathersthingy sparks secondary
BY PETE PELEGRIN
Jeremiah Weathersthingy returned a kick for a touchdown, intercepted a pass and made two tackles in the FIU backfield during Saturday morning's workout.
The junior safety missed football while he was away from the game, but the Golden Panthers also saw what they were missing last season.
Weathersthingy, who sat out last season because of academic issues, has made a triumphant return to the FIU secondary.
''That year off I got out of the groove, so it took awhile to get back into it,'' Weathersthingy said. ``Now it seems like I'm getting back on track. I'm getting better and I'm getting back to where I was, but there's more to come. I got a lot more.''
Weathersthingy was fifth in tackles and had two interceptions for the Golden Panthers in 2006. Last season, however, Weathersthingy was relegated to the scout team while he got his academics in order.
''We're a big family,'' Weathersthingy said. ``Everybody makes mistakes. It's like if your brother makes you mad, but the next day you're all best friends. I'm a criminal justice major and I'm back on track.''
During his first two seasons at FIU, Weathersthingy never returned a kick, but this spring he has been one of several doing the job.
Weathersthingy (6-1, 222 pounds) certainly is physical enough to help the FIU return game, but his vision might set him apart.
''It's really not so much about speed until you get free,'' he said. ``You just have to find that hole and you have to hit it hard. You find that hole and you're gone.''
Said coach Mario Cristobal: ``[Weathersthingy has] had a couple of chances to make some big plays and he did. He's a big, physical guy and he can get downhill in a hurry. He's going to be a real good player for us.''
Last season, the FIU secondary was injury-riddled and incurred academic troubles, but with everyone healthy and the return of Weathersthingy, the team could be just fine in 2008.
''He has the physical ability to play the run and basically be an extra linebacker,'' FIU defensive backs coach Jeff Popovich said.
``He has good athletic ability to play in space and to cover guys as well. That's something that pushes everybody to get better. He forces wide receivers to be better. He forces other [defensive backs] to be better. We're excited to have him back.''
Posted on Sun, Apr. 13, 2008
FIU's Weathersthingy sparks secondary
BY PETE PELEGRIN
Jeremiah Weathersthingy returned a kick for a touchdown, intercepted a pass and made two tackles in the FIU backfield during Saturday morning's workout.
The junior safety missed football while he was away from the game, but the Golden Panthers also saw what they were missing last season.
Weathersthingy, who sat out last season because of academic issues, has made a triumphant return to the FIU secondary.
''That year off I got out of the groove, so it took awhile to get back into it,'' Weathersthingy said. ``Now it seems like I'm getting back on track. I'm getting better and I'm getting back to where I was, but there's more to come. I got a lot more.''
Weathersthingy was fifth in tackles and had two interceptions for the Golden Panthers in 2006. Last season, however, Weathersthingy was relegated to the scout team while he got his academics in order.
''We're a big family,'' Weathersthingy said. ``Everybody makes mistakes. It's like if your brother makes you mad, but the next day you're all best friends. I'm a criminal justice major and I'm back on track.''
During his first two seasons at FIU, Weathersthingy never returned a kick, but this spring he has been one of several doing the job.
Weathersthingy (6-1, 222 pounds) certainly is physical enough to help the FIU return game, but his vision might set him apart.
''It's really not so much about speed until you get free,'' he said. ``You just have to find that hole and you have to hit it hard. You find that hole and you're gone.''
Said coach Mario Cristobal: ``[Weathersthingy has] had a couple of chances to make some big plays and he did. He's a big, physical guy and he can get downhill in a hurry. He's going to be a real good player for us.''
Last season, the FIU secondary was injury-riddled and incurred academic troubles, but with everyone healthy and the return of Weathersthingy, the team could be just fine in 2008.
''He has the physical ability to play the run and basically be an extra linebacker,'' FIU defensive backs coach Jeff Popovich said.
``He has good athletic ability to play in space and to cover guys as well. That's something that pushes everybody to get better. He forces wide receivers to be better. He forces other [defensive backs] to be better. We're excited to have him back.''
