MORGANTOWN -- A Who's Who of recent West Virginia University football success turned out Friday to discern first-hand what had happened to their proud program.
Tennessee Titan John Thornton, a Super Bowl participant just two months ago, and others had to like what they saw.
There were minimal signs of a 4-7 hangover Friday during West Virginia's first spring practice in pads. Drills were sharp, tempers flared in abundance and game faces abounded.
One of the more physical drills was a marathon session of running plays conducted just in front of the facilities building. It wasn't long before Chris Edmonds, who has moved from strong side linebacker to rush linebacker, was scrapping with starting tailback Avon Cobourne.
Moments later, Edmonds came from the sideline to direct some smack in the ear of Cooper Rego, Cobourne's backup. The two exchanged words before taking turns firing a football at each other.
The above moments aren't unusual, particularly during spring practice when it quickly gets old hammering the same teammate day after day, but they did set the tone for a spirited, all-business atmosphere at Mountaineer Field.
Starting left tackle Tanner Russell, who is rehabbing from January shoulder surgery and didn't participate Friday, said not too expect too many light moments during spring drills. Being just four months removed from WVU's worst season during coach Don Nehlen's 20-year tenure tends to sour moods.
"Being 4-7 was embarrassing," Russell said. "You ask any guy who was on this team last year and they'll tell you it was embarrassing. We let all of our fans down, and we let our coaches down.
"We were lacking a lot of things in general last year, so we're working on everything. We just want to be close as a team."
Perhaps Friday's intensity was caused by the bright spotlight players were under. Not only was Nehlen peering down, but several notable WVU alumni also arrived for the first day of hitting.
Among the returnees who have moved on to the NFL fraternity were Thornton, Solomon Page of the Dallas Cowboys, Kansas City Chiefs linebacker Gary Stills and Cincinnati Bengal Charles Fisher. Nehlen greeted Fisher, who missed most of last season due to a devastating knee injury, with a big hug upon seeing his former defensive back.
Less than one week into his final season, wide receiver Khori Ivy said he has no regrets concerning his decision to return. A new rule concerning Proposition 48 student-athletes allowed Ivy, who caught 53 passes for 666 yards and five touchdowns in 1999, to gain an extra season of eligibility.
"I'm definitely glad I came back to give it one more shot," Ivy said. "Last season in the second half things didn't go our way.
"(Last year's 4-7 record) affected my decision. A couple of things factored into the decision. One, was to get my degree (in May). And two, I wanted to come back because I didn't want to go out like that."
