Here are a few name drops of some icy kids that are turning some sweltering O&M heads down in the New River Valley.
Most of these early returns are kool as can be and handsome enough.
Though is one of our Qb’s fielding a phantom injury?
Laurence “gibby” Gibson:
This one is a very interesting case, as Mister Gibson is only about a handful of years into participation in the sport otherwise know as football.
Recall that when this testing freak got to Blacskburg Va. he had played two, that’s (2) seasons of organized football! (recall: as well he was much better as a scholastic Dt too boot). This from a virtual rookie to the sport who arrived on campus and promptly earned Super Iron Hokie honors in spring testing. As Gibby posted a 415-pound bench press, a 450-pound front squat and his 346-pound clean is tops among all offensive linemen. Can you say late bloomer folks?
Now realize that when he got here he looked like an offensive Guard. Lumpy, slopey, classical interior lineman inverted V-shape to his trapezius muscles below his neck and across the top of any given collarbone. Now fast forward to last year; when he switched full-time to Ot, after bouncing inside, outside, back inside then finally outside to Ot once again. Think his mind might have been tying up his feets? Now observe that last year he slimmed down a bit to move to the edge in order to help combat speed rushing De’s. Though his bottom went from top-heavy to saggy then all the way back to lumpy. As he never quite got the appearance part of Ot bio-mechanical partitions down pat.
2014? Wow! Who are you and what have you done with Laurence Gibson?!? This is a much better proportioned looking Laurence Gibson who finally looks like a credible Ot who always had every single physical tool in his misplaced interior lineman tool-belt. Gibby is one of my three break-out picks for August camp. In fact, he may just be a sleeper Free Agency pick in some lucky professional teams training camp come this time next year. As this kid is still nowhere near his ceiling; as this oblong sport we call football is still relatively new to him and that’s gonna be bad news for right side opposing defensive lineman; if this kid suddenly puts it all together. Coach Stacy moving Gibby to starting blindside Ot says all you need to know. This kid is a dangerous player, if the proverbial switch suddenly flips.
Qb’s observations:
It finally clicked with me regarding Michael Brewer’s throwing motion. Although I’ll quibble a bit with all the other publications regarding M.Brewer’s much vaunted arm-strength (as I view it is very good, albeit it just short of great); someone did finally observe just what makes Brewer’s throwing mechanics tick. Notice that he keeps his triceps muscle parallel to the ground at all times. (i.e. less the partial signature passing elbow drop)
Go outside and try this one folks, just like I did last night. This version of a wind-up is not only a narrow or compact one, it truly puts a premium on throwing (mostly) off of the front-delt (deltoid muscle). This creates greater clockwise revolutions on an orthodox (right-handed) passers ball. Thereby allowing this higher revolution throw to simply slice through the air and arrive with a surprisingly sudden impact. Brewer may not have a bionic Elway or Bradshaw howitzer of an arm. Although Brewer is much stronger looking in person than was expected when you simply consult entry level height/weight metrics in and of themselves. This is a kid gets pure passing mechanics and who has put the weight-room work in to emphasize such accordingly; and it shows. As there is a serial chance that this is the second best Qb in the A.c.c. from day one.
My boy Andrew Ford however is a different matter. Put on your Eye in the Sky blinkers and you tell me…
That’s a fully hinged knee-brace that Andrew is now sporting over on the right-hand screen-cap just the other day. Compare that to the left-hand side back where he was in the spring with nary even a thread of athletic tape, on his right or plant-knee as a righty drop-back passer. In order of precedent there is athletic tape, a closed sleeve, an open patella sleeve and then the full-hinge knee-brace custom fit orthotic. This is not good and this was overlooked at practice yesterday; well, until last night.
***
Other offensive break-out picks:
M.Brewer, M.Brewer, M.Brewer!
This just in … did I mention M.Brewer, yet?
Alright, that attempt a levity aside, I’m not sweating Carlis Parker, not one iota. However, I don’t have to run with with legitimate sub 4.45 40-speed either; the rest of the Split End depth-chart? They might wanna start perspiring right about now. As the longer Carlis remains atop the Se depth-chart, the more and more infatuated Staff is becoming with this game-changing abilities. You should too. This guy runs like a deer, has sideline lift that harkens me back to none other than an impoverished man’s Lynn Swann as he’s just an extremely nimble and therefore gifted pure vertical athlete. You do not wanna enter a team-wide dunking contest with this kid sports fans. I confess, I was late to the Parker party; as it took me a while to see what Staff was seeing in such a mercurial kid. Think of Parker as levitating version of David Clowney with the raw-bone, pointy, angular body to match. This one is a keeper, this one is good, the only question is …when does he go full blown great?
EDITOR’s UPDATE: guess who’s coming to dinner and has been demoted to a tie for 5th on the Tb depth-chart? Mars’ Williams?!? Can’t say I saw that one coming; did you?
EDITOR’s Note: Motley has a bad back, and has been out for a couple of days!
IF, there is a defensive side early prime mover in this years August camp –and I’m not sure there really is. However, if there is one, I’m pretty sure his name is Vinny Mihota. As I truly thought this kid was r-shirt material at a relatively mere 264 lbs. hung on a rather non-traditional 6’5” Virginia Tech Dt frame. Recall that Mihota has a history foot breaks and that he started out at De as a January enrollee. However, this kid is much much stronger looking in person. I’m not sure he plays this year; though I’m no longer sure he won’t; either. Put it that way.
IF I had to make another defensive pick? (And this pick is a bit of a reach), I’d have to side with Raymon Minor the all-everything Ashland Va. high school Linebacker. As this kid is the sickest looking, most knifed up looking, most sliced up looking true-rookie hind-7 kid to arrive on campus since the days of Xavier Adibi! Lord this is mega developed looking kid in pure physique terms. As it is no stretch to author that Minor is majorly flirting with 5-6% body fat married to N.F.L. looking striations -same as a debuting X had- all over his precious looking game.
Loading ... TEASERS: (yes, Tech is using more Pistol looks, and yes, Pride and Joy has some new tricks up its sleeve, though that will have to wait until next time folks)
Virginia Tech break-out calls=4, bust calls=(incomplete)
“LETS GO!”
“Hokies!”
bourbonstreet**
I went back and watched the spring game several weeks back and concentrated on Mihota Ekanem and Hansen . Mihota is a player and looks and plays heavier than he is and he is now 15lbs to the good from spring . Think he definetly plays this year Wiles said as much the other day . Hansen can play some to but I think Walker could play and be pretty dang good this year . Ekanem may be the real key to this defense Super Iron Hokie and is strong like bull plays stronger and bigger than he is him staying healthy and producing is crucial to this defense. I think this time next year Vinny is in the 280-290 range and will be a real player . As for the O I think Knowles is going to surprise up and his speed will be noticeable because he has confidense and finaly will be playing and not thinking . No way a true frosh plays at LB if he does he will be bad ass not even Adibi and Hall played as TF. Clark could be the defense breakout guy he is a super athlete but I would like to see him at 220 . What is it with the speed lean guys ? What does bud see ? Is this preparing for all the spread becuas the D looks very Lean and fast . Anyhow Thanks for the tidbits always enjoy you view on things
“. Mihota is a player and looks and plays heavier than he is”
Bull’s eye Coastal.
Reminds me a bit of this guy…
http://img.beckett.com/images/items_stock/185224/1937325/1937336/front.jpg
…in point of fact.
b.street
As for the speedy/lean guys?
Does Bud have a choice???
(i.e. he may not intend to do this; though what sizey alternative does he have)
b.street
Does Bud have a choice ? Yea he does I think it is by design. You see we could have Williams in and slide Marshall out . Clark and Williams both have been 225-230 before why lean and fast now ? Add in RVD and that’s a pretty solid front 7. So why ? Well now we have a bunch of quick attackers that can come from anywhere . Everyone we play has a new QB in conference pretty much they think they can run but even against our slightly smaller defense it will still be tough . This may be Buds Jail break year throw in a lot of the 8 man jail breaks and make the new QBs make quick decision and do it against the best 2 corners in the Nation and 2 real good safeties that are seniors desguise coverages and are excellent blitz attackers and tackle well. At least you make them beat your best 2 and you give them max pressure to make big plays against your best . Thats a bunch of pressure on a new QB . The raiders beat the skins in the super bowl like this Haynes and Hayes and the rest shut down the run , Other than OSU we play mostly non power running teams so this quick fast defense may be buds adjusting to the new game . Just a thought how long till we see 2 like Fuller and Facsom
that can break and turn around a game with a pick playing at VT for 2 years straight after they are gone ?Probably be a while . I think Bud is getting better with age and has a plan
I’m not sure that Bud’s plan has changed all that much – he’s always favored speed over size, and his key to stopping the run has always been sound gap coverage. Plays break down when someone doesn’t cover their gap, can’t get off a block, or simply misses a tackle. We saw numerous incidents of all three last year.
This year’s challenge for the defense is the same as always: line up correctly, read the play and make the tackle. For inexperienced players, that’s not an easy task but I trust that Bud will be all over them until the lights start to go on.
bourbonstreet,
From a biomechanics junkie, the reason one wants to throw with a horizontal triceps (or more precisely, with 90 degrees of shoulder abduction) is that it allows for more complete external rotation (loading) of the shoulder. This is the “rubber band” effect that momentarily stores, then releases the energy for the throw. Look at any good major league pitcher and you’ll see the exact same motion. That’s why a 6 foot 200 lb MB can throw with almost the same pop as a 6’6″ 250 lb LT.
Oh it did too!
I was surprised (even pleased) with the velocity increase my throw suffered last nite
when I went outside and raised my elbow prolly 10-15 degrees.
(though I do wonder how long a shoulder can take that much wind-up?
kinda reminded me of throwing 1 too many curveballs in baseball)
late-
b-st.
Ah yes, there’s the rub…
It all depends on whether coach God gave you a strong enough shoulder capsule to withstand all that stretching and snapping. If you’re a Peyton Manning (or a Nolan Ryan), you can still sling it when you’re 40. If not, you’re a talking head on TV or selling aluminum siding…
Vinyl siding, right?
Oops… Still remembering the movie “Tin Men” – that dates me, doesn’t it?