#SpringBallIsMoreThan1/2WayDone!
Per every single August Camp and Spring Practice, there are some movers and some shakers, some odds-n-End (pun intended), some guys rising up and even a few falling down as the Depth Chart goes.
Here are a few more vibes, feelers and whispers as to who may be doing what this Spring down in the New River Valley. As we still have metric tons of O&M ground to cover, with so many things new all over again. In particular over on the Hokie offensive side of the ball what with the new Staff, the new scheme and brand new nomenclature and Sets.
So if nothing else, I should have plenty to write about for a while, although this one did take a R.A.T.T. swerve down at the bottom.
The half-fulls are hereby rightfully warned.
Although someone is hearing a few other names swirling, and a few more things on some of the bigger or more publicized names as well.
thx @readers!
From the above pic, it would appear that Shai is narrowing the gap between him and McMillian at Tb. As Shai is getting some looks with the 1’s; and that has to be taken as a good sign going forth. (although I do wanna see/evaluate this again after 4 more months recovery and P.T. for twice torn Shai, coach God wiling of course. Let’s see where he is come Liberty?)
#11 Houshun Gaines is an interesting one. As there have been some Staffing vibes that seem pretty happy with what figures to be a Stud-De, De (meaning: not the strong-side or End-De, mind you). Though I can tell you this… he is a lean looking T-bone cut kinda guy. Still wears his old-school glasses, and quiet honestly? Someone had to go to the roster as they thought him to be more parts true OLb than De on site. Someone thought he had changed digits (numbers) as well. Now, to the baller, Gaines enjoys an unusually long wingspan for being 6’4” and about ~235 lbs., he plays downhill well, plays from something of a high (arse) to lower chin stance –hence the ability to play downhill. Seems to be moving better this Spring, as honestly, he looks a bit taunter, as someone thought he had just a pinch of a gut last year. That being said, his leaner look could very well be beneath his former 4.7o forty time and let me assure you, that’s moving it folks! Apparently he also played some Wr in high school; so this too only reinforces that pretty dang close to greased lightening 4.7o forty-time. And that too is only augmented by a a James Worthy De ‘esque first-step. Lotta twitch going on in this kids game. Methinks he is a starter; eventually; and if “House” and fellow r-Fr., Hill can conspire to give us a quality 2-deep at Stud-De? That bodes good enough in 2016 terms and very very well in 2019 terms as r-senior bookends go.
You can see some T.c.u. is still in coach-Fu, as coach-Fu still uses the co-called Colorado Circuit in training. Basically, the Colorado Circuit, a somewhat unorthodox (but wickedly effective) strength and conditioning regimen based in part on drills that used to be done way back at the University of Colorado. Colorado circuiting features 8 individual stations and a unique concentration on the players’ hips and feet. The Colorado Circuit doesn’t just increase players’ quickness, agility and fitness (which it certainly does) — it is also specifically designed to build mental toughness – the kind needed to win tough games during the season. (P.S. the Colorado Circuit also places a very very heavy emphasis on pre and post conditioning stretching; some say stretching is 2/3rds and the work-out or the S&C portion is a mere 33%)
McMillian has been returning a few Kicks this Spring. Some would say that that is better for opening field-position and some would say that that is a risk. 17.6 yards per return last year. Take thy pick…
Gallo now in a full hinge right-elbow brace; (though still in white or cleared full).
Whispers say that Bucky may be (finally) playing a bit more physically at Te. As methinks he is finally getting it that the N.f.l. will not merchandise nor a¢¢ept anything else.
The practice Captain’s jersey‘s are being issued on a rotational or merit pay basis. Sam Rodgers and Ken Ekanem were just recognized as being meritorious accordingly.
Tyrell Smith continues to get a long look at back-up Center. I do not know if the C2 caddie spot is his or maybe that still belongs to the r-Jr. Chung legacy kid. I do however know that if he beats Chung out, that’s a pretty solid sign for Smith going forward, and someone likewise hears that Smith is playing much stronger (this year) at the point of attack.
Dwayne Lawson‘s form does look better, this year. Though he sure has an elongated windmill wind-up for being so very tall in stature. Which tells you just how high a caliber of an arm he is truly packing, in that that elongated of a wind-up (still) gets there in that much of a hurry.
Ain’t no doubt that Cam Phillips is quietly have a nice catch-spring. In point of fact, even if there may not be a pure Dave Casper Gift-of-Grab guy out there; looks to someone like this is a grouping of good hands people indeed. Does not hurt that j.Evans and b.Motley hurl pretty dang catchable passes; either.
Someone heard that Carson Lydon was getting a looksee with the stop-unit 1’s at Mike-Lb with the Tuaman having dinged up his lower-leg somehow (God Bless; as the whispers say he injured both knees; significantly; last campaign). So maybe this is his chance to break-through a bit in terms of MLb playing-time. Thing is, honestly? He looks about the same as there have been a few whispers that Carson needs some S&C work. Which is not to say he looks bad, or real portly. More so like he needs to kick it up a notch; or three, if 44 wants to see the field before the Tuaman is gone in 2018. As he does not look outright, weak, it is more like he just does not look downright strong. As this Tuaman dent is a opportunity; if Lydon will only take advantage of it.
Something else someone is picking up on, is… this Staff is a little more hands-on; literally. There is more physical teaching going on this spring. Now, I’m not sure how that reads/sets in 2016 every single parent knows oh so much facebook ethos terms? Though I kinda like a little Bobby Knight repositioning myself. Lets the kid know who the Boss-man truly is. And I’ll give these facebook style parents a hint, it ain’t your kid. Not in a terminal contact sport. Some may not support this style of coaching in enlightened 2016 terms, however I for one find it old-school refreshing indeed. A F5 on-field keystroke if you will, as you only get one coaching chance make a 1st-impression and set that initial top-down hierarchical tone.
Someone really likes some of these basketball looking football throw-game routes that they are seeing. Lotta shaking-n-baking, lotta misdirection in the early stages of the pattern itself. Almost like a Wing moving without the ball and then suddenly jab-stepping the other way for a very quick-release jump-shot in hoops. Been since the late 1970’s in my mom’s kitchen since I last saw any of this.
Someone counted over 15 contrasts and contrasts combined at practice the other day. A soft-touch this Spring ball clearly is not. The intensity has been dialed up. As intramural Rec’ League flag football this just …ain’t. In point of fact, the call-sign to: “bully” one another is very very less than politically correct in 2016 terms. Though again; as verbs go, football is the quintessential team sport that you suffer, not play.
Curious to see potential Qb1 Jerod Evans doing work sans the knee braces plural he wore while staring at JuCo Trinity Valley Community College. Recall he already has one blow out A.c.l. and one busted (non-passing side) wrist –which he does still keep athletic taped-up. That being said, for practicing on a synthetic surface, and not wearing any knee bracing, at all? This would seem to suggest he is fully recovered; at least to me. As I might go find me some extra bracing for any version of artificial turf, injury or not. (UPDATE: and yet at the last practice he had both legs fully compression leggings sleeved; so there you go)
And by the way, someone did finally sneak out onto the artificial surface itself and run a few old-school patterns and so forth; with the emphasis on the word; “old”. Anywho, it’s a different kinda surface. It is not your mother’s 1970’s up through the 1990’s AstroTurf, which might as well have been the fake plastic grass wipe your feet before you enter doormat, laid down on a concrete surface for cushioning. It has more give to it than AstroTurf, although it is also just a bit slicker or easier to slide on than expected. All of that can be toggled by vacuuming the black-tire pellets up, to make the synthetic blades of grass appear longer (or slower), if you so desire. Perhaps that current surfaced amount of modest slippyness –is via do not get your cleats caught and further damage any pinned soft-tissue design? Could be, and yet it is an interesting surface, and it may not play quite as fast as AstroTurf -which I have played upon- once did. Although it clearly does not play quite as body-compacting hard as well.
Spring printing/distribution Mythpreceptions:
Fox Mulder and I enjoy a good debunk, a myth-busting mission, a mothman busting mission; or just an outright objective fact-finding tour. And let us all agree before we read any further, let us all hope I am, dead, freakin’, ‘rong! Okay?
Nevertheless, and for me? It is either this layer or unit, or possibly the much maligned Linebacking corps with the Tuaman still here; the talented though hard to control Deon Clark now gone; and the Whip spot unproved at most and in retreat in lieu of the Nickle/Dime sets as schematic deployment goes at least. As I can listen, (and cogently), to this prime 2016 nag of a Linebacking layer of reasoning. Though how in the “Wide Wide World of Sports” is the 2016 dLine the #1, strength?!? That just does not make any, sense… so check it out! As these are your objective science facts for the day…
75% or a full 3 starters are gonzo: Maddy, my boy Dadi, and Corey Marshall.
According to what I could dig up, respectively; that equates to …
- 46 + 26 + 26 = 98 career starts (combo)
- 175 + 97 + 166 = 438 (∑ or sum of tackles)
- 29 + 21 + 36 = 86 (T.F.L. total)
- 14 + 9.5 + 17.5 = and 41 overall sacks!
Now, if we just signed my hometown boys of: Joe Green, L.c. Greenwood and Ernie “fats” Holmes fame in replacement? Well okay, I’ll Roger that call-sign and I’ll sign-off or yield to the merits of that argument. Although if my point remains yet proven; consider thus…
Sitting here on a warm breezy spring snow day+2, and looking back at last year… those two multi year starting Dt’s and one multi year starting De? Well, R.A.T.T.? They actually over-preformed in 2014 and under-preformed a bit in 2016. That and the CV or curriculum vitae of the returnees that says a good deal less than does the combined resume(s) of Maddy, Nichols, and Marshall.
***
And here is the kicker -pardon the sporting pun- at least to me… as no matter what Williams, Baron and Settle are, they were not able to beat those three out in 2015. Ditto Dooley, Hill and Gaines. See what I mean men? Or in other words, these new guys could not beat out the lowercase C— old guys who finished 75th in rush defense at an inviting looking 181 yards worth of ground chuck allowed per game last year.
Plus all the experience, all the production, and the departing seniority both mentally/physically… forgive, as I do not understand; how that could be code for the #1 returning gridiron strength? As this just does not make any; sense…
As I nearly have dLine my #1 concern. (that or maybe Linebacking)
So how ’bout you?
Loading ...Virginia Tech=stronger at oLine, Wr/Te (the starters), Rb and Qb(s)
Virginia Tech=lesser at Linebacker, dLine, and maybe Punter
(p.s. Secondary is in the middle, although closer to a strength, and it is likely a strength if/when Facyson gets well soon!)
“LETS GO!”
“Hokies!”
bourbonstreet**
TY for hustling around to get these details but have to wonder, with all the practice info lockdown, how do you come up with this info? Are you TSL guru disguised as the Ball Boy?
If everyone stays healthy &the freshman DE’s perform,i do think DL will be ok.
As the DL goes, so goes the LBers. Yah, definitely something to watch early, especially game 2 down in Bristol vs a big SEC online and experienced trifecta of Vols QB, and 2 RBs in another uptempo offense. The new DTs have the size, but lack the starting game experience. Hard to replace experience and alignment assignment knowledge regardless of physical talent.
Code for if the new VT DL cannot control gaps and keep OGs and combos off the Tuaman and inexperienced thin crew, Coach Wiles and Bud will have their work cut out for them. AND if we show great improvement in O from the new staff, how does that reflect on D after 23 years of carrying Beamerball? Or does it matter?
IF you were u.Tenn…………with 4 oLine starters back and a 1,3oo rushing Tb returning?
What would you do?
me? I test the VT front-7, early, often, and again.
Rinse, recycle, repeat.
b.street
p.s. that Hurd kid is a damn beast, too!
I like him. Great speed/power blend, made for T.V., too.
“AND if we show great improvement in O from the new staff, how does that reflect on D after 23 years of carrying Beamerball? Or does it matter?”
I would say it depends upon how fast coach-Fu scores?
Faster=less rest for a pretty thin looking Foster defense.
There is Top-11 talent. There is also a Top-22 drop off for the first time in a while.
I can see a couple of Tulsa shootouts erupting this year.
I would not die of shock if that is the case.
b.street
I am optimistic about the “speed” play calling & activity on offense…..I feel it will balance out the offensive power with that of our defense (thrilled that Bud is excited about coaching with new offensive philosophy). Our offensive scheme truly became offensive & excessively predictable.—that left Bud’s boys to bar the door & save the day time & time again. whether it be a sack, a forced turnover, or a clock eating stalled drive by opponents.
I Understand that other programs trying to copy /mimic our new coach’s offensive scheme. Hopefully , there not as effective —- or at least wont be able to mimic our offensive style , pace, & play calling.
I am so glad that Beamer is traveling, racking up awards, and hearing from people, coaches, media what a fine example, mentor, and leader –who put doing things the right way, setting an example for the players, and hopefully molding young players into the man Beamer was. ,,,,being humble, encouraging, patient, and setting the example of a true fine leader and gentleman thru out the players lives. HE IS & WILL ALWAYS BE A LEGEND TO ALL HOKIES and acknowledged , respected, and revered across the nation. i can see him enjoying his family, his fellow coaches, his grands…….and can see him starting it all over with young boys & helping them turn into fine young men of character & grace..
Don’t think that we should pin 2015’s disappointing rush defense numbers strictly on the D-line. There were numerous long runs that resulted from weak play from backer and secondary.
Yah; I mean it hurt.
Look at the Sacks and chuck yardage prevention it could/would have provided too.
I don’t know if it was a magical cure all panacea?
I do know was a healthy elixir, at least.
b.street
It isn’t a whisper about Matuapoaka’s knees. it was in a news article in which he himself revealed his knee injury.
Ah-ha.
Only thing I can add is… he came back at least 1 week too early.
As for all the (bleep) he takes? NOBODY wants to fight that kid.
He’s something of a v.Hall like that. At least in that much. VERY
tough kid. Freely pains in pain(s) that would sit most other… mortals.
b.street
It is so hard to know how good the 2015 DL could have been. Dadi had about 20 guys tackled behind the L.O.S. that he could not grab, sans the two bad hands. Did Wiles keep starting him, hoping he would eventually figure out how to use his dinged up hands? Dunno. Luther and Corey always seemed a little dinged up as well. Let’s just say this, healthy 2’s beat hurt 1’s most of the time if they are close.
If we are healthy this yr on the DL, then we are probably an upgrade. If not, see Dadi. That just never worked out last year.
True. Dadi was very limited.
That was not the real Dadi we saw in ’15.
: (
b.street
Are your astro-turf recollections from Mt Lebo? I recall USC (as in Upper St Clair, for those thinking of Compton or Columbia) had rather plush grass.
Yah; there, Rector Fieldhouse (practice); and Laidley Field (championship).
Oh yes, I clearly remember the Mt.Lebo stadium down in that little bowl.
Always caught your eye driving downtown. “They’ve got AstroTruf! Woooooah!”
WAR Upper Saint Clair!!!
(though we finally slipped last year)
: (
b.street
I’ve still got a little scar from playing goalie on that turf.
USC had a very good run in football, but I was glad to see that my old Blue Devils beat ’em. Still I always wished St Clair well. Can’t say the same for Bethel or Shaler…
On another note,reading this article still makes me think Houshun should be at backer/LB,while Tremaine should be at DE.At this stage Edmunds can still put on a lot more weight than Gaines.
That would be interesting!
(Gaines, the Lb, I mean)
He’d surely be an overloaded physical one, too.
(I could go for that)
b.street
I imagine you stalking the team in the bushes or in a pine tree on Beamer Way getting the scope on this new Uptempo VT Hokies! with your long range microphone and video camera. Great Stuff!!!!
* Shai not shy is great news… That dude can pound the rock and all signs of maturity, commitment and health are in line for a great season for him.
* Lawson… it’s time for him to step-up to the physically capabilities on the field… if so..Look Out!!! He’s got some Grade A talent (as in arm strength) in that 6’6″ body that runs like a gazelle!!!
But not sure I’m aligned with your myth busters… 2015 DL underachieved…. Dadi could not tackle until the last play of the last game in 2015. He was in the backfield numerous times but w/ both hands hurt… too often his inability to tackle turned into a first down…Early in the season he was a liability on the field, love the motor but w/o hands he was a lobster.
Luther Maddy and Cory Marshall never returned to their 2014 form of pocket disruption up the middle. Injuries could be a factor, but I believe it was they were not in shape for the season due to injury recovery and playing too many snaps early in the game. In fact the most productive DT last season was Woody Baron, who played for Marshall due to injury… here’s my skinny…. Not sure why but Charlie Wiley mishandled the DL’s substitution… leaving the starters on the field for too many plays… This hurt the middle on pass rushing and inability to stop the run late in the game. (Although LB play also hindered the run stopping). Now Fast forward to 2016: Nigel Williams (Statistically your most productive DT in Hokie History -see CC article 2015), Baron, (who’s found his MOJO), Walker (who’s hungry for playing time following the redshirt) and a slimmer Tim Settle who’s learning the discipline of being an athlete, give VT an impressive two deep rotation, that will lock down the middle and push the pocket into opponent’s face in passing downs. Stop the run will be priority #1 for CBF as that is how opponents will try to offset the new VT offense.. .run the rock!!! This group will stop the middle holes, which last year were gaping at times late in the 2nd QTR and 4th QTR.
On The edges… Ken, Vinny, Houshun, Seth, Hill… along with Edumunds and Shegog have to man the fort, this to me is the question mark along with Mike for VT in 2016.
Great Stuff and remember to keep your head down in the bushes!!!
Let’s Go…Hokies
April 23… Spring Game… Maroon vs. White….
Some Questions to be answered…..
Think there was a little senior boost last year Woody definitely outplayed Marshal and Nigel although he seemed to have dropped off played well in 14. i know you mention Settle but Walker was more than solid in 2014 as a TF. Dont know exactly what Settle brings at this point, I think endurance remains an issue but maybe he gets better over summer. Mihota will be stout against the run and Hill will be a good pass rusher. Daddi wasnt that effective last year due to injury so i think those guys can produce at least as much as he did last season.
Walker is prolly the sleeper here.
And yah; I’ve heard others make the same Barron observation.
Let’s hope he does take the next step. Prolly his final one as eligibility goes, too.
b.street