Friday: A typical Hokies offensive drive in 2012?
I THINK THIS IS WHAT I’M STRUGGLING WITH MOST WHEN IT COMES TO MONDAY NIGHT: The mental picture of what a typical Virginia Tech drive is going to look like this year.
Another way to think about it is this: When we look back on this season in January, how were the chains moved? What was Tech’s bread and butter? Which wrinkles worked and which didn’t?
The reason this is tough is because typically, with Virginia Tech, it isn’t tough. You could see the drives of 2011 in the preseason, couldn’t you? David Wilson, 5-yard run. Danny Coale, 19-yard catch on third-and-8. Jarrett Boykin, 40-yard grab.
The variable then was first-year quarterback Logan Thomas, but anybody who’d paid attention to the preseason vibe could tell the guy had a great chance to be special. You had a sense he could deliver the ball to the known-quantity playmakers (what we perhaps didn’t know was how much of a playmaker Thomas himself would turn out to be as a rusher in the read option).
Other years, same thing. An attack built around a running back, complemented by perimeter playmakers.
What about this year? Can you envision how the chains are moved? Frank Beamer has said repeatedly that he feels the same way about new tailback Michael Holmes as he did about Thomas coming into last year; let’s take that as a good sign. We know Marcus Davis has a world of talent. Dyrell Roberts and D.J. Coles are veterans we’ve seen make plays. There is ability here, but how will it all be utilized?
Is it as simple as a new iteration of what we’re used to: Holmes for 5, Roberts for 19, Davis for 40? Is it Holmes for 5, Thomas for 4, deep shot to Davis?
I’m curious, Tech fans: When you picture Tech’s offense on the field Monday night, what do you see happening? How are the Hokies moving the chains?
HOKIE HEADLINES
(Andy’s been a busy man, as usual)
-Charley Wiles is likely to shake up the front four on Tech’s defensive line.
-Defensive end Dadi Nicolas has been reinstated to the team after his grand larceny charge was reduced.
-Brent Benedict and Michael Via will rotate at right guard.
-Highlights from yesterday’s press conference in Blacksburg.
OTHER LOCAL HEADLINES
-UVa offensive lineman Tim Cwalina has a heart condition that will prevent him from playing for the Cavaliers.
-Profile of Salem quarterback Matt Hill as the Spartans prepare to open the season against Lord Botetourt tonight.
-Robert’s high school predictions column.
-Pitcher Michael McCarthy leads the Salem Red Sox to another win over Frederick.
COLLEGE FOOTBALL TONIGHT
-N.C. State takes on Tennessee in Atlanta at 7:30 p.m. on ESPNU. Vols are a 3-point favorite.
-Boise State travels to Michigan State at 8 p.m. (ESPN).
OTHER FRIDAY HEADLINES: O’s, Yankees open improbable AL East showdown in Bronx (7 p.m., MASN)…Lattimore rushes for 110 yards and two scores as South Carolina edges Vandy, 17-13…The first Jets quarterback to lead team to end zone this preseason? Greg McElroy…Roddick announces he’ll retire after U.S. Open…Ex-Virginia lacrosse player George Huguely sentenced to 23 years…Nats say Strasburg “probably” has two or three more starts before he’s shut down.
IDENTIFY THE MOVIE
-No winner again yesterday: “The Devil’s Rejects.” I’d better soften the difficulty a bit:
“Fear and wonder, a powerful combination.”
“You really think people are going to be seduced by that?”
“I think he knows what Rome is. Rome is the mob. Conjure magic for them and they’ll be distracted. Take away their freedom and still they’ll roar. The beating heart of Rome is not the marble of the senate, it’s the sand of the coliseum. He’ll bring them death – and they will love him for it.”
NAME THAT TUNE
If I die before I get it done will you decide?
Take my words and turn them into signs they will survive
Because a long time ago I knew not to deprive
It’s safe out there now you’re everywhere just like the sky
And you are love, you are the lucid dream, you are the ride
And when you hear this you know it’s your jam, it’s your goodbye
August 31, 2012 - 8:56 AM
I think the movie is “Gladiator.”
The game last night between South Carolina and Vanderbilt was a bit dull. Toward the end of the game, the official missed a blantant pass interference call against South Carolina, and by all account, South Carolina escaped with a win. It wasn’t a pretty game. It looked like both offenses were a bit rusty.
I am not going to discuss anything further about Virginia Tech’s offense, defense, special teams, or what the cheerleader are going to be like this year. As far as I am concerned, this is a new season, and what transpired last year, the year before, and before, and before, and before don’t make a damn.
Surprised the Kent State punt return didn’t make the blog this morning. Tech’s offensive output depends on the O-Line. They just can’t be stuck in 3rd and long with a young line.
Trevor scores on the movie. Gladiator it is.
Missed that, shaun. Thanks for the heads up. Here you go: Kent State return man runs 58 yards the wrong way.
I’m trying to remember the last time we had RB by committee at Tech. We all know it will favor Holmes, should he stay healthy, but not to the degree that it typically does the feature back. When was the last year the leading Hokie RB wasn’t a known commodity prior to the season? 2005, when Humes, Ore & Imoh shared the load?
It will be quite interesting to see just how the new offense will produce. Hurry up offense was the big talk lately, let’s see how much that gets used. New WR’s, let’s see if they produce consistently. Another total revamp of the O-line, let’s see how this one works.
Last year, Logan benefitted from the experience of the rest of the offense. This season, he will have to carry the rest of the offense. Should be interesting. I wouldn’t be surprised to see LT be the second leading rusher this year, with over 500 yds total.
You’ve got to feel bad for the Kent State LB, but did anyone notice the blocking he was receiving? And the Towson ‘defenders’, should they be more embarrassed?
Trevor, it would have been interesting to see if Vandy could have kept moving, had the PI call been made. It was very much a missed call. The Vandy coach was pretty smart about it though, you pretty much read his lips – about all he said was ‘enjoy the film.’
I still don’t know if Vandy could have pulled it out. They had a ways to go, and weren’t exactly running up and down the field.
The BYU/WSU game was a good one for those that think a guy like Mike Leach, and his run and gun style is an automatic success. It wasn’t.
The Minnesota game was pretty entertaining. Nothing like an OT thriller to start the season.
Last night, it was really nice to watch some college football. I found myself with that Thanksgiving or Christmas family gathering feeling. You know how it is, you see those relatives you have that get on your nerves, but it is heartwarming to see them – at least initially. That’s about how I felt like night seeing Lou Holtz and Mark May for the first time in a while. Crazy Uncle Lou and annoying cousin Mark. Eventually, though, they’ll get on my nerves and I won’t want to have to listen to them, but for now, they were okay.
CR, those were my thoughts exactly on that Kent State play. He wasn’t the only guy going the wrong way. He had lots of help! I guess that is what you call the power of suggestion.
I hear the talk about new hurry up offense, spread it out, etc.. Unfortunately, Tech coaches are creatures of habit. When things get tight, expect to see what you’ve seen for 25 years. Beamers failed decisions in the bowl game will be in the back of his mind and influence his decisions Monday night. If Tech gets ahead by a couple of TD’s, you might see something new. Otherwise, same plays, different year.
Darren Evans broke the school single game rushing record and rushed for over 1200 yards as an unproven rookie in 2008.
Ryan Williams broke the school rushing record and rushed for over 1600 yards as an unproven rookie in 2009.
2010 was RB by committee with Williams, Evans, and Wilson, with a lot of uncertainty about each RB due to recovering from injuries, and lack of experience.
In 2011, David Wilson was the first no-question starting RB that VT has had since Ore in 2007 who came in as the opening day starter with more than a redshirt year of experience coming into his first season as the #1 starter.
I see Tech being more diverse in it’s distrubution of the football in both the running and passing game. We’ve already heard a lot about using the TE more. I haven’t heard as much about using RBs out of the backfield in the passing game. I would think that a more upbeat tempo to the offensive would indicate more quick pops instead of going for the home run ball a lot. PASS blocking has never been a great strength of VT so I would like to see them move the pocket and keep the defense guessing.
VT is going to have to get Thomas on the move this year — not north and south necessarily, but east and west. Move him around the pocket, especially with that inexperience up front. Lots of flood routes to either direction. And Holmes will hopefully help even things out.
I think I’m more intrigued with Holmes this year than Thomas or the WRs. So critical that he comes in and performs well. Immediately.
Still debating whether or not I’m going to be simply buzzed for Monday night’s game or full-on, stumbling drunk. SO HARD TO PREDICT!!!!
Rick H, that would have been an interesting finish to the game, unfortunately, it wasn’t to be.
I actually enjoyed watching a bit of the Washington State/BYU game. I think Leach’s offense system is called “Air Raid,” while Spurrier’s offense is “Fun n Gun” (which is actually a Run and Shoot kind of offense). So, who won that one?
I know the feeling about football. I enjoyed watching the South Carolina/Vandy game, commenting about it on Twitter, and just kicking back and having a blast. I am sure there’ll be football fatigue down the road and basketball season is just around the corner.
I had a good laugh at reading the blog post on Kent State punt return fail. Oh boy, that dude isn’t going to live it down for a while. I would guess the coaches will have to run the punt return drill again. And again. Oh man…
I have been telling you folks for two weeks that VT’s offense is very suspect, I know you can put a good spin on things and assume that big Logan is going to move the ball down the field at will and score tons of touchdowns as an ustoppable force. Correction: The offense is still in chaos and has no viable receivers against a team like GT, maybe against your own team mates in a scrimmage but that is hardly a barometer for success measurement. Calculating chain movement won’t be a problem for the Hokies Monday night. The Jackets are a hungry bunch and I would not want to have to face them, even in my own house.
Hated to see Vandy lose that game. They played harder and were better coached than SC. The bad call definitely was a factor. Tough place to play for SC but they look over rated at this point.
The offensive line will set the tone. If they are solid, then I expect we will see the typical VT balanced approach. Given the injuries and departures in the receiving corps, I expect Tech will rely on the run game a bit more than the passing game.
All that being said, who knows what will happen Monday night. The weather may be a larger factor than anything else. A rainy, sloppy night would mean a lot of ground game and little in the air. One would think that rain favors GT because their system is built on the ground game, but those pitches get harder to handle when the ball is wet. I doubt the kicking game will be much of a factor unless VT can’t move the ball. I’m saying VT wins 31-28 with a late in the game FG.
Aaron, Just want to let you know I thought your article about Tech’s ranking was spot on the other day!
The rain favors VT and that will be their saving grace if it comes to that.
I don’t care what the coaches say about spreading or speeding up the game, when VT needs most to show originality or a little flair they will go into the huddle, walk to the line, Thomas will spend enough time looking around for the defense to get set, and Tech will run it over guard.
AM the link above to the High School Prediction column is the same link as the story on Salem.
Thanks O.G. Should go to the right place now.
Jerry Jones attributed the decision to release fifth-round pick Danny Coale to two things: his lack of opportunity due to injury and the depth of the receiving corps.
Coale missed all of the offseason workouts and much of training camp because of a broken foot suffered during rookie minicamp that required surgery. He also missed some time during camp with a sore quadriceps and played in only two preseason games.
And it would have helped if he had actually caught the ball in the Sugar Bowl against Michigan.
Tonight, I’ll be pulling for NC State to win over Tennessee. I am pulling for them only because I want the ACC brand to gain a bit of repsect. Boise State’s train may come to an end tonight against a home winning streak riding Michigan State.
This weekend feature some marquee match ups that would be hard for me to choose from unless I can stream to four different TV and keep an eye on all of them! I think, for my father-in-law, I’m going to watch the Clemson/Auburn game, and I’m pulling for Clemson. Auburn is still rebuilding and I don’t think they are the same team now that Malzhan have moved down to coach at Arkansas State. Alabama and Michigan is going to be an interesting game. Virginia Tech was actually one of the handful of teams that was able to bottle up “Shoelace” Robinson, and I expect for Nick Saban’s Crimson Tide to do the same.
What a fantastic weekend to kick off college football!
Look at Barry… already making excuses about the rain!
Barry you really are one ugly human being. Coale is a good player who will be picked up by someone else. Are you really happy he got cut just because he went to VT? Get a life.
Tech will not have a problem moving the ball. Lots of teams change personnel and they still move the ball. Face the fact that we have plenty at RB. We also have a QB who is a likely first round draft pick. He also can go for 20+ on a QB sneak. I don’t see the problem and think those fretting over how the ball will move are overthinking this.
I’m also surprised the South Carolina game didn’t make the blog. Vanderbuilt had them dead in the water when SC had to go totheir backup QB. I don’t know how the kid did it, but the starter came back and played with one arm he couldn’t hardly move (his throwing arm). But the kid managed to run enough to lead Sc past Vandy.
To me this looked like a fairly stupid move on SC’s part. It looked to me like they risked the kid’s year over this one game.
Brendan’s Death Song – RHCP
I don’t see the problem and think those fretting over how the ball will move are overthinking this.
That was my thinking exactly, Zman, which is why I refrained from commenting any further about VT’s offense. After all, Logan Thomas, not Aaron McFarling, and certainly not Barry, is the one that have to trust his offensive linemen to keep him up right, and he has repeatedly expressed confidence in them. Therefore, we all just chill, throw down a few beer, and just have fun. To make the offensive line the only reason to pick against any teams is ludricious, in my opinion.
One of the keys in the game for the offense is the ability to make adjustments during the game. Bud does this successfully with the defense. How many times have we seen the defense come out in the second half more dominate than the first? The offensive staff has to be able to read the other teams defense during the game and continue to go with plays that are working. Use some creativity in their as well.
Also Barry, both teams have to play in the same conditions. I hope you are right and the rain favors VT. I remember beating GT on a dry field last year in Atlanta in GT’s backyard. I guess it was too cold last year for the poor yellow jackets.
The typical VT drive for 2012:
It starts with the possession, which begins at the VT 10 or less because special teams gets flagged for illegal blocks about 75% of the time (that is presuming that the STs didn’t get a roughing the kicker penalty preventing VT from getting the ball at all, which happened all too many times also in 2011-and in the Sugar Bowl as well).
From the 10 yard line, VT marches down the field to the opponents 18. This is done with a series of mixed runs and passes and even mixes in (gasp) a pass or 2 to the tight end and/or running back (which VT still hasn’t figured out are eligible receivers on every play).
Once at the opponents 18, the impetus then has to be to go completely away from the very plays that got us from the 10 to the opponents 18. We will go with the goal line, full house backfield, with the running play going the direction of the man in motion. After than gets stuffed twice (VT NEVER passes on 1st down inside the 20), then the offensive geniuses at VT decide to pass the ball (thinking the defense won’t be expecting this radical of a play on 3rd and long) and wouldn’t you know, the receivers get no separation from the DB’s (given the shorter field) and VT settles for a field goal try.
That is your typical VT drive for 2012, if history means anything.
As an avowed GA TECH and NCSU fan. I am so glad to see an inkling of respect for my teams at last. I am a total ACC fan.
However, I found the Joedy McCreary article on ACC QBs in 2011 to be rather odd. He didn’t even mention the QB’s name that threww on the average about 10 more yards per catch than the rest of the ACC QBs. Not only that, the man ignored threw for a TD every 6.7 times he completed a pass–the next best was 9.0. The guy also rushed for twice as many yards as Logan Thomas. Yes, you guessed it. The odd man out in McCreary’s article was poor little ole Tevin Washington of GA TECH, obviously at least one the most efficient QBs in the league, and maybe the most interesting and versatile. Oh, I should mention that his QB rating was a close second only to Renner of UNC. That’s 14 pts better than Todd and 20 pts better than Thomas, the big ink boys. Geez, what does a guy gotta do?
Come on Joedy, you need to take your lead on balance and fairness from Aaron, to say nothing of doing a better job of reporting and writing.
Propbably, like most teams, GA TECH practices with a wet ball. only more.
I think Coale’s role in the Tech offense the last couple of years was overlooked. I don’t know how many times Tech was about to get stopped for a loss or on a third down play and Coale would make a great catch. He was a clutch receiver and I think he will play for someone. It just has to be the right fit.
I don’t know Tim Cwalina but I am grateful that somebody recognized the warning signs of a heart problem and caught it before he possibly died on the field or at practice. You’d be surprised at how often this happens with young athletes.
Hate the Cowboy’s and not a Hokie fan either but Danny Coale is a classy guy and it is a shame he got injured. I wonder what the chances are of him being signed to the practice squad? Either way I wish the best for Danny in whatever he does. Still can’t believe the Nats are going to shut down their ace only two weeks short of the playoffs.
Jeff scores on the song. Nicely done.
Zman and Trevor — Am I really “fretting” over it? I prefer to think of it as being curious, soliciting the Blog Crowd’s insights on what we might see out there on Monday and beyond. Posts such as Ryan’s (“VT is going to have to get Thomas on the move this year — not north and south necessarily, but east and west”) and CR’s (“I wouldn’t be surprised to see LT be the second leading rusher this year, with over 500 yds total”) are interesting to me.
Yeah, none of us is a coach (well–I’m not anyway), and we all might be all wrong on everything, but who cares? It’s fun. I’d argue projection/anticipation is at least half the appeal of football, and it’s certainly a huge part of the discussion here most weeks in the fall.
My intent here wasn’t to criticize an offense we haven’t seen play. Just curious what you guys think it’ll look like.
Is Al Groh still the DC at GT or have they chicanned him?
For those who criticized South Carolina for reinserting Connor Shaw, you need to know that he had a bruised shoulder and was cleared by the trainers to return. The big question was the pain that he suffered, not extending the injury. No tear or separation and is already preparing for the game next week. South Carolina did not look good but they did win in a hostile environment in a league game with a one-armed QB. Not sure that too many teams would be able to do that.
Al Groh is still at GT. I still maintain that he is a definite factor limiting GT’s success against VT.
Zman—do you really think Logan Thomas is a prospective NFL quarterback? Would you base that on his two performances against Clemson last year or the Sugar Bowl. LOL. He is pretty good, big enough to run over some folks but hardly a Heisman candidate based on performances against real competition. Danny Coale is one of the greatest receivers in college football history but he did not catch that ball in the Sugar Bowl. Last minute thoughts on the game for Monday:
Virginia Tech is going to have a major disadvantage this year on defense in spite of the fact that they are highly, and rightly, touted. It is their corner backs who will need to play with their heads on a swivel, as coaches like to say. Crash the line from the corner and you will miss the cut block flying in from your blind side against your outside leg. Do this and you may find yourself watching an A back streaking down the sideline for a touchdown as you grab the pain in your leg that has ended your night on the field.
And now Barry is bragging about blocking intended to injure players… classless.
Just remember to blame the rain on Tuesday morning, Barry.
Aaron, based on my observation at the summer scrimmages, I came away with the impression that the offensive line is going to be good. Folks wants to base the performance on years past, fine. I am not going to do that because year to year comparison is a study in foolishness. As Hokie24 alluded to earlier, Virginia Tech have had three running backs who set and broke records. I see at least two running backs on the roster that could top 600 yards rushing. Logan Thomas might run a lot. He might not run a lot.
I expect to see plenty of read options, a lot of old fashioned power football (I form, Ace Big, Strong I formations), and modern formations such as the spread and Pistol sprinkled in here and then.
What pisses me off is how dismissive folks such as Barry and others who says, “Well, if it wasn’t for the dumb personal foul…” oh well! Get the *&(*&^^ over it! The final score favored Tech. As the song says, “Sh*t happens.” It just tells me that Paula “I Suck on Lemon” Johnson’s team don’t have the discipline to finish a game. Second, Paula Johnson have only won once at Lane. ONCE!
The offensive line of Virginia Tech are going to move the football. Georgia Tech is playing some new defensive players. And for the grey hair on Frank Beamer’s head, their scout team quarterback was a measly 5’11″! Yeah, that makes me so nervous.
If that linebacker, Achoo, made the comment at Media Day that trying to bring down Logan Thomas was like trying to tackle a defensive end, what in the #!$!#%!#%^&#$!^@&@$ was they doing having a 5’11″ quarterback mimicking a 6’6″ 260 pounds quarterback?!
I’m going to say this once and only once, win or lose, there are going to be 11 more games to play. One game alone does not determine who represents the Coastal division. It was proven last year that the stake of the Coastal representation was on the line at Charlottesville, and I hope it happens again. It’s high time that the ACC as whole becomes competitive from top to bottom, except Puke.
I’m going to Lane Stadium to experience a night game for the first time, I’m expecting the game to be entertaining, and I’m going to have a blast.
Hey, if tech’s players keep getting reinstated from the courts, they will no doubt beat Georgia Tech.
No doubt that Logan can run the football but if he is the only good runner that VT has, then it could be a long night for the offense of VT. He has no one that is any good to throw to so what gives? What kind of offense is that? So, a typical Hokie drive will be three and out for most of the night, I don’t see how anyone that knows football would think anything else.
It might be Francis Beamer and not Paula Johnson after Monday night. I agree that this game will not determine the Coastal Division champion, don’t rule out Miami. Everyone counts them out, don’t do it. VT and GT may lose 5 games this year, could easily happen.
I have changed my mind after reading all of the intelligent posts by the Hokie faithful. Virginia Tech will win 38 – 0 based on the facts and figures thrown out there. Doesn’t matter that VT has lost Boykin, Coale, Wilson and Hosely, they have so many new players that are better than those four and since Logan Thomas did so well against mediocre teams last year, he will do 100% better against good teams this year. VT simply cannot lose to GT at home, it would be an impossibility.
Well, NCSU couldn’t come through. Maybe, it’s all about internal squabbles for us. Go Jackets!
By the end of Qtr 1 we should know all we need to know about the Offense productivity. If the GT defense starts moving to the point of attack on a run before the ball is snapped you will know we are damned. That is what Clemson did. On a right sweep even the off side corner back would abandon his zone and rush to the other side . The Clemson secondary ignored a possible pass and attacked the line of scrimmage. If GT steals our signals or reads Stinespring’s lips they will surely win and we will see lots of Tech 3 & outs !! Simple as that.
When linemen rumble like big bad bears
And coaches walk a fine chalk talk
And runningbacks scoot through holes lightning light
And quarterbacks throw that perfect pass
And receivers snag those parabolas tight
Then I’ll believe in that incredible
unoffense Hokie line and not until!
I am starting to get the feeling that the Hokies coaching staff is a bit confused about what their plan is, they seem to be grabbing at straws, not sure what they are going to do. I hope that is not the case because this is not the time to be confused because we are going to be facing an angry beast on Monday night.
Hey VT guys, don’t get down so early. The VT personnel is great and they will have a fine team. The fans are the problem. A National Championship on the horizon every year for a programthat has never won one? Of course, a ridiculous full page PHOTO of kids bathed in lightening from the RT, doesn’t alleviate the pressure either. All these people on the field are 18-22 years old. Whooo knows what will happen. Look what happened last night to #1 for NCSU, an AA defensive back.
As for Al G, GA TECH will keep him, especially now that they have the sort of personnel tht they need–theoretically. The defense has been OK in the main.
I predict a very close game or a blow-out. Either way. Good luck for a great season to both TECH’s.
Easy to choose Roudy, it will be a blowout. VT will win 38-0 and then on to another National Championship.
Gottcha Barry. We all needed that reality check.
Sorry to say, I was correct. It was close, and the VT luck held up. I don’t think either team will be exceptional.
Did anyone notive that GT played without 3 starters on defence?
Why is it that the ONLY people talking about a VT national championship are the VT haters?
Why are the haters pretending that VT fans are constantly claiming a national title is right around the corner?
Look through these blog pages… you don’t see VT fans talking about winning a national championship… only the haters.