Friday: Catching up with Hokies OL Caleb Farris
THE FIRST THING YOU NOTICE ABOUT VIRGINIA TECH CENTER CALEB FARRIS IS HIS BEARD. We’ll get to more on that in a bit. But the second — and more important — thing you’ll notice about Farris is that he played 40 snaps against Austin Peay.
“That was 11 more snaps than I got all of last year,” the Rockbridge County High School alum says with a smile. “I think it got me broke in for the season.”
The 6-foot-3, 310-pound sophomore could find himself seeing even more time in the future if starter Andrew Miller has any injury problems. But as of now, he’s enjoying whatever time he sees.
“It’s surreal,” he said. “I’ve been wanting to play here since I was little, and I feel blessed to have the opportunity. I’m trying to make the most of it.”
A former guard, he also adds depth to those two positions.
Long way to go to catch "The Beard."
Farris talks an awful lot about practice and working, and he means it. He’s got a tattoo on his right bicep that says “We Will Prevail.” On the back of his arm, the words “dedication” and “commitment” are inked in Arabic (Farris’ father, Victor, is Syrian.)
The curly and black beard has required some dedication and commitment, too. Farris hasn’t shaved in two years.
“I trim it up all the time when the girlfriend starts telling me it’s a little long,” he said. “But I probably won’t trim it again until after the bowl game. It’s kind of a superstitious thing. We’ll see how that goes, see how much longer I can hold off.”
Don’t expect his beard to start granting “interviews,” though, as ex-tackle Blake DeChristopher’s was known to do.
“I don’t think anybody can have a beard like DeChristopher,” Farris said. “His was one of a kind. But I’m going to strive for it.”
And he’ll strive to become a bigger part of this offense, week by week.
“If I get one snap a game, I’m happy as a little boy,” Farris said. “It’s surreal, man. It’s a dream.”
FRIDAY LOCAL HEADLINES
-Tyrod Taylor is serving as Michael Vick on the scout team as his Ravens prepare to face Vick’s Eagles.
-Randy has a feature on VMI’s Adam Morgan, who started his career as a quarterback but has found his niche at safety.
-Robert spotlights James River quarterback Kyle King.
-Robert calls out a dude who’s copying his picks in the varsity forecasters, then makes more picks for the dude to copy.
PENNANT RACES!
-Orioles beat the Rays in walk-off fashion again, winning 3-2 in 14 innings to complete the sweep.
-The Yankees keep pace atop the AL East, beating Boston 2-0.
-The Phillies squander an early four-run lead and fall to Houston 6-4, snapping their seven-game winning streak.
-Tigers-White Sox was rained out.
-Angels beat Oakland behind Jered Weaver.
-Cardinals beat the Dodgers to maintain second NL wildcard spot.
NAME THAT TUNE
He plays guitar at a hotel bar
For out-of-towners and businessmen
He struts and sings to his drum machine
But he won’t make it big at the Holiday Inn
But she thinks that he looks like Elvis
When he runs his fingers through that jet black hair
And sometimes she forgets an order
Cause she’s so struck by him that she stops and stares
September 14, 2012 - 6:44 AM
The Yankees are holding on but very slightly. If the Yankees win the World
Series it will surprise lots of people.
Notre Dame has so much power and influence in the world of college sports that it is difficult to believe that a football program that is just ordinary could still have so much power.
The strange case of Strausburg and the Nationals continues as yesterday Dr Lewis Yocum said the team never talked to him about shutting the ace down. Then apparently upon further review and a little heat from Scott Boras suddenly Dr Yocum remembered being consulted the whole way. More denials and accusations than politics.
Joe Diffie, “Bigger Than the Beatles”
There will never be a character like DeChristopher again. Farris sounds like a really grounded young man, but if he starts calling his bread “The Bush” then let the fun begin. Funny how the ladies wants to keep the bread trimmed to a certain length but if Farris wants to grow it, she would pout and say, “Then no nighty cap for you tonight.”
I watched a bit of the game last night between the Bears and Packers. It was a bit of a snoozer. The Packers had an uncharacteristically off night, lot of dropped passes, and Aaron was harrassed by the Bears’ pass rushers. I effing hate Jay Culter. That dude is a whiner. Did y’all see how he screamed at his offensive lineman and then shoved him out of the way? I can see why the Broncos were glad to dump him. He needs a reality check.
Now, onto Saturday! As much as it pains me to say this, I don’t see UVa winning against the Bumble Bees. Coach Johnson is what against opponents who have a week or more to prepare for his triple options? UVa didn’t have a week to get ready for the Bees. So, to borrow Barry’s words, they are going to sting the Wahoos. Ugh. However, if the reason why UVa played putrid against PSU was because they copied Virginia Tech’s practice from last season, and split their preparation for the triple options, and beat the Bees, then the Coastal race would have gotten mighty interesting. I think it’s going to be the Bumble Bees winning the game. Ugh, and ugh. Hey, Wahoos, from this Hokies’ fan to you in 6 words, “Please, please squash the Bumble Bees.”
Virginia Tech travels to Pittsburgh to face their old flame, er, rival. I know some of youse have said Tech will blow out Pitts. Part of me hopes so. The negative part of me say it won’t be so. So, I’m going to reason out that with the trend of slow starts, Tech will get going by the 2nd half and put the hammer down. The defense and special team are going to help out the offense by giving them decent starting field position. I say Virginia Tech win by 13 points.
The Name Of The Song Is Love Bigger Than The Beatles By Joe Diffie
Joe Diffie on the artist can’t remember the song name.
Friday night the best of nights when there is high school football in season.
Yesterday I had my prediction for VT. UVA is so much harder for me because it is my team and it’s always harder to honestly grade your own team. Plus this year’s UVA team seems even harder to judge even than most. Georgia Tech should win because they have more experienced players and a unique offense that should be hard to prepare for. UVA is much better against the run than the pass though. For some reason UVA seems to hit a lull on offense usually in the second quarter. I am really not sure if this is Rocco or play calling. Whatever the reason may be they should make some changes. UVA plays pretty well on the road too. I think this will be a really tight game and would not be surprised at all if UVA won but because they played so sloppy last week and could not run the ball I am going to pick Georgia Tech to win 24-20. Sure do hope I am wrong though.
Hope the Ravens put Tyrod in a no contact jersey while he imitates Vick in practice…can you imagine running a scout team as a running quarterback against Lewis and company when it’s full contact? Can you say “OUCH”? For Taylor’s sake he should hope they let him pretend he has Vick’s ever sore ribs and let him stay in the pocket.
I say Tech by 20 1/2. I watched PIT play CIN and the onl;y way we don’t just stomp them is if get really conservative. They are big and SLOW. Did I mention they aren’t very fast? A CIN DL caught their hero RB from BEHIND on a break away run. S L O W.
Oh, and did I mention they make up for S L O W by being one demensional?
I didn’t happen to say they are slow, did I?
I just don;t get the negative vibe on this game. Geez louise. They are S L O W.
Trevor, judging from the way PSU moved the ball on the Hoos, I’d say it’s going to be a long day for UVa in Atlanta if the Hoos’ offense can’t keep up the scoring pace with GT.
I don’t see Pitt pulling off upseting the Hokies either…Tech by three touchdowns, 27-6.
Huntersdad, I hear you. I really think UVa were fortunate to escape with a win against PSU. If PSU have capitalized on 4 turnovers, they could have scored 28 points, assuming their place kicker can convert the PATs. Hence, that’s why I said earlier this month that football is not a game of coulda, woulda, or shoulda. I think in order for the Hoos to win, they have to play lights out on defense, containing Washington and being sharp for passes, and then for Rocco to play equally lights out on offense. The Hoos’ offense really had me scratching my head. If their o-line is supposed to be their strongest unit, they couldn’t muster much of a rushing threat against PSU. I wonder how they are going to fare against grandpa Groh.
Zman, I know you “don’t get the negative vibe.” Just because Pitts played crappy against Cincy doesn’t mean they will do the same against Virginia Tech. That’s the danger of overlooking a team. I’m sure that coach Beamer reminded his team that the last 3 times they played Pitts, they had their butts handed to them. I credit the coaching staff for not overlooking Pitts and not taking them lightly. The slow start on the offense is going to frustrate fans. I think they will get going by the 2nd half and pull away from Pitts.
Absolutely agree the Hokies should win but I think the score will be about 27-13. Pitt will need no motivation to play well but Hokies offense should improve so I think 27 points will be a good effort. I don’t see Pitt really challenging Tech but yet don’t think it will be a total blow out.
UVA did play very sloppy yet did still win. The defense played well I thought especially after turnovers. People overlook Penn State because of the turmoil but their front seven is still really good. Sometimes better to be lucky than good. Last year’s UVA team played bad at times early in the season then came up big later in the year until the Tech game. I think these guys will improve alot as the year goes on and going on the road could be just what they need to get things going. Still think Georgia Tech wins this one but these games are usually tight. Georgia Tech was supposed to win last year too but did not. The Cavs should lose this one but hoping they prove me wrong.
GT shpuld blow UVA out. PSU missed 3 FGs that were well within range. Considering PSU’s depleted roster I would say that win was not a favorable omen.
Shaun, for the sake of your Hoos man, don’t even suggest they make some changes in their offense…someone in Hooville might hear you and start switching the QBs in and out every other play or series which imo is the last thing they need. If the Cavs get behind early (which could happen on the road at GT) and Rocco doesn’t keep pace with the scoring I hope the coaches don’t yank him in favor of Simms. Nothing upsets a QB’s timing and confidence like being yanked in the middle of a series. I forget who they were playing last year, but I seen London do that in the middle of a game and the worst part was Rocco was playing well at the time. When they put him back in the offense went to hell and they ended up losing. Hope for the Cavs they don’t have that knee-jerk reaction again if they get behind. Don’t create a QB contraversy when there isn’t one.
Zman, I hadn’t give much thought to that Cinci-Pitt play you mentioned, but that WAS a DL that chased their star back down….I thought he was off to the races and then it just turned out to be a long run. Tech’s linebackers could probably keep up with him back pedaling.
Call it the “Panther Curse” or just the fact that VT has not been that impressive in their first two games, Pitt will upset the Hokies tomorrow. Pitt has no much to play for and the Hokeys are going to be flat, even more flat than they were against AP. For you Hokey fans who think your team can’t lose to Pitt, denial is not just a river in Egypt. 17-14 Pitt.
@Huntersdad Not suggesting a switch but I think they need to look at those times whe the offense bogs down and see what they can do different.
Zman not seeing a GT blow out although I still think they will win. UVA has more talent this year than the team that beat GT last year when they were ranked 9th. The only issue to me is when everything will come together for the younger players.
A two quarterbacks system is a mix bag. I remember Virginia Tech used it with Sean Glennon and Tyrod Taylor a few years ago. Sometime it worked out, and sometime it didn’t. I also think they used that system once with Bryan Randall and Marcus Vick. I think the coaches finally nixed the idea because, if I recall right, Beamer said one quarterback would be hot and the other quarterback would struggle.
I think UVa should stick with Rocco. From what I’ve seen him in limited minutes I watched, he has a gun arm, and makes good read. I think the issues are the receivers and Rocco working in sync (sound familiar, anyone?). That is the kind of things that takes time and plenty of reps.
To those of us (i.e., myself as the only one on here) that follow PSU regularly, it’s not at all surprising that UVA failed to run the ball last week. PSU’s defensive front seven as at least 4 legit NFL prospects — it’s the core of the team and is the only part of the team largely unaffected by the recent transfers, etc.
UVA should be able to run the ball against most other teams on their schedule, except for possibly VT.
Just curious for you Hokey fans. If Logan Thomas goes down, who is your backup?
What I am hearing from all these tech fans is saying the chokies are not that good. they play nobody and and are #13 in polls. Pitt is pitiful and a really good team gets better from game 1 to 2. Tech did not. How do you get better playing AUSTIN PEAY and PITT? Then you got another one in Bowling Green. What a joke.