Wednesday: David Wilson’s list o’ goals as NFL season dawns; Reader nails Hokies prediction; Crowded AL East
THE NFL OPENS ITS SEASON TONIGHT WITH THE SUPER BOWL-CHAMPION GIANTS hosting the Cowboys at 8:30 p.m. on WSLS. New York is a 4-point favorite.
Just as he did at Virginia Tech, Giants rookie running back David Wilson has compiled a list of goals for the season. They are:
-Average 5.0 yards per carry.
-Score 10 touchdowns.
-Make at least one play of 20 or more yards per game.
-Compile six 100-yard rushing games.
-Allow no sacks.
-Lose no fumbles.
“When everybody else knows, it’s just that much more that lets me know I’ve got to achieve it, and it puts that much more pressure on me,” Wilson tells the NorthJersey.com. “And I kind of like that feeling.”
He’ll get started on the strivin’ tonight.
MARK BERMAN HAS A FOLLOW-UP STORY ON THE HOKIES from their 20-17 overtime victory over Georgia Tech with reaction from players. You can read that here.
-Here’s Andy’s report card.
ON TARGET
-Kudos to Shaun, who posted this prescient thought on the blog last Thursday: What a good thing VT has Journell back because this one comes down to a kick. I have VT winning 13-10. The weather could be a factor as some forecasts are calling for rain now too. I believe it will be a real close low scoring game. VT will have to be really good on D this game because I don’t see the offense giving them any breathing room. It could be one mistake on defense costs VT the game.
-Nice job, Shaun. I’m proud of my prediction (17-14 GT, which was right until the final drive) but yours was the best. When I look at predictions, I don’t think the score matters so much as how close you come to capturing the tenor of the game, and you nailed it.
-A replay of the game will be shown at 7 p.m. on CSN.
LOGJAM
-The Orioles continue to amaze, whipping the Blue Jays 12-0 to pull into a tie for the AL East lead with the Yankees, who once held a 10-game lead in the division. Lurking are the Rays, just 1.5 games back of Baltimore and New York. Should be an awesome stretch drive to watch. The O’s host the Yankees for four starting tomorrow night.
NO THANKS
-When the recruiting feeding frenzy started at Penn State, UVa opted to stay out of it. Cavs are a 10-point favorite for Saturday’s home game against the Nittany Lions.
TOSS-UP
-If you got waxed at cornhole at the opening night tailgate and want to hone your skills, join our own hokie24 and his crowd down at Colonial Downs OTB in Vinton at 7 tonight. I promise you’ll have fun no matter how good you are. Bring $5 plus some (optional) beer money.
NAME THAT TUNE
Hey two plus two is always four
And down is south and up is north
And thirty-two degrees is freezing cold
You play with fire you wind up burned
The early bird gets the worm
But the only thing you really need to know is…
September 5, 2012 - 8:06 AM
Good luck to David Wilson. He’s got some impressive goals for a rookie RB, but just like the goals he set at VT, I expect he’ll make many of them.
Monday’s game had all the sloppy play one would expect for the first game of the season. Neither offense looked close to peak form until the 4th. Both defenses are stout. It should be a good season for both teams.
The O’s are relvant in September! YEAH! Who would have called that in April? The coming 4 game series against NY may be the most important set of games played in Baltimore in the last decade. Go O’s!
” I’m proud of my prediction (17-14 GT, which was right until the final drive)[...]“
*roll eyes* That’s why the game ain’t over until the clock reads 00:00 on the scoreboard. I told my step-son, “Stranger things have happened in the 4th quarter.” Then I looked at Virginia Tech’s sideline, looking at the offense huddling up, and thought to myself, “Eyes of the tiger, Logan, eyes of the tiger.”
Penn State is a program in disarray, and UVa should just smack them around. Don’t play the sympathy card with the Lions. Lay the timber on them. Don’t do what Maryland did, squeaking a win over Williams & Mary, and winning with a laughable score (7-6), the kind of score I would see on a baseball scoreboard. Maul Penn State. Send them back to State College with a whimper.
Oh, the last minute counts Trevor, for sure. I get that. Killed the prediction and put me a game behind Berman for the Forecasters lead. And I’m totally cool with that…Sure as heck made my job a lot more enjoyable moving forward, for one thing: Promises bigger games, higher stakes, better storylines down the road. Anyone think I really wanted to have to keep referring to all the what-ifs this season had the Hokies lost?
HOW-EV-AH, I do think I captured the tenor of the game quite well. Win-win.
The Orioles are amazing this year. What a great job the manager has done there this year. They just might win the east. Thanks for the shout out about the game prediction by the way. The Hokies should be able to work on a few things in next few games and should be able to get young players reps and experience. Then things will begin to get harder. I still think even if they improve they will have to win alot of tight games after these next three. How about Alabama and the whipping they put on Michigan? No Heisman for the Michigan QB this year. Laying an egg in a big game is sure way to take yourself out. Best performance of the week goes to the West Virginia QB. Yeah and I know some guy passed for 700 plus yards somewhere but that was no competition.
David Wilson certainly sets lofty goals, but you have to admire his attitude. The young man has a plan, and he’s striding towards it. It will be interesting to see him in about three years. Best to him.
Song is Drinking Bones? Dunno who the singer is, though.
Forgot to mention this: Looks like somebody stole the T off the Lane Stadium facade.
O’s are 60-0 when leading after 7. That’s incredible, a testament to the bullpen and Buck’s usage of it. Think about the psychological advantages of never losing a late lead — and the disadvantages of throwing those games away. Blown saves can carry over and turn into losing streaks. Lord knows the O’s know that.
Aaron, my best guess of when we’ll see indication of Hokies’ improvement comes when they travel to face off Cincinnati. Remember, Beamer’s neutral field record isn’t stellar, and it has trap game written all over it. Tech could be 3-0 by the time they face Cincy.
Evidently, GaTech does this – steals the T from opponents. I don’t understand the logic behind it, but it’s what they do.
As for the O’s – I still just can’t do it, as long as there is an Angelos retaining ownership or working in the front office. It would be interesting to know the attendance figures for this season. As much as the Balmer fans have suffered for the last nearly two decades, it would be interesting.
HokieGal nails the title. Nicely done. Still seeking artist.
I guess I’m the resident PSU homer on here, but I don’t have a good feeling about Saturday. Whoever said that they are a program in disarray was not accurate —- Bill O’Brien has a clear plan and has already made great strides toward bringing their offense out of the stone age.
However, they had *9* players leave the program in the past month. That’s more than 10% of their roster, including a few experienced starters. Their #1 problem is lack of depth, not disorganization/disarray. Against Ohio, they played a solid first half and were in control until they lost their starting RB, Bill Belton, and a starting defensive back, Stephon Morris. Most top Division I programs would be able to plug in a capable backup when the starter goes down, but their RB depth is playing for USC now. They never recovered against Ohio.
Looking ahead to Saturday, rumor has it that Belton and Morris are both very doubtful for the game. If they lose Belton, they lose their running game. I think their defensive front 7 (still among the best in college football) will contain UVA’s running game, but the loss of Morris will make them vulnerable to the passing attack.
I think this will be the new trend for a depleted PSU roster — they will stick around early, but injuries & fatigue will usually catch up with them by game’s end. I had been hopeful for a 6-7 win season, but I’m now hoping for 3-4 wins, and although I’ll be in Hooville cheering for the Lions, I expect UVA to pull this out 24-13.
Tracy Byrd…Google is a wonderful thing!
I don’t know if anybody else caught it Monday night but Thomas gets his degree in December according to the broadcast team. Gives him many options, return to Tech as a grad student or go into the draft. Hmmmm.
In the early and mid 90′s who would ever have thought the O’s would go into such a funk. At one time the O’s were popular even Brady Anderson’s sideburns had their own cheering section. I don’t know if Angelos has spent enough money on the farm system to keep the success of this year going into the future though.
Actually, Tech plays Cincy in the fifth game of the year, and the odds of them NOT being undefeated prior to that game are in the low single digits. Pittsburgh lost to Youngstown State, at home.
The next real game Tech has is with UNC. They’ll be 5-0 rolling into that one, and hopefully the line will learn to block and the WRs will start catching the easy passes and the RBs will develop. Logan will need to have almost 1500 yds passing and about 12 TD passes on his slate.
Trevor,
On paper, Tech should be 4-0 going into the Cincinnati game. The next four games are:
Austin-Peay
@ Pittsburgh, who just lost to Youngstown State by 17 at home
Bowling Green
Cincinnati @ FedEx Field
But you’re right – it, and I think the Pittsburgh and BG games, have trap written all over them. Pittsburgh looks bad but you just never know with the way they played the Hokies in the past. Bowling Green gave Florida a good first half in the Swamp.
Thanks for the cornhole shout-out, AMac! Playing with us on Wednesdays will certainly help you take over your tailgates and backyards, guaranteed!
I noticed that the T was gone from the Lane Stadium sign on my way into the game on Monday. I walked into the stadium around 7:30, so it was gone at least before then.
…GT also stole the uniforms of Glennon and Royal in Atlanta one year and that didn’t work out either…crime doesn’t pay!
I just checked the schedule. Whoops, it should have been 5th. So, 4-0 should be the record by the time they face the Bearcats. My thinking is more about the neutral field record than about the challenge they face. I know the Bearcats lost their starting quarterback and NFL-caliber running back, but I just can’t overlook their speedy defense and spread them out offense.
Oh, UNC have me a bit worried. Their offense looks to be potent and I am not sure about their defense yet. Granted, they blew out Elon, but I don’t know if their defense will be tested yet.
Hey, O.G., you are the UNC homer here, what’s the word?
Tom L — I most certainly noticed the comment about LT3 graduating in December. Perfect timing to take the spring off to prepare for the NFL draft. Another red flag was going to San Diego last summer to work with the QB coach who has helped several guys land 1st round picks. I think Thomas will be in the draft even if he doesn’t have a spectatular year. The measurables and potential are just too great for many NFL teams to pass up.
With that in mind, facing Bama a year from now with Logan is not a good thought. A like Leal as a backup, but starting his first game against that Tide D could be like Glennon facing LSU in Baton Rouge…Ugly. But I’ll be pulling for the Hokies and hoping for the best no matter what. @gtbowyer
Aaron, excuse my lack of baseball knowledge but I notice every day or so the Dodgers , and other teams, put a player on the 15 day DL and bring up another one. Does a player actually have to be hurt to go on the DL or is it just a way to swap one player for another on the big team? Thanks
If there’s any game Tech can lose and it not hurt them, it’s the UNC game due to the eligibility issues.
David Wilson is a fine young man and I hope he reaches his lofty goals. ‘
Go O’s, Buck Showalter, manager of the year?? Only competition I see for him is Robin Ventura in Chicago.
I’m a Hokie thru and thru for about 50 years, but one time this Saturday I’m going to have to stand up and yell, “Let’s go Peay!!!!”. So, if you’re in section 8, don’t throw anything at me.
If I were in charge of the Fearless Forecasters, AM would get style points for getting all but the winning team correct. I sooo much wanted VT’s O to come out crisp and efficient, but alas, it was the same old sluggish, sputtering unit we’ve seen so many times in the early season. Considering they had 4 new linemen, 2 new RB’s, I know my expectations were unrealistic but we again saw the same old predictable play calling. And what was that with 44 seconds remaining throwing consecutive tight end screens that netted 3 yards while they had all of their time outs remaining? On the bright side was an excellent D which stifled a supposedly unstoppable running game. And I do think the O may have gained some confidence from their last drive with fine performances from Holmes and Fuller.
I made a similar comment on AB’s board. Having seen Paul Johnson’s teams several times, I have to say I’m a little underwhelmed. The triple option is obviously very effective and difficult to stop, but no matter what the scheme, the O is predominantly, heavily, a run oriented O and the passing game seems to be an after thought. Both this year and last, when GT needed to pass, it couldn’t. They are a well coached, solid team, but in my opinion they are hampered by the one dimensional aspect of their O. VT is now 4-1 against Johnson’s Jackets. Nice.
I agree with Trevor the sleeper game is UNC and probably Miami. Disagree with Pitt or Cincinnati being such. Any away game is challenging but these are games VT should win.
No way that VT beats UNC, Cincy, Clemson or FSU.
Ralph — Yeah, technically the guy has to be hurt, but teams are known to invent “injuries” when it benefits them. There are rules against it in the CBA but I don’t know what the punishment is and I can’t remember the last time any team got busted for it. Tough lie to prove if, say, guy goes goes on the DL with a “shoulder strain” but is really just struggling and the team wants him to figure it out in minor league “rehab” rather than as a member of the active roster.
Barry, is that the guarantee as good as the one that you gave about the Yellow Jackets and how bad they’d sting VT?
You know, Barry reminds me of that kids game where you hammer the little heads that pop up. No matter how many times you swing, the little creeps keep coming back.
What an annoying curr.
The only one that got stung by the Jackets was Barry. And from your list of Tech will-not-beats, I’d be willing to give you only Clemson, judging from how they manhandled Auburn…Clemson looks dangerous but the Hokies get FSU at home and I think they win that one too.Unless Tech is vastly improved by the time they go to Death Valley that could get ugly.
OK first let me say that was a great win by VT. I wondered how the coaches reacted in the locker room though? It’s a great emotional win but at the same time the Offense made many mistakes.
As for UNC, the offense and defense looked really good. On the one hand I think it was just Elon but on the other hand these are games the old team would fail to handle like they should. As for beating VT well that’s another story. I think the game will be competitive as usual but Logan Thomas will have time to get familiar with his new receivers by then and UNC is young in the secondary.
Aaron, I have a bone to pick with you now:
1. The “myth” of Lane Stadium. 123-32-1 at Lane under Beamer (78%). 53-8 since 2003 (87%). 88 consecutive sell-outs. Not the best in the nation maybe, but not bad. I know of no team that looks at their schedule and says “Oh boy. Trip to Blacksburg. Sure win there!”
2. Nice pick of the Yellow Jackets with sound reasoning. Thing is, there was no evidence of Offensive Line trouble that I saw. The RBs seemed to play ok, too. The guy who was off was Thomas (although his WRs could have caught a couple more balls).
3. A muffed punt and missed FG made this game close. I certainly did not expect the muffed punt – although maybe I should have. I will hold my breath on every punt and kick for the rest of the year now.
I would like to know what you did for ESPN to get the kind of plug they gave you during the game. I have never ever seen them put a reporter’s story with newspaper headline on the air before. That ought to get you an “attaperson” from your editor.
Other observations:
1. I never heard of luther Maddy before. Sure glad he is on our side.
2. Kyle Fuller is a stud!
3. The other Fuller is a stud!
4. Sure wish the Fullers had more boys to send us. Too bad the string ends with Kendall. Do you think they could set aside some DNA for future use?
5. Glad I am not the Austin-Peay team. If I was their QB I would be worried.
The nations longest active streak of consecutive 8 win seasons (14) is not going to end this year.
Our active streak of 19 straight Bowl appearances (3rd longest in the nation) isn’t going to end either.
Our active streak of 8 straight appearances in the final AP Poll (longest in the nation) doesn’t look threatened either.
Our active streak of 10 wins/season doesn’t look to be in jeopardy either.
Our D is #1 in the nation in interceptions since 2000.
Our D is #2 nationally in turnovers gained since 2000.
Now that we have won a couple games in the final seconds at Lane (Nebraska and GT) instead of dumping them (the Miami “drop” and the Matt Ryan game) maybe we have turned a corner in that department.
So can any of you explain to me exactly why our own fan base is so pessimistic? Or why anyone thinks we should be doubted as a power program?
OK. Our record against Top 25 isn’t great and we lost some Bowl games. We still lack a national title (although we played for one and not many even get that chance).
GO HOKIES !!!!!!!
It’s hard to imagine VT not being undefeated by the time they travel to Clemson in late October…
I’m personally pretty neutral on this, but I would love to see both the VT/Clemson and VT/FSU games be very meaningful games this year — would be good for the ACC.
UNC looks like they will have a decent amount of talent returning. They also have a new offense to learn. They will also be undergoing an extreme makeover on defense as well. That is asking alot from a group of guys to pick up and improve from last season. The spread offense works but if you don’t have the right people it won’t be easy. Not sure why some writers picked them so high (Doug) but I think they are not going to be there yet. They may give Tech a game since this will be a home game for the Heels and with nothing to lose will be dangerous for a presumed unbeaten Tech team.
So, is this cornhole thing a regular Wednesday night affair? I can’t be there tonight, but by dang, I’ll come whup some butt if it is a repeater.
And, Aaron, I appreciate your comments at #3. I had a little back and forth with Andy, a while back, when some comment or thread started on his blog with regard to beat writers pulling for (or not) the teams they cover, and I was of the exact opinion you just put forth. You guys may not root for a team you are covering outwardly, but inside, you sure as hell want them to win, and anybody that denies that is lying, because it leads to bigger games to cover, more coverage, more excitement, etc. Nobody reads the hack that is covering a Whatever State U team that is 0-9 headed into the season finale.
I’m sure Andy’s predecessor, Kyle Tucker, isn’t real thrilled having to cover UK football right now, but it comes with the territory of getting to cover UK hoops (until Calipari gets caught, of course).
On Logan graduating, going to the NFL, etc – you can bet, if he is projected as a first round pick, he’s gone. Frank Beamer will be personally cleaning out his locker for him. It’d be nice to see him around another year, but he won’t be. He’s a nice guy, he’s got the size, he’s got the mobility, he’s got the arm. He’s ever NFL GM’s dream of a QB.
hope Wilson has good game.But like most Tech backs, he will get hurt and miss several games.
As for LT,he will be able to transfer to any major contendor for the national championship. Just sayen !
Newsflash: They have discovered Seth Greenberg got the “T”! Oops, wrong sport.
But he got his share of them while at VT…..
Heh… those two posts were me. Looks like I fat fingered my own name and didn’t catch it. >.> Whoops…
Zman I think part of the problem is the ACC. Nationally I think many people think of the ACC as only slightly better than The Big East or some such confrence. If we look at all the power conferences it easy to see where even if you are the best in the ACC you may not be considered to be even a top 10 football team. And that is not meant to be a knock on Tech either. I am a UVA fan and if we ever get to the top of the ACC it will be the same for us unless the ACC as a whole improves. Wake almost losing to Liberty at home and Maryland squeaking by William and Mary are two cases already this year that make the ACC look awful. Count in Pittsburgh losing and Syracuse being very weak in recent years and there you go. Right now if you win the ACC you are considered the best of a bad bunch. Unless you are FSU which still gets respect even though it has been a while since they were at the top.
Zman — Good post. As for #1, I know teams don’t say that. But let’s turn your statement around and ask ourselves if anybody says this:
“Oh boy. Virginia Tech’s coming to our house. Sure win there!”
That was my only point with the “Lane Stadium Myth” thing: Since joining the ACC in 2004, the Hokies are just as good on the road as they are at home (the home/road records are now identical, in fact, following the home win Monday night.) That’s the sign of a very, very good team. But if we are to praise what is a ridiculously good road record, should we ignore the fact that the home record isn’t any better?
Some (not you necessarily, but some) have taken the “Myth” thing and turned it into something I never said. I never said it’s not loud. I never said it’s not one of the best environments in college football. I never said that teams would rather play there than in their own building. The myth I’m referring to is one that says playing at Lane Stadium IMPROVES THE HOKIES’ PERFORMANCE. That’s it.
The records from the past eight seasons say this is not the case. They’re good at Lane, they’re good away from Lane. I’m not really interested in overall records too much, because we all know Tech ain’t going to play at Austin Peay, Arkansas State and the like. Those are all going to be at home and skew the records. To me, conference record is the gauge to look at.
Good one, Bob!
I included Pittsburgh and Syracuse because they will be in the ACC next year and will further dilute ACC football. Plus many analysts already are lumping them in with the ACC to illustrate it is a bad football conference.
Rick H, Cornhole is every Wednesday at 7pm at Colonial Downs in Vinton. Come on out sometime!
Stealing “T”s is child’s play.
At UNC-CH the student athletes have been stealing A’s and B’s for over a decade.
Verrrrrry nice! I like where this is heading…
Yuse guys, Trevor, Zman, Rick H, Hokey24…yada yada …. if you are honest, you know that I was not that far off in my prediction. You could have sooooooooooo easily lost this game. AND if GT had their full team, I probably would have been on the money. Good defensive players missing in the secondary…if they had been there, no TD’s for the Hokeys. Those Hokey glasses are very rose-colored. As for David Wilson, he did not look very good on his last outing, as the pressure began to build before the real season begins. VT running backs have not fared all that well in the NFL, commensurate with the overratedness of VT in the first place, i.e., look great against unranked teams but when the big game comes, all fluff. If Wilson can hold on to the football, that will help him make it in the big time. How about dem’ Cowboys!!!!!!!
Zman, I love your enthusiasm! I’m going to chime in with my opinion regarding the negative fan base, though it definitely is not predominantly negative. Unfortunately, and deservedly IMHO, VT has gotten the rep for not being able to compete on the big stage, i.e. mostly bowls, and importantly BCS bowls. There is no denying that as well as their record against top 5 teams. I think that’s what causes the negativity to seep in. They are so close, they are one of the few teams which shows up year in, year out, they end up every year in the top 25, are consistently the best or one of the best teams in their conference, yet they falter on the big stage. Not always, but they do. A 3 point loss to Auburn in ’05, a 3 point loss to Kansas in ’08 when VT was ranked #3, a drubbing by Stanford and then last year’s fiasco against Michigan. And one of the worst was a non BCS bowl game they lost to Georgia in ’06. Since ’04 they have opened against 3 top 5 teams and lost them all. And therein lies the frustration for many. With winning comes higher and higher expectations, like it or not, and many VT fans are no longer content to be the best in their conference and not show up on the national stage. I totally understand the frustration of the fans for wanting their team to “go to the next level” and those fans know that after 25 years of the same coach it unfortunately “is what it is”. But I get pissed at some of those fans who call for the firing of the guy who brought them to a much higher level than they had ever been and still keeps them there. Replace him with what and at what cost? And for those who say VT is not a “power program”, I say ask Paul Johnson, the guys at Miami, any conference team, Nebraska and any coach preparing to play VT. They’ll let you know.
Finally an objective and intelligent post by a Hokey fan, none other than Scott Whitaker. He said it all. No one is saying that VT isn’t a good team, they just have never made it to the level they pretend to be. They have run up scores of positive offensive and defensive statistics over the past 15 years but you must closely examine who it is that they have beaten and who they have not beaten. Remember the old saying and it applies in football as well as in life: “When you pretend to be something you are not, you will end up in places that you don’t deserve to be.”
Aaron – you still didn’t tell us what you did for ESPN.
Taking your “myth” discussion and turning it again, how about “VT is good, at home or away”. No need to talk “myth” at all.
Yup, the ACC isn’t strong top to bottom. But I do think the current fan climate tends to overstate how weak, or strong, any conference is based on individual programs.
It so happens that LSU and ‘Bama are SEC. Oregon looks pretty good as does USC. I don’t know that the rest of the SEC or the PAC-whatever the number is, are all that good. Florida is struggling. South Carolina need a blown interference call to beat VANDERBUILT. Texas has had a few consecutive down years.
The ACC is a few years removed from a National Title but FSU, Miami and Clemson are past Champs. VT was in that game albeit against FSU. Is 12 years really a lifetime?
As for teams that didn’t look too good, check out Oklahoma. If UTEP could make a field goal they would have had the Sooners down by 6 entering the 3rd QTR. UTEP? Really? If you didn;t see the game the UTEP RB made the Oklahoma secondary look very bad. The guy got 170 yards on the ground before cramps drove him from the game (it is hot and dry in El Paso). This back isn’t even fast by BCS standards. The OK D caught him from behind on a play where he ran for 70 yards. I don’t hear anyone beating the drum over how bad OK looked.
South Carolina’s Case had to play with a deep bone bruise for them to beat Vandy. If you saw the game Case couldn’t lift his arm in the 4th QTR. Spurrier must have been pretty upset to let Case risk his season. What does it say when you can’t move the ball against Vandy? And for the record, the Rodgers kid at Vandy may have the same throwing motion as his brother but he don’t get the same result.
For all the caterwallin’ about relative conference strength I just don’t think the difference is that great once you pull out the very top. The 85 scholarship limit has evened out the field nationally more than most realize. We live in a world of over statement. The term “star” wasn’t enough so we went to “superstar”. Now every bench warmer is a “superstar” so everyone has to be “among the best in the country” or the GOAT.
We just aren’t rational in our analysis or expressions anymore.
As for bubba, I don’t know how he got his football smarts but I don’t want them. Logan Thomas is going nowhere but the NFL. Why would anyone think he would transfer? Huh?
As for Wilson and his future, the average life of an NFL RB is now down to 3 years. The odds are against him because he is an RB, not because he is from VT. Did Trent Richardson get hurt because of his Alma Mater? How about Ki-Jana Carter all those years ago. Archie Griffen, the only 2 time Heisman winner, had no pro career to speak of. Did Ohio State ruin him bubba? Earl Campbell had a great career but lost his knees. Did Texas do that to him? The problem for RBs is the punding not the school.
Kevin Jones was known not to like contact when he was in college according to the scouting reports. That stopped his career more than injury. Ryan Williams got hurt in rookie preseason but looks god now. Suggs was originally hurt in college.
They compare RB in the NFL to you running full speed into your closed garage door 30 times in 2 hours. That is just the games. Add the practices. I would say this is not a health inducing career. They compare a WR going over the middle to being hit by a car going 25 mph. That isn’t fun either but they don’t do that 20-30 times/game.
There is a reason why the Vikings don’t want AP touched in pre-season.
A friend of mine, Randy Shedd, was cut from the Jets in ’84 as a RB. Randy said he got hit by Klecko and Gastineau together in a pre-season drill. He said his helmet split in two and fell apart before he hit the ground. When I saw Randy everyday he was 270, 6-2, could bench 500 (naturally) and could run 4.4. He could catch Bobby Humphreys from behind and Humphreys could not catch him. Why did Randy not play in the NFL? Because he earned an Engineering degree and decided his brain was worth something. The “hit” convinced him not to seek the NFL as a career after the Jets cut him. he was contacted by other teams and said “no”.
hokie24, can’t make it tonight, but next week, I’m there!
Aaron, I sent you a question via Twitter, but wanted to pass this along to the blog crowd.
Suppose Alabama and LSU were down, would the SEC be regarded as down or simply a strong conference? The reason I’m asking I had a somewhat heated discussion with a ex-Hokie turned Alabama fan about how the media writers and ESPN talking heads are criticizing the ACC. I realize that the ACC is regarded as bad since not one team beat any body noteworthy. Don’t get me started on how idiotic Mike Glennon was against Tennessee…too late.
Did you see what he did against Tennessee? He ran backward (backward!), lost the football in the State’s own end zone. I saw a really funny tweet, “Georgia Dome…where the Glennnons go to die.” Ouch.
Anyway, what Zman said is right on. I think the perception of conferences can be very skewed. I mean, Florida Sate isn’t the juggernaut it used to be, then by the Almighty, the ACC is down! The U of Miami isn’t the same Thug U as old? Almighty! The ACC is down! Seriously?
So, the question I asked should generate some interesting observation.
Barry, you should stop making injuries the excuse for GT ‘s loss . VT played last season with a slew of players on defense and won most of those games. With great coaching and players stepping up they managed. Not ideal, but they made it work. Stop using injuries as an excuse. Was The quarterback mentally ready and more sharp than our players when he threw the ball up for grabs in overtime? And by the way it looks like you are the one who got stung by defeat. Not the Hokies.
Oh yeah, meant to post injured players on defense. Buzzzzzzzzzzzzz!!!!
Barry, your first prediction was a GT blowout, then you started to waffle worse than a Waffle House special, before you started getting more and more reasonable. I’m not searching it, don’t have time, but I think you were in the 38-10 neighborhood.
At midnight, on Monday, I was accurately predicting a VT win in OT by 3. Color me a genius.
I am simply shocked you are still around. You have some real cojones (now, he is googling this to see what it means . . . ).
I like your comments on perceived conference strength, Zman.
Take last year for example, and the controversy over whether Alabama or Oklahoma State should have played LSU for the national title.
Alabama played 4 (FOUR) D1 teams with +.500 records headed into bowl season last year. ONLY FOUR. And they lost to one of them!
OK St played 7 teams with +.500 records last year headed into bowl season, and won them all. 7-0.
But Alabama got the nod to go to the national title game over Oklahoma State because they played in the (perceived) tougher SEC… huh?
Perceptions like conference strength are really hurting college football, if you ask me.
Another example… look at WVU now in the Big 12. I think we all know that if they ever win a conference title, that people will say that they only won because Oklahoma and Texas were down. Even if it’s not true, that’s what people will say, simply because of perception and zero truth. Just like in the ACC… if FSU or Miami isn’t winning, then the perception is that the conference is down. BS if you ask me.
Hokie 24. You can’t prove a negative so no one can ever really know what would happen if any team, say USC, played in the SEC or if ‘Bama played in the Big 10.
What got me last year is that ‘Bama and LSU were a repeat and ended the season 1-1. OK State should have (my opinion) been given their shot.
Going forward we will see a 4 team playoff and while that is not perfect (#’s 5 and 6 will bitch) it is certainly better than what the BCS does now.
Barry is just so annoying I am hoping that if we all decide to ignore him he’ll go away. So please, let’s ignore him from now on.
I really did think GT would blow out the Hokeys but that was before the injury reports came out for the Jackets. It is important that I stay around as the unbiased voice of truth for Virginia Tech’s football games, otherwise, there is no voice to speak to this overrated team that has never beaten a top 5 team and whose marvelous statistics year after year are the results of playing mostly sub-par competition. When y’all beat a top five team, then I might be able to let you off the hook. Might do it if you can beat Clemson. But you haven’t beaten PITT, Bowling Green, UNC yet.
collect your money from the bookmaker on GT +7 or +7.5 and shut up is what i say. you’re setting yourself upset for a burial-like week as long as you continue to tell the world how you’re such a savant!
taking austin peay catching the temperature at game time spread …. let’s go peay!
Get lost Barry. What I said was VT is one of the best teams in the country on an annual basis, and the dominant team in the ACC for the last 8 years. And you’re 0-1 for the year, just like GT.
Yes, and Vt has won 10 games a year since 1876 and has yet to beat a top 5 team; great statistics but hardly one of the best teams in the country. I see where they have put another great player in the NFL and he has already fumbled tonight. What else did you expect?
One of the best teams in the country who never beats any of the true best teams in the country.
Get lost Barry. What I said was VT is one of the best teams in the country on an annual basis, and the dominant team in the ACC for the last 8 years. And you’re 0-1 for the year, just like GT.
Comment by scott whitaker — September 5, 2012 @ 7:06 pm
Wilson flunked his first goal test.
“In the second quarter, after a Michael Boley interception of a Tony Romo pass put the G-Men at the Dallas 1-yard line, Wilson was nowhere near the field on a Giants drive that lost three yards and resulted in a Lawrence Tynes field goal. Given Wilson’s skill at picking up yards after contact, it’s clear that the rookie will spend a little time in the doghouse.”
Barry, I see that you’ve jumped on the “wins vs top 5″ bandwagon. You keep saying that VT has never beaten a top-5 team… and you already know that’s not true.
What would you consider to be an acceptible win percentage against top-5 teams?
I agree Zman… I thought OK St should have been in Alabama’s spot in the title game too.
I also agree about Barry… he’s just another common hater. Hates VT, but can’t stay away from a predominantly VT message board. But it’s also kinda fun watching him stumble over himself and not have anything meaningful to say to simple questions and plain ol’ statistics.