Hokies still have ‘uncertainty’ on offense, trying to find what group can do well
Quarterbacks coach and play-caller Mike O’Cain wasn’t pleased with Virginia Tech’s offensive performance Saturday in a 35-17 loss at Pittsburgh, but given the number of offensive starters the team replaced, the feeling-out process has been close to what he thought it would be.
“There’s uncertainty there still,” he said Monday night after practice. “I said this after spring practice: it may take us four or five ballgames before we know what we can do on offense and what we can do well.
“And you don’t replace the number of people that we did, the production that we lost, like that, unless you’re fortunate. Now, if somebody had stepped in and just picked up right where Danny Coale left off or Jarrett Boykin or David Wilson, [OK], but that hasn’t happened yet.
“I think that has had a little bit to do with it. Not all of it.”
There are questions abound about the Hokies’ struggling offense through three games. Tech finished with only 324 yards against Pitt, with only 59 coming on the ground. Quarterback Logan Thomas completed just 14 of 31 passes and was picked off three times.
For the season, Virginia Tech is tied for 79th nationally in scoring offense (26.3 ppg), 89th in total offense (356.3 ypg) and 96th in rushing offense (114.0 ypg).
“I think you recognize the task at hand,” offensive coordinator Bryan Stinespring said. “And it’s not an overnight venture that you go through that all of a sudden the next day you’re there.”
“We’re not overhauling the offense after three weeks, but you look at what are we doing well and what gives us a chance to be successful,” running backs coach Shane Beamer said.
Some of the offense’s problems have been because of Thomas’ struggles, but that’s not all on him. A lot of which has to do with the offensive line’s blocking. Two of his interceptions Saturday came on passes on which he couldn’t follow through, because Pitt defenders had pushed back the line.
With new faces at almost every position, coaches admit that he has to be sharper to make up for some of that inexperience around him.
“Now it’s magnified,” O’Cain said. “You miss that same throw last year, you had some guys that could overcome it. Right now, Logan has to be very good because we have to be, I don’t want to use the term perfect on offense, but we have to be pretty close to perfect on offense for things to work well.”
He hasn’t had much help in the running game. The only game last season in which the Hokies had fewer rushing yards than the 59 they had Saturday was when they ran for only 56 yards in the ACC championship game loss to Clemson.
“It hasn’t been one area. It hasn’t been one position,” Stinespring said. “It’s just been a multitude of things that have gone against us in the running game. We’ve been a little bit of our own worst enemy in terms of that.”
Right tackle Vinston Painter said watching film of Saturday’s game left a “sick feeling in his stomach.”
“As a unit we took a step backwards,” Painter said.
The team wasn’t pointing fingers at each other. Stinespring said Monday’s practice was upbeat. Coaches and players agreed.
“It’s not a blame game,” O’Cain said. “It’s just, sometimes you don’t block them as well. Sometimes you don’t throw it as well. Sometimes you don’t catch it as well. You learn from it, get better from it, but move on. You can’t dwell on what you didn’t do. You’ve got to correct the things that we aren’t doing well.”
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Here are some more notes and quotes from Monday’s post-practice interviews …
- I’ll have some more on Thomas tomorrow, as soon as we get him on the podium at the press conference, but here’s one last thing from O’Cain on him: “He probably had as tough a game Saturday from a physical standpoint as he’s had since he’s been here. People in his face, I don’t know how many times he got hit. He kept coming back. Never wavered one bit.”
- Left guard David Wang‘s chances of playing this week don’t sound so good. I saw him in the hallway of the rehab room during practice, although he wasn’t wearing a boot or anything on his foot, which coaches at first feared was broken. It’s not. It’s only a sprain. Still, Stinespring told a reporter that Wang won’t play this weekend. Beamer later said on Tech Talk Live that a decision hasn’t been made yet, but it looks pretty clear where things are heading.
- If Wang can’t go, expect either Matt Arkema or Michael Via to play in his place. Arkema is technically the backup left guard, but Via is a utility man up front and can play anywhere. When Wang left Saturday’s game, Arkema took his place.
- Wide receiver Marcus Davis was blunt about Tech’s shortcomings at Pitt: “We were just kind of sleepwalking, and they hit us in the mouth. … Playing a good team like that, you can’t really afford to do that.” Davis thinks that’s a failure of leadership by the seniors, which includes him. “We took them lightly and they showed us that they are a good team,” he said.
- I’m writing something on the running game for Wednesday’s paper, but Painter took the blame on behalf of the line. “The running backs are doing their job,” he said. “Our job is going to make their job a lot easier. The more we help them out, the better they’ll be.”
- Shane gave his thoughts on what ails the ground game. “I know the fans don’t want to hear it, but as bad as it looked on Saturday, it’s frustrating because you’re just so close on some things,” he said “A couple of runs where if we get a guy blocked on the backside and it’s a long run. A couple of runs where we get a run where we make a little better blocking inside, we have a chance to pop it. That’s every Saturday, you’ve got a chance.”
- Much has been made about Virginia Tech not establishing a featured back. Running back Martin Scales thinks a by-committee approach can work, though. “If you watch the NFL now, it’s a two- and three-back league because running the ball, the backs take a pounding,” he said. “And I believe with four backs, all of have different running styles. The defense, it gets confusing. I’m bigger. I might pound ‘em. J.C. [Coleman] is smaller, so you’ve got to do that. And Tony Gregory is fast as lightning. Mike [Holmes] is elusive. We have a spot for all of us. It just depends on the call.
- Shane doesn’t sound like he’s backing away playing all four. “We’re going to do what gives us a chance to be successful,” he said. “If that means playing all four, great. If that means playing two of those guys, great. To answer your question, I think each week is kind of its own deal.”
- He did say that he’d like to play Scales more. The senior looked as decisive as any of the backs Saturday, running four times for 16 yards. He reeled off a 10-yarder between the tackles on one carry but didn’t get a whole lot more time after that because the Hokies were in a hurry-up mode, when they wanted to have receiving threats out of their running backs.
- Tech has lost a game in September five times in the last six years, yet it has been able to bounce back. Painter says it’s the mood of the team that makes that possible. “The thing that I notice with our teams when this happens is we don’t ever have a group of guys that hold their head down and gloom over the loss,” he said. “We always have a lot of guys that bounce back from it and get tougher instead of falling down from it. So that’s basically what’s going on with this group. We’ve just got to pick ourselves back up and get tougher and hit harder and take over the rest of this season.”
September 17, 2012 - 9:38 PM
I think your rushing yards per game is wrong since tech hasn’t had more than 200 yards in a game yet probably meant 101.6. O’Cain is taking the easy way out now saying “I knew all along it would be 4 or 5 games before we got an idea of what we could do on Offense” yes they had to replace a lot of people on offense, but so did Alabama and the look even better this year so far. I think FB and the athletic department need to put more pressure on these coaches. In any profession if you fail at your job over and over then you won’t be employed long with that job. Newsome has failed ever since he has been at tech. Stinespring as OC has failed. O’Cain is failing right now. Sherman is failing right now with the WR’s. How is Correy Fuller not starting? Shane Beamer is failing with the RB’s. Pitt did throw an excuse out for their FR rb, he went out and performed at a high level. These coaches are not in fear of their job, so why should they change? Put pressure on them that if their units don’t start performing then VT will find someone who will get them to perform. Something to ponder Andy, if Nick Saban and his staff had this tech team, how do you think they would look right now?
Virginia tech will bounce back. In my opinion, every year they have at least one “fix-it” game, this year it appears to be Pitt (unless there is a lot more wrong than we think). Why no use of Scales on the 3rd and short and 4th and short attempts (both of which failed)? LT sneak has become way too predictable on short yardage attempts. Maybe implement a fake sneak in those situations, and either sweep it out to the tall back or step back and pass it over the top to a receiver or tight end. Seemed like a couple of drops by the receivers on Saturday?
I personally think tech will fall apart this season. they have to many things wrong with them. The run, the pass,the run defense and pass defense were absolutely horrible on Saturday. They got beat in all phases by a below average team. The only positive was the punt return. Tech has too much to work on in too short of time. Once the off-season comes they need to make some coaching changes as well, specifically at the offensive coordinator spot And I wouldn’t be surprised if bud foster turned in his resignation pretty soon. I’m pretty sure he is tired of the hokie offense stinking up the joint and his defense having to carry the team every season.
The problems come from the top, the coaches. It sickens me that not one can give an honest assessment and just admit, “I didn’t do a good enough job getting my guys ready to play, I’m responsible for this loss”. Instead they cop out to excuses of youth, inexperience, and shoulda coulda wouldas. Even Shane is starting to sound like Frank Jr. Someone posted a few days back either here or on AM’s blog that if you have 4 running backs it means you don’t have 1 great running back. A team like VT with the history of a running identity needs to have someone step up and perform without fumbling the ball. Any VT fan who is honest with themselves who has felt good about the teams direction other than 44 seconds and an OT vs. Georgia Tech isn’t looking deeply enough. Sure we’ve had some good plays, but I don’t feel like any consistency has been established yet. I’m hoping we start to see some soon, otherwise that feeling we had late Saturday afternoon might get a bit common before the season ends. Let’s go VT.
Excuses, excuses. sounds familiar? When did the coaching staff first realize that in college ball players move on? Generally speaking college football can recruit to the level of their program accomplishments in order to fill those vacancies and continue having a program of national consequence.
Coaching and the AD remains the problem with VA Tech football. Keep dusting the shelf. It will be a long, long time! Could be as long as there is an SEC.
What happened Saturday has been happening at Tech for many years and history does not lie. This type of thing will happen every year with the philosophy of this staff and with the present coaches.
The Virginia Tech football program is stale, it needs something new if the program is to ever be what everybody wants it to be. Whatever that new thing is remains to be seen but something needs to change or expect the same type of results every year.
Bud Foster’s defense carry them? In all big games when it counts his defense gets burned. Maybe he needs to turn in his resignation in because he has been put on a golden cloud and can do no wrong. All I hear is excuses for tech. They cannot get it done when it counts.
where can i get a copy of their excuse book? seems like it would make a nice gift for the upcoming holidays. why not throw in the playbook as a bonus. we could place it in the recycle bin and have it returned to us as toilet paper!
Always an excuse from these people about their shortcomings such as replacing starters from last year team. I suppose VT is the only team in the country with that problem. Oh well…how about the shortcomings of the coaching staff?
Well, the players certainly don’t need to be pointing fingers at each other, the coaches will do that for them. Not individually, but a collective refrain from the coaches, “don’t put one bit of the blame on us coaches, it’s the players fault completely.” Most good coaches I know would have taken more responsibility for the team’s performance Saturday. But that’s always been my gripe with Beamer and most of the staff. Harping on player execution instead of coaches’ preparation of those players has always been the company line coming out of VT Football Headquarters. Would it hurt the coaches to take a little heat off the players by saying, “we should have had the guys better prepared and ready to play.” The players need a little more support from their teachers in times like these. @gtbowyer
When a team isn’t prepared to play it falls on the coaches, not the seniors. Tech wasn’t prepared and were never in this game. Great teams don’t “learn from losing”, they learn in the film room and on the practice field.
My opinion is that VT needs to start shopping around for an O-line coach.
I am amazed by M. Davis comment above “We took them lightly …” How and why can any player on this team take someone else lightly.. Hello.. JMU a few years ago, and we could list every couple of years a similar issue and letdown.. Coaches and players have to step up and each week try to better them self and take NO ONE lightly.
And regarding O’Cain’s comment – on it taking 4 or 5 games.. What did he do during Spring and August Practice. He should be glad he is coaching, in business we have to replace people all the time and keep meeting goals and targets which by the way become more challenging each year.. smh…
The significant obstacle of becomming great is the acceptance of being good.
How many times have Tech fans paid to see games during which it is obvious the coaches have not prepared the team? How many times have fans watched a team sleep-walk through 60 minutes of action? How many times have fans watched Tech’s offensive line dive at air while the whole opposing defensive line and four linebackers hit the running back or the quarterback 5 yards deep in the backfield? How many consecutive sellouts have happened at Lane Stadium? How many times has Frank Beamer offered the same old bromides for failures?
Frank needs to ponder these questions.
Pure crap Tommy, Foster isn’t going anywhere as long as Beamer is there. Both so over-rated except inside the very weak ACC, check the OOC (ranked) games and bowls, that enough for you? SEC football is what VT is striving for but will never get to that level with these clowns running the show.
Typical Tech Team……”OVERRATED”…..every year, but, they are really exposed this year because, unlike last year, there are not as many “cupcakes” to feast upon…….Bowling Green just may pull a “Louisiana-Monroe” this week!……Watch out!
“given the number of offensive starters the team replaced, the feeling-out process has been close to what he thought it would be.”
While that may be true to a certain extent, Mr. O’Cain, it’s not as if VT is the only program in the country that has to deal with graduation losses and early NFL entrants and other kinds of attrition. When LSU won the title in 2007, they had just lost their starting QB JaMarcus Russell (yes, he was very good in college and you don’t become the #1 overall pick without that) and their top two receivers in Dwayne Bowe and Craig Davis to the NFL. But the two games that LSU lost that year in triple OT were games in which THE DEFENSE underperformed, not the offense.
“Much has been made about Virginia Tech not establishing a featured back.”
Much more needs to be made about VT not run-blocking well with the interior linemen especially just seeming confused. I don’t see why it is so difficult for people to realize that having David Wilson around would not have made that much of a difference. Running backs can’t create holes for themselves. Elite ones might be able to find and hit smaller creases better, but a crease is still a crease.
That being said, I agree with S. Beamer that they might as well play Scales more. At least he doesn’t dance around like some of the other backs do. And if the O-line is not going to deal a lot of hurt, might as well have the RB do it even after just a 1 yard run.
“We took them lightly and they showed us that they are a good team,” he [Marcus Davis] said.
Sigh. When some fans take Pitt more seriously than the players, that is not a good thing.
If VT insists on a old-school approach to its offense (ha! “if”), they should take a look at Stanford. I’m picking on Stanford because like Tech they can’t recruit like Alabama but unlike Tech, their offensive line has been very physical and cohesive and their O-line coach deserves a major promotion. I still think Stanford will lose to Oregon again this year (usually a bad matchup for them) and that their offense won’t be good enough for a national title, but still, after watching the Pitt debacle, gotta take what you can get.
LOL did Jon really ask how would Nick Saban look with this team. The same as Frank Beamer that’s how he would look. We are not Bama people. It is apples and oranges. We don’t get 5-10 recruits in the ESPN top 150 every season. We are lucky to get one. I bet if the Hokies coaching staff had the same Bama team they would be National Champions just like Nick. Any bets on this weeks game? Tech wins by 21 or more. It was a loss it happens every year get over it and either support your team or go pick another one.
We are never going to be Alabama. We do not have the money resources or the special majors that let the five star recruits get into school. To make comparisons is spitting in the wind. We are not deep in any offensive position, so we can’t just run another five star recruit in when someone goes down.
All of you Bud Foster lovers need to ask him why the defense stunk up the place Saturday. They embarrased me more than the offense. The defense was suppose to be “great” this year. We knew the offense had huge holes to fill this year.
Most teams have off years and VT is long overdue. We have all gotten spoiled and nothing is ever enough.
I have been a fan longer than most of these bloggers have been alive. The good times are great and the bad times are horrible but if you are a fan you keep going to the games and you keep giving money. It is your team and you never give up on them.
Our team just looks like a bunch of cowards at least once a year…it’s easy to walk around campus with a bunch of engineers and look tough but when someone their own size hits them in the mouth during a game on Saturdays, sometimes they just don’t hit back.
Clemson and FSU will physically destroy this team.
Andy, given that Tech is running a “multiple” offense philosophy, is it possible that the struggle with the offense is reflected in the change of philosophy? I am sure some Hokies fans are rolling their eyes, but I am thinking that that since Tech used to be a traditional pro-style team (run heavy, pass on 3rd down), it seem that since the change and implementation of different formations, it may be contributing to the struggle. What do you think, Andy?
I see Shane Beamer is already copying his dad’s lame excuses -
“I know the fans don’t want to hear it, but as bad as it looked on Saturday, it’s frustrating because you’re just so close on some things,” he said “A couple of runs where if we get a guy blocked on the backside and it’s a long run. A couple of runs where we get a run where we make a little better blocking inside, we have a chance to pop it. That’s every Saturday, you’ve got a chance.”
Yeah , yeah, if only not for a couple of missed blocks, we would have won the game. And if I’d only picked different numbers, I’d have won the lottery. I guess we see the kind of mantra we’ll have from Shane one Frank decides to hand him the crown to the kingdom. Same old BS as always, and I don’t mean Brian Stinespring.
I think all of our issues revolve around “Expectations.” Years ago when I was just a little fellow I would go with my father to an half empty Lane stadium and watch Tech struggle against who ever they played that week. At that time our expectation was to have a nice day in Blacksburg and go down to Rose’s before the game for a hamburger and walk through the field house and play on the artificial grass. Can’t do that anymore. When I was little we were grateful for wins and if we lost, well that was ok because we weren’t in the national picture anyway. I kind of long for those days. I enjoyed the day when we didn’t chase the poles and rankings. Back then all the games were at 1:30 and my dad’s big concern after the game was whether we would get back to Danville for dinner and before I had to desperately go pee. Tech has kind of hung itself because it has gone big business, and we, as stock holders have a right to certain “expectations.” Tech decided as their product got better that prices should go up to reflect the value. My father had tickets for 40 years before giving them up this year because he realized how much he had spent over that time. He had as much fun going to games under Dooley as he has under Beamer. Maybe a few “Dooley” years wouldn’t be a bad thing. Our Expectations would be lower and we could go and enjoy our saturday’s without dwelling on the results.
Newsome should have been replaced years ago. The OL has been bad for years. Ditch the zone scheme. These guys stand straight up and get no push, and it has been like that for years. We had Ryan Williams, David Wilson, and Darren Evans the last 5 years or so, to cover up some of the OL deficiences….
I don’t understand why the DL has played so poorly this year as well. OLots of talent there, but they gave up a mint of yards to Pitt, and a 100 yd rusher to Austin Peay. What?…
Expectations are certainly raised these days at VT. I think that most people would like to see the talent on the field reach its full potential. Seems to be wasted year after year. Especially on offense. For whatever reason. Yes, the defense was terrible on Saturday. But so was the offense, again. I told my spouse right before the game started that if the defense has a bad game VT is sunk. It seems to me VT needs to balance their game. Have a strong offense and defense. And they need to do what it takes to accomplish those goals. And no, I don’t think those are too high expectations.
I agree CR… if VT was “so close,” and the coaches know exactly which things VT was so close to doing right, then it should be an easy fix.
Their excuses sound like typical clueless commentators.
“What do these guys need to do to win today, Jim?”
“I tell you Bob, I really believe that the team that scores more points is gonna win this ball game.”
I disagree, FIZ. I don’t think it’s a bad thing to have goals and/or expectations. The team’s goals don’t really effect me. I love to see VT win, but it’s not gonna ruin my day if they don’t. Personally, I have a ball at games and tailgating before and after games whether VT wins or loses.
Also, I am not giving up on the Hokies and I am sure Hokie nation is still as solid as we were before the Pitt game. We have been in this situation before and we are still hanging around. It’s not being a fair weather fan to voice concerns and complaints. It’s just that this is par for the course for VT football. Another extremely embarassing loss to a team that we were supposed to beat.
This will be the end of the ten win season, period! VT is to predictable in every phase of the game. I love Frank Beamer, however, he needs to change for the program to change. I’m sorry, but that is a fact. Another fact is, I can’t wait to run over the Wahoos again!
FIZ Good comments, though I doubt many will agree with you. I would add unrealistic to high. Tech’s expectations are unrealistically high. Year after year, Tech’s talent level does not match the big boys of the power conferences. If Tech players were really that good, they would be more prominent in the NFL. Instead we get Josh Morgan making a bonehead play, and David Wilson getting benched in his first game. Beamer does very well with the players he has. But maybe it would be more fun to attend the games if he didn’t do so well.
I am so depressed
VT will never fill that trophy space until they move into the 21st century offensively. Having new guys is no exceuse. TCU, Boise State, even Clemson now win with new players. They all use great innovation and schemes to overwhelm defences. VT’s Off Coord is way to prdictable and safe. I can call the plays setting in my recliner and looking at the formation. Pathetic!
It was the VT Athletic Department that had the national championship trophy case built, not the ordinary fans. And some people are criticizing the ordinary fans for having unreasonably high expectations?
With the terrible situation that he inherited after Ricky Stokes in 2003 (arguably the worst basketball program in any major conference), Seth Greenberg beat the #1 ranked team in the country 3 times and had road wins at #4 UNC and at #5 Duke. What was Greenberg’s win percentage against top 5 teams vs. VT football’s? Expectations for the basketball team have always been far lower than for football.
And yet it is Greenberg who gets fired. I’m not saying it wasn’t the right move, but 1. It was executed extremely poorly and 2. The Virginia Tech Athletic Department is anything but consistent.
“…Tech’s expectations are unrealistically high….”
Where do people get this from? Where are these representatives from VT shouting about how high their expectations are?
What would you trade to have a National Championship? Alabama has been sanctioned by the NCAA more than once and had to vacate wins for past deeds. Do you want to become Ohio State? Would you trade Penn State’s National Champioships for what they have now? I read some of the comments and the answer is pretty clear. It’s what happens when winning becomes more important than honor and the original purpose of the university. This may come as a shock to many of you, but the purpose of Virginia Tech is not to field winning athletic teams. The value of my degree is the same if Tech goes 6 and 5 rather than 8 and 3. Folks, it’s a football game. An extracurricular activity. Consider what you may have to give up to achieve that ultimate goal. Coach Beamer wins more than he loses, and does it with dignity and honor. I look at those schools who have made a different choice, and I don’t like what I see. Without looking, what was Harvard’s record last year?
Only way things will every change is if people stop buying tickets. After watching the first 3 games this season I doubt this will be one of those years where they turn it around & make it back to the ACC championship. The entire offense & everything about it just looks horrible; the o-line, the QB, the RBs & the scheme or lack of a scheme.
“If Tech players were really that good, they would be more prominent in the NFL…Beamer does very well with the players he has.”
1. It appears that Urban Meyer did very well at Florida with Tim Tebow, a guy who can’t throw and is happy to be a wildcat specialist in the NFL.
2. It appears that Bobby Bowden did very well at FSU with Chris Weinke, a guy who set an NFL record by losing, what, 15 straight starts? And what did Peter Warrick accomplish in the NFL? Great coaching, Bobby!
3. It appears that Mack Brown did very well with Vince Young and that Pete Carroll did very well with Matt Leinart, neither of whom is doing anything of note in the NFL. And Pete Carroll also did well with Dwayne Jarrett who has done what in the NFL? Is he still in the league?
4. It appears that Les Miles did very well at LSU with JaMarcus Russell, the biggest bust in NFL history.
I don’t think any one has said anything about wanting the coaches to win games in a way that has no dignity and honor. You can win and run a clean program. For myself, I would like to see the players reach their full potential on and off the field. Also, it would be nice to see them win games they should win more consistently. Not consistently lay an egg every year in September and in the bowl games. These boys are students who play football. This is a football discussion blog. Of course we are going to discuss football here.
Alabama wasn’t very good 10 years ago. or even 7 but they made changes and now every one wants to be compared to alabama but not 10 years ago. They lost a lot of games. Change is change not talk of changing will be a substitute. Very poor coaching , look at Kansas , Boise, GT, Michigan, Clemson( one of the worst defenses last year) tech was out coached out recruited( Al Groh out recruited us). ECU, JMU out coached. I”m a tech grad, and been watching since 1968, worst coaching in 45 years!!!
“We took them lightly…” I simply cannot understand this coming from any athlete. I never was an on-field athlete (for reasons) so perhaps I can be enlightened. But as kids (teenagers) we played sandlot tackle football without equipment. We were bruised, we limped, we had concussions, broken bones, and plenty of blood. But the fire of competiveness kept us on the field, (injuries were concealed, if possible, to keep from having to sit out.) There were no stands, no fans, no trophies -just a grit and gut for the game! Like I said, I just cannot fathom not being ‘fired up’, or not giving 100% for any game, every play, whatsoever, when trotting out onto a field.
“It’s what happens when winning becomes more important than honor and the original purpose of the university.”
Improving the coaching is not something that requires compromising honor. These coaches are being paid tremendous 6 figure salaries, Beamer more, and regardless of how good a person you are on an individual basis, you should deliver something if you’re being paid that much money. And if you don’t deliver while making that much money, you should not be immune to criticism.
Hokie24. I am around a lot of tech fans most of the time. Most years, what I hear from them is how great the Hokies are going to be, top5′ top 10′ whatever. That usually lasts until the first bad loss. I still expect they will rise through the not so good ACC and will likely make it to the championship game again.
If the coaches couldn’t see Logan struggling for consistency every game so far this year, and not figure out why, then I don’t know what to say. David Wilson provided less pressure for Logan last year, period. His problems this year stem from the fact that it’s all on his shoulders, and they are trying to set up the run with the pass. They need to set up the pass with the run. Cliche, but true. Our O line is experienced. I don’t care who is running the ball….run them early and often and get them involved and lathered up so they’ll be loose later on! C’mon! Once it’s going, and it will, then get Logan going throwing it.
Why anyone would design an offensive play where EVERY single player has to execute their assignment perfectly for it to work when we are talking about 18-22 year olds is beyond me. When you are talking 11 players on offense and if ONE misses their assignment the play is screwed, then you are not designing the right plays.
I am sick and tired of hearing how great Pittsburgh is. I am sure they will tear up Garner-Webb this weekend but let’s see how they do against Louisville in a few weeks.VT made a pathetic team look good.
I agree with ‘vickelsey’, and I dread the day we have to replace Coach Beamer. He has done many good things for VT, but his loyalty has been his biggest weakness. He made changes in ’92, and it’s time he does it again. And I don’t think ANYONE wants Weaver hiring the next coach.
This is probably going to be a LONG season!!
It has been shown that this happens year in and year out. What remains the same year to year (in this program)? Is it the players? No…they graduate, they move on to the NFL, etc. It’s the coaches that are the common thread dating back for each of these choke jobs the previous few years. None of this will ever change as long as Frank Beamer is the head coach…unless his hand is forced by Weaver. I don’t think Weaver has the heart to do that to Frank. I’m not calling for a new head coach…Frank Beamer has meant too much to this program…but we have to accept that National Championship case will remain empty and that there will be a “Pitt-type” game every year.
now we know why David Wilson left early.
Mmm, Baxter. Those guys you mention are all quarterbacks. There are 21 other positions. Those schools you mention place far more players in the NFL than Tech does. In a way you make my point. Tech’s best year was when they had an otherworldly QB. Great teams can win in spite of mediocre QB play. Teams like Tech can win, but not at the same level.
Vickelsey…what you say is true except we are paying a man 3 million dollars a year for the same result
Roger, 10 years ago, in the 2002 season, Alabama went 10-3, and finished ranked #11. 7 years ago, 2005 season, they went 10-2, and finished the year #8. Granted, sanctions took away those wins in 2005, but that doesn’t mean the team wasn’t any good.
Well Blivet, I’d venture to say that the VT fans you’re around don’t represent the majority of us. Just look around this message board for the last month or two. You don’t see VT fans going off about how great VT is. You just don’t.
Shane sounds like his Dad. “Just one missed block here, a missed assignment there….and so on”
Acworth, you’re right. Football blogs are about football. Left to myself, I have a tendancy to rant. I’ve been following Tech football since 1950. Yep, sat with my parents, also Tech grads, in old Miles Stadium and watched them get thumped by the likes of W&L and Richmond. And, I guess I could be guilty of over-reacting about the criticisms of the players and coaches. I also want them to win. But, since it is about football, I have a hard time being too critical when I view it over the long haul. I would ask you to consider why the expectations are so high. Maybe, it’s because Beamer has been so succesful; more than any other Tech coach. Worst coaching in 45 years? Sorry, the numbers don’t add up. Any analysis of data clearly shows a different story than is often being portrayed by many posters. We lost to Pitt; ergo, one or all of the coaching staff has to go. Really?
27 > 21. Old Blue thats the number of NFL players Alabama has in comparison to Va Tech. (according to ESPN.com) This of course doesn’t count practice squad players which Tech has only 3 that I am aware of, so Alabama may be filling up the practice squads making up this “far more” number you are referring to. It’s coaching and development, not talent, (OL difference is only 5 to 3). Our 85 might not be as deep as Bama, LSU, etc. but there isn’t this huge gigantic gap as far as players go. Its coaching people. The whole offensive staff has to wake up. Foster had a poor game, and got suckerpunched. Ok bad Foster but he has an excellent resume of performance. When was the last time we worried someone would come steal Stinespring away? Never. After 20 yrs of being on the staff I can’t remember one, will they offer Stinespring moment. Speaks volumes.
I agree with vickelsey…I’m proud of the Hokies and proud to be a fan. One game won’t change that.
Play calling has held this program back for the last 12 years. It wasn’t as noticeable the last few years because there were superstars to hide it. now with a young team its in plain site. its not the kids fault, they looked lost at times on Sat. and that is on the coaching staff. Logan Thomas would be the starter on any team in the country, but on this team people call him over-rated, he is not over-rated just missed used.
I never said that this is the worst coaching in 45 years. You may need to go back and read my posts. I also never criticized Beamer. I love Frank Beamer as Hokies head coach. It would take a lot to convince me that he needs to leave VT. I am more concerned about a couple of his supporting cast members. And that is not Bud Foster. Like him as well. I have never criticized the players. I have been concerned since the first game. About the numbers. What the numbers do say is that VT consistently loses games that they should have won. Let me see Kansas , Georgia, Temple, JMU, PItt., and many more. I might add in an embarassing way. They lose especially in bowl games and September. That trend is a concern. The record shows also that VT can’t seem to get the victory with ranked opponents. So that win record just doesn’t weigh too heavily with some people. Looks good on paper, but after properly analyzing the data not as impressive. Also, this isn’ t about one loss to Pitt. Again, if you would go back and read the other posts you might understand. If You don’t like criticism of coaches who are getting paid handsomely for never being held accountable maybe you shouldn’t continue reading sports blogs. Happens all the time. If you are going to address me atleast do so with the correct content of my post. I am glad that you have been a VT fan for a long time. So have I and many other true Hokie fans who post on this blog.
This type of performance did not happen overnight. It has been leading up to this for years. We continue to have an offensive coordinator that doesnt get it. He has no vision on offense. Same old plays year after year…getting old and guess what its not working! FB needs to step up and be a coach quit with the excuses and hold your coaches responsible and for everyones sake hire a offensive coordinator!
Not ready to condemn the entire program, overall it’s been one of the best for two decades but one thing has been consistent for the past 7-10 years and that has been a woefully underperforming offense no matter who the opponent, despite the talent that comes through B-burg on the way to the NFL. You can’t expect the D to to continue to rush the passer, stop runs and cover at a high level when they have to play 50% more snaps than the O. They are they only reason we have one the big games we have (often scoring 20% of the points) but they can’t win them all. Special teams used to help too but that has been a disaster the past few years as well. Frank…RUSH THE KICKERS, look at the old footage, even if they don’t block it, the pressure causes a lot of bad kicks. Get rid of Stiney/Newsome and let’s get that National Championship!
Ackworth. I stand corrected. It was not your comment about 45 years. I apologize. My perspective is obviously different from yours, as well as I am forced to admit, most of those on this blog. I just don’t attach the same importance of winning or losing in September or bowl games, or games against ranked opponents as you, and to be fair, many on this blog. A point that you bring up is obviously true, you don’t feel that you’re getting your money’s worth. You see, I do. Living in Arizona, I get to see the Hokies either on TV or webcast every weekend. That doesn’t happen because they didn’t meet expectations. That’s a good value for me. Do I yell and cuss at the TV about coaching and players. Yea, I do. But, seeing it in print from others takes me back to Miles Stadium, and I realize how lucky I am to have the team where it is today. Coaches and all. And, I understand the posts. The fact that you take umbrage, I’m crushed.
No worries Vickelsey. Apology accepted. I live in GA now and yes I wore my VT visor to my sons ball game Saturday after VT lost. I still love my Hokies and I know you do as well. If we don’t raise the expectation level in Blacksburg we are in danger of breeding mediocrity. Not good. However, fans with higher expectations are going to be disappointed at a greater level with losses. Hang in there and keep cheering for the Hokies. I know I will.
If Tyrod Taylor is your QB, Ryan Williams, David Wilson and Darren Evans are your running backs; Boykin, Roberts, Coale, Cole, Davis, etc. are your wideouts, and you have a 6-6, 240 pound freshman who could play wideout, but you don’t use him because you think he would make a great QB the next year, and with all that offensive talent you still struggle to score, your coaching sucks, not the athletes! A new coach with some fire in his arse would do wonders for the Hokies! That coordinator for the Gators would be sn excellent hire. Why in the world people are so afraid to loose Beamer is amazing! The state is still gonna produce excellent athletes with or without Beamer. I respect the guy, but he and these defeats in games the should win is killing the ACC. But even more it is downright embarrassing for the entire state! He needs to give it up!
Offense coaching same as usual-BAD, however this year they are totally distgusting. What is more troubling is the apathy of the Hokie Nation. They have finially grown weary of the sub par performance & continuing lame excuses of Suckspring & Time To Leave Curt. Beamer needs to man up & make the change. I mine coal & drill oil/gas wells for a living & PRODUCTION pays the bills. These losers are being paid $350,000/year & in my business they would have been fired long ago for poor performance. Constant excuses get you a PINK SLIP QUICKLY . Stop blaming the players-it is middle management that needs to be on gardening pay. Same for bosses-Beamer & CEO Weaver-the stockholders would have sent them home long before now.Being Good Is The Enemy Of Being Great. Winners adjust to adverse situations & bring home the the rewards of their good efforts. Excuses do not pay the bills-RESULTS DO!- Just look @ WVU- They turned a problem into a gold mine. Note I am a longtime Hokie going to almost all games since a child 1961 & I am a PROUD/LOYAL TECH graduate that has paid the dues as is ALL of my family & in laws. JUST SICK OF THE POOR EXCUSES!
The Pitt game was the worst performance I have seen out of a Tech team in decades. Beamer-ball is an outlived term. We don’t block kicks, we don’t run the ball, and Thomas had a miserable game. I can only hope it was a bad day. However, the coaching has been in question for years. This could be a longseason, as we have many weak areas.
Four straight times we have played Pitt where they come out, kick us in the face, dominate both sides of the line while we appear to lay down and kick back. Play calling is still suspect with almost no surprises. Is the Pitt game an indication of less talent, inferior coaching or a combination. Why does Thomas continue to overthrow receivers. Where are the coaches?? Even sportscasters indicate a need to overhaul offensive coaching staff. Hope we can turn around and live up to preseason predictions.