Five thoughts after Virginia Tech’s loss vs. Cincinnati
If you missed our coverage from Virginia Tech’s 27-24 loss to Cincinnati yesterday, you can get to all of it here.
Now for five more thoughts about the game:
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1. The slow starts have become a major, major problem
Slow starts are nothing new for Virginia Tech. It’s been a problem for a while now, but the Hokies have had a larger margin for error in the past, with a team that could routinely overcome it. This year’s group does not appear to be of that caliber, so handing opponents a 15- or 30-minute headstart is proving costly. Columnist Aaron McFarling took Frank Beamer to task for his non-answers on the subject afterward. And he’s right. It’s as if Beamer is in denial. Beamer doesn’t have to kowtow to the “Fire Stiney!” crowd — and they’re out in full force right now — but he at least has to acknowledge that there’s an issue with the way the offense starts games and address it.
I joking tweeted that Virginia Tech should have a scrimmage in the parking lot before the game to get its struggles out of the way. That was obviously tongue in cheek, but something has to change about the way the Hokies prepare themselves for playing early in games. We’ve often heard from play-caller Mike O’Cain that it takes Virginia Tech time early in the game to adjust to what defenses are doing. That’s not the mindset of a lot of offenses, which script plays ahead of time and force the defense to adjust to them. It might be simplistic thought, but perhaps a more decisive offensive game-plan out of the gate would make a difference. Virginia Tech certainly looks tepid with what it’s doing out of the gate.
2. The Hokies need to look Marcus Davis’ way more often.
It was early in the third quarter I think, after Cincinnati wide receiver Kenbrell Thompkins caught one of his many passes, McFarling turned to me and said, “The Hokies need to use Marcus Davis like Cincinnati uses him.” And it’s true. Thompkins was a terror for the Virginia Tech secondary. The Bearcats targeted him 17 times. He caught seven passes for 134 yards and a touchdown and drew three penalties that resulted in first downs.
Davis, at 6-foot-4, 232 pounds, is every bit the threat Thompkins is, but Tech uses him far less frequently. Davis was targeted only seven times Saturday. He was productive when the Hokies looked his way, with five catches for 101 yards, including a 50-yarder that put Tech in business deep in Cincinnati territory (it would turn it over, though). Davis had one catch for three yards through two and a half quarters, and quarterback Logan Thomas didn’t look in his direction a couple times when Davis was running free in the secondary. That can’t happen.
The Hokies have all sorts of sweeps and reverses specifically designed to get Dyrell Roberts involved. Why not do the same with Davis? I realize he’s had problems looking the ball all the way in on wide receiver screens in the past. And coaches always point out his consistency as lacking, which might account for some of low production in the first half Saturday. But outside of Thomas, he’s the Hokies’ most dynamic threat on offense, and he needs to touch the ball more. Even if it’s throwing the ball deep to him, it’s worth a shot. He was interfered with on the deep pass but caught it anyway. Tech could afford to take a few more shots where Davis simply has a chance to go up and make a play based on sheer athleticism. He might make the catch. He might draw a flag. The point is, he might do something. Cincinnati gave Thompkins multiple opportunities to do that Saturday. Tech did on occasion with Davis, but not nearly enough.
3. The passing defense is much more vulnerable than expected, and it’s heading into a very difficult stretch.
Munchie Legaux, who had not thrown for more than 217 yards in any game of his brief career, threw for 372 yards and three touchdowns, including the game-winner with 13 seconds left. The last quarterback to torch Virginia Tech for that many yards? Cal’s Aaron Rodgers in the 2003 Insight Bowl, a 52-49 loss that is noted as a turning point in defensive coordinator Bud Foster‘s career, when Virginia Tech went away from an eight-man front because of the rise of passing offenses in college football.
What everyone saw Saturday was a Virginia Tech defense selling out to stop Cincinnati’s run and leaving its cornerbacks on an island to play man defense on the outside. They were overmatched. Kyle Fuller and Antone Exum, with little to no safety help, routinely gave up big plays in the passing game. And there’s little to no depth. When freshman Donaldven Manning entered the game for a cramping Fuller, he was immediately exposed with two passes that went for 59 yards and a touchdown. The Hokies will need to adjust something on the back end, particularly with the schedule coming up. The next month features games against North Carolina, Duke and Clemson, followed by a Thursday nighter at Miami, which suddenly has a fearsome passing offense. If Virginia Tech doesn’t come up with some answers in the secondary soon, it’s going to be a long month of football.
4. Could Virginia Tech revisit Antone Exum’s situation at cornerback?
Exum had a miserable day Saturday, targeted early and often. His frustration boiled over and he was also flagged four times — twice for pass interference, twice for facemasks — in what was a forgettable day. But does Tech have any other options back there? Beamer stood by Exum as a cornerback afterward, probably because the Hokies have few alternatives to him at cornerback. The thought by many is that Exum could move back to safety or rover, with Detrick Bonner or Kyshoen Jarrett going back to corner. But Jarrett has excelled at rover, and Bonner has spent the last nine months working at safety. Moving him back to corner might stunt both his and Exum’s development even more. And both are essentially playing cornerback when Tech goes to the nickel package anyway (Michael Cole comes in at safety). The Hokies played tons of nickel Saturday and, with teams that like to spread things out coming up on the schedule, figure to give that look frequently in the next month. Tech looks like it will just have to fight through its issues with the group it has.
5. It’s time to adjust expectations for this team.
Ten wins are a pipe dream at this point. With Florida State and Clemson on the schedule — two teams that have established themselves as the class of the ACC — and two losses already on the ledger, it looks like Tech’s streak of eight straight 10-win seasons will come to an end. Any kind of significant national recognition is out the window at this point, but the Hokies, with their two losses being out of the conference, still have a Coastal Division title to compete for.
Now, the Coastal appears to be completely up for grabs. The two preseason favorites, Virginia Tech and Georgia Tech, have underperformed. Miami, at 3-0 in the league, has overachieved, and even with a suspect defense that will eventually catch up to it in one of these close games, has a headstart on the rest of the division with a favorable schedule the rest of the way (the ‘Canes avoid Clemson, get Florida State, Virginia Tech and North Carolina at home, and play Virginia and Duke on the road). North Carolina seems to be coming together, and even Duke seems feisty, which is more than you can say about Virginia at this point.
I thought before this week that Virginia Tech would be favored heading into both North Carolina and Miami. Now, I don’t think that will be the case. Suddenly the Hokies are looking at two games that will be extremely hard (FSU, Clemson) and two that are close to tossups — if that (UNC, Miami). The Hokies aren’t a bad team. They were one play away from being 4-1. But there are clearly issues on both sides of the ball that could bite them in ACC play this year. There’s certainly more uncertainty in the division than there’s been in recent memory. It’ll be interesting to see how it plays out.
September 30, 2012 - 11:09 AM
VT’s slow starts on offense are like the Emperor’s New Clothes. Everybody seems to acknowledge it except the Emperor (Beamer) himself. Aaron McFarling is spot on.
Andy Bitter (once again) had the offense’s slow starts as a key to the game before the game began and Aaron McFarling felt (justifiably) compelled to devote a whole column to it today.
If the offense keeps going three-and-out, you’re tiring out your defense. Once AGAIN, I ask, if people don’t get tired then why doesn’t Usain Bolt run the 400 meters when it’s only 20 seconds longer than the 200 meters event that he dominates while feeling compelled to showboat? Should Usain Bolt suck it up and go the 400 meters? Or maybe it’s because PEOPLE GET TIRED?? Yes, the great Usain Bolt can’t go 20 seconds longer so how can you expect your defense to take the field over and over again after ANOTHER three-and-out from your offense?
What is infuriating is that VT seems content to just coast and sleepwalk on offense if its defense is playing well like when it had a 17-0 win over UVA in 2006 that should have been much worse for the Cavs or a 10-0 lead over #2 BC and Matty Ice in 2007 that eventually turned into a 14-10 loss. If VT had been up three scores in that one, all the Matty Ice miracles and onside kicks in the world wouldn’t have meant a darn.
Yes, the defense blew it big time at the end, but I can’t help thinking that things would have been different if it wasn’t so darn tired.
I graduated in 05′ and I usually expect us to bounce back. This year is different. There is something wrong and Beamer is covering for it. I understand that is what a coach does, but is it worth it if he will never be able to fill that trophy case? At this point I don’t want Beamer to turn into a Bowden situation. It seems it is happening before our very eyes.
By no means an offensive apologist. Their problems speak for themselves and have been identified by us all. One thing we seem to have our head in the sand on is a long time trend on D. Mentioned above about BC and Matty Ice. 3rd and long and all we have to do is hold for a short gain and get off the field we give up a terrible percentage of 1st downs. I said that night that BC exposed our identity in those situations. Ever since it has beeen a recurring problem. Yesterday we had numerous chance to stop Cincy for minimal gain and instead give up 1st down. When you have a team 3rd down in their own territory it is costly field position to allow that much yardage. Saw the stat before halftime that our avg starting field position was our own 12. Good O or bad O that alters what you try to do. Especially when the other team has a good D. You can only execute so many88 yd drives. Credit our D for keeping things under control in 1st half but it would be nice to see the O start off better. This is not a one game observation but at least a few years. Also how many times have we had a lead late only to give it back. GT most years, Miami last year, Boise to name a few. Yes early O is a severe problem but crucial time D is just as big a problem. Andy, you may have the ability to research this but this a system problem that has been around for years. I remember Foster was very testy after the BC game about his philosophy in prevent situations but somebody has to question that aspect as well. Anybody that has been around football a lot knows that avg starting position on O is second only to turnovers as a game decider. We have problems across the board but this is something also we need to accept.
Beamer and Weaver should be canned first thing Monday morning, and Foster named interim head coach. The article I posted above about where Virginia ranks in producing NFL talent is all the proof anyone needs about the sheer power of the commonwealth. A serious coach could come into this state and produce a monster of a football team!
Please don’t post articles from other sites, particulary ones from pay sites like Rivals (even if that one might have been free.)
Link it? Sure. Just don’t copy and paste text. Give those sites the hits they deserve.
Excellent “5 thoughts” AB. In years past when VT started slow you always had a sense they would turn it around as the season progressed. Not this year. There are way too many problems on both sides of the ball. Another casualty of this teams poor performance, especially on offense, is that VT will not be able to recruit the nations top athletes. Why would a highly touted QB, RB, WR, etc want to play for a feeble offense like VT unders Stinespring and O’Cain when they can go play for innovative and electric offenses like WVU, Clemson, FSU, heck even NC State appears to be competent when compared to VT. I’m afraid the VT program has peaked under Beamer. 757 Resident is right, Beamer needs to go, insert Foster, and begithe search for a young progressive offensive mind as either your head or at least OC under Foster. OCins statement they need time to adjust to what the opposing defenses is ridiculous. You have to play all 4 quarters Mike, 2 quarters of football is getting you beat!
Sorry. I believe the article was from sports illustrated. Also, love your work!
Thetrend today in college football is diverse and attacking offenses. Tech does not seem to be acknowledging that trend. Would you have preferred watching the Hokies struggle to a loss with no offense in the first half or watching for example, West Va. which hung up 35 points in each half yesterday? Take school loyalties out of it. Which was the more entertaining game? Would you mrather watch the Tech offense each week, or the Oregon offense? Just from a marketing standpoint, the Hokies are back in the horse and buggy era. Time to clean the offensive house. As a matter of fact, it’s been past time for that cleaning now for about five years.
You are dead on Andy. We are in serious trouble this season and we will lose to UNC next week if something doesn’t happen and I mean fast. We are looking at a 6 loss season or even more. Maybe that is what it will take to change the OC and company.
Beamer has lived off the excellent talent that VA produces. But he lacks the talents to take full advantage of it. There are many great coaches that would love to come in and make a championship out of this talent. But they would want more money than Weaver would give.
Frank is only pulling down $2.3-million a year; we have to temper our expectations – and the rest of the staff are struggling to make ends meet on $200k+ a year, each. Frank has been and will always be a truly nice guy, but I do get a sense that the wheels are coming off the bus – any body who has driven Rt 52 down Fancy Gap knows that isn’t a good thing… time for a change somewhere, that’s all I can say.
It is hard to be perfect on defense when the defense is on the field for most of the game. Especially in the first half. The Hokies didn’t get a first own until 25 minutes into the first half. The ony score in that half was gifted to them by the defense. Giving the Hokies the best field position up to that point. The defensive secondary is obviously a weakness for VT and that hurt them tremendously yesterday. This wouldn’t be such a big deal if the offense would have scored more points. I know that the philosophy at VT is to have a defensively strong game plan, but last I checked the offense is supposed to score some points. Our first half defense didn’t look like it belonged to our offense. There was such an imbalance between the two. What is the answer to VT’s woes? I don’t know. That is what the coaches ad the AD are paid very well to figure out.
Well, I don’t think either of the over-rated TECH’s are going to play for the ACC championship this year.
Spot on on the secondary analysis. I was at the game and when Fuller came out, Manning was abused. Exum has also struggled mightily. I think this team is going to struggle hard for what it gets this year. However, all the people who say Beamer must go are nuts. Unless Chris Pederson is interested we have the best coach in the country for what we pay. By the way, Pederson’s not interested, he could have had any job in the country the last couple years, and makes a little more than Beamer.
I doubt this game will be the straw on the camel’s back but when you get a bunch you get a bail(1+1=etc.). Loyalty is one thing but with any business productive management has to use an objective view to build the bottom line.
VT: Back To The Future?
In 1992, VT went through a full season of losing, with a record of 2-8-1 when the carnage was over (notably, losing against some good teams, like #1 Miami at the time). Frank Beamer recalled being ostracized by the VT community in the offseason, and he set out to revamp the football program completely, enlisting the help of the Athletics program, and the school, in the process.
At the same time, VT itself was facing statewide budget challenges, and the school decided to aggressively grow bigger in order to receive more in-state funding. As a result, the student (and fan) base grew exponentially from late 80s to mid 90s. In 1992-93, a young 46 yr old Frank Beamer had the energy then to grow the program to produce the 1995 era and beyond.
Beamer turns 66 this month, twenty years later (Oct 18). He is not a young man anymore, but at the same time, he has achieved many great accolades in his career. We know he has already begun his own personal soul-searching (losing 25+ lbs is a huge task for a 45 y.o., let alone someone his age). He has seen his own son follow in his footsteps, and is even establishing some success at his own alma mater. At the same time, he has watched colleagues like Paterno and Bowden face less than enviable endings. Other championship programs like Notre Dame, Alabama and Nebraska in Football, and UNC and UCLA in basketball, have all gone through a decade of turmoil while the coaching carousel revolved around one failed search after another to find the right fit for their school.
It is likely that Beamer has been working for years to set up an effective coaching retirement strategy, and we can predict it might look something like a variation of the Wisconsin turnover- Beamer replacing Weaver the AD, Foster becoming the Head Coach, and exchanging Shane Beamer for OC (and possibly even Torrian for DC)- a few years from now. While Stinespring may currently be comfortable as the OC, the hiring of Shane (and subsequently naming him associate head coach) should have been an obvious indicator that Stinespring will not be part of the head coaching transition.
The 2012 season has crumbled too quickly, however, and amazingly, one quirky factor has exacerbated the process. While neither Shane nor Torrian are ready to take over, a challenging ACC schedule (with games against the current versions of UNC, Miami, Clemson and FSU, with many extra opponent days’ prep mixed in) may force Frank Beamer to act sooner than he most likely had planned. AD Weaver was scheduled to retire after the 2015 season, and it highly likely that he stays around until then, as I have seen others comment that VT supports him by providing the financial / “family” support giving his current medical conditions. December 2015 is a still a long way away, however.
The future of Virginia Tech Football has already begun. The 2012 State of The Program should be a clear indicator that Frank Beamer will retire after the 2015 season, and it is highly unlikely anything will change prior to that time. This means that the program will struggle for greatness for at least three more years, and VT fans should be prepared for that eventuality. There is no signature event that could derail Beamer from retiring in 2015 and replace Jim Weaver as Athletic Director. Fan uproar alone will not be able to remove Frank Beamer as Head Coach before 2016.
While Beamer may continue the status quo and attempt to find other ways to improve the offense, three more years may be enough time for Shane Beamer to take over as Offensive Coordinator by 2016. If Beamer were to replace Stinespring with Shane now, he would be setting up Shane for failure, given the multiple problems with the offensive line, playcalling, special teams and overall game management. Shane could not succeed without changes involving Newsome and O’Cain.
Three more years of mediocre performance would obviously erode the efforts that Frank Beamer has made over the last twenty years, however- and he knows this. Facing prolonged criticism at his age will take a greater toll on him than it did in 1992- while the events are not completely comparable, Paterno and Bowden both regressed physically / emotionally at the ends of their careers- whether he has shown it publicly, it is safe to assume that Beamer has been greatly affected by all of the negative feelings toward the VT program over the last 5-10 years (most recently leading to changing out the coaches with Shane, Cornell, etc.)
Will he ride it out until 2016? After the less-than-stellar tenures of Bustle and Stinespring, VT might only succeed on offense with a wholesale hiring of an up-and-coming, successful offensive coordinator. In this case, that OC likely brings along his own previous staff and existing relationships, and this endangers Shane’s position as an up-and-coming offensive coach at Virginia Tech.
Will Frank Beamer make an aggressive coaching change and endanger the immediate future of his own son- either to promote him earlier than advised to OC, or to change out a significant portion of the offensive staff and leave Shane to fend for himself once a new OC establishes roots at VT (with likely his own set of goals and head coaching aspirations?) Or will VT muddle through 30-35 wins in the mean time?
What would a Bud Foster-coached VT look like? There is a 99.9% chance that no coaching change occurs in 2012. Beamer then has three years to begin a still-painful transition to prep Foster to take over as Head Coach. At this point, Foster still struggles with no offensive coaching changes, but now, he must deal with defensive coaching changes and hiccups.
If Beamer changes offensive coaches for 2013, Virginia Tech then has three years to mold the offensive strategy working with a new OC (and his assistants) before Bud Foster takes over in 2016 (and hopefully, with a clear path of transition, we don’t lose Foster to another school after 2014). With a successful OC hire and transition, Foster likely commits to stay at VT for the foreseeable future, locking in a strong leader and VT alum (assuming that his aggressive style, supported by a competent OC, leads to a new generation of VT success).
Bud Foster turned 53 this summer. If he takes over in 2016, at age 57, he might coach VT for ten years, setting up the next OC, or Shane, to take over for him around 2025. Will it be a long next three years, or a quick ten for Virginia Tech Football? Either way, we are witnessing, right now, a new generation of Hokie leaders emerging.
Andy, you may have mentioned this in a past game wrap up, but one real problem is Logan’s passing accuracy. He is missing BADLY at times – way over throwing receivers.
He has gone to Marcus Davis plenty, he just hasn’t come close at times. In the Pitt game, for example, he overthrew him on a certain TD, a play that could have been a game changer (right after the punt return), he has overthrown a few open receivers. I’m not throwing him under the bus, because this team would be 2-3 without him, and would not been the team it was last year, but he is off.
Maybe the play calls are not playing into his strengths, maybe it was his thumb (yesterday), maybe the receivers are not running the correct route, but there have been more huge misses on pass plays, in terms of accuracy this year, than I’ve ever seen.
Times are bad in the burg. I’ve said it before and I’ll keep saying it, it’s time for a total change at VT. Beamer has done a lot for the program and the school but VT needs a coach with fire, canning one or two assistants won’t change things.
The offense is bad, period.
VT made its name by playing defense and special teams. In the past, even while playing good defense, there has been one game a year where the defensive play looks like 11 headless chickens, running around and accomplishing little; this year there have already been two of those games. Beamer is coaching special teams in name only.
When Beamerball was in its heyday it was because he put the best 11 players on the team on special teams, he doesn’t do that anymore. And all the talk about the “bubble” making it harder to block kicks is an excuse that doesn’t hold water. Other teams aren’t blocking kicks like VT used to but they’re blocking a lot more than VT does now.
Once before Beamer had to be threatened with his job before he would fire some assistants. Now Beamer has to go too. Weaver needs to divorce the football part of the family. If he won’t, and I don’t think he will, then Steiger needs to send Weaver packing. Get rid of the guy who thinks 9 or 10 wins and a bowl trip is enough and hire someone with fire in his belly and knows how to get players with the same fire.
I realize that this blog is a great place to vent and it is fun to do so. I also think that we all (especially me) need to remember that football is just a game. I have no sympathy at all for graduates post Beamer who are in a rage (like you Theo) because I remember how bad we really were prior to his arrival. I also realize that Beamer has raised the expectations of the fan base and may never be able to achieve those expectations.
Taking miserable and making it tolerable is a different skill set than tolerable to really good and a still different set required than taking a program from very good to great.
I don’t know if Beamer can take us from very good to great aand the notion that Foster has a solution (talking to you 757) that is somehow repressed is just silly.
Living in the great independent republic of Texas I get to hear people jump Mack Brown every season. Despite his success – National Title and Title games – there are those who believe he is a lousy coach because they don;t win every game AND are coming out of an extended slump (since Colt got hurt during the title game loss).
This season reminds me of the Hall-Jones bunch. Beamer thought he had the talent on hand to go all the way and they fell apart. Then we reeled off a bunch of 10 win seasons.
For those of us who had very high hopes for this year (I among them) this season is a bitter pill. The team that lost yesterday on a last second play would not have lost to PIT. The team that lost yesterday and beat GT showed a great deal of heart and the end. I have no idea how CIN connected with 0.13 to go considering the pressure on Munchie and the distance the ball went. This is a very hard loss to take.
I had the pleasure of viewing the game yesterday with someone who knows Foster well am assurred that the coaches are all unhappy and looking for answers.
No one can explain to me why we pound them with the run and once success is achieved we can’t complete a pass. Davis and Thomas have no chemistry. Thomas appears to be lost one minute on passing touch and brilliant the next. The defense can’t seem to tackle anyone one minute and then get a great open field takedown the next.
Consistency is a real problem this season. Almost to the point that you wonder what we do in practice. It isn’t just one or two players either. it seems to be every player.
Anyone who has coached at any level for any amount of time is generally familiar with the phenomenon. Anyone who has that familiarity knows that there is no instant fix, only strategies to follow.
From a title standpoint this season is a loss. It is still possible to take the Coastal and the ACC but there is a lot of work to be done in order for that to happen. Calling for people’s heads when those heads are not going to be lopped off is pointless.
The rest of this season is about two things: the Coastal and building for next season.
We all have to get over it.
Can someone please tell me why we don’t shake things up on Offense … and fast!? A miserable offensive showing once again in the 1st half is inexcusable. What did we have, 2 1st downs the whole 1st half? Could I have someone’s opinion on moving LT to Tight End and have Mark Leal toss him the ball on 3 down and 7? No one can tackle the guy. I don’t mean a permanent change … just shake it up some and get LT in a position to catch the ball and get some yards! We have to try something to maintain a drive and keep our Defense off the field. WE ARE GOING TO GET PUMMELED IN CONFERENCE PLAY!!!
I love how the man that built this program is getting bashed the way you guy are bashing him……Without Frank this program would be bottom dwellers like UVA……this man deserves praise not your worthless armchair thoughts!
Frank needs to ask himself this question, “If my defense gives up 14 points in the first quarter of the first four games for the last four years, should I make wholesale changes to the defense?”
RH, your lengthy post contains so many factual errors that I stopped counting when I reached a dozen, and that wasn’t even half way through the post. As for your assumptions, well, they are fantasy.
We will face an eerily similar situation with Frank beamer that PennState faced with JoePa and that F$U faced with Bobby Bowden. Beamer plans on coaching for several more years. He’s only ‘setting up a transition’ by hiring Shane and pimping him as Frank’s replacement. That’s the extent of it.
Does any other college RB coach in the nation have his own commercials? Didn’t think so.
My first live game watching Hokies was at Fedex Field. Every year Beamer says top five, best defense, Heismann, etc., only to render disappointment. This is the worst Hokies team I have seen in years. The QB can’t read the field and will throw the ball where he intended regardless. The team poorly executes as a team. Obviously, the coaching has to be responsible for apathy. Cincinnati ran onto the field, and players were energetic throughout the game. The Hokies trotted onto the field, sat like a church choir for most of the game, and looked like unenergized programmed robots.
Shane was brought in for his Recruiting success – Frank Beamer will not choose his sucessor!
During the Alabama game I thought I got a glimpse of “Soft Verba” Recruit, Holland Fisher, on the sidelines – Was this his weekend to visit Bama!
The program is what it is, and that is all there is to it.
There is no need to try to suggest fixes to the program because with the
people in the places that they are in now there will be no changes.
Frank Beamer has done wonders for the program, but he has taken the program as far as he is capable of doing.
The bad part of all of this is the thoughts that the program may be in a decline that will turn into a free fall into a dark abyss.
It could happen, soon and easily.
Fatigue is not an excuse for the VT defense. They have a rotation of players plus with TV timeout there plenty of break time. Time of possesion was practilly even for VT and Cin. As for Bolt, he probably does not run the 400 because it would take more training for a more difficult race. Bolt wouldn’t make it in football eigher.
Any one who watched the Bowling Green game saw BG have some narrow misses on big pass plays. Apparently that wasn’t lost on Cincinnati. Tech dodged some bullets with BG that killed them Saturday. Knew it was coming. We got a big problem on pass defense.
Steve78, I’d put it to you to put up some support for your comment that other teams are blocking a lot of kicks, more than VT specifically, than VT used to, or than VT is now.
VT special teams are not as special as they used to be, but the 3 man protection scheme, and a couple of other schemes, HAVE made it tougher to block kicks.
Put up some some numbers, or don’t make the comment, because I don’t think you can.
Darrell Picket, Make that a White Church Choir.
You guys our like a bunch of old hens at the coffee shop complaining about everything and everybody. I remember 2010 when we lost to JMU and were 0-2 getting ready to play ECU how the same things were being said about the play calling. How the game has past Beamer by and we should fire all the coaches on the spot. All I know is I trusted in Beamer and his coaching staff that they could fix the problems. What happen you ask? We went 8-0 in the Conference and became ACC Champs! I feel that it’s easy to jump ship and give up but all I know is that were 1-0 in the ACC Coastal Division and we get back into ACC play this Saturday. I don’t believe that Mr. Bitter was here in the 2010 season so it is easy to write it’s all over lets pack it up this year there’s no way we can compete with FSU and Clemson. I do know this they are trying a few new things, such as using another center for some of the game and trying Exum at cornerback. Is it a remote possibility that Beamer and Bud are trying to work out some kinks and get ready for ACC play. All I know is this that Beamer and Bud have always given their best and haven’t let me down even if we don’t win the ACC Championship Game. My father-in-law who’s a devote Univ. of Iowa Grad./fan was ready along with rest of Iowa to fire Head Coach Ferentz and his whole staff after barely beating N. Illinois and losing to C. Michigan the week before. But after their lop-sided blow-out victory over Univ. Minn on Sat. they all believe Iowa can win the Big Ten Conference now. Let’s see what happens at UNC next Saturday. Go Hokies!
Until the b$$sters realize that their gravy train to Miami is over and make demands on Weaver and Steger nothing will change. Lucky that VT does not play WVU – they might score 100.
With all the wistful talk of coaching changes, you have to wonder what that would look like if it ever came to fruition.
RH laid out some intriguing possibilities. It doesn’t take a lot of insight to see that Shane was being set up as the heir apparent when his Daddy retires. But with Beamer and Weaver supposedly retiring after the 2015 season though, it seems unlikely that their successors would be named without the involvement of a search committee or some formalized process. Presumably Beamer would have to interview for the AD spot along with other candidates. An AD must be a businessman in addition to having knowledge about intercollegiate athletics. It shouldn’t just be a reward for a successful coach after he steps down.
That said, I don’t see Beamer as a good fit for the AD position. Frank’s next stop should be his front porch, and I don’t mean that in a disrespectful way. His best days are behind him and that’s fine.
Likewise, the search for our next head coach should be conducted professionally and with a strong eye toward getting new blood in the program. It should be the best candidate who can build on what Beamer started here, fill in the holes and take the program to the next level. It may, but most likely will not, involve Beamer’s son.
I don’t think the head coach in waiting makes sense either. WVU did it with Halverson and FSU did it with Fisher and both were messy in the end.
And I don’t see Foster as our head coach. It needs to be someone who has been an HC. Ours will be a plum job and we need to approach it as such. We can afford to be picky. Hopefully, this institution has learned from seeing what we haven’t had throughout the last several years and will bring in someone to complement our program and position VT to put a trophy in that empty case!
Andy, what are you going to be doing in 3 years??
This, to me, looks like a bit of rough patch caused by a lack of talent at the present time. We have very good talent in the pipeline. I think that we had a couple of lackluster recruiting classes a couple years back. Wholesale coaching changes aren’t going to fix this. Something has to be done long term on offense. Bud seems weakest on pass defense from what I have seen. I don’t know if it is in the kids we have or an actual deficiency on Buds part. This was going to happen sooner or later. This team lacks a leader from within it’s ranks. Well, I am still a fan. Go hokies!!! Look, I know some of the players and staff will see this. I do not envy you guys. Is there no way to tell us the truth about things without sacrificing team morale? See, I know you try to be bland to shield yourselves. If this team is likely going to stay at this level this year, I would appreciate you acknowledging this.
Crooked Road, you’ve got about as much sense as drywall, and your middle name is Conspiracy! I kind of agree with Rick H and I have definitely heard most of that stuff already. Why do you pick a fight or complain about every other commenter that reads these blogs? Given your anti-FB commentary, I’m surprised you’re not telling us what’s really going behind the scenes. As if you knew what you were talking about.
I’m sure that FB has got some general plan for when he retires, and I would be that he has discuused it in detailwith hiis son. I sure as hell would love to see BF take over for him when he retires- BF has definitely earned it. I just hope it happens sooner than later bc I don’t want to sit through several years of losing. FB has been a great coach and built a great program- I just think someone else could take it to the next level.
I get it- he said BF was from VT instead of Murray St. Throw out the comments then.
To the weak special teams play that is the current standard of Beamerball, there is a single player that has blocked more than twice as many kicks than VT in the last 3.5 seasons.
Margus Hunt of SMU has blocked 16 kicks in his career.
http://dallas.sbnation.com/tcu-horned-frogs/2012/9/27/3416982/margus-hunt-smu-kick-block
By my count, VaTech has five blocked kicks in that same time span. One player for SMU has sixteen, the Hokies have five. I guess none of SMU’s opponents know to utilize the ‘bubble’ concept when kicking.
Or maybe, just maybe, Frank Beamer has failed to evolve over the years. Gee, that could NEVER be the problem, could it? Based on every other facet of his program? No, it’s got to be some other excuse.
Foster as head coach? Laughable! He’s like a frigging’ kid throwing tantrums on the sidelines, no way would I want to play under him at least until he gets his own defensive house in order. VT needs a head coach with NATIONAL recognition, not just the ACC stats VT puts up. Very weak indeed. Beamer as AD, you have to be kidding, right?
They have not even played a ranked team yet!!
Hey, Beamer-Best All time, are you really Shane Beamer?
RH (not Rick H), even when VT went 2-8-1 in 1992 Beamer was going to be loyal to his assistants and the “wide tackle 6″ defense. It was not until AD Braine met with FB and told him (keep in mind that Braine didn’t hire Beamer, Dutch Baughman did) which assistants HAD to go (and if they didn’t then the entire staff would be chicanned). Even in that 2-8-1 season VT was decent, we just had a bunch of close/heartbreaking losses. We scored more points on #1 Miami that year than anyone did. A late field goal gave Southern Miss a 13-12 win, NC state kickked a field goal on the last play of the game to salvage a tie, we lost at Rutgers 50-49 on the very last play of the game. The team was decent and competitive, it just wasn’t doing the little things it takes to win games.
Andy, please ask Beamer why the timeout was taken at the 6:00 (or so) mark of the 4th quarter on the 2nd and 6 play. That timeout provided Cinncy the 13 seconds they needed to win the game.
At this point, the only bigger hoax in CFB right now is Arkansas. I will not be picking VT to win this week either.
No one mentions the offensive line. As I view the 2013 recruits, there is one OL listed. Why? UVa can recruit them. Why have six backs available next year and no one to block for them?
Just read Doughty’s piece on the recruit class of 2008. We had 15 starters from a class of 31. The best either left for the NFL early or completed eligibility in 4 years and are gone. Many did not pan out. This audience doesn’t want VT to be thug U like…well the U. So many players are gone before ever seeing the field. (This is a good thing.) Journell was suspended and only came back after his legal issues were sorted. Marcus Vick showed his thug and his stupidity by his infamous Louisville Elvis Stomp and his actions afterwards and is long long gone. I am glad Mike held off until after his collegiate career to fall back into the cesspool. I am more convinced now that we are in a talent dry spot caused by the way things panned out with early departures to the NFL, transfers to other schools, and dismissals from the team. I think that with that in mind, what the coaches are saying makes sense. We really are just a play or two away. The difference in the talent is the difference between those plays being successful for VT or those plays being successful for the opponent. A buddy of mine who is in the sports media business called this early this year.
Can someone explain to me why we have a trophy case for the national championship trophy? We are so far away from getting that, it is beyond the biggest imagination. When I hear the TV commentators mention it, I just cringe. Throw that thing out and bring it back if and when it happens. Nothing wrong with having it a goal, but do it before you boast about it.
hokiealum,
I see you have noticed that too!! We generally do not recruit dedicated OL players. FB seems to take ‘athletes’ and put them into the offense on the line. It has been something that has been going on for a long time.
If we really haven’t played any ranked teams, that doesn’t speak well for our stretch against UNC, Clemson, Miami, & F$U. At least we get UVa at home.
I enjoyed RH comments on the future, it makes sense , and frank deserves a dignified exit to ad and bud deserves a chance to head coach. About the game, the winning catch for cinn was not a touchdown. He was down on the 1 yard line.
VT may not have stopped them on the last play, but anything is better that letting the refs decide the game. Prevent defense prevents the defense from winning. Blitz the quarter back, so he can’t stand in the pocket unmolested and pick you apart. Play a tight man to man defense and knock the crap out of the resever if he has a chance for a long reception. Take your chances on the penalty , instead of letting them run free. Any thing is better than what we had to endure at the end of this one , with 1.39 left, and no time outs for Cinncy. Good to read a kinder and gentler zmann! The short coach
Both of my children went to Baylor and I went to Va Tech. After watching the Baylor-W Va game and then having to endure the absolutely anemic offense of Va Tech one thing is so obvious: a whole new offensive regime and system is needed. Maybe Beamer will look to the Big 12 for answers.
It is absolutely inexcusable for a defensive back to allow a receiver to get behind him at the end of a game with only a few seconds left as occurred in the Cincy game. That requires a brain cramp of the highest magnitude and what makes coaches crazy. Yes they are just college kids but you are taught that by grade school coaches.
71 Hokie is spot on about the trophy case. Which comes first, the turkey or the egg?
Shane Beamer was brought in because of his recruiting reputation in the mighty SEC. There is no “pimping” as the “unbelievable CROOKED road” keeps harping on and there is no heir apparent. Shane Beamer is his own man and will make decisions that work for him and his family. He did not take the path the other coaches sons (Grogh, Bowden, Paterno,Spurrier, etc.) did. He did it on his own and he doesn’t need VT to give him a job. I am sure if he wasn’t working so hard to help make things better this
Saturday and he had time to read bloggs from people who probably don’t contribute to the program except hide behind a computer screen, he would decline the honor of coaching the Hokies. Just remember he loves and wants the team to do well more than any of you. He and his father were VT players, graduates and now coaches. Their love for VT doesn’t get any deeper than that.
All schools have off years for many reasons. You can blame it on anything you want but it is a fact. I laugh when I read someone saying ” if you are satisfied with 10 win seasons and ACC championship game each year”. Are you kidding me!!!! There is not a team in the country that wouldn’t want to have we what we have. Things will be corrected and we will get better. It may not be this year. We may have a losing seanson this year and I will be disappointed but I am still proud of being a Hokie and still ride around with the magnets on my car and the flag flying from my house. I am a loyal fan through good times and bad.
SPign, excellent job of protecting the shield. I just feel so inferior to a guy whose dad hired him for a job based on his ‘reputation in the mighty SEC’. His reputation as? He was defensive backs coach and recruiting coordinator for South Carolina. Recruiting coordinator is not allowed to recruit, but instead handles the administrative side of it. Ask Jim Cavanaugh.
Again, I’ll ask – what other RB coach in the nation has his own commercials? Shane not being groomed for head coach? Why was he named Associate Head Coach?
Protect that shield, fellows…
Other coaches’ sons – like Bowden, Paterno, Spurrier, Holtz, etc. all worked for their daddies, didn’t they? Trying to determine how that differs. Before the knee jerk response, better google them to find out their resumes compared to FB2. I’ll save you the time. They all spent time at various other schools, just like SHane, and then got job offers from their daddies, just like Shane.
Remind me again how Shane was different? Besides having his own commercials as a position coach under his daddy, which not even JoePa’s, Bobby Bowden’s, Steve Spurrier’s, or Lou Holtz’s sons could manage?
the sad part about this early season debacle is the coaching staff wont make many changes in there play calling you watch….maybe for a game or two then theyll be right back to theyre run up da middle (with a weak OL i might add) and then ten bubble screens a game as if opposing defenses dont look at our game film or somethg as if these other teams coaches are stupid smdh!!!!!!!!!