Since I'm not a member of the "media" I wasn't in Blacksburg for the Hokies' 2010 Media Day, but thanks to the magic of the Interwebs and excellent coverage from talented writers and reporters I felt like I was. As always, I do have opinions...
It felt like there was a lot of buzz around two kids who probably won't see the field much in '10.
David Wilson is a special, classy kid and when he gets his opportunity he will prove to be a special player. He exhibits the heart of a champion training to win the starting job this year, but, and we all know this, because of the depth and talent at running back he will redshirt. That doesn't mean we can't ogle his ninja skills.
In his world, gravity isn't a law, but rather a suggestion. Watch the video here.
Simply put Nick Acree is a freak (who we need to come up with a nickname for). It's like Beamer Co. got their hands on some real life NCAA 11 create a recruit and voila Acree appeared. However, he's raw and will no longer be playing against pushovers on the offensive line. It will take him time to learn the playbook and proper techniques. I was hoping he'd be able to get up to speed mentally and technically in camp and be able to contribute this year, but the coaches seem very impressed with how much bigger and better looking the rest of the iffy defensive linemen got. Both Isaiah Hamlette and Joe Jones were moved from defensive end to tackle and have filled out. Hamlette and Jones were 6'4" 247 lbs, 6'2" 265 lbs in the spring and now check in at 6'4.5" 270 lbs, 6'3" 277 lbs respectively. It's a no-brainer that the experienced players will have the edge on playing time. Coach Wiles did drop this quote about Acree's role against Boise State, which was my favorite among coaches.
Well, we're going to walk him out to the coin flip regardless – with a chain around his neck, going, 'Arr! Arr! Arr!'
As for the veterans, a lot of attention was paid to Ryan Williams talking about the Heisman. Let's start the officially unofficial campaign right now, RMFW FOR HEISMAN Y'ALL. Thankfully he's focussed on something much more important.
"So if we don't go undefeated or anything of that sort, nobody on this team will win the Heisman regardless of what you do. And that's how I feel about the Heisman. Even if we go undefeated, I still won't be worried about the Heisman, really. It would be great to have it, but I'm worried about trying to go to the national championship rather than win the Heisman – and win the national championship. So that’s how I look at it."
Williams showed up to camp slimmer weighing 202 lbs down from 211 lbs in the spring. On the one hand, being lighter should mean being quicker and that much more elusive. But on the other hand, he will be less durable. But I guess that isn't as important with Evans back and able to truck defenders.
And in other news from the meat market Blake DeChristopher came into camp overweight. Alex Jackson notes that it was a sensitive issue for the big man.
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Frankly, I'm not worried about it either. DeChristopher is a two year starter who knows what it takes to go the distance during a game. He'll be ready to go.
Finally, Kenny Lewis Jr. didn't report to camp effectively ending his career as a Hokie. I'm bummed. The best of luck to him with whatever he embarks on next in life.
Comments
RMFW FOR HEISMAN Y'ALL
I saw somewhere that the unofficial word was to give a 2:1 RMFW to Darren evans carry ratio, and stick with whoever was hot. Interestingly enough, 2002 stats:
Lee Suggs: 257 carries, 1325 yards, 22 TDs
KJ: 160 carries, 871 yards, 9 TDs
That's about 3:2 on rushes and yards, and closer to 2:1 on TDs.
So, lets assume RMFW gets hot more often and gets the 60:40 split we saw here, are 1300+ yards enough? He passes the eyesight test with his video game-like skills..if Tech raises the crystal this year I feel he's a finalist.
He definitely passes the eye test.
I don't think we'll have to raise the crystal for him to be a finalist because the award is given in December before the MNC. But, we'll definitely have to win the ACC, beat Boise State and have no more than two losses for him to be in the hunt.
I think 1,300+ yards may or may not be enough, it depends on how he gets them. If he's going to average ~100 yards a game he's going to need to be consistent, have a high yards per carry and dazzle with a bunch of batshit crazy big gains.
What do you think about him coming into camp light?
Good point on the timing, I still think we need to be at least in the discussion when votes are being casts as I remember some chart showing all recent winners were from eventual runner-ups or winners of the MNC...
The weight issue: at first I was jazzed, thinking his breakaway speed increased ala David Wilson...then I got worried that his strength would decrease and he wouldn't be able to drag NC State defenders like a crossfit routine gone bad.
But, I now have a different thought: I just read that he ran extra during the offseason to ensure he was ready to go, something about failing a conditioning test last year. So, maybe the 210+ was not his actual playing weight...maybe it was actually 202 last year as well.
110s
I did some digging on this too and you're right. This is what Jimmy Robertson had to say.
via: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/recaps/20100807aaa.html
So I guess a leaner and meaner Williams it is.
RBs
Good call on David Wilson, he's a stud and coming into Tech he was very verbal about not wanting to redshirt, which thanks to Evans knee wasn't even an option. What to do with him this year seem to be a tricky little problem, although what a great problem to have. Regardless of him redshirting or not, you are correct, the ninja skills are very impressive and could come in very handy when that trip to south beach comes around in November.
Have you seen the picture on the front of Hokiesports.com today? I think the seniors tried to reenact a Facts of Life photo shoot from 1987. I miss the old days of photo shoots in junk yards, with the title Wreckin Crew.
By the way, do Williams and Evans have a sweet tag team nickname yet? If not I feel like its needed, doesn't need to be rushed but eventually needed.
Wilson's Redshirt
Indeed it's a great problem to have. Wilson basically told KT he'd rather redshirt than return kicks and get a couple of carries a game. Yet, he's still training to win the starting job. I love his attitude. There's a chance both Evans and Williams leave for the NFL next year and he's going to need to be in perfect shape to handle the load. I think when it's all said and done he's going to be the best of the bunch.
The picture on Hokiesports.com is epic. I was hoping to find a jpg of it without any of the writing, but was unable.
As far as a tag team nickname, I've dubbed them The 100 Proof Backfield. -- http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2010/june/1/100-proof-backfield
It's a ridiculous problem
How many other teams in the entire country would Wilson not see SIGNIFICANT playing rotation at?
2? 3?