What To Do With DJ Coles?
Those of you who logged on to Beamberball.com this morning were greeted with a positional breakdown of the coaches' biggest concerns heading into fall camp this week.
Pretty standard stuff. I won't reveal too much, as I'm worried Greg Roberts' smooth question-asking abilities will haunt my dreams. What I will reveal is that every position has its usual football concerns: depth, injuries, experience, etc.
Well, every position but one: Wide receiver.
We all know it's this team's strength. We all know what Jarrett Boykin's banana hands. We all know about Danny Coale's ability to go invisible and regain form 40-yards down field, wide open. We all know Dyrell Roberts can out-run a snow leopard in its natural habitat. We all know Marcus Davis' body chemistry is 4% fat, 96% Adamantium. And we all know DJ Coles stupidly ran into the punter in the Boise State game, but has a ton of potential.
OK, the shot at Coles wasn't fair, but I'm not over it yet.
However, Coles is the man I want to talk about right now, and it's because I think, like most, he has the chance to be a huge playmaker before his time in Blacksburg is over.
And that's why the coaches should redshirt him this year. Here's why:
- Coles is entering his true junior year. Thus making him eligible for a redshirt. Figured that was worth mentioning.
- Assuming nothing unusual happens in camp, Coles will be the fifth option at receiver. How often do we run five wide?
- I understand that Coles will get on the field in non-5-wide situations, but will he get enough snaps to make his eligiblity this year worth it? He's had 3 career catches to this point.
- If Coles redshirts this year, he is the #2 guy in 2012 and #1 guy in 2013. It's mutually beneficial. Coles gets the reps he needs to develop as a player and move on to the NFL. The Hokies get veteran talent for an extra season.
-
While the crop of receivers is unproven behind Coles, the role would be limited. The coaches have their choice of:
- Kevin Asante
- Demetri Knowles
- Robert Lockhart
- E.L. Smiling
- Corey Fuller
- Christian Reeves (he will be a WR) - Should injuries arise, messing up the depth chart, DJ Coles will be ready to roll. Sure, burning his shirt means he will have missed some games. But how many touches would he have had in those games?
I'm sure Coles wants to be on the field this year. He's contributed in the past and asking him to sit out an entire season filled with so much promise and a new offensive identity is not easy. But everyone makes out like a bandit here, including Mr. Coles -- whom I want to see on Sundays (not saying playing this year will prevent that).
Either way, the WR corps has me hoping we run ace back, four wide all year.
But if we're running four wide, where is Mr. Coles?
Tweet, Like, Send, 1-Up and Follow
| Tweet |
|
|
Follow @AdamAbramson |
Comments
well said #
i'm with you on team red shirt.
I like this idea much better #
I like this idea much better than redshirting Dyrell. (I wouldn't support that unless he couldn't walk and he agreed to it.) Coles is another one of these talented guys that we're so famous for polishing off and making attractive for the NFL. I agree, because of the depth, both parties would benefit from the redshirt. I've got to imagine it's a tough sell though. Like everyone else, he's been working his ass off getting ready to play. At the end of the day, my guess is he'll end up playing and averaging 2-3 catches a game.
David Wilson eats Chick-fil-A on Sundays.
Red Shirt #
For Sure, the main reasoning being that this will hardly hurt him. Sure, miss games and showing his ability therein but as said RS'ing him will allow for two years eligibility when Boykin and Coale graduate. As well, its not like he cant practice and gel with LT to boost potential in those two extra years. I smell a win-win.
Another point, ditto for Reeves. Isnt he that fast arsed TE from NJ?
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
DJ Coles #
As a member of the 2008 Class, Coles had to spend a year at Fork Union before arriving at Tech in Fall of 2009. So, he is now heading into his Junior year at Tech, his third year of college eligibility, but his fourth year since leaving high school.
If Coles redshirts for 2011, he will have spent six total years since leaving high school...one at FUMA and five at Tech...by the time he's done after the 2013 season. Additionally, there is no guarantee that he will be a starter in 2012 or 2013, just as there has been no guarantee up until now. Is taking the redshirt for 2011 worth taking that kind of gamble?
Ultimately, the choice of taking a redshirt will be up to Coles, but I personally don't believe he'll make that decision. The coaches can force him to take a redshirt by refusing to play him during the upcoming 2011 season, but he's got to buy into riding the pine during a season that has a lot of promise.
TAEdisonHokie
oh nice #
didnt realize you wrote this Adam. Hope all is well up in NYC. Too bad none of these kids came from good ol Tabb haha. Its Beau btw.
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
Party Time #
First, not sure why "Party Time" is the subject. Whatever.
@Beau - Definitely need some more Tabb products in Lane Stadium. But Reeves is the kid out of Georgia. Curious to see how he'll develop at VT. Promising.
@TAE - Good point, but let's talk about this line: "Additionally, there is no guarantee that he will be a starter in 2012 or 2013, just as there has been no guarantee up until now"
You're right. No guarantees. But I do think it's worth the gamble. What I can almost certainly guarantee is that he will not get a full season's worth of reps this year. There's just not enough footballs to go around. If you really think that him taking away significant playing time from 81, 19, 11 or 7 is on the table, then maybe it isn't worth the gamble. But, no slight to Coles, I just don't see that happening. Too much proven talent.
If DJ doesn't earn a starting spot or significant playing time after a hypothetical redshirt, what's the downside? An extra roster spot taken up for one year?
At the end of the day, you're right. The decision will be his. He won't want to sit a whole year. But if he can be as good as everyone, including the staff, feels he can be, I'd much rather see two full seasons.
Row Z forever.
@AdamAbramson
Reeves #
It's my understanding that Reeves will be started at WR. Personally, I believe that's a much more natural position for him with his speed and pass-catching skills.
CURRENT TE ROSTER:
--------------------------
13 Randall Dunn TE 6' 2" 243 r-Jr. Virginia Beach, Va. Ocean Lakes
86 Eric Martin 1 TE 6' 2" 261 r-So. Woodbridge, Va. C.D. Hylton
80 Jerome Lewis TE 6' 3" 240 r-Fr. Rochester, N.Y. Bishop Kearney
George George TE 6' 4" 261 r-Jr. Salem, Va. Salem (walkon)
Fuller Hoepner TE 6' 2" 227 r-Fr. Chesterfield, Va. Cosby (walkon)
JUST ARRIVED AS PART OF 2011 CLASS:
-----------------------------------------------
Ryan Malleck TE 6' 5" 225 Fr. Point Pleasant, N.J. Point Pleasant
Darius Redman TE 6' 5" 248 Fr. Washington, D.C. H.D. Woodson
WILL ARRIVE IN JAN 2012:
--------------------------------
Chris Hall TE 6' 5" 232 Fr. Petersburg, Va. Dinwiddie (possible QB option?)
WILL ARRIVE IN FALL 2012:
----------------------------------
Dakota Jackson TE 6'4" 250 Roanoke, VA Northside
TAEdisonHokie
gotcha #
I was confusing Reeves with Malleck.
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
He needs to be redshirted #
The arguments have been made and as far as DJ's future goes and VT's future goes, it is better for both parties to redshirt.
Phil
"People will never rise to meet low expectations."
Great article #
But if memory serves, Coles has gone on record saying that he wasn't interested in a red-shirt because of his prep year
which would explain why he #
which would explain why he didn't redshirt last year... which would have made just as much if not more sense than redshirting this year.
what happened toooooo #
Xavier Boyce??? he played some snaps last year i havent heard anything about him transfering or being hurt??
i thought i did here that the corey fuller transfered though??
#VT #BAP #21 #BlessAllPeople
Xavier Boyce??.... #
This is what happened to Boyce...via Washington Post
Virginia Tech WR Xavier Boyce indicted on felony child-endangerment charges
By Mark Giannotto
Virginia Tech wide receiver Xavier Boyce has been indicted by a grand jury on felony child-endangerment charges and faces an Oct. 25 court date, according to Montgomery County (Va.) Circuit Court records.
Boyce and his girlfriend, Angela Hutchins, were arrested on March 23 after an investigation by Blacksburg police. It was initiated by a call from the Department of Social Services when Boyce’s infant child suffered internal head injuries on Jan. 31.
The charges against Hutchins, the child’s mother, have been dropped. Boyce, a fourth-year junior, could face up to five years in prison if convicted of the Class 6 felony.
Boyce’s indictment means the grand jury felt there is enough evidence for a trial, and according to Virginia Tech’s student-athlete code of conduct, he will be suspended indefinitely from the football team until the felony charge is resolved. If convicted, or if he enters a no contest or guilty plea, the code of conduct states that Boyce would be permanently removed from the football team.
When asked about Boyce’s status with the team during the ACC Kickoff in Pinehurst, N.C. last week, Coach Frank Beamer would only say “it is up in the air” pending the outcome of the charge. Boyce did not participate in spring practice.
This, though, isn’t Boyce’s first run-in with the law since coming to Virginia Tech. In March 2009, he and three other then-freshmen were arrested for stealing two bicycles. Boyce received community service as punishment for that incident.
Boyce, a career backup who mostly contributed on special teams, had just two catches for 10 yards in 2010. In 25 career games, he started three times and caught 11 passes for 105 yards and a touchdown.
It was unlikely Boyce would have played much on offense this year with returning seniors Jarrett Boykin, Danny Coale and Dyrell Roberts and redshirt junior Marcus Davis all ahead of him on the wide receiver depth chart.
Boyce #
Boyce has transferred..
http://hamptonroads.com/2011/08/wr-boyce-leaving-hokies-norfolk-state