A Few Things To Remember About Logan Thomas
With the football season now just days away, it's prudent for all of us to take a quick timeout from watching Billdozer's video on loop and talk about something one last time.
Logan Thomas is a rookie quarterback.
Logan's physical presence and potential has earned massive amounts of attention for someone who is entering his first season as a starter of the No. 13 team in the country. And while the schedule is easy and things look insanely promising, we need to take a quick step back and look at all of this one more time and enter the season on a sane mental note.
1. Logan Thomas is green. Not like the Hulk. Actually, who knows what Logan is like in his personal time - maybe he does turn green when he gets angry. But I'm talking about his expierence. Everyone wants to point to the 3rd-and-16 completion against Miami last year and say he's ready for the big show. But the fact remains that he's thrown just 26 passes, I'm pretty sure just one against a first-team defense. This year he's going to 250-350 passes. That's a lot more.
2. Logan Thomas is not Tyrod Taylor. Obviously. I bring this up because it's important to realize just how good of a quaterback Tyrod Taylor is. Tyrod threw just 10 interceptions his last two seasons at Virginia Tech. 10 interceptions. That's it. He had just one two-interception game in his final two years on campus. Virginia Tech lost that game to Georgia Tech.
Do not underestimate how important those numbers are. Logan is a new quarterback and will likely make mistakes. He's made his fair share in fall camp. And that's OK, that's what young quarterbacks do. Now, the frequency and timing of these critical errors is what's really going to matter this season.
But it's not just mistakes that separates a veteran Tyrod Taylor from 2011 Logan Thomas. Tyrod overcame things like sub par offensive line play and game planning at times. Tyrod was a master of extending the play and making jaw-dropping throws (see Nebraska and Stanford). One of the things most will be that slight hand wave that Tyrod threw out there followed by an absolute strike for a critical first down or score.
I do think Logan can evolve to that, but it's probably not going to happen Week 1. He's probably going to catch an ass whipping or two before he realizes that he's going to have to create opportunities that weren't drawn up in the playbook.
The bottom line is this: Expect drop off from the quarterback position. We're coming off witnessing one of the all-time great careers at Virginia Tech. If Logan Thomas is able to step in and match or exceed that, we're all going to see something truly special. But there will be bumps. Those bumps may not translate into loses, but if they do it's important to stay behind Logan. He's not going to be Tyrod come September 3.
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Comments
word to that. #
As I'd like to be giddy like a schoolgirl, I agree we have to temper our expectations.
The thing that sticks out a lot to me, is the time he has been a QB.
He played briefly in high school, and has been converted back to QB now at Tech.
On the flip side of that, Tyrod has been a QB all his life. See his ESPN feature and last minute Ravens drive.
Seems like a huge difference to me, but I hope Logan can use his athleticism and quick wit to adapt.
Not quite... #
Juxta, Logan was the starting QB his junior and senior year of high school. He completed 58% of his passes and threw 20 TDs as a senior. His size was what had everyone thinking he would be a TE or WR. In reality, going into college, he had more experience as a QB and last played WR his soph. year of high school. Add in the last couple of years learning this system and you realize he is a QB.
With all of that said, we should still keep our giddiness at a minimum as hard as it may be to do so. Geeze, is it Saturday yet?
amen! #
He came in COLD and threw a 16 yard dart! CHUMPIONSHIP! (as much as i hate Lee Corso ill use the) Not So Fast...as youve outlined so perfectly he is a green horn. Even Tyrod had mistakes his first two years but luckily all the good he did overshadowed that. IF Logan Thomas comes in guns blazing ill be the first to buy a shrine for him. Unfortunately however im a shitty gambler so ill say conservatively we will get W's as long as he keeps that TD:INT ratio positive. At worst even? I hate prognosticating these things but what I do know is:
The Schedule: For a first time in ages is actually somewhat easy--er. With the first four against weaker competition the comfort level will likely rise by week 5 against Klempsun. Nonetheless I can see one or two L's by seasons end. For rightnow thats what history shows. I do hope it changes.
Position Players: If you ever wanted to introduce a shiny new QB this is one of the best ways to do it. Our WR corps is one of the best in the nation. Without a doubt. Theyre going to have to make some of these catches as LT dials in on accuracy which wont happen for a while. These guys are great at getting open which works well as LT zips short and catapults the deep'ns. Expect more Marcus Davis in here too. Tall guys like to pass to tall guys.
Stressing the Run and Stopping it: Its been lightly talked about but Bud has instilled a mantra this offseason. The number "50" has been beaten into the Defense. He says Championship teams MUST below a 50th rank in Defense. More importantly the run defense is key. We gave up an exorbant amount of big run plays last year. I think our guys will be dialed in to prevent that this year easing up on LT having to make the kind of plays Tyrod did. On the other end, ummm David Wilson. Electrifying doesnt even sum up his talent. With Oglesby and Greggory backing him up im sure we'll hand the ball off 30-35 times a game between the three.
I really like what you said about when the mistakes happen. They'll be there but what will the impact be? CANT WAIT to find out. Im so f'ing pumped.
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
the rocket moves too fast to #
the rocket moves too fast to see who is riding on it
Ryan Williams and Darren Evans #
Or at least I'm pretty sure. I had to take a screenshot as it went by. Let's hope LT3 takes off like the aforementioned RB's when they took over, although QB is not a good position for immediate expectations.
stop the rocket #
You can stop it (assuming you're a pc, not a mac) by hitting Esc
Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.
oh thats glorious #
oh thats glorious
Must be #
David Wilson powering the engines
I cannot wait to see what #
I cannot wait to see what Logan does, and I think he will eventually turn into as good a quarterback as Tyrod was and is. But it will take some time, and im just hoping that by the time we play Bama next, Logan gives them fits. But for now, we have an outstanding receiving corps, a running back who eats chik-fil-a on Sunday's, and a pretty good defense that must be better than last year. We must stop the run this year. If we do that, LT will look that much better. Is it Saturday or even September yet?
DANNY COALE ALL THE WAY TO THE THREE
And once again, as my kids used to say.... #
AREWETHEREYET? AREWETHEREYET?
Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.
Pat on the back for myself #
For creating a Bruce Banner tag.
Row Z forever.
@AdamAbramson
Straight to his head #
I just hope LT doesn't have my video on loop. Each playback = a sip of the VT + MNC kool-aid.
Can you imagine being LT on the morning of 9/3. I would throw up with anxiety. Hopefully D wil lights it up and he takes some of the unrealistic exception's away. I am more comfortable joking about 2k rushing yards from number 4 than having number 3 be the next cam newton.
You aren't kidding... #
The pressure would give me an ulcer. That's why I'm writing this from my desk job right now...
Row Z forever.
@AdamAbramson
best example #
of the stress could be relayed by singer/songwriter Marshal Mathers in his hit "Lose Yourself" wherein he states:
"He's nervous, but on the surface he looks calm and ready to drop bombs"
www.twitter.com/BeaunerJam
"To be the man, you gotta beat the man" - Rick Flair
1999 #
Michael Vick was a first year starter (green).
Hokies were ranked 13th preseason.
VT had a "weak" schedule.
25th year for the former number 25 jersey.
hmmmm....
Maybe we run the table again, but his time win it all.
You're on to something. #
You're on to something.
Row Z forever.
@AdamAbramson
um... #
i love you. lol
VT COOP
^ what was said above #
^ what was said above
Damn #
I sure hope you are right. I love the analogy!
I am excited for the promise #
I am excited for the promise that Logan has. I expect mistakes and I don't expect him to be Tyrod Taylor. However, I am hoping to see Logan offer two things that Tyrod didn't:
1) The quick release of a pass and hitting receivers in rythem. I still think Hokie QB's are taught to extend the play and look for receivers to break open on broken plays rather than throw the ball away. Tyrod was great at it, other Hokie QB's, eh not so much.This makes up for what for the most part is a simplified passing attack (coupled with poor route running.) As result, Hokie QB's all the way back to Al Clark have taken more sacks than I would have liked, and, they tend not to hit receivers in stride. The classic example I reflect back to is against Florida State in the 2nd quarter. Tyrod hit a wide open Danny Coale on the left sideline after a scramble for a large gain. My initial reaction was "great play by TT!" but after seeing the replay, Coale was wide open initially on the route, Tyrod held onto the ball too long, and then needed to scramble away. A lesser athlete would have taken a sack on what should have been an easy completion. Hopefully with Logan, the ball will get out quicker and our receivers can make more plays.
2) LT's size and athleticism may be the Hokies awnser to any concerns about David Wilson's ability to get tough between the tackles yardage 25+ carries a game. If they do use LT as a set-play runner ala a single wing tailback, he could be the thunder to Wilson's lightening. For all of Tyrod's elusiveness, he wasn't someone that was going to break tackles or get tough short yardage yards.
I am hopeful. I just hope the defense can get off the field against Appy State and ECU so Logan can get as many snaps as possible before the ACC schedule kicks off.
Viva El Guapo
you should charge cash money #
to view the hype-o-meter
eric
twitter.com/beercontrol
"My advice to you... is to start drinking heavily."-John Blutarsky
Perhaps $54.99 per year or just $5.49 per month? #
/TSL'D Again?
David Wilson eats Chick-fil-A on Sundays.
if you can get it! #
we need raleigh hokie and we would.
eric
twitter.com/beercontrol
"My advice to you... is to start drinking heavily."-John Blutarsky
his daddy #
Just found out/realized his dad went to high school at the same time that I did and played in our conference, less than an hour from me. He was a beast in high school basketball and in the conference all-star game had a dunk, 3 pointer, shot block, steal and an assist all within 25 seconds. He went to JMU and I believe led them in rebounding 3 seasons and even the conference one year. Heck of an athlete.