The Million Dollar Man Corey Marshall worked with the first team at defensive end, and Zack McCray, "got a lot of reps at tackle during the team period (offensive vs. defense) next to Kris Harley on the second-team unit." French predicted less snaps for J.R. Collins this season, Marshall working with the ones would seem to corroborate that a bit. Because of how deep and versatile the d-line is, we should probably use the phrase, "on the field first," instead of, "starter." There will be a lot of rotation during games, and a lot of personel groupings tailored to the week's opponent.
Of his freshman receivers, Caleb and Stanford, LT3 said they're, "raw ... but they have a chance to be great." Caleb might be a little behind Stanford at this point.
Freshman wide receiver Joel Caleb is going through what Coleman did last January -- adjusting to the college level. But there's an added twist for Caleb, who played quarterback in the latter part of his high school career at Clover Hill. "I wasn’t really coached up on routes, so I'm out here trying to learn as much as I can from coach [Kevin] Sherman," he said. "I kind of know the position from playing quarterback, but it’s a little different going out there and running routes."
If Sherman can get them both game ready, in a little under a month, he's earned his paycheck for the year.
Carl Jackson moves up to 2nd team corner and Michael Cole to 2nd team free safety.— Beamer Ball (@Beamer_Ball) August 9, 2012
Carl is 5-9, 174, he walked on in 2010. I have to wonder if this sticks, or are the coaches are trying to push the other freshman like Riley and Tookes...
Surprise, Tariq Edwards and D.J. Coles were in blue.
Newsome want 8 field-ready offensive linemen for the fall.
"You'd really like to have a pair and a spare," he said, referring to two tackles, two guards, a backup at each and two centers. "We're heading in that direction."
Going forward, "a pair and a spare," is how I'll be ordering all my drinks. Zing. We know the starters, Via and Farris will probably be the six and seventh men respectively. The eighth guy will be one of Mark Shuman, Laurence Gibson, or Nick Acree. Bitter noted Acree, "earned praise from the coaches," Thursday. I hope it's Shuman or Acree simply because we need another tackle more than another guard.
Comments
Million Dollar Man stepping up!
Other news per the Hokies in house blogger: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/blog/20120811aab.html
"Josh Stanford continues to impress. In the pass skeleton drill, the freshman from Lithonia, Ga., ran a great route against cornerback Antone Exum and caught a bullet from Logan Thomas. Exum slipped on the play, and Stanford went 60 yards for a touchdown."
While Stanford's performance is a most welcome suprise, is anyone else gulping that the Hokies starting boundary corner is getting lit up like a Christmas tree by a freshman every practice?
Stanford and Kevin Asante are noted as the top freshmen receivers. Perhaps Caleb is headed to a redshirt? With his athleticism, I still wish Caleb would have considered playing safety. It is a huge need, and he could be spectacular.
David Wang rolled an ankle today. Matt Arkema took his reps. Arkema has a great high school film, but may still need to fill out a bit. He got whipped strength on strength against the Hokies ones in the spring.. I wouldn't be suprised if Via is having a quick crash course just in case tonight.
I told TKP the other night that I really liked the way Edmunds ran through some drills that were on video the other day. I know it isn't much to go on, but he looked more assertive than Coleman and Holmes. I still want him at linebacker (perhaps even the mike with Taylor and Tyler both graduating and Deon Clarke also having a good camp) but he has a Lee Suggs look to him running in those drills.