Which will be better? I think 2007 was one of my favorite teams/seasons ever. That secondary was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G. Could it ever be better than: Macho, Flowers, DJ Parker, Kam?
I think DJ Parker is probably one of the most underappreciated players we have ever had. He's like the D version of Jeff King. True Hokie fans really know just how awesome those guys were.
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Now 2012... has some potential. Fuller and Exum could really give us that CB duo the same way Macho/Flowers did. Bonner seems to be able to lay the wood and a heady football player. Jarrett is an unknown but all these guys have strong upside. It's easy to be optimistic.
2007 vs. 2012
Funny you mention this. I was just watching all four of the VT highlights last night on YouTube as part of my annual "get ready for football season" tradition. Those guys were mean as shit and had a knack for big plays. They had some stud line backers in front of them too which helped them play loose but aggressive. We have the potential to be even better this year considering how strong our D line and LB's are. yikes
Chancellor was a force against the run at rover but a bit of a liability in the passing game. I recall him (and basically everyone else, to be fair) getting torched early by LSU.
I think Bonner and Jarrett have the converted-corner skills on their side, as that should help a lot in single coverage. However, I would look for Bud to try to generate pressure just from the front 4. I don't think you'll see a lot of blitzing from the secondary or safeties sneaking up to check the run as much.
2013
I think the secondary will be fine this season (as long as they can stay healthy), an aggressive defensive line will really benefit the guys behind them. I think Fuller will be an All-ACC player, Exum has the chance to break though, but next year is when they steal the show, maybe the best in the country... All four projected starters return, Kendall's on campus, Manning, Tookes, Boye, Frye, Riley are all a year older. I'm too excited for it.
2013 should be way better than 2012 in the secondary. 75% of the starters are at a new position this year, there could be some adjustment period. After they settle in (and with the youth coming up), this unit could be special.
2007
and at this point it, isn't close.
2007 by far, especially when you add in a big play nickle in Virgil.
These guys have a bunch to prove. Exum was always on his guy in coverage, but really struggled to find the ball. He ended up with his back to the receiver numerous times (with Michigan's last touchdown standing out, but he got toasted against Arkansas State in the 2nd quarter and the guy dropped the ball.) Fuller has proven to be an excellent tackler, but not a big playmaker IN THE PASSING GAME with breakups and INT's. I think Bonner had as many picks as Fuller and Exum last year. 2007 had playmakers, even if they got burnt from time to time.
Jarrett is a guy who just made more sense to me at corner. If they are planning on playing a bunch of man and 4-4 G, he should be fine in coverage, but playing the angles in run pursuit after years at corner would be tough.
considering....
alone that flowers is the greatest cb to come out of vt...
2007 > 1.5x 2012
if that makes sense. lol
The only known commodity is Fuller
Exum playing CB at 224 is a question mark. Bonner and Jarrett don't have the playing experience. And who is the Nickle CB this year? A 155 lb freshman? (I actually think, if RVD doesn't start at Whip, he'll be the Nickle DB/Whip this year.) And even Fuller is somewhat of an unknown, considering he's mostly played Nickle DB/Whip the past 2 years.
2007, and it isn't even close. But, let's re-evaluate in December, and see if Gray's experiment makes him look like a genius.
yeah, this was a dumb question. i guess i just got wrapped up in the hype and the ipa i was drinking when i posted! clearly 2007 is better by a long shot at this point. but i like potential of 2012 and think that maybe, if the cbs hit their full potential, this secondary could be something special