Preseason Practice: Talking Defense

Virginia Tech Hokies football, basketball, athletics blog and forum featuring: unique columns, breaking news, film studies, in-depth analysis, recruiting, videos and jokes.

Some defensive coaches and players were available to the media tonight. WUVT's Ryan Durham provided audio of the interviews.

Charley Wiles

J.R. Collins won't move inside to tackle against Georgia Tech. Luther Maddy, Hokins Brothers, Kris Harley, Zack McCray will play d-tackle against the Bees. "Four guys [Gayle, Collins, Marshall, Wilson] will be getting all the reps at end."

When asked about managing the dynamics among all the good players along the d-line Wiles responded, "We don't have eight starters right now." Wiles listed Marshall as a starter either inside or out along with Gayle, Collins, Maddy, and the Hopkins brothers, "then we have some backup guys right now ... we could absorb an injury." "We've gotta play ... we gotta go prove it."

The d-line watched last year's Georgia Tech game today (Monday). "We may add a wrinkle here or there, just like they're adding wrinkles to their offense." Before the last two meetings with the Bees, Tech's had extra time to prepare, and the results have been favorable.

Wiles wants to get Gayle healthy, full-speed, and avoid a lingering injury. "He was able to do a little bit [today]". It sounded like he tried to come back too quickly after injuring himself last Wednesday, then tweaking it last Thursday which caused him to miss the scrimmage Saturday.

James Gayle

Ankle injury is, "very minor compared to what happened last year... This is like a sprain." However, if Wednesday's scrimmage had been today, he wouldn't have participated, "We'll see tomorrow." He can run, but can't cut and it gives him trouble coming off of blocks. He's getting treatment at 6:45 in the morning with Goforth. Marshall and Maddy are pushing everybody to go harder.

Cornell Brown

On whether he's a seen a different G-W this year, if he's improving, getting better, "Oh definitely. I'm excited about where he is. He's brought himself back from the injury, and he's picked up from where he left off." Brown said G-W's conscious of his strengths and limitations on the field. "He's a kid with a high football IQ, so that really helps him a lot." Brown said he's been covering and communicating well. In the past, G-W had been a liability in coverage.

On the possibility of a rotation, Brown said they want one main guy, but if it doesn't happen that way they want to play to strengths of the players on the roster. He finished with, "The guy that can consistently do the things that we need out the position on defense is the guy we're pretty much going to go with." I wouldn't bet on a rotation.

Jeron Gouveia-Winslow

Believes he'll be the starter against Georgia Tech. At ACC media day Kyle Fuller said he'd start at Whip against GT.

He's been working on his man coverage skills, technique, getting off blocks, and in the weight room. I want the best player to play Whip, but I'm rooting for G-W. He's worked hard to recover from a tough injury, and he sounds like a grounded kid.

Comments

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

Five star get after it 100 percent Juice Key-Playing. MAN

been on the

Please join The Key Players Club to read or post comments.

eric

"My advice to you... is to start drinking heavily."-John Blutarsky