Chalk Talk- Bud Foster and Stacy Searels at NOVA Hokie Club Meeting

Last night, Coach Foster and Coach Searels spoke to members of the Northern Virginia Hokie Club. Most of the program was devoted to Q & A, and both coaches were thoughtful and detailed in their responses (despite a ton of dumb questions-really guy with first question asking the OL coach and DC about Dwayne Lawson?). Some insights that were shared include:

1) Foster was very kind in giving a long detailed response to my question about how his defense uses gap fits to create a free hitter, culminating in a discussion about how important the free hitter is play side in his defensive scheme. He emphasized that Chuck Clark is his free safety because of his experience and reliability, while CJ Reavis is a "terrific open field tackler." Coach Foster also noted that he can't recall a defensive back coming in and showing playmaking ability as a young player in very limited duty like Reavis has had. He noted that he has concerns about experience at the position and commented that "if our free hitter isn't at the right place and doesn't make the tackle, we can give up some really big plays" and then referenced Bonner and Jarrett's first year as a starting pair. He said he feels better about this pairing than he did with Bonner and Jarrett when they first became starters. Foster also said that Facyson is 100% ready to go and cleared for all football activities. He doesn't feel any pain and has been doing all football movements without any hesitancy.

2) Foster also talked briefly about how Anthony Shegog has "outgrown" the rover position and will be a whip that has the ability to slide out and play nickel in run-first situations against spread teams. He also said that while Mook Reynolds stayed out at corner in the spring, he is going to get work at the nickel in fall practice.

3) Coach Searels was (not surprisingly because it was a leading question insinuating that Hansen was terrible) impassioned talking about Wade Hansen. He talked about how Hansen has added strength (up 25 pounds from last season's playing weight) and a big time work ethic. He said they will be better up front than last year. He talked about how Hansen received his scholarship from Frank Beamer on the field and the entire team cheered him. Coach Foster cut in and talked about Hansen's football IQ, and how impressive it is that he made the transition from offense to defense and could be effective.

4) With regards to the quarterback position, both coaches said to expect a big year from Michael Brewer. They talked about how behind the 8 ball he was by only having a short time to learn the offense, and that a good number of his turnovers were due to mistakes by young receivers. They didn't say so, but they implied that he really was never healthy after the Ohio State game. Searels even said that after he took the big shot on a first down scramble that "I didn't think he would get up." There was very little talk about Motley, and when the Lawson question was asked (I apologize to others in attendance for my loud, groan), Searels said they will have a package for Lawson in place in case he is needed to play immediately, much like the package for Motley last year. I didn't get a chance to ask if Motley had the whole playbook last year (which was one of the 4 questions I didn't get to ask because of dumb crap like "what is your favorite movie?" and "why is the SEC better than us?"

5) Coach Foster feels very good about his defensive front. Very good.

6) Just like I have said in my column, I still think VT is a matchup nightmare for Ohio State. Foster exuded similar confidence. He sounds like a coach who feels he has the tools to give them fits again.

I know there was a ton more, however I blacked out a couple of times from mini-strokes, so I welcome anyone else in attendance to share their observations.