After Trey Edmund's injury, one of the big question marks heading into the Sun Bowl is the running back rotation. Not only was there concerns about the lack of a "power back", but I am sure Scot Loeffler and Shane Beamer had major concerns about playing a 3-4 front with big outside linebackers rushing off the edge and blocking them with J.C. Coleman and Chris Mangus (see Coleman's attempted block on Eli Harold in the Commonwealth Cup.) Once bowl practice started, the buzz name seemed to be Jerome Wright.
OC Scot Loeffler said #Hokies will probably rely on J.C. Coleman most at RB. Also mentioned Jerome Wright. Said Joel Caleb is healthy.— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) December 29, 2013
Wright spent most of the season as Sam Rogers' backup at fullback. He had some impact in the passing game, but struggled as a lead blocker. He does have a big frame that could give the Hokies some bang inside on short yardage (which suggests that Logan Thomas doesn't factor as much into the running game plan as he did early in the season.) As a bigger body, he matches up better physically against the athletic, 240 pound linebackers that bookend the UCLA defense.
At the same time, it certainly is possible that the Hokie staff again is executing a campaign of misinformation. Perhaps they will use an alignment early in the game where Wright is positioned as a blocker, but slips behind Barr or Jack on a clear out pass. Perhaps the Hokies want to imply that they plan to use more power running sets, and instead will feature the jet sweeps with scat backs Coleman and Mangus. As you will recall from my film review of the UCLA defensive front, Arizona State torched the Bruins on several jet sweeps where the quick scat back got the edge without even blocking Barr. Mangus is still listed as the No. 2 tailback on today's Hokie depth chart: http://www.hokiesports.com/football/depth/.
And, this is a fight for a job next season. Virginia Tech has commitments from two powerful tailbacks in Marshawn Williams and Shai McKenzie. Both are enrolling early and Williams will be able to compete for carries in spring practice. If you add Taylor to the mix, the Hokies will have seven scholarship players at the tailback position. That isn't tenable. Whoever gets carries tomorrow will speak volumes about the potential running back competition before the Ohio State game.
What will you be looking for tomorrow?
Comments
This is why you always must have plenty of options on your roster in the backfield, for contingencies and depth.
Push/Yards after contact and blitz pickup from Wright. I'm not expecting anything from the speed/breakaway department. I think JC's only chance is misdirection and catching passes in WIDE open space. But I often don't know what I'm talking about. Maybe he's been injured all season. If Caleb is in there it could get interesting but he doesn't really have breakaway speed either I don't think.
I'm starting to get really interested in the idea of Caleb at LB. James Anderson had a similar progression from offense to defense no? Wasn't he recruited as a WR?
I wasn't pay that close attention to recruiting when Anderson came in, but if I remember correctly another whip (Brendan Hill) started out as a receiver.
Yep. Brendan Hill came back after his indefinite suspension with MV5 playing on the defense. Playing pretty well I might add.
Anderson was recruited all the way as an LB.
Maybe you're thinking about Justin Hamilton? He was recruited as an RB, but ended up playing FS. That kid was willing to play anywhere if it helped the team.
holy cow this last part really threw me...I'm starting to feel like these reviews were lessons in a class all semester and that this write up is the preamble to the final exam. I almost feel like I have to submit a full blown game review following the Sun Bowl to French for grading...
I don't think I'm prepared yet..I haven't studied!!! It's going to be a late night... O.o
They have plenty of options, but there have to be some unhappy campers. These kids are not dumb. No matter what positive reinforcement they receive, if they are not getting carries when the top back is injured, they are not going to get carries when he comes back and you add two potential workhorse guys to the mix. As well as Chris Mangus played when he was given the opportunity, you know he has to be frustrated if he isn't getting significant work tomorrow. And, what do they do with Joel Caleb? He is too talented an athlete to not play somewhere, but the receiver position (assuming that Harrison does sign) and the running back positions are now loaded. Where can he get reps and play quickly after two years learning two positions?
I think that the active pursuit of big backs like Williams and McKenzie (who look the part of a Ricky Bustle-era VT tailback) means Coach Beamer wants to get back to the Lee Suggs-Kevin Jones-Ken Oxendine-Brandon Ore every down back.
Tomorrow could very easily be Caleb's only chance to make an impact and prove himself as a running back. I honestly have no clue where Caleb can go to see playing time, but he needs to be on the field somewhere.
I am also worried about Mangus' future if he does not get an opportunity tomorrow. Is his role the backup change-up guy (meaning, JC's backup)? I think Mangus is too talented for that, but JC is the kind of guy that is hard to displace because of the intangibles he brings as a positive force in the locker room and on the recruiting trail. I am not saying it should be this way, just that it IS this way and that there will be attrition.
Caleb befuddles me. I recall he was the #1 guy in VA before his injury in high school. Did he never fully bounce back? Is he just not able to fully grasp the new positions he has tried? Does anyone who feels comfortable analyzing film believe that he was truly a top-100 player coming out of high school? This was a kid with offers from all the upper-tier SEC teams (Bama/LSU/etc). How frequently do we get THOSE kids? At the end of the day, we have to find the spot for him. Given the pipeline and the mention of Wright over him tomorrow, I am hard-pressed to believe it is tailback. I believe our current coaches do a better job of this versus their predecessors and hope that Caleb blows up in a good way FOR US next year.
He was used at quarterback in high school. Unless he played receiver at camps, he came in as an athlete who needed to learn how to be a receiver. Moving him to running back, which may have been needed to quell depth concerns, may end up being a major backfire. If he could have learned how to get separation on the edge and been a deep jump ball threat, he would have given the Hokies exactly what they needed to compliment the rest of their passing game.
Don't know extent of injury but sometimes injuries take a while. Don't know if he has done a redshirt year, but in retrospect perhaps he would have been better served with this year having been a RS.
It is what it is hopefully he can continue a college level fitness program and find another level in his athletic development.
2014, the year of the RB.
I count 10 potential running backs on scholarship next year.
returning players:
T. Edmunds (rSO)
JC Coleman (JR)
C. Mangus (rSO) (moves to WR?)
J. Caleb (rSO) (moves to WR?)
J. Wright (SO) (probably goes back to FB/HB)
enrolling in 2014:
M. Williams (FR)
DJ Reid (FR)
T. Taylor (FR) (plays LB?)
S. MacKenzie (FR) (probably red-shirts)
wildcard:
D. Harris
lol @ Drew Harris
Drew Harris will commit to college when Derrick Rose returns
Or when Frank gives Peter Rose another chance
Or when Harbaugh finally gets the balls to put Tyrod in
Wow that is a lot of guys at RB. I've been saying all year that I love Mangus if only because he's really exciting to watch, don't love JC because I haven't seen the production from him, and think Edmunds could be a great LB but appears to be entrenched at RB. I can't say I know much about Caleb because of lack of exposure to him, and thought Jerome Wright was probably a FB/HB/TE type, but buried down the chart. I'm excited about MMFW.
2014 may very well be the year of the running back, and hopefully the Edmunds/Mangus/Williams trio will pay off.
It does suck that someone (or multiple people) might wind up losing starting their job, but at the same time, that's the environment you want. Competition is healthy and should bring the best out of each player, and the best players deserve to start. I think our coaches typically do this (with one or two exceptions)
Also, regarding the 'Joel Caleb is too talented not to play' comments, didn't we see the same with Nick Acree a few years ago? We're all in agreement that Caleb is a physical specimen, but if he can't seperate himself from the pack in any skill position, what are the coaches supposed to do?
I don't know if Acree was talented at all, but I do remember him being hyped because he was gigantic and incredibly strong. Although it may be a good comparison to Caleb, because all I've heard of him is that he is really talented but not great on the Xs and Os side.
I'm confused. We have Mangus and Caleb as backup running backs, yet we are thinking about using the current backup fullback to a true-freshman walk-on as the primary backup running back? This has to be a misquote or taken out of context.
Not really. Edmunds was an every-down back, capable of running outside or between the tackles. JC and Mangus are fast, but not between-the-tackles type runners. We can't base our entire running game on end-arounds and sweeps, so someone has to be that bruising back. I'd rather JC and Mangus not get annihilated by doing something for which they're not physically suited.
Pretty sure Wright was recruited as a running back, he is only at FB because there are so many backs. And really Wright and Rogers got most of their playing time because Beiro never recovered and had to give up football. Although, with his hustle, Rogers was going to get playing time no matter what.
The truth is that we don't have ANY RB's and the coaches are looking for somebody, or anybody, to fill the gaping hole. Maybe Wright can at least be semi-effective...he has the size.
I'm pretty surprised by this development. In my opinion, Joel Caleb was clearly a talented runner every time I saw him. I'm not sure if he just can't learn the playbook or what is going on, but at this point it looks like he isn't going to be a key contributor at that position moving forward.
If that's the case, there are other holes on the depth chart that he should be able to help the team at. If Caleb doesn't make a move during the bowl game, expect him to be at a different position come spring.
What position would you project him to move to? There's already more depth coming in at receiver and safety for next year. A true whip LB?
How about kicker?
Now you're talking.
I truly believe our run game will be better with the number of backs we have next year. They all have ability but the ones that show how much they want it through effort every play will get the carries. We will be pleased.
'Tis a ruse. This fullback (I already forgot his name) will play less than 10 plays. LT will have 20+ carries.
Shhhh..... Don't give it away!
I don't think JC has developed quite the way the coaching staff (and fans, let's face it ) wanted him to. A lot of that is on his nagging injuries this month, but remember he was the #101 player in Rival. But he hasn't had a play from scrimmage this year more than 13 yards. Let that sink in.
I know Shane had those comments about JC refusing to come out, vs. Miami I think, but if he's not getting it done, then other options need to be explored. I wonder if any of this has to do with honoring promises made to his coaches in the 757 and the VT staff doesn't want this to turn into a Greg Boone thing.
This^^^^ me and my roommate have discussed this at length. Other than the duke game last season, JC has not proven to be a quality college back. He has looked good returning kicks but I would rather Magnus do so and get way more playing time. I think tomorrow is important in judging Shanes ability at being a good running back coach as he supposedly decides on the rotation.
Well hold on a second here. I think JC's looked pretty darn good at times later in the season, notably Miami and UVA. Of course, he's not a great short-yardage back, but I think he's shown us a decent amount.
Is JC as good as Mike Imoh? If your answer is no, then remember that Mike Imoh is the worst Hokie starting RB since Lamont Pegues. I know he is a good kid, but he doesn't show any of the elusiveness you need to be successful as a small back.
In the open field, probably not, no. But still, the last couple games he's shown the ability to make sharp, decisive cuts and get upfield. That counts for something, IMO.
JC has had his shot at jet sweeps, off-tackle and pick-your-hole zone blocking. No carries beyond 13 yds! That says it it all.
There's a big difference between 'has shown the ability to do' and 'can do consistently'. Lately, we have been missing the latter (at a variety of positions), and it has really, really hurt us the past two seasons.
Yeah, the whole "consistency" bit has been lacking all over the place. Are we really surprised we're not seeing consistent play in the first year under a new OC?
Besides, this hasn't exactly been a big-play offense. How many 13+ yard runs has Trey had? Pretty sure it's a single-digit number. Not a knock on Trey, just sayin, this offense isn't currently set up for big, explosive plays.
i'm not sure if it's the offense or if it's the skill players this year. i believe in trey more than others on the board but i have to think david wilson would have plenty of 13+ yarders in this system.
Probably a combination of both. Of course, it might be a tad unfair to compare anyone to DW.
Man, I guess I REALLY offended at least 2 people. Shame on me.
Like I said in a different thread, someone is just trolling. Lots of random downvotes
I just feel he could be a liability in this game in pass pro against UCLA's big front seven, and he hasn't shown the production in the run game to balance out his pass pro weaknesses. Just my opinion.
What I don't get is why we don't split him out wide with a WR put a TE on the same side and run a little flare screen to get him into space.
Another thing that might not help JC is size.. no not to to break tackles but to see running lanes. Call me crazy but sometimes you have to be able to see your o-line and their position to block and see the gap. JC gets caught up wayy too much for my liking.
They have tried. While JC has made some catches (his best game catching the ball came against the Seminoles last year), he has a tendency to not catch the ball cleanly so he loses forward momentum. David Wilson had the same problem his senior year, which really limited his production in the passing game. Meanwhile, Chris Mangus looked much more fluid catching the ball in stride and getting up field. That was a major reason why I didn't understand why Mangus didn't play more of a role on 3rd down as the season progressed until Edmunds proved that he could make plays in the passing game as well.
makes sense, I remember Mangus got a good screen/flare pass and took it to the house this year. Am excited to see his role today, I think it could be bigger than caleb's
Do you mean David Wilson's senior year of high school? He left VT one year early (which resulted in him being 1st Round pick for the Giants).
I think he meant junior year or just the last year he was at Tech
Personally I do not think Jc is that good of a back. It also says something about our running back core when the coaches recruit 5 rbs. Yes Jc may have been highly rated coming out of high school, but not all kids work out. Hes proven he can not take on a blitzing Lb, and is an absolute hazard for our QB. To me that ship has sailed. He will be lucky to get on the field next year with Shai and Marshawn coming in. As for today, I hope Caleb and Wright can produce, other wise its going to be a long day.
I would really like to see Caleb get more carries. He at least looks natural at that position. We know he is a capable runner, but how many carries does he have? I would also REALLY like to see other people returning kicks.
NEW PLAN. SAM RODGERS AND JC COLEMAN AT RB, JEROME WRIGHT AT FB.
ALL CAPS!
since you're yelling, the plan is convincing enough...
I don't see Caleb playing much at all. If I remember earlier in the year Shane and Co expressed feelings that he wasn't up to speed and that he didn't quiet get the playbook yet. I think its been a slow process for him and it will only get worse/ he will fall on the depth chart if he can't get things.
Lets not Forget that Joel Caleb was Ranked the #2 Player in the State of VIRGINIA behind Eli Harold (UVA Defensive End) I want this guy so badly on the field for his physical talent. Rivals and 247 were comparing this guy to Percy HArvin when he was coming out of high school.
In my Humble Opinion, Caleb should be playing Slot Reciever next year. He is a Big body reciever with quick speed.
Okay, do we have a troll on our hands or just someone who doesn't realize you can fix fat-fingered downvotes yet?
Seriously, I've seen like 5 or 6 downvotes in the last two days for comments that are nowhere close to offensive or disrespectful...
It's someone who wants Caleb to be the new kicker lol .. or better yet maybe its Caleb himself...
Haha what if secretly all the players stalked the site and took note of everything that is said
Somewhere Logan is curled up in the corner of a dark room saying "you mean I was a tight end this whole time??"
I'm waiting for the day that TKP gets some after game recognition by a player in their interview/recap..
These Look like some old school MARIO and LUIGI Nintendo Fireworks.
It's actually a picture that was refocused after it was taken through editing. My friend is a computer/editing guru..
Anyone have any links on the game? PLease share