1) Keyshawn King broke a touchdown on the second carry of the scrimmage. He ran over the right side, which had Kaden Moore (guard) and Silas Dzansi (tackle) lined up over there. Cornelsen said Dzansi has responded well to working at right tackle the last couple of practices. Kaden Moore has been "bumped up." Cornelsen called out his good mental preparation and talent level, saying he earned a promotion during a good week of practice. Cornelsen said that Lecitus Smith has played some left tackle, Hoffman has played "everywhere" and Jordan has worked some as a center with the ones.
2) Hamilton noted that the second defense had a drop off in energy from the beginning to the end of their first series. Apparently Tajh Gary broke a touchdown run and Hamilton was unhappy with the pursuit and tackling effort. Hamilton said it would be a teaching point in film to emphasize pursuit and maintaining energy and pursuit when the offense hits a big play.
3) Burmeister didn't throw much, but hit some big throws to Turner and Robinson. Cornelsen said they are working on his pocket feel and getting the ball out quick without bailing out too quick when there is a good "passing concept." He acknowledged that "drop back passing" is the toughest thing for a QB. Laaser was very complimentary of Malachai Thomas. Cornelsen complimented Holston, Blackshear, King as the top group. Gary, Lee, and Malachi Thomas were "the next group of guys" who have impressed. Regarding Thomas- "he's got it."
4) Cornelsen mentioned Lofton got strong quickly. He will play right away.
5) Hamilton re: defensive line- a block of tough and physical practices. Defensive tackles have been going with five bodies through hard practices. Encouraged by Cole Nelson (first guy brought up.) Garbutt mentioned second. Barno "has been steady" and is blessed with "freakish skillsets" with the challenge of "carrying the extra weight" he has added. Noted "we will need all of them."
6) Terminology has changed because Bud Foster's system used unusual numbers. Foster called a traditional cover 2 "a cover 5" per Hamilton and he said it was confusing. Laaser said "Mod" is "modified man" or quarters coverage. Hamilton said they want to streamline some things to get everyone lined up correctly. I have heard that the term "backer" and "mike" have been changed, but Hamilton didn't touch on the new terminology.
Comments
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Great to hear about practice . Please fuente, get this team ready enough to beat the cheats
Surprised Malachi getting mentions ahead of Christian. I've heard Christian called "best talent in RB room in a decade."
But maybe Thomas us ready to go.
Haven't heard from Chance Black either
I believe either in the last podcast, or in one of the press conferences, Lechtenberg said he has some of the best hands in the backfield.
He seems like a strong redshirt candidate, but I think they find a bigger role for him in a year or two.
Early thought was that he would end up at WR. But still at RB so far.
So Christian is better than Herbert and McMillian and on Wilson and Williams level?
Talent, yes.
Big, powerful and fast.
If Kenji Christian is the best we have had in a decade or more why is he not mentioned over Holston, Blackshear, King, Lee, and Gary? It seems like we barely hear much of anything about Kenji.
Kenji had a sick one handed grab in the practice highlights posted on social media.
This is awesome to hear. I think Lofton is Eddie Royalish - I recognize that is big time company and I think it's legit. Cole Nelson is a throw back talent- love his skill set.
Offensive line take is very encouraging - if we get Moore playing well, Clements a factor etc that will create a competitive advantage I don't think many will give us credit for early on.
Very encouraging on King. I am still worried about his weight. Offense could be a strength of this team. I feel good about 1st team D, but depth is a concern in some spots. We will need injuries to be minimal in certain spots (ex. D end) in my opinion.
Side note: Does anyone remember Eddie Royal's first touch as a Hokie?
Hint: it was not in Blacksburg...
Gotta be against USC in '04. Reception or punt/kick return?
I still have a #4 jersey bought in his honor. One of the best to wear Orange and Maroon. Royal and Coale always will be my favs.
It was '04 at Fed-Ex against UCS - and it was a kickoff return.
I find that quite confusing.
I am guessing Bud used the underneath coverage as the call rather than the over the top?
Coverage names get increasingly complicated when you look at the real installs. It's all fun and games until you start trying to learn about Saban's cover 7 split field pattern match coverages and the many subtle variations depending on how the offense lines up.
Just don't let Gruden in the defensive room, he'll rename everything at a minimum of ten words.
Ham also mentioned that they will be moving the drills for attacking the ball on defense to the end of practice so the guys are used to trying to force fumbles even when they are tired and winded too.
Both coaches liked the scrimmage because one side did not dominate. Both sides exposed things so they have good film to review for teaching.
They also mentioned they have sprinkled in some stuff in practice (concepts) that they will use for UNC so they have more reps for guys in that game plan.
The emergence of King as a significant contributor is promising. He showed flashes as a freshman and taking the next step now bodes well for the next couple years when he will have the chance to be the top option at running back.
Apparently KK had a tough go of it during lock down. A home life that wasn't conducive to improving as a football player.
I had heard that he didn't really have access to the proper nutrition of a D1 Athlete or a way for him to really workout
That's unfortunate. I'm really pulling for the kid!
I heard the same thing but I never heard what the end result was:
Did he lose all muscle mass and become a twig or did he blow up with fatness and become Stay-Puft?
Think he just lost some of his freshman year in the S&C program gains back to his maintenance weight. He came back around the same weight that he came in as a freshman. It's not easy to maintain that excess weight (for some) without the help of the program's nutrition and S&C.
Sounds like an excuse if I am being brutally honest. I think the statements from coaches saying he has matured and realizing the importance of each snap tells more of the story.
Even Tom Brady got in trouble for working out in the start of the pandemic... why would a 20-something college student without a home gym be able to work out consistently?
Wow, I had no idea this was such an offensive take. I didnt make up that later statement. Coaches have raved over his improvement in maturity. That goes hand in hand with falling back in conditioning. I am not denying that lack of resources had an impact. I am saying that he didn't get zero carries last year JUST because he lost a few pounds. I really like his skill set so I am excited to see what he does with his opportunities this year.
He definitely showed some maturity/commitment issues when he skipped practice to hang out with his girlfriend as a freshman, leading to being suspended for the Notre Dame game. You all will remember Keene playing RB for some of that game because King wasn't available.
The coaches had said something before last season that he didn't have access to the resources at home so he was not in football shape. That isn't making excuses, that is a safety issue for a guy his size at this level especially.
I think the acknowledgment that some kids need the structure of a university s&c program in order to maximize their potential isn't earth shattering or limited to keshawn or Virginia tech. I also think this applies the younger kids with less mature bodies even more than some of the older players who might be able to maintain an already developed body due to 3-4 years of consistent structure.
You can call it an excuse if you like, but that seems pretty narrow as kids have different resources and support systems at one while at college the team serves everyone. To say that a change like that isn't impactful is sticking your head in the sand.
I'll follow that up with I think this year is a good test of the program and new facilities as I am very hopeful we will see some kids who have made big leaps due to the fact they have that structure back in conjunction with upgraded facilities (especially nutrition).
Those physical leaps needs to translate to productivity on the field, but if many kids made big gains it's likely at least some of that translates into some pleasant surprises with players
All I read in your comment was smoothie bar!
Lol - fair. If they help us win - go smoothies!
JHam needs to make them all watch the DK Metcalf pursuit one hundred times.
EDIT: I realized, as I hit "Post", that this is not a defensive effort, but the teaching point should be that effort should never be compromised because you think you're out of the play.
Especially since Burmiester is the fastest on the team.
Case in point:
UVA thinking they're running back a pick sic... Oh woops sorry, you're tackled by the quarterback.