It's the return of the macxANDcheese Pry-ssr. I will be bringing y'all these pry-ssr's again this season as my time allows and my stomach can tolerate press conferences. I am trying my hand at an AI-assisted breakdown this season, so if something seems wackier than my usual typos, please call me out on my BS.
- 1st practice with pads today. Completing the second of six mini-camps.
- RB room is the most well-rounded it's ever been. Pry mentions that realistically, 3 backs will be getting touches any given week.
- Stewart has good balance, he's a strong runner, he can make the inside cuts, and he's hard to tackle
- Hawkins is probably the most well-balanced in the room. He's eager, run's hard, and is a little leaner and speedier this Fall.
- Mentions Bennett, Mason, Coney, and Prioleau as all in the conversation as well.
- Watson has been able to focus on himself and not worry "about the other guy" in reference to Rangel coming in after having Schlee come in last year. Confident and comfortable with himself after being able to get playing time last year.
- Pry is pleased with Monty, Siefkes, and Ferg. Says both coordinators came in with a new plan and structure with a staff that was already set, so they had to coach the coaches and the players. The team brought in additional assistants on both sides of the ball to assist with the installation of these new systems.
- Interesting insight about how Pry's conversations with Monty and Siefkes are different, with Pry and Siefkes bouncing ideas about defensive preparation off of one another and Monty and Pry seeming to talk more high-level stuff related to the head coaching role.
- Woodson has the best motor on the team (apparently taking that moniker from Burgos). Adibi has done a great job mentoring Woodson.
- Seldon showing explosive play potential with his switch to WR, but is still learning the position
- Corner is a 4-way tie between Lovett, T Will, IBM, and Brown
- We have 5 that can play at safety with Ellis, Covil, Flowers, Reddish, and Cash all mentioned.
- Flowers was mentioned as the most well-rounded, while Covil was the most complete player, and Cash has been able to play multiple positions.
- On our S&C, "we're leaner, not lighter. We look better in our uniforms." We can work harder for longer and are consistently getting in more reps each practice compared to the last 3 seasons
- OL is more sound, and we have been able to get more plays off. The most depth we've ever had at the position.
- The staff has done a situational football "deep dive" since this off-season, and there is a certain situational focus to at least part of every practice.
- Nobody on Zoom wanted to ask a question today.
Reading between the lines, Pry seems to feel like this is the most depth we've ever had, which is something I think a lot of the talking heads have mentioned too. I am not sure there is much else to take from the Q&A, we're just going to have to wait and see if the new coaches, schemes, and players can finally get us over the 6-6 hump. Siefkes and Monty both will be talking with the media as well, and I will get those videos posted later, but probably without the breakdowns.
Comments
Cautiously optimistic. Let's Go!
Hokies!
can someone clarify the difference between "most well-rounded" and "most complete"
To me, it just sounds like coach-speak to keep the players happy or something. I don't necessarily like or dislike it but it amused me that he used, in my view, synonymous descriptions for the two - but in a way to make them seem unique.
I pulled that statement out specifically because I thought the comparison between well-rounded, complete, and able to play multiple positions was funny. He also called basically everyone either well-rounded or explosive, but still learning.
Definitely sounds coach speak-ish to me and I had the same thought.
My best guess at a generous reading that he is actually saying two different things:
Most well-rounded = can play/understands the responsibilities of multiple positions/roles well within the secondary
Most complete = Best at all aspects of the position they play (can cover in zone, cover in man, tackles well, doesn't make mistakes in run fits).
MW definition of well-rounded:
MW definition of complete:
Definitely near-synonyms and I probably wouldn't read too much into off-the-cuff coach speak. But I want to read into it and I agree with Chris. I would interpret it that Flowers can do more things well (e.g., multiple positions, multiple skills) and Covil has mastered his particular position and the skills necessary for that position.
Siefkes was extremely soft-spoken. Didn't elaborate a significant amount on his answers. Hoping that's just him keeping it close to his chest.
Yeah I'm 100% in wait-and-see mode on Siefkes. I know we've heard he's the silent assassin and all this narrative, but despite innovative scheme and upside/potential, it was a risky hire. Let's see what happens on the field first.
I'd like to see a mic'd up clip of Siefkes. Supposedly he's pretty intense during practice.
he had the best line of the day..."you're gonna make me re-live it again now a third time?"
Does anyone from the NFL elaborate? It seems after Belichick's success, everyone in the NFL takes this close-to-his-vest approach.
He seems extremely cerebral and has the history of being a great teacher. That's pretty dang good qualities for a defensive coordinator. To be successful, he would need some bull-dog like motivators for position coaches, which he definitely has a few of those. Bud Foster is also around, and he's the GOAT at motivating players to play their nuts off.
I am hopeful he can instantly modernize and upgrade the defense. His lack of DC experience at the highest levels, lack of experience on play calling, and just the general miss-rate of coordinators in college football has me worried.
While I am worried about play calling, one of his major contributions to this coaching staff is developing situational awareness. I doubt he makes the same boneheaded play calls that we saw the past few years that showed no situational awareness, like the all-out blitz on 3rd down against Syracuse up multiple scores that resulted in a very long and super quick score.
As promised:
Siefkes seems like he's a great strategist and hopefully improves the knowledge, execution and consistency of the defense. I also hope there are some strong alpha coaching voices on this staff to inspire a nasty swag defensive attitude. I'm not sure who on this team has that natural nasty attitude to bring back the old school lunch pain defense. I miss the terror dome mentality and I don't see Siefkes bringing that type of energy. I'm nervous about this hire but hoping for a surprise
There is an Adibi in the house. They will bring the energy and old school lunch pail mentality for the players.
Price is a bulldog. Cheetah is a motivator to achieve greatness. The OG GOAT Foster is around as well. If Foster is on the sidelines, there will be a sense of energy just by his presence.
If I were crafting a coaching staff, I would want the DC to be the most cerebral and the position coaches to bring the energy. It is uncommon for a DC to have both like Foster that did it for so many years.
Don't know if that was a typo or not...kinda hope it wasn't.....
Must have been eating at D2.
Thanks, max, putting this together for us is greatly appreciated!
Ditto. Appreciate the notes, as I don't prefer to watch a video.
We might be able to go 4 deep this year!!
...what's the difference between being the most well-rounded vs. most complete? Lol.
I would think well rounded means they do abit of everything well, their tool box is full. Complete is a position thing where they know the position and have put together the physical and mental.
Dax was more complete as he knew the role and fit the role than his well roundeness which took a hit with his athletism in pass coverage.
Magic was well rounded as he could play all 5 positions, Kobe more complete cause he knew everything he needed to know to attack the opposing team.
Man, every time I listen to Pry talk it makes me want the team to be successful on the field so badly. Hopefully wanting to win for Pry and the team is similarly motivating for the players.
This might be my first year as a VT fan that I'm feeling more optimistic about the offense than defense, mostly based on the coaching hires. Really hoping to see modest improvement on OL and results from an OC coming in with an offensive system and play calling experience. I'm also excited to watch whatever happens with a new scheme on defense, but continue to think it was a risky hire for DC and wouldn't be that surprised by any outcome this season.
Thank you for posting and summarizing these pressers.
Seriously, me too. In the past, I felt like I had a much better handle on the team's floor and ceiling. I feel like anything between 2-10 and 9-3 is on the table this year. If the stars align, we're a top 4 team in the conference. If none of the transfer portal players hit and our coordinators turn out to be bad fits, we're staring at a very bleak situation and Pry is gone in October.
Now what's most likely? Between 5-7 and 7-5. But it's wild that it feels like the extremes are also possible.
15-0 Baby!
Drink. The. Koolaid!
So you're telling me there is a chance JC Price could go 2-0 against UVA??
As much as I would love that for JC, I don't see it happening. Worst case it would still be Monty 1-0 versus UVA.
Price is the associate head coach. Unless Price is also gone or if Babcock skips over the coaching titles, Price would be the coach if Pry is fired midseason.
I'm actually hoping for dramatic improvements in the offensive line. That is the only way I can see the team being good. And as bad as the offensive line has been for as long as it has been, that is totally possible with the new coach and new personnel. A substantial but not dramatic improvement could be enough to have a decent season, but I'm hard pressed to see better than 5 or 6 wins if the line does not improve or is marginally better given (1) the loss of some big play makers (on offense and defense), (2) our inability to coach up quarterbacks and (3) all the question marks of defense.
OL to me is the linchpin next year.
Agree here. But I'll note on the coordinator hires, I think the ceiling is higher for the defense and the floor is higher for the offense. And I think both will be improvements over their predecessor.
I don't know if that means the team will be better with the top-level talent from 2024 now gone. But, perhaps the sum-of-its parts including better depth, better coordination (scheme and play calling), more experienced HC, and a healthy (if he stays healthy) QB will yield a better team.
And tbf, 2025 VT could have NFL-level talent. Only Peebles was easily projectable to be elite when he transferred to VT. I don't think anyone felt that APR, Lane, or Tuten were NFL talents prior to the 2023 season.
This is the important part of the summary that we all came here for /s.
It is interesting in that this season seems like it will be seeing what a higher floor will look like for overall success compared to last year which was a handful of high end talent surrounded by mediocrity. Everything seems to be pointing to overall elevation of the bottom end of our talent at every position. If this is true, and a small handful of players like Drones, Copeland, Woodson, and maybe one WR and one RB play to the top end of their ability, this could be a top 5 ACC team. Then again widespread mediocrity with less top end talent could be a dumpster fire. But I just don't feel like that will be the case this season. Let's. Go.
Hokies!
"Look better in our uniforms this year" ... hope it comes with more juice in the games than those shower pics
Someone needs to create a GIF of Prys eyeroll when asked about NIL
Sounds like the switch to Ferguson at S&C maybe paying off. If the players are in better condition maybe we don't lose as many games in the 4th Quarter. In another article they asked Emmett Law (DT) how Ferguson got them in better shape, "Running us like a motherf_____" was his reply.
that'll do it. My high school soccer team wasn't fantastic technically but we ran circles around every team we played because we were so much fitter than most of them. We ran all the time - and when rain closed the practice fields our practices weren't canceled - instead it just turned into 2.5 hours of conditioning. It sucked a lot at the time but that is easily the best shape I've ever been in - a year or two after I stopped playing I did a Relay for Life event and ran 18 laps on a quarter mile track in 30 minutes. Now, I struggle to run one mile under 9 minutes.
If we do well, I am not sure we can underestimate how much better conditioning might have factored into it.
This feels like one of those years where, because expectations are low, we do better than expected. Back in our heyday, we would consistently play down when expectations were high, lose a couple of games early, everyone would write us off, expectations drop, and we rattle off 10 wins after that. Hopefully I am right.
The ref's totally rob us of a win against USC, because it just means more. Look like dogshit against Vandy, and squeak by ODU. Looks like an awful season. Then manage to get into the ACC championship based on everyone else sucking too. Is that what you are hoping for? Because I would totally take that.
I think that's a likely scenario for a successful season in '25. I just don't see us starting strong with new coordinators and schemes on both sides of the ball and Pry has never shown the ability to start a season strong. If we're going to show improvement this year I think it will look like a slightly better '23, stumble threw the first few games and then figure out the schemes and remain competitive through the back have of the schedule.
Is it sad that I hope we shock the world? I want a 224 yard rushing game against USCe, Drones gets 82. We also pass for over 200 yds and we score at least 31. Win or lose, if we get those numbers I will feel great about the game.
Not sad at all. I think we all hope that this is the year the Hokies Renaissance period begins and Pry rips off a dozen or so 10 win seasons in a row, but I think for most fans success this season is, sadly, but realistically, well under that bar.
Isn't a snowball's chance in hell we rush for more than 150 against that defense.
But we might not need to. Sellers is a media darling, but they seem to be ignoring his fumble issues from last year. Our best shot is he's believing his own hype, and we get some turnovers early that turn into quicksand that break him mentally and mistakes get worse.
If we let Sellers get into a rhythm, Nyck Harbor is gonna put up Randy Moss numbers.
While turnovers matter, it really will come down to the "Jimmy's and Joe's" IMO.
In my heart I think we can come out with some surprises (with the new coordinators) and really make some hay in that regard. But in the end, my head is telling me this will be like those two season openers against Alabama. We simply don't have the horses to keep up with USCe. They are vastly more talented than us at most positions, and they have some depth (I am not suggesting they are Alabama).
If we can split with the fighting Little Beamers and Vandy while staying competitive on opening night I do think that will be a significant win for Pry and the new staff. I think we are all in agreement that we simply want to look like a competent and somewhat competitive P-4 football team again. That is the first step.
Vandy is key. We lost to a total shit Purdue team in lane- granted weird rain game - but both teams had to play in it. We lost to a shit WVU team in lane. This board will be pissed if we are 0-2 with a home loss to that prick Pavia and fossil Jerry Kill. Board is going to be and should be pissed.
I do think people on here will be mad if we start 0-2. I also think a lot of people on here wouldn't be surprised either.
I think splitting the two games and looking at least somewhat competitive vs USCe is about as good of an outcome as we could reasonably hope for
If we start 0-2 heading into ODU and Wofford I'd be willing to bet the "excitement" surrounding VT football will be at a 30 year low and the stadium will be 1/2 to 2/3 full for both of those games.
yeah, I think you're probably right - a group of us are getting together to go to the NC State game in Raleigh this year and we haven't bought tickets yet - I'm expecting prices to drop after we drop a few games so I'm kinda counting on starting 1-1 or 0-2. I'll happily pay more for NC State tickets if that means we're going into that game 3-1 or 4-0. But my expectation is we're limping into it at 2-2 or, possibly, 1-3 and tickets will be easy to come by for cheap. We're going regardless
Im eyeing that game as a potential one to goto and im gonna wait cause I think we get steamrolled by USCe
This is where I am.
I'm down in the Surf City/Topsail area now and am sort of looking forward to making the trip up to Raleigh. But it will all depend on those first two weeks.
1-3 would be insane, Pry should be fired immediately if we lose to ODU again
In my line of work the people that ask questions at the end of a zoom call generally dont get a christmas card for extending the meeting.
I read that Elhadj Fall is going to back up James Djonkam at DE, is that accurate? Fall is 6'3 288lbs which is DT size for the Hokies in the past. But the "thing I read" said the starting DT's were Kelvin Gilliam and Kemari Copeland and the backup DT's were Kody Huisman and Immanuel Hickman. I personally thought that Arias Nash would be in the top 4 at DT but maybe he is a DE now also? I also thought that Keyshawn Burgos would be a starter but it looks like Ben Bell and James Djonkam are the top 2 right now and with Elhadj Fall being one of the backup DE's that shocks me. I am happy we are big up front and the transfers are looking like improvements but Burgos has been very good at DE for us and Nash had a lot of praise when we got him. Anybody know what the top 2 strings look like as far as DT/DE?
Nash came in underweight and we immediately went to the portal to get 3 more DT's after that. Also he played next to that stud Defensive End that Georgia Tech got and is really high on, which makes me think his stats were inflated by defenses having to account for the other guy
I think he's probably just a depth piece at this point. Hope that lights a fire for him though
6'3" 188 seems mighty like DB size to me. 😉
LOL 6'3 288lbs, sorry for typo!
Camp Update:
Injury report:
We need to be a more physical team, we're going to have nicks and bruises
I'm really wondering about inside linebacker and safety. Who would be pushing Keller and Woodson at ILB I'm wondering. Santiago, Short and maybe even Clatterbaugh.
For Safety, Reddish should start but who will be the other 3 in the two deep. Cash had the best PFF. Flowers gets a lot of praise but French (who's usually right on these things) doesn't like him at all. This seems to be backed up by PFF grades. Covil has got a lot of praise too but he was losing reps to walk ons in the practice videos today, and seemed to be lower on the depth chart. Ellis we haven't really heard anything about. Bass seems to be likely redshirting. Sheldon Robinson apparently is doing really well.
If I had to guess at Safety I'd say Reddish and Cash to start. Flowers and Covil backups, with Robinson taking the backup spot from Covil sooner rather than later
How is the Reddish kid from Wingate doing at corner?
"Good depth piece, will be an important contributor on special teams" ~ChatVPryT
I think I'm missing the context for why this comment is at negative legs.
1. Pry is supposed to elevate talent and has really not. 2. Guys like Delane leave and a kid from Wingate comes in. 3. I make a sarcastic - but true- comment about how we are portaling D2 and 3 guys now. 4. Board picks up on my sarcasm when I ask about said Wingate kid , knowing he won't see the field- predictably- and they down vote.
Didn't have anything to do with the content of the comment he was replying to other than to try to prove a point that he's already made multiple times elsewhere. If that's not noise for noise sake, I'm not sure what is.
It was a camp update. I asked how a kid in camp was doing. It was relevant. Very sarcastic, but not off topic.
I think it's fair that you're acknowledging the sarcasm. Is the board downvoting sarcasm now? If so, I'm fucked.
Me too, but we'll go down together i suppose