I understand that there are some question marks with the RBs
- Edmunds still recovering
- M. Williams recovering from hernia and has missed most of the camp
- Shai has looked good but is still recovering from his knee injury
That's half of the RBs right there. I just wonder if the coaches are making this too complicated with all of these different packages that it hurts the chances of the main guys getting into a rhythm. Sure some guys are better at catching the ball out of the backfield, but the others can't do it? Edmunds was successful in taking dump offs last year and getting yards and TDs.
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It's nice to get a deeper understanding of what Shane is thinking, but it still gets my hackles up.
Shane needs to internalize the fact that his job isn't to get everyone x-number of touches. It is to put the best personnel on the field that gives the team the best chance to succeed, WITHOUT tipping the defense as to what play may be coming up based on your personnel choices.
I'll give the benefit of the doubt, and see how the first few games unfold, but I'm on edge for now.
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He made me feel a little better by saying "We can't play six running backs." I mean dress them in case of injury ok. Maybe have 3 and 4 for certain packages but I believe 3 top backs is the way to go, We'll see. I just hope that JC does a lot better this year than he has done. I don't want him getting rebs at RB just because he has more seniority than Williams or Shai. We'll see though. Only 3 (not including today) more days until game week!!!
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I think we're all mistaken to think that our coaches are stupid enough to have each RB only know certain plays for which they will be used. There will be some plays in which one is more effective, but every one of them can be used for any play. They are all going to learn the whole playbook so they are ready for any play they run. Will some plays be targeted exclusively for a certain player? Sure, but there's also a counter so that the opponent can't predict what will happen. And remember, a package is not a single play. A package would be something like having a goal line back in with a jumbo set. There are certain plays that they could run given all of the personnel on the field, not just a singular play because of a certain RB being in the game.
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I think it reeks the fact that every RB is good at certain things and we don't have that 1 guy that can do 80% of things well 100% of the time. I'll start to get worried if in the 2nd quarter 4 RB's have gotten the ball at the RB spot more than 3 times.. Then we can freak out.
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My biggest concern was Coach Shane's comments about the message boards melting down. I REALLY hope they don't pay any attention to what I'm typing. I know nothing about coaching football, and they would lose in spectacular fashion if they listened to me.
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you got Shai coming off an ACL and you got Williams coming off a Hernia, I would rather not burn their red-shirts even if they are that damn good. We red shirted Darren Evans and Ryan Williams. We have Trey, JC, Caleb and McMillan..that is enough. I'd rather burn the red shirt on DJ Reid in case of emergency.
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The problem with redshirting both is that Shai and Williams are 2 of our best 3 backs, and the other one (Trey) is also recovering from an injury. Shai has been tearing up fall camp just like Williams did back in spring. If we think either one can be close to 100% health-wise by the time ACC play starts (and I think it's possible that both are), he should play. Or, assuming Trey looks like his old self, at least one should play. A high-quality running game is Virginia Tech football and if we have too many more seasons without it (2 and counting), we start to lose that identity. I honestly think these two guys (along with solid OL play) may be the difference between winning the Coastal and not.
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Exactly! The coaches have a sense of urgency to win and to win this year. They will be fielding the best players at each position regardless of age and class. We cannot afford another year like the past two!!
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Running backs take such a beating that they have a short window of opportunity in the NFL. If these guys have the talent to get to the NFL (which it looks they do), then chances are they don't stay through their senior year. If they can contribute now, it's best to let them and get 3 years of play out of them as opposed to wasting one of those years on a redshirt.
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Well the debate is a healthy one. But regardless of how you feel about the rotation.....I believe we may have a stable, and that my friends is a good thing. Can I get a witness horse on a treadmill? Booyah!
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i just watched shai's highschool highlights and if he is 100% and can still make the cuts he made in highschool i think he will be the #1 back in no time. reminds me of KJ just nasty feet and he hit people with a little in out move and had ankles in one place ACLs another and the rest just reaching for anything! i think hes the future forsure!
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Comments
I understand that there are some question marks with the RBs
- Edmunds still recovering
- M. Williams recovering from hernia and has missed most of the camp
- Shai has looked good but is still recovering from his knee injury
That's half of the RBs right there. I just wonder if the coaches are making this too complicated with all of these different packages that it hurts the chances of the main guys getting into a rhythm. Sure some guys are better at catching the ball out of the backfield, but the others can't do it? Edmunds was successful in taking dump offs last year and getting yards and TDs.
Thanks for another great article, Andy.
It's nice to get a deeper understanding of what Shane is thinking, but it still gets my hackles up.
Shane needs to internalize the fact that his job isn't to get everyone x-number of touches. It is to put the best personnel on the field that gives the team the best chance to succeed, WITHOUT tipping the defense as to what play may be coming up based on your personnel choices.
I'll give the benefit of the doubt, and see how the first few games unfold, but I'm on edge for now.
He made me feel a little better by saying "We can't play six running backs." I mean dress them in case of injury ok. Maybe have 3 and 4 for certain packages but I believe 3 top backs is the way to go, We'll see. I just hope that JC does a lot better this year than he has done. I don't want him getting rebs at RB just because he has more seniority than Williams or Shai. We'll see though. Only 3 (not including today) more days until game week!!!
I think we're all mistaken to think that our coaches are stupid enough to have each RB only know certain plays for which they will be used. There will be some plays in which one is more effective, but every one of them can be used for any play. They are all going to learn the whole playbook so they are ready for any play they run. Will some plays be targeted exclusively for a certain player? Sure, but there's also a counter so that the opponent can't predict what will happen. And remember, a package is not a single play. A package would be something like having a goal line back in with a jumbo set. There are certain plays that they could run given all of the personnel on the field, not just a singular play because of a certain RB being in the game.
This just reeks of trying to pacify 6 guys so nobody transfers.
I think it reeks the fact that every RB is good at certain things and we don't have that 1 guy that can do 80% of things well 100% of the time. I'll start to get worried if in the 2nd quarter 4 RB's have gotten the ball at the RB spot more than 3 times.. Then we can freak out.
My biggest concern was Coach Shane's comments about the message boards melting down. I REALLY hope they don't pay any attention to what I'm typing. I know nothing about coaching football, and they would lose in spectacular fashion if they listened to me.
I think every coach knows about message boards, its normal. However if he called out TKP I would be extremely worried
Especially because of how level-headed we are.
I mean, call out TSL... fine, they meltdown at the drop of a hat, but TKP? If TKP is melting down, its time to get worried!
I would be PUMPED
Gotta remember - today's message boards (and more so - Twitter) are = yesterday's post game phone calls.
you got Shai coming off an ACL and you got Williams coming off a Hernia, I would rather not burn their red-shirts even if they are that damn good. We red shirted Darren Evans and Ryan Williams. We have Trey, JC, Caleb and McMillan..that is enough. I'd rather burn the red shirt on DJ Reid in case of emergency.
The problem with redshirting both is that Shai and Williams are 2 of our best 3 backs, and the other one (Trey) is also recovering from an injury. Shai has been tearing up fall camp just like Williams did back in spring. If we think either one can be close to 100% health-wise by the time ACC play starts (and I think it's possible that both are), he should play. Or, assuming Trey looks like his old self, at least one should play. A high-quality running game is Virginia Tech football and if we have too many more seasons without it (2 and counting), we start to lose that identity. I honestly think these two guys (along with solid OL play) may be the difference between winning the Coastal and not.
Exactly! The coaches have a sense of urgency to win and to win this year. They will be fielding the best players at each position regardless of age and class. We cannot afford another year like the past two!!
Running backs take such a beating that they have a short window of opportunity in the NFL. If these guys have the talent to get to the NFL (which it looks they do), then chances are they don't stay through their senior year. If they can contribute now, it's best to let them and get 3 years of play out of them as opposed to wasting one of those years on a redshirt.
Well the debate is a healthy one. But regardless of how you feel about the rotation.....I believe we may have a stable, and that my friends is a good thing. Can I get a witness horse on a treadmill? Booyah!
Indeed, the stable appears to be deep. Witness.
that face you make out when alllllllllll the running backs are playing!
FRESH LEGS !!!!!
i just watched shai's highschool highlights and if he is 100% and can still make the cuts he made in highschool i think he will be the #1 back in no time. reminds me of KJ just nasty feet and he hit people with a little in out move and had ankles in one place ACLs another and the rest just reaching for anything! i think hes the future forsure!
6 backs on the field, some lined up on the slot, out wide, in the backfield and taking the direct snap. Some in motion, some not, MASS CHAOS!
So why not just line up all 6 TB with 5 WR and do the anti-Stanford.
Everyone goes in motion, waving their arms wildly in the air. That should confuse them!