Bitter blog - Hokies looking for solutions after slow start vs. ECU

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git is a great opportunity to rebound, and I'm confident these Hokies will do so. I wonder, who is the scout QB for this game? Durkin? McMillian? I do believe for a time, we used Motley in that role.

VT '10--US Citizen; (804) Virginian By Birth; (979) Texan By the Grace of God.

Rick Monday... You Made a Great Play...

I also root for: The Keydets, Army, TexAggies, NY Giants, NY Rangers, ATL Braves, and SA Brahmas

"Exit light..."

That answers that, thanks

VT '10--US Citizen; (804) Virginian By Birth; (979) Texan By the Grace of God.

Rick Monday... You Made a Great Play...

I also root for: The Keydets, Army, TexAggies, NY Giants, NY Rangers, ATL Braves, and SA Brahmas

Travon McMillian probably would have been brilliant as the GT QB. Glad we got him for our practice squad now, and hopefully as a guy who can come in and contribute in the future.

Any status on injuries for us?

I am sorry but I find it odd that CFB doesn't believe in pre-game speeches to get the team up? As a leader it is your responsibility to ensure your team has the right mental approach and attitude when they're faced with a challenge. We didn't have that fire Saturday so clearly great practice during the week doesn't ensure that the kids will be ready up for the game on Saturdays. Of course it is a huge part.....

1. Per Andy bitter this team struggles with slow starts in general.
2. Our coach that doesn't believe that pumping the team up for the game does any good.

Hmmmmm. Can someone convince me that these two things are unrelated?

"How you doin', Randy?"

The way I read it was this - Beamer doesn't believe in the Hollywood-style, sudden-moment-of-clarity-and-inspiration-from-a-well-delivered-speech moment before a game. He believes in building the game up in the guys' minds all week and keeping them focused over several days, because focus and drive during practice the week before will give you a better chance to win. It is clear from the HokieVision video from the OSU game that Beamer was making a pregame speech of sorts, but it was a "here's how to focus and be successful" rather than a "Miracle on Ice" moment. The assistants were pumping up their position groups, and upperclassmen were pumping up their teammates (Sam Rogers' "we're your family," Dadi's "balls of steel," RVD's "only get this moment once" locker room pep talk). The way I see it, all of that is better than a single guy with rhetorical skills.

"Exit light..."

and upperclassmen were pumping up their teammates (Sam Rogers' "we're your family," Dadi's "balls of steel," RVD's "only get this moment once" locker room pep talk). The way I see it, all of that is better than a single guy with rhetorical skills.

This right here.

No, I *don't* want to go to the SEC. Why do you ask?

We don't love dem Hoos.

Heh. Funny, but Lou Holtz had a reputation for being able to do exactly this as well as anyone. I used to really enjoy his pep talks on College Football Live.

That was kinda the irony.

I should've used sarcastika font.

You mean stharcasthica?

I am sorry but I find it odd that CFB doesn't believe in pre-game speeches to get the team up? As a leader it is your responsibility to ensure your team has the right mental approach and attitude when they're faced with a challenge.

John Wooten, one of the most successful coaches in sports history, was a famously opposed to pre-game pump up speeches. His belief was that players should try to stay as level headed as possible, and try to completely avoid the emotional roller coaster.

I kind of agree. I think motivational speeches should be saved for final drives/plays/minutes. Adrenaline can last a few moments/plays, but staying 100% pumped up for a full game (3-4 hours start to finish) is draining.

I think back to Seth Greenburg's pregame speech before we upset #1 Duke at home. There was no chip on the shoulder talk, no underdog talk, no yelling, he just calmly explained that the game was made of ten 4-minute periods (times between TV timeouts) and calmly stressed the importance of just trying to win each individual 'mini-game'. I am in no way, shape, or form comparing Seth to Beamer (much less Wooten), but I think this is how pre-game speeches should be. You want your players focusing on small, achievable goals throughout the game. With each goal they achieve their confidence grows. Ideally, their confidence is high enough in the final moments that they make 'clutch' plays without thinking or doubting themselves.

Tech has had 17 games start at 12:30 or earlier since the start of 2012,

Don't we know it. I bet most of those were at home too.

This is going to be great for the ACC.

Speeches are mostly a creation of hollywood and post game embellishment. Occasionally, you'll have a coach who lights a fire under his team, but for the most part, coaches reinforce the principles they've been working on all week.

Take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.