My guess is that Lefty is setting things up to bust a big pass off of it. Additionally, it gives Motley the chance to really drill a handful of plays and learn to execute those very well, which is important for a guy who has missed a bunch of practice time this year. I would be very surprised if we didn't go deep off of a veer/inverted veer out of the Motley/Bucky Wild Turkey packages in the UVA game, or use something similar at the goal line (see French's film review of Duke - that little jump pass is something I could definitely see use doing with Bucky to Malleck or Motley to Bucky).
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
yeah, with his limited practice time, I'm sure they have a "Wild Turkey" type package in for him to run.
I think it will become a much larger part of the package the last two weeks. With the RB situation, we need to steal rushing yards anyway we can. If we can get 40-50 yards out of Motley, we'll need it. It also seems like Motley can push the edge more which might free up JCC. Let's see some option like Boone killed us with early on Saturday.
I wasn't a Motley fan this offseason but seeing where we are at QB and RB now, I'm in full support of seeing a lot more of him. Brewer has really picked up some Al Clark jumpy feet in the pocket. And it's not like Brewer is making throws that Motley probably can't make. I'm ready to flip the two QB's, but I wouldn't mind seeing a 60/40 split.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I'm not at all in favor of something as big as a 60/40 split. 2 QB systems very rarely work (see UVA and UNC for good examples). I'm all for a system like what Duke ran last year, having your primary guy who you allow to get into a rhythm and develop chemistry with receivers while being able to throw in your change-of-pace guy who adds another wrinkle the defense has to prepare for. I think Lefty & co. played it perfectly on Saturday, giving Motley just enough reps to be successful while not yanking Brewer for long periods of time. More of that, plus maybe another play or two which involve Motley throwing I think would be just right for us.
Brewer has played very well the past couple of weeks, despite getting absolutely zero help from his O-Line. He's taken care of the football (for the most part - that was his first pick since the UNC game) and has been moving the offense well when the guys around him execute. Motley played well in the spring, but he really didn't show me enough to make me feel great about making him the full-time starter, especially since last week was really his first full week of practice of the entire season.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I saw maybe 2 plays where I thought for sure Brewer needed to be more decisive. A big problem on Saturday was Hansen getting his lunch money stolen repeatedly in the first half. Far too often this year I've seen Brewer reach the top of his drop only to realize that a defender has almost beaten him there, and he's ended up on his back after nearly every dropback the past few games. You can't have that and expect consistent QB play.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
French will probably break down the sacks (if he doesn't throw a shoe through the TV doing so) but it looked to me like the sacks were a healthy mix of Brewer having zero awareness, Wade Hansen making his first start and RBs failing miserably at blitz pickup.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I was at the game and I'd say that at least some (if not most) of the sacks were on Brewer (although, as you say, there was a healthy mix of blame to go around).
However folks need to remember that Brewer is kind of a feast or famine guy. A significant % of VT's most opportunistic offensive plays this year have been where he held on to the ball too long, but somehow escaped and made something happen.
I'd like to see some better situational awareness from him, but there's a fine line there and I think you just have to take the bad with the good with Brewer (in more ways than one).
FWIW, I think the coaches have come to the same conclusion in the last few weeks.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Let's not forget, he's a first-year starter as well. It's not terribly surprising to see a guy in his situation be a little hesitant and unsure of what he's seeing, especially since, as Lefty said, Duke was throwing some new wrinkles at him. That said, a blown assignment or a OL getting pushed into the backfield sure makes his job a whole lot harder.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
For those keeping track at home, that makes us now 5-2 in games where Brewer has an INT but 0-3 in games where he hasn't turned the ball over. Hokie football, Y U NO MAKE SENSE!?
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I'm a fan of what works. I'm also a fan of having a way to spark the offense, particularly the run game. So I will embrace the package as long as it yields results and I think that will be the case.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Duke had seen nothing of Motley ... nor had we! They were obviously surprised, and unprepared for his presence. Those big gainers were nice. There are obviously more plays out there that he can execute ... maybe a jump pass, a screen, or a long pass. Using this element of surprise makes sense and hopefully will be done.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I liked seeing Motley in there on Saturday. I thought he was effective and seemed to make the right decisions in terms of sweeps/options. I hope this sets us up to pass a little with him in there.
I think getting him increasing reps is important for the QB competition this offseason because like many others, I am not 100% sure Brewer is the answer. Roughly 5-8 snaps a game I think will go a long way towards his development.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Unfortuntely we have not been in any blow-outs after the first game which is when 2nd team usually gets the reps (and leal had that sweet 15 yard pass!) Hopefully we put wake away early so we can get some valuable reps for all the 2nd and 3rd team guys on O and D since so many of them have had to step up with all the injuries we have been plagued by this season.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
It was a very small sample size, but I thought Motley ran with deliberateness and confidence that I haven't seen from anybody on VT with the ball in their hands this yr. I was at the game and my first thought was "who the hell was THAT?" He ran as though he knew that the DBs would rather not have to take him on going mostly north-south.
If only the KRs would do the same...
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Saw Motley play in high school and the kid has a cannon. I don't think we will see a pass from him during the Wake game but I would like to see him throw a screen to Bucky and Bucky just launch it down the field toward Ford. BOOM!
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
It was a much larger package of plays than it will be given credit for. We saw an inverted veer, an outside zone fake-quarterback counter, a fake bubble screen tailback kickout QB power (where Deon Newsome got what I would imagine is his first ever pancake block.) It wasn't just snap it to the QB and have him run straight ahead.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
I can't name the plays Motley was in on but I loved seeing him. He looks so big back there compared to Brewer, and he looks like he'd be a load to take down.
I don't have any evidence suggesting he can throw the ball, though. I'll take another look against Wake and get back to you.
Log in or register to post comments about the Virginia Tech Hokies
Comments
My guess is that Lefty is setting things up to bust a big pass off of it. Additionally, it gives Motley the chance to really drill a handful of plays and learn to execute those very well, which is important for a guy who has missed a bunch of practice time this year. I would be very surprised if we didn't go deep off of a veer/inverted veer out of the Motley/Bucky Wild Turkey packages in the UVA game, or use something similar at the goal line (see French's film review of Duke - that little jump pass is something I could definitely see use doing with Bucky to Malleck or Motley to Bucky).
yeah, with his limited practice time, I'm sure they have a "Wild Turkey" type package in for him to run.
I think it will become a much larger part of the package the last two weeks. With the RB situation, we need to steal rushing yards anyway we can. If we can get 40-50 yards out of Motley, we'll need it. It also seems like Motley can push the edge more which might free up JCC. Let's see some option like Boone killed us with early on Saturday.
I wasn't a Motley fan this offseason but seeing where we are at QB and RB now, I'm in full support of seeing a lot more of him. Brewer has really picked up some Al Clark jumpy feet in the pocket. And it's not like Brewer is making throws that Motley probably can't make. I'm ready to flip the two QB's, but I wouldn't mind seeing a 60/40 split.
I'm not at all in favor of something as big as a 60/40 split. 2 QB systems very rarely work (see UVA and UNC for good examples). I'm all for a system like what Duke ran last year, having your primary guy who you allow to get into a rhythm and develop chemistry with receivers while being able to throw in your change-of-pace guy who adds another wrinkle the defense has to prepare for. I think Lefty & co. played it perfectly on Saturday, giving Motley just enough reps to be successful while not yanking Brewer for long periods of time. More of that, plus maybe another play or two which involve Motley throwing I think would be just right for us.
Brewer has played very well the past couple of weeks, despite getting absolutely zero help from his O-Line. He's taken care of the football (for the most part - that was his first pick since the UNC game) and has been moving the offense well when the guys around him execute. Motley played well in the spring, but he really didn't show me enough to make me feel great about making him the full-time starter, especially since last week was really his first full week of practice of the entire season.
A lot of those sacks on Saturday were on Brewer. He's like a cat crossing the interstate right now.
I saw maybe 2 plays where I thought for sure Brewer needed to be more decisive. A big problem on Saturday was Hansen getting his lunch money stolen repeatedly in the first half. Far too often this year I've seen Brewer reach the top of his drop only to realize that a defender has almost beaten him there, and he's ended up on his back after nearly every dropback the past few games. You can't have that and expect consistent QB play.
French will probably break down the sacks (if he doesn't throw a shoe through the TV doing so) but it looked to me like the sacks were a healthy mix of Brewer having zero awareness, Wade Hansen making his first start and RBs failing miserably at blitz pickup.
I was at the game and I'd say that at least some (if not most) of the sacks were on Brewer (although, as you say, there was a healthy mix of blame to go around).
However folks need to remember that Brewer is kind of a feast or famine guy. A significant % of VT's most opportunistic offensive plays this year have been where he held on to the ball too long, but somehow escaped and made something happen.
I'd like to see some better situational awareness from him, but there's a fine line there and I think you just have to take the bad with the good with Brewer (in more ways than one).
FWIW, I think the coaches have come to the same conclusion in the last few weeks.
Let's not forget, he's a first-year starter as well. It's not terribly surprising to see a guy in his situation be a little hesitant and unsure of what he's seeing, especially since, as Lefty said, Duke was throwing some new wrinkles at him. That said, a blown assignment or a OL getting pushed into the backfield sure makes his job a whole lot harder.
For those keeping track at home, that makes us now 5-2 in games where Brewer has an INT but 0-3 in games where he hasn't turned the ball over. Hokie football, Y U NO MAKE SENSE!?
I was thinking the same thing just force him to throw a pick in like garbage time at the end of the half just to make sure we don't tempt fate
I'm a fan of what works. I'm also a fan of having a way to spark the offense, particularly the run game. So I will embrace the package as long as it yields results and I think that will be the case.
Duke had seen nothing of Motley ... nor had we! They were obviously surprised, and unprepared for his presence. Those big gainers were nice. There are obviously more plays out there that he can execute ... maybe a jump pass, a screen, or a long pass. Using this element of surprise makes sense and hopefully will be done.
I hope Wake Forest is an easy win and we don't have to show anything new. Then we can save any special plays for LOLUVA or the bowl game.
Wake's defense has been pretty good. Their offense is last in FBS in YPP. They are truly horrid.
Something like 5 of 8 of their loses have been within two scores.
I got VT 19-3. It will be brutal.
If it helps the offense gain some positive plays, i'm all in ala Boone'swild turkey
I liked seeing Motley in there on Saturday. I thought he was effective and seemed to make the right decisions in terms of sweeps/options. I hope this sets us up to pass a little with him in there.
I think getting him increasing reps is important for the QB competition this offseason because like many others, I am not 100% sure Brewer is the answer. Roughly 5-8 snaps a game I think will go a long way towards his development.
Unfortuntely we have not been in any blow-outs after the first game which is when 2nd team usually gets the reps (and leal had that sweet 15 yard pass!) Hopefully we put wake away early so we can get some valuable reps for all the 2nd and 3rd team guys on O and D since so many of them have had to step up with all the injuries we have been plagued by this season.
You know what one of the best things about that is?
Leal's last play as a VT football player was a TD play.
And saved us from getting shutout in the first time in years
It was a very small sample size, but I thought Motley ran with deliberateness and confidence that I haven't seen from anybody on VT with the ball in their hands this yr. I was at the game and my first thought was "who the hell was THAT?" He ran as though he knew that the DBs would rather not have to take him on going mostly north-south.
If only the KRs would do the same...
Saw Motley play in high school and the kid has a cannon. I don't think we will see a pass from him during the Wake game but I would like to see him throw a screen to Bucky and Bucky just launch it down the field toward Ford. BOOM!
It was a much larger package of plays than it will be given credit for. We saw an inverted veer, an outside zone fake-quarterback counter, a fake bubble screen tailback kickout QB power (where Deon Newsome got what I would imagine is his first ever pancake block.) It wasn't just snap it to the QB and have him run straight ahead.
I can't name the plays Motley was in on but I loved seeing him. He looks so big back there compared to Brewer, and he looks like he'd be a load to take down.
I don't have any evidence suggesting he can throw the ball, though. I'll take another look against Wake and get back to you.