Virginia Tech announced three substantial bits of news this evening.
1. The football team team traveled to Washington, D.C. this afternoon. Look at how excited Michael Brewer is!
Who's excited to head to DC? This guy! @MBrewer16 And we're off! @MilitaryBowl Bound. pic.twitter.com/bRuKkPUyLL— VT Football (@VT_Football) December 23, 2014
However, head coach Frank Beamer didn't make the trip. He's cleared following throat surgery earlier this month to resume game day duties from the Tech coaching box in the Military Bowl, but doctor's orders will keep him in Blacksburg until Friday, then he will join the team for the game. Beamer returned to practice this week and has been reviewing film from his home.
"The doctors stress that they really don't want me exposed to a lot of people right now because of the risks of viruses and infection," Beamer said in a Tuesday evening release. "I'm anxious for them to clear me for full activities, but, at the same time, I respect their orders. They allowed me to work with the staff, and perform office duties, then, I was cleared to return to the field for practices in Blacksburg. It felt great to be back with our players. So, it's a bit of a process, and so far, the process is going well. I appreciate all of the thoughts and prayers, and look forward to being with Hokie Nation in Annapolis."
"I'm encouraged with Coach Beamer's progress to this point," Dr. Gunnar Brolinson, D.O., Head Team Physician, said in a Tuesday release. "His surgery will require follow-up treatments moving forward. Our goal right now is to get him back to full strength and back to his full routine. He's really chomping at the bit, but it's my job to ensure that we continue on the road to recovery and don't do anything that will result in a setback. We've made a great deal of progress and it's prudent to continue to proceed cautiously."
It's unclear how the follow-up treatments will affect Beamer's coaching duties in the future.
Brolinson said in a December 6th release, "The procedure went as planned, without complications, and he simply needs some rest before he returns to his normal routine. He's been cleared to continue his game planning and film study and will return to the practice field as soon as possible."
At that time, there was no mention of follow-up treatments and Beamer's status was seemingly more cut-and-dry—in essence, with time Beamer will be good to go.
I expect as little information as possible to be divulged by Virginia Tech. This is both a health issue and a Virginia Tech football issue. Beamer Co.'s always dealt with football issues in-house (see below), and everyone should have privacy with respect to their health.
This is a delicate situation. Beamer's a father, husband and grandfather. His health matters to those people, himself and it should be the priority. On the other hand, he's the CEO and face of Virginia Tech football. Head coach is a round-the-clock job and some responsibilities are impossible to delegate.
It's entirely possible the follow-up treatments were something anticipated prior to the surgery, in which case everything is probably going according to Beamer's, Tech's and Brolinson's plan.
2. Wide receiver Josh Stanford has permanently left the program. Full stop, no reason given. Stanford took a temporary leave of absence on September 16th following Tech's home loss to ECU and returned for the Miami game, but didn't catch a ball. At times against Boston College he inexplicably saw the field over redshirt senior Willie Byrn and hauled in just one pass for 15 yards. He had a single catch (14 yards) against Duke the following game. He finished the 2014 season without a catch at Wake Forest, and he didn't get burn against Virginia.
As a redshirt freshman last season, Stanford set two Tech freshman records by catching 40 passes for 640 yards. He accounted for one touchdown over his 707 snaps at wideout in 2013, compared to no scores and 202 plays (7 receptions, 64 yards) this season. A hamstring injury partially hampered early season production.
3. Return man and wide receiver Deon Newsome will not accompany the team to Annapolis due to his suspension for a violation of team rules. Full stop, no explanation given. It's unclear if this is just a one-game suspension (my guess is it is).
If you paid attention and read between the lines you might have come to the conclusion that depth at wide out might be an issue for Tech against Cincinnati.
Here at #Hokies bowl practice. Frank Beamer not with the team during open portion. PR Greg Stroman was working with VT offense as a WR.— Hokies Journal (@HokiesJournal) December 22, 2014
The Key Play heard about Stanford's absence Monday afternoon, but Newsome was a surprise.
Comments
The Look of Determination! heh heh
Let's end this season on a high note, and show Cincy some flashbacks from that Orange Bowl! And may Frank Beamer return to full health soon GO HOKIES!
Lots of things to digest here.
I think you meant to post this on the Taco Bell/Lawson thread /s
No digestion there just a passthru.
Best of luck to Josh Stanford wherever he ends up. He showed flashes of talent, but it seems that Blacksburg just wasn't the place for him.
Stanford's loss makes me really sad, both for the program and for him personally.
When he came to media sessions, he was down to earth and seemed really smart. He was thoughtful and had an awesome personality, by all accounts, so I can only imagine that he was easy to work with in the locker room.
Not to mention the fact that he was superb down the stretch in 2013, and I really thought he'd be the breakout receiver we were all talking about this year, not Ford or Phillips.
He seemed like a sensitive dude, so it's not surprising to me that whether it's some off the field issue or clash with the staff, whatever it is that seems to have soured him on football, has made him react so drastically.
But the Hokies are worse off without him, both from a depth standpoint and in the locker room. Moorehead needs leaders for this young group, and he was going to be one of the only real experienced vets next year.
Here's hoping he at least sticks around at VT even if football isn't right for him.
Does anyone know what Joshua's issue is with the VT football program?
I have posted on this in the past and will not bring it back up again, just search through some of my posts.
Let's be clear. The Hokies are absolutely better off with J. Stanford gone from the locker room. And after his production this season it's questionable whether he's all that big a loss on the field either.
This is a guy whose teammates voted to keep him off the team after he quit the first time because of his attitude and behavior. On paper, sure you want some 4th & 5th year guys on the roster to provide leadership and be role models for your younger players, but it all comes down to the person and it is clear Stanford wasn't on track to be a team leader or a positive influence in the locker room. The fact that he's gone so soon after Coach Beamer went on a limb to give him a 2nd chance says a lot.
can anyone verify this?
I can, I would love to talk about my sources and drop some names but I don't wanna get anyone in trouble. I'm not surprised at all by this entire situation and I really don't think this hurts us that much in fact it may help us
Ooph that sounded a lot worse when i reread it, i just dont think it was a good fit and good luck to both sides that said i dont think we should blame our coaches or players for this
I think what we're trying to say is it's too bad that the WR from last year didn't develop the way we would have hoped and that we wish him the best in an avenue outside of VT football.
Considering he didn't like playing for "white coaches" (his words) I'd say the locker room will be ok.
When the heck did he ever say this?
I seem to recall something on twitter causing a small explosion with this.
As far as I know Stanford never said that and the person who did has been hit-and-miss (mostly miss) on what he's flinging to the wall.
And yet Our white head football coach gave him a second chance when no one else did?
Those words came from a twitter account who claimed that our locker room was in shambles, lefty and bud hated each other, Frank and Whit were fighting amongst other things. His 'proof' for this was a former walk-on favoriting his tweets.
Regardless of how true any of these things are/aren't, Stanford never spoke, tweeted or shared those words with the public (to my knowledge). Let's not spread these rumors.
Assuming this is true, did he not realize Frank was white when he committed? Was the lighting really bad for the in-home visit?
Don't you know Frank doesn't visit recruits in their homes? /s
We thought it was Frank being lazy. Turns out it's a strategy.
I'll still listen to his raps. If you haven't, give them a listen. His channel on Soundcloud is "YoshiThePoet."
I recall him uploading a picture to Instagram speaking about the ignorance of Blacksburg after either the Eric Garner or Michael Brown incident (not here to discuss politics, just a mere observation). I doubt Blacksburg is as diverse and openminded as where he came from in Canada was (a suburb of Toronto).
I wish him the best of luck though. Seems like a great guy.
We always label people a "great guy" or a "jerk".
In reality, unless we know them or have inside, reliable knowledge, we just don't know.
Just because he rapped and was from Canada, it doesn't make him a great guy. He very well might be a nice guy, but he clearly had some issues in and with Blacksburg.
If in fact, he did say he didn't like playing for "white coaches", then the team is better off without him.
What if someone came out and said they didn't like playing for black coaches?
Would there be a firestorm?
That's why I said he seems like a great guy.
Yeah, he still makes dope music. I couldn't help but think of the line from Redshirt "to the schools that didn't offer meeee" after I heard he left the program. Not trying to trash the kid's name or anything, just that line now seems a bit ironic.
With the seasons had by Hodges, Ford, and Phillips, I'm not in the least worried about leadership from the receivers next year. If anything, this makes everything easier on everyone, IMO. That trio has now got proven experience, and it is likely that support for them is now unanimous.
Eh. I love their performances. I love their athleticism. But on-field performance is only a small part of the leadership qualities that change a bunch of highly talented individuals into a well-oiled machine.
It's a lot to expect of guys that young. Sam Rogers has it. Brewer has it.
Bucky's end-zone dances and in-your-face antics towards the defenders he beat are the kinds of things you get past with maturity, and that you need to get past to be a team leader and prevent penalties that cost the team.
Ford & Phillips blocking left a lot to be desired at times. Worlds better than you would expect from freshmen, and no reason not to expect them to be killing it going forward, but they need to be the total package IMO if they are going to qualify as team leaders.
I think they'll all get there. I just don't know if it'll be next year.
I bet the players love Bucky's dance. I bet the players love the clutch catches by all of them. Game winning catches...acrobatic catches for crucial first downs...all those kinds of things put them on "team leader" lists, by my estimation.
These guys are making plays to win games and seem to be very well liked. I'm not sure what qualifies as a "team leader", I guess. Short of a player poll, I guess we won't really know. But I know that a lot of times, what the fans think of as "antics" are celebrated widely in the locker room.
I don't disagree that they love the antics. In no small part because those antics haven't cost them a game yet.
But Bucky could have been called for a lot of personal fouls this year besides they one he got.
And if he keeps it up, it's a fair bet officials will be looking for it in the future.
Giving up 15 yard penalties when your offense isn't exactly able to overcome even 5 yard penalties with consistency is not going to keep your teammates happy for very long, or at least it shouldn't.
Agreed. Leadership isn't just chirping, it is action. Isiah Ford, Cam Phillips, and Bucky Hodges EARNED the opportunity to get on the field and then stayed there because they made plays. I'll take that 100 times out of a 100 over a guy who sat on the bench pouting because he was benched (while having a TERRIBLE game) while his team was in the midst of a damn near miraculous comeback. I have no idea if he is a good kid, bad kid, indifferent kid. I have no clue if any of that twitter nonsense is legitimate (given the original source, I have my doubts because that guy is an A1 moron.) But, I do know that you can't win with a kid if he thinks his individual accomplishment is more important than the team's level of achievement. His behavior on the sidelines was not that of someone who can help you win. I wish him luck, but the program is better off with more opportunities for Hodges to play outside, and a kid like Holland or Bradshaw stepping up.
Doh...I have (almost) learned after, I'm guessing, 15-20 years of internet posting about VT (granted, mostly recruiting topics), that getting into these kinds of "discussions" is not for me. The point/counterpoint, who's the better internet attorney, who can garner more poster support, etc. is just all negative energy, Judge Judy stuff to me. I'd rather just enjoy and stay out of the arguments.
All I wanted to chime in with was this: the notion that the loss of Stanford is some kind of loss of leadership, is just not something that I can hang my hat on. I just don't see it.
Now then...
Seeya back at the top! =p
I wasn't looking to have a big debate, McGuirk. I was just dropping my 2 cents. I apologize if it came across combative.
You were not combative at all. Merry Christmas!
I am sad about my favourite Canadian. Good luck to him in future endeavours, I will miss watching him play. He was awesome last year.
Are you sure he wasn't just the flavour of the week?
Wait...wasn't the band that did that soung American Hi-Fi? Is there a Canadian Hi-Fi?
So Coach Beamer wont be on the field huh? Wonder if we get to see how Bud Foster looks as a HC. Or maybe the camera will on CFB up in the boothe.
Best of luck to Stanford, but have a good amount of gus that can "line up" in the WR slots, for one more game.
From everything I've read and heard, (#sources?) it sounds like we'll see what Shane looks like as head coach, not Bud
Maybe on the field, but Beamer will still be up in the booth. Although yes, Shane is probably more likely to end up as a HC than Bud.
I just meant for the bowl game it sounds like Shane will be the "head coach" on the field, if you will. But I agree that he has a better chance at being HC one day over Bud, though I wouldn't be upset if either of them end up being our next HC.
This is gonna come off as extremely negative but if Shane Beamer is our very next head coach then I lose any and all confidence in Whit Babcock. The guy doesn't even have a coordinator experience. If we are reduced to hiring a guy who has only had assistant experience as a head coach.....yeesh. I know football and basketball are two different sports buuuuut does James Johnson ring a bell?
/rant over and please understand this isn't targeted at you. It's an opinion that I've heard from a few people and one that I clearly don't understand or agree with
No hard feelings; you're entitled to your opinion, and I respect that for sure. And you bring up a good point with the James Johnson thought. I don't think I would just throw out any and all coaches who were assistants and then moved on to become head coaches though. You gotta start somewhere, but at the same time jumping from RBs coach to head coach at a school like VT would be a huge jump. I don't have a list in front of me and don't feel like doing the research to prove it, but I'm sure there's gotta be a number of "coaches in the waiting" if you will, that went on to be successful after losing an iconic figure like CFB is. I can't think of a lot better options than those two guys, and if it's not obvious by now, I do think it is time for a change at the HC position. But that is probably a different debate on a different thread.
Who is this "Gus" you speak of? Is he a secret weapon?
Can't wait to see Gus play on Saturday!
"but have a good amount of gus that can "line up" in the WR slots"
Gus cannot be stopped, Mark my words - Cincinnati will remember the name Gus for years to come
Anybody know how long this --discontent -- has been going on? We were at the W&M game, seated in lower west with a clear view of the Tech sideline. Sometime in the 2nd half I noticed this one player sitting on the bench by himself. All the other players were on their feet, mingling and talking to one another, but he just sat there, alone, for quite a while. It was Stanford. I remember thinking at the time that it just seemed a little odd. Was he injured? Don't think so, not at that point. I wondered then if something was going on. I guess the maternal instinct in me kicked it, wanting all the players to be okay. (Heavens to Betsy, I must be getting old.) Anyway, I wish him all the best.
Godspeed, Yoshi. I hope you find what you're looking for.
Good to see Big Mike got rid of the mop top. That beard'll get after ya too
Ok so CFB didn't make the trip on Wednesday and doctors orders keep him in blacksburg until next Friday. It is meant to say this Friday right? Frank is going to be at the game this sat correct?
Thanks for clarifying!
He's actually going to be coaching from the coaches' booth in Lane Stadium. \s
Yes, he will be heading to DC on this Friday and coaching from the booth.
Frank's gonna be all "let's not score again, just to mess with Bud now that he has a new contract"
And Stinespring and Loeffler gonna be like "get out my booth"
Why not? It would quieter and he could concentrate better! Jk
Went back to Yoshi's vids. He has one called redshirt that talks about all the other programs that overlooked him. There are clips with him and what looks like a good majority of the team. Seems crazy to think he went from that gone. I see a lot of posts throwing out bad juju, but until I see something from him, I have to assume his interests changed. He is talented, and may want to follow his dream
I wish him the best of luck.