The first thing that came to mind when seeing this was I could see Lefty jumping on Driskel to transfer to VT. I know we have a lot of potential at the QB position but we have seen Lefty is not shy about bringing in more talent. To add, Driskel was interested in VT when he was being recruited...
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I think the dude is broken by now. He had some rough times at Florida with numerous coaching changes and a season ending injury. Not saying he still can't compete but I'd like a fresh start with a homegrown quarterback like Ford, Durkin, or perhaps Motley or Lawson.
Well he just sealed the win against ECU so he's got that going for him
...which is nice.
One spot that was listed as a potential transfer point was Duke:
http://www.si.com/college-football/2014/12/27/jeff-driskel-transfer-duke...
Barring injury, Brewer will be the starter vs Ohio State.
Brewer is the ONLY QB to beat Ohio State this year...seems like we'd all be a little more excited to have him starting.
I'd give Sam Rogers as much credit as Brewer, that guy was all over the field.
Interesting side note: He is also one of only two starters to complete an entire game the ended in a 0-0 regulation score.
So yeah...lots to chew over there
He was also the first QB since 1995 for Virginia Tech to end regulation without scoring a point.
I'm almost 100% certain this isn't true. I think we've had multiple games where our only points came off FGs, rushing TDs or defense/special teams scores.
EDIT: I also don't think QBs get credit for scoring the points on TD passes so I'm going to guess a majority of our games end with a QB scoring zero points.
No, thats factual. He's the first starting QB for Virginia Tech to finish regulation in a game where the team has not scored a single point. Not even had the opportunity to attempt a FG.
Okay, now you're accurate. Your original post didn't specify you were talking about the team scoring points. Reads like you meant the QB didn't score any points, which is actually a pretty common occurrence.
I wouldn't be against it but it would be nice if our current QBs could get the job done. I don't think Brewer could ever lead us to more than 8 wins, nothing worse than a gunslinger with no arm...
Lost to ECU by one touchdown
Lost to Georgia Tech by a field goal
Lost to Pitt by 5 points
Lost to Boston College by 2 points
Lost to Wake Forest by a field goal
With even a minor improvement by the team next year (something I expect if only because I find it unfathomable that we're as unlucky with injuries next year as we were this), one would expect an improvement on Tech's 7 win season this year. If the defense stays the same and the offense improves by a four points a game, we'd be looking at a 10 win season.
Been noticing a lot of new accounts recently talking reckless about players they should be cheering for too.
Thanks for pointing out the close losses. Our defense kept us in those games much more than our QB play. When I watch the games of course I hope the best for Brewer and the team but I rather be realistic about it. I never said I don't cheer on the team so just because I don't have as many posts as you no need to twist my words :)
There were a couple of those close games that the defense cost us the game. BC was a perfect example of that.
I think the point is that you said you didn't think Brewer would ever win more than 8 games when it is very easy to look at the '14 results and say that he could get to 10 games and not even have to improve much. Defense did keep us in those games, and I expect the same defensive output next year. If we manage even pedestrian offensive output, 10 wins are attainable.
Often times people confuse being pessimistic with being realistic. I gave a very realistic pathway for Brewer to be the QB of a 10 win team, and rather than address the point you just took a mild shot at Brewer.
Let me put this a simpler way then. Do you think it's unrealistic for Brewer to oversee an offensive improvement of as little as 4 points a game, if you factor in the likelihood that every single position group around him will be more talented, experienced, and healthier in 2015?
I'm sure you do cheer for the team, that doesn't mean I don't think characterizing Brewer as a "gunslinger with no arm" is a little mean spirited though.
I agree with his statement, it may be a shot but I didn't see an arm that could make long throws. Yes he's tough as hell but he doesn't have great arm strength IMO.
I have no problem with people saying they don't think Brewer has great arm strength.
I would appreciate people say it with a little more tact, especially when talking about someone who has given as much for the team as Brewer has this year.
I'm sorry if my comment was mean spirited. I should obviously be less mean in my opinion in this forum so let me try again. While Brewer displayed great toughness this season and we wouldn't have beat Ohio state without him, I don't think he is the QB to lead us back to the 10+ wins a year era due to his mentality and lack of arm strength. That okay on all points now?
Mhm :)
I understand why Brewers erratic play is concerning and don't see Tech winning 10 games unless it improves. I think I just have a higher confidence level that he will be more productive for the reasons stated above.
It's truly amazing how qbs that lead teams to 10 win seasons are on teams that have good (or better than too) OL play, solid running games and good play from WRs (or at least one of the latter 2 are excellent, not just good).
I too am in the camp that thinks brewer will be better next year, but not just due to improvement in the other 10 positions on the field. A full spring with lefty will also have an impact.
With regard to arm strength, I've been a Charger fan for almost 50 years and saw every game of Dan Fours' HOF career. The man had the weakest arm in the history of the NFL (arguably not much stronger than Brewer's). His Charger teams were the beginning of the pass dominated NFL that we see today. The Charger passing game was driven by what was going on between Fouts' ears, being in sync with the skill players and his toughness, more than strength of his arm. In contrast, look at Jeff George and/or Ryan Leaf: great arms. Not much in terms of what was going on between the ears.
Brewer has definitely had some wtf decisions, but I'm expecting to see far fewer of those, next season (for all of the reasons that I expect to see improvement in his play, in general).
If allowed to step into it, Brewer can make every throw needed on the football field. He doesn't have a very strong arm. That means he struggles if pressure is in his face or while attempting throws across his body. There have been countless quarterbacks at the P5 level that have experienced success without a strong arm. You just can't have a weak arm and pressure in your face every play. If the offensive line and running game can improve next year so the defenses can't jailhouse blitz every play, Brewer's throw selection will look much better.
With all that said, I still don't think Brewer has a stranglehold on the position. I expect all qbs to get a fair look in the Spring and maybe even Fall, but Brewer does have a leg up for the time being.
Finally...a voice of sanity about brewer's arm. His arm strength per se is not really the issue.
Can't say I agree on your 2nd point. I think there is 95% chance Brewer is the starter against OSU next fall - barring injury. Do you really think the coaching staff is gonna with someone else over a 5th year senior with 13 games starting experience including a win over OSU on the road?
If one of the redshirt guys really shined, I could see the change. More than likely though, if a change does happen, it would happen slowly via a 2-headed monster throughout the season or as a result of injury like you say.
I know I have a few turkey legs here but without being too reckless here I do believe we will have a new starting QB next year, be it with one or two guys!
Barring injury I highly doubt it.
There will be packages for other QB's I think but I fully expect Brewer to start. If for no other reason that the fact that having a second year starter at QB may prove invaluable to achieving wins next season. Brewer isn't perfect but he hasn't really had much of a chance to show what he is truly capable of given our OL performance. I see improvement at OL but I don't think we are going to markedly improved to create a real pocket presence we would hope for a QB. And given Brewer has gotten the year of experience playing with that type of pressure, his ability to take immense amount of punishment and his full year in the system (whatever Lefty's system actually is) I just don't see anyone taking the reigns.
I think the only way he doesn't start is if someone sets Spring and Fall on fire with their play.
GT was a team loss as was BC. The D played great for most of the GT game, but when it came down to it, the D gave up big late game drives to GT to include the now infamous 4th and 15 as well as Bonner's dropped pick. Yes, Brewer threw the bad pick giving GT the short field to kick the game winner, but the D allowed GT to rive it inside the 5 for the gamer winner.
Same goes for BC. We took the lead in the 4th and the D allowed BC to drive it to kick a FG (which was bad luck for us considering their kicker sucked) then on 3rd and long, the D gave up the long score to BC. So the D had a part in those losses. yes the O could have done more, but those were team losses. ECU was as well. The O didn't give up TD's on the 1st 3 drives.
turnovers were the only thing that kept GT in that game from the offense. BC was a defensive loss. The only total team loss was the Miami game where both units didn't show up IMO.
ECU seemed to be full team loss too. When the D was bad, it was REALLY bad. When the O was bad, it was REALLY bad.
I don't want him, I think we should roll with Lawson he's going to be a good one!
I do not think we need another QB, if we get Lawson we will be heavily loaded at QB. I know injuries can happen but we are definitely stocked well there.
Wait so Driskel and Miller are coming to VT?
It's a Festivus Miracle!
So we're going to trade in for arguably the worst starting QB in country and almost undoubtedly the worst starting Power 5 QB this year? How would this be an upgrade?
He was worse than Brewer in every major statistical category and he doesn't know the offense, unlike Brewer and the other QB's. Like with Chad Kelly I hope we pass...
So my next question is, how much work do our 2016 redshirt sophomores, Lawson, or other potential transfers need to be ready for Bristol? Can they get it backing up Brewer/Driscoll/Miller/Unicorn? Remember most of us have pegged 2015 or 2016 as "the year" for quite some time. What will it take under center?
Once the OL clicks, it might not matter who the QB is because we'll be running the ball down the opponent's throat so often the passing game will be wide open. And unfortunately, until the OL clicks, it won't matter who the QB is because he won't have enough time behind center to do anything.
Replacing players is a fact of life in college football. It's not as though VT is the only program that has ever had to prepare a back-up QB to start the following year -- all the while trying to win games in the present. It probably happens to 40% of all teams every year.
IMO, VT is actually in good shape. It will have an experienced r-Sr starter back in 2015 and then will have a choice between a r-Sr or two r-So (and maybe a r-Fr) in 2016. What's never enviable is a true frosh being one of your few viable options.
Lawson is the long term answer at QB. A. Ford never sees the field.
Based upon?
Clearly he's a Chevy guy
+1
But let the record show that I am actually a Ford guy.
Dear God will we never Escape the auto puns?
Ok, so this is something that friends and I have talked about for years and I cringed when I saw it happen to A Ford. We call it the Clipboard Curse. It just always seems like the QB that gets the job to support coaches on the sideline (at least at VT) never seems to see real action, and perhaps that is why they get chosen for the job. Other than being a brainy type guy.
I am sure it doesn't work out that way, but it just has seemed that way for a long time.
Not a whole lot.
I have no idea why so many people want Driskel to come here. If you ever watched a Florida game you would see that he has been overrated since coming out of high school and has never progressed as a QB. Send him to Duke because I don't want him anywhere near our program.
Don't you realize the grass is always greener on the other side on message boards?
Well, Brissett and Murphy both left the Superfund site that is the Florida offense and looked good. It's possible Driskel can be salvaged. Glad VT isn't the one trying to fix him.
Jeff Driskel?
DO. NOT. WANT.
We do not need Driskell. We need a big nasty on the line (either side) or another TE develop. People need to remember that brewer was only with us for 5 months before thrown into the fire to lead this team. His three top receivers were playing their first season at the college level let alone with him. I have been frustrated with ome of his decisions but am excited to see what Lefty can cook up with him. Kid is tougher than Wang Leather! (Pun) and his leadership will yield dividends! Having said that, I want the #2 to get reps for 2016. Get ready for fuly dipped total hokie domination!
Driskel to Louisiana Tech, so that's that.
Aww shucks, I'm sure the Canes and Noles would've been absolutely terrified at the thought of Driskel starting at VT... *smirks*
I feel bad for Louisiana Tech.
I know this has been said already but has anyone who want(ed) Driskel to come to VT actually seen him play? He's not good. He never will be. His ceiling of success is limited to playing against high school level talent.