Stopped by practice on my way home and watched for probably 5 or 10 minutes. I know AB will give us a much more in-depth analysis of what went on today but just a few things I saw for those who couldn't wait.
- Motley ran with the 1's during 7v7 with A. Ford backing him up.
- Didn't see Brewer take a single snap during that period. Could have just missed it though.
- First team D in the back seven was Van Dyke, Motuapuaka, Clarke. With Riley and Frye as safeties and Mook and Chuck Clark at CB.
- Of course no one could cover I. Ford. Knowles even looked good except for one deep pass that I thought he could have gotten to that looked to me like he pulled up thinking he was gonna get hit by the safety over the top. (Wouldn't think they would even allow them to do that in practice, that's just what it looked like)
- Motley looked really sharp to me and had good chemistry with the receivers and backs. Granted there was no pass rush or Fuller/Facyson out there, so take that with a grain of salt.
Comments
I love me some behind the scenes notes! how did Motley's throws look, there was a good bit of wind today and if he was winging em down the field that speaks well for him
Here's what I've noticed from the QBs:
Durkin throws the prettiest ball. It doesn't always go where he wants it to, but darn it all it looks nice getting there.
The ball goes where Ford wants it to. Possibly the best passer on the team. He doesn't have a cannon, but his ball placement is outstanding. Now he just has to figure out where he wants the ball to go a bit quicker.
Motley has looked good... and then bad... and then good again... and then bad again.
Haven't seen Brewer throw a whole lot, but he's looked solid in the limited action I've seen him.
I wouldn't be shocked to see a QB "competition" extend into the fall, and if Brewer is seriously hurt, I could see Lawson actually making a pretty surprising push for early playing time.
Video posted today:
Wait a video not on snapchat? What are they thinking.
Durkin looks bigger than I remember
He zipped that ball in there real nice too.
I noticed that too, he looked pretty sharp in those drills, of course...those are just drills
As I mentioned above, he's still pretty inconsistent. He's improved quite a bit, but he's still incredibly raw and unpolished as a passer. Sometimes his throwing motion looks great, and other times he gets back into his long windup and release, or doesn't transfer his weight properly, and the ball sails on him or falls short or goes wide. He's getting there, but he's still got a ways to go. Just hoping to keep expectations at a fair level for the kid.
He's been taking lifting notes from Papa Durk
45 was in a regular colored jersey.
Yep.
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/players/burns_drew.html
So they've given everyone a number it seems. That used to not be the case. I am really not for having multiples of the same number. It's too hard to keep up with. Example you never know when Sam Rogers might need to come in on defense and rip someone's leg off. And with special teams it's impossible.
In the spring, you'll see a bunch of duplicates, just because there are only 99 numbers and about 115 players during the spring, including non-scholarship guys. Those numbers are 100% for the coaches' benefit, so they can accurately identify who's doing what. Also, those duplicates will always be offense/defense, as they have different colored jerseys. When it comes time to actually dress players for games, you'll see one or two duplicates (Coleman/Ekanem is the only one that comes to mind off the top of my head).
That's good to know. Thanks. In years past they just didn't assign numbers, at least on the HokieSports roster, to the scout team and walk on guys.
Yeah, and it'll go back to that in the fall. I can't remember if they put numbers up on the hokiesports roster for walkons, or if those were just listed in program rosters and such in previous springs.
Ah, I thought I didn't see the ground shake when he walked.
That explains it.
I like OL work. Parker Osterloh better figure out how to drop his hips and deliver a blow or he will get flagged for a ton of illegal hands to the face.
Phillips told the press group that Brewer got hurt over the weekend. William Grooms there for TKP. We will have a full report shortly.
I like Stacy Searels. Actually coaching...novel concept!
Almost didn't recognize Lefty without the bags under his eyes.
Durkin is going to throw a ball literally through someone this year.
Lots of coaching going on there. Nice to see Kendall making a cameo and asking questions to stay mentally sharp.
Damn, some of our linemen make Stacey look small. He is not a small dude.
Approved!
Thinking out Loud--> If Motley is just as good as Brewer understanding the offensive concepts would he not be #1 heading into OSU?
It would be 100% easier for lefty to call a game. Last year we all knew if motley was in it's going to be a run. Now If motley can pass it's more difficult to pick up on things and we could go hurry up and even go wild turkey.
Maybe a little #CaptainObvious but the possibilities.
(Insert Allan "hangover" Card counting gif)
Motley has different strengths than Brewer, so it wouldn't necessarily be easier to call the game. Plus Brewer has seen that defense before, Motley hasn't.
The reciprocal is also true.
Think that if Loeffler wants to use the spread QB run game and Brewer ends up being the starter, as expected by most, that there will be another QB that plays as well. With the injuries that Brewer has had I'd imagine that coaches would be very cautious with him running.
Knowledge isn't the only requirement, the QB has to be consistent and smart with the football in loefflers short passing game.
If motley and Brewer give Loeffler the same amount of production in the short game, then starting Mitley is an easy call because of his superior arm strength and running ability.
That's a big -- and only partially relevant -- IF...
Looks like Brewer was standing next to Lefty. Maybe this was some sort of Developmental drill for all the backups. I liked Durkin's throw, very strong arm. Looks like Ford is lobbing the ball a little. Motley looks sharp, similar to his play last Spring.
Brewer didn't throw at all today. Sounds like he had/has an undisclosed injury.
I like all the teaching and technical coaching happening.
Thank you for sharing your observations.
We really need Knowles to take another step
Michael Brewer had an "unspecified injury," according to #SOURCES.
The QB competition is gonna be pretty tight between Brewer and Motley. I liked what Brewer did against Ohio St last year, and I wouldnt mind seeing him get better and keep his job. Motley, however does have a much stronger arm and is faster. The only thing that scares me about him is having to start his first game against Ohio St. I have a hard time thinking the coaches will do that, maybe they split time?
I too think Motley has much higher upside for the duration of the season, but I really like having Brewer's experience behind center for this first game against Ohio St. Although Brewer did make some mistakes and turn the ball over in that game last year, he was an absolute third down conversion machine early in the season and was really tough taking some of those hits. Which Brewer will we see to start the year? Motley's arm strength and running dimension just makes me more comfortable if we're talking about the rest of the year. I can't wait to see the battle play out this spring and in camp. Durkin will probably also see some time as a wildcat if he keeps ripping throws like that. We already know he's an incredible run threat.
What are the blue jerseys?
I think blue means limited contact and green is no contact.
Usually it's no/minimum contact for injury, I believe.
So yellow is QB no hard contact, Blue, green and normal color of the day?
Edit: That sounds right. Not positive about the difference between blue and green. GuitarMan is probably right.
So evidently this happened today...
I believe that is Terrell Edmunds carrying the ball. Is that how they always run the Oklahoma drill, or is he getting a look at RB? Either way, I'm glad we monopolized the Edmunds brothers.
WORLDSTAR!!!
I watched that 5 times in a row. Said "whoooo" each time.
wow, that's great drive. who is #17 there?
CB, Shawn Payne.
thanks
I think that's #25 running the ball, Jerome Wright...
It was 22, one of the Edmunds kids. He and Shai were talking about it on Twitter.
Ah, couldn't tell with the second 2.
Awlays nice seeing a good ol' fashioned trucking.
DANG!
Adonis Alxeander is a big big dude whoa
Well, he is named Adonis.