The defense was running predictable coverages, injuries have hurt defensive depth, the secondary was filled with inexperienced players... by now we've heard all the reasons why the offensive outburst from Saturday shouldn't be taken seriously. While it might be prudent for fans to temper their expectations about offensive production in 2015, I have to admit that I walked away from Lane feeling a lot better about the future of Loeffler's offense.
The Quarterback Battle
The battle over the starting quarterback spot isn't over yet in Blacksburg, but the scope of that battle has certainly narrowed. Andrew Ford and Chris Durkin didn't wear yellow on Saturday, signifying Beamer wasn't worried that the upcoming season would be ruined if either got hurt. It was an important learning opportunity for those two as they got to experience the physical consequences of freshmen mistakes. Both Durkin and Ford took their lumps against the first team defense as the second string offensive line looked overwhelmed by the pass rush. Of the two, Durkin had the slightly better day. Durkin struggled as much as Ford dropping back to pass, but had the upper hand running with the ball, managing to pick up a couple of first downs. Durkin is decisive with the ball in his hands, regardless if the play is a QB-read or a passing play. When he sees the opportunity to take off, he doesn't hesitate and his size allows him to fall forward to get positive yardage after contact. Chris Durkin won't be the starter in 2015 but I still think Loeffler should consider using him as the Wild Turkey quarterback, especially if Brewer wins the starting job and Loeffler wants to avoid an injury to his second string QB.
Co-starters Brewer and Motley both had huge scrimmages. Brewer got the first two series with the ones and started with a bang, completing a long pass to Cam Phillips who got open with a double move. A couple of plays later he threw a perfect pass to Bucky Hodges in the corner of the end zone and the offense never looked back. Brewer completed long pass after long pass to Ford, Phillips, and Bucky. He looked very comfortable, moving well in the pocket and finding the open receiver time after time. Brewer even got involved in the rushing game, making the correct read on a veer play in the red zone and walked in for a touchdown.
Brenden Motley also found success against single coverage down the field. He didn't look quite as composed as Brewer did in the passing game, although I think he throws a better deep ball. Motley's superior arm strength allows him to get the ball to receivers quicker, an advantage when throwing into tighter windows. Also Motley has better ball placement when throwing to receivers running streak routes down the sideline, tending to miss to the outside (giving his receiver a better shot at the ball than the defender).
Despite Brewer's success at passing, Motley showed why he has the higher ceiling when he ripped off two separate 50 yard touchdown runs. Keep in mind he accomplished this while wearing a yellow jersey, meaning he literally went 50 yards untouched. Twice. Brewer's consistency in the passing game (particularly in the short game) means that he'll probably win the starting job, but Motley's ability to hit home runs in the ground game will keep the pressure on Brewer.
Running The Ball
The deep pass wasn't the only thing working for the offense on Saturday, as the ground game looked really solid. The first string offensive line was able to manhandle the second team defense and won their battles against the first team defense. In particular, the interior of the offensive line (Teller, Gallo, and Conte) got off the ball well and moved their men. If Stacy Searels can turn the offensive line into an effective run blocking unit after just one year, they should build a statue in his honor.
Running back depth won't be an issue this year as J.C. Coleman, Trey Edmunds, and even Travon McMillian looked ready to put up decent numbers. The McMillian hype is justified. He has good vision and finishes his runs well, but his best trait is his speed. Travon is the fastest of all the backs right now and uses his speed well, patiently waiting for the hole to appear before getting into gear and pulling away from the defense. Travon (like Edmunds) is an every down back who can run in between the tackles or get to the edge.
Implications for 2015
So what should Hokie fans take from Saturday's offensive outburst? Obviously we shouldn't overreact, for all of the reasons I mentioned earlier. However, I can't help but feel more optimistic about the upcoming season now than I did on Friday, though. In 2014, nothing held back Loeffler's offense more than the inability to capitalize on explosive play opportunities. The offense only had four passes of over 40 yards last season and added just two runs of over 40.
Tech had more 40-yard touchdown plays on Saturday than they did in all of 2014
The most encouraging thing about Saturday was the success that Motley and Brewer had finding and throwing to open receivers down the field. No, I don't think that Brewer is going to average 25 yards per completion like he did Saturday, but it looks like he is poised to improve on the 6.1 YPP he had last year. The struggles to capitalize on opportunities down the field eventually affected the ability of the offense to run the ball or complete shorter passes. Without needing to worry about deep passes, defenses inched closer and closer to the line of scrimmage, suffocating the offense. If the offense can force secondaries to back off, Loeffler will gain the breathing room to increase the completion percentage on underneath throws and open up more rushing lanes for his talented backs.
Comments
sorry I stopped reading after seein sheriff Beamers hat. classic
It's nice to hear excuses for the offense doing well, rather than excuses for doing poorly
Great report. I am cautiously optimistic about the offense and the defense. Were any of Brewer's passes against the defensive 1's?
At least one TD was.
Indeed. He threw a touchdown pass to Cam Phillips against the ones on a play-action pass that started with him under center. If I remember correctly, Brewer threw a perfect ball and Phillips made a difficult catch over his shoulder. Defender didn't have a chance at the ball and didn't realize Cam had caught it until it was already a touchdown.
Brewer looked light years better throwing the ball down the field than he's looked since arriving in Blacksburg. Still doesn't drive the ball into openings down the field (will probably never have the arm strength to do that) but he was placing the ball well and on time.
Technically yes, but really no as Fuller and Facyson are not practicing currently and depending on where Clark and Riley were playing, the "1's" could have been the likely "2's".
Brilliantly done article, Mason. Optimistic without drinking the kool-aid. There is reason to believe we can be competent on offense so long as the starting OL stays healthy. The struggles of the second string illustrate how little room for injury there is. As long as the starting five stay healthy, I think we're in for some pleasant surprises.
go ahead. Have some kool-aid. It is the off season after all...
Uh oh, I drank way more than that! Just predicted we would be the first 17-0 team in history. Scratch that, 18-0 has a better ring to it.
All of the down playing of offensive production has me in a constant state of limited optimism. I want to be excited at the thought of a competent offense but Loeffler and his staff keep reeling me back in.
Every time Scott and the other offensives coaches talk this is all I seem to pull from it.
I think you're gonna need a bigger train....
All Aboard!!
Lets just take Purdue's after week 3
I'm on, crossing my fingers, and hoping it doesn't end like this...
That is Purdue's official football mascot. I really want to buy my tickets to that game through the university, but I am thinking scalping lower section seats for $3 is the better way to go.
I
I believe
I believe that
I believe that we
I believe that we will
I believe that we will be kind of pretty OK
^ This is my mantra until the season starts. Anything more and I will be ecstatic.
At this point I'll be ecstatic with pretty okay.
We had some great teams when we were pretty OK
Yep. If our offense can be competent and the defense can stay at the level we're used to (and I have high hopes for this year on defense), we'll be set. I figure if the offense is even "pretty competent" we can be sneaky good this year.
Until someone proves otherwise, we will have the best defense on our division. It doesn't take much to win our side of the ACC, evidenced by us almost winning the past few years with an objectively bad offense. Competence is all I ask for
Despite having potentially 8 starters returning on defense, I'm concerned because the new starters are "up the middle", and in key communications roles. Mike, Rover and Safety positions are critical in so many ways: communication; play recognition; run fits. Traditionally, it has taken time for the Defense to gel when replacing starters at those positions. Think back to 2012 when Bonner and Jarrett were sophomore starters.
And at this point, we have no idea who the Safeties will be, and whoever they are, they aren't getting steady snaps in those roles. I hope for a very stout defense, but until I know that the Mike, Rover and Safety have "the stuff", OSU scares me, as well as the rest of the first half of the season.
I understand your concern about the Rover and Free spots, especially if we end spring without clear starters at those positions. However, Mike is one spot that we won't have to worry about as long as Motuapuaka is healthy. He is a heady player who has great instincts and by all accounts has done a good job this spring at getting everyone on the same page pre-snap.
I don't think there's quite as much up in the air as you might think. Torrian and Bud are just getting the DB's developmental reps at different positions. It's only my semi-informed opinion but I think this is how the secondary shakes out:
BC: Fuller, Stroman, Reynolds
FC: Facyson, Edmunds, Payne
RV: Riley, Shegog, Alexander
FS: Clark, Greene, Reavis/Frye
---
NB: wildcard, but my guess is whichever of the starters has the best backup slides to NB and their backup plays.
if Facyson is not in playing shape:
BC: Fuller, Stroman, Reynolds
FC: Riley, Edmunds, Payne
RV: Clark, Shegog, Alexander
FS: Greene, Reavis, Frye
I thought Clark was a shoe in for one of the safety spots (my guess would have been rover) but Torrian seems to REALLY like him at corner. I would have preferred Clark to get some work at safety this spring if he was going to play there, but it doesn't look like that is going to happen.
I concur. If Facyson is not starting. Chuck Clark is playing corner.
I wish VT wasn't the only college team that had to replace players...
Just kidding, of course, but still VT is in better shape than just about any team in the country when it comes to D's with returning players with considerable game experience.
I've been trying to put into words how I feel. This. This is how I feel.
All we're hoping for is sparklers. Doesn't have to be backyard fireworks, just better than a dumpster fire.
Seriously though, the first team offensive line looked good when run blocking. Really good. I'm not sure that they'll stay healthy or that Loeffler is interested in it but if Tech decided to line up under center and focus on a pound/play-action game plan, they've got the boys upfront to get the job done.
#ALLTHEHYPE #ALLTHETIME
Always a leg gor a saved by the bell gif
And Chuck MF Norris!
I didn't know Chuck Norris had the same middle name as Ryan Williams.
Then you know nothing Illinois snow
This makes me feel better about when we have to protect a lead, coupled with Brewer's TD pass off play action from under center.
I am sick of hearing this:
" Offensive line depth isn't great."
Pummel me if you feel like it but still depending on converted D Linemen. Will they ever be able to recruit O lineman? The incoming class not withstanding. WE are all talking about the RB but with no one to block....
1. Our best offensive linemen is a converted DL. So what's wrong exactly with converting DL to OL again? Seems to work pretty well. (note Teller played both ways in H.S, it's not like he was always a DL and then suddenly OL)
2. Since we got rid of Newsome our OL recruiting has picked way up. Is it where we'd like it to be? No. But OL recruiting is trending in the right direction. OL is a #'s game much of the time and over the past few years the #'s have been improving. 2011 is the hole in our lineup right now, plus Grimes not being able to land any actual OT's. We need to keep bringing in 4-5 OL per season plus a converted TE or DL every season or two because only about 50% of OL actually pan out.
2011: Crux of our current problem. 1 OL : Goins (bust) + Redman (TE->OT) This class are r-Seniors this fall. Note we have zero OL from this class aside from Redman who just got switched. Players from this class should be our backbone at OL this season. = 1 OL
2012: Newsome's swan song. 4 OL: Willenbrock (bust), Conte (OG, starter), Taraschke (bust), B. Benedict (G/T, transfer, starter, injured) + A. Smith (DL->OG, contributor) = 5 OL, 2 busts, 1 limited eligibility transfer starter, 1 starter, 1 contributor
2013: Grimes's first year, mostly holdover recruits. 4 OL: Pfaff (OG, injured, TBD), Osterloh (OG, TBD), McLaughlin (starter), Chung (OC, injured, TBD), + Teller (DL->OG, starter) = 5 OL , 2 starters, 3 TBD
2014: Grimes's class, not the greatest but had 5 commits until Taylor flipped and T. Smith had to prep. Main problem is no tackles. 3 OL: Pettit (OG, TBD), Mitchell (OG, TBD), Gallo (OC, starter) = 3 OL, 1 starter, 2 TBD
2015: Searel's 1st class: 4 OL T. Smith (OC, TBD), Clark (OT, TBD), Arnold (OT, TBD), Plantin (OT, TBD) + Nijman (DL->OT, TBD) = 5 OL, including 4 potential OT.
2016: Searel's 2nd class: Hoyt ('15 grayshirt, OG), Hopple (OT)
Anyone concerned that Motley's play with the read-options most closely resembles tOSU's QB's and he was able to make reads and run so far?
I know...its early.
Well now I am.
I don't know where the quote is, but over the weekend I believe Loeffler said that the defense was giving them looks that our D normally wouldn't do. I think it was kind of a scout-like scrimmage where they practiced against looks they got last year and/or expect to get this year, that VT doesn't use.
Maybe that is why Bud wanted them to run some of that stuff early against his younger backs in man coverage?
First thing I thought of when I read that he was untouched on 50 yard runs two different times. No bueno from the defense there.
Every single good play is negated by thinking about how it was not played well by the opposite side of the ball. Spring scrimmages and practices reveal very little about what to expect in terms of results for the season. It just doesn't translate. "Bucky Hodges scores 3 TDs." "DBs give up 3 TDs to the same player." Same information, just two different viewpoints.
Scrimmages are definitely just one data point to use when trying to predict what will happen in an upcoming season, but I wouldn't agree that they reveal "very little". At the bare minimum, you can start to see what game plans and tactics the coaches are drawing up for their current roster. Once you get an idea of how coaches want to use players, you can get some snap shots of what skill sets players have and how that will translate to their upcoming role.
If I know that the coaches intend on getting lining Bucky out wide and have him run vertical routes (based on coaches' media statements and what type of work Bucky is getting during practices/scrimmages), then I can focus my attention on how he does in one on one situations. If he dominates during the spring against a first string secondary, it's a pretty good bet that he'll be successful in the fall when coaches try to get him in similar scenarios.
I'd say they reveal a lot about the players and depth, but less about what to expect in terms of plays, performance and output from the team. It's such an experimental time that we see things in the Spring that are rarely seen in the future, like the Pistol and hurry-up stuff we saw in 2013. Sure you see a lot regarding individual players, how they are used, what they are capable of and what their own strengths and weaknesses are, but not a lot regarding the team as a whole which was my point with regards to results for the season. Spring success, or failure, will not directly predict or translate to wins and losses during the season.
Eh I don't know, I think you can tell a lot about how the team is going to play just based on how important individual's play in the spring. Overall team success is determined by individual battles, correctly evaluate the individual skill levels during spring time and you should have a good idea of what the team is capable of doing.
Don't have any receivers in the spring who can get open down the field? Expect to struggle on third and long, and to see your short pass game get squeezed by secondaries.
Can't get a good push in the run game vs the first string? Expect to struggle in short yardage and goal line situations.... ect.
Maybe it's just me then, but I have a hard time connecting the two when a team is shuffling linemen to find the right grouping (less so this year compared to prior years from reports it seems) or when key contributors are injured (would those passing plays have been made if it was against Kendall or Facyson? What about the runs if Marshall and Maddy are in the middle?). Are we to believe that our offense is a bunch of world-beaters because our defense was really good last year and just got burned? Or is our defense terrible after giving up 10 TDs? Everything is taken with a heavy tablespoon of salt when it comes to Spring in my book.
As it should.
The key is being able to evaluate a player's skill level regardless of competition. For example, a high school recruit at wide receiver isn't going to be matched up against a division 1 quality corner every friday night, but college coaches are still able to see what that receiver is capable of at the next level.
Using that principle (judging a player's skill, not just overall success or failure) you can get a reasonable approximation of what a group of wide receivers are going to be capable of in the fall... even if they spend the spring going up against a second string secondary. Does a receiver have the speed to force corners to turn and run early? Does a receiver come out of their breaks quickly and prepared to receive the ball? Does a receiver catch the ball?
Take this last scrimmage, if it wasn't possible to tell what a player was capable of because his competition had a lower skill level would Frank have spent half of the scrimmage running the 1's vs the 2's? Of course not. Every rep will tell you something about what a player can give you on Saturday.
Eh, maybe, but mobile QBs have been very good against us and know that one that has barely any experience under his belt ripped off two 50 yarders untouched is reason for worry. I will always hold my breath when I see an opposing QB tuck it and run against us.
Some have, some haven't.
Mobile quarterbacks have but passing running backs have not.
Well put. Theres a difference between Hundley and Denard Robinson
Umm, both their teams beat us, but one in overtime?
(Duck)
"Both?" Does not compute.
I refuse to recognize the "official" outcome of that game.
We won. He caught the damn ball. That is all.
i suppose next you will claim we lost to Temple
You mean like Marquis Williams? Or EJ Manuel? Or Russell Wilson?
Some do. Some don't.
But all those guys sucked against u-ohhhhhh
well..better that they get burned now when it doesn't matter and learn from it so they don't get burned by it when it does matter
WELP
Only two teams in the country had less plays of 40+ yards than Tech did.
NEARLY nowhere to go but up
I've seen this play before.
Glad to hear Motley is really pushing Brewer who pretty much got the job by default last year. Brewer should continue to improve if he has to fight off a #2 that can throw and run...
Also glad to hear good things about the O-line, now we just need some oversizer snappers to ward off the old injury bug...
I honestly don't think Brewer will have to worry too much about losing the starting spot to anything but the injury bug. Motley played well in his read option package throwing and running the ball, but he is definitely a step or two behind Brewer in terms of command of the offense and being comfortable in the pocket. Brewer knows where to go with the ball before the receiver is out of his break. Motley looks for an open guy and uses his arm strength to rifle a ball in there. The result is that he isn't as consistent a thrower as Brewer. With Brewer showing improvement in one of his biggest areas of needed improvement (deep ball accuracy), and Motley still struggling with one of his (anticipation and timing), I think Brewer still has the upper hand pretty solidly. Of course, still plenty of time and practice before Labor Day....
100% agree
especially if the offensive line keeps opening up holes for the running backs. That would mean Tech wouldn't need a mobile QB like Motley to help manufacture a ground game by "changing the math" in the box. Brewer could stick to what he does best, managing the short passing game.
If Tech can't run the ball with Brewer in and he can't complete passes over the top (we've seen him struggle there before) then the secondary will squeeze the short passing windows. Motley might be needed in that scenario to come in and change the equation.
I agree about the injury bug. That is my biggest concern with Brewer right now. When healthy, like we saw Saturday, he is undoubtedly the best passer on the team and can accurately throw the deep ball. I just worry about his back issues flaring up or becoming an issue if he's exposed to much contact like last year. That's why I guess we should be thankful we have Motley really stepping up as well. But if Brewer can maintain the level of play he displayed over the weekend, he is unquestionably the number 1 guy come the OSU game.
Our offense potentially has some potential this year.
Truer words can't be found on this thread
More upvotes then Jennifer Aniston? I'll be in my trailer..
By that, do you mean this?
Firefly references always get my legs. Plus, these are words I try to live by every day.
who wore it first?
Nope, i's who looks better wearing it and that's CFB.
I didn't bother asking that question because the answer is obvious...
Id say she did.
Edit: wanted to keep it safe for work and kids, there are some *better* pictures of her wearing one.
oh man what I would do for a day with her. BEAAAAUTIFUL!!!
This picture continues to support my theory that Brad Pitt is officially the most MORONIC man on the planet.
No that honor goes to Robert "Mutt" Lange who was stupid enough to run around on Shania Twain
Shania is a good looking woman.....but Jennifer Aniston she is not...
Your right. Shania is much better looking than Jennifer.
No.
ITT: people sleeping on in-her-prime Shania.
Not sleeping on her at all. In fact, I said she was a good looking woman. Jennifer Aniston is just on a whole other level.
Prime or currently?
We weren't talking about both in their prime?
For many here Shania in her prime is too long ago, Jennifer has clearly aged better.
1 and 1A against most anyone else.
Tragically, google doesn't turn up any pictures of Jennifer Aniston riding a horse, or I would post it here. Instead, all I got was a ton of Shania Twain pictures riding a horse indoors.
If you haven't seen the movie "We're the Millers", check it out.
Then you tell me Jennifer Aniston isn't sexy as hell. Shania is hot, but .... I think Jennifer would be more fun.
Dont forget Horrible Bosses. both movies have me
I may not have been clear.
Jennifer Aniston is my long time celebrity crush and it'll probably stay that way for as long as I'm alive.
Kate Upton? Nope, Jennifer Aniston. Cindy Crawford? Nope, Jennifer Aniston. [Insert beautiful celebrity here]? Nope, Jennifer Aniston. By a wide, wide margin.
Shania Twain is very attractive.
The scene in The Break Up where she walks past Vice Vaughan naked is one of the hottest scenes I've ever seen that doesn't actually involve nudity onscreen.
You lost me here.
Also, I wasn't sure if she walked naked past Vince Vaughn or if she walked past Vince Vaughn naked.
Doesn't actually show anything onscreen as far as Jen's saucy bits. You see her exposed back and a quick, rather blurry shot of her ass from a distance. So I guess I should say implied nudity.
I share your view. There is just something about Jennifer Aniston that no one else has..
I think we will just have to agree to disagree. She has never done it for me the way she apparently does for you and some others.
It's Beamer all the way.
(Thank you for giving me my first opportunity to use this GIF that I made just a day or so ago)
Who I thought of. . .
Drink.
Cant. Wait. For.Spring.Game.
Beamer's transformation is complete....
Durkin is a beast. I wouldn't mind at all seeing him go Tebow on some plays, to change things up.
3rd and bowling ball
Hi everyone from the confines of Chicago!
I didn't get to watch the scrimmage, however I have seen the highlights and watched the snapchat video of the session. Mason did an excellent job here. I had a couple of observations from the little bit I got to watch.
1) While we can temper expectations of the offense, keep in mind 2012 when the 2nd team defense stymied Logan Thomas and company. The execution of Loeffler's vision is exciting.
2) Also, remember that this isn't an indication of the defense being bad. That second group has a walk on at one defensive end spot, a true freshman mike, and a group of defensive backs who have no game experience and who have been changing positions (Alexander and Edmunds have worked at safety and corner spots.) They will learn.
3) The offensive line run blocked really well. Zone reads were opening cutback lanes, which wasn't happening often enough last season even when JC Coleman started to find room late in the season. JC, Trey, and Travon all were reading the play well and finding the cutback lane. Travon McMillian had several very nice cuts.
4) That said, the offensive line wasn't perfect. Vinny Mihota (who is being groomed to play the shoot the gap nose role that Corey Marshall has excelled at) beat Jonathan McLaughlin cleanly on the backside of a zone play for a tackle in the backfield. Wade Hansen should have been called for holding Melvin Keihn on the Bucky Hodges TD in the SE endzone corner. Hansen has a bad habit of keeping his hands down near his hips and winding up to punch in pass protection instead of quick short punches up high. This allowed Keihn to get into his chest and use leverage moves. Keihn didn't sack Brewer on the plays I watched, but he caved in the pocket several times (also forced Motley's roll out and back foot dart to Hodges that made the highlight reel.)
Go eat at Smoque.
Checked Website and online reviews. That. Just. Looks. Insanely. Good.
Best cue in Chicago. Brisket melts in your mouth.
Sadly I am in Northside at the Drake (my hotel room is beast mode. I ate at The Local last night. Probably will walk to Jake Melnyicks on Wednesday to watch hockey.
That is one sweet ass hotel. You aren't too far from the Purple Pig. Little swanky for my taste but the food is incredible.
and they put Daddy in the Rainman suite!
Watch out! We got a badass over here!
That is pimptastic.
You have time to catch a game at Wrigley? It is a must see at least once in your life. Especially before they ruin it.
Four working bathrooms.
Four.
So that's why the Cubs are always crapping all over the field?
They still dont have that fixed? I went to a game there in 07/08 somewhere in there and loved it. I cant believe it is one of two fields built before the 60's. I loved how close i was to the field, loved that neighborhood feeling. I have feeling they are going to turn that whole area into corporation bullsh*t
Yeah actually I think they had a couple more open by the second game. But the fact that Ricketts actually allowed them to go forward with four restrooms on opening day blows my mind. And it's still not good. Won't be probably til May.
The RAINMAN suite (at least my vision of one since I Rock Comfort Inn's on fishing trips.)
https://mobile.twitter.com/french60wasp/media/grid?idx=0&tid=58778072560...
The Thursday night before the Spring Game last season I stayed at the Econo Lodge at the Roanoke Civic Center. Pro tip: never ever stay at the Roanoke Civic Center Econo Lodge.
Daddy's high rollin tonight. Very nice.
Late at night in the early 90's while taking the stairs at the Roanoke Civic Center Econo Lodge I discovered first hand why the stairway (and most of the hotel) smell like urine. I'm a little shocked it is sanitary enough to still be open. Good tip.
I almost look at our second group for defense as third strings based on the number of starters sitting out this spring.
Should we worry about Hansen at the other tackle spot?
We should always worry about everything all the time always. This is football after all.
I aint worried about Bud's boys tho.
Did Brewer make any throws over the middle? Defenses barely needed to defend the middle in coverage last year and that hurt us not getting those crossing routes.
No. As has been pointed out before, the focus of this scrimmage was beating press coverage over the top. I think I only saw 2 passes over the middle, and both were with the 2s/3s. Carroll caught one off a drag and Caleb made a tough catch on a slant route. Motley had Malleck open on a drag at one point but didn't see him. Other than that, I don't recall many routes being run to the middle of the field.
I didn't see any, but nobody has. Bud is playing a ton of man with the young guys because they are still learning leverage techniques AND it gives him the best platform to evaluate upside. And I doubt Loeffler is going to start running rub routes to get his thin receiving corps near linebackers. Ouch!
"Hey, you. Go run near that guy."
"The big one?"
"Yup."
"Nope."