Best part of the play wasn't the blindside hit for me. It was Nigel Williams rip move inside which nearly flipped Alston Smith on his back.
Positives:
Isaiah Ford- great googly moogly he is getting separation and making things look easy.
Bucky Hodges not only makes a great threat, but his inside breaking route drew all the defense leaving Trey Edmunds wide open for his touchdown catch.
Did I mention Nigel Williams? He looks like he could have a great season.
Room for Improvement:
Trey Edmunds completely blew the protection on the Chuck Clark blindside sack. The Hokies were in a slide right protection, meaning Trey has to get anything coming outside of the left tackle. He got too deep into the line of scrimmage and never saw Clark coming wide. Also, in that protection Wade Hansen has to overcompensate and take away a wide rush. It is the only time he can afford to be beaten inside because he has help with Conte sliding over to take that gap. Instead, Dadi (no easy match up mind you) beats Hansen outside. I would really like to see Wade get his hands up higher and earlier and punch rather than wind up. He is letting these DE's into his body, and long term that will result in holding calls.
I know we are hearing lots of positives about Nijman, but he is painfully slow off the snap count (not a good thing if you are a left tackle.) Coach Searels knows there are going to be mistakes, but knowing the snap count and getting off on the ball are 8th grade problems. They have to continue to preach that if he is going to make a mistake, make it aggressively.
2nd team- there are some standouts, but there is such a huge drop off at linebacker, defensive end, and offensive line that health is going to be a huge issue for the Hokies this season.
My MVP candidates for the spring so far:
D- Andrew Motuapuaka, Deon Clarke, Nigel Williams
O- Isaiah Ford, Wyatt Teller, Cam Phillips, Michael Brewer, Brendan Motley, Ryan Malleck (both have been really good.)
Most Improved:
O- Augie Conte, Jerome Wright (blocking)
D- Andrew Motuapuaka, Nigel Williams, Vinny Mihota
Best Newcomer (redshirts, early enrollees)
O-Travon McMillian, Steven Peoples
D- Adonis Alexander (I have seen very little of Mook on tape.)
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I know we are hearing lots of positives about Nijman, but he is painfully slow off the snap count (not a good thing if you are a left tackle.)
I wonder if this is in part because all the false-start penalties have made not jumping an emphasis.
Yeah, knowing the snap count is simple, but he's getting a lot thrown at him right now and being gun-shy about making mistakes at this stage of his position switch isn't terribly concerning to me -- I'm going to put my trust in Searels' teaching and Nijman's competitive spirit to get the basic stuff squared away in summer & fall.
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me too-I keep raising his play not because I don't think he is capable, but to temper fanbase expectations and preach patience. The coaches positive comments about him are as much to keep him buying in to the position change as they are reflections of his performance. I think he has a bright future, but we are talking redshirt sophomore/junior year stuff before we see it because he is so raw right now.
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After watching the highlights for the 3rd or 4th time, I noticed on the Chuck Clark missed block that it was not Trey. At the very end of the play I saw a number three on the jersey. Yep, good ole', soon to be super stud, Mr. McMillian!
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Glad to see Brewer use the entire field. He looks so much more comfortable in the pocket, but I'm sure that's easy when you're wearing a yellow jersey.
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Liking what I'm seeing. The O-line is looking a lot better at slowing the rush. That last pass across the middle was just beautiful. No pressure, and a giant pocket so no chance at a tipped pass.
Cautiously optimistic here. If O-line 2nd team can gel a bit between now and regular season, we may just have a sustainable offense.
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Really makes you wonder just how hurt he was after the Ohio State game last year. If what we're seeing now is what a healthy Brewer brings to this team every time out, may god help the first opponent in our 2015 schedule.
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I find it odd watching the ball coming out of Bewer vs Motley's hands. Their long balls look similar but Motley's short balls have a last second hitch where the ball is pointed at the turf. No idea if it affects the ability to catch or not.
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Can't believe no one is talking about that sick one handed catch by Bucky Hodges in the endzone. I saw that on Snapchat this weekend, and I was wondering if it would show up on this highlight real.
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I'm just overly happy to see an offense that actually looks like an offense. And not only that, but an offense that can execute and get positive yards on any given play. We just look so much better on offense right now than we did over the last couple seasons, and its just great to see.
I mean, it cannot be understated. This is a team that just a couple years ago, with an upperclassman Logan Thomas under center, had a first string offense that struggled to do anything against our second string defense.
And I have to say, Brewer is looking confident, which is good. If we can keep him off his ass this year, there is national breakout potential in this team.
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I am still very cautious about Motley for some reason. I feel like Brewer was a warrior last year and Motley was consistently injured and I didn't see that drive or passion in his interviews, game play and scrimmage. I hope I am wrong and he comes on e to be a leader and great QB for us.
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Motley missed pretty much all spring ball last year because of injury. Had class conflicts. Had a new QB in front of him that needed every snap he could get just to run the base game plan.
And here he is through spring ball this year with no INT's, several long TD passes & runs, and looking pretty damn smooth running more than the base offense.
I'm liking where he is at, and where the team is at, very much. He's going to get a lot of quality touches this year. If Lawson takes the starting QB position next year, we are going to be in for a really special 2016.
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Depending on development during the year this year, if Lawson is as good as advertised, Motley might not ever see the field as starter barring injury, which is a good problem to have, but would stink for him.
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Then again, isn't Motley from Christiansburg and nobody else offered him. Even if he never takes a significant snap, he has had the opportunity to compete for the number 1 spot and get a quality education at the same time.
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One thing I noticed while attending the scrimmage this past weekend was the attention to detail. I always had a beef with Brewer's play action/zone read ball movement and faking ability. At times last year during a play action fake to the RB the ball wouldn't even come close to the RB's stomach. This is critical in freezing the LB's. Grant it, I know Brewer really isn't a threat on the ground but if you're going to run the play, run the play. Don't half-ass the play design. This spring he's really selling it. In the highlight film you see him hand it off and then he really sells it like he threw it. These are the small things that give you a step on the defense. And a step could be the difference between a 3 yard loss and a touchdown.
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That's really good to hear. One thing that has lacked in Blacksburg is following through on play design, or just selling fakes. I've never seen a VT QB be really good at it but hopefully that has changed. I am a huge believer that things like this are why the great teams are great.
And it's not just QBs. It's WRs blocking and/or acting like it's a pass play when it's a run, or a RB fully faking a run on play action, or 100% convincingly running their assignment when the ball has no chance of going to them. I hope we see those things on offense so that we might have some success against even mediocre defenses.
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Comments
Durkin took a heck of shot on that blind side blitz. Loeffler wanted them to learn the hard way, I bet even he cringed a little on that one.
Actually that was Ford that took a blindside - Durkin is 13. Also Knowles needs to carry that reverse in his other hand.
Knowles - my thoughts exactly.
I dont think it will matter as much considering that D Newsome will probably handle the Jet Sweeps.
Speaking of Knowles, I saw him today walking around campus with a noticeable limp. Wonder what that's about
Yea, Durkin is out for the rest of Spring ball, right?
What's wrong with Durkin?
Separated shoulder
*non-throwing shoulder
read - "heavy running shoulder"
The "people's" shoulder.
Coming to Blacksburg SOON! The most electrifying "shoulder" in football entertainment today!
Well t hat's a bummer.
Best part of the play wasn't the blindside hit for me. It was Nigel Williams rip move inside which nearly flipped Alston Smith on his back.
Positives:
Isaiah Ford- great googly moogly he is getting separation and making things look easy.
Bucky Hodges not only makes a great threat, but his inside breaking route drew all the defense leaving Trey Edmunds wide open for his touchdown catch.
Did I mention Nigel Williams? He looks like he could have a great season.
Room for Improvement:
Trey Edmunds completely blew the protection on the Chuck Clark blindside sack. The Hokies were in a slide right protection, meaning Trey has to get anything coming outside of the left tackle. He got too deep into the line of scrimmage and never saw Clark coming wide. Also, in that protection Wade Hansen has to overcompensate and take away a wide rush. It is the only time he can afford to be beaten inside because he has help with Conte sliding over to take that gap. Instead, Dadi (no easy match up mind you) beats Hansen outside. I would really like to see Wade get his hands up higher and earlier and punch rather than wind up. He is letting these DE's into his body, and long term that will result in holding calls.
I know we are hearing lots of positives about Nijman, but he is painfully slow off the snap count (not a good thing if you are a left tackle.) Coach Searels knows there are going to be mistakes, but knowing the snap count and getting off on the ball are 8th grade problems. They have to continue to preach that if he is going to make a mistake, make it aggressively.
2nd team- there are some standouts, but there is such a huge drop off at linebacker, defensive end, and offensive line that health is going to be a huge issue for the Hokies this season.
My MVP candidates for the spring so far:
D- Andrew Motuapuaka, Deon Clarke, Nigel Williams
O- Isaiah Ford, Wyatt Teller, Cam Phillips, Michael Brewer, Brendan Motley, Ryan Malleck (both have been really good.)
Most Improved:
O- Augie Conte, Jerome Wright (blocking)
D- Andrew Motuapuaka, Nigel Williams, Vinny Mihota
Best Newcomer (redshirts, early enrollees)
O-Travon McMillian, Steven Peoples
D- Adonis Alexander (I have seen very little of Mook on tape.)
If Ford can put on more weight, I think he could be one the best WRs we have had in years.
I think he already is.
He said he has put on 8 pounds and dropped in overall fat percentage so he's definitely putting in work in the weight room.
Leg for My Wife And Kids.
I wonder if this is in part because all the false-start penalties have made not jumping an emphasis.
Yeah, knowing the snap count is simple, but he's getting a lot thrown at him right now and being gun-shy about making mistakes at this stage of his position switch isn't terribly concerning to me -- I'm going to put my trust in Searels' teaching and Nijman's competitive spirit to get the basic stuff squared away in summer & fall.
me too-I keep raising his play not because I don't think he is capable, but to temper fanbase expectations and preach patience. The coaches positive comments about him are as much to keep him buying in to the position change as they are reflections of his performance. I think he has a bright future, but we are talking redshirt sophomore/junior year stuff before we see it because he is so raw right now.
After watching the highlights for the 3rd or 4th time, I noticed on the Chuck Clark missed block that it was not Trey. At the very end of the play I saw a number three on the jersey. Yep, good ole', soon to be super stud, Mr. McMillian!
So it is a 3 instead of a 1. Whoops! I didn't think my pass protection guy would miss a read that badly!
Not necessarily 'best' newcomers, but the guys I'm most excited about:
Steven Peoples
Terrell Edmunds
Mook, who is already a 1-name player in my book
Glad to see Brewer use the entire field. He looks so much more comfortable in the pocket, but I'm sure that's easy when you're wearing a yellow jersey.
I sure saw a lot to like, though, yellow jersey or not.
So confused... do I click on the only play button showing, or is this an evolution of Joe's cruel tricksyness?
Both Brewer and Motley had some nice throws, but Motley needs to be a little more aware of the pocket. That one blitz was a huge sack.
Liking what I'm seeing. The O-line is looking a lot better at slowing the rush. That last pass across the middle was just beautiful. No pressure, and a giant pocket so no chance at a tipped pass.
Cautiously optimistic here. If O-line 2nd team can gel a bit between now and regular season, we may just have a sustainable offense.
Who is number 5 and number 32?
5 is Cam Phillips. 32 is Steven Peoples.
Ah thanks, is Cam going to remain #5 now that Stanford is gone?
Remember how 3 years ago we had WR's that really couldn't catch the ball? It's nice seeing our guys (WRs, TEs, and backs) snagging everything.
Other than WR's we got 3 TE's and two backs (Trey and Sam) with hands. It's a luxury we rarely have.
I understand that we found a jugs machine and figured out how to use it.
someone said JUGS!?
Really like how Brewer is slinging the bean
And that video doesn't even show his best one. He threw an absolutely perfect deep ball that Knowles dropped down the sideline.
Really makes you wonder just how hurt he was after the Ohio State game last year. If what we're seeing now is what a healthy Brewer brings to this team every time out, may god help the first opponent in our 2015 schedule.
I find it odd watching the ball coming out of Bewer vs Motley's hands. Their long balls look similar but Motley's short balls have a last second hitch where the ball is pointed at the turf. No idea if it affects the ability to catch or not.
Interesting observation. I am not sure. Discussing each QB's mechanics may be interesting fodder for the coaching live chat tomorrow.
Live chats are no place for that, it's about missing recruits, starting backups, games against ODU/ECU and firing coaches.
Can't believe no one is talking about that sick one handed catch by Bucky Hodges in the endzone. I saw that on Snapchat this weekend, and I was wondering if it would show up on this highlight real.
Brewer is looking damn good. I can't wait until we can see what he can do after being in the system for a full year.
I'm just overly happy to see an offense that actually looks like an offense. And not only that, but an offense that can execute and get positive yards on any given play. We just look so much better on offense right now than we did over the last couple seasons, and its just great to see.
I mean, it cannot be understated. This is a team that just a couple years ago, with an upperclassman Logan Thomas under center, had a first string offense that struggled to do anything against our second string defense.
And I have to say, Brewer is looking confident, which is good. If we can keep him off his ass this year, there is national breakout potential in this team.
Brewer does look good, but I'm equally as impressed with Motley. And I never thought Motley would take a significant snap at VT.
Right now, we've got depth at QB for the first time in ..... 6 years? And Motley just might be the next QB after Brewer as well.
I am still very cautious about Motley for some reason. I feel like Brewer was a warrior last year and Motley was consistently injured and I didn't see that drive or passion in his interviews, game play and scrimmage. I hope I am wrong and he comes on e to be a leader and great QB for us.
Motley missed pretty much all spring ball last year because of injury. Had class conflicts. Had a new QB in front of him that needed every snap he could get just to run the base game plan.
And here he is through spring ball this year with no INT's, several long TD passes & runs, and looking pretty damn smooth running more than the base offense.
I'm liking where he is at, and where the team is at, very much. He's going to get a lot of quality touches this year. If Lawson takes the starting QB position next year, we are going to be in for a really special 2016.
The nice thing about Motley... speed never slumps.
Even if his passing never improves, at the very least Tech can put him in the game and put together a rushing QB game plan.
Depending on development during the year this year, if Lawson is as good as advertised, Motley might not ever see the field as starter barring injury, which is a good problem to have, but would stink for him.
Then again, isn't Motley from Christiansburg and nobody else offered him. Even if he never takes a significant snap, he has had the opportunity to compete for the number 1 spot and get a quality education at the same time.
Motley was offered by GT. Be very very VERY glad he didn't end up there.
agreed!!!
One thing I noticed while attending the scrimmage this past weekend was the attention to detail. I always had a beef with Brewer's play action/zone read ball movement and faking ability. At times last year during a play action fake to the RB the ball wouldn't even come close to the RB's stomach. This is critical in freezing the LB's. Grant it, I know Brewer really isn't a threat on the ground but if you're going to run the play, run the play. Don't half-ass the play design. This spring he's really selling it. In the highlight film you see him hand it off and then he really sells it like he threw it. These are the small things that give you a step on the defense. And a step could be the difference between a 3 yard loss and a touchdown.
That's really good to hear. One thing that has lacked in Blacksburg is following through on play design, or just selling fakes. I've never seen a VT QB be really good at it but hopefully that has changed. I am a huge believer that things like this are why the great teams are great.
And it's not just QBs. It's WRs blocking and/or acting like it's a pass play when it's a run, or a RB fully faking a run on play action, or 100% convincingly running their assignment when the ball has no chance of going to them. I hope we see those things on offense so that we might have some success against even mediocre defenses.
Ford's fake block and slant at the end of the scrimmage was beautiful
1. That sack on Ford hurt me.
2. Ford (the WR) is going to be an absolute Beast for us by the time he leaves blacksburg.