Last night, Coach Foster and Coach Searels spoke to members of the Northern Virginia Hokie Club. Most of the program was devoted to Q & A, and both coaches were thoughtful and detailed in their responses (despite a ton of dumb questions-really guy with first question asking the OL coach and DC about Dwayne Lawson?). Some insights that were shared include:
1) Foster was very kind in giving a long detailed response to my question about how his defense uses gap fits to create a free hitter, culminating in a discussion about how important the free hitter is play side in his defensive scheme. He emphasized that Chuck Clark is his free safety because of his experience and reliability, while CJ Reavis is a "terrific open field tackler." Coach Foster also noted that he can't recall a defensive back coming in and showing playmaking ability as a young player in very limited duty like Reavis has had. He noted that he has concerns about experience at the position and commented that "if our free hitter isn't at the right place and doesn't make the tackle, we can give up some really big plays" and then referenced Bonner and Jarrett's first year as a starting pair. He said he feels better about this pairing than he did with Bonner and Jarrett when they first became starters. Foster also said that Facyson is 100% ready to go and cleared for all football activities. He doesn't feel any pain and has been doing all football movements without any hesitancy.
2) Foster also talked briefly about how Anthony Shegog has "outgrown" the rover position and will be a whip that has the ability to slide out and play nickel in run-first situations against spread teams. He also said that while Mook Reynolds stayed out at corner in the spring, he is going to get work at the nickel in fall practice.
3) Coach Searels was (not surprisingly because it was a leading question insinuating that Hansen was terrible) impassioned talking about Wade Hansen. He talked about how Hansen has added strength (up 25 pounds from last season's playing weight) and a big time work ethic. He said they will be better up front than last year. He talked about how Hansen received his scholarship from Frank Beamer on the field and the entire team cheered him. Coach Foster cut in and talked about Hansen's football IQ, and how impressive it is that he made the transition from offense to defense and could be effective.
4) With regards to the quarterback position, both coaches said to expect a big year from Michael Brewer. They talked about how behind the 8 ball he was by only having a short time to learn the offense, and that a good number of his turnovers were due to mistakes by young receivers. They didn't say so, but they implied that he really was never healthy after the Ohio State game. Searels even said that after he took the big shot on a first down scramble that "I didn't think he would get up." There was very little talk about Motley, and when the Lawson question was asked (I apologize to others in attendance for my loud, groan), Searels said they will have a package for Lawson in place in case he is needed to play immediately, much like the package for Motley last year. I didn't get a chance to ask if Motley had the whole playbook last year (which was one of the 4 questions I didn't get to ask because of dumb crap like "what is your favorite movie?" and "why is the SEC better than us?"
5) Coach Foster feels very good about his defensive front. Very good.
6) Just like I have said in my column, I still think VT is a matchup nightmare for Ohio State. Foster exuded similar confidence. He sounds like a coach who feels he has the tools to give them fits again.
I know there was a ton more, however I blacked out a couple of times from mini-strokes, so I welcome anyone else in attendance to share their observations.
Comments
Thanks, French. Great info!
I was eagerly awaiting this information after I saw your post on Twitter last night. Thanks, French!
I think Foster wanted to talk for another hour on his defensive system. That was far and away the longest answer of the night. It was like listening to Lombardi talk about the power sweep. I wanted to hear him talk about the mike and backer responsibility and how they determine where to fit (is it pre-determined or do they fit the first bubble they see?) however I asked more questions than most got a chance to.
So, getting right at the really important stuff to take away from all of this, what were their favorite movies?
Foster- Raiders of the Lost Ark
Searels- Outlaw Josey Wales
Seriously, I think I had a stroke.
In your opinion, better or worse than Foster's shirt question during the Twitter Q&A?
What's up with the lack of love for the Crystal Skull?
I had to restrain myself
Oh please tell me that those were not actual questions that were asked...
First question was about Lawson having a chance to start as a freshman, and yes these questions were asked.
I suppose I can understand someone asking the Lawson question. At least it's football related. But really, what's your favorite movie?
Brewer's first stumble and the Lawson talk will ratchet up by a thousand. Twitter and Facebook will be full of football coaches.
As soon as Brewer throws his first pick the
LealLawson truthers will come out in full force.Brought to you by "Jack's mom's raging bile duct".
Based on the tweets last night from French and other in attendance, those questions and more were asked.
Can we have a French and Foster 1 on 1. It could be a spin off on Grudens awful QB camp.. but with less spider y banana and more Dadi Smash!!
MAKE THAT HAPPEN !!!!!!!
seriously, TKP has a press pass. let's set up a new thing and call it the "FrenchPress" where French sits down with each coach for 1 hour and gets to the nuts of our systems.
EDIT:
Webisodes. Why didn't I think about this before. Each one a webisode with French at a white board with a coach going through X's and O's. And as inticement to coaches they get a free one of a kind FrenchFromTheBench TKP shirt, (of my own design) This needs to be a thing. Do we need another round of Fund Raising?
"Frenchpress" trademark that shit and get it rolling.
GF and I were there and afterward she said, "Can we make it so only French can ask questions?"
I like her. She is a very smart woman. Good job OhHerro!
smart? French, come on, let's focus on what actually matters here. How are her legs Ohherro? is her fall race schedule lined up yet? does her placing in the race affect our overall score?
She is the best - didn't go to Tech, but considers herself an honorary Hokie and takes every opportunity to make fun of LOLUVA.
first race of the season is already set: http://charlesst12.com/
Full disclosure. We've been talking about this for awhile, which you may not be aware of. (about 2/3's down)
http://www.thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech-football/2015/05/9362/countdown-...
Welp, that was weird.
FTFY.
It took me a second to remember that he's the guy whose wife runs races that somehow affect our performance on the field, and I thought you were just randomly asking about another poster's wife's gams.
I too thought that post was going in a much, much different direction.
If her streak continues this year I admit I am going to have an unhealthy obsession over Ohherro's gf's legs.
OhHerro can testify to my audible groaning. I looked like Jets fan on draft night.
If you are going to call it FrenchPress, I think you need to include an actual French Press.
I made that a while ago so I guess could replace the beer. Not sure if that is fitting though, French seems like beer and a small mouth bass is more his style. Could be wrong though, never met him before.
While I like really good coffee and have a French press just like that one as well as several vac pots and a large drip pot for large gatherings.....
NEVER REPLACE BEER.
Thank you. This has been a community service announcement.
I think we can all agree that coffee has its place, and that place is in making stouts and porters better.
It also has a place in helping the guy that's making the stouts and porters better.
I'd say if he brought Panini's (they are French right?) and made it lunch every coach would sign up. What a picture that would be, French and Foster and paninis.
remember that study where it showed that most people only really read the first and last letters of a word when reading quickly? Yeah, I totally saw "French and Foster and penis" and had to do a double take. I'm not sure if that reflects more poorly on me or the expected content of comments.
I want that shirt.
Badly.
Bring us this. You could replace the fish with something related to football, though.
Thanks. Technically that was made from 100% free clipart so anyone can make it. That being said probably better for everyone to buy the upcoming SACKSBURG shirt and support TKP.
EDIT: Given French's passion for fishing the fish needs to stay. Besides it's the idea of wearing that on gameday and most people having no clue that it relates to VT football. Like an illuminati handshake. Those that are in the know, know.
Given French's passion for fishing, the fish needs to be much bigger. He only uses normal sized fish for bait. No joking here, he's a big fish hunter.
Depends on if you intend it as a tribute to French, or also a tribute to French on The Key Play, I guess. I could see making it a football or a cell phone (play analysis). Would still be a relatively obscure reference in the big scheme of things.
Did the fish take a bite out of the bench?
nope. Fish is being held by the hand.
I still prefer the obscurity, and in this case the more obscure the better. You don't need to put a football on the #horseonatreadmill for people to know it's about VT, so I don't see the need here either. Anyway, that was just all for shits and giggles last time Joe opened up the conversation about tshirt ideas. Not meant to be serious.
And despite my use of the words not joking, I was not being serious either. I like your tshirt idea.
haha, no worries. Finding a cool looking fish that fit just right and was 100% free was the most challenging part actually.
I don't think I could add much besides asking a few questions, but I would love for us to get Foster on video talking about his basic defense like he would at a coaching clinic. High level stuff like gap fits, edge play (force or spill), and free hitters. He talked about that last night- that his system allows guys to make tackles without fighting through blocks. He also talked about how his free hitters KNOW where the ball should go, so that puts them in a better position to make plays. He has done some coaching clinic type discussions about his system and a few are published, but I would be thrilled if TKP could ever host a video series where he did something like this:
So... how DO the free hitters know where the ball is going? It was my impression that it's a combination of play call, alignment, film study, and reading keys. Obviously how the play develops would matter as well with regard to exactly where to be...
Because Bud Foster says it will.
I have talked about this season, but it sounds like a column. Short answer is that they know where to be because the blocked defenders dictate where the back goes and the free hitter meets the runner there. If the other D don't execute their assignments, or if the free hitter misses, bad things happen.
Look for this in an upcoming column!
Ah, okay, that makes sense. I was way over thinking it and was thinking about the players learning what offenses like to do. Got caught up in how they might study the tendencies of the opponent's play calling based on alignment, down and distance/situation, certain keys, etc during film study for the week.
This column touched on a force call. http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2014/april/8/spring-practice-film-stud.... The edge player has contain, so the free hitter (in this case the rover) knows he has to go to the inside alley because the edge guy will force the back to the inside. The spill has the edge player go inside, which "spills" the runner to the outside. If the safety knows the call and the edge player executes it, he will be waiting for the ball. Then he just has to make the tackle, which if you recall the BC game the year before last, doesn't always happen. Those free hitters have to put guys on the ground. If they don't, the next level of pursuit are corners that are likely being blocked and are in deep zones.
'The center's decision depends upon the position of the man...and what kind of man he is.'
Classic stuff. Great to see Jerry Kramer #64 leading the way.....a 6'3" 245# offensive guard.
I would gladly make a nice donation to Foster's charity (and French's) for that matter if this were to happen.
My charity is called "Make it out to cash so I can go Marlin fishing" fund.
Do you take Dinner's Club card?
Yes, but you have to throw in a heckuva nice watch
Number 5 is my favorite. Whenever Bud admits to any level of comfort with his units...
Oh, Coach Foster calls the new indoor practice facility "BEAMERBARN."
That sounds like money to me.
French, what is your favorite movie?
Three Amigos!!!
It was a male plane.
How could you tell?
Couldn't you see the little balls?
Top Gun
Mission Completed....
There were a couple of questions asked that were dumb like some jackass behind me asking Coach Foster to explain "How Kam Chancellor got Beat like a drum vs. Stanford but now is one of the best DB's in the NFL?" Coach Foster replied with " it was Davon Morgan not Kam".
Also the Questions to Coach Seals were not in any way offensive about Wade Hansen "Being terrible". These are big time Hokie Alumi who want to honestly get the Coaches opinion on how well is a D-3 Junior College Transfer going to be prepared against a unanimous All-American D-lineman in Joey Bosa.
Another great question, In fact it was the first question that was asked of the night was about Fosters Bear Defense and about how Meyer made adjustments throughout the season last year as other teams tried to manipulate Fosters Scheme.
The Kam Chancellor question was awful, especially given that he wasn't on the team when VT played Stanford. Brutal.
The Hansen question felt like the guy was going to take a potshot (like he is only playing because the coaches did such a crappy job in recruiting) and the guy chickened out half way through the question. Coach Searels responded like he believed that was the original intent as well. He was very passionate about his defense/description of Hansen.
One thing that Searels stumbled on was saying that pass protection was better with Hansen in the lineup. It wasn't. They ran the ball much better with him in the lineup, although I would argue that had much more to do with Teller being an every down player than anything else.
Yep, there were several leading questions with incorrect assumptions disguised as fact.
I shook my head at the Stanford/Kam question (now you could say he got beat like a drum vs LSU, but it's irrelevant regardless).
I shook my head at the "what are you going to do to correct pre-snap penalties all last season question" too. Searels rightly corrected him saying that it was really only the first half of the season where that was an issue (which means it already got corrected).
Honest response would have been "Updowns until they F'n puke."
We used to call 'em "Hit It's"...
But I give him credit for taking the high road and putting some of the blame on himself.
That D3 college transfer is now an P5 scholarship player. How well do most P5 OL play against top DL All Americans?
I don't know, but Pierre Garcon and London Fletcher have held their own as D3 guys against NFL players.
Yea that's my point, the whole he was a D3 player is bullshit. The NFL is riddled with FCS and lower players.
Yep. I clapped loudly when Searels corrected him and said "he wasn't a JUCO, he was D3."
Ok but I really need to know: Why does the SEC like better movies than the ACC? Do you think Dwayne Lawson will get a chance to start watching movies right away?
FrenchPress and BeamerBarn.
Did anyone ask anything important like, is the BeamerBarn tall enough for Bucky to fit into it without bumping his head? Or what component upgrades they made in Sam Rogers this off-season?
Seriously though, thanks for downloading this. One of these days I'm going to make it out to one of these (and try not to ask a dumb question), but I'm a bit over committed to things right now.
About 10 or 15 minutes before the event started, I was fortunate enough to have a large gentleman with a beer in his hand come up to me and a couple of others I had just met at our table and say "Hi, I'm Stacey".
He asked if we had been to one of these things before and what they were like. I said you'll get some "interesting" questions and I'd ask him some to warm him up.
He chatted with us for 10 minutes or so. Highlights as I recall them from memory (nothing really earth-shattering here and some of the questions were repeated during the actual Q&A session):
- He thinks if Nijman connects the dots, he can be very, very good. He's as pretty as they get.
- Austin Clark is a Tackle (I asked if he's a tackle or guard at this level). A Right Tackle though. Good chance he redshirts.
- Plaintin is up to about 295lb from 255 (I think I recall those numbers correctly)
- He really likes the starting 5.
- Brewer is much improved
- I asked him who are the best guys he has coached in his career. He mentioned 4 or 5 guys that are currently NFL pro bowlers/starters, but then lumped Teller into that too. Thinks he can be that good.
- He thinks this VT team can be very good. It needs to get some depth at some positions though.
- I then said this is the one you're bound to get (and he did). Q: "Lawson"? A: "Wow!" After a pause, he then went on to say that he's big -- a true 6'6" -- and (as he repeated during the Q&A) is apparently already getting the snap counts and formations right in drills -- which is a pretty big deal for a freshman (his words). He then added the caveat that you can't tell what he'll be like when they get the pads on and guys are going full speed, but it's a good start.
That's about all I can remember.
I'm sure I forgot a thing or two, but that's the gist of the conversation.
Damn. Next time come say hello. I introduced myself to Coach Searels after the event, and he... wasn't as warm as Coach Foster. I guess he read or heard about my Wake Forest review.
Clark was one of the kids I wanted to ask about because he played well in pass protection in VERY limited duty in the spring game.
I think they are doing everything they can to keep Nijman positive. He looked like a very impressive athlete who can be very good, but he is going to need a ton of work. That isn't a negative. He is new to the position and has to learn from scratch.
I also wanted to ask about Teller and hear his take on what makes Teller such a weapon at guard that they have resisted moving him out to tackle. Again, I could have used the whole hour, but it wouldn't have been fair for everyone.
Alston Smith wasn't mentioned. When Coach Searels talked about depth guys, he mentioned Kyle Chung, Braxton Pfaff, and Darius Redman. I believe HokieJoe87 asked about Parker Osterloh and Searels talked about them having hopes that he could compete with Hansen, but Hansen had a terrific spring and won the job cleanly. Tyrell Smith was a kid that I thought did a heck of a job when being thrown to the wolves (great compete level although he needs to get stronger.)
You can tell Searels really likes Eric Gallo. He said if Gallo walked in the room, we wouldn't even know he was a football player (said you would think he was a mailman) but he competes, communicates well, and takes really good angles.
I think we can all agree it would have been better for everyone.
But hey, aren't you glad you found out their favorite movies?
Interesting. He was pretty warm with us. Asked what we do, when we graduated, etc.
There were a few things I wanted to ask but didn't get the chance or forgot. I wasn't expecting to get the chance to ask questions one on one. After I asked him about the starting 5 (and if they are indeed the starting 5), I told him to expect a question on who 6, 7 & 8 will be. And he mentioned Osterloh, Pfaff (injuries) and Chung (injuries). He didn't mention Redman (although he did in the Q&A), either Smith or any of the other r-Fr (other than Gallo, of course) that I recall.
That is awesome.
I really hope SS sticks around for a while, maybe even post Frank.
This is a guy who has coached under Saban AND Miles at LSU, Richt at UGA, and Brown at Texas, and now of course Frank.
His entire big time coaching career has been under the best in the game and some with very different styles and personalities. Would love for TKP, Andy, or someone to convince him to sit down and open up about what that has been like.
Searels seems to be enjoying VT but it's hard to tell how much of it is sincere and how much is blowing some smoke.
He seemed to work in a compliment for a VT player, Beamer, the fan base, Lane Stadium, etc. into almost every answer to questions all night (Example: my question to him about the best linemen he has coached). He's been well schooled.
Certainly. With all that time in the SEC at name programs, and Texas being probably the most microscoped program in the nation I suspect he was doing his homework on everything the minute he heard Frank was hiring.
In all honesty on paper he is probably the best credentialed coach Frank has hired in 15 years.
Searels is the coach I'd want to talk to the most if I had the chance. The impression I get of him from what I've heard is that he's a good ol' boy. I think we'd get along.
Or Torrian. I think I'd like to have a beer with Searels but as soon as I met Torrian I'd just accept coaching.
Was there any talk on backups for the OL, DE, LB?
Edit: I see above I missed a comment on some of this as I was reading.
OL yes. Nothing on DL or LB other than he sounded really positive about Andrew Motuapuaka.
Adonis Alexander as a corner? What lead you to move such a big kid outside, and what strengths did he display this spring?
Which freshman DE has a chance to contribute behind Dadi?
How does a mike linebacker determine where to fit? Is it pre-determined based on a defensive call, or is it a read?
What elements of Ohio State's offense are potential threats to the Bear look (essentially I was hoping he would talk about adjustments to stop speed option to the field when they overload the boundary- see Elliott's TD run.)
Discuss Lydon's spring- do you trust him at the mike spot if AM gets hurt/doesn't play well? (I really think that as good as Lydon could be, Foster LOVES Sean Huelskamp. If he is healthy, he may get the shot and Foster has a great track record of playing a heady walk on kid at the mike spot. (Jack Tyler)
I too was wondering that with Huelskamp. Certainly we have options at mike. I just hope someone steps up.
Asking a question about a favorite movie??? This gif came right to my head.
"... I blacked out a couple of times from mini-strokes.." LMAO!
Seriously, though...anybody else's adrenaline start going reading these reports? Nice work, French. We're getting closer, folks. God, I love Hokie football.
Although I wasn't there hearing people ask those type of questions makes me wish Foster and Searls just answered them like this...
part of me thinks some of the people that ask the not so smart/off topic questions are older donors who haven't stayed up with the program like we do on TKP.
Not meant to sound snotty/degrading to older donors- they probably have better things to do than look at emma watson dancing gifs ect ect
Yeah, we keep up with the program, but there'd be some awful questions if the room was filled with just TKP'ers. Awesomely awful mind you, but awful none the less.
For the record, I don't see what's wrongwith asking about their favorite movies. I find that interesting. What kind of music do they like? Somebody ask that at the next one.
You tell me again there is something better to look at?
My only concern is at the LB spot. Watched a replay of the 2001 Gator Bowl vs. Clemson and while people were waxing nostalgic about the last game MV played as a Hokie, I was remembering the days when House and Taylor roamed the middle and created havoc for the opposition. I would be happy if this year AM can match what we got from Williams last year. With the talent level we have in front and behind them, all we need is steady in the midway. Did Bud talk at all about the LB unit (starters and backups)?
Shegog as a whip? I'm intrigued.
yes. Foster said he was up to 220lbs.
I really hope its good weight and not due to VT's wonderful dining halls.
Holland fisher going to end up with a joel caleb like career at VT? Hoping the light clicks for him and he gets a chance next year as a r-so at the whip spot.
I'll go out on a limb here and say no.
I predict Fisher won't see anywhere near the playing time that Caleb has already booked.
hoping that's not the case. I think he could be a monster on special teams at the least this year.
Why? Because he was a four star?
Because he's athletic and can tackle. Do you remember the advice Shane gave another coach after the Bama game in '13? "Don't put walkons on your coverage teams."
I used to think he was going to be next great Rover for us but I've changed my opinion, and I'm no longer optimistic.
First, off he barely played any football his last two years of high school. This was due to a variety of reasons - injury, transfers, disciplinary. He performed well at camps and passed the eye test with flying colors but there wasn't much game tape on him. I think this resulted in him being overrated by the recruiting services.
Second, he didn't play that much at prep school. That's a red flag to me.
Third, he played LB in highschool and while he generally camped as a DB there were always questions about whether he had the speed/agility to play DB for us. I used to argue with people that said he was going to be our next great Whip, saying I expected him to be a FS based on his comments about wanting to play DB and his good camp performances.
Fourth, he was moved from Rover to Whip while dropping 15lb during his redshirt season, going from 195 to 180lb. The guy was in great shape when he reported, so it's not like he lost a spare tire - he lost good weight.
Fifth, #sources have said several times that he's been slow to pick up the defense and that part of his move to Whip was to simplify his role in the defense.
Sixth, he has a lot of off-field responsibilities/distractions that might have been impacting his development on the field (or might in the future).
edit: I'm going by memory so a lot of this stuff my be a little off, but overall that's where my concerns compe from. I hope he can pull it together and have a successful career as an athlete and a student at VT.
French, thanks.
After reading this, and your analysis of Facyson's game at the horseshoe...
Do you have more optimism with the secondary as Facyson's health is reported 100%?
How does a stocked secondary affect the linebackers' roles, if at all?
Thank you, and I'll hang up and listen...
I don't know if the Bear will be the mechanism, but Bud is going to play 8 guys in the box (or 7 if tOSU goes 4 wide) against 5/6 blockers. Those two safeties, especially Reavis, are going to be unblocked and expected to tackle exceptional athletes like Elliot, Miller/Barett/Jones and Marshall in space. If they don't tackle, VT doesn't win.
Corner-wise I feel very good.
Awesome. We potentially have the personnel to wreak havoc. We should have the D-line, and if the LB's can win their battles and move the safeties up, tOSU will have to re-look at their numbers and keep some blockers in....and the odds shift.
So is that Horse taking a break from the treadmill at the gym?
Yeah, after a good workout sometimes I expose myself to passerbys before showering.
I also think a big part of it will be if AM can fill the hole with some pop or just drag the guy down while getting run over. It is a difference of 2-3 yards which could be the difference in punts and first downs.