Andy Bitter interviewed Jeff Grimes today (I strongly encourage everyone to follow Andy at https://twitter.com/AndyBitterVT) and read the full interview as soon as it is published to his blog.
Some comments reflect exactly what we have predicted here:
From @AndyBitterVT I asked Grimes if he felt better about interior line. "They do have more experience, but that doesn’t mean they’re better players," he said. "There’s no reason we couldn’t come out of spring and say our 2 tackles are strength of our o-line. I know that’s counterintuitive but again, I don’t think that enough has been proven with this line to say that there’s a strength anywhere right now."
Kudos to Andy for a great story on Loeffler this morning as well. http://blogs.roanoke.com/andybittervirginiatechfootball/2013/03/26/catch...
Comments
The Loeffler read was great. I love the idea of being basic on purpose to see who stands out and get the fundamentals down. Also very happy, hopefully, that the pistol will GTFO of the playbook.
I have absolutely zero problem with the pistol. Like everything in football/coaching, your players will only be able to execute as well as they are coached.
I'm confident that the new coaches will be able to get everyone on the same page, regardless of the formation used.
Best thing about competition is that guys are going to have to bring each and every play in practice which carries over to game day in 5 months. Is Grimes quote more optimistic on the potential/development of Shuman and Gibson or damning on wang/miller/benedict/arkema?
I don't think it's either, really. I think he's just saying that everybody's spot is up for grabs, with open competition across the board.
It seems like more of the latter to me. A subtle dig saying that no one here has played well enough to have a spot secured
I agree with you. I think he is giving a blanketed statement that these guys need to check their heart and be ready to fight it out.
1) I think he knows that Gibson could be really really good. Watching film of Auburn's OL and then watching film of Gibson in limited snaps, he fits exactly what Grimes looks for (tall, mobile, quick feet.) Shuman, as I noted in my French on the Bench, has the same length (and good feet from what little I have observed) but he isn't quite as strong in the upper body which makes it more difficult to scoop block the backside or hook a defensive end on a zone outside seal. But, his comment may imply that Conte, and not Shuman, has the major upside at tackle. I think Shuman can be good, but no lineman has been more complimented publically by the staff more than Augie Conte.
Also, as I noted in today's French on The Bench, the interior linemen do not fit the Jeff Grimes mold. Again, Auburn's guards are 6'5 300 and look long and lean on film. The zone blocking scheme requires guards that can scoop 1 techniques and true nose tackles and hook 3 techniques and back side middle linebackers. That means a fundamentally sound quick first step to the play side, getting your head on THE PLAYSIDE SHOULDER/HIP of the defender (not in the middle of his chest) and then getting turned upfield. I am a big proponent of Brent Benedict, but laterally movement was consistantly the weakest part of his game. Wang and Arkema are both stout guards and don't have the footwork to overcome the lack of reach. Farris is a center, and should stay at center. At guard, he has the same weaknesses as Wang and Arkema and is less mobile.
Miller is the most interesting case study. Based on all I have read, he is a nasty cuss and plays the game with the right attitude and aggression. His injury is lauded as the reason for why the offense struggled so much down the stretch. But, remember, he has struggled against large nose tackles and he seemed to struggle with setting the correct protections. Perhaps Grimes has seen that on film, and is challenging Miller to improve that part of his game.
Thanks. I know we have limited if anything film wise on Conte but say Shuman & Conte are both in your group of 5 best lineman which we need on the field at all times who fits better at guard, and is that a move you could see happening..
I don't think it is a coincidence that Ryan Pugh is now a GA. I mean, think about it, why would an Auburn national championship letter winner be on the Hokies' staff as a GA? My thinking is along the line that he could help teach Miller and Farris to be outstanding center as far as technique and Grimesese (terminology).
I was thinking the same thing - having someone who succeeded under Grimes very recently is going to be a great thing for these guys IMO. While I don't think Grimes will have any trouble getting through to the O-line, having Pugh as more of a peer will help immensely. And he can always bust out his National Championship ring and go "See this? Yeah, this guy right here helped me get it."
Conte may fit that Grimes long-lean-mobile-nasty version at OG better than any of our other guards. Play Conte at guard, Shuman and Gibson at OT. Gets your five best out there, and you don't have to play Wang/Farris/Arkema at OG.
or maybe Acree is ready...but that's a big hope. Dude has been a lost cause for years now, it's asking a lot for him to be ready as he comes off a major injury.
If Conte is good, I can deal with Shuman at tackle more than Wang at guard. I watch film of Acree as a DL in high school and I can't fathom what made prognosticators so high on his talent. He was stiff as a board. If he is strong and nasty, guard may be the perfect fit, but I worry about leg drive (tiny legs for such a big body.)
Its a good thing that Grimes is used to defending SEC defensive lines. That will come in handy August 31.
Ryan Pugh should help Andrew Miller immediately.
From the Spring Outlook, Grimes said "I think it is important when you come in as a new coach to be sure all of them feel like they have the opportunity and the challenge to prove themselves. I have told them from day one the best five players are going to play, I don’t care how much experience they do have or don’t have."
That's the perfect mindset to have as any coach, new or not. Gives the young guys motivation to prove themselves and makes sure the older guys don't get complacent and acting like they've got their starting spots locked up.
My take is that the new coaches are very serious and excited but realistic.