Bud Foster and his defensive staff provided some insight on what they saw during the Hokies' second open scrimmage on Saturday to BeamerBall.com.
Andrew Motuapuaka and Deon Clarke seemed locked in as the starters at mike and backer, respectively. Interestingly enough, Foster dropped the news that 6-5, 236 pound freshman linebacker Tremaine Edmunds is poised to receive playing time this season.
"He's a guy who'll probably play as a freshman at my position," Foster said. "I'm intrigued with him. Tremaine is big and explosive and I'm excited about him and his future."
Tremaine was recruited by Foster as Tech's backer (or perhaps the position now referred to as LOLB) of the future. Given the impending departure of senior Deon Clark, it's a prudent decision for Foster to get Clark's likely successor game experience. Deon has the frame of a traditional Tech defensive end, and Foster might leverage that size this season to create some mismatches in the box.
Luther Maddy isn't even a year removed from the meniscus tear he suffered against East Carolina last season, but he is making progress on the practice field.
"It was great to get Luther Maddy more action in this scrimmage," defensive line coach Charley Wiles said. "He's coming along. Luther got 18 plays in our first scrimmage and then 34 in this second scrimmage. He's hard to handle one-on-one. He ended up with two assists, a tackle and four QB harasses. Very productive with 44 points in 34 plays."
Also on the injury front, Corey Marshall's ankle got "dinged" during the scrimmage. Wiles hopes it's nothing serious.
Finally, Wiles also noted true freshman Darius Fullwood could be his fifth defensive end behind starters Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem, and backups Seth Dooley and Vinny Mihota.
According to Torrian Gray, both Greg Stroman and Brandon Facyson have room to improve.
"I'm pleased that Brandon Facyson got through a full week of practice," the defensive backs coach said. "In the scrimmage, he had a tackle, an assist and recovered a fumble. But, mentally, I have to coach him up and get him sharper. Help him shake off some rust."
"Greg Stroman was 2-for-3 on his plays and was solid," Gray added. "But, he's like Facyson in terms of we need to clean up some technique and mental errors."
Gray confirms what Mason wrote in his scrimmage report, both Donovan Riley and Chuck Clark had a great scrimmage.
With Kendall Fuller out, Donovan Riley has really been good," Gray said. "He was 3-for-4 on his plays, had a pick, two breakups and he's really done a nice job."
He added, "Chuck Clark is having a great summer for us, he was 3-for-3 on his plays, 3 tackles, 4 factor plays and I'm very pleased."
Gray wants rovers Desmond Frye and Adonis Alexander to play more consistently. Frye needs to be a steadier tackler, and Alexander needs to be sharper mentally.
Defensive players and coaches meet with the media after practice Wednesday evening. Kevin and Joey will have more from them then.
Comments
"Steadier tackler" from Frye- who has a history of being beaten in the passing game (see Alabama 2013), isn't a ringing endorsement.
Gray said "with Kendall Fuller out." It is common knowledge that he wasn't going to scrimmage. However, has he been missing practice?
French, cheer up. The glass is half full of decent players on defense this season. Or at least I am trying to keep positive.
Just wanted to pop you for a quick opinion.
What's pays a higher dividend, beating the Bucks or scaring them half to death with a quality loss, (<7pts)?
Winning
Exactly. There is no trying in this case, only doing. While we have many question marks on offense, it is time as a fan base, as a culture that we believe we deserve to win. We may not win but I'm not going to watch this game and hope we don't lose. "With winning hopes we fear defeat no longer"
Nicely played.
You would be my kind of teammate.
A close loss pays very little dividends. I understand that people may feel that a win could lead to overlooking future opponents or something related to a "letdown". But a team that cannot take the big win, build on it, and take care of business, is not a team that can get it done after a close loss vs #1.
Win all the way. A let down? Coaches job to avoid that plus JMU is not so far behind in the rear view mirror.
I think I speak for all of us when I say we have no idea what you're talking about...
he's responding to another comment, though unsuccessfully using the reply function
got it now?
The rationale in the article to play Edmunds is the same rationale you should use to play Lawson- to get experience for a possible starter next year and a departing senior
True that it's a similar rationale, but they are two different equations. You have to weight the risk vs reward in both scenarios.
A redshirt year for a quarterback is far more valuable than a redshirt year for a linebacker, so reward of playing Lawson is lower. Also, a true freshmen quarterback is far more likely to come into a close game (either because of injury or because the coach wants to get him reps) and make a game-changing mistake than a linebacker would. Just think of the UNC game this year, when their young QB comes into the game right before half to get some reps and throws a pick-six to Kendall Fuller.
Something tells me that Foster has some freak defensive scheme in mind for Tremaine. It is very unlike Bud to trust a true freshman in his linens line corps. Particularly when we have not heard much about him throughout camp and it is a guy that most people believe will outgrow the position. Tremaine's unique measurable a and skill set might have Bud thinking creative. One thing for sure, being an Edmunds he is certain to be coachable and a team player.
linen lines corp
Bud is a genius. He's going to start designing clothes to fit freak athletes. Well player, Bud, well played.