What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
Who were the players that really impressed you?
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Answer one or none of these, and feel free to add your own thoughts.
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Special teams and defensive front 7 is what I'm least worried about. While I know there are some depth issues at the linebacker and tackle spots, the starters are solid and I was impressed by the younger guys on the white team Saturday. The only concern on special teams is Journell when the kick is >40 yards.
On the other hand, offensive cohesion is my biggest concern. This isn't just on the offensive line, but rather all 11 clicking together. Every receiver knowing where they need to be on every play. Whether it is a passing play or a running play, they need to execute. Sell the route, make the block, make the catch. Our fullbacks/H-Backs and tight ends need to pick up their blocks at the line to create space for our RBs. Our line needs to get push on run blocking, containment on pass blocking, and minimize/eliminate penalties. We can't shoot ourselves in the foot. And Logan needs to trust his team. He trusted everyone in 2011, not so much last year. We need him to believe in the team, encourage them, and motivate them to succeed.
Journell from 40+ is nearly as scary as Journell in B-Dubs.
If I remember correctly, he hit from 55 in one of the spring scrimmages (with both teams on the field if it was the kick on one of the highlights, so he would have gotten enough height to clear the linemen). I think that we may have been a little spoiled by the line of R-Senior Kickers that preceded him who had spent 4 years in Coach Gentry's Strength and Conditioning program before being needed in a game. While I don't expect him to be lining up for many from the 50+ range, I think he'll be able to connect from at least 45-50 this year if we need him to.
Respectively,
Defensive line
Logan's decision making
Edmunds, Dadi, Demitri
Stanford, Fayscon, Tookes
The offensive line is improving, but they arent ready for bama yet
1. DE's/Kicking Game
2. Repeat Hokie_x3_Hi Offensive cohesion
3. Dadi, Gayle, Jarrett, McLaughlin, Fayscon
4. Dadi & a younger receiver yet to be determined not sold on knowles
5. The entire offense needs to improve as to be expected with staff turnover on that side of the ball: rbs need to be more consistent, receivers need to run routes with a purpose & catch the ball, need to find a fullback & our 5 best lineman, and continued growth between Logan and Loeffler.
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
D Line in general. I think there is talent there and if they play to potential could be a dominant group. I think Maddy could give the new Bama center fits.
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
Line play and Logan's consistency. The D can hold its own for 3 quarters but the O will have to keep the D off the field. We would have won in 09 if teh O would have kept the D off the field.
Who were the players that really impressed you?
Sounded like DVD had a nice game and the freshman o lineman, McLaughlin(?).
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
I would say DVD but Bud never rotates his linebackers.
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Logan, RB's.
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game? Logan Thomas. And, you know, the defense. I think it will be a top 10 defense in all of college football next year.
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama? Offensive Line, just finding five guys who can play.
Who were the players that really impressed you? McLaughlin, certainly. Facyson. Stanford. McCray. Dadi.
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall? I think Exum will miss at least 4 games, maybe half the season, and be much less effective when he's out there. I think Facyson will either be the starter in his absence or play a lot with Manning or Riley.
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff? Farris/Miller/Benedict/Shuman. I think we've got OT figured out, but the OG/C position scares me.
Bonus thought: I'm concerned about Corey Marshall and Kris Harley. Both may be part-time players this year, but they need to progress because they need to be stalwarts on the DL next year (and the year after?). I know Wiles likes to be a non-filtered hardass, but these two guys need to be brought back into the fold.
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
Punters, Kickers, and D-Line
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
The entire offense playing cohesively
Who were the players that really impressed you?
The new defensive players
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
DVD. Dadi Nicolas. Ken Ekanem
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Every player always has room for improvement, but the offensive starters really need to step it up.
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On another note, today I'm 2 in TKP years! LET'S RAGE AT TOTS!
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
AJ Hughes and the starting front 7. Those guys are solid. I'm also pretty confident in our OTs, especially in run blocking.
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
The OG/C positions and pass-blocking in general along the line. I'd like to see how McLaughlin plays when lined up against Nicolas or Gayle play after play.
Who were the players that really impressed you?
McLaughlin. The dude can play. Facyson and Stanford had solids springs as well, and AJ Hughes looks like a big-time punter. Finally, Dadi Nicolas. That vertical jump number doesn't lie, the guy is explosive. Seemed like he was in the backfield at the snap of the ball just about every play during the spring game and he's looked good all spring.
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
Despite the depth at DE, I think Ken Ekanem will actually make a pretty strong case for some playing time this fall. I've also thought that Joel Caleb has been improving quite a bit and he might actually be ready to compete for some serious time in August.
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Farris and Miller. Those 2 guys need to improve (see French's O-line article) if we're going to have ANY success running the football. Personally, I'd like to see both of those guys doing T-time drills every single day with Maddy or Hopkins.
i just want to see some offensive cohesion. i want to see the o line come together to support the run game. which in turn will hep the passing game. if we can just have some consistency there i think all the pieces will fall into place. i feel like in the last few years the oline going into every season is our biggest weakness and concern. more time in a new system will help all aspects i hope
one thing that i am really nervous about for bama is will we be fully prepared and ready to play from the opening kickoff? its no secret that we have been at opposite ends of the spectrum during my fanhood. i thought we started great and played great in general against bama in '09(dyrells touchdown and the defense holding them to field goals their first 2 possessions), but other times in big games it seems like we don't show up till after the first quarter (boise, lsu). also not that this was a big game at all but falling 28 points down to duke is just not acceptable. all in all, can we come out of the gates guns blazing against bama?
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
D-Line, Linebackers
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
Cornerback depth chart.
Who were the players that really impressed you?
Kyshoen, James Gayle, Donovan Riley
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
Josh Stanford, Joel Caleb
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Logan, Trey Edmunds, Malleck, O-Line
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
AJ Hughes
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
Offensive line play/toughness
Who were the players that really impressed you?
DVD, Josh Stanford, Ken Ekanem
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
DVD, Dadi Nicolas, Stanford again (I bet he gets starter PT)
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Basically the entire offense
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
Kickers and Punters. AJ Hughes on punts, Cody Journell on FGs and Brooks Abbott on Kickoffs sees like a good combo.
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
Logan's decision making. 1-2-3(-4-5(-6-7)) *look left* *look right* *check down/run*
Who were the players that really impressed you?
The young guns on defense. Especially Dadi Nicolas, Deon Clarke, Devin VanDyke. Johnathan McLaughlin certainly held his own at LT.
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
All the guys listed above. But to give you a straight answer -- Dadi Nicolas. He certainly made his presence known on defense, but it still very raw.
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Mark Shuman needs to stop drawing holding calls. I would say Michael Holmes as well, but he's gonna miss summer practice.
I'm most concerned with the Fullbacks. We haven't heard much about them, but it seems like they are a pretty critical piece in this offensive scheme. If the entire O line blocks perfectly, but our fullback gets manhandled, it's the same result. I think that's an area that we need to improve.
I'm also not so sure about special teams. Sure, the punter is much improved, but what about his protection? And Cody can't hit any FG's outside of 40, so that's a bit of an issue...
I'm confident in our D line, though. Those guys are ready to go.
Spot on.
The fullback is incredibly important in Loeffler's scheme, and a good one can turn a modest running attack into a fierce one. I'm not writing any of our fullbacks off, just wish we had a little more experience at that position.
I think Jerome Wright wins the job by Aug 31. He simply has more raw talent than the walk-ons.
Once Biero's shoulder is fully healed, which I'm pretty sure it is right about there since I saw him working out today, I think he will be the clear favorite and he is definitely a bulldozer. Wright has the athleticism to probably be the back up and have some pass catching opportunities.
Beiro was taking snaps away from Joey Phillips last year before he hurt his shoulder. He is a battering ram. He is the guy we want our tailbacks following through the holes. He will win the job.
I too was impressed by Beiro last year, however there's different technique on these zone blocks that he'll have to pick up. Not saying he won't be able to, I'd just feel better about seeing him do so this summer.
I have two words: OFFENSIVE LINE. If that group can improve over summer practices and gel as a unit, we should be fine. Our success this year depends on this group.
In rapid fire mode:
Awesome TKP shirts and the secondary.
Everything not called "the defense"
Brandon Facyson, Jonathan McLaughlin, Zach McCray
Brooks Abbott (not kidding)
Everyone
Front 7 and punting game
The running game
Jarret, Faycson, Dadi, McLaughlin, Malleck, Stanford
Dadi, Ekanem, Riley
Logan and the offense
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
Special team on punt. As someone mentioned early and I concur, Journell's distance is worrisome.
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
The offense as whole. They need to show signs of progress instead of getting bogged down.
Who were the players that really impressed you?
Hands-down, Facyson. He really blew me away with his play-making potential and his smarts. Jonathan McLaughlin really surprised me. I didn't think a freshman would crack the starting spot based on potential, but wow. I seriously doubt Newsome would have given McLaughlin an opportunity. Thank God Beamer hired Grimes.
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
Can I just say the whole White team defense?
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
Andrew Miller, Kris Harley, and Chase Williams.
What's one thing you're not going to worry about heading into August Camp and the Alabama game?
I'm not worried about all our special teams and our defense, even without Exum, one of the younger corners will slot in just fine.
What's one thing that definitely needs to be fixed in August before we play Alabama?
The Offensive Line needs to mesh, and make real room for the running backs.
Who were the players that really impressed you?
The Defensive Line as a whole, Jarret, Edwards and Fuller.
Which second-teamer is going to push for playing time this fall?
I might be a bit biased because he is my cousin, but Charley Meyer has the work ethic to make a push for playing time this fall.
Who are the players that need to improve before kickoff?
The Offensive line obviously and a couple of the recievers need to stop dropping passes and run crisp routes.
Answer one or none of these, and feel free to add your own thoughts.
I am a huge fan Meyer
1. The front 7. They're scary good.
2. Logan Thomas' decision making.
3. No I don't think they should play, but Leal and Rody impressed me during the spring game. We have some quarterbacks to choose from next year.
4. Dadi was awesome. And his name is Dadi!
5. Logan needs to improve. The O-Line needs to improve. Edmunds still needs to improve in order to be a legitimate threat against Bama. Michael Holmes needs to work on not getting arrested.
I think there is a lot of work to be done but reading the reports and hearing what the coaches and players are saying, I feel like this will be a tougher team than it was last year. I think too much is being put on the Spring Game. The positives seem to be that Lefty is making progress with LT3s footwork and mechanics, his next step may very well be decision making. The OL by French's account wasn't as bad as they looked and honestly to be expected given a new coach who opened up every single position to be taken. Maybe I'm buying into things too much but there is something about Grimes that tells me that he's got this (probably the Foster goatee). The hires we made in the off-season look to be legit and progress, as slow as it seems to be, is still being made. At the end of the day I'm comfortable with Bud re-loading the D, Grimes giving us a tough, serviceable OL, and Lefty getting LT3 back on track. I may have lower expectations for this group than most, but I think it would be a phenomenal accomplishment for them to hit 10 wins and an ACC championship. Years past I would say that was just expected.
1. There is not one thing I'm not worried about.
2. Everyone and everything on offense, from top to bottom, need to improve before the season begins.
3. DVD and Ekanem impressed me the most. Future D will still be good.
4. Dadi and McCray are going to be pushing for a lot of playing time.
5. I'm going to say Gayle, Collins, and the D-line need to improve and step-up big time. Why would I say the best unit needs to improve? Well, we know what the offense will be: very inconsistent. So, for VT to win games, the defense needs to be extremely dominant by stopping the run and rushing the passer. Last year, the D-line struggled early in the year and especially on the road. This year, they're VT's only chance to have a dominant year. If VT can hold teams from rushing greater than 150 yds, get 3-5 sacks a game, consistently harass the QB, and get 2-3 turnovers a game, they'll probably be looking at a solid chance for BCS entry via the ACCCG or an at-large.
I can definitely see Malleck and McCray in a lot of 2 tight end sets
I'm quite happy to see this. This group will be as good as the amount of time they put in on their own in the offseason.
Hopefully this cleans up the routes, gets timing down on the line so there are fewer false starts, and gets Logan knowing where his receivers will be when he goes through his progressions. This can only mean good things for the rest of the summer. Now if only they could get some of the scout team defense out there or something to have the OL go against and work on blocking....
I saw that too. I wonder who is organizing the workouts. If it's coming from Logan Thomas, bravo! That's exactly what I hope to continue until summer when they reopen again for fall camps.
I also hope that Thomas treat the OL to cookout and beer because it's very important for a quarterback to have absolute confidence in the OL's ability to protect him and MASH, MASH, and MASH SOME MORE!
I'm channeling my inner B.A. Barracus!
During the post-spring game interview, Logan said he was going to lead he organized workouts. So thats a great sign
Not sure how to embed it but on twitter McGlaughlin told Derrick Hopkins that "coach Andrew Miller" sent out a text. Wonder if he was just rallying the o-line or the offense as a whole. Great to see either way.
That's great news. I know some of the reviews posted here have been critical of Miller, but by all accounts he's the leader of the group and an extremely hard worker. He had a great sophomore year, and I hope he can work himself back to 100% shape/health and really have a great fall camp.
Who impressed me the most, surprisingly, was the backup QB.(Connor Jessup?) He made some awesome throws.
Rody was the primary QB on white, and he did look good. Jessop, if I remember right, also looked decent, but I don't feel he played anywhere as much as Rody
I remember distinct throws from him to Willie Byrn(long one that Byrn dropped) and nice one to Mark Irick on the sideline. He hung in the pocket, fearlessly, and threw a bomb to him when he knew he was gonna get blasted by the DT.
Impressed
I think Byrn made the play look closer than it was with his diving effort. It was kind of a duck and overthrown, though you're definitely correct that he hung in there though.