Via Beamer_Ball:
A few roster moves. Brenden Motley to 3rd team QB as (6'5" 237)Brian Rody moves from QB to TE. Hunter Windmuller added to the roster(Punter)— Beamer Ball (@Beamer_Ball) August 13, 2013
The move for Rody to tight end is a very startling move.
As a Christiansburg native and seen Motley once in action, the move for Motley may be a good one. I think he has been in the system a bit longer and showed some stuff this past Saturday.
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I think also that's wise at this point, and helps Motley to get some action in case if he's needed, since next year he'd be competing with Bucky for the backup job behind Leal, since Gresh would be graduating at the end of the year.
I'm not so sure Leal starts next year. Bucky might have the edge. Only time will tell. Plenty of time for things to change.
That could be entirely true. I just assume at this point they'd assume the RS-SR would be more polished than a RS-FR, but Bucky could have the better measurables. Or Leal goes the JuJu route and simply graduates at the end of the year. Then in the first scenario then it would be Motley probably at 3rd string, otherwise it would be Motley and Ford competing for the backup. (In my mind at least)
I dont think Leal is going out quietly. JuJu did a lot to help the team (in terms of beating Davis out for backup and allowing him to transfer to WR where he was needed), but didn't look nearly as good as Leal has in scrimmages or mop up time.
Not saying Leal starting is a certainty, but he is very accurate and knows the system. If he had a bit more arm strength, him starting next year would almost be guaranteed.
I've always felt bad for Leal because he always seems to play well. I have a few friends who have always wanted Leal to start when Logan does bad, but clearly the staff believes in Logan. I think for Tech to be successful, as in the old days, solid defense, good special teams, and above average offense. I think Leal can pull that off if not more. It all depends on how everything transpires from now until then.
i agree. i'm a mark leal fan. he at least deserves a shot. when i've seen him get a chance, he looks pretty accurate. most of what i remember is him playing in garbage time, and the coaches aren't really going to unleash him at that point.
Leal has an advantage having been at VT longer, but him knowing the system better isn't necessarily a given, considering we have a new coordinator. He only has a semester advantage on Bucky when it comes to working under Loeffler.
and Bucky will only have a one semester advantage over Ford to working with Loeffler. And, frankly, Bucky won't be getting much of Loeffler's attention this fall.
I expect Leal will start his year with Ford playing and getting time as the year goes on. I don't think Bucky will be the next QB at VT.
Buckys throwing motion makes me shudder
Don't assume it's Bucky. I like him but he has an odd throwing motion and will take some work. Do not sleep on motley kid has came a long way already and wouldn't surprise me if he started at some point. Could have been a very good safety says something with the coaches keeping him at qb
I agree. I'd be willing to bet that Bucky starts. Leal is too short to see down the field through the line, and not athletic enough like Tyrod. But who is to say that Motley isn't in the mix. He looked very much improved last Saturday. He has good size and speed. You know how we love our mobile quarterbacks.
Don't be too sure here, Drew Brees can't exactly see over the line either. I'm not saying Leal has the talent Drew Brees does, I don't know...but size shouldn't keep him out of the mix.
Drew Brees has an offensive line.... Virginia Tech never does. Makes a big difference.
Two words: JEFF GRIMES.
^^I second this statement
But I'm not trying to put down Mark Leal, I think he is a very talented qb and wish he could have been a couple more years younger than Logan. I loved it when he lit up App State. He threw some darts that game.
He may not have an O-line like brees does, but VT is switching to a zone blocking scheme which masks the O-line deficiencies which will only help Leal. And...as VT "never" has great lines, Leal has still performed decently when asked to do so, with those lackluster lines. I think he is more viable than Bucky at this point. However, I don't know much about this Motley guy.
Pretty sure that was Ju-Ju Clayton against App State.
Mark Leal. http://scores.espn.go.com/ncf/boxscore?gameId=312460259
Hm. Coulda sworn Clayton had held on to the backup job for one more year. Well, there ya go.
Whoever it was, I do recall Juju Clayton coming in at a few points and playing well in a reserve role. He wasn't Tyrod, obviously, but he was a serviceable backup, game manager, what have you. I'm glad he, and Leal, stuck it out as a backup and decided his career as a player, and his scholarship, were worth committing to the Hokies for the long term, even if he didn't become a starter.
http://www.hokiesports.com/football/stats/showstats.html?9924
That game is pretty much JuJus claim to fame. 80 yard catch and go by none other than marcus davis
If I remember correctly, Motley's highlight reel reminded me a lot of Tyrod. I like this move a lot.
I do too. Motley actually looked pretty good in the practice/scrimmage last weekend.
Anyone think this is ironic? Old O coaches took TEs and made them QBs, while Leffy is doing it in reverse?
Only at VT
Not ironic. There have always been changes to positions players play. Logan is also more of a QB than a TE, and Loeffler will attest to that.
Agreed. (wow, look at that Chazz) And, though I know you are being sarcastic, not something only at VT. Just look at the other thread regarding Kiehl Frazier moving to safety. It happens everywhere.
Not ironic at all...Greg Boone was a HS QB before moving to TE at VT.
Didn't know that Motley was 6'4". Wonder how much an inch makes a difference between Ford and Motley, assuming they compete with Leal and Bucky for the starting spot next fall.
I would love to see Motley at QB in the future. Good local kid.
I don't care who it is, or how long he's been with the program; I just want the best QB to be on the field. Right now, we're fortunate to have Logan back for his 5th year.
after Logan's last season idk if were fortunate or not. I would have liked to seen leal get more reps and some game experience last year I think he has potential, minus his actual body size 6-1 210 compared to logan, however I think he might be a better overall qb than Logan, and could you imagine Logan playing H-back in this offense
If Leal was a better QB than Logan, he would be starting.
that's not a fact how do you know, maybe he would be better if he got the same reps with the same players as logan they just see logans size and completely rule out Leal it makes me so mad because honestly if Logan plays like last year we will be lucky to win 5 games this year
How do you know? Well, Logan has been selected by two separate OC's and a Head Coach for the past 3 years over all others. That's how you know. Coaches are not just in a better position than you or me to evaluate and make that call, it's what they do professionally.
I like Leal too but Logan is QB1 for a reason
Exactly. Plus all of those 1st round projections before last season. I know they don't always get those right (cough cough, Brady Quinn and Jamarcus Russell) but that is more Professionals that see the talent. Logan was crippled last year by pathetic game planners and play callers and the complete lack of a running game.
i beg to differ on this, idk if they see talent they see prototypical nfl size. if you watched logan last year he made too many mistakes just flat out throwing into ridiculous coverage and continuously throwing off his back foot, how can he not correct that in 4 years? I was a high school qb so I know that fundamentally if your not stepping into the throws you don't have the accuracy or power
It becomes quite difficult to throw off your front foot when you have a lineman falling into you. It also becomes difficult to sell a play fake when the RB goes to the wrong side of the ball (I'm assuming it's the RBs fault and not Logan's). Regardless, Logan is QB1 and Leal is a solid backup. Go back and watch Logan during 2011 and tell me he's not talented.
oh yea, totally forgot those "ghost fake handoffs" I'm assuming we won't see anymore of those. Crazy thing is, most of the time, the play turned out well or decent at least
We were so confused, it confused the defense... It's so crazy, it just might work.
Yeah I said Before last season. 2011 he was money.
im just trying to be honest with fellow hokies, I personally don't think Logan Thomas is a good qb, say what you want if you have flawed mechanics and cant correct them in 4 years qb just isn't your position
Is that on him or the coaching staff?
well, I think you are forgetting that our previous QB coach did more harm than good in trying to help Logan's mechanics. The point about lineman falling into him is clear. Also save for Corey Fuller our receivers were really terrible last year. Marcus Davis was abysmal and should have been benched at start of season.
You have the right to your opinion but there were too many contributing factors to why his job was so tough last year. Especially when he was so good just the year before.
Never would've guessed you thought that about him.
i know, the way he's about to smash most of qb records at vt? guys a fuckin joke.
Which is saying something, considering this will be only his 3rd year as QB1
Yes Logan struggled last year. He is still the best QB we have on the roster right now. End of story.
These coaches are obviously still evaluating the other QB's (Rody being moved to TE, and Motley 3rd string). Just because Leal looked 'ok' against Austin Peay, it does not mean he's Tyrod. Logan looked pretty damn good that game too...
Logan is our QB and that's not changing. As fans we must have faith that he has improved since
last season.
Let us not forget that Logan was recruited as a Tight End and the coaches saw something in him that made him switch to QB. Logan said, when he was being recruited, that if a school tried to recruit him outright as a QB, he would absolutely turn them down cold. The rest is history.
Leal is good and may be our next QB but the fact is, last season wasn't really Logan's fault--entirely. When a QB snaps the ball and plants to throw with 3-4 defenders in his face because the O-Line couldn't stop a preschooler running at them, his completion percentage will be low. In addition to losing some great receivers and having Davis play like junk. Logan made his fair share of mistakes, but the fact that a running game couldn't be established and the O-line didn't block, it allowed for defenses to absolutely tee off on Logan. If Leal were in the same situation it would have been worse since he isn't as mobile as Logan (led the team in rushing, mind you.)
Logan also has an immeasurable advantage over Leal: experience, particularly experience in big games.
Plus, he can truck DBs.
http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/9560209/virginia-tech-hok... read comments below were getting no respect had to get on some people in there
It seriously makes my blood boil every time. Bunch of bandwagoners who just enjoy watching a team win all the time and want to run their mouths...
We have bandwagoners?
If I ever hear of a bandwagon Hokie fan, I will personally eliminate them. I was referring to the Bama "fans" talking crap on that thread :)
As much as you may hate the idea.....if (sorry, 'when') we win our first National Championship, there will be plenty of 'Bandwagon' fans. Maybe even some Hoos!! (Ok, you can eliminate them!)
This is just Bamawagon fans that know literally nothing about Tech.
In all fairness, If these were two other teams (Like Oregon and UVA?) with the same rankings and recent history (one won the national championship two years in a row), you would probably also say that Team B (UVA) is going to get their asses kicked. Like it or not, but we didn't instill a lot of confidence in the college football world last year (even in our own fans). To get upset about what others say about VT is just a waste of energy. We just need to stay the course, bust our ass and leave it all on the field. That's the only way anyone outside of #HokieNation is going to give us any respect.
I know, I just really wanted to use the phrase 'bamawagon'... think it'll catch on?!
Just because a team has been successful the last few years doesn't automatically make their fans "bandwagoners". Alabama is the center of the college football universe; they take the sport more seriously than anything else in life and the ties to Bama and Auburn run deeper than anything you or I can even comprehend. Ask Harvey Updike. Are some of their fans less informed about teams they play infrequently? Sure. But I wouldn't be so quick to call their fans fair weather...
more people will break ankles jumping off the bandwagon then "Boise State fans" in parentheses because they cant spot any fans now
And thats a fair point. The completely idiotic trash talk just kills me sometimes...
you actually read comments on ESPN?
Based on Beamer's history with QB's in the program - Leal starts next year and Ford redshirts. Unless Bucky really outpaces Leal, I believe he'd be the #2. From what I've seen with Leal - he seems to be smart with the football and throws it well. As long as we have a QB under center who makes good decisions with the football, I think we'll be fine. Leal probably will be at the top of that list next year.
Its pretty crazy to think that next year we will have:
1. Leal
2. Bucky
3. Motley
4. Ford
Any of those guys could start on an ACC team. When was the last time that we had a QB crew that deep? Obviously, someone is going to have to move or transfer at some point. If Bucky doesn't win the starting job after next year, I wonder if he bolts? Motley could play another position.
Isn't it a little premature to say any of those guys could start on an ACC team when only 1 of them has ever seen a collegiate field and that was for mop up duty and one of them still has his senior season to play in high school. I have confidence in these guys but that is a big stretch.
My thoughts exactly
FWIW, I think Beamer has given Loeffler full control of the QB situation. So, I think it really depends who is the most Loeffler-prepared QB. Could be Leal, could be Bucky, could be Ford (I think he enrolls early).
My 2 cents (and worth every penny): Bucky will regress. His throwing motion will get corrected and rebuilt. I think he will be excellent QB, just will take him an extra year to get there. Ford is going to be awesome...as a R-So (after a year+ carrying a clipboard, weight room and film study). Leal will definitely be the guy next year. Yes, it's a new playbook...but he'll be in his 5th year...you can't substitute for that (maturity level, etc). Plus he's shown good ability when given the chance. Plus he'll spend this year practicing "as one-play away" from being the guy.
That being said, I hope Leal gets a lot of action this year...not because LT gets hurt (god forbid)...but because we have such a massive lead in many games.
I don't know how it could not be Leal. Even Loeffler himself said the most important quality of a QB is not his speed, nor height nor weight but rather what's between his ears! Leal ran a complex pro-style offense in High School and he's been in this program for a while now. Barring an unforeseen injury it will be Leal... Then my guess would be Ford.... The kid is a student of the game. As a QB, if you can't recognize defensive coverages and audibles athleticism will only get you so far!
Ford is the only one Loeffler recruited. If he is a Jan enrollee, he will play next year.
I don't think that guarantees him a starting role. He will have to be exceptional to overcome the other guys.
I just don't see a true freshman starting as a QB. Not in a complex system.
I really don't see Frank Beamer allowing a true Freshman to start at quarterback. I mean he redshirted Michael Vick and tried to redshirt Tyrod.... TWICE, but we were struck by the turnover woes of the one and only Sean Glennon
You hold your tongue about Sean Glennon. He was a saint that rescued baby seals in the off season. He had no fault other than being the wrong kind of quarterback for our system.
Beamer only kept the redshirt on Vick because he promised his high school coach he would. Because Beamer is a stand-up guy he kept his promise. It would have been pulled with less savory coaches *cough* saban, meyer, weiss, etc *cough*
Its pretty simple, bucky is gonna redshirt this year and loeffler is gonna fix his motion, and it will be a competition between him and ford for the job next year. That's how I see it
Has anyone noticed this is a good problem to have!? We haven't had a QB competition since Tyrod and Glennon, and that competition was not a good thing; Glennon was the better QB, but pulled because we had such a bad O-Line. We've got some good horses in the barn these days; hopefully we can leave TEs to play TE from now on.
Glennon was the better QB? He took way too many sacks and lost so many fumbles cuz he couldn't get rid of the ball quickly or escape trouble. Even when he had time he was tentative. Tyrod is in the NFL, not Sean. Many of Glennon's wounds were self-inflicted.