To relate this issue to the discussion in another thread (RE: developing players for VT vs. playing a guy where he thinks he has the best future), I think it comes down to acknowledging the difference between the demands of the players and the demands of the coaching staff.
Obviously, the coaches are interested in doing what the program needs year in and year out. Sometimes this means getting someone ready to play at a position where they'll help the team the most, as opposed to playing the position where they'll likely be playing at the next level (if they have the talent to get there).
The player, however, may feel their best bet to play in the league is at a position where they don't seem to fit in the program. Jason Worilds may be a good example of this. He may have never been the ideal fit as a defensive end in the league, but that was where he was the best fit for VT. When he went to the Steelers, he became an OLB (perhaps a hybrid DE, I don't really pay much attention to the Steelers). We needed him to be a DE because he was the right size for a DE for VT (bigger than all the linebackers we had). Cody Grimm was a linebacker for us, but wasn't big enough to play LB in the NFL, so he became a safety.
All in all, I'd like to see the best players we have on the field. If a guy like Dadi is fast enough, let him play linebacker. At 6'3", 224 (per Hokiesports.com), he won't be big enough to play DE in the league. If we can move him to linebacker (where we just lost RVD), then Marshall can slide into the opening at DE. Same with JR Collins (6'2", 248, closer to DE size after NFL-caliber 'supplements', but Gayle is the only guy who appears to fit into the NFL mold for a DE at 6'4", 255). I don't think I'd want to take two great DEs and ask them to move to LB, but to get all the best guys on the field, what other options are there?
We already have two starting DTs and Corey, from all accounts, has the talent to help the team if he's on the field. I wonder how much Foster's defensive scheme contributes to this, as we don't really have the hybrid DE/LB position in our defense (which, if I recall correctly, is closer to a 4-3 than a 3-4, and I'm not sure if ManBearPig or Maddy are nose tackle types).
I think I can understand Corey's frustration if he feels that the coaching staff is looking out for VT's best interests more than his personal best interests, and one could rightly say that he should be a 'team first' guy and play wherever the coaches feel he's the best fit, but at what point is he sacrificing his own future? How do you weigh being 'team first' vs. being interested in developing a skill set that you can translate to the next level? If he plays DT, who will draft him on just a projection of how he'll play at DE? If he isn't really good at DT, then he might not get a look at all.
This is a hard question to answer, and I don't envy Corey Marshall (6'1", 257, which is probably closer to NFL DT size) for being in this position. I would love to see the coaches find ways to use all our guys in a variety of positions to allow for a lot of different looks, but I can't really recall when this has been the case (outside of a CB playing whip). I just hope he comes back and wreaks havoc when he does.
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I understand the player's mentality of playing the position you think you project best in terms of the NFL. College is supposed to be a time in your life where you forge the person you want to become in the real world. To Virginia Tech football players, that means finding a position you like and can excel at both the collegiate and professional level.
At the same time, if I'm an NFL executive (disclaimer: I'm far from an NFL executive) I'm going to be put a premium on flexibility and "team mentality", especially at the defensive side of the ball. With offenses evolving and depth charts constantly changing, I'd love a guy who can play multiple roles for me. When Corey Marshall gets put into interviews with NFL execs, he can confidently say he's comfortable playing multiple positions, something he couldn't say if he's stuck at one position.
Also, I want a guy who is going to do everything he can to help his team win. If you're going to bitch and moan about moving to a different position in college, it's a red flag to me. It shows me you care more about yourself than the team. As an NFL executive, the only fucks I give are for winning so I'm less likely to draft a guy like that.
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If a guy like Dadi is fast enough, let him play linebacker. At 6'3", 224...
Interesting someone has the same thought as I did about Dadi. know it would mean Dadi would have to learn the nusiances of being a linebacker, but know what I would do? I would say to Dadi, "See the ball? Get me the ball. Just. Get. Me. The. Damn. Ball."
Just hope he don't kill somebody doing that. :)
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How is Dadi in pass coverage? I'm sure Bud has a great reason why the players are in the positions that they are in. I don't think it's fair to compare the college game to the NFL either..my two cents.
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so what does this mean? can he just come back whenever he feels? would the coaches have some sort of timeline in mind or is he in the driver seat here? is there a date where if he's not back then the coaches move on?
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Dadi is a defensive end. He isn't moving. Will place prop bets with anyone who wants to place them. If things get really bad, you know Wiles will ask Collins to move inside and start Dadi.
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Comments
Sigh.
Hope he sorts what he needs to sort out.
To relate this issue to the discussion in another thread (RE: developing players for VT vs. playing a guy where he thinks he has the best future), I think it comes down to acknowledging the difference between the demands of the players and the demands of the coaching staff.
Obviously, the coaches are interested in doing what the program needs year in and year out. Sometimes this means getting someone ready to play at a position where they'll help the team the most, as opposed to playing the position where they'll likely be playing at the next level (if they have the talent to get there).
The player, however, may feel their best bet to play in the league is at a position where they don't seem to fit in the program. Jason Worilds may be a good example of this. He may have never been the ideal fit as a defensive end in the league, but that was where he was the best fit for VT. When he went to the Steelers, he became an OLB (perhaps a hybrid DE, I don't really pay much attention to the Steelers). We needed him to be a DE because he was the right size for a DE for VT (bigger than all the linebackers we had). Cody Grimm was a linebacker for us, but wasn't big enough to play LB in the NFL, so he became a safety.
All in all, I'd like to see the best players we have on the field. If a guy like Dadi is fast enough, let him play linebacker. At 6'3", 224 (per Hokiesports.com), he won't be big enough to play DE in the league. If we can move him to linebacker (where we just lost RVD), then Marshall can slide into the opening at DE. Same with JR Collins (6'2", 248, closer to DE size after NFL-caliber 'supplements', but Gayle is the only guy who appears to fit into the NFL mold for a DE at 6'4", 255). I don't think I'd want to take two great DEs and ask them to move to LB, but to get all the best guys on the field, what other options are there?
We already have two starting DTs and Corey, from all accounts, has the talent to help the team if he's on the field. I wonder how much Foster's defensive scheme contributes to this, as we don't really have the hybrid DE/LB position in our defense (which, if I recall correctly, is closer to a 4-3 than a 3-4, and I'm not sure if ManBearPig or Maddy are nose tackle types).
I think I can understand Corey's frustration if he feels that the coaching staff is looking out for VT's best interests more than his personal best interests, and one could rightly say that he should be a 'team first' guy and play wherever the coaches feel he's the best fit, but at what point is he sacrificing his own future? How do you weigh being 'team first' vs. being interested in developing a skill set that you can translate to the next level? If he plays DT, who will draft him on just a projection of how he'll play at DE? If he isn't really good at DT, then he might not get a look at all.
This is a hard question to answer, and I don't envy Corey Marshall (6'1", 257, which is probably closer to NFL DT size) for being in this position. I would love to see the coaches find ways to use all our guys in a variety of positions to allow for a lot of different looks, but I can't really recall when this has been the case (outside of a CB playing whip). I just hope he comes back and wreaks havoc when he does.
I understand the player's mentality of playing the position you think you project best in terms of the NFL. College is supposed to be a time in your life where you forge the person you want to become in the real world. To Virginia Tech football players, that means finding a position you like and can excel at both the collegiate and professional level.
At the same time, if I'm an NFL executive (disclaimer: I'm far from an NFL executive) I'm going to be put a premium on flexibility and "team mentality", especially at the defensive side of the ball. With offenses evolving and depth charts constantly changing, I'd love a guy who can play multiple roles for me. When Corey Marshall gets put into interviews with NFL execs, he can confidently say he's comfortable playing multiple positions, something he couldn't say if he's stuck at one position.
Also, I want a guy who is going to do everything he can to help his team win. If you're going to bitch and moan about moving to a different position in college, it's a red flag to me. It shows me you care more about yourself than the team. As an NFL executive, the only fucks I give are for winning so I'm less likely to draft a guy like that.
Interesting someone has the same thought as I did about Dadi. know it would mean Dadi would have to learn the nusiances of being a linebacker, but know what I would do? I would say to Dadi, "See the ball? Get me the ball. Just. Get. Me. The. Damn. Ball."
Just hope he don't kill somebody doing that. :)
To take a quote from someone else's signature line, sometimes you gotta take the shortest route to the ball and arrive in bad humor.
I believe you meant "nuances." Not "nuisances."
How is Dadi in pass coverage? I'm sure Bud has a great reason why the players are in the positions that they are in. I don't think it's fair to compare the college game to the NFL either..my two cents.
so what does this mean? can he just come back whenever he feels? would the coaches have some sort of timeline in mind or is he in the driver seat here? is there a date where if he's not back then the coaches move on?
Dadi is a defensive end. He isn't moving. Will place prop bets with anyone who wants to place them. If things get really bad, you know Wiles will ask Collins to move inside and start Dadi.
"Hey French! First time listener, longtime caller. I was just wondering when you think Marshall's coming back? Alright, I'm gonna hang up and listen."