I want these offensive playmakers back with a year under their belt in this offense.
I seriously think we could compete for a playoff spot if they returned.
I can dream can't I?!?
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I once dreamed my neighbor was Bladerunner (like from the movie). He dog sat for me and said he liked my dogs so much he gave me a suitcase full of money for letting him watch them. Dreams are weird, but generally unrealistic. So yes you can dream, but I wouldn't count on it.
Dude, if someone does some kind of Top TKP Comments of the Year(TM), this is my first pick. Use of a weird ass analogy to effectively make a point is on point.
PS I hope you told your neighbor about the dream and he crosses the street when he sees you coming now.
I want them to go pro, and do well. You won't recruit for the future if you can't sell that your best players are NFL caliber. Yes you will have one more year with those 2 players but in the long run it's not beneficial. And 4 and 5 star guys want a chance to play, and you aren't going to convince them they will have that chance when too many guys stay 4 or 5 years. All the top programs have tons of guys leave early to go pro.
flip side, it is tough to sell momma on making sure her boy gets a degree before leaving if other kids aren't doing it.
The vast majority of our players get degrees (most of our players get degrees in 3-3.5 years), and the mommas of kids who are good enough to leave early without a degree are A-OK with the decision and a promise that they'll go back to finish up one day.
Saban probably doesn't even have that conversation with recruits
Alabama has degrees?
Surprisingly yes, I got a friend to send me a picture of his
Bucky is getting his degree. Not sure about Ford though.
Bucky has been here 4 years. I have no doubt he already has it.
I very much disagree with you. Are you suggesting that having your best players play for you is detrimental? Ford and Hodges are going to play in the NFl, whether it's next year, or the year after that. I think many of us place too high an importance on NFL players impressing recruits. If that was the most important thing, we would have the best recruiting class each year because we have probably the most influential alum to many high school players, Mike Vick. But even when he was slaying in the NFL we weren't bringing in top 10 classes.
Point is, having Ford and Hodges next year means we have probably the best receiving core in the ACC, and near the top in the country. If they leave, they leave, but it isn't detrimental to the program for them to stay.
Not about NFL players impressing recruits it's about being able to sell athletes development and getting them to the next level.
Mike Vick is a great example. How many 4 and 5 star QBs did we bring in after him? Tyrod, Logan, etc. don't happen with a mike vick.
or maybe it doesn't happen if we don't get to a NCship game? I think those 2 go hand in hand. more often than not NCship teams have more players drafted than other teams. I think that's because you have to play at a high level all year to get to a ship and if you are playing at a high level you are going to get attention. so bring back ford and buck and you know maybe cams draft stock rises. jarods. (I certainly don't think he is to far behind a d.watson as far as skill wise and his #s are similar as well) but If he is on a playoff team right now he gets more pub and exposure. and all that in turn is good for recruiting. cruits want to win. and go to the league. if they just wanted to go to the league they would all go to LOLUVA.
Here's how it is detrimental: if you're a five star guy, or a high 4-star guy, you want to go where you can get early playing time, and be developed into an NFL player in 3 years, 4 years tops. So if the school has 4th and 5th year guys who are still playing, your potential for playing time is lessened and it leads you to question whether the school can develop you, into an NFL player. But a school that consistently puts out early departure NFL draft picks, is convincing that Yes that will be you too.
Sooooooo going to a school like Alabama where you will be behind multiple guys you have to compete against that are just as highly recruited as you makes more sense? It's not the NBA where you're 1 and done .
I once dreamed I could drink all the booze I wanted and still stay in shape
Dude, don't burst my bubble.
if not your bubble, then maybe your belt?
You can. It just might not be the shape you were hoping for.
Round is a shape...
That was reality until I hit my 30's.
ford... take the damn money for sure.
Bucky and Ford have given enough to Hokienation. They already broke all school records. Go to the NFL so I can watch them on Sundays.
Dear Fuente - Please send Bucky and Ford to the NFL, and recruit 5 star talent to replace them.
If Fuente really cares about the kids, he'll have them send in their NFL paperwork, and tell them to go into the league if they are projected as a top 3 round pick. Those guys were workhorses; I'd wager that between the increase in plays per game and the lack of depth, they've played more snaps than any other VT wide receivers in their first three years. If the NFL says they have the talent, they need to go.
I realize Ford is even better than Bucky but I want him to stay more
I hope they do whatever is in their best interest, financially (or really whatever they want).
If the money is there, they should go. No guarantees in the business they are in.
Even if they do go, which they probably should, we will be in good shape with Deablo/Kumah/Denmark/Patterson and possibly Capehart getting playing time.
This isn't 2012 after Boykin and Coale left and other than the Corey Fuller and Marcus Davis we basically had no weapons. We have plenty of new weapons to go along with Cam and CJ coming back. Almost forgot, Jaylen Bradshaw could get some PT as well.
So basically, we are in good shape even if they both go, but if even one stays we are in great shape.
Don't forget Willie Byrn. Paperman always delivers.
Damn, you're right. Miss that guy. But if I recall didn't he not get legit playing time until the 2013 season?
Correct, and his best season. Finished his career with only 2 TDs and just over 1k yds. They could/should have utilized him more (IMOP). For some reason, I thought he graduated in '16 vs '15.
Hey how dare you forget about DJ Coles! What could have been...shame his time at VT was plagued by injury after injury.
Coles only had one impressive season ('11).
Sigh, I wish we had him for the 2012 season. I thought he was going to break out.
bradshaw actually saw the field more than anyone else coming off the bench this year. and im not sure why no one mentions daniels when they talk about returning WRs but he got burn this year as well. unless he takes a major step backwards or those other guys one forward I would think he would be in the mix as well even though maybe not as attractive as the other names. Add in henri murphys speed to the mix and hopefully hone in his route running and understanding of the position and we are absolutely loaded at WR even if bucky and Isaiah leave we will just be really young.
Cam Phillips will be back too, no?
Yea.
I'd say we are in pretty poor shape next year with them gone haha. After Cam there are very few reps for the next few guys. Those guys might be talented players, but Fuentes offense needs the WR to be more than just talented.
why is that? It isn't like the WR is reading the defense and making a route adjustment on the fly. Another spring of reps and WRs will be up to speed just like the ones that were already here last year.
How many catches do those guys have at the collegiate level? They may be good but they're unknowns. Ford is known.
Ford is known and good, and if for some reason he came back, that would be awesome. But I'm not going to lose any sleep when he declares for the NFL. Unknown guys step up all the time-- Jerod Evans made his 1st collegiate start 3 months ago and now holds every Tech season passing record, including Strock's record that was older than most of us on this board. We'll be better if Ford comes back, but we'll still be ok if he doesn't.
there was a time when ford had ZERO catches and was an unknown too. that's CFB someone has to step up every few years that is an unknown. im ready for the next man to come in and break all of Isaiah's records!
It will be a long time before somebody passes Strock's record of passing yards per game. You have to remember he did it in what 10 games? And they didn't include bowl yards in that time.
If Ford and Bucky both come back I think it could happen next year. Unless Evans only plays the first half of each game, which would be cool too.
true. but then tyrod. then logan. now jerod. games changing. isaiahs records wont last long with our offense like it is now. a 1000 yrd receiver will be the norm not the outlier.
thumbs for you! I suck lol. corrected
Mel Kiper has Bucky as the #21 pick in the 1st round. If he's close to that spot, he needs to go.
Shyrone Stith is on line 1.
Kiper's picks and a $1 will get you a cup of coffee
Hey, in my office coffee mess that'll get you 4 cups of coffee
Coffee in my area costs $3, so you're saying Kiper's opinion has value?
My point isn't that Bucky will actually be drafted that high. My point is that he's likely to be projected to be a 2nd round choice or higher. If he had to be convinced to stay, last year, where there were more questions about his play, there's zero chance that he'll stay with that high a projection.
If he were my son and the NFL was ultimate dream, I'd tell him to go to the NFL. Yeah, he can improve some next year, but how much does he raise his draft stock? He's not going to be a top 5 pick, if he stays. An extra year of earning #21 money is better than waiting for #17 money and he can focus strictly on playing, instead of balancing school with playing (not to mention a plethora of absurd NCAA rules).
I'll bet he doesn't get a rd1/2 grade from the NFL.
I'll bet he falls down while receiving the jersey from Goodell
This year or next year?
My response was more salty than I meant.
I agree if the committee returns a 1st/2nd round grade he should leave.
I wonder if Kiper ever got a restraining order against Hite....
Even without them we will still have the Ankle Assassin!
He did it against Clemson too!!!
I enjoyed watching him make that same move. Worked like a charm.
With or without them we ain't competing for a playoff spot. We are nowhere near, Bama, OSU, LSU, Michigan, Clemson, FSU, or the like with recruiting. 2 receivers will not put VT on that level. Clemson had 5 WR's that could be what Phillips, Ford, or Hodges are to us. We need DT depth like crazy as well now!
You watch the game Saturday?
Yes and I wouldn't expect Clemson to win their first game. They are not one of the 4 best teams in the country.
We all know Bama is 1 who is 2-6?
i'd have osu, Washington, Michigan, psu hell even Wisconsin over Clemson. Clemson did what we used to do in the acc, which is beat a bunch of overhyped teams. They had a much better squad last year IMO.
Sorry, but we must not be watching the same Clemson team. They are loaded with talent and played a pretty tough schedule. The only team in the country to win out and not have any close games (with the exception of the LSU game) was Alabama. Of the other teams you mentioned they had 1+ loss and a number of close games...
Clemson may not win it all, but they are definitely a really good team and deserving of being in the top 4.
lolwut?
haha Washington? The CFB committee clearly thinks that OSU is the best team from the best conference. So when they lose in the first round to Clemson they'll have egg on their face right?...or nah?
You are entitled to your opinion and I gave mine.
I'm not one to make a blanket statement saying if Clemson loses to OSU in the first round they'll have egg on their face. If they get blown out i'd think my take on Clemson as a team was a lot closer to home than people who really think they are the 2nd or 3rd best team in the country though.
fine. agree to disagree then. I think it's odd you have Washington over Clemson. I don't understand the logic there. Clemson is a legit good team. I don't actually believe they're definitely going to beat OSU. I doubt very seriously that game will be a blow-out either way. I think OSU is a very good team but I think Clemson deserves a playoff spot more than OSU does.
Washington blew out a much better opponent to secure their spot and while they had a powder puff OOC schedule. That win over Colorado was as good as the top win Clemson had over FSU (by 3) as well. Also their loss was to a very hot USC team that I think everyone here would agree is a better team than PITT, who I still think is a very solid and respectable top 25 opponent.
They are all very good teams I just don't think Clemson is as good as they are ranked. OSU definitely deserves a spot over them because they have shown they can beat better competition. They have played like crap lately though, which is definitely concerning.
What has Colorado done to prove they're "much better" than us?
Didn't lose to Syracuse or GT. Lost to a top 5ish program in Michigan. Lost to a top 20 program in USC by 4. Beat two teams this year Utah/Stanford that are ranked higher than any team we beat this year (Pitt is now the highest).
Their OOC was a joke I already mentioned that, but they beat some good programs and the ones they lost to are clearly better than the 3 we lost to.
Then Pitt must be much better than us as well. They also have two wins better than our best win (and two wins better than Colorado's best two wins) and none of Pitt's 4 losses are worse than our worst loss.
Colorado may have a stronger resume, but I don't think they're a much better team by any means.
Yeah not sure I agree here. I mean who has Washington beat? I could understand maybe Ohio State but the other teams you mention have two losses as well as other close games. Clemson has beaten pretty good teams in FSU, Auburn, and Louisville. Not to mention they beat us when we threw everything at them. Their only loss was to a pretty good Pitt team in a shootout where they were plagued by turnovers. The talent on that squad is obvious and I just don't see how you can say they aren't a top team. You could argue that they are as good as the teams you mentioned, but certainly not worse.
They are definitely a top 4 team, but they could easily have 3-4 losses between the NCst (definitely should have been a loss) and then close ones against FSU and Louisville. Those were true, "one play" kind of games.
It seems you didn't watch Clemson last year...its fine, but people tend to remember Clemson incorrectly. They had close wins against bad teams last year too, and peaked in the playoffs. But they weren't dominant all year like people seem to think.
Watched plenty of them last year. They had a better defense for one and I think played a harder/more competitive schedule last year. 3 of their wins were by 7 points or less and they blew out Oklahoma in their first playoff game. So far this season Clemson has had 6 wins by 7 points or less and actually lost a game. Not sure why anyone would think they are better this year.
As for other statistics:
2016 defense 9th in ypg and 12th in scoring; 12th in offensive ypg and 15th in scoring
2015 defense 7th in ypg and 18th in scoring; 16th in offense ypg and 16th in scoring (this is including 2 playoff games)
Going with knawaz03 for this one. It's not as though he said they were not top 10.
So...your stats seem to show they are improved...
Not sure if serious? Played many more close games this year + lost a game and the stats from last year included both playoff games which are against the most difficult competition they faced all year....
I'm dead serious. Lets see their stats without the playoffs then to accurately compare them. Looking at their stats with the playoffs and then saying it nullified the stars being worse is lazy analysis. All we can compare right now is how Clemson went into the playoffs last year vs how Clemson is going into the playoffs this year.
They went in undefeated with fewer close games and the same number, but higher, ranked opponents on their schedule last year (#11 ND, #15 FSU, #15 UNC; end of year rankings). Taking out their stats against playoff opponents their defense gave up 18 less YPG and 1.5 less PPG. '15 defense gave up 18 less ypg and gave up 1.8 more ppg last season against the 4th most difficult schedule (this years is 7th atm so not a noticeable difference). Arkansas has the 7th this year for those who think they will be a pushover.
So basically they are a similar team to last year. Those that suggest aren't a top team are probably misguided then.
I agree with this.
Way too much cred for the B1G. anOSU and Mich are top 5-6. Wiscy and PSU aren't top 10, but more like 11-15 (maybe PSU is #10). Wiscy's getting too much cred for beating an LSU team with a world of talent but poor coaching. PSU got blown out by 39. No team can be top 5 after getting blown out like that, unless there's some extenuating circumstances (e.g., starting QB was out, half the OL was injured). PSU didn't have any excuse for that beat down. They got lucky vs anOSU (blow PI call by the refs late in the game would have put anOSU deep in their territory).
Kinda odd that you would pick UW with the weakest SOS of any contender in the history of the BCS/Playoff and they had a loss (the undefeated BSU that was left out may have been a better team).
Clemson is top 4.
Actually, the PSU/Mich extenuating circumstances were twofold:
1) Michigan started the season hot and cooled off later in the year. Like Louisville, they peaked too early and came back down to earth later in the season. Michigan might win again if they played today, but it wouldn't be by 39.
2) PSU was playing their seventh string linebacker because they had massive injuries throughout that position group. They were playing non-LBs at LB that game, same as their Pitt game. When their top two LBs, Cabinda and Bell returned, they improved dramatically. Which game was that? The OSU game.
Having said that, I, personally, value early season games less than late season games across the board (hence my propensity to blow off the 39 point victory as an aberration and punish Michigan for losing two of their last three games).
You're 100% right that the OSU faithful could have serious beef with that last PI call that wasn't made. Had OSU gotten that call, I think they would have won.
But, the results standing the way they are, I would have had a top four of 1 Alabama 2 Clemson 3 Washington 4 PSU
Be careful with that argument about PSU automatically not being top 5 merely due to a 39-point early-season loss to Michigan. Back in 2007, there was a team whose fanbase felt slighted after the voters slotted them #3 in the BCS despite a strong #1 average computer ranking, mostly stemming from a 41-point loss in week 2 to the team ranked #2 by the computers. Any guesses as to what team that was?
UVa?
Bamas backups, bamas third strings, bamas scout team.
via GIPHY
If VT takes that next step, it'll be because of Quarterback play. Elite QB play will overcome offensive depth. An improved and consistent Evans could take the team far. It's unlikely that Evans will get to a Vick/Tebow/Newton/Manziel/Mariota/Jackson level, but if he did, VT has an outstanding chance of making the playoff.
When it comes to an offense, QB recruiting and development matters most, and nearly trumps a composite of average everything else.
I don't know man. Have you seen Louisville's season? They may have the heisman front runner but that could only take them so far. Even with his mobility he got sacked by Houston how many times? 8? That shows pure lack of all around talent imo. We have a long ways to go and Evans stepping up will help but its definitely not going to be the end all - be all.
That may be more a knock on LJ and the Heisman process than the idea the QB makes it all work. I don't think Jerod gets sacked 8 times vs. Houston, and I think VT scores more points...because of the QB. I think Lamar's style of play works well in some situations but not others.
Wonder if Vick feels silly now for calling him the GOAT earlier this year.
Probably because our oline isnf Swiss cheese like Louisville that game. I don't think comparing LJ and Evans is fair either one in that situation.
Louisville failed with LJ failed. If he takes sacks and turns it over, he's not an elite QB. that's what happened in the Houston and Kentucky loses.
In the Clemson loss, he played great but that's a great team they were 4 yards short of beating.
Yes, I did. I assume you did too and thus you know they were knocking on the playoff door until a bad loss to a good team with a great coach. The UK loss was more of a hangover after their goals were shattered.
UofL killed FSU, took Clemson to brink (better than VT did), and won all their other games until Houston. If they were to beat UofH, they wouldn't lose to Kentucky. They win those two games, they would've been so close to a playoff team.
From 2015, that's a pretty meteoric rise to near-playoff primarily due to improved QB play of Jackson. VT could make that same leap with Evans. And if things fall the right way, (e.g. beat Clemson on that last drive, overcome near-losses to bad teams), VT could be in the playoff.
Evans stepping up is not the end all - be all. But it would be the most significant factor and primary reason for a rise in VT's record and playoff hopes next year.
My unscientific opinion is that Ford has too many drops for a 1st rounder.
I've counted like 3 total drops for Ford in his career and none before this season. Bucky is the one with the hands issue.
That...just isn't true haha, Ford has two drops back to back against ND alone in the end zone. He doesn't drop often, but he's no Larry Fitzgerald out there.
Ford's biggest knock will be his speed. His top end isn't what most 1st round WRs go. Hopefully his production and consistency can make up for that.
I've been bouncing this one around in my head for a while: what do you think of a comparison of him to Tyler Boyd in terms of draft potential? Both had incredible production in college, great hands, all the confidence in the world, and both lack the speed to make them a 1st rounder.
Probably one of the better comparisons I've seen to Ford. Boyd did have more hype early on due to success as a true freshmen, but their measurable may be pretty close.
Still don't think Ford is good as Boyd. Boyd more versatile better hands. Total catches yds career not close. Think Boyd may have got 1st round if he didn't get DUI going into his last season. Ford is good player but Boyd on track for 500 yds 50 catch rookie year.
His gigantic fumbling problem as a returner that last season in college might have had something to do with it.
The biggest issue for Ford is that he is neither freaky fast nor freaky big. NFL scouts love both, but generally desire at least one - particularly in the top 2 rounds when the investment is exponentially higher.
That's not to say one can't be successful lacking both. But it's not just about being successful. It's a business and it's how one earns a living. $$ drop ~50% with each 32 picks. Slip a couple of rounds and...bang, one fourth of the money. Given that players are locked in for 4 yrs and the avg career is about the same length, it's not quite as simple a decision as many think it is - including players.
well one thing we do know he can do is high point a ball, which the other player in question definitely can't.
I don't think the first contract money argument is a good one personally. For one, you lose one year out of your life where you could potentially draw a NFL check and with the new structure of the rookie salary caps the real money is in your 2nd contract. If you have your career cut short or are just a bust then yes making it in the 1st round is definitely a huge plus since it's guaranteed.
http://www.businessinsider.com/nfl-draft-contract-values-2016-4
I'm not sure where "the other player" (which I presume is Hodges?) factors into my point. But yes, Ford is clearly a better receiver than Hodges. I don't think there is person who has seen the two who would argue that.
And yes, you do lose a year of income by waiting. But IF you can increase you draft value by just 1 round by waiting a year, you will double your income over the first 4 years of your career.
And yes, the big money comes with the second contract - again IF you get to the second contract (which is why I mentioned that rookie contracts - not entirely coincidentally - are similar in length to the average career length). Most players don't make it to 2nd contract, so the odds are against you - particularly if you're not a high draft pick that a team is highly invested in.
I wasn't commenting on whether I think Ford or Hodges will or should go. I'm just saying the "IF's" are why the decision isn't as easy as many (including you apparently) think it is.
[Not that anyone cares, but I think Ford should & will stay and Hodges probably should & will go. I don't think Ford has reached his highest draft potential yet and I think he's smart enough to realize it. I think that while Hodges is farther from a polished product than Ford, I suspect he is what he is, his physical attributes are what they are, his love of college is what it is, and he probably should & will take that paycheck now].
And if you don't improve your stock then what? It's a risk either way. What is Ford going to improve in his last year? He's shown he can be a dominant guy at this level already, run good routes, have good hands, etc. Unless he somehow drops .15 off his 40 or grows how much is his stock going to increase?
"It's a risk either way". Ya think? That's my point. It's not an easy decision for those very reasons. Just saying "take the money" is an incredibly oversimplified view of it.
I believe Ford's weaknesses can still be appreciably improved upon; his strengths aren't the kind that get you highly drafted, but his weaknesses are the kind that give scouts pause. I think he can still put on some additional muscle mass (remember he is just a true Jr) and refine his craft further - particularly in blocking and YAC (which have both noticably improved this yr, but still need work).
Whereas I don't think Hodges' strengths and weaknesses can be appreciably changed with another year such that it really changes his draft position.
BUT HOW BIG ARE HIS HANDS
Unfortunately, I think they are gone. But it will be exciting to see them in the pros. Anybody can be replaced, and I hope I am wrong, but I think we will see a little step back next year. We are losing a lot of talent. Rogers, Ford, Bucky, McLaughlin and maybe one more OL. On defense Baron, Ekanem, Facyson and Chuck Clark are tough to replace. Is our DE depth still pretty pathetic? Dont get me wrong, this isnt the end of the world and we have lost a lot of talent before, but we are a win away from a 10 win season after going 7-6 or so what seemed like forever. With those guys on offense, minus a David Wilson at RB, our skill players do match up with anyone in the country. Our O-line to me, is where the problem was Saturday. We played pretty well against a legitimate top 3 team at this point, and we would have eaten Clemson alive if Evans had a little more time and we had a pulse in the running game in the first half. And Clemson does get credit for that, this isnt a Clemson defense from 2008 or 09.
It is a long ways to go until next season, we will have some holes to plug. We have some youthful talent that could very well step up, and true freshman who will get a shot. Eddie Royal in 04 comes to mind. To counteract my doom and gloom part of this post, they might not be the same type of players as Bucky at 6'7 or with Ford's unique ability, but they could be just as, if not more effective.
This also bears repeating: Clemson is not a top 5 team.
Name 5 teams that are better (and no, the B1G doesn't have 4 of the 5 top teams in the country).
But the B1G does have 3 of the 5 worst P5 teams. Yet everyone says it's the best conference this year.
Anybody still think Rutgers wasn't exactly what the B1G wanted?
I'm so delighted that the Big Ten took two of the worst fan bases and two of the worst teams in college as expansion targets.
I wish this came up more often. Big10 has been good, but the top tier is inflated by how terrible the bottom tier is. Maryland, Rutgers, Purdue, Illinois, Michigan State is as bad of a bottom 5 as any conference has. That's a lot of guaranteed wins. Some of the advanced metrics have us and SEC neck and neck for top conference with Big10 firmly in third (by taking average rating of every team).
that's like just your opinion man. (no time to insert gif)
Strongly disagree. Most talented offense in the country and a defense that clamps down when it needs to. Every time Clemson NEEDED a defensive stop this year, they got one. Nobody (outside of Alabama) has a defense that can shut down everyone all of the time.
You should not drink so much when you watch football it clouds your judgment
I said I didn't think they were top 5. Not they aren't top 10. Jeez. I would put them at #6-9 (maybe an asterisk *5). I just agree with the post above, that tOSU, Mich, Wash & even Wisky could beat them (in majority of neutral matchups). If I'm wrong, I'm wrong. I can deal. Just don't think they're top 5.
My gut tells me that Washington and Clemson get exposed first round. I may be wrong... But that is where I would put my money.
Problem is that other than the Hokies I can't say who Is better.
getting your ass kicked by alabama isn't the same as getting exposed, that's just called "playing alabama"
yea, I guess there is that. I guess the bottom line is we won't know unless Washington makes it a game. I hope my gut is wrong and Washington can run with them.
hate to break it to you but i have watched every wisconsin game this season and clemson is better haha. watson is really good so what if the games are close? if thats your excuse you better knock the badgers too. outside of purdont and illnois they havent really had a blowout all season. georgia state included
That's why I put the * next to 5.
They are this year. Other than Alabama, there isn't much honestly. Clemson might be the second best team this year. But, in most seasons over the past 20 years, I would say they wouldn't be a top 5 team.
The leadership that we are losing is what scares me the most. I believe that they have been responsible for the team being so much more than the sum of its parts.
They're the reason we got the win at Pitt, came back at ND and played Clemson so close. I hope our Seniors next year are ready to step up from a leadership perspective.
We are losing a bunch of talent next year. I'm already tempering my enthusiasm. I think this year was incredibly special. I don't expect a repeat next year.
2018 however...
2018? If you think VT is losing a bunch of talent next year, take a look at who leaves after 2017. I'm not saying that there won't be capable replacements - guys leaving and getting replaced by new, younger guys is a fact of life in college sports - but there will be a ton of game experience leaving after next season.
The real test for Fuente will be 2018.
We will likely lose 8+ defensive starters alone after 2017. And Evans, Teller, Phillips and maybe Ford (I agree with your take above, makes sense for Ford to return).
I'm excited about Jackson but the QB may be the least of our problems in 2018.
Facyson is only a r-Junior
Edit: Conte is the other lineman that we're definitely losing. Teller is eligible to go as well if he chooses to do so.
I think he means that Facyson is a brainiac, who wants to be a surgeon. If he grads early, why play ball one more year, if you can just got to Med school? He has an injury history the pros would not look kindly upon.
True, his injury history hurts his draft prospects. But any and all money he makes in the pros is money he doesn't have to worry about sourcing for and/or during med school. Unfortunately, with the injuries you so astutely pointed out he's likely a late round pick at best if he were to declare this year.
Is Fascyon retiring? or going pro early?
I was wrong about him. I forgot about the redshirt year, remembered him and Kendall playing as true freshmen the same year.
I said this in a different place, but it bears repeating: if all three of them stay I'd count it as a Christmas miracle
I hope everyone stays out of their bank accounts and lets them make their own decisions. They have to do whatever is best for their family and personnel situations, not what is best for tech's fanbase.
Ford should probably go. Bucky should probably stay. We'll see how the grades turn out
Ford is ready to be a playmaker in NFL, but I believe more likely to stay of the two. Bucky will leave, but I think he could benefit so much from staying one more year and developing under Fuente.
I think Bucky needs to stay to get more polish, but don't think him leaving hurts as much.
I could see Ford stay, he strikes me as a guy feeling unaccomplished.
I think Ford should stay just to try and put on another ten pounds before declaring. Bucky needs to stay to learn how to catch without falling over.
ford could put on another 5-10 pounds by the time the draft roles around, no point in him sticking around and lose out on a paycheck to use what are presumably lower quality work out facilities and risk injury playing
Plus, after getting paychecks, he could probably tape dollar bills all over himself and that would help him weight more
Question still remains, can Bucky hang in on the line in the NFL? People compare him to Jimmy Graham but he has no where near the talent Graham does when blocking comes to play. I love the guy and he has incredible talent but I don't think he can take the beating on the line.
Bucky is 6'6" (insert joke) 235 and can definitely put on muscle.
He can play TE in the NFL.
Jordan Reed is 6'2" 243
Delanie Walker is 6'2" 248
Cameron Brate is 6'5" 236
Not every TE is going to be Gronk sized, and with the NFL going more and more pass heavy TEs aren't going to be called on to block as much for the run.
There's a lot more to playing the TE/WR role in the NFL than being the prototypical size.
Wasn't saying that was the only thing he needed, but my point was that he could easily bulk up to NFL TE size. He has all of the receiving skills one could ask for save for a few drops here and there.
He has all of the receiving skills on could ask for? Are we still writing about Bucky Hodges?
Well that probably won't matter because any team with any smarts in the NFL is going to make Bucky a WR and use him as a Kelvin Benjamin type.
This is probably a better point.
Ignore the idiot above you who appears to have the same user name as I do.
Joe, can you look into this? Someone stupid appears to be impersonating me...
You know what? This isn't the first time I've seen this idiot guy post with your username. I will help anyway I can to find this madman.
You sir, are a true friend.
I'll loan you my electrified net that is usually on standby for Mark from Winchester.
He's probably more comparable to Jordan Reed, who isn't much a blocker either.
Jimmy Graham can block? Someone should let him know because he doesn't act like he knows how.
With the season and progression Evans had this year, I wouldn't be at all surprised if he had more of an influence of Ford and/or Bucky staying for one last year with him.
I hope that Kevin Jones talks to them about returning. He has been on record many times saying that leaving early was the biggest regret he has. He truly thought the team would have been a national title contender with him on the team. (RB was our biggest hole that year, as we went through Humms, Imoh, and Justin Hamilton).
I thought that was DeAngelo Hall that said that. Maybe Jones said it too. Both would have been awesome to have around the 'Burg for another year.
DeAngelo was a locker room cancer. Our defense didn't miss a beat without him.
Honestly KJ was the missing piece to that team. We were missing a dominant run game which he would have provided.
I agree with you that KJ would've been a big boost to the 2004 team. That said, I could also 100% see DeAngelo Hall making that kind of statement.
Next Year:
WR1: Cam Phillips
WR2: CJ Carroll
WR3: ???
yeah, can we get Jalen Hurd on line one please?