Well it's upon us once again, we have single handedly eliminated ourselves from the national title picture before the damn season has gotten into full swing. This is the 6th or 7th year in a row where he have lost in the opening weeks. As fan I am just plain tired of it. I believe big game Beamer has refused to adapt to the way college ball has changed and evolved over the years. There is no more pride and joy in special teams, our offense is lackluster at best. Our offense hasn't been prepared to score in these kinds of games for awhile now. Being ready isn't on the players it's on the coaches. I understand coaches can't make you catch the ball when it hits you in the hands. We have got to recruit better on offense if we want to get back to being a top tier program. We have fallen off big time and I am personally tired of being a laughing stock of the nation. This is not a knee jerk reaction to a loss last night, this is years in the making, ever since we have opened up w USC in 04 all the way up til now. We have been consistent in not being prepared to compete in this big games, so until we get some better skill layers on offense quit signing us up for heartbreak every year. I'm not saying we can't run the table and be in the title picture if some top programs fall later on, that would be great, but from what I saw last night, if our defense can't score then I don't see it happening.
0-1 AGAIN....
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Comments
Virginia Tech is not a laughingstock football program, and hasn't been for decades.
I think what he meant was the entire country KNEW that the Hokies had no chance of winning that game last night, and we proved them right. The Hokies reaction after the loss was unacceptable too. No one seemed to care about getting beat by Bama. That to me is more disturbing than our receivers play.
What do you want them to say/do? This game didn't really matter that much for us. It has zero bearing on the ACC title chase. We played very hard and for the most part pretty darn well. We saw lots of correctable mistakes and this team has a lot to be proud of. Time to move on and not let Bama beat us twice. Unless you want the players dwelling on this for another 3 weeks....
My point is, top tier football teams should not be OK with any loss. I agree that there were many positives to take from the game, but as long as there is an air of "losing is ok because it was Alabama", then guess what, you will never ever be a program on that level
It was less of "losing is ok cause it's Alabama" and more of "we played our butts off and made a few big mistakes in an otherwise very close game against a very good opponent." There's not much to be gained from our guys obsessing over this one.
This is the problem my friend, we have been fixated on wining the ACC title, not the national title chase. Until we start focusing in that take that damn empty trophy case out of the athletic center. I'm tired of everybody saying this game has no implications on our season. Yes it does and it did. We embarrassed ourselves on the national stage and nobody was angry about it.
This. This game did matter. People keep getting worked up about why players like Hand don't even consider VT. See last nights result. People wonder why UVA keeps getting studs. Say what you want about Mr. Cop, but do you think he would have spent all offseason building an expectation and acceptance of a loss?
You had it until you brought up uva. Uva would have lost by 40 and will next week. And dwelling on this loss gains nothing at all. Do you want the players to sulk. No you want them to focus on the mistakes fix them and then move on
LOLUVA would have lost by 60 and not scored.
The fans and media are what make the majority of the expectations. You'll see "Mr. Cop" whimpering with his tail between his legs after next week against Oregon. They get the studs for various reasons, but the expectations of the program are not the reason. Every program wants to expect to win, but talent and execution will generally triumph.
They have a countdown clock that ticks down to the game against VT. I think that question answers itself.
Well played
The only reason they get studs is because the studs don't want to have any competition for a spot in the two deep from day one. At VT they would have to fight to get on the field not LOLUVA.
Not to sound too much like Nick Saban here, but it's a process. Any team can claim that their aim is a national championship. I mean hell, even Mike London puts that in his scholarship letters (by rule, I don't LOL, but in this case I feel I must).
It starts in the conference. Until a team can consistently win 2 or 3 conference championships in a row (thus demonstrating a consistent level of preparation and recruiting), the national discussion isn't super productive. I'm as die-hard as the next Hokie is, and I start every year with optimism for how high the ceiling can be, but realistically, the team has to set itself up in terms of (1) conference wins and (2) recruiting. Our recruiting, until recently, has not helped us. We have talent in the pipeline, but look at the level of experience our guys on the field have right now. Some of our young guys were insanely good (Fuller, Facyson) and others blew it (inexperienced WRs and special teams). You've got to develop all facets of the game and have all of them at the same level, at the same time. Threading that needle is very hard to do.
This. Fixating on the national championship isn't the way to win it. Fixating on the next thing you have to do in practice is the way to win.
You hear the cliche often enough, but people always say to focus on the next play. If you look too far into the future, you forget to focus on what you need to do in the present. I think the line in Rudy goes something like, 'The problem with dreamers are they tend not to be do-ers'. Let's focus on doing what we have to do today and trust that the dreams we earn are the ones that come to fruition.
Beating bama last night would help our recruiting in many ways. But now all those 5 star people ill just be like oh why would I want to go somewhere that compete on a national level, not an ACC level.
No one on VT's front four is a 5*, yet they whipped ass all night long. Stop being hung on Rivals' ranking and look at the on field. Rivals and their ilk provide guidelines, not hard and fast rules.
I agree fully with your statement. As an addendum, Scout has lost a lot of credibility and ESPN never had any to begin with. Both of those sites tend to rank players higher when they commit to a team that has a lot of subscribers for their premium content. Both have engineered their rankings to generally reflect the skill levels of the players, but the players get bumps based on the amount of cash their fan bases pump into the online ranking machine.
Rivals, at least, appears to have their hearts in the right place, and therefore are generally regarded pretty well. 247 has started the way of ESPN and Scout but are pretty good. But none of this should take away from your point that Rivals rankings, in the end, don't matter.
Rivals is H.O.A.T. approved. It will be reflected in the official record that it is the preferred recruitment service of all Hokies, TKP'ers, and Horses.
In a microwave society like ours, Information is shopped for instead of developed via research. People want to know who is the best player and they trust recruiting sites to do it for them. Do fans actually think that 24/7 sees every single player they rank, numerous times to develop a true sense of their potential?
Maddy thinks not...!
Agree, but VT should play it's young studs more if they are producing more than the starters. Like Dadi Nicholas, Josh Stanford, Ken Ekanem.
Good question for French: who should play more (based off of Saturday), Dadi or JR? Methinks there's not much justification for decreasing JR's playing time but there's also not much justification for keeping Dadi on the bench. Very good problem to have.
What about increasing Dadi's time on the other side to spell James Gayle? Gayle had zero tackles last night. Did Ken Ekanem get any playing time?
From the Teel Blog:
The reason Gayle didn't get any tackles is because he was getting double teams and still giving enormous pressure. Enough pressure that Saban pointed him out.
This is an important point. Remember the forum topic last week where the Alabama-fan author suggested that Gayle was going to be double teamed with a TE and, as a result, the tackles vs ends competition would favor Alabama? They were exactly right that Gayle needed to be double teamed, but they turned out incorrect on who it benefitted.
So will lil' nicky give VT any credit or respect? No way. Otherwise he might lose recruits knowing he was outcoached.
Did you see this team last year? To expect a national championship run after THAT is nothing short of insanity. This game was exactly what it needed to be:a (fairly major) step in the right direction. A win would've been nice, but I don't think we could have asked a whole lot more from this team, except for a bit more tackling and holding on to the darn football.
True, Coach Beamer is at times resistant to change, and too loyal to non productive players and coaches. However, they aren't ready to think about a National Title not for a couple of years. Not totally disappointed with the game's outcome because I was realistic.
We certainly didn't embarrass ourselves. Anybody that actually watched the game and didn't just look at the final score should see this. We looked damn good at times. Sure, I would have liked for the score to have been closer, but without two kick returns its a different game. Had our receivers caught some balls, we could have been laying an ass whipping on them. One day the luck will go our way in the big game, we certainly deserve it, but I see the future as being very bright for this team.
This game may have not meant anything in the ACC picture, but pride certainly counted. A player should never be satisfied with a loss, and a quarterback should never have "zero concerns" (LT quote) after a 5-26 performance. It rubs me the wrong way that some players are content with the way the game ended.
I certainly was glad of what we did well. It bodes very well for the future of this season.
That team played their balls off last night. The D was flying around, the O-line was holding a dominant front-7 in check... You can't possibly be complaining about the team's want-to or effort. I'm really not sure where you're getting this at all.
The team didn't play their balls off last night. Our defense did and our o line and edmunds. That's it. Not LT3, not one damn receiver or our special teams did at all.
So... because they didn't do well, they must not have been trying hard? Couldn't have had anything to do with the fact that they were all inexperienced and playing against an excellent, fast, swarming defense?
I think Logan gave a fantastic effort. Special teams was unprepared (coach's fault IMO) but I would not say they didn't try. Some of the receivers looked sluggish/afraid/not exerting effort. Hence why they have been receiving the most blame.
Well, to reinforce my point, that is completely different from being a laughingstock.
Agree to disagree. There were a lot of positives to come out of that game and a lot of them were surprising because of 1) how bad Tech was last year and 2) how little we saw of the team this offseason. Is anyone HAPPY that we lost? No. But considering that Alabama only ran away with the game because of special teams flukes, I'm pretty happy with Tech's potential moving forward.
Ease up, dude. Nobody expected to compete for a title this year, and if you did, you were drinking far too much kool-aid. And for what it's worth, last year we were undefeated until we played Pitt (in week 3), and the year before that we were undefeated until Clemson came to town in week 5. Were either of those years less heartbreaking? No.
So pump the brakes and get some perspective - if you want a decent OOC schedule, they're going to make you play it early. If you're happy playing FCS teams, then you're crazy.
Last year wasn't heartbreaking? 7-6 is heartbreaking to me. And who did we beat before we lost to Pitt? Gt that's it. We simply can't compete w the top tier programs and I'm sick of it. I simply will not be happy w just playing for the ACC title and losing in a BCS bowl when we make it to one. I believe our program is way better than that. I know we are it will change one day but it won't be anytime soon.
You just made my point. It doesn't matter when your loss comes - starting 0-1 isn't any worse than starting 5-0 and beating nobody then losing to Clemson. And if you want to play decent teams, you've got to play them early. I don't know about you, but I'd rather play elite teams and see where we stand, then blow through some FCS patsies and have no idea what this team is made of. You need to play the best to beat the best, and you need to beat the best to be the best.
What did you expect from this team this season. I am one of the single most positive tech fans there is. But a title run this year was not going to happen. The true realistic goals this season are perfectly attainable
I'm the biggest fan that I personally know, and even I knew this was true and completely agree with you. Still part of me thought it was possible however unlikely :)
Considering last year, the opponent, injuries, new system, etc, I'd say this shouldn't come as a shock or even that much of a disappointment. The program is going in the right direction and we should see lots of improvement from here.
Some of our best years we started out 0-1 with a loss to a good or even great team. And last year (7-6)? We started out 1-0. So, while I don't think anyone that has ever donned orange and maroon is happy with losing, it also probably isn't the end of the world.
We probably won't know too much more about the team next week (should be a blowout, and if it isn't... yikes). But if we are 3-1 going into the GT game with convincing wins over ECU and Marshall (two teams that will likely be better at the end of the season than many people think), then I think we could still be in position for a special year. Let's see what happens...
Well said
Yup, I read somewhere that the last 5 times we started 0-1 we ended those seasons with 2 Orange Bowl apperances, 2 Sugar Bowl apperances, and a Peach Bowl victory over Tennessee.
Yup, 4 BCS bowls and a chicken bowl after losing game one. We even won 3 of those 5 bowl games after dropping game 1.
Yes, we're 0-1 again. I don't think anyone is happy about it, but 1 game doesn't ruin a season. How would you feel at the end of the year if we ended up 13-1 with an ACCC and OB? We'd be third in the BCS behind the title participants. And if things were to break our way with Alabama losing two games and no other major conference undefeated teams, it would still be possible (although unlikely) that we could make it to the MNC. Sky isn't falling.
I feel the same way, I even said it in my post, but as a die hard fan I can't be happy w the way we come out and lose these types of games. We are not doing what is necessary to win these games. That's my biggest problem w it. It's really simple, recruit some damn good offensive players and win these or go out and win them w what we have and them the recruits come in. Boise freaking state has more big time ooc wins than we do. That doesn't piss anybody off? It doesn't make anybody mad that Clemson is carrying the torch for the ACC right now? They just did in one night what we haven't been able to do in years I mean years.
That's over-simplifying it. "Recruit some good offensive players". Do you know how hard it is to convince high school kids to come to your school? And this is just my opinion, I think we've had some damn good recruiting classes recently but they are either in prep school or the coaches don't think they're ready yet. As one of the sports writers said (can't remember which) this team is going to be stacked in the next couple years. He even thought we could make a return to the national elite within a few years. Losing to Alabama because of a few fluke special teams mistakes and a defensive touchdown is nothing to hang your head about. Also, I know you're complaining about lack of TDs from the offense, but we outgained one of last year's most potent offenses. I agree that we should have scored at least 14 (should've had 7 off the Kyle fuller INT) but we were installing a new system this season.
WE WILL BE FINE.
this could start a completely new thread on its own, but if we had some of the advantages that FSU and Clemson enjoy we could have a couple titles by now. I personally believe our best is yet to come as a school, and that we are overachieving, by far, compared to our ACC brethren as of late.
I do agree we got some of our skill player recruiting into a mess (how many freshman were playing?), but in response to that I would say this:
1) I'm grateful that we have yet ANOTHER stud RB and Coach Grimes
2) I believe the new coaches are working, right now, on fixing the other issues but it will take a few years.
There's lot of Football left to be played, sports fans.
Based on last night, I think this team can go 9-3 or better this year. I would call that a huge success relative to last year, especially in the first year with the new coaches.
I dont know...I think this team can go 11-1 possibly 12-1 depending on bowl opponent...I know there is a lot of football to be played but I finally saw an offense that can move the ball and was in 3rd and shorts...I dont think we will play another defense as good as Bama's....Also I assume no major injuries to key players and that our offense improves week to week..
I think we can do better than 9-3, that's why I'm setting that as a floor, just to account for the possibility of injuries or close rivalry games that may go either way. If we can avoid self-inflicted mistakes like penalties and such, then we can definitely return to 10 wins (or more) this year. We have a favorable schedule. Based on what I've seen so far from UNC and Miami, we could handle them this year. We'll know more over the next couple of weeks based on who shakes off the cobwebs best.
sorry wasnt trying to argue just adding my thoughts
Perfectly reasonable.
9-4 or 8-5.
I myself thought we had a pretty spectacular season after we went 0-2 with a loss to that school in Harrisonburg. The ending sucked but we straight whooped some people in the ACC.
We also played ALAFREAKINGBAMA. They're good. We gonna be alright. It all starts in the trenches and I think our two trenches are pretty stout. We fix a couple of things on offense, get Exum healthy for (hopefully) ACC play and were in shape for a solid season.
Take it easy, we alright.
Yep.
It's different seeing the compliments on our line play, both defensively AND offensively, only to have the complaints about lack of receivers.
I think that's a good place to start.
Again, I thing we grade the offense after a few more games. The receivers will get better...(HAVE to...can't get much worse.)
I'm not going to sit back and say its ok we lost because we played bama. We had them, we HAD them last night and we had them in 2009 as well, we had Georgia as well and we always let them off the hook. We shut down bamas offense and we ran the ball down their throat for most of the game.
At what point did we have them last night? They scored a TD the first time they touched the ball, and we never even came back to tie it.
They punted what 8-9 times last night? Our defense held them the whole game. They gave up two tds and we only scored 10 measly points. If we scored on 5 of those drives we would have been in the game regardless of the special teams mistakes. We punted 12 times last night. That's why we never came back to tie it. You act like bama was just running away w the game, they weren't. We should have won that game last night.
Our defense did play well enough to win last night, but our offense was no-where near where it needed to be to win. We should not have won that game, because our offense just isn't that good. There's no need to get angry about that, though. The team showed a lot of potential, and Bama is an exceptional team.
Exactly. The above argument that we should have had 5 scoring drives would require our offense to be as good against Alabama as they were against Bowling Green last year. Our offense hasn't been that consistent in a long time. The D played lights out, but we were never anywhere close to having this game, I'm sorry to say. Losses hurt, but of all of the defeats I've suffered, this one stings the least.
dont sugar coat it...OUR DEFENSE WAS AMAZING LAST YEAR, I felt like I was watching da 86 bears or something they were flying to the ball and shutting down bama I know its early to say this but man this D could take us to a pretty special year, 1 game in against such a great offense and I'm willing to say this is one of the best college D's I've watched in a while, heres a good question though, is our D > bama's D? it played like it last night
This could be a decent year, but think we have a ceiling with LT at QB and the current starting receivers. If the defense continues play at this level I believe national contention is possible with the next QB (Brendan Motley/Andrew Ford/Bucky Hodges) and the next crop of receivers including Josh Stanford.
Expecting to score 5 times after how we looked last year and with a new offensive system and all new receivers is expecting a lot going against the number one defense from last year.
^THIS. I don't know how anyone could've expected our offense to score five times on a top 5 defense. Not only are we running a completely new system, but we have completely new coaches who haven't had much time to recruit players for their system.
If we had started with a functional offense, and made a few position coach changes, I would have higher expectations. If we had started with a functional offense and an OC left was replaced by someone under him, who is familiar with is system (see Oregon) I would have higher expectations. This wasn't the case.
We should all be frustrated that our we lost b/c of special teams (once a strength of ours). Even worse, in a sport where perception may matter just as much as ability, it sucks that the score appears so lopsided. That being said, most of our mistakes were execution mistakes, which are SIGNIFICANTLY easier to correct than schematic/'cultural' problems.
Going into the game, I think the majority of folks would have understood that the best hope for a Hokie victory was to keep the game low scoring and get a big play or two. If we don't blow three plays, we're looking at a 14-10 game, possibly. That would have had a significantly different story line in the media, I think. I'm sure we'd be hearing a lot more of "What's wrong with Alabama" headlines. Don't blow the three plays, AND complete just half of the passes we dropped, we could have possibly made it closer. Of course, I'm reminded of what my O-line coach always used to say, "Close counts in horseshoes and handgrenades".
we were unranked going into the game...No way we would be allowed in the title game this year even if we ran the table...Look at the positive we are building back up. We are still feeling the effects of bad coaching and recruiting
There's a good chance we play NO ranked teams the rest of this regular season. Maybe, hopefully in Charlotte, but the fact of the matter is we don't have the Strength of Schedule this year.
Do we start pulling for Miami? *retch*
Easy buddy. That was not the 6 and 7 Pitt Panthers we lost to last night. I'd be happy if we could compete for an ACC championship this year, and last night's performance gives me hope that we can do that.
If you think we are going for a national title contention this year I really dont know what to say to that. this game was a gauge to what we need to work on. playing the best will make us learn quicker and be a better team. if we fix our wr play and continue improving in all aspects I could see us in the acccg.
to follow up on scheduling games like this. next year starts the playoffs. that means that even after a week 1 loss we could win out and still potentially make the playoffs. sorry but it makes way more sense to continue what we are doing
I would agree a loss is never acceptable but this team showed potential against the #1 ranked team in the country. Bama has a roster full of five star kids- you don't win on talent alone but it sure is a good starting point.
I like our coaches and their message. The team played with great effort and pride. No doubt there were mistakes made but the D was stout and our young players will only improve.
Yeah you can't teach size. #optimistic
I don't think anyone seriously thought that Tech could win the NC this year. Even if they went undefeated it wouldn't be a guarantee that they would make it to the NC.
I have to take this with a grain of salt. Yes, I am optimistic about this team going forward, but this is kind of getting ahead of ourselves. There's plenty of room for improvement across the board, defense included, and thinking about a return to a bowl game need to be an end of season thing before we start thinking about it.
Uh, did I miss something? I'm a die hard fan, but you have to be realistic and temper some of these expectations. We went 7-6 last year and changed over the full offense. We still had a lot of skill position questions on offense as well (and still do). To me, this was a rebuilding year. No way had national championship even entered my mind.
The team is playing for the full season, not just one game. Bama has an impact, but if the team can get to 9 or 10 wins again, that is putting one foot in front of he other.
Honestly, it's comments like these, or ones slamming some of the players that make me wish some Hokies weren't hokies at all. I get so tired of these obscene expectations and bandwagonesque fans. I'm not settling for just ACC champs, I want the nat champ too, but I'm realistic. I always figured that being a Hokie meant you were smart enough to understand that. In addition, being a real fan means you stick through the rough times like these and continue to offer your support. You think Bama/Michigan/ND/Texas fans gave up on their teams when things got rough?
There are many fans on this site that would have loved a win last night, but saw in the lose progressive movement in the right direction. The D is badass. The O is picking up. Had the WRs not dropped those passes, our O would have been firing nicely. I'm excited about what Leffy has already done and am looking forward to VT future.
Agreed 100%. Very well said.
Agreed, for the most part. I'll take my Hokies any way I can get them, and I don't think we can be too harsh to players, but I don't think we should be too harsh to the fans if we have opinions that might be unpopular. Sometimes we need to remember that we get excited, and sometimes all of us need to be talked off the ledge, so to speak.
I think, by and large, as a group, we're focusing on the right, positive things. But I don't blame anyone for being disappointed by some aspects of our performance. I am. All in all, it was pretty good, but there were some glaring areas for improvement. It just so happens that in many cases, some of those areas for improvement were player-related.
I do think that bama/michigan/nd/texas fans gave up on their teams when the going got rough but i completely agree with you that just makes us better fans than them right?!?!
I'm so excited for our D this year
when saying this about the other teams fans i mean the fairweather fans who only like a team because its good but we hokies never do that through thick and thin we'll root for our team
There is evey reason to be optimistic about this game and no reason to panic. In fact, I think some of the things I see above are borderline hysteria
Damn I didn't expect this post to piss so many people off! Sorry if I seem likemim throwing the season away but if you read the post I still said I hope we can run the table and go 11-1 and make it to BCS bowl. I think it's possible, our offense and special teams have a lot of work to do before that happens. My point is that I'm sick of not winning these big time games. It gets frustrating over the years. ESP with most of those games being winnable, one or two times were we just outplayed but the majority were close games that we could have won. I think this translates directly into recruiting wether you believe all that 5 star stuff or not talent gives you a damn good chance of winning. Look at clowney, that kid is a monster! Not saying our defense needs any help because we have our own monsters, but you get my point.
My other point I'm Trying to make is this, I believe the outcome of these games even last night would have been different if coach Beamer had he mentality of jack Tyler and James gayle. Beamer said all summer that this is the best team he's ever faced, Tyler and gayle said yea they are good but we are on scholarship too. Nit saying bama isn't a great team but in my eyes it doesn't make the loss any easier. My personal opinion on that. I just wanted to hear Beamer say hey you know what bama is good but we are a damn good football team too. That's all.
Third point on this matter, bama, lsu, ohio state don't seem to keep having the same issues that we have had for years now. We have fielded so,e damn talented teams on both sides of the ball and we don't have much to show for it. A bunch of ACC champs and one BCS bowl win. And we have had many chances to change that but we came up short. All I am saying is I want more for our team and I know we can do it because we have shown the glimpse of greatness at times but we can never seem to put together a complete season. I really hope that our new offense changes all of this I really do, it just sucks coming out flat once again. Here's to us righting the ship and becoming the vt football of old!
I definitely see where you're coming from and understand the frustration. However, regarding you're recruiting comments, I would not trade JR Collins or Dadi Nicholas for five Jadaveon Clowney's. For all the hype ESPN and other media outlets have given Clowney and all his physical gifts, he gave a piss-poor effort against UNC and was essentially a non-factor. Our guys showed up against the best team in the nation and ate their lunch.
Edit: Also, "A bunch of ACC championships" IS something to show for it. I know we all want that National Championship, but at the same time, we shouldn't belittle winning conference championships.
Clowney is probably going through the Junior Slump... JR and Gayle went through it last year. Hosley went through it. Kyle Fuller as well. Dadi looks immune, though...
I love JR Collins and Dadi Nicholas. But 5 Jadeveon Clowneys?
I'd have to think about that...
I'm just imagining 5 identical, freakishlyathletic giants, hands on their knees, all gasping for breath after pregame warm ups. He's a special player, but honestly, the Clowney from the UNC game would have been the weakest link on our defenensive line on Saturday.
You are the weakest link. Goodbye.
Perhaps. I'll give Clowney a week or two more to show what he should be doing. They play UGA next week, if he stinks it up again I'll be down on him. There have been a lot of stories coming out about why he was so bad that game, and if it keeps on like this I'll assume he just didn't put in the offseason work. But there is a chance, a much better change, in my opinion, that he'll be back to his old self next week.
For good measure I would add in Luther Maddy as well. Picked up as an after thought while going for Dadi and he is an absolute beast and a stud. I was impressed with how gaga the announcers were for him and Hop. They just could not say enough good stuff about them. Essentially pointing out how they were the FOIL to Clowney in that they were not slowing down or taking plays off.
One thing you have to remember is that Beamer has been in this business for a long time. He's not going to say anything controversial or give them bulletin board material. It's just not his style. He's always going to compliment the other team, no matter what he might really be thinking.
I think the major problem in comparing us to the Alabamas, LSUs, and OSUs of the college football world right now is recruiting. We've had a few down years, so quality depth is an issue. I think Beamer felt hesitant to risk starters on special teams in this game (although I disagree with this, I understand the reasoning; non-ACC game, lets save it for a league game). I think we probably don't see too many starters on special teams this week, but will beginning with the ECU game. Definitely for the ACC games.
That's precisely my point. I feel like much hasn't been done to bring in elite recruits to help us out. I know we have mixed it up and all, and maybe I'm just impatient, but we are falling behind and I don't like it. I expect the 14' Hokies to be nasty and I know they will be w all our injured folks coming back and some good recruits coming in. I want to see that sense of urgency, time is running out and we don't play like the world is gonna end. That's how I see other teams play. Play like there is no tomorrow!
The fact that we lost the game is heartbreaking, not only because it was a chance to prove everyone wrong and take down the number 1 team, but because of how we lost it. I never would have thought we would give up a TD on special teams, and then we end up giving up 2! Plus another non-offensive TD. Yes, that sucks. But because that IS how we lost, I can still take away positives. If we were to lose, I expected it by just getting worn down on defense. The fact that it took 3 non-offensive touchdowns for the number 1 team to beat us is nothing to celebrate about, but something to notice. That "high powered" offense barely recorded over 200 total yards of offense and only scored when starting with less than 50 yards to go. I take away that the o-line and running game did better than I expected it would, the passing game and special teams did a lot worse than I expected, and the defense soared all expectations.
So yes, some major concerns about our WR's. I think we will improve though and get special teams fixed. Yet, a lot of positives can be taken away from our o-line, running back, and defense at least from what we have seen thus far. That leaves me optimistic for this season and not as disappointed as a loss would normally leave me.
Fire the special teams coach. Get someone younger in there with some new schemes. The time has come.
And which coach exactly would you remove in order to make room for a special teams coach?...
...you realize Frank Beamer is the special teams coach, right? And what scheme do you think would make every single coverage member tackle better?
Well aware the old man is the coach. Tired of him looking like an old man with alzheimer's on the sideline. When was the last time we blocked a punt? Over the last two years (aside from the the criminal Jarrell) we have been punked in special teams. Everybody now uses the "swinging gate". But not us. Game has evolved. He hasn't. Let someone else run special teams
If you're going to bash on a player the least you can do is spell their name right.
Lil Beamer coached special teams at USCe...
So who coaches the rbs?
He could wear two hats. On the All Access show Wiles was talking in what looked like a special teams meeting...
So, your solution to the special teams underperforming is to strip Frank Beamer of special teams duties, give all of those duties to Shane, while still expecting him to coach running backs and recruit at a high level? Why not just try playing more starters on special teams so they tackle better?
If someone can teach our KR to run forward instead of sideways, I'm all for it.
I'm glad Beamer is still coaching special teams and I do think he's still a good coach at it (clearly I mean did you see Hughe's punts?!) but I do think special teams as far as coverage is mostly an intensity and energy thing; (and their is naturally some strategy, but I dont think Beamer is to blame for that at all) I'm not saying the Frankanator doesnt have some intensity to him however I do think that Shane could add some...spunk so to speak... and I wouldn't mind him lending a hand either, I'm also pretty excited that little beamer will still be able to handle special teams once big beamer heads off into retirement (or preferably the AD position)
Let's not forget that we have youngsters on special teams. With the influx of veteran leadership and talent we're about to get, the special teams will improve immediately. Had we had this in place for Alabama, which, despite injury risk, I think we should have had, we would have had a much better performance. With the way our defense was playing, it may have made the difference between the score we saw and the close game the defense gave us.
I clicked on this thread, and this is pretty much what I got out of it:
Journell -dipstick - don't forget the subject.