Thanks to Jerod Evans early departure, the media storylines will be heavily fixated on the quarterback position as (as of right now) Josh Jackson, Hendon Hooker, and Jack Click battle for the starting job in 2017. That battle is critical, as the offense has the quarterback create multiple mesh points/reads and serve as a primary ball carrier in the running game no matter how simplified Fuente and Cornelsen can make the passing game. With the loss of so many big weapons outside, the quarterback has a tough task.
But, there are some other huge position battles coming this spring. First, Chuck Clark is a huge loss at the free safety position. Does Bud Foster move Mook Reynolds (where he started to come into his own as a blitzing whip) or Adonis Alexander to the free safety spot? Can Khalil Ladler and/or Tyree Rodgers step in at corner? Is Reggie Floyd, Jahque Alleyne, or JoVonn Quillen ready to be a dependable alley player at the free safety spot? Could Terrell Edmunds, who was stellar down the stretch, move to free safety where his experience at corner could help with coverage responsibilities. I am really at a loss for what Foster does. Each solutions seemingly creates another weakness.
Offensive line is the other question mark. The Hokies have to replace Augie Conte and Jonathan McLaughlin on the right side, and center Eric Gallo struggled mightily in the last couple of games. While fans of recruiting lament the lack of offensive line commtments, the Hokies are three deep pretty much across the board with scholarship offensive linemen for the first time in some time. This spring will answer if any of that depth can play.
Based on my own observations, Parker Osterloh is the most known quantity. I am not sure if he can pull effectively in the inverted veer game. Otherwise, I would strongly hope that Vance Vice gives Osterloh a look at right guard. Braxton Pfaff is more mobile- the question is can he win consistently at the point of attack. His shoulder history is worrisome, but I think Pfaff can contribute. Tyrell Smith could be an option. I don't know if Kyle Chung is big enough, and if he could learn to snap perhaps he could push Gallo. Austin Cannon and Zach Hoyt are also both centers, which allows Chung and Smith the opportunity to move around at all three guard spots.
Osterloh moving inside means a starting spot is open at right tackle. I was very high on DeAndre Plantin as a run blocker, and TJ Jackson looked awesome in pass protection in drills back in fall camp. Ultimately Jackson will likely project at left tackle (run blocking is still a weakness) but if his upside is as apparent as it looked on film, perhaps he may get some work on the right side. I was unimpressed with Demetri Moore in the spring. His size is ideal, but he didn't move or have the strength that I expected. I don't know if he will be a meaningful contributor at VT. I would be thrilled if I was wrong.
What are your thoughts? Once I finish our bowl review, I plan on doing a detailed review of the offensive line (I am already capturing clips.) I would welcome other topics that you would be interested in as premium content leading into spring practice.
Comments
Thoughts on the jumble at wideout?
hback/TE? In particular, thoughts on Peoples, Durkin, Cunningham and the two newcomers: Deiilus and Keane would be appreciated.
+1 for H-back. I'd be curious how not really having someone who fit this role well affected our offense/play calling (compared to Memphis) and who could fill this roll in the upcoming years.
I think it would be cool to compare/contrast this first season to Fuente's time at Memphis. What plays did he run here at that he couldn't run at Memphis, due to not having personnel like Ford, Bucky and Phillips? What plays was he unable to run here due to personnel? What do we think the future will hold? Hopefully more progression like Jerod had on the deep ball to bucky in the UVA game - that was scary.
EDIT:
I also think it could be a cool piece to give each position coach a letter grade (and a brief explanation of why). Not necessarily a huge film review piece, but could spark some interesting discussion.
Everyone will get better this offseason because we got the 10 win bonus a la NCAA Football Dynasty Mode. God damn I miss that game.
For the sake of my sanity when people complain, could you do a review about how every team gives up first down scrambles to QB's sometimes.
But in all seriousness. A breakdown of our (limited) passing game with a look towards what it could be when a QB is more comfortable throwing to the intermediate middle or working past the initial read between two receivers on one side.
Edit: looking forward to the OL breakdown as well. That's an area where I really want to learn more.
I'd love to know more about what to expect out of the running game in the Fuente offense. I am not sure if it was truly running back by committee this year or not, but I definitely don't have recollections of anyone standing out. My only recollection is that we didn't have a running game, at least not a memorable one.
If/when we recruit a feature back (assuming those backs currently on the roster don't meet this definition according to the current staff) will the offense focus more on that player? Or is the committee approach what to expect regardless?
What do you guys project for our running game in 2017?
Thanks again for all the work you put into this.
Thanks. I thought McMillian was terrific blocking in the Belk Bowl and he ran hard when he got a touch. The run blocking, especially at the center spot (I hate to bang on Gallo, but he took a big step back this year) and the tight end spot were not good on some of McMillian and Rogers touches in the first half. I think McMillian can be the guy-provided he gets the ball in certain plays. He isn't comfortable with all the running plays, and that will present additional opportunities for other backs.
Other sites have said DJ Reid will possibly leave the program. I have no insight on that one way or the other, but I would love to see him get touches while Williams recovers. He is a big back, has power, and can move. Whatever isn't clicking, I hope he figures it out.
Do you think those issues were systemic throughout the entire year though. We didn't have a running game at all this year minus what Evans produced.
Is the issue blocking the RBs or what do you think the main reason for lack of rushing yards at the RB position regardless of who it was?
I would appreciate an article on anything you wish. Keep up the good work. Go wasps
MLB. Can Eron Carter, Hueselkamp, Tavante Beckett, Tre Hubbard, Daniel Griffith unseat Motu? I hope so. Some of those guys might better project as a backer, but many of them have mike experience in high school. Tre Hubbard and Daniel Griffith are both walk-ons, but by all accounts, are natural, instinctive, heat-seeking football players...the kind who have thrived as mikes in this system. Hubbard played this year on special teams as a walk-on true freshman, which should speak to his ability. A high school coach I know said Griffith was always one of the best players on the field when healthy, with Bud basically offering him after seeing enough from 2 playoff games.
Whip / OLB / Safety (?): Mook and Shegog played their nuts off in the Belk Bowl. I couldn't help but think they were two of the best players on the field. Does Bud find a way to play both of them? Is one a free safety? Is one a rover?
Defensive backs: Who are they? Some combination of Edmunds, Facyson, Adonis, and Stroman will probably start. Mook offers flexibility. Are Reggie Floyd and Jovon Quille our next Rover and FS? Tyree Rogers and Khalil Ladler have an opportunity. Can Deon Newsome learn a position? Ameer Speed and Devon Hunter have a crystal clear path to the field. C'mon down boys.
Right side of the offensive line: Who the hell knows. But between Osterloh, Kyle Chung, Zach Hoyt, TJ Jackson, Pfaff, D'Andre Plantin, Patrick Hearns, TJ Hopple, Demetri Moore, Dzansi, and Tyrell Smith....there's got to be enough talent in there to compete.
Prepare to be disappointed about Motu. Barring injury, he will be the starter next year. I don't know if I am right, but I think when more of these linebacker recruits get comfortable, most project more to the backer spot. Tavante Beckett may end up moving to the Mike spot, with Ashby (and hopefully Rivers and Dax Hollifield as the next generation.)
As for DBs, it seems like Facyson is probably the next to announce. He has graduated, and if he doesn't get some kind of guaranteed money he will head to medical school. I am very high on Rogers and Ladler (if healthy) at the corner spot. Hopefully Stroman will be healthy there as well.
Regarding freshmen playing immediately, if the Lawson fiasco should have taught us anything, it is never smart to count on a true freshman at any position. 99 times out of 100, the coaching staff expects to ease them into play unless their is a dire need, and then they protect and ease them in (see Antone Exum.) plus, Hunter and Speed haven't committed so as of this moment, the coaching staff has to evaluate the kids who will be here this spring.
OL is a mystery and we haven't seen most of the depth guys at any length. I will say, you can't teach the movement, balance, and size that TJ Jackson was showing in those pass pro drills back in fall camp. He looked even smoother than Nijman did in his first camp. If he has any clue in run blocking, I could see him being a guy who could make a big leap. But, he needs a huge winter conditioning and weight training season.
Thanks for the detailed response French. To follow up on one of HokieHigh's points: is there anyway we can get Shegog on the field more? He is a playmaker, but his snaps are limited to specialty packages.
Really think Drew Harris will push for a starting spot. Will be interesting to watch him battle it out with George Bell.
If I ever win the lottery besides the usual stuff and giving TKP some money I'm endowing a coaching position at Tech.
Thanks French - really appreciate it.
I was wondering, how different will the offense look next year given all of the green faces. Is this truly a system where players are interchangeable (and Fuente sticks with his system) or will there be significant changes to accommodate a new qb and 2 new / unproven starting receivers.
At DE do you see Mihota/Hill (starters), Gaines/Taylor, Dooley/Minor switch to DE? Proctor will def. help as would Garbutt if he commits, do you see this as solid DE depth behind the starters? Rumor has it Minor is DE now, do you know?
Are you comfortable at DT with Settle/Walker (starters), Sobczak/Hewitt, Fullwood/Dean? Is Fullwood really a DT now and is he big enough? Is Clay Dean someone you think could be a surprise?
We seem to have the quality starters, depth looks ok with some experience but more inexperience than anything else, and just because there appear to be a lot of names doesn't mean much unless they can produce and step in when needed.
I am not worried about defensive line as long as everyone is healthy. Hill and Mihota have proven themselves. Gaines was excellent when he was called upon against Clemson and Arkansas. I'd like one more defensive end to really grab the bull by the horns. I don't know if Dooley is that guy. Folks around the program seem to think Jimmie Taylor is that guy. I haven't seen enough of him to have a feel one way or the other.
Defensive tackle is fine especially if Jarrod Hewitt can be productive. Fullwood is a defensive tackle. Will he be good enough to get on the field as a defensive tackle? I have my doubts. He didn't impress me in his HS all star game and I just don't see the kind of twitch a guy his size needs to be good at tackle or end. I'd be thrilled if I was wrong. I know nothing about Dean outside of his recruiting history. I have not seen him take a snap.
As for recruiting, Proctor is not going to see the field immediately except for special teams. He will need to get comfortable playing every snap on the edge. The Hokies are in play for five additional defensive linemen that could all play DE (Garbutt, Porcher, Debose, Johnson, and Dimukeje.) I think every one would be a solid get, and for guys who aren't talked about much, I really like Dimukeje and Debose as potential steals as both look ready to play from a technique and size prospective. Garbutt is the best natural athlete, and Johnson I think has the most upside- a physical marvel with some serious anger in his game, but his technique needs work. (I have not had a chance to give Porcher's film a second look yet.)
He fucks so he clearly knows how to "grab the bull by the horns", if you will.
Is "Seth Dooley Fucks" in the TKP glossary? It's one of the most obscure memes on this site. I remember the origin, but I don't know what thread it's in.
http://www.thekeyplay.com/comment/458417#comment-458417
5 Star comment fam.
I knew I felt my ears burning...
Sidenote, I do not recommend googling images related to ears burning.
Saw this and thought "c'mon, it really can't be that bad, can it?"
so, naturally, out of curiosity I googled it.
And let me tell ya, not nearly as bad as I was anticipating. Not sure what popped up for you but it really wasn't that bad IMO
I'm now thinking it was totally that bad, but you just really like to party.
Could be
Guess you are use to looking at images of STDs and parasites then. To each his own.
I'm not exactly sure what kind of algorithms Google uses but these are literally the most graphic images that popped up on the first page for me
so if you're getting worse stuff than that I think that says more about your google habits than mine :p
and FWIW all I typed into goolge was "ears burning" and I clicked images
Do you have SafeSearch on?
Chris and5-Star-Commenter may have turned it off for...reasons.Edited for correctness.
isn't safe search a Mac thing?
It's a Google setting thing.
okay, I checked my settings. Safe search not turned on
Let the record show, I did not google (or search of any kind) the phrase in question.
You get all the legs
Not a position. But who will fill the void as emotional leader? That was clearly Sam Rogers. Who now steps up? Motu? I'm thinking Cam honestly.
I don't know the internal dynamics on the team. Based merely on on-the field chatter, Terrell Edmunds I think will be one of those guys on defense. He will have a ton of other responsibility though (communication on calls in the secondary.)
Offensively, that is a really tough question.
*COUGH* CAM PHILLIPS *COUGH*
Hopefully Wyatt Teller....just imagine him popping off and getting guys pumped like Rogers.
Despite the fan perspective, Moto seems to be very well liked on the team.
Motu's fan perspective seems to be skewed by last year's performances. In this most recent year, he's done significantly better. There are still times I see him hit a running back and the running back pushes forward for another couple yards. I'd like to see him get more stops at the point of contact. But aside from that, he's done fairly well this year.
If his improvement between now and next season is close or equal to his improvement over the last offseason, I don't see anyone unseating him.
Both last season's and the season before when he had to take over for a couple games due to the Chase Williams injury. I think people expected zero drop off from the beast of Jack Tyler to the senior Chase Williams to the r-fr. Motuapuaka. When Motu did start to struggle (due in no small part to his inexperience), they had proof that he was bad and everything since has been laden with confirmation bias.
I've never thought he was a *great* Mike and I'll readily admit he's put up his fair share of stinkers but from the way some fans talk you'd think he was the worst football player ever to step on the field.
Also, something else to consider...
French has noted that when Walker & Settle were paired together this year, they do a much more effective job of clogging up the interior, thus allowing Motu to do what he does best.
The thing with Motu is he was recruited as an OLB. He became a Mike basically out of need. And last year, he was being used as a block eater to free up the guys in the middle due to issues with the DL. This year, he played more like he should have, and the results were much better. He has good speed and can play sideline-to-sideline. He has a tendency to hit either too high or low, which is why he gets driven back at times. The one thing I wish he would work on is hitting the ball carrier in the middle and drive. Like Cody Grimm.
He was? That was news to me. He played exclusively as a 4-3 middle linebacker in high school. I was high on Motu because, at least on that film, he was very quick getting downhill and filling an interior gap. He has struggled mightily with that.
My comment was not an endorsement of Motu. I think, like all players, he is a flawed player, and at his position those flaws get exposed more frequently than we would like. He still doesn't tackle very well against top athletes in space. He still is often tentative and out of position with his gap fits. At the same time, those errors are becoming less frequent, and he has erasers around him in Settle and Walker to help matters.
[soapbox]
For the last time, can we dispense with the notion that fairly describing a player's flaws is "hating" on a player?
French has been saying, for years, the same thing we "haters" have been saying for years.
Motu has often been a liability in games, albeit our best answer at that position. He has improved and is more frequently a benefit, although he still has room to improve to become an actual "eraser" (I see what you did there, French). We "haters", along with everyone else I am sure, hope he continues to improve.
But please don't hate us for also hoping (unrealistic the hope may be) that some magical recruiticorn comes in and is an upgrade at that position.
[/soapbox]
I think there is a difference between fairly describing a player's flaws deduced from an actual understanding of the game and coming very sideways at a player doing his best for the team. There has been a lot of accurate criticism of Moto and other players on this site, but Moto in particular has received some "analysis" that absolutely crosses the line of accurately describing flaws into the realm of aggressive hate.
So when somebody glibly opines that Motu had a crappy game and it sucks that he is our best option, they are a hater, but when someone cites stats, or offers video breakdown demonstrating that he had a crappy game, and says too bad but we don't have a better option, they are not a hater? I mean... if I know he screwed up, but I can't tell you exactly how, am I not allowed to say he screwed up?
What would you define as aggressive hate? I've seen a whole lot of aggressive defensiveness against even the lightest of criticisms. I can't think of many instances of aggressive "hate" against Motu or anyone else. They are fairly easy to spot from the downvotes. I suspect our definition of the term differs. It may not, but given how frequently criticism is dismissed as hating, the definition of the term is certainly much looser for many.
I don't want to devolve this into highlighting examples. I just thought it was worth pointing out that people who were frequently labeled haters of Motu for instance, are consistently proved right in analysis by both French and the coaches. Likewise people labeled haters of LT3 when they didn't think he'd succeed as an NFL QB have been proven right. See: we've been there before.
But instead of respectfully disagreeing with the unpopular truth they more frequently get dismissed immediately and then in perpetuity as a lumped group of haters, with a puerile variety of "Suck It Haters" posts every time the player being criticized shows any degree of competence.
It's not terribly conducive to good conversation. There's nothing, absolutely nothing, wrong with criticizing any college footballer's play. It shouldn't matter if you are the Frenchiest or the most krak_t, if you are fan you get to demonstrate your passion by opining on the players.
Speaking for myself, I could not be happier if Motu turned into the second coming of Jack Tyler, or if LT3 had turned out to have a head for progressions. I'd be ecstatic. But I'm not going to pretend their inconsistencies don't exist. I suspect most the so-called haters feel the same way.
As someone who has read every comment on every open thread for the last few years (because I love you guys), I will say I absolutely understand why there is an underlying perception of hatred towards Motu. A reasonable critique is one thing, and many people do that well. But the profanity-laden vitriol that gets spewed at that poor kid during games is really unnecessary. I've seen some denigrating comments towards a bunch of players, but he seems to get the most. People need to realize he's not suddenly going to transform into the Grimm Reaper. He plays a decent game but unfortunately his position is such that if he messes up, it's usually big. Then he gets dumped on pretty aggressively. Few people acknowledge the plays he makes well, which are the majority.
I was trying to find a way to respond to this and you pretty much nailed it perfectly. I'm not against legitimate critique, but the game thread/post-game comments sometimes reach way beyond the line.
Seconded.
Leg for you, that's exactly what I was trying to say.
I agree that there's nothing wrong with legitimate criticism of a player's performance. However that criticism, if objective, should also include the positive as well. I think that criticism of Motu, more than most other players, seems to have adopted the narrative that he is awful and does nothing well. It can be frustrating to read constant criticism of a player when he makes a mistake, only to be followed by cricket noises when he makes a great play. This is just my personal perspective, but it seems to me that Motu gets singled out for criticism more than most. Not to say that criticism isn't warranted and the discussion isn't valuable at times, however it often seems like he can do no right in the eyes of some fans on here (not directed at you, just a general observation).
Played OLB up until his Senior season, I believe, then moved inside.
You're right on struggling with filling an interior gap. Seems his mind ties up his feet and makes him tentative. I wasn't endorsing him either. I just don't think he's as bad as many people make him out to be.
You guys. I'm not necessarily saying he's bad...but he is by far the least productive mike we've had since I've been following Hokie football since 2004. He's a liability. He is contact shy. He does not change direction. He is slow to diagnose where the bubbles are forming. It's ironic that he runs conditioning with the defensive back because they hit better than him.
God help him if an OL gets their hands on him. He usually trys to spin out of it, instead of fighting with his hands, and just get shoved out of the way.
It's truly shocking to see how Chase Williams / Jack Tyler / Bruce Taylor / Vince played the position contrasted to Motu. They were constantly between the A/B gaps in the defensive backfield driving the RB or QB backwards.
Motu, on the other hand, gets met 5 yards past the line of scrimmage and taken for a ride.
We need more production at the position. Period.
I would love to see the best player step up and win the position. After seeing Beckett's and Carter's highlight films last year, I was hoping they get the system down quickly. As one of the coaches said about Carter, he's a grown man right now.
we have had a string of excellent MLBs since 2004. If you think Motu is a liability, you should have seen our 2003 defense.
the bowl game put me in the hospital...literally
MIKAL BAAQUEE
Mikal Baqee and Brandon Manning as 2/3 of the linebackers was not ideal.
Is this even a real question?
#DucksFlyTogether
I'm most interested in the DB situation. Seems like we have enough talented players to cover all positions, but some are best suited in specific spots. If Facyson leaves, corner depth will become a serious issue, since we've had the luxury of him, Adonis and Stroman this season, with Mook working mainly as nickel/whip
Hard to get a feel until A) we understand if Facyson is coming back B) what the situation was with Greg Stroman, who didn't play after the missed tackle on a screen where he hung Big Tim out to dry a bit early against Arkansas-i have seen some twitter comments suggesting he may have reinjured himself C) until we have a feel for how good Rogers and Ladler looked on the scout team this year. I loved Ladler's film before his injury, and many of the recruiting folks were very high on Rogers. I just have not seen both live yet.
...Rodgers? or has Sam intimidated the NCAA into giving him more eligibility so long as he only plays defense from here on out?
#2 redshirt freshman Tyree Rodgers. My apologies.
I would be interested in an in-depth analysis of skilled position blocking. It looks to me like this offense relies heavily on skilled position blocking. I have gone back and watched a few snaps here and there of our games this season but it seems outside of Rogers, Peoples and *maybe* Cunningham our skilled position blocking is severely lacking. I'm not sure if that is something you deal with when you go from Group of 5 to Power 5 and your skilled players are just plainly better at their specialty or if it's something that needs to be taught to younger players when they first enter the program.
I'm curious about the young WRs. Losing Bucky and Ford presents a huge opportunity for the young kids. Who do you think step up out of Deablo, Kumah, Patterson, Denmark, Capehart?
It sounded like the staff were pretty high on Deablo if I remember correctly based on the way he practiced this year. Kumah is also a big kid, Denmark is a burner, and it sounds like Capehart is going to be a stud. I kind of have a feeling that Capehart could come in and have a good freshman year.
Also, what about Bradshaw? I thought he was going to step up this year and provide some depth, but he rarely got on the field.
To add on, how beneficial are the limited snaps that these guys got to their development? For example, Kumah was on the field in the Belk Bowl, even though the play wasn't to him (AFAIK).
Does this help them going forward, or was it inconsequential?
Bradshaw got hurt mid-season. He was showing some really good hands and has some size.
For what it is worth, I really like Savoy. Capehart gets off the ball really well (like Eddie Royal) but he may factor at defensive back from what I am hearing (I think Savoy could be an excellent corner as well.
Deablo played less and less as the season went on. Late in the year, Murphy and Kumah were the guys who got reps when Carroll was hurt and the other guys needed a breather. We know Murphy has jets based on his kickoff work. The rest right now is a mystery. For what it is worth, I thought Kumah would project very similarly to Jarrett Boykin (big body, high points the ball well, similar preferred routes) so I hope he will step up. Patterson and Samuel Denmark were on scout team all year, so unless we start hearing buzz about them tearing up the top defense (see Hodges, Bucky) it will be tough to get a feel until the spring.
Fuente mentioned Patterson as a bright spot on the scout team. Also mentioned Rodgers and Belmar.
Link
I want to know who will be responsible for pushing trucks around in the parking lot?
Seriously though, I am concerned about the D-line and O-line. I know the younger guys got a lot of reps this year but still replacing 5 starters (6 if teller jumps?) in the trenches is going to be rough methinks.
DT is a concern for me. We had the best depth there we've had in years the last 2 years, but next year is going to require timmy to be able to carry the load. We know he can play a series every so often and play at a high level, but don't know if he can hold up for the kind of snaps he'll be needed for next year. Sobzcak has played in some blow outs and I know French likes him, but he is still an unknown for me and same for Hewitt. Definitely going to be a drop in quality depth at DT next year.
DE is all still unproven as well IMO. Mihota will be stout against the run, but not provide very much of a pass rush. Hill hopefully will continue to regain explosion and become more consistent. House looked the most explosive to me in his limited snaps. Dooley actually looked pretty good in the limited snaps I saw him. Then you have taylor who I thought would move inside when we signed him and hopefully a stacked incoming freshmen class to work with. Will definitely be green at the position, but could have quite a bit of talent.
If healthy, our starting DL should be the best combination of stout in the trenches and explosive through the gaps and off the edge. Factor in Tremaine Edmunds +/- blitzes from whip and we are going to spend quite a bit of time in opposing backfields. Depth is a concern though. Ricky Walker or Hill go out for a significant time and we may be in trouble.
Big Tim's proven to be a hard worker. Hopefully he can get himself into good enough shape to play 4 Qs. That alone may be the key to this team's success on D this year.
I have not seen or heard anything to indicate that Teller will leave.
I think defensive line will be fine, provided that that Mihota and Hill make full recoveries from their surgeries. Jarrod Hewitt is the guy who will have an opportunity to be the 4th guy if he has a good spring.
I'd like to see a comparison of how we played against Clemson, versus how OSU played against them. How do we almost pull the upset while a "much better team" gets shut out?
The short (and not nearly as good an answer that French could give) answer is that Tim Beck utilized an ultra-conservative and ineffective offense that he had been using all year and refused to throw the ball at the weaknesses in the Clemson back 7. He continued to run and throw at the strength of the defense all game. Overall just a pathetic game plan, almost haughty in his refusal to adjust the offense. Clemson's defense designed to shut down Tim Beck's uncreative shit storm of an offense. I went back and watched One hour football film of all Ohio State's big games and saw this blowout coming from a mile away. Truly sad given the talent they have on offense. They could have utilized Curtis Samuel as an h-back receiver and absolutely torched Clemson's linebackers and safeties in coverage.
Same reason PSU beat anOSU.
On OL, seeing Darrisaw, Aiden Brown, Dzansi and then Lecitus Smith who I've heard is likely moved to OG. His film is all as a blocking TE. So maybe a good range of OL prospects in the class as is.
Besides QB (don't sleep on Hooker), I am most inerested as well to see how the FS spot gets replaced. Hopefully spring ball will emerge so answers if Floyd, Alleyne, or Quillen can step in or whethee Devon Hunter can burst onto the seen. I have also heard really gold things about Tyree Rodgers so if Facyson does leave then I am excited to see him play.
I think Plantin will be a pleasant suprise with his size and technique now that he is finally healthy. I really am curious to see how the right side plays out because their success is the key to this season. With a new QB, he is gonna need the protection and resemblence of a running game to get us back to that 10 win mark.
No they are call girls when you sleep on them, they only become hookers after they are dead...
All kidding aside it sounds good that they are trying to get him to graduate early and get in for some spring reps. If nothing it will motivate and push Jackson
As I said after our 2016 WR class was signed and the 2017 class was offered, Fuente needs shifty guys that can get YAC (hello Cam). The 2016 class was not full of that. 2017 is. There will be a true freshman that steps up. Cape or Savoy seem like the front-runners.
I tracked YAC for every game this year. Cam blew the rest of the team away.
Care to share? I believe you, just want to see the numbers all together.
Stat sheet is at home for each player, but my written stat for podcast tonight is Cam finished with 7.9 YAC avg, team overall was 6.0 avg with his numbers, without him 5.1 avg.
Note: I have to watch every pass and make a judgement, not a statistician. Been meaning to ask David Hale what ESPN has him / team at as they track it on their internal stats.
BTW, that's yards after catch, not contact. Want to make sure we weren't talking past each other.
EDIT: I see below we weren't
No, I'm with you completely. If we were talking RBs, I'd expect "contact" instead of catch.
This is why the production from the tailback spot was not better. It seemed like every time we had one guy to beat, we could not break the tackle, or if Rogers, did not have speed to consistently capitalize on it.
Yards after contact for RB are different than yards after catch for WR
Thanks - did not know that. But we still need a back better at breaking tackles.
For sure.
Unfortunately we just lost our best tackle breaker to the draft :(
He should have the highest YAC playing exclusively in the slot IMO.
No ID think the opposite. There are more tacklers nearby. If you are on the outside you have 1 man to beat maybe the safety as well. Make a good move and you can be off to the races.
if we had a qb that could hit the deep ball I'd agree, but since evans was much better hitting the short routes in stride it allowed cam to make the most of it.
Your biggest YAC plays are the short throws. You can have short throws to the outside, curls and outs even WR screens. Maybe Evans didn't have the zip to hit those quickly, or the timing, maybe Fuentes O doesn't favor those plays, maybe teams were playing tight man on the outside against us.
and the slot saw more short throws...
This is pretty exciting all around. Just a year ago we were coming off
some subpar seasons hoping for maybe 8 or more wins. Now we have
all these great players and it's like how can we get better.
It sucks Evans is leaving. But I'm looking forward to the QB battle taking shape.
JJ was the most impressive to me in last year's spring game, even if he was playing
against 2nd team players. Just has a real poised way about him.
Now that all our D backs are so schooled hopefully we'll continue to get better
in that area too. The bowl was definitely a good showing for that.
O-line is and will remain my biggest concern until proven otherwise.
I really felt like it was gelling during Searels' second year, and now we've got an entirely new coach with a different scheme and it got iffy right away, and really seemed like it didn't get much better as the year went along.
Vice has the most to prove IMO. As French said, he has a lot of bodies to work with, so hopefully things will work out next year. But I'm a bit gun-shy after the "zone-blocking" unscheme of he who shall not be named.
I really love zone blocking. Just needs to be done well. I think Grimes was a zone man, but Searls was a power running man, hence inconsistencies (at least, one factor) in our running game.
In this day and age of exotic blitz, I think we have no option but to run zone. Thoughts?
Wait, why are we talking about Rich Rod?
wait for it
I think Fireman is in trouble, call the Fire Department!
...wait.
What we waiting on?
Oh cool... so I guess HF is warmed up enough to him to want him coaching in the Burg
...and my day is complete. Thanks HF, your reliability is like a Sam Rogers catch, never in doubt.
It is amazing what a new coach and a 10 win season did for my perspective. If we had lost this much talent 2 years ago I may have put money on our bowl streak ending. I now find myself expecting us to find a way to answer all these questions. If we beat WVU, the rest of schedule sets ups for a good chance at 10 wins, with some time to develop new players and a good home schedule.
Eagerly awaiting your OL analysis, French. Looking forward to your take on the new guys who could line up. Can you give any thoughts on Dzansi? Would like to hear how his year prepping at FUMA elevated his game.
Will make a note of it. I have not watched him yet. Trying to get the two bowl stories done, then some recruit reviews, then Year in reviews in March
Thanks. Can't say enough how impressed I am with the great work you guys do.
I'll be on the lookout to download those reviews for free at Napster.
I'm actually fairly comfortable with the receiver and even QB situations. What has my interest the most in the run game in general. Evans was essentially our run game this past year. Regardless of who our new QB, its going to be vital we have a dependable, consistent running game. Whether that's due to a dynamic star RB, improved OL play with the solid backs we have now, or a combination of both, I don't know. I just think that's going to be the biggest factor in the team's performance in 2017.
If Reid, Fox and more likely McKenzie leave this off-season, our running back room will have gone from heavy to empty really quick.
That would leave McMillian, McClease, not sure his injury status, Williams, not sure his injury status, and Peoples probably, and then whomever in the recruiting class.
Offensive Line Im not too worried about, without attrition, thats 20+ bodies including incoming freshman. Hopefully a couple people can step up out of that group.
Defensive backfield. If Facyson does declare, here are my thoughts:
CBs - Alexander, Stroman, Te. Edmunds
FS - Mook
ROV - Shegog
We'd need a new whip, of course...
The more I think about it, the more confident I am that the likely best case scenario is that a new player is able to fill one the safety spots effectively. A Reggie Floyd or (crosses fingers) an ahead of schedule Devon Hunter to claim one of the safety spots emphatically and either keep Rell at rover or move him to FS if someone emerges at Rover. I'd prefer to keep Mook in his hybrid nickel role. I also hope a corner or two sets himself apart for depth. Rodgers or a healthy Ladler would be great.
I just don't know if Mook has the size (6'0", 183lb) to be a safety. He obviously has the cover skills that Bud requires and he is physical enough, I'd just worry about his body when flying up to tackle 220lb running backs. Shegog (6'2", 213lb) does have the size, but you have to start to question the speed and cover skills. Mook was more of a nickle, though he could cover some whip duties. Shegog was the traditional whip brought in on traditional looks and heavy packages.
Shegog was already tried at safety and got moved to whip, so I highly doubt he gets moved back. Personally would like to see alexander bulk up a bit and put him at rover and move Terrell to free. Would leave us extremely thin at corner and Rodgers/ladler would both have to be counted on.
Put Plantin in on run plays and Jackson in on pass plays. Problem solved.
Or better yet, put them into a particle accelerator and valmorphanize them into one person!
But then what if that person is now subpar at run and pass blocking???
kinda like when the rocket scientist who married the super model? Their kids were dumb as a brick and ugly to boot.
#Genetics will get after ya'!