From Andy Bitter:
Beamer says plan is for OL Wyatt Teller and Parker Osterloh to redshirt. "Yeah, if we can, we'd like to." #Hokies— Andy Bitter (@AndyBitterVT) September 9, 2013
Here's why it doesn't make it sense to me to redshirt Teller. Will he be here for 4 years? Based on his upside, physicality, athleticism, and everything else he has going for him, no, I'd bet against that. He's an NFL talent. The o-line is thin even without the Miller injury (which doesn't appear to be major), so why not get Teller actual game experience in the event he needs to play this season? Either way, it's good preparation for 2014.
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Agreed on not redshirting Teller. I was surprised to not see him out there on Saturday. And I think he's our starting LT in 2014.
Agree and they just blew an opportunity to get him some quality playing time, however, the starters need all the reps they can get, too. They are vastly improved. Proud of them!
I think both, especially Teller, are on the same emergency plan that the team used with Michael Vick in 1998, Ryan Williams in 2008, and tried to use with Tyrod Taylor in 2007.
Essentially, the offensive line has a set contingency plan right now to deal with injuries. With Miller out:
- If McLaughlin gets hurt, Conte will play right tackle and Gibson will move to left tackle.
- If Caleb Farris gets hurt, Benedict would likely move to left guard, and Conte would play right guard.
- If Wang gets hurt, Farris would move to center, with Benedict moving to left guard, and Conte playing right guard.
- If Benedict gets hurt, Conte would play right guard.
- If Gibson is hurt, Conte plays right tackle.
When Shuman is healthy, he becomes the first man up at both the guard and tackle spots, with Farris moving to center if there is a Wang injury. Matt Arkema has looked much better in mop up duty against Alabama and WCU, so perhaps Grimes could develop some trust in him.
As we all know, plans are made, but the great generals are the ones who still in the battle even when the plan goes haywire. Grimes allowed every player on the offensive line to learn multiple positions, and assignments essentially flip flop regardless of side in the running game. Moving people around in fall camp now has created some flexibility where in the past we had talented guys at backup positions while less talented guys started at weaker positions.
Teller and Osterloh play a role. With Miller hurt, and Shuman's status uncertain, the Hokies could manage have one more failsafe in Augie Conte. From my understanding, Teller and Osterloh are taking #2 repetitions in practice, so they have not been relegated to the scout team (I will ask Andy Bitter if he can follow up on that topic) and would be ready to play in the face of an emergency. All will be well.
Next season, Miller and Wang will depart. This flexibility will help make the transition that much easier.
Incorrect. David Wang was given a medical hardship waiver, and will be back in 2014 for his 6th year.
We should have a very, very good offensive line in 2014, as we will only lose Andrew Miller. But we need to work on 2015 depth in a big, big way.
2014 Offensive Line
LT Jonathan McGlock, Wyatt Teller, Brady Taylor
LG Caleb Farris, Mark Schuman, Braxton Pfaff, Billy Ray Mitchell
C David Wang, Matt Arkema, Jack Willenbrock, Eric Gallo
RG Brent Benedict, Parker Osterloh, Kyle Chung, Colt Pettit
RT Laurence Gibson, Augie Contie, Tyrel Smith
2015 Offensive Line
LT Jonathan McGlock, Brady Taylor
LG Augie Conte, Braxton Pfaff, Billy Ray Mitchell
C Jack Willenbrock, Eric Gallo
RG Parker Osterloh, Kyle Chung, Colt Pettit
RT Wyatt Teller, Tyrel Smith
Am I missing anyone?
McGlock... really sounds badassed!
Jack Willenbrock needs to bulk up (currently listed at 237 pounds) before he's a starting center.
Sounds like a redshirt to me
Yeah, that's never going to happen. I expect Chung will be our next center.
Noting more solid than Wang passing the torch at center to Chung. Then everybody can, you know, Wang Chung, tonight...
Ugh. The ESPN piece using that joke when Ed Wang was with the Bills and Patrick Chung with the Patriots a couple years back was so awful.
Let's be honest, EPSNs jokes are always bad. Aside from what they broadcast, THAT's the best joke of all.
Fox Sports 1 FTW!
I'm pretty sure that French has mentioned that he expects McGlock to move to RT eventually and Teller to start at LT.
McGlock started two games, one being against the best front 7 in college football, lined up against the Tide's best pass rusher, and played very well at LT. Him and Gibson will be starting at both tackle spots the remainder of this year and again in 2014. What makes more sense to you: move an exceptional two year starter firmly entrenched at LT to the opposite side or get Teller ready to start at RT in 2015 while providing depth on both sides in 2014?
I'm going with what French has said based on his OL knowledge. I played WR/DB in High School (and on a not very good Single A team at that), French played OL in college, so I tend to trust his judgement on things related to OL skill and fit. Grimes has shown that he's willing to move his players around to get the best 5 on the field in the best positions for the team. He moved a 2 year starter at Center to RG and moved a frequently injured sometimes starter at LG to starting at Center, because he thought it put the best 5 linemen on the field that gave them strongest overall OL unit. Teller has only been at LT (outside of any work in High School) for about a month or so now, but French has raved about how he has the size, mobility, etc. to be a 1st round draft pick at LT if he picks it up the mental side well enough.
Let's just hope that there is definitely not a Wang injury! That's the kind of thing NOBODY wants to experience!
After reading and hearing all the coaches comments..it didn't seem like Teller was ready to play this season on offense or defense. I'm good to go with their best judgement on that topic. They work in the coaching profession and I don't.