The title says it all. We are less than two weeks from the spring game, and I just had two conference calls get cancelled. Put your questions below and I will respond in kind. Any topic is welcome!
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I Love Jarrod Hewitt
In the latest VT Athletics YouTube Spring Football Recap Jarrod Hewitt gets some screen time. Where do you see him playing next year? Does he get extended playing time (sort of like Settle was last year, getting in the rotation regularly) or will he play a Sobscak role behind Settle, WIlliams, Fullwood, etc, seldom getting on the field?
I expected him to be the third defensive tackle this season. His high school film showed me a twitchy defensive tackle who could bend and slant into the proper gap and who was stout and strong enough to stay in his fit.
That said, he hasn't looked as explosive, especially in pass rush drills, as I would have liked to have seen him this spring. He is incredibly strong, but had a frame where it was possible for him to add too much weight. I think that has happened. He looks heavy and even though his first leverage move is effective at creating an angle, he seems to have trouble bringing his legs with him to capitalize and turn the corner. I have heard some reports that Dee Fullwood has surpassed him, and Fullwood looked more disruptive in the latest snapchat film.
Settle and Walker are going to be "the guys." But, in order to play at a high level, especially against hurry up no-huddle spreads, they need to get wind. Whoever the 3 and 4 defensive tackles are, Charley Wiles needs them to play about 30 percent of the snaps.
If the traditional run game doesn't appear to be improving on last year's effort by the fall, would you anticipate that tipping the odds at all in favor of Hooker over Jackson given his upside as a runner and the anticipated growing pains of a young WR corps?
I will talk about this in more detail this summer, but this run game is predicated on misdirection, and always leaves guys unblocked to influence them. The goal of the traditional tailback run in between the tackles is to hold the inside linebacker. That means there are going to be a bunch of runs where the tailback has to take what is there and run by/through an unblocked man inside in order to make the defense respect the inside threat. That opens up screens, jet sweeps, and quarterback runs. Even going back to the Memphis films, the running backs don't break big runs when the OL destroys everyone. They break big runs when you see two or three defenders running out of position (usually overreacting to a jet sweep or quarterback keeper.) More often than not last year, the back became the sacrificial lamb for those other runs.
Two plays in particular stand out. One, the touchdown run McMillian had against Duke. The Duke inside linebacker was unblocked, standing in the hole. That means two things- first, that he would not have factored if Evans had pulled the ball and handed it off on a jet sweep, and second, McMillian had to win a battle to make even a decent gain. McMillian ran right through him.
The second play was the first Evans touchdown run against Notre Dame. He faked to the back. The offensive line completely botched the run blocking, and there were three Notre Dame defenders unblocked on the side where Evans was running around the edge. All three though were staring at the running back diving off the right side. Evans ran around the edge and plowed into the endzone for the touchdown.
Jackson is a very capable runner and has the frame to take a pounding. Bush is bigger, quicker, and more built to have that 20 carry kind of a game. Hooker probably has the best big run ability of the three. Again, until I can see all three at game speed against the same level of competition, it is really hard to make a prediction. I will say though that Fuente will look at the long game to impact his decision. If Hooker makes it really close, it is going to be hard to redshirt him and then bench your starting QB in 2018.
How much of the struggle in the running game last year can be attributed to OLine play? Does that look to be an area of improvement in the second year under Vice?
Some of those struggles were personnel. Eric Gallo took a big step back last year. Augie Conte's run blocking improved late in the season, but he was a liability in pass protection. I think just as much, the skill guys not blocking well in space was a serious issue. Colt Pettit helped things against Notre Dame and UVA, and then Cunningham struggled with blocking against Arkansas.
Vice is trusted by Fuente, and to me that continuity is important because Fuente's scheme doesn't always showcase OL in a great light. They leave defenders unblocked on purpose to influence their movement. Outside of Gallo's struggles, I don't think that the group was bad late in the season.
That said, there are some technique issues which don't sit well with what I expect from offensive linemen (as I pointed out when discussing the shuffle drill the other day.) I understand that with zone blocking staying engaged on a block is more important than being aggressive and potentially missing. But it sure seemed like our interior offensive linemen, especially Gallo, were giving ground and not getting any kind of horizontal movement using that technique. Time will tell, but I have not been impressed so far.
I know someone will mention offensive line recruiting. I want them to make headway with some prime talents, and that has not happened at the pace any of us, me included, are looking for. I will say that his targets at least fit a zone blocking profile (long, relatively athletic with good feet) so at least he isn't recruiting square pegs for round holes. But, right now the quality of the offensive line in 2019 is going to be determined if project guys like TJ Jackson and Silas Dzansi are on the same type of trajectory that Yosh Nijman has been. And very few of those types of gambles pay off, so I think it is a worry.
Do you have any suggestions for people trying to get more in depth in their football knowledge?
Chris Brown's Smart Football is an excellent read. He also is very well acquainted and writes on Fuente and Foster's schemes.
http://smartfootball.com/
I would also recommend Football Study Hall from sbnation. Not nearly as in depth as Crispy Brown, but they tend to do a 1,000 ft look at schemes and advanced stats that are at least slightly more digestible for the average fan (and will teach you a ton about the game as well).
http://www.footballstudyhall.com/
Who are your top 3 NFL prospects from this year's team, and why?
Adonis Alexander- long corner who can play man. He has to become more risk adverse and turn to bail when his cushion gets threatened, but he has the length and flexibility that NFL scouts love at the corner spot.
Cam Phillips- Terrific route runner who has the ability to create separation. Has added much needed strength. He may not be an NFL star, but he has the skillset to have a long effective NFL career.
Tim Settle/Ricky Walker- Very different players. Settle has the size, strength, and twitch to be a big time one gap 3 technique in the NFL. Walker will need to improve his pass rush skills, but he has the combination of size, athleticism, and smarts to be a two gap 3-4 defensive end, which is a very difficult position to draft for NFL teams.
Wyatt Teller- Uniquely gifted offensive lineman. You can't teach his feet, aggressiveness, reach, and strength. His adherence to assignments (see the McMillian TD vs Duke I discussed above, Wyatt was chasing a guy stunting away from the play instead of staying on his path to the guy McMillian ultimately ran through) is costing him a ton of money.
I know folks look at the Edmunds brothers as well. Tremaine is an NFL caliber athlete. I am not sure where he transitions too. Terrell has to show range at the free safety spot. His flexibility and ability to cover makes him attractive as a depth player, but he has to show range in zone coverage to get a starting NFL safety nod. He hasn't been used in that role yet, so we will see.
That cheese free diet really affects the math skills.
I blame my liberal arts education. I don't recall having any counting classes.
No cipherin' classes with this guy?
Two questions on unrelated topics.
Quarterbacks, I've been reading your snapchat reviews and you seem to be unsure on the Bush/Jackson battle and have mentioned it could depend on how comfortable the staff ends up with the receivers. This may be a short answer as you have already fleshed out your thoughts a bit, but I am curious if you are starting to lean one way or other based on what you've seen and why.
I read a schematics breakdown from 11W on Don Brown's defense at Michigan last year and stumbled across a cover 2 variant that looked very familiar to our mid 2000's defense particularly 2006-2009(?) in my memory when we would have the boundary corner pressed or just a few yards off the outside receiver in man, the field corner seemingly play way off the line of scrimmage with a deep 1/2 zone responsibility and the safety to the boundary side played the other deep 1/2. I don't think we've seen much of this recently but I wonder with increased confidence/experience in our secondary if we will see it return this season. Especially considering how much success Don Brown had this past season utilizing it (or a close variant). Thoughts?
I have not seen the 11W piece (feel free to link it.) With Kyle Fuller at the boundary, Foster did something similar where he manned Kyle, put Jarrett in the box, and then formed a diamond with Kendall, Facyson, and Bonner to the field to mess up ECU and WCU back when Kendall was a freshman.
http://www.thekeyplay.com/content/2013/september/9/bud-foster-gives-me-n...
Link to 11W article on Don Brown
I don't doubt that we used that in 2013, which feels like the last year Foster has ever had full confidence/health in his secondary to utilize a great diversity of coverages. For whatever reason, I just associate that pre-snap alignment with the 2007ish teams in particular.
Last season had much more diversity in coverage. It was the most zone I can remember going back as long as I have written my column here. He just couldn't be diverse against Syracuse, which is the game that kind of sours everyone on the defense last year.
Yep, this past season felt like a huge breath of fresh air given the depth and youth in the secondary the last couple seasons that really forced Bud's hand into the reliance on man. I actually hold this past year's defense in pretty high regard, and I thought the defense more than held it's own after giving up the first 17 to Syracuse for us to have come back but the offense took two and a half quarters to wake up. Similar story against GT, the defense had it's rough moments but they created plenty of stops and opportunities that the slow-starting offense completely failed to take advantage of.
Any idea why he couldn't get that diverse against Cuse? Was it because of their offensive system.
Hurry up, and they kept using trips to the boundary. This forced the nickel into man while the mike and the free had to bracket the inside slot. The inside slot guy tormented them all day.
From my time with the team, Bud loves to play Cover 3 against ANY trips. That was something that always got drilled into skelton drills. Even with different formations, he would have the defense ready to shift into Cover 3 if one of the WRs, TEs, or FB's could possibly motion into trips.
Very strange to hear he had a man coverage against the Trips.
possible scheme change under Mitchell?
I highly doubt it. When I was there we had Lorenzo Ward, and then Torrian came in. Some of the leverages changed (I remember Roland Minor hated Torrian when he came in. Hated the types of leverages he was telling him to to do), but in general how we defended trips was always cover 3.
My other friend would have more insight to coverages as he worked directly with the DBs. I'll ask him. We played a ton of Robber coverage too, but honestly I can't remember what made the FS change it to that coverage, and of course different offenses got played different ways.
Whatever happened to Roland Minor?
Great question. He never came back after our first year in the ACC, but I have no idea why. The Brandon Ore of d-backs.
Found an article about him
Looks like it was a bit more complicated than I remembered. This sounds like he lost his starting job after the 2005 season and then had a car wreck and academic struggles thereafter.
He tried to switch things up, but almost all the time Motuapuaka was playing some kind of leverage combination with the nickel or the free safety on the inside slot, while the other two guys were covered by the corner and either the nickel or the free that wasn't helping Motu. See clip 7
http://www.thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech-football/2016/10/12952/dome-disa...
We'd welcome more insight! Bud's defensive concepts are fascinating.
What is your favorite scent of potpourri?
I know it's early, but what are your expectations of the 2018 recruiting class? What would you look for to call this class a success?
ok ok, ignore the first question....I am interested in your answers to the second
No. I would like an answer to the first question.
Cherry Pie
I don't really know. I know there are some really talented guys we seem to be in the mix for. Patterson is a good fit. I just want to see a difference maker WR, OL,CB, and DT and besides Tre Turner (WR) I don't know that I am seeing "that guy." I need to see film on Crossen if they can get him and Turner- corner is the hardest position to predict (go back far enough and you will see me stating that Facyson would be best suited as a WR), perhaps he is that guy at DB.
Right now, the DT recruits are ok, but pedestrian. And there are not enough of them to get warm and fuzzy where if you miss, you are up against it.
What do you think of McNeill. (http://247sports.com/player/alim-mcneill-91888). Before his recruitment absolutely blew up we seemed to be the leader and hes a smaller DT that seems up our alley. I'm not sure what to think of his recruitment because he played MLB junior year.
Hard to tell until I see senior film, but he reminds me of Ricky Walker when Walker played middle linebacker against Marshawn Williams.
This might be a dumb question and I should know all of this, but could you give a quick breakdown (roles/responsibilities/differences between) the following positions; Mike, Backer, Whip, Rover, Free Safety? Also, what are the main differences between a Fullback and H-back?
Second Question: Have you watched any film on OL recruits? And if so, are there any that you are more excited about?
Short Version (I encourage you to go through the French on the Bench archives for more information.)
Backer- always aligns to the boundary side. Could be asked to scrape and fit like the mike, but sometimes (when the boundary DE crashes inside) is asked to be an edge player and spill. In the Bear front, the backer plays a stand up edge defender on the line of scrimmage to the boundary side and also has to force the play. It is a hybrid of a 4-3 OLB, a 3-4 OLB, and a defensive end.
Mike- Almost always aligns either to the field side (wide side) from the inside eye of the center out to the C gap, depending on the call and offensive alignment. The mike identifies any bubbles that form between the field DE and the field DT and fills the bubble, unless they key a read option and cross key (meaning the DL slants with the OL and the mike goes opposite of the DL slant to find the QB.
Rover- safety to the boundary side. In cover two, rover has deep half. More often, Bud uses inverted cover 2 where the rover comes up to be the alley defender while being in position to also cover the short boundary flat.
Free safety- aligns to the field side. Alley player to the field against 21/22 personnel. Against the spread, he and the nickel will alternate coverage on the slot/run support/zones to mix up the QB. A free has to be good at man coverage. A rover has to be good in run support.
Nickel/Whip- always aligns TO THE PASSING STRENGTH. That is usually the field side, but not always. Against the spread, he will align over the slot, but often (see Arkansas) had his receiver off to the free safety and come flying into the box. He is most effective in space when the blocking design can't find him.
He broke down the responsibilities of the linebackers in his evaluation of the 2017 LB signees: http://www.thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech-football/2017/04/14048/evaluatin....
Also, many of French's film reviews over the years breakdown positional responsibilities: http://www.thekeyplay.com/category/tags/french-bench. Here's a thorough analysis on the H-Back (http://www.thekeyplay.com/virginia-tech-football/2016/07/12280/finding-h...).
Pick one: cheese once a week for life or give up fishing for life?
I am the guy who invented OPTION C. C I am fishing, and not eating cheese.
Kobayashi Maru type of guy, why am I not surprised?
I don't believe in a no-win scenario.
I'm of the opinion that JJ is going to start and that an accurate passer with the ability to go through progressions will take the offense to about the same level of production as last year, despite the loss of talent.
I was wondering how much you value the QB going through progressions as opposed to the one read and go, and what you see our offensive production looking like next season.
I think it adds an extra element. Is it vital? Well, they just made the national champs sweat with a one read QB that was so one-read, when he got to the second progression against UVA, Fuente called it out like he had seen manna fall from heaven in the post game press conference. Fuente wants the guy who will make all facets of the game go smoothly. Part of that is being a good runner, but the other part is getting the ball into the hands of his playmakers. For however Bush as looked good in these limited windows, his film at Nebraska had him throwing one hoppers on screens. Evans weakness was that his inaccuracy and limited pocket presence created negative plays at bad times that really put VT behind the sticks (see Vols, Syracuse, GT) and he didn't have the ability in the dropback passing game to get it back. A QB that is a threat on those draws and can also be dependable to hit a crossing route on 3rd and 7 makes the offensive more dangerous.
For me, the question is, how good of a runner is Jackson versus how consistent a passer is Bush and Hooker? That ratio, mixed with how the rest of the offense looks, will tell the story on April 22.
Do you take:
A great passer in the system with average running ability or
An average passer with great running ability
Yeah this is what I have been pondering myself. Seems like the QB has to be an excellent runner in our offense.
Andy Dalton went undefeated as Fuente's QB for a full season. I don't know if I would call him an excellent runner, but he was good enough to make the defense account for him.
Bud went from a 4-4/bear to a more traditional 4-3 after the Cal debacle. He's now doing more of a 4-2-5 with the remphasis of the spread these days. Where do you think he'll reinvent himself next? 3-4?
Even though the alignments have changed, the scheme is exactly the same. Gap fit slanting to the football. Have a designated force/spill edge call and get the safety unblocked in the alley.
I think the challenge Bud faces is that everything he does is designed to get an unblocked defender as a free hitter in the running game. The spread offenses makes that tougher, especially when the QB can run. Duke gave VT fits with their running game using that scheme. Because of the spread, you either have to get outnumbered outside or lose that numerical advantage in the box. Bud was able to disguise to get Mook in the box versus Arkansas, but they didn't need to account for their QB as a runner.
The only way to complete fix it is to have DL that can fit correctly, and then win a battle to go make a play. I thought the weakness in 2014 was that the DL didn't have the "lead in their pencil" to win at the point of attack and then get off the ball to make a tackle. In 2015, the DL may not have been as good at penetrating, but they were much more sound against spread running games except for Duke. Now, if Settle and Walker improve, they have DTs that can eat up multiple gaps, which allows their linebackers to run free more often.
Which position group lacking depth scares you the most this year? DE?
Great question. Defensive tackle. Safety. Corner. If Gaines comes back, and Mihota is healthy, I am not worried about defensive end. I think Debose will be an upgrade over Dooley as a 2 DE.
Now, if Mihota isn't healthy (he was really beat up at the end of last year), then it becomes a worry fast. Garbutt and Proctor will need some time to develop. Perhaps Porcher starts out there before he grows and moves inside? Minor and Belmar are getting the first team work this spring, with Taylor (who has not looked good) and Burke behind them. There are numbers- are they good numbers?
What do you think the Caps' chances are for the playoffs this year?
They are a very good team. It will be tough to get through the Metro though. Despite my anti-Caps rhetoric, I enjoy their on-ice product. Braden Holtby is excellent (and should have won the starting job sooner over Neuvirth a few years ago.) They have scoring depth and good role players. Backstrom finally looks like the dynamic player he was before the concussion. Ovechkin seems to have slowed down a bit, but he has better players around him.
I am not sure that the Capitals role players are as good as past iterations, and the defense has been a bugaboo in the playoffs, especially moving the puck through the neutral zone. Shattenkirk addresses the issue of moving the puck, but does he give them that shutdown defenseman to neutralize top scoring opponents? Columbus doesn't really have that kind of line, so the potential second round match up with the Pens would tell that story. I like Carlson, Alzner, and Niskanen. But Orpik, Schmidt, and Orlov can be liabilities at bad times.
As for my vitriol to Caps fans, it really is the obnoxiousness of their bandwagon fans. My first year in Northern VA was the season after the strike/Ovechkin's first season. I went to a game at Verizon against the Rangers on Columbus Day, and I am not sure if there were 5000 people in the building. For the Hanlon years, tickets were $10 in the Eagles Nest and $17 in the upper deck. Then, the Capitals developed a good young team and the bandwagon loaded up with hockey illiterate boobs. They were tolerable, until the Caps started having playoff disappointments and suddenly the same folks who couldn't tell you what shape the puck was suddenly were dishing on how awful Jeff Schultz was (while taunting me.)
The breaking point came with the Mike Gartner retirement ceremony. Normally, a number being retired is a solemn, emotional moment. Mike Gartner was one of my top five favorite players growing up and the only guy besides Pat Verbeek who didn't spend most of his career as a Ranger. He was also one of the top all time scorers in league history. I bought tickets and even got a Gartner Caps shirt for the occasion.
Nobody in the crowd had any idea who he was, and bantered like an episode of Real Housewives through the whole ceremony. I was so disgusted that I left, and I have not been back to a Caps game against any team besides the Rangers since then. I was a six game ticket pack guy every year up to that point, and usually attended about 8 games a year besides the two home games against New York.
Every team has those types of fans. Don't let them get you down.
Sadly, it was a whole section. It was a really lousy experience for a guy who was an absolute all time great, even here in Washington.
I'd like to think I'm not an obnoxious fan but I definitely fit the mold of a bandwagon or casual fan. I've been to a grand total of 3 Caps games. I enjoy watching hockey but I'm not an avid fan of any team. I live near DC so there it is.
Watch Mike Gartner highlights. You can't do it without smiling. One of the true gentlemen of hockey, and in true DC sports form, the Caps traded him for scumbag Dino Ciccarelli.
Man that guy could score the puck!! And he was blazing fast too. I'm sure he was a ton of fun to watch back in the day. Seemed like a classy dude too.
terrific player to watch. I miss bad goaltending, because so many of those ripping slap shots coming on the rush would be average saves now.
my very limited #sauces (okay, my one #sauce) has said it looks like Bush has been the best QB so far and you can pencil in Pimpleton as our 2nd best receiver already. Your thoughts?
Also, have you or anyone else heard anything about the Farley experiment at CB and how it's going so far?
I have seen very little of Farley. I think Pimpleton will get a significant number of snaps as the slot receiver because he has shown the ability to stretch the field (he beat Edmunds cleanly for a TD in one snap) and really excels on jet sweeps. Does that make him "the second best receiver?" I don't know because he won't be a guy you see lined up outside. I think he will play though, especially if he gets better at attacking the ball with his hands instead of cradling it in his stomach.
As for Farley, I have not seen any film on him in coverage. I have heard good things, but it is pure rumor and innuendo until I see it.
obligatory:
Too often we forget that Bush was recruited by Nebraska - a pretty big P5 program - to run an offense similar to ours. He fell out of favor when a HC change caused the offensive scheme to change. Transferred to JUCO and now he's here...
He always had the talent/skill set to run this offense. Just never worked out for him.
accuracy and reads have always been the issue. His film in Nebraska spring games was not confidence inspiring. But, he has looked good in the limited windows we have had.
One other thing to remember in my whole "QB isn't in a vacuum" narrative.... the left side of the OL is experienced and talented. The right side is an unknown right now. Bush, as a lefty, would have that unknown on his blindside. A factor...
Shocked that there are so few requests for my scorching food and movie hot takes.
Just an FYI- Michael Barrett, a four start DE that committed to VT years ago before de-committing and going to Georgia, has moved from DL to OL for the Bulldogs.
Noo can't be! Only the Hokies move guys from Offense to defense or back.
gonna apply the brakes here. this is not what I refer to when I disagree with moving players.
Barnett was signed as a DE, played the entire 2015 season at DE, was switched to OL during 2016 and then back again during the season, and is now listed on the UGA football page under OL/DT
http://www.georgiadogs.com/sports/m-footbl/mtt/michael_barnett_965606.html
In my book he was given his shot and has been passed by. Now he is utility player trying to find the field. Hopefully the move works.
What I have disagreed with in the past and have lamented has been the hyper-quick position change after a few days, weeks or a month of time. Blatantly recruiting a player for one position and then immediately changing them.
I get that changes need to happen for depth, but giving someone a "shot" does not happen that fast. Some changes have been great (Teller, Yosh), others extremely necessary (Logan, Marshall), and others dubious (Mihota). And while some have worked out well, no one can say that these players wouldn't have dominated in the position they were originally recruited for because they never had that chance. (And yes, I know Wyatt volunteered).
The issue I have always had, back from when I went to school at VT in the 90's, is that we as a program at some point need to be able to play our top recruits at the positions they are recruited in. As a transparency issue with recruits who are making a critical decision and to prove that we can play size where it naturally should play.
In a vacuum this is not an issue with a few players over the years. But it has unfortunately been a reputation with recruits from at least my time which players I knew openly talked about. (Another TKPer at one point in previous discussions noted that his cousin, offered by VT, specifically discounted us for this reason).
Anyway, this is a new era. Fuente and Bud will move players around, that is expected,as will all programs. I simply hope it is with less fippancy.
Just sharing a tidbit.. he de-committed before I even had a chance to evaluate him.
for sure. more a reply to fireman to defend my position on the subject being that i am usually the most vocal about it. not really directed at either of u.
A couple of years ago, JJ Green was moved from RB to DB, then transferred to GT to play RB again.
Maybe it's just the teams I follow.
They certainly need the help, lest Eason become the next Hackenburg.
What is your favorite sports movie and what is the best sports movie?
Great question:
My favorite is and always will be The Program, with a slight edge over Bull Durham and Slapshot.
Major League was my favorite until I saw The Program, and all three Major League movies (even the Back to the Minors movie) were good. Major League II has one of my all time favorite movie characters-Jack Parkman.
Most overrated was Varsity Blues. It had great characters. But some things chapped my ass. First, it triggered a wave of teams quitting on their coaches, who in large parts were just coaches trying to coach. Second, why does the offensive lineman character have to be so morbidly obese that he can't even get in a stance. That typecasting bothered my with Necessary Roughness (even though Manu was awesome) and the Replacements (a sumo, really?)
The Replacements and Summer Catch are two of the worst, that got redeemed by the mere presence of Brooke Langton and Jessica Biel at perhaps the height of their powers.
"A PLACE AT THE TABLE! WOOOO! Also interesting to note that the campus scenes were shot at Duke, but not the football stadium shots of course. Even the bus Darnell gets off of during recruitment and showing up (with and without cheerleaders) is a Duke University Campus bus.
Top Gun
Iron Eagle
Fire Birds?
Hot Shots.
Best place you have been for fly fishing stream trout in SWVA/WNC/Eastern Tenn that is kid friendly?
Also, about to purchase my first fly rod... will mostly do stream fishing for trout but may fish rivers and the odd lake here or there: 8.5' or 9 footer 5wt sound good to you?
There is good walking trail access to fish Whitetop Laurel in the special regs/fly only section up at Taylor's Valley. I grew up fishing "the rock wall" above the second trestle on Whitetop Laurel for stocked fish using bait (I liked mealworms) as early as 9 years old.
I can't speak to flyrods. The only flyroding I have done was with a cheap one (8 footer). If you fish up there with a fly rod, learn to rollcast. I always preferred finding a farm pond with some big bluegill and flipping out a floating spider as a kid. Less work, and bigger fish.
Almost all of my experience is out west where you have to fight wind and willow bushes, but I did get out while I was at Tech, and a few times on trips back east. Long fly rods caused me hell fishing whitetop laurel and elsewhere back there (I was almost always too hungover to actually know where we actually were, get in pop's car at 6:30, pass out, wake up and go fish). Part of that was being used to wide open (no tree) lake and stream fishing in CO, and I never really 'got it' in VA until we went to 6 ft 2 weights. They do tend to be finicky, and I think it was easier to learn on the heavier, longer equipment.
If you're looking to do some river (especially if you're going to wade) and lake fishing with it, the 5 or 6 weight is probably right. Will let you do everything, with a little bit of accommodation when you get into the tighter stuff. I think the best way to learn how to cast is to get out into a soccer or football field, set your stuff up just like you would when you're fishing, but take a pair of pliers and bend the point of the hook all the way into the shaft so it won't catch on stuff.
Also, learn how to tie all of the knots. Practice. it's tedious as hell to get it figured out, but there's nothing more frustrating than trying to get a blood knot tied while a hatch is happening.
I would add to your last sentence the surgeon's knot. Easiest and fastest way to tie two lines together. Not very pretty, sleek, or as aeorodynamic as the blood knot, but in faint light or with frozen fingers, it'll suffice until a better time and is about as strong as anything else.
I fish a lot of braid and sometimes use a floro or mono leader, and I like the uni to uni for that application. I've never had it fail and it is a pretty sleek little knot if you can cut the tag ends tight.
Surgeon's knot also comes in handy for various cooking applications! 10/10 should learn
Pops is and was a stickler for blood knots. Get it right or get beat (kinda). When I was still living at home and fishing 30+ days a year I could (seriously) tie a blood knot with my eyes closed.
I tied two of them yesterday with my eyes closed for a client just to prove that its an easy knot to tie.
I tie a true blood knot but this is a very easy way to learn how to tie an almost blood knot.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOZum2373iw
Thanks for that link. I think my biggest problem with all of the knots I use is that I tend to go for expedience instead of doing things the right way. I realize that good enough isn't always the best way, and since my fly fishing has deteriorated into popping bugs only, and even that rarely, I've just quit doing it right, and gotten lazy. The blood knot, however, has a lot of useful application for anyone using leaders or joining lines, and I used to tie them regularly, but got totally out of the habit. Since you brought the almost into the blood knot discussion, what is your opinion on using it instead of the true blood knot?
I first learned the blood knot when I was guiding in Aspen full time and constantly tying tippets and leaders seemingly all day long. I thought the "almost blood knot" was actually the proper way to tie the true blood knot. Don't know where I learned the proper way, but it was some point during that first season. I did lose fish on the almost, but I cannot say for sure it was the almost knot, because we were fishing 4x-6x and everyone loses fish on those tiny tippets. Also lost many, many fish on true blood knots on small tippet. I seriously doubt there is any difference in strength between the two, if there is, it is probably minimal.
I do know that a big part of fishing is confidence. At this point in my fishing career, I am supremely confident in a true blood knot and if I tied an almost blood knot in my tippet, it would definitely be on my mind while fishing it.
You will rarely find me using any other knots besides a perfection loop, blood knot or Rapala knot/loop knot, except for musky fishing, when I use a jam knot/square knot. I recommend folks find what works for them, perfect it and stick to it because confidence in fishing is so important.
With regards to your comment on getting lazy, I find myself more and more just enjoying being out on the water and relaxing versus hardcore fishing. I guess I'm getting old. And being lazy has certainly cost me many a fish.
Thanks, flyguy. I appreciate the input. I like the almost blood knot, and like you, have lost fish with the true blood knot, but fly fish so little these days that when I do anything other than bream fishing, I am usually either throwing big poppers for smallies, or seriously large trout flies (Kreelex, for example) in western streams where there is so much flow and big trout that I'm not messing with any thread thin tippets.
Like you, I love the Rapala loop knot for some applications, but use the Palomar for pretty much everything else. And yes, confidence is the key, isn't it?
I am a double uni knot guy when tying any leader to the main line.
Most fun I've had fly fishing SWVA was White Top Laurel with tandem dry flies in mid-May. Leave the lower put-and-take section to the bait dunkers, and follow the VA Creeper Trail upstream. Most of it is a borderline cascade-pool system, so scrambling up the boulders may be tough. Good thing is, you can easily hop back on the trail. A 5wt is the maximum you'll want for trout fishing in VA. You can also fish for Smallmouth with a 5wt (I'd recommend a longer 6wt though). I'd recommend dropping to a shorter 4/3wt if fishing for Brookies. Helton Creek is heavily stocked in Ashe, NC if you're looking for high densities of fish. My favorite place around Blacksburg is Little Stony (the Cascades) for Brook Trout. Big Stony can also be a lot of fun for Rainbows and Browns, but working around road anglers can get frustrating. If you're just learning to fly fish, I recommend getting out in spring; the fish are dumber and the experience less humbling.
Get a lighter weight than 5 for smaller VA / TN / WNC streams. An 8' 4WT is about as big as I'd go. The Cabela's CGR line is fantastic, and if you catch it right can be had around $70. My go to is a TFO Finesse 7'6" 3WT with a nice 3WT Double taper line. Makes roll casting a dream.
Wilson's Creek in WNC seems to be a Mecca. I usually fish near Asheville and into the GSMNP on the NC and TN side. If fishing the park buy the NC license, it's a lot cheaper than the TN one and you can fish both sides. Cataloochee is beautiful, The Luftee in Cherokee, the Little River on the TN side, I could go on and on.
If you want to fish some stocked trout the Tuckaseegee in Sylva is slammed up with trout (one of the most stocked rivers in the East) and is delayed harvest. Good place to go to catch numbers and the occasional hoss.
The previous rods are great for trout and panfish, but you'll need something bigger for large and smallmouth. The CGR 7/8 is another good choice but I prefer the TFO BVK if a little less on a budget but still not willing to sink $500 in a rod.
What's your budget?
1. What's the technique to get people to cancel conference calls?
2. Do you think we can expect more improvement from Motu next season or has he nearly maxed out his potential as a football player?
In this case, I got lucky.
I think Motu is pretty close to being topped out. I think having Settle and Walker at a top level will make him look better.
Your conference call was cancelled because you got lucky? Talk about a way to start your Monday.
if you had to seed the entire TKP staff in a beer pong tournament, how would they all rank?
Well, if tennis translates to ping pong, I was the 1997 Emory & Henry intramural tennis champion. So I would say I would dominate.
But.. what about beer pong?
1) If you could only eat one thing for the rest of your life... what would you choose?
2) Beverage of choice while fishing in the summer?
1) roasted pork loin on a kings Hawaiian roll or fried pork chops with fried potatoes, green beans, and apple sauce cake cooked in cast iron.
2) Deer Park bottled water. I have to stay focused.
I had not heard of apple sauce cake before, but I have been on a quest to bake something sweet in the cast iron. This may be it.
Uhhh, French, uhhh, did you say cake?
Pie is my favorite desert, but in this one case, apple sauce cake was part of my favorite meal. I used to spend thanksgiving week on a camping/deer trip in Craig County. We stayed in a camper, and meals with my dad were usually canned fare (like chef boyardee) that could be made easily on our camper stove.
But, always for dinner the day after Thanksgiving, we would cook a big meal on a wood stove in the old garage where the old timers stayed. My uncle was the last of that generation. We would use cast iron and cook pork chops and fried potatoes in the cast iron, along with bacon dripping filled green beans. My aunt would make an apple sauce cake for my uncle and he would share it with us. I looked forward to that meal more than my birthday or any other meal. My uncle passed away a couple of years ago and my dad doesn't make the trip up there anymore, so it holds a bunch of emotional currency with me.
You have to make a starting 11 on defense and offense using only characters from football movies. Go.
Got to go Falco at QB. He's got heart.
Gonna have to disagree with you there
He comes with 2 much baggage. He's a bit of head case.
He used to, but he changed his ways and is a team player now. Plus, for coach....
My name is, Willie Beamon. And I leave the ladies... cold creamin
Coach Red Beaulieu
QB Steamin Willie Beamon
Backup QB: Paul Blake
Third String QB: Uncle Rico
RB Darnell Jefferson
RB Sarge Fumblina Wilkinson
WR Charlie Tweeter
WR Flea Ward (never saw the actor, but what a great name- the Program DON'T THROW THE FLAT)
TE Deaf Brian Murphy (The Replacements)
OL Scott Bud Light Kaminski
OL Manu Manu the Slender
OL
OL
OL
DE Lattimer
DT Andre Krimm
DT Julius Campbell
DE The Waterboy
LB Eric 'Samorai' Hansen
LB Alvin Mack
LB Luther 'Shark' Lavay
S
S
CB Alan Bosley (an absolute liability in coverage though)
CB
I appreciate help on the gaps.
Lattimer is a liability on short yardage without the juice.
Can't argue with "The Slender" or Krimm.
Who draws the first unnecessary roughness penalty, Waterboy or Hansen?
Hansen
for the folks who have no idea what I am talking about...
Waterboy's hits were all clean man.
Come again?
So he got one late hit/personal foul. The man made fun of his momma and he loves his momma very much.
Captain Insano shows no mercy.
Bold move to put Bobby "The Waterboy" Brouche at DE instead of LB. Severely disappointed in the lack of 2005 "The Longest Yard" members on this list. Could have thrown in Bill Goldberg as Battle, Nelly as Megget, and The Great Khali as Turley. Not to mention, Coach Burt Reynolds.
How about:
OL: O.W. Shaddock
OL: Joe Bob Priddy (even if he was abused by Weeks)
(both OL for North Dallas Bulls)
Louie Lastik would be a solid body on the OLine. And I'd take the kicker from the Waterboy too
I like my idea for kicker better...
Thad definitely deserves a mention.
technically, there was a movie....i'll allow it
Great question. This deserves its own thread...
If there's a slow day, feel free my dude.
It's gonna be a long offseason after the spring game. We can do a different thread for each position.
You bring the whiskey and I'll bring bullshit topics we can passionately debate.
I feel like one of us is getting the raw end of the deal on this one...I don't TKP good today
You do bring up a good point though.
You got it.
French I notice you have gone fishing, but have you ever gone crabbing before? If so, did you enjoy it?
I never have. Sorry.
Using your psychic dork magic, predict the 3 guys from C/O 2017 who will have had the best careers in O&M and why?
2 players that will have a breakout 2018 in O&M.
Zion Debose- because I said he would, and I need him to make me look like a genius
Devon Hunter
Caleb Fairley
If you had to choose one position in Bud's defensive scheme that you believe is the linchpin, which position would you choose...the Mike Linebacker, the Whip, or something different?
Safeties and the backer. Bud has gotten away with some mikes who were not elite players. When backer and the safeties are bad, the defense is bad.
There are some questions I couldn't get to. I will address them when my afternoon calls finish up. Thanks everyone for a good back and forth!
since the spring game won't be televised, will there be a radio broadcast of it?
there was last year with laazer and burnop
How big of a role do you see Dalton Keene playing this season?
Not sure if he will start, but he will get substantial playing time. Too big, athletic, and good at blocking not to get a sniff.
When will we sign a stud ACC-level RB again?
I too want to sign another blue-chip RB, but I do have to ask what "ACC-level" means. McMillian was a 1000 yard rusher in the ACC and in 2014 we signed two 4* backs (they unfortunately didn't work out, almost entirely because of injuries). Additionally, Jalen Holston could turn out to be a great back even if he was only a 3*.
I'm pretty sure there were only two 5* starting backs in the ACC last year, Hood and Cook (who some had as a 4*) the rest were probably 2-4* guys. I'm genuinely curious because I don't think of the ACC as being a hotbed of running back talent outside of a few elite guys.
Fair enough. Evans, Ore, Williams, Wilson, Suggs-level. Will an RB of that caliber be interested in VT under Fuente?
Holston is interesting, but I'm not sure what his ceiling really is. Not sure it's as good as some are high on him.
The roof. The roof is his ceiling.
Is his ceiling on fire?
if so let that mutha f'er BURN?
Now that makes more sense. I don't really consider those guys ACC-level running backs those were all GREAT backs, particularly RMFW, KJ, DW, and Suggs. Those guys were All-Americans or AA caliber at least. I've expressed my concerns with RB recruiting under Fuente if we continue to not feature a back or at least have one that is regularly making highlight reel runs. That said, I have tempered my worries with it being too soon to tell. However, if the running back's primary use continues to be running between tight splits for little yards to open up outside stuff, I am not confident we grab a blue chip guy, at least not with any consistency.
I have no idea. Besides Kevin Jones, Ryan Williams, David Wilson, and JC Coleman (good Hokie, didn't become an elite player), VT usually has very productive backs that were not top tier recruits.
We got burned (what felt like) a lot last year with an illegal man down field, due to RPO's being called, and the OL blocking 'downfield' for pass plays. Do you think the 3 yard down field rule is out dated? If you were the president/dictator/king of the rules committee, would you change the rule? If so, what would you change it to? If not, why not?
I think it is impossible to be a defense when the offensive linemen can be in the lap of the linebacker on a passing play. I would make officials call the three yard rule much more frequently to give defenses a chance. VT got burned on calls, but got burned much worse by all the times opposing offenses had linemen down field (especially Tennessee.)
Unless it is a point of emphasis call, it will always be an arbitrarily called penalty. There are a lot of things going on that refs have to keep up with. Granted, I only reffed high school, but it's tough to keep track of everything. And I was more observant than most. There are more refs on the field in college, which should afford extra eyes on more things. But then, college has more going on with most plays.
The problem is when the arbitrary calls only go one way. It's hard to keep up with how things are going, as a referee. But, most should try to make sure things are being called both ways.
Yep the problem with the rule is the inconsistent enforcement. We got a front row seat for its inconsistency this season, but it's been a huge issue for years now. A few years ago, Baylor regularly had OL so far downfield that they were almost blocking the passes with their heads and bodies I'm talking OL 5-8 yards downfield almost messing up their pass plays because they were too close to the intended receiver and almost never got called for it. So teams like Baylor, TCU, Oregon, etc went all in on taking advantage of this rule. You always hear about the rules in the NFL that blatantly benefit the offense to the detriment of the defense, well this has been a less talked about but major example in college football.
On the first Vols touchdown, two linemen were at the goal line on the pass while the ball was snapped from the 7
French, is there anything about Lane that you would change to make it an even better home field advantage?
I'll preface this by saying I'm referring to the design aspect, not bored sorority girls texting and nerds throwing paper airplanes.