Linebackers Tremaine Edmunds and Andrew Motuapuaka return, and at 6'4, 236 and 6', 235, are bigger and more explosive than your typical Big 12 linebacker.
It's crazy after the last five or so years hearing people so high on our LBs.
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I couldn't stand matuapuaka like 2 years ago. He had a nose for big plays but he constantly missed assignments and got sucked into the blocking. I think he's developed incredibly well into a very dependable player
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I think it was just unfortunate for him to have to start so early in his career in a position that Bud relies so much on instinctive play. I wonder if he had been able to get a few years of practice and limited play time in and gotten his first starts as a junior/senior if we would all see him as just the next dependable/above average Mike. Hell, hopefully his trajectory stays linear and after this season he's one of the better we've had instead of just above average?
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the Mountaineers will be in rebuild mode on defense, with top cornerback Rasul Douglas (eight interceptions last year), leading tackler Justin Arndt, and the entire DL moving on
And:
this [VT] OL returns three senior starters while plugging in a former blue-chipper at left tackle in Yosuah Nijman. They need to maul an undersized front like West Virginia's
And the title for the next section (1 paragraph away) of the article:
All other things being seemingly equal, WVU has the more proven QB
Who writes this stuff? From what he writes VT has the advantage on OL and on Defense. Yes, I think Will Grier will be more experienced than whichever QB VT puts on the field, but JJ or Hooker (or Bush) could light them up as they don't what they are going to see. The analytical result here that WVU has the advantage and VT is the underdog is BS - and the article says it in clear sight. Pfffft, writer bias anyone?
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Posted elsewhere but will reply here for the sake of discussion, four of those teams had loosing records and the two big teams he won against (Tennessee and Ole Miss) were at home.
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They are small and inexperienced on the DLine and at LB. We are large and experienced as hell on the OLine. That only makes us more multiple. I understand we'll be trotting out a brand-new QB, but CJF's system is built to get a QB in rhythm early via no-read passes and designed runs. (I also think that this QB group - especially Jackson & Hooker - is more game-ready than the majority of first-time starters, but that may be me seeing things thru O&M glasses).
Basically, I think the author drastically underestimates how much our experience up front tips the scales in our favor in the 'VT O vs. WVU D' matchup. I think we will be able to run the ball with great success, which further eases the pressure on QB1. If Jax/HH/Bush can limit the big mistakes, we will put up points.
Oh, and: I know that Grier can make all the throws, but his lack of running ability cannot be discounted. Great arm, but Deshaun Watson this guy is not.
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It will be a big test for our defensive line. We should know quickly how dependable the back ups are when the starters need a blow. I'm confident our DBs will show up ready to play. I'd look for the offense to establish the run early. If the opportunity presents itself I would expect some runs on third and short in the first quarter.
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WVU previews are coming. In reaction to some of these comments:
1) Despite WVU's losses on defense, they present a big challenge. Their LBs don't "read" plays. Much like Bud's D, WVU looks to occupy the 8 key gaps up front. They bring 8 from different angles, but they do so by stunting so they know where they are going before the snap. That means option and misdirection will be less effective, necessitating that VT's OL win some battles up front. It will be paramount for VT's OL to stay in their lanes and get a hat on the first blue and gold that shows. If they do, they will be physically more imposing than WVU. If you can't wait for the preview, go back and read our previews of ECU. Conceptually, WVU tries to do the same things in the front seven.
2) Grier is good, and is a much more effective runner than Howard. Yet, I don't think he will get as many carries. Grier does throw really well on the run, which is significant. WVU runs a ton of package plays with triple option. The option is that the QB can hand to the dive, keep, or flip the ball outside on a screen or quick slant based on the alignment. That requires the QB to make some throws with less than the best mechanics, and Grier has the arm strength to make those throws on the run.
3) While WVU returns a very good RB, they are much thinner at WR. David Sills can ball both with YAC and going up and winning deep balls (he looks like he is a 6'4 frame.) But, they don't return much else and Sills is a first time starter.
Without the benefit of more detailed film review, I think VT will have to let Grier get some runs, with the trade off being getting some extra shots in and stopping the dive back. Then, when they get third and ones, take away Sills and keep Grier in the pocket.
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Comments
It's crazy after the last five or so years hearing people so high on our LBs.
I'm can't tell if it's that or the fact that Tremaine and Motu are being compared to Big 12 LBs.
Or the fact that mainly Tremaine is a damn beast !
I couldn't stand matuapuaka like 2 years ago. He had a nose for big plays but he constantly missed assignments and got sucked into the blocking. I think he's developed incredibly well into a very dependable player
I think it was just unfortunate for him to have to start so early in his career in a position that Bud relies so much on instinctive play. I wonder if he had been able to get a few years of practice and limited play time in and gotten his first starts as a junior/senior if we would all see him as just the next dependable/above average Mike. Hell, hopefully his trajectory stays linear and after this season he's one of the better we've had instead of just above average?
I would agree with this
So, reading the article we see the following:
And:
And the title for the next section (1 paragraph away) of the article:
via GIPHY
Who writes this stuff? From what he writes VT has the advantage on OL and on Defense. Yes, I think Will Grier will be more experienced than whichever QB VT puts on the field, but JJ or Hooker (or Bush) could light them up as they don't what they are going to see. The analytical result here that WVU has the advantage and VT is the underdog is BS - and the article says it in clear sight. Pfffft, writer bias anyone?
Or this gem:
I can only hope that WVU thinks Fuente will be bringing a one-dimensional offense into Fed-Ex
Bingo! Thanks for the addition. That just makes it worse. Appreciate the add.
I don't think the analysis is unfair. Grier is a highly-rated QB who is 6-0 starting at U of F. Experience is an advantage no matter how you slice it.
VT certainly has some other advantages. Should be an interesting game.
Posted elsewhere but will reply here for the sake of discussion, four of those teams had loosing records and the two big teams he won against (Tennessee and Ole Miss) were at home.
Alum here to correct you in 3....2....
I think his advantage is that he's played in some games, and did well.
Let's not over- or underplay it.
Grier's experience is similar to Brendon Motley's going into last season. And his stats are only marginally better than Motley's were.
I don't see a need to downplay Grier as a quarterback. Getting him into the lineup is an advantage for WVa.
By the way, Motley was also a decent quarterback.
Relax, articles like this just don't worry me when we have the opportunity to set them straight during week 1.
My reaction:
They are small and inexperienced on the DLine and at LB. We are large and experienced as hell on the OLine. That only makes us more multiple. I understand we'll be trotting out a brand-new QB, but CJF's system is built to get a QB in rhythm early via no-read passes and designed runs. (I also think that this QB group - especially Jackson & Hooker - is more game-ready than the majority of first-time starters, but that may be me seeing things thru O&M glasses).
Basically, I think the author drastically underestimates how much our experience up front tips the scales in our favor in the 'VT O vs. WVU D' matchup. I think we will be able to run the ball with great success, which further eases the pressure on QB1. If Jax/HH/Bush can limit the big mistakes, we will put up points.
Oh, and: I know that Grier can make all the throws, but his lack of running ability cannot be discounted. Great arm, but Deshaun Watson this guy is not.
O God a non running QB!!! So over under is set at 100 yds and a TD?
via GIPHY
It will be a big test for our defensive line. We should know quickly how dependable the back ups are when the starters need a blow. I'm confident our DBs will show up ready to play. I'd look for the offense to establish the run early. If the opportunity presents itself I would expect some runs on third and short in the first quarter.
WVU previews are coming. In reaction to some of these comments:
1) Despite WVU's losses on defense, they present a big challenge. Their LBs don't "read" plays. Much like Bud's D, WVU looks to occupy the 8 key gaps up front. They bring 8 from different angles, but they do so by stunting so they know where they are going before the snap. That means option and misdirection will be less effective, necessitating that VT's OL win some battles up front. It will be paramount for VT's OL to stay in their lanes and get a hat on the first blue and gold that shows. If they do, they will be physically more imposing than WVU. If you can't wait for the preview, go back and read our previews of ECU. Conceptually, WVU tries to do the same things in the front seven.
2) Grier is good, and is a much more effective runner than Howard. Yet, I don't think he will get as many carries. Grier does throw really well on the run, which is significant. WVU runs a ton of package plays with triple option. The option is that the QB can hand to the dive, keep, or flip the ball outside on a screen or quick slant based on the alignment. That requires the QB to make some throws with less than the best mechanics, and Grier has the arm strength to make those throws on the run.
3) While WVU returns a very good RB, they are much thinner at WR. David Sills can ball both with YAC and going up and winning deep balls (he looks like he is a 6'4 frame.) But, they don't return much else and Sills is a first time starter.
Without the benefit of more detailed film review, I think VT will have to let Grier get some runs, with the trade off being getting some extra shots in and stopping the dive back. Then, when they get third and ones, take away Sills and keep Grier in the pocket.